With the abandonment of the Sandown card on Saturday C4 filled in with discussions comparing Kauto Star with Arkle. Kauto Star is a great Chaser who has the speed to win at two miles and the stamina to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup. Film footage of the sixties bought back many happy memories of my visits to the Cheltenham Festival in that era. Besides Arkle I was also privileged to see Flyingbolt and Mill House. After Mill House won the Gold Cup in 1963 a lot of us, apart from the Irish, thought he would win the 1964 Gold Cup. How wrong we were, Arkle cruised upto Mill House at the second last and stormed away to win by five lengths. The picture above by Lionel Edwards, which adorns a wall in my home, captures that moment wonderfully well. It was in 1964 that we saw Flyingbolt for the first time at Cheltenham when he won the Gloucester Hurdle. In 1965 he won the Cotswold Chase over two miles and Arkle won his second Gold Cup. In 1966 Flyingbolt won the Two Mile Champion Chase by fifteen lengths and ran the next day in the Champion Hurdle where he finished third to Salmon Spray. Flyingbolt was breathtaking over two miles but he did stay as well. He finished his season in 1966 by winning the Irish Grand National under 12-7 giving huge lumps of weight away to his rivals. He was still only a seven year old. Arkle won his third Gold Cup in 1966. Both Arkle and Flyingbolt contested the big handicaps having to give lumps of weight away to their rivals and this is something Kauto Star has not done. He has been kept to Grade 1 races competing at level weights. However in the box next to him at Paul Nicholls stable is a certain Denman. Denman has already won two Hennessy Gold Cups at Newbury carrying top weight and a Cheltenham Gold Cup. He reminds me very much of Mill House, a strong galloping stayer well suited by a galloping course such as Newbury and Cheltenham. He looked better than ever when winning his last Hennessy Gold Cup by three and a half lengths giving 22 lbs to his stable companion, What a Friend, who has since gone over to Ireland and won the Lexus Chase over three miles at Leopardstown. Both Denman and Kauto Star, who was brillant in the King George VI Chase, look better than ever this season. We could be in for another mouth watering Cheltenham Gold Cup. If Denman regains his crown he will surely be rated up there with Kauto Star, but in my opinion they are both behind Arkle and Flyingbolt. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

This meeting is my favourite of the Flat racing calendar and this years meeting was exceptionally enjoyable. Wednesday's Group 1 Falmouth Stakes, run in the pouring rain, showed how unlucky Nahoodh (pictured) was in the 1000 Guineas. She was given a great ride by Frankie Dettori and clearly relished the softer ground. Majestic Roi appeared not to act on the ground. On Thursday Jimmy Fortune stole the riding honours on Lucarno in winning the Princess of Wales's Stakes. Papul Bull was catching Lucarno fast but Ryan Moore had been out ridden by Jimmy Fortune. On Friday we were joined by my old school chum Pete and the proceedings started well with Duntulm from the Henry Candy yard winning the first race by a short head. This gave me my stake for a punt on Marchand D'Or in the July Cup. He won in the last stride but I had to suffer another photo finish. In the Bunbury Cup Handicap, run before the July Cup, Lovelace looked a very unlucky loser. Ryan Moore again appeared to give his mount too much to do. The Henry Candy stable very nearly won the last race with Candle in the Egerton House Stables Handicap over one and a half miles. Candle went down by 1/2 a length in a driving finish. So finished a terrific days racing. We then moved on to one of our favourite watering holes, The White Hart at Great Yeldham, where our dear friends Steve and Julie joined us. They had not seen Pete for 30 odd years so there was a lot of catching up to do with plenty of reminising. With the Candy stable horses in great form I started to reminisce of the early eighties and that great filly Henry Candy trained, Time Charter. After seeing her run second in the 1000 Guineas of 1982 I decided to follow her. She did not let me down, winning the Oaks at 12/1 and then the Sun Chariot Stakes followed by the Champion Stakes when she fairly slaughted the field and won by seven lengths. She was kept in training for a four year old campaign and her first run of the 1983 season was to be in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. I went along to Newmarket in order to have a right punt on her. I managed to get 4/1 about her and thought I was going to collect when she came through to lead halfway through the final furlong. Billy Newnes did not touch her with the whip and she was collared by Electric ridden by Walter Swinburn, going down by a head. I am sure to this day that if maximum pressure had been applied she would have won. Still I am talking through my pocket as I still have the losing betting ticket! How sad is that. Time Charter repaid my faith and won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in the July. She won the Coronation Cup at Epsom as a five year old when ridden by Steve Cauthan, but that was her only victory that season. In her career she won nine of her twenty races and ran some cracking races in defeat. She was very well handled by Henry Candy who obviously learnt his craft from his father Derrick Candy. He too was a trainer I followed in the early sixties. He trained a mile and half handicapper called Dear Gazelle who did me a few favours back then. He won eight races over 1959, 1960 and 1961. He was a thoroughly game, genuine and consistent horse. Happy memories. For all your runners and riders and jockeys' colours click on the sporting life and go to racecards. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

