Rio's Racing Diary

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Well I have an internet connection but its so slow its like watching paint dry & a couple of times I've lost the connection in the middle of something so I'll keep this quite short. Ayr 2.20 I have this down to Mango Music & Sandwith. The latter seems a Musselburgh specialist though & I'm going with Mango Music who was a decent second on her first run for Richard Fahey at Newcastle & looks well handicapped. I'll back this one at the track. 3.50 Arabian Spirit is up 6lb for his C&D win LTO but is still well handicapped on his Spring Cup run at Newbury last year. The Fahey/Hanagan team have fancied runners in the first three races & if they go well I can see him been a bit shorter. 4.20 I like Plaisterer in this, good win at Epsom LTO & was second in this last year off 1lb lower, must go well & this would be my main bet today. 4.50 Legal Legacy is in form having won at Thirsk two runs ago & then a good second at Donny last week 5.20 Geojimali won the Silver Cup here off 75 in 06 & has won off 81 in the past, in here on 58 & has run quite over 7/8f on his last few runs. Worth a small punt at likely double figure odds. Bets. Mango Music 20pts on course. Arabian Spirit 30pts @ 9/2. Plaisterer 50pts @ 4/1. Legal Legacy 30pts @ 4/1 these three at Hills BOG. Geojimali 20pts on course. No news yet about the decs for tomorrow. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Not the greatest connection again. Yesterday started great & then slowly slipped downhill. Mango Music won in good style, there was 4/1 on the early shows but I went for a look at them in the parade ring & when I got back it was best 100/30. Hung fire & got the 7/2 as it eased near the off. Arabian Spirit was a real kick in the teeth, he was always handy & cruised into the lead inside the last 2f & the race looked over. Not to be & he got nabbed close home, to say I was gutted is an understatment. Paul came in & I said "I thought you'd won when you took it up" Mrs Fahey chimed in " So did he" meaning the horse. Paul said he'd kept going but I think she was right & he stopped a bit in front, bugger. Plaisterer didn't break well & had to be hurried up to get near the front & in the end could only manage third. Legal Legacy ran alright but Geojimali was 4l behind from the start & never got in the race. 150pts staked & 90pts back so a 60pt loss on the day. Racing Club bets W/R 13/44 Stakes 1070pts Returns 1412.38pts P/L +342.38pts Sunrise has crept into the Bronze Cup three from the bottom. He was 7th in this last season off 87 beaten about 2l. He's 5lb lower today & ran to the same sort of level at Donny last week that he did there last year. He goes on the track, it's his ground & they ought to go a strong gallop which he needs. He is though in 6 & the general view is the high (stands) side is the place to be. I've a had a small bet & a few quid at long odds on Betfair. I'm really strugging to find one I fancy today, I've had a small punt on Ginger Ted in the same race, mainly because it looks like an improver, the stables in form & he beat Mango Music at Newcastle LTO. Mango Music is in the 3.20 with a 6lb pen. It's a slightly better race but she has the plum stands rail draw & she did win well yesterday. I don't know why Hanagan's on Titus Andronicus, that one ran quite well at Musselburgh three runs back but the last two starts have been nowt special. I think I'm going to take her on with Hazelrigg, this also has a 6lb pen but even though the race he won last week at Donny was also a class below this it was actually worth a bit more to the winner. He's in the next stall to Mango Music so he's drawn well too, just a small bet though. Bets. Sunrise Safari 5pts ew @ 40/1 five places Bet365 BOG & 3pts win 2pts place @ 70.0 & 10.0 Betfair. Ginger Ted 5pts ew @ 33/1 five places Bet 365 BOG & 4pts win @ 50.0 Betfair. Hazelrigg 20pts @ 5/1 Sportingbet. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Sunrise put in one of his off days yesterday, the jockey said he kept changing his legs & was never going. Richard Fahey thought he wouldn't run today, then said "Ah .... it, we might as well run, the ...... will probably win" This was subject to him been sound & he's still in the race up to now. Anyway I might as well show up as I'm here. Ginger Ted ran way back too but Hazelrigg landed something of a punt to make it a winning day. 49pts staked, 120pts returned +71pts. Racing Club bets W/R 14/47 Stakes 1119pts Returns 1532.38pts P/L +413.38pts The Saturday favourite bet has one selection Rimth in the 2.45 at Ayr, the stake is rounded off to 7pts. Bet. Rimth 7pts @ 2/1 Hills. That would be the one I fancy today on a tough card, what she has in the form book looks better than her rivals today especially the Lowther form from two runs back. I'll back her at the track. The stands rail (high) has looked the place to be this week so far. in the Silver Cup Definightlly looks a class act but is drawn bang in the middle, I'll go with Irish Heartbeat who's in 20 & won well LTO at Donny, Lee Topliss's claim knocks the 5lb pen off. In the Gold Cup I'll go with Redford who ran quite well in this last year off 102 & is 5lb lower here, this will be only his third run for sprint king Dandy Nicholls & ran well at Chester LTO. Booking of one L Dettori is interesting too. In our race 3.55 I haven't backed Sunrise yet I'll have a small bet on the track. Looking at the race Collateral Damage looks to be running into form & Zero Money should go well for the in form Roger Charlton but I'll go with the other Fahey runner Justonefortheroad who looks progressive, winning well LTO & is a course winner & at this trip. I'll be bailing out after this & heading for home. Bets. Irish Heartbeat 10pts @ 10/1 Hills BOG. Rimth 40pts on course. Redford 10pts @ 18/1 Ladbrokes BOG. Justonefortheroad 20pts @ 11/2 Hill. Sunrise Safari 5pts ew on Course. