Racetrack Wiseguy

 One is never as far ahead as one feels one deserves to be. That's because one backs too many losers.

We will post a plus for this year, come what may, but it won't be as big as some dreams fondly imagined it would be. That disastrous Saturday before McFabulous subsequently proved he would have won cost me and so today's falling apart at the seams campaign was prudently more tentatively taken on and thus cost less.

So, we are due a good day, I've been through it (as it were) and we'll have a go. If you don't have a go at a day like tomorrow you never will.

The highlight of the day is the re-appearance of the superstar, Constitution Hill, who wins the Champion Hurdle in March but isn't even a sensible bet this far out for that. I've tried my best with Hitman but by now would prefer to oppose him so I'll leave him out.

Might I (Haydock 2.25) is the bet at a worthwhile price. Good horse, good trainer not quite banging the winners in at present, but possibly on a very fair handicap mark if 3 miles is what he's suited to.

Before that, we can get started early with Scarface (Ascot 12.20), trained by the very likeable Joe Tizzard who's doing well, and then we sit it out until the last at Haydock where we see the ground is soft, it's 3 miles plus and it's Venetia Williams who trains Fontaine Collonges (3.35).

That should be over in time for Huntingdon to wait to begin their 3.43 where Alan King, famous for his young horses, has Dancing in Brazil which anticipates the World Cup result (no need to sit through all of that, though) and the last leg of all this accumulating cash goes on Immortal in the Ascot 3.50 because the great Mr. Henderson has found some form and sends his best prospects to such races and, as long as it runs nice and sensibly, could win that before winning a few more times.

You mix them up in some sort of recipe of combinations and three winners should make a pay day, four makes a bottle of something classier than usual and all five could easily pay for a new hat.