With day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival abandoned due to high winds there will be a ten race card on Thursday and a nine race card on Friday. This will be a marathon for all concerned but at least no races will be lost. Unlike in 1975 when Cheltenham was waterlogged and the first day was abandoned. I was driving to Cheltenham on the Tuesday morning with my good friends Steve, Colin and Doug when the news came over the car radio. We were stopping on route at Windsor to collect another good friend Pete. We finished up spending the day there before setting off Tuesday night for Cheltenham via Cirencester where Doug had to be dropped off. Doug, the supplier of our entrance tickets was working for the press and had to file copy that evening. Fortunately racing went ahead on the Wednesday with eight races on very heavy ground. Conditions were like a bog come Gold Cup day and few of the runners appreciated the ground. However Steve and I were keen on the chances of Ten Up ridden by Tommy Carberry with an each way saver on Soothsayer. They finished first and second, Soothsayer's starting price being 28/1. We finished the meeting in good spirits, the abandonment had not bothered us. Happy memories! For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

I watched recordings from my Sky+ box of BBC's coverage of four of the races from Ascot on the 19th January and it seemed the ground was once again putting a premium on stamina. Twist Magic looked a different horse on the softish ground and if the rains continue might not even run at Cheltenham in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. All this rain, abandoned meetings and heavy ground when racing does go ahead, takes me back to Cheltenham in 1969 when What A Myth ridden by Paul Kelleway outstayed everything else in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The ground was the deciding factor that day and at twelve years old he became the oldest horse to win the race for eighteen years. I first went to Cheltenham in 1963, the year Mill House won the Gold Cup. There must have been about seven of us who first started the pilgrimage to Cheltenham for the three days as it was then. It was great fun to get away with your mates and talk nothing but racing for the three days. I was able to keep up the pilgrimage through the 1960's and 1970's and I saw some great horses win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the greatest of course being Arkle. In 1969 my dear friend Steve joined us on our pilgrimage to Cheltenham. We had met while working for a Ford Main Dealer which was controlled by an old fashioned guvnor by the name of Dicky May. Steve and I had great respect for him and we have many happy memories of working there. It so happened that there was a Dicky May running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. We were staying at a hotel on Cleeve Hill and it was full of racing folk which included two older well to do ladies who had tickets for members for the three days. They use to join us in the bar after dinner for a drink or two. We started to spin the story that Dicky May was a good thing for the Gold Cup. By the time we went to bed on the Wednesday evening we were beginning to believe the story ourselves. Come the race on the Thursday a saver had been placed on Dickie May. All was going well until the commentator announced that Dickie May had come down at the eighth fence. The groan from the stands was immense and we could not stop laughing. The ladies had undoubtingly spread the word around members or was the groan for The Laird who was unfortunately brought down by Dickie May. As the Irish would say it was a great craic and brings back more happy memories. With the mud flying What A Myth stormed up the Cheltenham hill for a memorable win. We went back to the same hotel in 1970 hoping to see the ladies again. Unfortunately the owner told us they had tried to get in but by the time they rang he was full. It saved us spinning a story about L'Escargot (the snail) who won at 33/1! Kinloch Brae was an expensive faller for the blogger. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

