The height of summer normally arrives with me opening my [old school paper] diary and seeing at the head of the month in large black type 'Back Mark Johnston Horses During August and especially middle distance handicaps at Glorious Goodwood'.
Having not hit the mark at Royal Ascot and with Mark's name now not on the trainer's deeds I fancy plenty of the reps from the Kingsley Park yard will go off at even better value prices during the five day festival, so do make a note rather like me.
As for more specific fancies during the week, August 1 through August 5, there are certain races that I will be targeting this year.
Starting with the Lennox Stakes on Tuesday, which having looked recently at the ante-post book looks wide open with amazingly just the one layer offering prices as I pen this piece on July 17 (Paddy Power), which in itself is a disgrace with bookmakers complaining that horse racing turnover is at an all time low.
Just going out on a limb on this subject. The horse racing market place has never been so competitive, with more bookmakers than ever, on and offline, chasing fewer bucks and yet some are simply not putting themselves out for us punters. An example of this came last week when on Friday I went into my local Corals and asked for a price on the John Smith's Cup at York the following day.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-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
Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton