Bank Holiday Rain...

Dear All

The title of today's blog has been used before and recently... punting looked a bit of minefield before racing today so I decided, early doors, that making recommendations was folly and declined the opportunity.

Nevertheless, I did place one or two wagers of my own today and spurned a few other opportunities. Eton Rifles (in the 7-furlong handicap at Goodwood) was rejected from a value perspective and I've just seen that Opera Gal beat the supposed "good-thing" Elusive Pimpernel (a perennial disappointment!). Frustration again as was quite sweet on its chances but hesitated and missed the opportunity.

A cheeky Goodwood win treble went down at the second hurdle - Motrice first up - fancied quite strongly to turn over Drunken Sailor - Rakasa - caught on the line, by an admittedly deserving Regal Realm - who found all the trouble it needed - and Poet's Voice - who I couldn't see beaten in the Celebration Mile - but ran a shocker. Godolphin's winners are almost always strong in the market whereas the Poet looked strangely vulnerable...

This was followed by a bout of seconditis as Storming Bernard and Blue Surf were both turned over and the friendless Casual Glimpse was a no show in the Eton Rifles race...

The day is tinged with sadness at the news that this year's Derby winner is to be retired. Top class flat racing really is dominated by the select few. Ballydoyle was all over the Derby with Treasure Beach, Memphis Tennessee, Recital and Seville representing its might; Godolphin saddled a lesser light but Sheikh Mohammed had presented Her Majesty with Carlton House. Add Prince Khalid Abdulla and HH The Aga Khan and you are served up a potent mix plundering most of the Group 1 contests across the three powerhouse territories of Europe.

I mention this because it was quickly announced that Pour Moi will stand at Coolmore to add to its roster of princely bloodstock. Galileo, Montjeu, Danehill Dancer, Footstepsinthesand, Dylan Thomas, Hurricane Run, Yeats, Peintre Celebre, Rock of Gibraltar, High Chaparral and Holy Roman Emperor to name but a few - a veritable Who's Who of top class animal...

Incredible therefore that Coolmore has failed to produce a Derby winner since the aforementioned High Chaparral in 2002. Amazingly, thirty-nine Coolmore participants have come to the party and failed since then; some of these have been truly outstanding racehorses...

Happy punting...

Rm(M)