There is a feast of racing coming up this holiday time starting at Ascot on Saturday 22nd, then Kempton on the 26th, Chepstow on the 27th and Leopardstown on the 28th December. The centre piece will of course be the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. I am sure the results will go more to form than they did at Cheltenham last Saturday. The starting prices of the first four home in the Boylesports Gold Cup in which Tamarinbleu made all the running to win were 22/1, 25/1, 20/1 and 11/1. The well backed favourite New Little Bric along with Abragante and New Alco never got into the race. In the International Hurdle Sublimity looked as though he had come over from Ireland for the fresh air! He folded quickly after appearing to be going well. Perhaps the fast pace sapped his stamina. It will be no different come next March with Osana, the winner of this race, in the field. The race was marred by the terrible injury to my old favourite Macs Joy. Franchoek was an expensive failure in the Juvenile Novices Hurdle. The Long Walk Hurdle over 3 miles 1 furlong at Ascot this Saturday looks an interesting contest with Hardy Eustace, Black Jack Ketchum and Special Envoy all declared to run. Perhaps Black Jack Ketcham will at last fulfill all the high expectations his trainer has of him. The King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day looks as though it will be a re-run of last years race where Kauto Star beat Exotic Dancer and Racing Demon. I expect Kauto Star to join that band of Chasers who have won the the race twice or more. The record books tell me that Halloween was the first Chaser to win it twice. The others I do remember. They are Mandarin, Pendil, Captain Christy, Silver Buck, Wayward Lad (3 wins), Desert Orchid (4 wins), The Fellow, One Man, See More Businesss and Kicking King. Desert Orchid's first win in 1986 brings back happy memories for me. My late sister and her family were with us for Boxing Day and I wanted to watch the race as I had backed Wayward Lad who was seeking his 4th win in the race. As there were only nine runners the family decided we should have a sweepstake so we could have a horse each and then everybody could have a bit of fun. I drew Desert Orchid and like many people outside his stable did not think he would stay 3 miles. How wrong we all were. Dessie made all the running and won the race by 15 lengths. His starting price was 16/1. I collected the sweepstake money to noises of you "lucky so and so". Pure luck but it made up for my loss on Wayward Lad. After that race Desert Orchid never looked back. He won the King George VI Chase again in 1988, 1989 and 1990 besides his many other wins. Denman and The Listener are being sent over to race in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in Ireland on Friday 28th December thereby missing a clash with Kauto Star and also looking for softer ground which they both need. This should be a cracking race as both horses like to bowl along in front. Denman should keep his unbeaten run going. For the racecards with the runners and riders and the jockeys colours click on the links in the left hand column to either attheraces or the sporting life. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The £150,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup will be run at Newbury on the 1st December 2007. It was first run in 1957 when Mandarin won the race. There have been some top class chasers win this race since 1957 and I have once again collated the past winners. My first visit to the Newbury track was in 1962. That year the race was fought out between two runners from the late Neville Crump's stable, Springbok and Rough Tweed. Springbok was a favourite of mine and just prevailed in a photo finish from Rough Tweed whom I think was ridden by the late David Nicholson. Springbok was ridden by Gerry Scott. There was a similar finish when I was there in 1973 between Red Candle and Red Rum. Rummy just lost that day. Another memorable year for me was the year One Man won in 1994. That afternoon Jamie Osbourne rode four winners. Before racing started I had my customary "go" on the Tote Jackpot and Placepot. I had five winners, albeit shortish prices, but failed to select One Man in the Hennessy, instead going for the favourite, Dubacilla, who finished out of the first four. The Jackpot paid £892 that afternoon and the Placepot £269. The last time I visited Newbury racecourse was in 1998 when Teeton Mill won for Venetia Williams. There was quite a gamble on him that afternoon as he was owned by The Winning Line. My visits to Newbury have been restricted as they usually coincide with home games at Ipswich. This year is no exception. However I will be missing both Ipswich and the Hennessy as I hope to be in sunnier and warmer climes courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Looking at the race at this early stage it seems that all the weights will rise making Denman the top weight. He was originally allotted 10 stone 8 pounds. I think New Alco and Juveigneur would make more appeal if I was around to have a bet. However if Denman does carry top weight to victory he will immediately be talked of as a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse. Those that have won the Hennessy and then a Cheltenham Gold Cup are Mandarin, Mill House, Arkle, Bregawn, Midnight Court and Burrough Hill Lad. Burrough Hill Lad's win was as long ago as 1984. It will be asking a lot of Denman to be included in this select group of Chasers. Now