From Huntingdon, Back to Reality.

Good morning

I had a lovely day at Huntingdon races yesterday - shame about the constant rain. Typical that the sun is shining this morning, as it was earlier in the week, but the day I go racing the heaven's open.

I must praise Huntingdon Racecourse and especially their staff. From the man on the gate when I collected my ticket, to the guys behind the counter serving food and drinks in the Lenton's bar and the young lady on the hog roast stand, everyone was polite, friendly and made it a pleasure to be there. WELL DONE HUNTINGDON - You have definitely got something right.

As for my suggestions, MTPOCKETS was well behind, it seemed, with half a circuit to go, but managed to run on whilst others struggled to only get headed for 3rd in a photo. PANTXOA ran well, but came across one far too good in A Media Luz who really looked the business to me.

Being somewhat of a form junkie, I really went against the grain in the 2nd race at 2.10 Looking at the horses in the paddock, I was really taken in by Alan King's 6 year old gelding Midnight Appeal. He had a series of duck eggs in his form when hurdling, but something just suggested to me that fences may be his making. With Robert "Choc" Thornton on board, he was always going well and took over at the last, winning with a bit in hand. Went off at 6's, but I managed to get a couple of points better than that.

OK, before I go on to today, if you kept an eye on my Tweets yesterday evening, you would have got a 7/2 winner in Spinning Bailiwick and a couple of placed animals at 11/2 and 9/2 at Kempton (yes, Kempton again - something strange going on here). 

http://twitter.com/uncletatty

Right then, today. Flat at Southwell and twilight at Wolves. Jumping at Kempton and Musselburgh. The best race of the day is the class 2 chase at Kempton 3.45, but with only 4 participants I think we will steer well clear of it. Nothing inspires me (as yet) north of the border and I haven't even looked at Wolverhampton, so it's off to the fabulous Fibresand at Southwell and the 1st 2 races on the card at that.

The opener at 1.15 brings a few capable of getting there, but I have a liking for NEVADA DESERT who come here on an all time low rating of 54. He's never won on the Fibresand, but has been runner up on a couple of occasions. If the old boy can deal with an 80 day lay off, he can get into the frame in this.

Half an hour later, we have an 8 runner, 3 year old, 6 furlong handicap. I like both Rylee Mooch (who I seem to remember writing about a week or so ago) and WINNING DRAW. My choice for Paul Midgley's filly is based on a pleasing run here a week back, when she was less than a length away from Fifth In Line. I fancy her to come on from that.

NEVADA DESERT Southwell 1.15 (e/w)

WINNING DRAW Southwell 1.45

That's all folks, remember to join me later on Twitter.

The Chairman

Off to Huntingdon Tomorrow

Hello everyone

Hope you are all doing well.

Recently, I have been writing an article for a local magazine, about Huntingdon racecourse and in my research, I contacted the racecourse marketing department who were very helpful and provided me with some great images to use (one of which featuring a close up of AP McCoy). They also have given me a complimentary ticket for tomorrow afternoon's meeting which I am greatly looking forward to. It goes without saying I will try as much as possible to keep the Twitter page updated via the Blackberry with snippets etc (it does depend on how many bottles of lager get consumed however). Address below:-

http://twitter.com/uncletatty

A couple I like the look of on paper (but that may well change when I see them in the paddock).  In the 1.40 MTPOCKETS ran really badly a couple of weeks ago up at Wetherby, but is capable of far better. In a competitive opener, the cheekpieces go on in an attempt to sharpen him up and keep his mind on the job. We shall see if they work.

Probably the race of the day is at 3.10 This 2 mile juvenile hurdle brings together some rather smart types, all of which could be at the head of the queue as it were. 

Nicky Henderson's A Media Luz fell last time at Kempton, but this sharp track should suit and she will be of a warm order to prevail. 

Seven Summits was useful on the flat, initially trained by Aidan O'Brien and later Jeremy Noseda. Not the easiest start for a hurdling career, but now in the hands of Barney Curley, keep a sharp eye on the market for any stable confidence. 

I think Two Kisses and Looks Like Slim may just find one or two too good for them, which leaves us with PANTXOA. He won his first two hurdles and came back down to earth with a bump (literally, not physically) last time, ending in 5th place at Cheltenham. If he settles well I think he can take this.

