Tanya Stevenson
Tanya’s Blog
Just reviewing the whole of last night’s Sky broadcast from Wimbledon greyhounds last night while typing my blog and I must say RAZLDAZL JAYFKAY appears to be something special. I know he was beaten last night into second by Saint Jack, but notice Razldazl was shortened for the Derby into 20-1 and even that is big. He was crowded and hampered at every bend but he does seem to possess the crucial asset need to win greyhounds blue riband event - he has early pace.
There is some good racing today. Carlisle has a brilliant handicap hurdle at 3.45 where top weight is Knockara Beau, all Grands Crus fans will be watching him with some trepidation, as he chased home the World Hurdle hope at Cheltenham in the Cleeve Hurdle 11 days ago. Knockara Beau is a tentative favourite last time I looked this morning (7.30am). It’s an intriguing race. Each week for the Morning Line I put up a bet for the week ahead. For the first morning line it was Ballybriggs at Ayr and this week Kerry Lee said my selection should be HEATHCLIFF, although it's not the one I’ve chosen which I will tell you about later in the blog. To me he is a horse who has promised much, he certainly won a Huntingdon race easily in December 2008 but I thought he would have added more to his tally. So what I have done is a combination forecast Knockara Beau, Heathcliff and Political Paddy. The latter is one horse who shouldn’t be 33-1 as he certainly acts on the ground.
Above is my speculative bet, whereas my selection of the day would have to be THE SNAIL at Ludlow. Okay, he refused last time so I go into it with my eyes wide open assuming my money could already be lost. On the upside he has won three of his four starts at Ludlow.
I have also had a dabble on BLUE NYMPH. The stable is in form and will have a big day on Saturday with Recession Proof. I’m ignoring the run in the Triumph, the race was out of her comfort zone once Barizan had laid on the catch-me-if-you-can tactics. However wind back to her debut win at Doncaster and she has major claims today.
POINTERS
Mark Johnston has had eight winners, four seconds and two thirds from his last 17 runners
Charlie Longsdon has had six winners and four thirds from his last 15 runners
Nicky Henderson has had four winners, a second and a third from his last nine runners and at Ludlow he has had four winners from his last seven runners
Rebecca Curtis has had three winners from her last four runners at Ludlow
A P McCoy has ridden six winners, a second and two thirds from his last 16 rides
The Snail has won three of his four races at Ludlow