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Back home after three good days in Scotland. That though was a strange day yesterday. Having arrived at the track I got my badge in despite the bloke on the desk been unable to find the details. He seemed happy enough when I explained that Sunrise had been declared for this & the Bronze Cup at the same time in case he didn't get in that race. Soon after I got in I ran into another club member who told me that Sunrise was a non runner because he hadn't eaten up after the Friday race. It was a day of missed gambles & I reckon there were quite a few burnt fingers but thankfully not mine. The Fahey/Hanagan runner in the first drifted from jt fav & the Johnston horse was backed in to 15/8 but was always struggling. Tiddliwinks was backed into 4/1f in the Silver Cup, I see in another thread that Mr Spencer is coming in for some stick. More on him in a minute. Irish Heartbeat ran a good race in fifth. I went for a look at Rimth in the parade ring & when I got to the betting ring she was generally 6/4 with the odd 13/8. She then went 11/8 & I decided that having backed her at 2/1 for the Saturday fav bet I wasn't going to play at that price. For me she never got in the race, I don't know if Spencer was instucted to hold her up but she got trapped behind & had her run blocked at least three times. In the end Spencer just let her coast home, bad luck? Bad ride? Was she good enough anyway? That was nothing compared to the horrible in jury suffered by Finoon near the finish. Ted Durcan was off her quickly & full marks to the racecourse photographer who grabbed her head & helped the jockey to keep her stood as still as possible. I was on the rails near the finish line about twenty yards away & could see that she had snapped her front left leg just above the hoof. The screens were round her pretty quick & she had to be put down, awful stuff. Scanning the boards before the Gold Cup Redford was generally 14/1 & as low as 12's in places. One bookie was going 16/1 & I decided to have another bet. In the race at the 2f marker Frankie looked to be going nowhere then he switched him left & won going away, cue wild celebrations from the crowd. Having had a bit of luck I decided I was going have a top up bet on Justonefortheroad. Having got 11/2 in the morning there were three non runners so I was expecting a bit less. He opened at 4/1 & I was trying to spot some 9/2 when suddenly he was 7/2 & 100/30 & then within seconds 3's. There are some more bookies next to the parade ring & I nipped through to see what they were offering & nearly fell over when I saw 9/4 on the boards. Going back to the main ring & that was the price there too with the odd board showing 2/1! Not at that price I thought & he came fourth. I dodged a few bullets yesterday however I can't be claiming the non bet on Rimth or the extra bet on Redford in the returns as thats the quite rightly frowned upon after timing. So I've put it in as posted, less the stake on Sunrise, 80pts on, 190pts back, +110pts. Racing Club bets W/R 15/51 Stakes 1199pts Returns 1722.38pts P/L +523.38pts The defeat of Rimth means no return from the Saturday Favourite bet, after showing promise this is begining to stall but I'll carry on till the end of the flat turf season & review it then. Fav System Bank 54.822pts Week 15 stake 4.537pts. It looks like Cocnut Ice is declared for Folkestone on Tuesday, I'm back at work so I can't go. I'll have a look at her prospects Monday evening. Finally pictures of Arabian Spirit in the pre parade ring & Sunrise Safari in the parade ring attached. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 I've had a look at the Folkestone race tomorrow, the going is good to firm with no rain forcast before racing. She likes fast ground & is a C&D winner but that was a weak race. Her run LTO at Musselburgh was just about her best bit of form yet but she is drawn 12 of 14 which looks far from ideal. Timeform have her rated third best 3lb behind Johnny Hancocks who's won a seller & a nursery at Ffos Las LTO but this looks harder & I think she can beat that one. They have Sugar Beet from the in form Roger Charton stable 8lb clear top rated, that though is on her last run when a ready winner of a Lingfield nursery & her form on turf is a bit below that. Secret Gold also improved on the aw to win a maiden on only her second run at Wolverhampton. Regal Bullet is also improving & this looks quite a trappy race. At the moment on Betfair with the overround at about 115% she's about 9/1 but only for a fiver, Sugar Beet is aound 11/4 fav. I'll have a quick look in the morning & if I can get a double figure price I'll have a small bet but more as a just in case than in real hope. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 A quick look just now sees Coconut Ice at 8.6 to small money with the overround at 110%, I'll pass, if she wins so be it. