A frustrating start to the day at Market Rasen was followed by a place run at Thirsk and a non-runner at Haydock (more of that shortly) and disappointment at Bath, but not for the first time the day was rescued by a nice Irish winner with the sole runner at Clonmel after a non runner there too, with Killashee winning at an SP of 11/1 advised at 14/1 although there may be a bit of a Rule 4 deduction.

 

With Haydock racing again today the Going there is as seems the norm the main topic of conversation. It was much firmer than anticipated last night leading to a glut of non-runners (including Snash) and the fear is that they either do nothing and race on even firmer ground today with a glut more of non runners, or knowing Haydock, literally flood the place, over do it, and end up with a glut of non runners due to unsafe patch Going. I think that for that reason we'd be very wise to swerve the place entirely. Good to Firm too at Catterick and Chepstow and with no great confidence on anything at either on Going that could very much suit front runners and purely pace angles, we'll have a bash on the big field Handicap at Beverley, which often races on the advertised Good to Firm and where they always seem to have good grass cover and get any watering pretty much spot on.

 

There is Racing at Punchestown today (and tomorrow) so we'll try to find a winner of a long Distance Chase there and we'll also go to Navan for a 23 runner Flat race where Michael is bullishly confident of big runs for a few Course specialists at big prices.