Good evening from the Major who writes from the pastel skies of Northern Nottinghamshire. The drained swamps stretch flat to the horizon, bustling with harvests to come.
I last wrote a piece two months ago, in terrible touch. I must have shown some soreness in the legs afterwards because I have been on the easy list for the last few months.
All is well good readers. It is nice to say hello again to you all. I wish you all health, happiness and glorious winners raining from God’s good heaven.
All is reasonable with the Major. Family, home and business are all on form. Personally, I have my moments as you know I will. I get so lost in things sometimes that I wonder whether I am doing the right or wrong things. Then I ponder on whether either of those things is anything other than the devils imposter. Like Zuangzi, I am no longer sure if I am a good man dreaming I am bad, or whether I am inherently bad and occasionally dream of being pure at heart.
In my village, Gringley on the Hill, I am working on a puzzle. Some years ago, the village had an old camp, the entrance road was called Minster View. The site has since been developed, consigning to history the borstel, the camp et al. Now a small road loop shows off smart new homes sits on the same spot.
The reason for mentioning it is that there is a suggestion locally that the road was called Minster View because you could see York Minster from the site. When someone told me this I was immediately dubious as York is 40 miles further North and ‘on-the-hill’ is a generous term for the 135 feet we rise above the carrs that stretch north from here.
The big issue with seeing objects on the horizon is that the horizon is falling away. No matter at what point you stand on any sphere, the horizon in any direction is falling away from you. On Earth, it equates to about eight inches in every mile. Between any two points, as the ground falls away from either in the direction of the other, one must have the height at one or both ends to see over the inevitable hump in the middle. If there are any hills, trees or buildings in the way, then you need more height. I fear Drax power station, an enormous petcoke and bio fuel power station with imposing cooling towers, might be in the way, even though it is 20 miles due North, it is big enough to blot part of the horizon.
Using the height of York Minster, I have calculated that you might see the top 25 metres of the building. I have not found anyone, including the chair of the Gringley History Society (of course there had to be one!) who has seen York Minster. I am planning on taking my telescope to the highest point of the village and training it on where York should be. I shall then settle the matter, once and for all.
That was interesting wasn’t it! I can only apologise.
This year, my business is supporting two charities. One is Bluebell Woods Children’s Hospice and I recently ran an astronomy club with some children there. Now that is sobering. The other charity we are supporting is close to one of my team and tomorrow, our annual race day to Thirsk is partly to support that cause.
We shall act disgracefully, laugh and drink like it was the last days of Rome. I shall do my bit too, providing a range of tips that will dampen the merry-making. Well, they cannot have it all.
Thirsk Tips…. Plus a bit of Goodwood and Galway if I can.
To be fair the card at Thirsk is not a disgrace. Some class 6’s give us a taste of the bargain basement of racing but we scale the dizzying heights of a class 3 too. On rain softened ground, I feel I crack a few of these puzzles.
The opener is a seller. Tie em up Tal has a win under his belt in selling company, while half the field have no official rating yet, this Evans trained horse is the highest officially on ratings. Furthermore, Evans has a good record at Thirsk and John Egan is not a terrible jockey to have at Thirsk on a busy day of racing.
Egan is no Hanagan though and he gets the right on the evens favourite, Jean Paget. Mick Channons horses have been running OK at Thirsk but overall the yard is hardly flying. Looks a bit tight on price to me, despite the jockey booking.
I am going to take a chance on Sandama, 14/1 in the opener who represents top Northern yard, Fahey. the horse has not shown a lot to date but it is a Footstepsinthesand sort and while it might be seen to better effect on good ground, nothing jumps off the page in a poor race and so I’d rather be on a price.
Time Trail looks like being returned to a more realistic level in the Fillies Nursery Sprint. However, it is the favourite Tulip Fever that immediately stands out. She is going good guns and the Haggas team are in good form. Georgia Cox, claiming five pounds has a strike rate of over 20% in the last few months and clearly capable.
Although friendless in the market, I am going to play Silver Starlight at 9/2. She also arrives with experience, form with a bit of toe in the ground and a course win.
In the 2.45pm, John Kirkup heads the market and I can understand why. After a successful run though, he carries a fair few extra pounds, we have to investigate those with the lighter loads. Angel Force has finished behind the favourite previously but may have improved when winning last time out in similar conditions.
The Mark Johnstone runner and the Tom Dascombe horse are both noteworthy in different ways but I think the answer here is to stick with the horse that has shown he has the tools, John Kirkup it is, 6/4.
The 3.20pm conditions stakes sees Mitchum Swagger drop out of pattern level and of course, that makes the horse of significant interest. However, I’d prefer it if he were a bit more consistent, especially when the market is asking us for more than they will put up if he does win, no deal.
Sound Advice has some ability but needs the firmer conditions. This leaves me considering burdening That is the Spirit with my money at 9/1. He definitely will not mind any more rain if it comes and could go well but I am put off by the zero wins in the last sixty runners record of the O’Meara camp.
No bet.
Dyna Might and Sheriff Garrett are the two I want on side in the 3.55 and you think I’d be able to split them easily enough, especially as the former lost to the latter already. The Sheriff may not have finished improving having won last time out with head-gear on that might have focussed the horse nicely. Ladbrokes though are offering 9/1 on Dyna Might and I have to play at that price.
I am playing Broughtons Knight in the 4.30pm, it is a horse that has been backed before and arguably unlucky. It was suggested to me too and so makes the roster!
I shall take the last two races on chance, the better side of a few bottles of the best claret Thirsk can muster.
Goodwood Tips
I have not played too hard at Goodwood this week, thank goodness! It looks like a nightmare for punters at times although Winter gave the form backers some pleasure today, winning in lovely style.
I am going to be a little lumpy about Profitable in the main race of the day, the King George Stakes at 3.35pm. The form is rock solid and the ground no issue. I have to be involved at 11/4. Baattash is a worry as the ceiling of his ability has not been fully tested yet.
I also like the Given horse, Gift in Time, I think this one might have a lot to give in handicap company.
I hope your company is as good as that which I shall keep. Fine sorts. We go round the once my friends, enjoy it.
Courage, roll the dice.
UK Horseracing Tips - The Major 