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Well I have no idea why Coconut Ice was a non runner. There is usually an e-mail when we have a runner, I haven't had one. Theres nowt on the web site about it, although it does say that both her & Press Release have been entered in the same race at Chester on Saturday. I have not a clue, which is not very impressive. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 I still have no idea why Coconut Ice didn't run last week, however she has had entries this week & runs in the 4.20 at Newbury today. Having looked at the race I'm finding it hard to sort out, the favourite Sadafiya has won its last two but that was on the aw & the form of the rest looks similar. I've had a small bet just in case, she's a best price 16/1 which is 4's the place at a quarter the odds & thats what she is on Betfair with the win a big longer than the bookies, I've had a bit more on the place. Bet. Coconut Ice 5pts win @ 19.5 & 10pts place @ 5.0 Betfair. Three declared for Thursday with Press Release at Ayr, Arabian Spirit at Newmarket & Saharia back at Kempton again. I'm working so I can't go, of the three I would have chosen Newmarket but never mind. I'll look at the races tomorrow evening. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 "Flat" was Tom Dascombe's assessment of Coconut Ice's run yesterday, she didn't break as well as usual & never got in the race & Mike Cattermole wasn't fooling me when he called her home (wrongly) in fourth. Possibly one more run before she heads to the sales. Racing Club bets W/R 15/52 Stakes 1214pts Returns 1722.38pts P/L +508.38pts Hard to see Press Release even placing in the 2.55 at Ayr tomorrow & with the overround still at 150%+ on Betfair he's not worth even a tiny bet at under 20.0. Arabian Spirit is 17/2 with Hills & 10's at Bet365 in the last at Newmarket so the 14.5 on Betfair is worth just a small interest. He has 16 rivals & is up 3lb from the second at Ayr but does have the softish going he needs. Bet. Arabian Spirit 5pts @ 14.5 Betfair. Saharia is in the 9.00 at Kempton. The market here is also weak. He's got a rotten draw in 1 but needs burying & to weave his way through so its actually not that much of a disadvantage, Richard Hughes takes over on top as well. I'll be home from work by then so I'll have a look at the prices then. Rio.

[BillyHills]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Very enjoyable read Rio, thanks for sharing mate:ok

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010

Very enjoyable read Rio' date=' thanks for sharing mate:ok[/quote'] Thanks for the interest. Just got in & watched the first two races. As expected Press Release showed nothing & he really is a lost cause it seems. Arabian Spirit though ran a cracker to be third beaten a nose & a head, I had to place the bet last evening though & I wouldn't have thought he'd be 16's or I might have done the bet each way, then again I might not & I'm happy enough. I forgot to mention that Richard Fahey has popped him over a few hurdles at home & he apparently took them quite well so he might have a go in a novice hurdle at some point! Theres a couple of the more fancied ones come out of the 9.00 at Kempton & knowing that Saharia goes on the track & needs covering up I think he might have a squeak. He's as short as 17/2 with Coral & 8's with Ladbrokes so 12/1 with Bet365 looks fair enough & I'll have a bit on the place this time too. Bet. Saharia 10pts win, 5pts place Bet365 BOG. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 I was getting quite excited there as Hughesy picked his way through the field but again he found a couple too good. He's very consistent at the track & trip & the handicapper won't do much with him again after that. The place return balances up the stakes for the two bets today. Racing Club bets W/R 16/54 Stakes 1234pts Returns 1742.38pts P/L +508.38pts Sunrise Safari is declared for the 6.15 at Woverhampton tomorrow which is a 6f claimer & if they're looking for a soft race for him then its rather back fired because it looks quite a hot contest. There are a few useful or former useful types in here including, Orpenindeed who has form in claimers & on the aw. Excusez Moi who's been round the block in a lot of the top sprint handicaps & won the 06 Great St Wilfred & Fat Boy, a winner at Listed level & who's run in top Group sprints. He hasn't run for over a year & has left Chapple-Hyam but is a stone in front of these on official ratings. Sunrise has only raced once over here on the aw, at Lingfield last backend when he'd probably had enough for the season. His only other start on an artificial surface was at Nad al Sheba on the dirt in early 08 but he didn't like it over there & took a while to get over it on his return so I've no idea if he goes on the aw. Theres no odds with the bookies & the markets not formed properly yet on Betfair, I suppose I could put an order in at a silly price on there but I'm inclined to leave this one alone I think. