Last season, at an earlier stage than where we are now, Graham Cunningham said on Channel 4 that it's every Saturday from now until Christmas. Tomorrow is one of those Saturdays, in the thick of it, with four jump meetings full of possibilities and pitfalls. Readily, and quite possibly unwisely, I'll give it a go because when I think of all the books I could have read, or even written, while the horse racing was on, I'll take the post-serious (see above) view that I'm glad I didn't.
One look through Sandown's card made me think it won't be there that we re-invest this week's profit so far. I don't want to be jumping out of a high window if Altior unthinkable gets beaten; I'll happily oppose Un de Sceaux in the Tingle Creek but having had Sire de Grucy's unforeseen return to form rob me blind the other week, I'd rather sit it out. I hope Fingal Bay gets back to the winner's enclosure somewhere but I'm not sure it will be this time. Nicky Henderson has won the novice hurdle on this card for the last seven years which makes it difficult to back Cruiseaway without worrying all day about what Bardd might do. But then the last makes me wonder if I dare put this project almost to bed by tipping a 4/1 winner. One's eyes light up at the thought of what various balance sheets might look like.
Sandown tomorrow is one of the landmark meetings in the calendar which makes one wonder why Barry Geraghty and Richard Johnson are elsewhere. Big races usually feature the top jockeys.
Is Dickie Johnson going to Chepstow to ride Lamb or Cod because they are aiming him at the Welsh National. I hope so. I hope he's not going for Rebecca Curtis' benefit to ride Geordie des Champs because I'll probably include Touch Kick (1.40) in the multiple bet(s).
Geraghty's at Aintree for reasons that will become apparent. I don't know if he'd ever been to Catterick before this week but it was unlikely he would go for the sake of it and so his only ride was worth backing and helped towards the treble that made me glad enough to be alive. It might not be Minotaur (1.00) that he's primarily there for but then again it just might and that looks a confident shout and, on any other day, a sound nap selection.
At Wetherby, Apterix (2.50) is another that won't be a 'working man's price' but some shrewd working men put two or three such things together to be multiplied up and find they are much likelier to win by doing that than trying to find a 10/1 winner.
But, it's sport, isn't it. One's heart bleeds for the poor bookmakers in a market so competitive that the thoughtful backer has it all ways with guaranteed best price, the exchanges and SP announced on ticker tape at the bottom of the screen during the race to show that the favourite has gone off at 2/1 and won't be returned at 7/4 if it wins and 9/4 if it gets beaten.
So Minotaur or Apterix would both be sensible be sensible naps in the style of Peter O'Sullivan in the Daily Express, the only thing that dreadful paper was worth buying for apart from The Gambols, whose best bet was regarded by me in the 1970's and early 80's as something approaching scripture.
But, let's put our betting boots on and go for Doing Fine (Sandown 3.30) because we like Neil Mulholland very much and his winning run hasn't stopped and we like Noel Fehily a lot as well and we like 4/1 as much as we like either of them.