We are finally back up and running after a long three months. I’ve walked and run that many miles during Lockdown that I now know how any horse who has ever spent some time in the Mark Johnston stable feels. I’m as fit as I have been in a good few years, which is no bad thing, but I have missed my punting.
I endured a few quiet weeks punting-wise when racing resumed but my new Racing Ahead daily tipping column (which you can find on the Racing Ahead website or twitter account) started ‘ok’ although I was down going into Ascot.
The opening race at the Royal meeting was a stinking handicap but my selection, Shelir, a Dermot Weld kick out now trained by David O’Meara, returned a healthy profit as he finished fifth at 40-1.
I was soon shot down as Space Traveler (£15 e-w at 28-1) didn’t seem to enjoy being out on the front end in the Queen Anne and Miss Yoda (£20 e-w) failed to fire in the Ribblesdale.
I was starting to think it was going to be one of those days and despite backing Pyledriver (£10 e-w at 22-1) I was half expecting Mogul, my Epsom fancy, to hose up and shorten in the Derby market. However, it became clear just as they turned in that Martin Dwyer was absolutely flying aboard Pyledriver and he managed to stay on all the way to the line which bought home plenty of profit and released a huge weight off my shoulders.
Liberty Beach, a horse who has earned herself a place in my heart, performed with credit in the Kings Stand, finishing third to the mightily impressive Battaash. Returns from several ante post bets at 25-1, 14-1 and 9-1 were credited to my account and I was sitting pretty.
Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra July 2020-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
LOOKING BRIGHT FOR IRISH STARS
Karl Hedley reports as jumps challengers pile on the heat across the water
WELL SET TO STEP AHEAD
Ben Morgan has ten warming prospects to follow in the coming weeks
CUE FOR MANY A CELEBRATION
Graham Buddry recalls the life and times of jumps legend Cue Card
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
TWISTER RUNS MASTER CLASS
John Anthony watches Nigel Twiston-Davies' star catch time judges' eye
NO LEAVES ON LINE TO SLOW THESE FLYERS
Simon Nott enjoys a West Country Weekend catching up with ring pals
EXPECTATIONS SOAR AT RIDGE
Nick Townsend talks to rising Newmarket training star James Owen
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
NORMA'S COLOURS ARE FLYING PROUD
Robert Cooper sees Percy Willis and Kaadam grace white and green spots and red cap
CHIANTI FLOWS AS NEW LION GROWLS
Prior to the National Hunt season 'proper' getting underway at Chepstow the question on many people's lips was whether or not Willie Mullins would target a second consecutive British trainers' title.