here are the past winners :- 1957 Mandarin 1958 Taxidermist 1959 Kerstin 1960 Knucklecracker 1961 Mandarin 1962 Springbok 1963 Mill House 1964 Arkle 1965 Arkle 1966 Stalbridge Colonist 1967 Rondetto 1968 Man of The West 1969 Spanish Steps 1970 Border Mask 1971 Bighorn 1972 Charlie Potheen 1973 Red Candle 1974 Royal Marshall 1975 April Seventh 1976 Zeta's Son 1977 Bachelor's Hall 1978 Approaching 1979 Fighting Fit 1980 Bright Highway 1981 Diamond Edge 1982 Bregawn 1983 Brown Chamberlin 1984 Burrough Hill Lad 1985 Galway Blaze 1986 Broadheath 1987 Playschool 1988 Strands of Gold 1989 Ghofar 1990 Artic Call 1991 Chatam 1992 Sibton Abbey 1993 Cogent 1994 One Man 1995 Couldnt Be Better 1996 Coome Hill 1997 Suny Bay 1998 Teeton Mill 1999 Ever Blessed 2000 Kings Road 2001 What's Up Boys 2002 Be My Royal 2003 Strong Flow 2004 Celestial Gold 2005 Trabolgan 2006 State of Play I am sure it will be another super race this year and it would be great if a top weight could win it again. I will be recording the race on my Sky+ box and checking the results from an Internet cafe' while in the Canary Islands. Its a great life ! For the runners and riders with the jockeys colours click on the link to the sporting life on the left hand side and select racecards. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The £121,000 Ayr Gold Cup for 3yo's+ will be run over 6 furlongs on Saturday. The first Ayr Gold Cup winner I ever backed was Compensation way back in 1964. He was a super sprinter who needed an easy surface to show his best form. In those days the race used to be run on a Friday. It started raining on the Sunday before and by Friday the conditions seemed ideal for Compensation. He started joint favourite at 10/1 and apparantly was given a superb ride by the late Peter Robinson to win the race by about three lengths. I had to be content with listening to the race on my trusty transistor radio while sitting on Southend pier. Deep joy ! Horses that run well in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood and the Portland at York have a good record in this race, as has anything that David (Dandy) Nicholls decides to run. In 2000 he had eight runners in the race one of which was the winner Bahamian Pirate. He trained the winners of the race in 2001 with Continent, and in 2002 and 2004 with Funfair Wane. This year he has the possible favourite with Indian Trail. Fullanby won the Portland and could defy the penalty. The weather forecast for the north of the country is rain, so the going as usual will be a big factor. Provided it is not too soft I hope Borderlescott will carry his top weight to victory. He has been knocking on the door with his last two runs, one of which was nearly winning the Stewards Cup for the second year running. He ran second to Fonthill Road in this race last year. I remember Roman Warrior carrying top weight of ten stone in heavy ground when he won the race in 1975. He was a colossus of a horse well up to carrying big weights. Lets hope Borderlesscott can repeat the feat. For your racecards with the runners and riders go to the sporting life. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

A month after I left the King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford in 1958, Gladness won the Ebor Handicap at York carrying 9 stone 7 pounds. The race was a much more important race than it is nowadays. In terms of first prize money it ranked ninth among among the season's races, behind only the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Derby, the Oaks, the St Leger, the Two Thousand Guineas, the One Thousand Guineas, the Eclipse Stakes and the Ascot Gold Cup. Gladness won the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup in the same season as her Ebor triumph. In 1959 Primera carried 9 stone to victory in the Ebor and was afterwards fifth in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, only a short head and two short necks behind the dead-heat winners Saint Crespin III and Midnight Sun. In those days the Ebor certainly attracted horses of the highest quality. The Ebor is still a fabulous race and is Europe's most valuable handicap. There have been many memorable performances over the years. Probably the most popular winner in the last thirty odd years was that of Sea Pigeon who carried 10 stone to victory with Jonjo O'Neill in the saddle in 1979. Amongst the wide margin winners have been the three year olds Sir Montegu in 1976 and the ill fated Kneller in 1988. It takes a good three year old to win the Ebor and in the last twenty six runnings of the race eleven have been won by three year olds. It is usually the late developing, fast improving sort. Aidan O'Brien holds a strong hand with Honolulu and Mahler. But which one will run ? They both hold an entry in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. Tranquil Tiger from the Henry Cecil yard is another three year old with strong claims. The yard last won the race with Tuning in 1998 who became the first female to win since Gladness in 1958. Prior to that Kneller was an impressive three year old winner in 1988 for Henry Cecil. Of the older horses Luca Cumani has two fancied runners in Purple Moon and Samurai Way. Paul Cole has Strategic Mount who won at Ascot last Saturday and goes well on a fast surface, and Roger Charlton has Group Captain who won the November Stakes run at Windsor last season. The field will be limited to twenty runners so some of those mentioned might not get a run. For your race card with the runners and riders go the sporting life. For those who want to go down memory lane I have collated the winners of the Ebor since 1958 with the three year olds shown in capitals. 