HAYLEY TURNER: I’m old before my time! I came to this conclusion yesterday when I spent my day in the garden and finished it off watching the Snooker. This is not the normal behavior of a 33 year old surely?
I was pleased yesterday when Ding Junhui beat Martin Gould. I had a little bet on him, not because I have fantastic snooker knowledge, I’m just a part time fan, it was more for sentimental reasons than anything else.
A few years ago when Mark Selby won the World Championship, myself and my good friend Amy Weaver ended up at the after party put on by Barry Hearn. It was a brilliant night, god only knows how we made it back to the hotel room, but we did. Anyway, when I opened my eyes the next morning there in front of me was a giant cardboard cut out of Ding Junhui! Random I know, so that’s why I put my money on him!
I was spotted this week by the Racing Post, riding out for James Fanshawe. This started a whole debate about me making a return to race riding and there was a story on the Racing Post site about it. I can assure you, I’m only riding out cause it’s something that I really enjoy. I have a lot of fun riding out at Fanshawe’s but I have no plans to go back race riding.
Thursday’s racing at Epsom produced a few horse that I’d like to keep my eye on. Roudee, a horse I won on at Chester’s May meeting last year ran a cracker and I think with a better draw he would have been the winner. Box 1 over 5 furlongs at Epsom is a disaster and I would imagine that he’ll be showing up at Chester again next month. Proving the ground is soft; I think he could do it for the 2nd year running.
So Mi Dar is a more obvious one to take from the Epsom meeting. She was produced beautifully by Frankie Dettori and she now looks a live classic contender. Not only did she have the least experience in the race but she also beat the boys which is never easy. We know now that she will handle Epsom undulations and it would be a good time to have a dabble on her for the Oaks at 11/2 on BETDAQ. I’m lucky enough that I have the role as Investec Derby ambassador this year so I’ll be there and I’m already excited about it!
James Fanshawe has had a good start to the season and he ran Regicide at Lingfield on Wednesday to make a pleasing debut finishing 2nd. He looked quite green throughout the race and will no doubt come on a tonne from that run. I’ll report back about his progress when I can.
Today’s Sandown Card looks a good one, starting with the Esher Cup at 1.20. Chief Whip is one that caught my eye when winning here last year and, although he’s had the longest lay off of the field, he looked strong and is bound to have benefited for the time off. His main danger looks to be Ebtihaal. He was a big green horse last year and the penny had only just started to drop on his last run of the year so he could have a lot of potential.
Westen Hymn makes his seasonal reappearance and will surely appreciate being back in the Gorden Richard stakes. He is 3 from 4 at Sandown with all three wins in Group races, his only defeat there was in the G1 Eclipse. He’s something of a course specialist and this looks like it could be a nice introduction for him for the season ahead.
Another I’m looking forward to watching is Belardo who has fitness on his side after winning on his seasonal debut at Doncaster. He never looked in any doubt that day having traveled really well and then quickened away nicely on a very soft ground. He’s really learnt how to settle, and he’s now showing the benefit for it.
Being at the core of racing word gets round and I have been suitably informed by many that UAE Prince is a machine. He runs tomorrow at Leicester so he’s one of obvious interest especially as he’s entered in the Derby so he’ll need to win this to be considered for Epsom.
The last Jumps races of the season are also on at Sandown and it will be fantastic for Richard Johnson to finally be crowned Champion Jockey after a great season for him.
He rides Sausalito Sunrise in the big race for his boss Philip Hobbs and looks like he has a great chance to finish the season on a high. The one worry is that he has a lot of weight to carry in a really competitive race.
Willie Mullins sends over Measureofmydreams again having lined him up for the Scottish National last week. He only made it to the third fence though and that has to be a worry.
One that looks a stout stayer is Henri Parra Morgan for Peter and Sean Bowen. He stayed on well in the Grade 1 Novice at Aintree behind Native River and he looks to be well handicapped for this one. He’s the one for me in the final big race of the season for the jumping boys.
£25 IN FREE BETS
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