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Sunrise managed to beat two of the 10 runners & Paul Hanagan reported that he didn't seem to fancy it. No more aw it seems & one more run on turf somewhere before the season ends, probably in a claimer looks the plan, although I think he may have had enough for the season. Arabian Spirit is being aimed at a mile handicap at Newcastle on the 17th where he should get the ground he needs. I'm not working then so I'm pretty much certain to go for that. I'm now on my days off so I'm hoping to get away racing. Coconut Ice is in at Musselburgh on Friday but I've been there & it's a long old haul up the A1, although it's quite a pleasent drive. She's also in at Bath on Sunday, I went there last year & thats a fair way too but Saharia's been entered at Salisbury on the Monday & I've not been there yet so there could be the chance of a double header. I'm keeping an eye on that one. I've never been to Nottingham & I'm thinking of going tomorrow, depends on what the card looks like this evening. I've also got an eye on Carlisle on Friday & Hexham on Saturday so things are a bit fluid at the moment. I'm trying to get to as many tracks as I can, I'm about halfway so theres plenty to go at. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 I've decided to go to Nottingham & have had most of my bets at morning prices. I do this usually but I take some cash with me in case anything crops up or I get told anything by connections but that won't happen today as we don't have a runner. Soft/heavy ground so I'm looking for those with form in the mud but the first four races are for 2yo's so a bit of guesswork needed. 2.10 Prophet in a Dream is consistent but looks exposed after 11 runs. Shostakovich could go well up in trip & 2lb lower than his third LTO but beaten 20l on one try on soft. King Cobra was a staying on fourth in a 5f soft ground maiden at Folkestone LTO, stables not exactly flying but this is the one I've gone with. Bet. King Cobra 20pts @ 6/1 Hills BOG. 2.40 Division 2 of the Nursery, 17 runners & I could have 16 picks & I'd still not be sure to hit the winner. I've had a small ew on Rocky Coast who has at least run on ground with cut & his Sire Indesatchel gets winners on this going. Bet. Rocky Coast 5pts ew @ 20/1 VCBet BOG. 3.10 This looks to be between Lowawatha & Enlightening, the former has had three starts & the duckegg in the middle was on soft but it could have been the extra furlong. Enlightening is no world beater but is improving & I'll take a chance that he handles conditions. 3.40 Of those with form it looks between Audacious & Halfsin. I've gone with Audacious as being by Motivator he ought to go on the ground & I was at Donny when he ran fourth LTO & that looks quite a hot maiden. My eye keeps getting drawn to the newcomer of Henry Cecil's Glencadam Gold who has Paul Hanagan on top, it's around 16/1 at the moment & I'm thinking I might have a few bob on at the track. 4.40 Gone for Significant Move over Weathervane in this, He's another by Motivator & has been running at a mile & the extra 2f here should help. Put the above three in a trixie & I'm going to have a bet on Significant move on course. Bet. Enlightening 13/8, Audacious 11/10 & Significant Move 2/1 10pt Trixie, Bet365 BOG. 4.10 Tamanaco is lightly raced & looks an improver, both his wins have come with these conditions. Bet. Tamanaco 20pts @ 11/2 Hills BOG. 5.10 Lake Chini is in form & handles conditions but I'm going for Big Boom who's got soft ground form & ran a fair second under those conditions at Yarmouth LTO in first time blinkers. The jockey is one of the more experienced & if the headgear works again he should go well. Bet. Big Boom 20pts @ 13/2 Hills BOG. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Now that was an interesting first vist to Nottingham & very nearly an expensive one too. The sat nav took me off the M1 & on to the A610 with about 7 or 8 miles to go, plenty of time I thought. Then it takes me through the town centre, past the goose fair & there was plenty of traffic. Made it to the track just as the runners for the first were leaving the parade ring. By the way if you've never been to Nottingham don't pay to go in the Premier enclosure, the Grandstand enclosure costs a tenner & you can go anywhere bar the Premier stand & the lawn in front of it which is past the winning post, that costs £16, not worth it. Just time to note that King Cobra had drifted, the SP was 17/2 but I saw 9's before it ran like it had been bitten by one. After the race came the announcement "Would the trainer J Hills or his representative please report to the weighing room" Obviously someone other than me wanted to know why it ran like a stuck pig. I wasn't expecting much from Rocky Coast which is just as well cos that was nearly last too, although it did show up near the front for three furlongs or so. Enlightening was backed to 11/10 before that too folded up like a cheap deckchair. Cue the PA asking for Richard Hannon or his rep to pop in for a chat. I was actually suprised that they didn't want a word with Stoutey or whoever after the next as well. Audacious was also beaten a long way out & was backed to 10/11. I had 5pts at 22/1 on the Cecil/Hanagan Glencadam Gold which got up for second behind the easy winner Specific Gravity which was Henry's other runner. Tamanaco was next up & was another drifter going off at 9/1 but I saw plenty of 10's on the boards. He ran through beaten horses to finish a never nearer fourth. Things now were looking a bit bleak. As I said in my earlier post I was looking to back Significant Move on the track, there was 2/1 this morning but Weathervane was now a non runner so I was expecting a bit less. I was therefore suprised when 2/1 came up on the first show, however