1958 Gladness, 1959 Primera, 1960 Persian Road, 1961 Die Hard, 1962 Sostenuto, 1963 PARTHOLON (see my York Spring Meeting Blog), 1964 Proper Pride, 1965 Twelfth Man, 1966 Lomond, 1967 OVALTINE (first sponsorship by Johnny Walker), 1968 ALIGNMENT, 1969 Big Hat, 1970 Tintagel II, 1971 Knotty Pine, 1972 Crazy Rhythm, 1973 Bonne Noel, 1974 Anji (New Sponsor in Terry's All Gold), 1975 Dakota, 1976 SIR MONTAGU(New Sponsor in Tote who still continue to sponsor), 1977 Move Off, 1978 Totowah, 1979 Sea Pigeon, 1980 Shaftesbury, 1981 PROTECTION RACKET, 1982 Another Sam, 1983 Jupiter Island, 1984 CRAZY, 1985 Western Dancer, 1986 PRIMARY, 1987 Daarkom, 1988 KNELLER, 1989 SAPIENCE, 1990 Further Flight, 1991 DEPOSKI, 1992 Quick Ransom, 1993 Sarawat, 1994 Hasten to Add, 1995 SANMARTINO, 1996 CLERKENWELL, 1997 Far Ahead, 1998 TUNING, 1999 Vicious Circle, 2000 GIVE THE SLIP, 2001 MEDITERRANEAN, 2002 Hugs Dancer, 2003 Saint Alebe, 2004 Mephisto, 2005 Sergeant Cecil and 2006 Mudawin. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

Full marks to Ryan Moore for walking the Sandown course and discovering where the best ground was. Anybody who had seen Channel 4's Morning Line interview with the clerk of the course on Saturday morning knew that the best ground in his opinion would be the route that Ryan Moore took in the Coral Eclipse. It was not rocket science ! The best horse on the day won. The race proved that there was not much between Authorized and George Washington. Connections of George Washington are now considering going for the Juddmonte International at York, whereas the owners of Authorized are concerned that the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot could come too soon. It did not come too soon for Reference Point who put up a superb performance in winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes after just losing the Coral Eclipse to Mtoto in 1987. Tomorrow the 11th of July sees the start of Newmarket's July Meeting. It looks as though there will only be seven runners for the feature race the Falmouth Stakes where Arch Swing is fancied to win for John Oxx. As the Lancashire Oaks has been transfered from Haydock there will be eight races on the the card which will make for a long afternoon. For all the runners and riders and latest news go to the sporting life. The feature race on Thursday is the Princess of Wales's Stakes. This could go to Lucarno who has been very consistent so far this season. The feature race on Friday is the July Cup. As already mentioned in a previous blog I am hoping Amadeus Wolf can do the business and improve on his fourth place of last year. The Bunbury Cup is always very competitive. The short list for this is last years winner Mine, last years runner up Intrepid Jack and Dabbers Ridge. On Saturday we have the John Smith's Cup at York. At the time of writing 36 have stood their ground. The race will be run on soft or heavy ground over nine furlongs and not the usual ten and half furlongs. This is because the course has been waterlogged. Aidan O'Brien has a strong hand in this with three runners, one of them being the well fancied Sorolla. The race has happy memories for me going back to 1964 when it was known as the Magnet Cup. I was in dire need of a winner to keep my bookmaker happy and Space King ridden by Edward Hide obliged at 25/1 for me. Space King was a game and genuine race horse who did me a few favours in the sixties. Happy memories. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

Newmarket stages their three day July Meeting next week commencing on Wednesday 11th July with the Falmouth Stakes, a Group 3 for 3yo+ fillies over 1 mile, as the feature race. The feature race on Thursday will be the Princess of Wales Stakes, a Group 2 for 3yo+ over 12 furlongs. On Friday the 13th the feature race will be the July Cup, a Group 1 for 3yo+ over 6 furlongs. At the time of writing this blog the actual runners and riders for most of the races are a bit sketchy because of the prevailing bad weather which will influence ground conditions. I am looking forward to going and seeing what improvements have been made to the area behind the main stand. This is my favourite course for watching Flat racing. The July Meeting has a charm all of its own. For me it is an enjoyable drive from my Essex home up through the villages of north Essex , into Cambridgeshire briefly, and then into Suffolk, thereby missing the charge and holdups on the M11 Motorway. I was first taken to Newmarket in 1959. Strange how you can still remember winners but not losers! I do remember backing Better Off that day. She was booted up the hill by Willie Snaith. In 1960 I was fortunate to see Sweet Solera win. She was very impressive and the next season went on to win the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks. I have attended most July Meetings over the years and rain or shine I will be there next week. I have taken 16/1 about Amadeus Wolf for the July Cup. If he wins it will help with expenses for the three days. For all the runners and riders go to the sporting life. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

