Tom Roper's Weblog

Market Rasen, Newbury and Newmarket

Some interesting racing today, with the biggest intellectual puzzle posed by the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury. In a field of twenty-five two-year olds, six are trained by Richard Hannon, but I favour Tom Dascombe's Ballista, whose two races so far consist of a win and a place.

215 Newbury: Markab
230 Newmarket: Cill Rialaig
320 Newbury: Ballista
335 Market Rasen: Tempsford
355 Newbury: Prince Siegfried  

Ascot and York

Ascot 145: Greyfriarschorista
Ascot 250: Ouqba
York 305: Wigmore Hall

Blog posted here.

Eclipse

One year I will take myself to for the Eclipse meeting. Ever since I was head of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons library, I have been fascinated by the story of this horse. Painted by Stubbs, anatomised by St Bel and his skeleton now in possession of the Royal Veterinary College, this narrative appeals to the historian manqué in me. So today I choose:
Sandown 200: Triple Aspect
Sandown 235: Oratory
Haydock 250: Barshiba
Sandown 310: Zacinto
Haydock 325: Hillview Boy

Royal Ascot

Circumstances have prevented me from paying the necessary attention to Royal Ascot until today. I choose:
230: Jackaroo
305: Harbinger
350: High Standing
425: Medicean Man
500: Submariner
535: Swingheel

Blog posted here.

Sandown and York

Anyone with any sense will be keeping their powder dry for Royal Ascot next week. Not me; I choose three at York and one at Sandown
240 York: Distant Memories
315 York: Victoire de Lyphar
330 Sandown: Reignier
350 York: Ejteyaaz

Fear not, there are some non-racing posts coming soon.

Blog posted here.

Derby Day

On a gorgeous Derby Day, I commend to you Henry Cecil's Bullet Train.
My selections in full, all at Epsom:
140: Dr Zhivago
240: Reggane
315: Oldjoesaid
400: Bullet Train

Haydock and Newmarket

200 Haydock: Inxile
215 Newmarket: Alrasm
230 Haydock: Bewitched
300 Haydock: Les Fazzani
320 Newmarket: Jack My Boy
330 Haydock: Lord Shanakill
355 Newmarket: Red Jazz

Ascot and Lingfield

I've missed some interesting racing: one of the most controversial Guineas meetings for years, and the Chester Vase meeting. I return to the fray on an indifferent day, but have chosen the following.

Lingfield 210: Pyrrha
Ascot 220: Barshiba
Ascot 250: Alsace Lorraine
Lingfield 310: Bullet Train
Ascot 325: Castles in the Air  

Ayr and Newbury

It's the Scottish Grand National today and a good flat meeting at Newbury, a fine example of the mixed flat and jumps economy that pertains at this time of year. So I choose:
200 Newbury: Buxted
245 Ayr: Arcalis
305 Newbury: Misheer
320 Ayr: Theatrical Moment

Vic Venturi for the Grand National

What a glorious day for the Grand National. See previous years' posts for discussions of the democratic nature of the day, the race as a betting opportunity, diatribes against the crowds of people clogging up the bookies having each-way bets explained to them, and so on.

For today, I go for one of Dessie Hughes's two entries in the big race, Vic Venturi, who comes to the race from a nice victory at Fairyhouse, beating his stablemate Black Apalachi. He should have no trouble with the fences. Will he last four miles and four furlongs?

As for the rest of the Aintree card, I suggest
145: Peddler's Cross
215: Osana
250: Zaynar
325: Seven is My Number
500: Ghizao
535: Whispering Hills

In the great traditions of this day, the whole family will be betting. As I write, I can only tell you the Burra Mem's selection, My Will, chosen as the horse bears the same name as our first-born. As for the first-born himself, and his sister, their selections will be posted later, when they have woken up from that deep sleep so characteristic of teenagers on a sunny morning.

Update: daughter goes for Cloudy Lane, son for Irish Raptor