by the time I'd got off the stand it had gone 15/8. I hung fire for a bit & dived in for 50pts when Hills went 2's on the rails. I then went for a look at the horse in the parade ring to check if it had four legs. I've attached a picture with the horse & Paul Hanagan just about to leave the ring, I reckon the chap leading him round must have been wearing that tie for a bet!!! Back round to the stands to find that there was money for Alfonso the Wise in the Tabor colours & he was now favourite & Significant Move was showing 9/4. Now I know I'm after timing here, I usually put up the stake I'm going to have before I set off & I didn't this morning but seeing the price I thought sod it & had another 20pts on, at the off they ended up 2/1 joint favs. In the race I thought he was struggling as they turned in but he came to challenge around 2f out & stayed on well in the last furlong to win by just over a length. That bailed me out for the day & thats what I did too thinking it might take me a while to get back home. I wasn't far wrong either, it took about three quarters of an hour to do the 7 or 8 miles back to the motorway after which it wasn't too bad. Viewed the last back at home, Big Boom was another big drifter & came fourth. I apologize for the after timing, I think I've been around long enough for people on here to know I'm not telling porky's. The stakes for the day came to 185pts & the return was 215pts. Racing Club bets W/R 17/62 Stakes 1419pts Returns 1957.38pts P/L +538.38pts Coconut Ice has not been declared for Musselburgh on Friday. I have till Friday to apply for a badge for Bath on Sunday but have no idea if she is an intended runner or if Saharia will go to Salisbury on Monday. I'm keeping an open mind on it & at the moment I'm still thinking of going to Carlisle & Hexham on Fri/Sat. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 After mulling it over I've decided not to make the trip south, its a good five hour+ drive to Bath & then another hour or so to Salisbury. I'm not sure about the chances of both horses either, if they run that is. Bath should suit Coconut Ice track wise but I'm not sure the soft ground will. Its forcast soft/heavy for Salisbury on Monday & so far Saharia has only raced on good or faster & the aw at Kempton. I am though going to go to Carlisle tomorrow, staying over & then I might as well go to Hexham Saturday. I have to say theres a lot of fuss about the 48hr decs on the flat but it does help if your planing something like this, Saturdays flat cards are up now but not the three NH meetings. I don't know how much time I'll have in the morning so a few thoughts now. 1.30 The clubs had three horses with Donald McCain & I like the stable, they have Ebony River making his hurdle debut here. Good third at this track beaten only 1.5l in a bumper in March & AP is on top. County Colours who has the best hurdle form here & Recession Proof with some decent flat form look the ones to beat. 2.00 You Know Yourself made a fair hurdle debut at Uttoxeter 19 days ago when staying on for second. All but one of the rest lack a recent run & he can make his fitness tell. Theres no prices with the bookies & the exchange markets not settled yet with the overrounds still high. If I can't get on in the morning I'll be betting at the track, these two are worth 30pts each. I'll give the middle of the card a miss. 4.50 Overquest would be the main bet of the day. Big improvement at this trip & similar ground at Hexham a week ago, got a 7lb pen for that but is due to go up 13lb for that win, must go well here. This will be a 60pt bet. 5.20 Dr Flynn has won a bumper & was well clear of the third when a 7l second at Perth 15 days ago & can make his experience count. Another 30pt bet. I'll try to post in the morning but I need to be away by 9.30 Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Not many bookies pricing up yet, especially the first two races but I have got three bets on. Bets. Ebony River 30pts @3.3 Betfair. You Know Yourself 30pts @ 2/1 Bet365 BOG. Overquest 30pts @ 6/4 VCBet BOG. Overquest 30pts @ 2.68 Betfair. I think thats a fair price Ebony River, with the McCoy factor I'm expecting it to be 7/4ish, the best is 2's at the moment but theres only two bookies with prices. I suspect I've taken slightly under the odds with the second but it is BOG. For Overquest that was as much as was available on Betfair & the rest is BOG but thats the price I'm expecting on track. I'll be having another 50pts on course & backing Dr Flynn there as well as I think I'll get a little better than the 3's currently on offer. Time to go, Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Well that was an experience, I sort of got an idea of how things might go soon after I set off. AA routefinder & my sat nav both had me going across the M62 & picking up the M6 to head north. The other way is to cut across on the A65 & pick up the M6 just below Kendal, this is about 20 miles less than the first route but the motorway is quicker. Except theres a section of the M62 with roadworks & a 50 mph limit & just after I got on one of the warning signs said there was a 50 minute delay around that area. The next said long delays so I got off which then had me going through Bradford to pick up the A65. That took a while but I finally got through & once I got to the M6 I made up a bit of time. Just got to the track in time for the first. Got