Kings Palace is reported to have been impressive again at Cheltenham today. He ensured that my day wasn't a losing one although it's a shame Big Easy came second again. He could have made it more of a pay day.
And so Kings Palace is a real prospect for the RSA Chase in March except to point out that he went to the long distance novice hurdle similarly unbeaten in that sphere and was off the pace when he fell. So, just a little bit wary of a long term investment there.
Tomorrow serves up another fine programme at the greatest sporting venue on Earth. I see that our new friend, Binge Drinker, has been backed for the 2.35, in spite of a hard race only 7 days ago. McCoy is riding for Rebecca, which is always good to see, and Blaklion lost some of his early claims to be the best novice hurdler seen so far this season last time out.
Also, I'm glad to see Daryl Jacob getting some good rides from top stables after his ill-fated season as number one jockey for Paul Nicholls. Nicky Henderson's French import, Peace and Co, could be one to hold a treble or yankee together in the 2.15 at Doncaster but odds against should be available about Virak in the 2.50 so that is the preferred option for the best bet.
I've said before that these days I will always oppose Rock On Ruby, which is no mark of disrespect, I just think it is now hard to find good races for him to win as younger pretenders are always likely to have the potential to improve past him. He runs in the Relkeel Hurdle (3.45) and the one I would oppose him with, Garde la Victoire, isn't there. However, Volnay de Thaix is and so although Rock On Ruby has every right to go off favourite, he makes it possible to find some value elsewhere.
That's 4 for a yankee but at 4/1, 5/4, 4/5 and 2/1, it isn't going to be the most exciting multiple bet ever and so it might be 4 trebles and the accumulator but Virak is the genuine suggestion.
The New One is available at 1/2 for his latest reconnaissance visit to Cheltenham. He has a worthy opponent in Vaniteux although it would come as more than a shock if any of the others beat him on merit. He put in a pleasing enough round in his latest outing but, on the same day, one probably had to admit that, at this early stage, Faugheen's performance at the other meeting was more impressive. It will be a terrible shame if it turns out that The New One's year was due to be last season when he - and, more importantly, me- were robbed.
Despite the dismal record of The Saturday Nap this year, the three out of four that won in the yankee recommended the other week means we are not without chances of a late rally puting us in front by Boxing Day. It is, however, going to take a miracle to get my balance sheet for 2014 into the black. Luckily, it is only money and I think we all know deep down that the only way to make a small fortune from horse racing is to begin with a large one.
David Green
- David Green (Books) is the imprint under which I published booklets of my own poems. The original allocation of ISBN numbers is used up now, though. The 'Collected Poems' are now available as a pdf. The website is now what it has become, often more about music than books and not so often about poems. It will be about whatever suggests itself.
