The Last Lion goes on a retrieving mission (for myself!) in the listed, �28000 Dragon Stakes over five furlongs of good to soft Sandown this afternoon. Fifteen days ago, Mark Johnston's charge was a vexing half length runner-up to Prince Lir in the group two Norfolk Stakes on a similar surface, following persistent rain (s) throughout the United Kingdom.
June was the worst I've ever endured, water tables on racecourses must be extremely high and yet you just know that watering will take place as soon as it's physically possible. It's a crazy situation, many tracks have deteriorated and are now ridged and furrowed as water always needs to find its level.
Never underestimate that fact and consequences of turning on the taps indiscriminately.
Watching The Last Lion just fail at Royal Ascot was heart-wrenching, Mark Johnston's charge was my 20/1 nap!
Since then we've hit a seam with a clutch of star bets and The Last Lion just has to be a special even though odds of around evens are more likely on this occasion.
Two-year-olds take time to recover but when they have raced four times it is less of a stress factor. Johnno is a qualified vet, he's also difficult to fathom because (again!) he has declared another juvenile, Mailshot, a winning nap for this column nine days ago. Why?
Recently, Mailshot was a our nap at Ayr (a few days before he won!) but was withdrawn on the day and Johnston won that race with Miss Infinity. Punters are too often in the dark and trainers should realise to what extent we subsidise the "Sport Of Kings" by betting millions daily all over the world. Don't treat us as mugs, please!
Anyway, The Last Lion is selected as nigh on a cert and I'll be extremely disappointed if he doesn't get back on the winning trail.
At first glance, once-raced five-year-old Song Of Namibia will look a steal for serious punters in the Maiden Stakes over a mile of soft Haydock, they need to look again!
At the bottom, with all allowances, is La Celebs Ville, an experienced, consistent, filly which looks more certain to be placed than Sir Michael Stoute's representative is to win. We are ALWAYS looking for that gilt-edged advantage that can be used to advantage as an each-way double/treble.
An anchor for our daily patent is Ryan Moore-ridden Delve, a penalty-kick with out a goalie in an aged Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs at good to soft Doncaster.
A lot of thought goes into these selections, and time!