Thoughts on Sport and Tatty's Tips - Thursday 15th December 2011

I said we would need luck with yesterday's little lot and I wasn't far wrong with only 2 winners and 3 others getting into the frame from 11 choices. 

I have come to the decision that in future I will try more to find horses that are "better value" and so in that case will try to steer away from obvious short price favourites. It may be the case however that I consider the favourite to be the best option in a race, but remember, these choices are only horses to watch - not necessarily opportunities or recommendations to invest in.

So let's see if we can find a couple of "interesting runners" at today's Southwell and Kempton cards.

Southwell

• 12.30  Great Nicanor - 2nd 3/1
• 1.00    Monty Fay - unplaced
• 1.30    If You Whisper - unplaced
• 2.00    Ay Tay Tate - unplaced
• 2.30    On The Cusp - won 11/4
• 3.00    Kishanda - unplaced
• 3.30    Resplendant Alpha - 3rd 20/1

Kempton Park

• 4.00    Big Time Charlie - unplaced
• 4.30    Manomine - 2nd 4/1
• 5.00    Pose - unplaced
• 5.30    Sunrise Dance - unplaced
• 6.00    Western Approaches - unplaced
• 6.30    Tislaam 2nd 7/1
• 7.00    Ghost Dancer - unplaced

Yesterday's racing news was dominated by the banning of 4 jockeys (including Kirsty Milczarek and Jimmy Quinn) in the BHA corruption case. To read the Racing Post take on the story please click HERE

Better news on the jockey front is that the lovely Hayley Turner will return to the saddle at Kempton Park next Tuesday. After being sidelined for 4 months since breaking her ankle at Bath, the double 2011 Group 1 winning pilot comes back 5 days before Christmas, hopefully with a book of up to 3 rides. 

Hayley set to return next week

 Good luck Hayley, it will be great to see you back.

The Whip Ban Saga Goes On.......

Well the UK jockey whip ban saga goes on. After the jocks threatened to go on strike yesterday (Monday), they sent a delegation made up from Frankie Dettori, Richard Hughes, Ryan Moore, AP McCoy, Professional Jockeys' Association chief executive Kevin Darley and trainer John Gosden, to meet with the British Horseracing Authority.

After a meeting lasting an hour and a half, it was later announced that a review of the controversial new rules would be instigated with an intention to have the situation ironed out by Friday.

Meanwhile apprentice jockey Kieren Fox was hit with his 2nd ban in a week by the stewards at Windsor. Stating that he rides for the love of the sport, he added that he is now seriously considering his future. 

At Pontefract, Mickey Fenton, Adrian Nicholls and Joe Fanning all received bans, all losing their riding fees and any share of the prize money as laid down in the controversial new rules. Fanning was aghast, saying that it is only the 3rd whip ban he has received in 21 years riding in the UK.

Joe Fanning