In 1987 I remember going to Sandown Park for the Coral Eclipse expecting to see Reference Point win the race after his fine display in the Derby. He was the first Derby winner since Mill Reef in 1971 to contest the race and take on the older horses. The 1987 Coral Eclipse was a superb horse race with Reference Point and Mtoto locked in a ding-dong battle over the last two furlongs. The older horse Mtoto won by three quarters of a length. Authorized was a superb Derby winner this year. The Curragh's loss will be Sandown's gain as Authorized by-passed the Irish Derby for a crack at the older horses. In the last twenty years the only three year olds to win the Coral Eclipse have been Nashwan in 1989, Elmaamul in 1990, Environment Friend in 1991, Giants Causeway in 2000, Hawk Wing in 2002, and Oratorio in 2005. Now that George Washington takes his place in the field we should be in for another fascinating horse race. His trainer, Aidan O'Brien, thinks 'Gorgeous George' will stay the distance, although he appeared not to stay the trip when racing in America at Churchill Downs. Aidan O'Brien's horses are in tremendous form and if the real George Washington turns up at Sandown I would not be surprised to see him beat Authorized. Of course we must not forget the other runners ! For all the runners and riders go to the sporting life. 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".

What used to be the Whitbread Gold Cup will be run at Sandown on Saturday 28th April 2007. Hot Weld could easily follow up his success in the Scottish Grand National. I remember Mr Frisk winning the Grand National in 1990 and then going on to win the Whitbread Gold Cup three weeks later. Hot Weld has only one week between races, but if he runs he must be respected. I doubt that we will see the emotions following Mill House's triumph back in 1967 when ridden by David Nicholson. Happy Memories ! For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

With only eleven days to go, the ground will be a major factor as always. They have started watering the course at Aintree to ensure good jumping ground. Point Barrow has been well backed following his last run in Ireland and is taking much the same route as NumberSixValverde last year. My friend Pete has told me to look out for Longshanks trained by Kim Bailey. Kim Bailey of course trained Mr Frisk in 1990 when he won The Grand National breaking the track record on the fast ground. Longshanks is recovering from a bruised foot at the moment but they are hopeful of him making the line up this year. He failed to make the line up last year due to injury at the eleventh hour. He has jumped the fences in previous seasons when fourth in the Topham Chase. He is quoted at 25/1 at the moment. This brings back happy memories of 1961 when MacJoy trained by Kim Bailey's father Ken romped home, ridden by Michael Scudamore, in a 3 mile 5 furlong handicap at Sandown Park. His starting price was 25/1 and Pete and I were both on ! For all the runners and riders go to at the races. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The first Grand National took place in 1836. I was not around then, but I was for the first televised running of the race in 1960. I think I have only missed one live running of the race since then. In 1960 I had placed an Ante-Post bet on The Spring Double. The first leg was Mustavon which duly won with my winnings going on to Merryman in The Grand National. Great memories and I still have a picture of Merryman, with Gerry Scott on board, jumping the last fence, hanging on a wall in my home. So my love affair with the Grand National began. My interest in racing started in 1954 at the age of twelve years eleven months. I used to listen to my parents and aunts and uncles discussing the big horse races. They asked me to select a horse for the 1954 Derby. I went for the jockey not the horse and chose Lester Piggott riding Never Say Die. Extra pocket money ! While still at Grammar School I had a part time job delivering Corona door to door. I was a van boy. The drivers were having a sweepstake on the 1958 Derby. I picked Hard Ridden out of the hat and was allowed to have a bet on him. Good old Charlie Smirke booted it home. Pure luck ! I decided I needed to understand what racing was all about and was intrigued with advertisements that would appear on a Saturday afternoon by Joe Davis advertising Timeform. I purchased their Racehorses of 1959 Annual and have continued having them ever since. Nowadays the Flat Racing does not get my interest until after the Grand National. As usual this years Grand National looks very open. I will be coming up with a short list nearer the time. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".