the market wrong with Ebony River which drifted to 3/1 as Recession Proof was well backed & won easily. Ebony River was about 20l fourth. Again I got it wrong in the next, I wasn't sure I'd done the right thing taking the 2/1 on You Know Yourself but it opened at 15/8 & was backed to 5/4 at the off. Unfortunately that also was well beaten in third. With some time to spare I decided to have some grub. At least that was good, the roast beef & Yorkshire pud in the silks cafe was spot on & at £6.90 was not bad value when you can pay a fiver for a sarnie at other courses. What I needed now was Overquest to deliver, having got the top up on at 6/4 he was backed to 6/5. As they came round the bottom bend & to three out he quickly kicked five or six lengths clear, which was what I wanted to see. However at the second last he wasn't going that well & Newman Des Plages who had made a lot of the running & had seemed to fade out of it was running on again. Between the last two Overquest was running in treacle & even though he was second he was well beaten. At this point I thought about bailing out but stayed for Dr Flynn. Afterwards I wished I hadn't as I took the 4/1, watched it go 9/2 with the odd board showing 5's & it came third, again beaten about 20l. A 200pt loss on the day :sad No pictures either, in my rush to get in I left my camera in the car. Racing Club bets W/R 17/66 Stakes 1619pts Returns 1957.38pts P/L +338.38pts At least the hotel was good, apart from the wi fi which connected but was so slow it took an age to load & then packed up completely. So I couldn't update here, download yesterdays cards to my Raceform interactive, get on any of the websites I normally use or take any early prices :@ Anyway armed with a Racing Post I had four bets at Hexham, one of which won & returned me the days stakes. Very picturesque track but it was quite murky, it didn't rain but it got bloody cold late on. Remembered the camera this time & a couple of pics attached. Coconut Ice runs in the first at Bath & the word is she might as well run as we're running out of time before she's sold. This doesn't fill me with confidence & on the soft ground she's not hard to leave alone although Latin Lashes who I might have had a nibble at is now a non runner & that would help. West Leake Bridge won a weak looking maiden at Nottingham when I was there the other day, this is harder but it should like conditions. Millyluvstobouggie is very consistent & probably deserves to win but I'll leave alone & just watch. Saharia doesn't go at Salisbury tomorrow so I'm glad I decided not to make the trip. Apparently its free entry, which they did last year & had a crowd of over 4,000 & they're hoping for more this time. Nice idea as racing is well overpriced in this Country but it will be jam packed I expect. Rio.

[Aidymac]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Hard luck Rio mate!! I really thought you had backed Recession Proof , i thought you were very keen on its chances. You were also unfortunate to lose out to Newman Des Plages who faded only to come back again and not nice losing to a 28/1 rank outsider either. You were also unlucky with Dr Flynn as you might have done an e/w bet if you had got the 5/1.. Anyhow best just clear your head as these days so happen but its the warriors that get up and fight the next day which im sure you will!! :ok Fantastic read, i read all of your posts and to be honest you should be writing a book

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010

Hard luck Rio mate!! I really thought you had backed Recession Proof , i thought you were very keen on its chances. You were also unfortunate to lose out to Newman Des Plages who faded only to come back again and not nice losing to a 28/1 rank outsider either. You were also unlucky with Dr Flynn as you might have done an e/w bet if you had got the 5/1.. Anyhow best just clear your head as these days so happen but its the warriors that get up and fight the next day which im sure you will!! :ok Fantastic read, i read all of your posts and to be honest you should be writing a book

Thanks Aidy, Don't know about writing a book though!! Even with a few losing bets I'm getting around & enjoying myself & will be off & about this week with any luck. I see the new season starts at wetherby on wedsnesday, which is about half an hour for me & I might pay a vist depending on the card. I've totted up & have been to 32 of the 60 British tracks, the only three in the north I've not been to after this weekend are Perth, Cartmel & Aintree. I've noted that I'm off when Aintree race at the end of this month & in November so I think I might pay a vist then. There are a few of the bigger tracks missing from down south, Ascot, Epsom, Goodwood & Sandown, also Newmarket & I have an eye on this weekends action, we'll see. Coconut Ice was seventh at Bath, she broke well then got in a barging match about a furlong out & faded. I don't know if that was her last run for the club, I'd like to see her one last time, she's given me a lot of fun & I'd like to say goodbye to her. Arabian Spirit is supposed to go to Newcastle next Sunday, they race there Tuesday too but theres an inspection tomorrow so the ground must be bad :hope he gets to run as I'm back at work after & the turf season is fast ebbing away. