French Fancy!

David flies over to France this morning to see Notus de la Tour run at Auteuil this afternoon.  He is prominent in the betting for the Prix Melinoir (run at 3.55pm our time), and you can find out more by taking a look at David's blog.

The stable had a couple of near misses at Newton Abbot yesterday as Decoy and Degenerate finished runner-up.  Decoy was a very close second in the big handicap hurdle and that is his best run since arriving on these shores, while Degenerate was a solid runner-up on his racecourse debut in the bumper (finishing behind a horse with previous experience) and both look capable of going one better in time.

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It is fortunate that Manchester United have won the Premiership as I don't suppose Sir Alex would have been too happy last night otherwise.  His horse Magic City was all the rage at Windsor and was backed down to 2/5 favourite but only managed to finish second.  The Attheraces studio were inundated with calls about the ride he received from Richard Hughes, but to be honest I think they are probably punters talking through their pockets.  Afterall the horse was beaten at odds of 1/4 on his previous start at Ascot...it looks to me as though those punters that had their fingers burned the time before were trying to get their money back.  Perhaps he is a morning glory horse?  Even so, I am sure he will not go off at such prohibitive odds next time - most of his backer will not have any money left!

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Below are a couple more pictures from the gallops.  This time we have Sure Josie Sure, as well as recent Worcester scorer Qulinton who was working in company with Spanish Cruise.

  
Above left: Sure Josie Sure and right: (l-r) Qulinton and Spanish Cruise