Cockney Rebel and Finsceal Beo completed the English/Irish 2000 and 1000 Guineas double over in Ireland at the weekend. Both horses proved they are tough and adaptable especially Finsceal Beo who had run three times in three weeks. She was unfortunate to get caught right on the line in the French 1000 Guineas. Both horses now could step up in trip to 10 furlongs which should make for some interesting races later in the season. Meanwhile we have the Epsom Derby and Oaks meeting on the 1st and 2nd of June. Lets hope Authorized can give Frankie Dettori his first Derby winner and Passage of Time can be a winner for Henry Cecil. If Passage of Time wins I am sure the the standard flag will be hoisted at Warren Place. The standard flag depicting a family heirloom, the Horn of Leys, was said to have been given to one of Cecil's ancestors by Robert The Bruce. Not a lot of people know that! For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The classic trials at York showed that Authorized and Passage of Time are worthy favourites for the Derby and Oaks at Epsom next week (1st and 2nd of June ). Authorized could become Frankie Dettori's first Derby winner and Passage of Time would be an emotional winner for Henry Cecil. For all the runners and riders go to sportinglife.com/racing. I mentioned in my York blog how the early 1960's were an interesting time for my betting escapades. I found the 1962 Derby winner Larkspur which returned 22/1. I was obviously lucky as six horses fell that year including the favourite Hethersett. The 1963 Derby winner escaped me but the 1963 Oaks winner Noblesse did not. Although she returned 4/11 I had backed her at 8/1 the previous season after she had won the Timeform Gold Cup which is now the Racing Post Trophy. I have had quite a few antepost bets over the years and not had a run for my money ! Unless you are in the know they are best left alone. The 1964 Derby winner Santa Claus was an interesting bet. I used to get a car ride to work with four other guys. In order to make the 35 minute journey more interesting we use to play silly games. On one occasion my dear friend Steve produced a £10 note and said anybody who can guess three consecutive numbers can have it. Of course nobody could ! I looked at the note and memorised three consecutive numbers in case the same question came up again. Steve always had quite a bit of money on him. His Dad was a bookmaker and Steve used to moonlight some evenings of the week at the Dog racing tracks. About three weeks later the same question came up again. The three numbers I had memorised were correct as it was the same note! Steve did not think it fair that I had remembered the numbers ! I gave him the chance to win it back. The deal was for him to give me 4/1 Santa Claus for the Derby. Santa Claus at 15/8 became Scobie Breasley's first Derby winner at the age of 50. I had won £50 which was more than my weekly wage. Steve and I were trainee accountants at the time and after this became firm friends. In 1965 I took my best friend Brenda to Epsom to see the Derby and saw the great Sea Bird stroll up the Epsom straight with his head in his chest. What a horse ! In 1966 I was on Charlottown at 5/1 (Scobie Breasley again). Just before this Brenda and I had got married on the Bank Holiday Monday. This was a nice wedding present. Of course about a month later England won the World Cup and I now had two mortgages. Magic Memories. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

York is one of my favourite race courses. This years three day meeting looks as though it could hold clues to this years Derby and Oaks. On Wednesday Passage of Time, who is favourite for the Oaks, makes her reappearance in the Musidora. Lets hope she can put Henry Cecil back on the big stage. Also on Wednesday the sprinters reappear. Les Arcs and Amadeus Wolf renew rivalry. Amadeus Wolf was a length behind Les Arcs in the Newmarket July Cup last season. Kevin Ryan thinks he is a stronger and better horse this season so perhaps he can go and win on Wednesday. On Thursday Authorized with Frankie Dettori in the saddle makes his seasonal debut in the Dante Stakes. It will be interesting to see if Strategic Prince and Adagio take part after their disappointing runs in the Newmarket 2000 Guineas. On Friday Sergant Cecil and Percussionist oppose each other again in the Yorkshire Cup. Sergant Cecil ran a nice race in the John Porter at Newbury on his reappearance. Because of his Group 1 success he has to give Percussionist 5lbs this year. At the time of writing Rod Millman the trainer is not sure if Frankie Dettori will be available to ride Sergant Cecil. For all the runners and riders go to sportinglife.com/racing and download a race card. York always brings back happy memories of the early 1960's when I was single and liked to have a "good" bet. I use to read the Sporting Life each day and keep in touch with all the form. The 1963 Ebor Handicap was one race where I put my money where my mouth was. I thought Partholon had all the right credentials for the race. I took my transistor radio to work with me so I could listen to the race and plugged the earpiece in my right ear so it was on my blind side should anybody look through the office door. Partholon must have taken up the running about three furlongs out and as he got to the 2 furlong pole was joined by Arctic Vale and Lester Piggott. I would imagine at this point I started to shout and bang the desk. Folks from adjoining offices appeared thinking I was having some kind of fit. I had blown my cover and everybody now knew I liked horse racing. Partholon won by a short head and from the winnings I was able to put a deposit on the house my parents were renting and buy it for them. I now had a mortgage ! I read later that year that the late Phill Bull had come up with same solution to the race. His winnings were 100 times more than mine! For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Chester Cup Meeting over three days in May is one meeting I have never attended. It is their best three days of the flat season. The draw plays a major factor in finding winners. A low draw has a distinct advantage in all races. Trainer Barry Hills loves to have winners here and his runners should be followed. Grafton Street has a resonable draw in the Chester Cup and must command respect. Aiden O'Brien's horses are in tremendous form and with Mick Kinane in the saddle Grafton Street should go close. For all the runners and riders go to at the races.com and download a race card. I have missed the last two weeks racing having been on a trip to America and Canada. Brenda and I started in San Francisco where we met our dear friends Herb and Evelyn who showed us around the city. The Golden Gate Fields opened their spring meeting on April 25th and it was a big temptation not to spend the day there, but time did not allow. We boarded a Celebrity Cruise Ship on the 27th and travelled up the West Coast to Vancouver. One of the stops was Seattle where our nephew Richard gave us a quick tour of the city before we sat down to watch the Man Utd game. What a disappointment! We flew home from Vancouver and arrived in time to see our beloved football team Ipswich play their final game of the season. Fortunately they won by three goals to one and made the journey worthwhile. Look out for them next season. Man Utd have now deservedly won the Premership, so I should now be able to concentrate on the Flat season. Lets hope we can find some winners. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".