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 I've decided to go to Wetherby, its only 30-40 minutes depending on the traffic & the suns out, well here anyway. Theres a couple I fancy, the first is Nikos Extra in the 3.55. Shown some consistent form over fences at around this trip & on this sort of going. Seems to run well fresh & is only a 6yo so open to improvement still. Stables not winning yet but the few runners they've had have run ok & he should give a run for the money. Bets. Nikos Extra 30pts @ 7/2 Ladbrokes BOG I should be able to get that price on course so I'll have the same bet. The other fancy is Bavard Court in the 4.30. This one was in at Hexham on Saturday but was a non runner. Fair form in Ireland & first run today for Tim Vaughan & this looks a weak race. Eliza Doalott has plenty of 1's in her form but these were all points & hunter chases. Montoya's Son won at Hexham in May but was well beaten at Perth three weeks ago, stables in better nick now though. Knar Mardy has a double pen & the rest don't look much on form so far. I've not backed Bavard Court in a single yet but I do have it in a trixie with: Enabling in the 2.30 at Lingfield. Won two runs ago at Epsom & good third LTO at Newbury when Cloud Rock who is also in here was behind. Garde Cotiere was favourite on debut at Newmarket over 7f on soft but was beaten 11 lengths, must improve but stable is in a lull. The other is Ackertac in the 3.45 at Uttoxeter. Improved form to win here LTO, extra 2f should not be a problem & similar ground, stable always goes well at this time of the year. Of those with form Like a Hurricane looks best but needs to find a bit more on whats been shown so far & it depends whats in those that haven't raced over hurdles yet. Bet. Enabling 2/1, Ackertac 11/10 & Bavard Court 6/4. 10pt Trixie with Stan James BOG. I'll have another 50pts on course if I can get the same price. Newcastle was called off yesterday due to false ground. THe RP site says its still unraceable but improving & the forcast is for little or no rain so I'm hoping it will be ok for Sunday. Arabian Spirit is in the first & Saharia is entered for the 7f handicap later on the card. I don't see why he'd run here instead of Salisbury unless Mr Noseda thinks its a soft race. I have applied for a badge. Booked a room near Newmarket for Friday night, I've yet to decide if I'm going racing Friday, I'll look at the decs this evening. Saturday looks a corker of a card at this stage. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Ouch!! That was a bit painful yesterday. watched the Lingfield race in the on course betting shop, I couldn't believe Enabling had drifted to third favourite & had to count its legs to make sure one hadn't dropped off. Nikos Extra was still in with a chance when he fell but Bavard Court was the real let down, he was in trouble a long way out. At least the sun was out :\ The top up bets made it a 150pt loss on the day. Racing Club bets W/R 17/69 Stakes 1769pts Returns 1957.38pts P/L +188.38pts According to the RP site the ground at Newcastle is now raceable & is given as heavy. Arabian needs a few to come out to get in :hope Having studied the Friday card at Newmarket I have decided not to go & will take a steady drive down to get to the hotel late afternoon. I've had a look at the Saturday card already & it looks a belter but finding a winner or two looks hard. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Ok so here I am in a very nice pub/B&B, having just had some decent grub & about six miles from Newmarket. Thoughts on tomorrow..... I'll let the first race pass. The second too from a betting angle, but I am hoping to say I was there for that Dewhurst... We will see. The final Champion Stakes in its current form. Just about my favourite trainer is Henry Cecil, we go back a long way.. He before my involvement in this most wonderful game. If he were to win this again with Twice Over I would be the first to appauld. Not far behind is Criquette Head who also has given me several good memories, however I like Vision D'Etat for this. Top class form including a win in the Prince of Wales's last year, the key for me is he's fresh, with just the two starts this season & he looks like he's been kept for this. Bets. Vision D'Etat 40pts @ 4/1 Sportingbet. I'll be having the same bet on the track. Having looked at the stats for the Ces the pin falls on Oceans Minstrel who should be staying on at the death & is drawn just about high enough. Bet. Oceans Minstrel 20pts win @ 14/1 & 10pts place 1/4 the first 5 Bet365 BOG. The real interest betting wise for me is the last, if the real Patkai turns up then the rest might as well not bother. A run anywhere near his best & he would win this pulling two carts. He's been off since the Gold Cup last year & if he's not ready why bother? I've spread my bets over three bookies & will have more on tomorrow on course. Bets. Patkai 200pts @ 7/4 Bet365, VCbet & Stan James BOG. 100pts on course. Arabian Spirit has comfortably got in at Newcastle & I have a badge :hope Saharia does not run & is in at Ffos Las on Wednesday & Brighton Thursday. Coconut Ice is in a claimer at Kempton Thursday. I'm working then so no trips away for me. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Just time for the Saturday favourite bet. Three selections this week. Delegator 1.50 New 2/1. Barizan 3.15 Chel 2/1. Patkai 5.25 New 6/4. 1.1pt trixie, 4.4pts staked Ladbrokes BOG. