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A follower of ours on Racing X quite rightly said, we should have just been one and done yesterday.

Bar the 66/1 Williams horse who was out for a jolly, we loosely nailed the finishing order. In fact, it was so close, instead of one and done, we should have played around with some tri-casts!

All in all, CAPTAIN BELLAMY looked pretty useful for Paul Nicholls yesterday and given the way he won the race, the 11/8 about just before the off was a gift for anyone who took it.

Our other two betting races didn’t return. We still can’t believe Honeyball’s got chinned by the rag of the field who had been off the track two years. Well done to Fergal, that was an impressive training performance.

Sincere condolences to Rebecca Curtis who lost MINELLA BOBO yesterday. He’s been with them a long time, it will be a sad time for that yard - our thoughts are with them.

Let’s dive in.

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HEADLINE ROUND UP

SIDELINES FOR SAFFIE

Racing League Queen Saffie Osbourne will be on the sidelines until the start of 2024 having torn ligaments in her knee from a fall in a race fall in early October.

The 21yo has experienced a standout year thanks to her first Graded success, a Chester Cup victory, and her second-consecutive Racing League top jockey title. 

Although she has been in the saddle since her fall, Osborne has decided to give herself a winter to recover and will be looking to be back in January, as she said: “It’s obviously hugely frustrating to miss any time in the saddle but my knee has been causing me some pain – I am hoping to be back riding in January.” 

Don’t worry, Saffie - the Racing League doesn’t start up again until next July. You’ve got plenty of time.

JAMES ‘SAND IS ON THE CARDS’ (thought this was a great pun)

Planning consent in perpetuity, floodlight base already in and recent comments from Chief Exec of Catterick James Sanderson, the chances of Catterick turning all-weather don’t look a possibility, it’s starting to look inevitable.

Yes, we know the Middleham lot would love an all-weather track right on their doorstep but from a punters perspective (or more specifically in the way that we work), it’ll turn into a load of fixtures we’ll almost bock out mentally and be loathe to even consider due to the nature of the racing.

Racing on turf is what it’s about. It feels more real and the nuances of finding what horse will go on the concrete or in the slop is what can give you a huge edge in the market. The all-weather is just a case of working out who’s trying on the day or not. A complete lottery, one I imagine the bookmakers are all for for two reasons - increased betting turnover and more people doing their boll*cks.

The North Yorkshire-based track had yesterday’s card called off due to excessive rain and when they can’t afford to lose a meeting, it’s the changes in the fixture list that have prompted this slow transition.

“We did a piece of work recently to update the costs so we know the magnitude of the investment required,” Sanderson said. “But the situation remains that we need to have about 50 fixtures to make the business plan work, because of the level of investment. “Catterick has 26 of its own fixtures so it’s a case of whether we can guarantee the other 24. “All-weather is getting easier to back and the appetite around the board at Catterick is that our medium to long-term strategy has to consider that.

We understand that cash is king but turning the track to all weather is SUCH a depressing thought.

GAME TO RUN 

Despite the previous rumours in the last few weeks, Paul Nicholls has confirmed that BRAVEMANSGAME will run in Saturday’s Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase over a tilt at the Betfair Chase later this month. 

This has already stung the fingers of a few on Racing X lol.

Because of this, stablemate PIC D’ORHY will not run and will instead head to Ascot and BMG has moved in from 6/5 to 4/5. This looks to be a good move for the BMG camp. He can run on Saturday in soft, but safe, ground and depending on how he runs, he will have plenty of time to rest ahead of the Betfair Chase on Boxing Day.

YOUNG BLOOD

17.45 KEMPTON

TOPANGA by SIYOUNI made a very promising debut pulling over 3 lengths clear of the field with a nice Godolphin newcomer. Been well supported this morning for good reason.

DANCING FREE by first season sire TEN SOVEREIGNS cost 230k as a breeze up after being bought for 115k as a yearling, one of two for the Gosden yard. Dam won a Listed and has produced a Gr3W. Market to guide.

QUEEN JEAN is a homebred KINGMAN filly for Owner/Breeder Andrew Rosen. Dam was a dual Gr3 winner and has produced one 90+ horse. Market says she’ll need the run.

FIRST KISS was pinhooked as a foal from 27k to 115k, good walking type. Nice draw. Market to guide but probably best watched on debut.

TIARAQUEEN is by KINGMAN o/o a PIVOTAL mare, pedigree a bit weak after the first dam. Best watched. 

EXPECTED ARRIVAL bought back as a breeze up for 48k after being a 65k yearling. Market says she’ll need the run.

The rest need to improve a good deal to trouble the judge today and a few will be running for a mark. 

Verdict: Might get a little drift on TOPANGA before the off, it would be disappointing if she didn’t win after her debut effort.

RISK ON

Nothing of interest today but:

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CALIFORINA DREAMIN’

9pm Saturday is going to be a big tussle between the juveniles at Santa Anita. It’ll be the sprint and three Royal Ascot winners line up.

Windsor Castle winner BIG EVS, Norfolk winner VALIANT FORCE and the Queen Mary filly CRIMSON ADVOCATE.

Amongst the big Ascot names, the race also includes Lowther second CHERRY BLOSSOM, Sirenia Stakes winner STARLUST and Coventry and Middle Park fourth GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS.

George Weaver saddles 3 in the race; aforementioned CRIMSON ADVOCATE who is sporting the Wathnan Racing colours, NO NAY METS who is by juvenile champ NO NAY NEVER and was last seen down the field in the Norfolk as well as AMIDST WAVES.

SLIDER is the most prominent American in the market, trained by John Sadler he cost a cool $240,000 as a breezer.

Verdict: Let’s be patriotic. BIG EVS could be hard to catch from stall 4, the son of BLUE POINT is the 11/4 market leader and he is definitely the best 2yo in Britain. GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS is the eachway hedge, 12/1 with most firms.

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