MTPOCKETS Huntingdon 1.40

PANTXOA Huntingdon 3.10

So it's off to the land of nod in a bit to dream of emptying the Bookies satchels (or if the weather forecast is right, trying to keep dry - if you are at Huntingdon, I'll be the drowned rat with the silver Lambert and Butler brolly).

Cheers

Tatts

Short and Sweet

Hi y'all

A bit short of time today I'm afraid.

No reply to my email to WBA yesterday, but I'm not surprised. I'm only a fan, not in the least bit important as far as they are concerned - in fact, the lowest of the low, so what do I expect?

Both selections ended in 3rd place yesterday and not at very good prices so were not worth backing each way. I did pick a winner on Twitter ridden by Southwell's answer to Dick Turpin, namely Hayley Turner in her mask, so if you are able then have a look. Address below.....

http://twitter.com/uncletatty

OK, only 1 for Wednesday and that is at Lingfield 3.35 VEROON regularly gets into the frame and should do so again. Beaten only by a head on his last 2 starts, you do wonder if he is a bit of a nearly horse who is not keen on getting his head in front. We'll give him this 1 last chance.

VEROON Lingfield 3.35

Keep your eyes peeled on Twitter for updates.

Bye for now

Tatts

Washout North of the Border

Good day my old buds

Well yesterday was a bit of an anti-climax was it not? I return to the land of the tipping, only to find its been a bit soggy up in Western Scotland and Ayr had bitten the slurry. Shame that, Ayr is one of my fave courses; I love the Ayr Gold Cup meeting and the locals are so friendly. I must go up again someday. Matter of interest, has anyone any idea who trains at the Cree Lodge stables across the road from the course now? I remember when Linda Perratt was there and I used to follow her gelding Ho Leng. He won me a few quid at Newmarket in (I believe it was) the Bunbury Cup one year.

In case of abandonments and non-runners etc, please follow my Twitter page where I will endeavour to update any of my blogs.

http://twitter.com/uncletatty

Back on to my pet subject of the moment, the dismissal of Robbie di Matteo from the Hawthorns. I wrote an email to the club today which I reproduce in full here:

I am totally at a loss over the relieving of Roberto di Matteo from his duties as Head Coach. The Chairman says it is due to the bad run of losses that has taken place, but why no strengthening of the squad in the January window, bar Carlos Vela?

1) Surely the idea of a Technical Director overseeing the bringing in of players means that Ashworth should go as well? He has surely failed in his remit to strengthen the squad. A coach is only as good as the players he has at his disposal.

2) Who are we going to find to do a better job than di Matteo? Unless the incumbant Manager has total control of all aspects, it will never work and we will be down in the Championship again before we know it.

3) Where is the logic in removing a Coach one week after the transfer window has closed? Any replacement will not have the opportunity to get in any players he requires to help keep us up (maybe that is what the board want - it won't cost them any more money will it?).

After almost 50 years of being an Albion fan, all I can say is that I am ashamed of the club for this totally ridiculous decision. I wish Robbie well and thank him for the excellent job he has done. Peace and his cronies have made one almighty big mistake with this and I for one wouldn't be sorry to see the back of them!

Will I receive a reply? Well I won't be holding my breath..... 

On to those 4 legged, annoying things that eat hay and nay a lot (and don't seem to run very fast on occasions). Southwell (AW), Market Rasen and Sedgefield are the courses of action for today, but to err on the side of caution, I will make both selections from the all-weather flat meeting at sultry Southwell.

Last week I went against EILEAN MOR who runs in the 3.15 maiden, but today I quite fancy Bryan Smart's gelding to get his head in front. I am not convinced the extra furlong was to his liking and a return to 6 should help.

An hour later at 4.15 ACE MASTER is one going up in distance  from 6 and 7 furlongs to a mile. He has been running ok at the shorter trips, but really does stand out to me in this field and I fancy him to prevail.

  EILEAN MOR Southwell 3.15 3rd @ 11/4

 ACE MASTER Southwell 4.15 3rd @ 3/1

Good night and good luck. Remember, updates if required on Twitter.

Tatty

Tatty Returns to the Blogosphere - again!