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Enjoyed Newmarket yesterday, the sun was out, the racing was top class, only thing missing was a winner. Oceans Minstrel got me a return for the place part of the bet, 45pts. Vision D'Etat was second but never looked like getting to Twice Over. Patkai was a non runner. Great scenes round the winners enclosure after the Group 1's. The pics attached are, Frankel in the parade ring & at the furlong pole. Twice Over coming back in & Henry getting his prize. Racing Club bets W/R 18/71 Stakes 1879pts Returns 2002.38pts P/L +123.38pts The two left in the Saturday Favourite bet both lost. That was the fifteenth bet & at 4pts per bet the total staked was 60pts. The bank stands at, Fav System Bank 54.822pts which means a loss of just over 5pts. At this time I'm now going to have a think about where to go, if anywhere with this. And so to Newcastle today. Arabian Spirit has his optimum conditions of trip & going, he is in good form & the Newmaket race in which he was third LTO is working out well with the second & fourth both winning since & he is still on a good mark from his form of early last season. Osteopathic Remedy should go well & Scrapper Smith looks progressive but needs a good bit more. I will be very disappointed if he doesn't win this, I had some 11/4 with Bet365 last night & have gone in again at the same price with Stan James this morning. Bet. Arabian Spirit 80pts @ 11/4 Bet365 & Stan James BOG. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 I should also say that I have backed Tariq Too in the 3.35. This looks a progressive sort that handles these conditions & drops back to 7f here having just found the mile at Haydock slightly too far. The stable is going well too. Bet. Tariq Too 30pts @ 4/1 Ladbrokes BOG. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 There are times in this game when things are not going right & I feel I should just pack it all in. Usually though I dust myself down & get on with it & something comes along to perk me up again. Well I hope its not too long coming because boy am I down after today. Not as much as I was at about 10 past 2 though. Ever since the club got Arabian Spirit in the Spring its been "He needs soft ground, the softer the better" & "He'll relish it when it gets even more testing" No Richard Fahey at Newcastle today, but the lad with him said "He was going well & would love the ground" After the race Paul Hanagan said "It was too heavy" Now we're only playing at being owners but I can imagine that going down like a lead balloon in some quarters & inwardly my initial reaction was "Yer $%^&ing what!" However Paul went on to explain that the ground was that bad that he wasn't going through it & he said it was the worst ground he'd ridden on all year. Anyway that was that. The next race there were three non runners & the outsider of the six left won by 11 lengths with the other five walking home. After the third race which was won by a horse that had won a heavy ground Listed race as a 2yo but had shown no form for the last two years the penny had dropped that it was just a complete lottery. I stayed long enough to watch Tariq Too finish a well beaten sixth which I thought was inevitable by now. I'm almost glad to be back at work tomorrow night!!! Racing Club bets W/R 18/73 Stakes 1989pts Returns 2002.38pts P/L +13.38pts Sunrise Safari is declared in a claimer at Windsor tomorrow, I shall try to get myself back up enough to look at it in the morning. Picture came out quite well. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 I've had a look at the 2.30 at Windsor & the shape of the race has changed somewhat with three non runners, Fat Boy, Titus Gent & KIng's Wonder. All three were quite well fancied in the betting so in theory it should give Sunrise more of a chance. Timeform had him top rated by a pound even with the three in. That though would be with him running to his best which he hasn't done the last twice but there were excuses. He doesn't seem to like the aw & at Ayr he was on the wrong side in a hot race. If he ran to the Doncaster form he would be not far off winning this, I suspect though he may have had enough for the season. I have had a small bet, with a little on the place at Betfair as its slightly better than the ew terms with the bookies. Fat Boy intrigues me. He was in the Wolverhampton claimer that Sunrise ran in 17 days ago but was a non runner. Again he is a non runner & for all I know he may have missed other races in between. He was useful at 2yo's winning at Listed level but has lost his way & been off for well over a year & has left Chapple-Hyam. I will be keeping an eye out for this one I think. Bet. Sunrise Safari 10pts @ 10/1 Hills 10pts place @ 3.6 Betfair. Saharia is not declared for Ffos Las on Wednesday. Rio.

[whoneedsrio]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010

There are times in this game when things are not going right & I feel I should just pack it all in. Usually though I dust myself down & get on with it & something comes along to perk me up again. Well I hope its not too long coming because boy am I down after today.

Well there you go, the old devil sticks his head through a gap for a change & cheers me up, what a game this is!!! 20pts staked returns 144.7pts. Racing Club bets W/R 19/74 Stakes 2009pts Returns 2147.08pts P/L +138.08pts Rio.

[BillyHills]

Re: Rio's Racing diary 2010 Well done Rio, you deserved that one mate:clap