Newbury racegoers will be Tickled Pink if Sir Henry Cecil makes the winners' enclosure tonight! 'The bigger the field, the bigger the certainty' is an old saying I've never quite understood. Perhaps, the fact a strong pace is virtually guaranteed and sorts out the wheat from the chaff, has something to do with it. Tickled Pink is one of 17 declarations for the opening Maiden Fillies' Stakes over six furlongs. They won't be hanging about and this once-raced Invincible Spirit is a clear best-in on my time-handicap. It would be extremely disappointing, not to mention costly, if she doesn't go one better. Cecil usually has juveniles fit and ready to race first-up. They don't always improve a great deal but Tickled Pink doesn't need to, unless there's a mystery special lurking.
I'll take my chance and also with Caspar Netscher in the £21,500 Rose Bowl Stakes, a listed race over the same course and distance. Time-comparison will be interesting. Caspar Netscher hasn't been out since finishing third to Frederick Engels in the 'Windsor Castle', over the minimum trip at Royal Ascot last month. A reproduction of that TH mark should suffice and Robert Winston reckons the trip will suit Alan McCabe's charge.'Caspar' comes out clear top-rated and looks one of two good reasons to journey to the picturesque Berkshire course.
Of course that's no longer necessary, or feasible, nowadays with two racing channels catering for our needs. Unfortunately, it's not possible to watch thoroughbreds go to post because neither is prepared to operate a separate 'window' for such purposes. Given the cost of £20 a month for RUK, you'd think everything would be done to satisfy the most important people, their customers! Hamilton stages a tremendous evening fixture, featuring the £33,000 John Smith's Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap over six furlongs. Hopefully all 16 go to post because Everymanforhimself looks a gilt-edged each-way, with four places on offer. He's a grand type, genuine and now in good form.
SELECTIONS
RACE 3 (#17) TICKLED [INK (NAP)
RACE 15 (#3) CASPAR NETSCHER
RACE 34 (#1) HALF A BILLION
RACE 42 (#12) EVERYMANFORHIMSELF (e.w.)