Hello Boys and Girls

Great news, THE TATTENATOR IS BACK! Mrs Tatty has recovered well from her operation and it's all systems go with the blog again.

Before I go any further, I was shocked to see my Albion had sacked Head Coach, Robbie di Matteo today. OK, I know we have been on a bad run, but a week after the transfer window has closed, where's the logic in that? If you think about it, it is typical of that tight ar*ed idiot chairman, Jeremy Peace to push the panic button. I suppose the timing is so that any replacement doesn't have to be given any money straight away to strengthen the squad. I cannot believe that anyone else will do a better job than Robbie and it is yet another bloody ridiculous decision by a ridiculously out of touch board who, you do wonder if they really want to stay in the Premier League. A popular opinion is that caretaker manager, Michael Appleton will be given the full time gig. Can't see that Appy will be any better than Robbie myself - we shall see what happens.

Now on to the old nags. Jumping at Ayr tomorrow and, for a change, Lingfield along with the usual all-weather entertainment at Wolverhampton.

In the 2.15 Handicap Hurdle at Ayr, Merigo strangely reverts to the smaller obstacles. He is entered for the Grand National and a 2½ mile hurdle is a long way from the 4½ mile slog round Aintree. Eighteen Carat won well at Aintree in November, but he has probably got too much weight on his back this time. My choice is FLINTY BAY who has been running well with not getting his head in front. The extra ½ mile should not be a problem for him.

When it comes to an each way chance I am treading down the very rocky road of a Novices Handicap Chase.In the 3.20 again at Ayr, I have a sneaky suspicion that top weight SOTOVIK may not be very far away from glory. He may have risen in the weights a bit since, but in the middle of 2010 he was winning a better class of event than this and may well trot in at a decent price.

FLINTY BAY Ayr 2.15 meeting abandoned

SOTOVIK (e/w) Ayr 3.20 meeting abandoned

That's all for tonight, speak soon.

Chairman Tatty

Away For a Day or So

Hello

An ok day I suppose, with MIC'S DELIGHT winning at Leicester. ANJOMARBA was disappointing and back to normal at Kempton where RAMBO WILL didn't, ending a length down in 2nd.

Just to clear up yesterday's posting, I stayed in to watch WBA draw with Wigan, but how the Albion didn't get the winner at the end was beyond me. More locally, Biggleswade Town beat their local rivals 7-0.

I'm sorry to say that I will not be making any selections for tomorrow and in fact for a day or so. Mrs Tatty is going into hospital for a long awaited operation tomorrow morning, so I will be a bit busy with other things.

See you all soon.

Chairman Tatts

Decisions, Decisions!

Hiya

I do like it when a plan comes together. LA ESTRELLA won the 2.00 at Southwell well. I was quietly confident that it would be so. He came to the race with a 100% record on the Southwell Fibresand and didn't disappoint. A workmanlike performance, but returning after a 2 year break, it was always a case of if fit enough, then by how far. In the end it was only a length, but a good return nonetheless.

Wednesday gives us the delights of Leicester, Newcastle, Lingfield (AW), KKempton (twilight AW) and over the pond at Down Royal. Plenty then for me to get my gnashers into, so here we go....

At Lingfield, I like ANJOMARBA in the 1.40 Back down to selling company and returning to a 6 furlong trip, everything looks positive for this 4 year old filly.

I picked a winner at Kempton a day or so ago, so it's in for a penny, in for a pound and let's have another go. At 4.50 RAMBO WILL drops to 5 furlongs which I think will be the ideal trip for him as he seems to struggle late on in 6 furlong encounters.

Lastly, it may be worth having a look at MIC'S DELIGHT in the 2.00 at Leicester. Ran well on New Years Day at Exeter and yard currently  in terrific form.

 ANJOMARBA Lingfield Park 1.40 unplaced

MIC'S DELIGHT Leicester 2.00 won @ 9/4

RAMBO WILL Kempton 4.50 2nd @ 5/1

I am in somewhat of a quandary for tonight. My 2 local non-league teams, Biggleswade Town, are at home to Biggleswade United in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup tonight, but my fave Premier team, WBA are live on Sky at home to Wigan. What to do? What to do? Watch the blog tomorrow to see which game I decided upon.

See you soon

Tatts