Tanya Stevenson
Tanya's Blog - Popular card this evening at Epsom, live on Racing UK
Early start at Sandwich this morning and not exactly the weather to build on the tan. There is a brisk breeze which is causing problems to all the eyes of the world are on one three-ball, no, rather one man, Rory McIlroy. Every shot being meticulously scrutinised and the magnetic force of will from those in the crowd seem to be a negative one, his start has been far from perfect. In contrast playing partner Rickie Fowler is thriving on the attention, one senses the McIlroy/Fowler battle will be one to be enjoyed by a generation.
Meanwhile Bjorn is gaining revenge on a course that devoured his confidence on the sixteenth or 70th hole in 2003, just as I type that the 9th hole shrinks to the size of a five pence piece with the ball rolling straight over it. One senses, although the mind has repaired the course is a winner of the battle of wills every time.
Here’s the dilemma, Rory is now +2, and has drifted from 2-1 in the top five to 3-1 on Betfair, value or not? This is how the Open absorbs you, every shot has you hypnotised, every cheer in the far off distance has you wondering, is it my player, has he birdied or even eagled?
What can racing learn from this purely electric, atmospheric, dramatic and wonderful championship, simply that it can’t compete. Ok Canford Cliffs v Frankel will be pretty special but it only captures the interest for minutes. There is no jargon to be tangled with and all the competitors are happy to be interviewed and the majority of the population participate in the sport, so look in awe at those who can do it better.
Popular card this evening at Epsom, live on Racing UK, SWINDY ran in a highly competitive contest at Newmarket’s July meeting last night, 18 horses spread across the course, Swindy was 14th, that was after a three month layoff, he shouldn’t need improvement on that to be at the thick of things at 7.45.
With Sir Mark Prescott now warming up with the strike rate I’m willing to give ALBARAKA another chance, she won’t be the most fancied in the field but she could have the most potential.
POINTERS
Sir Mark Prescott has had five winners from his last seven runners
Sir Henry Cecil has had four winners from his last ten runners
Silvestre de Sousa has had six winners, four seconds and a third from his last 14 rides
William Haggas has had four winners and two seconds from his last ten runners
A P McCoy has had eight winners, two seconds and three thirds from his last 17 rides
