Get in 'Early' for division one of the Maiden Stakes over a mile of Ripon today, before 'Applause' rings out! Last Xmas my present to readers was Early Applause for this 2011 season; Barry Hills' charge has 'done' really well and Michael Hills shouldn't have the slightest problem because the Royal Applause colt (out of a Daylami mare!) is clear best-in and strongly-fancied. Unfortunately, unless a runner has plenty in hand, it doesn't pay to back horses ridden by the 49-year-old Hills twins anymore. Both are well past their 'sell-by date' and only in this-type race is it safe to back horses ridden by them. That's scathing, you might think. It is more like realistic. No one studies jockeyship more than myself and around the fifty mark (Philip Robinson included!) this is too old, for all the obvious reasons. Making the running suits Michael nowadays and he's a fine judge of pace.
As they get older it's easier for jockeys to keep a thoroughbred going than get one going because obviously, the strength involved is considerable. Division two looks well within capabilities of once-raced Clive Brittain-trained Tlaad, mount of Philip Robinson! Once again a 'steering job' judged on his promising sixth in a group 3 at Chester, eighteen days ago. This is typical of Brittain who has continued to 'tilt at windmills' throughout a long career. Occasionally, he hits the 'bull's eye' but from a punting perspective, the old boy was a disaster and always will be, even though they say Robinson is alongside at the helm nowadays. In business, it's well known, subsidising failure is reckoned a disaster. In my book, backing horses from suspect stables, such as Brittain, Michael Bell, Oliver Sherwood, George Moore, etc., is the quickest way to a poor house and that's why I'm pleased Tlaad is the second leg of an each-way double, because we can 'lay off' the win!
Backing horses and avoiding the minefields is difficult enough (the latest jockeys' scandal is sufficiently illustrative!) which is why this pragmatic, truthful daily article is the way forward for serious punting. I'm determined to win the Racing Post Naps Table championship for an eighth time and you're all invited to enjoy the ride and bumpy rides. Incidentally, it was pleasing to get Roderic O'Connor right in the Irish 2000 Guineas, having been on about him throughout last winter. The way he stayed on to beat '2000' runner-up Dubawi Gold was encouraging and if Aidan O'Brien runs him in the Epsom Derby, look no further for the winner. The next five months will/should be a lot of fun, let's enjoy it, eh? I'm not influenced by religion but have said a prayer for the stricken amateur rider, 28-year-old Isabel Tompsett, seriously injured in a fall at Fakenham
Selections
RACE 7 (#2) TAQAAT
RACE 16 (#4) EARLY APPLAUSE (nap)
RACE 21 (#7) TLAADD
RACE 26 (#6) NALEDI (e.w.)
