Carlton Continues To Please

There was a sizeable crowd on the watered gallop at Newmarket yesterday morning, even though it was before 6am!  Apparently Carlton House pleased in his work, hammering his work partner with the minimum of fuss under Ryan Moore.  I am sure that bookmakers will be shortening him yet further ahead of the Derby on Saturday week.  I hope that a few of you took my ante-post advice...the biggest worry now is if he will handle the track at Epsom - it is a funny course, but he does look to be a well balanced colt.

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Talking of the Moore's, I thought that Jamie gave Gem Mill a fantastic ride at Newton Abbot yesterday afternoon.  He was pushing along aboard the nine year old for almost all of the 2m5 1/2f trip and managed to deny none other than A P McCoy in a driving finish.  Jamie had to be at his very strongest to land the prize, so well done to him!

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I had to chuckle when I opened my Racing Post this morning and turned to page 5.  Paddy Power, never too far from a controversial advertising campaign have recruited Imogen Thomas to advertise the Manchester United versus Barcelona match.  The Irish bookie will refund bets if Baracalona beat United within 90 minutes play - let's hope that Giggsy scores again - that will certainly put the Spaniards on their backs as well!

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There was some pretty straight talking from flat trainer Mark Tompkins when he spoke about his string of two year old's.  The handler said, "none of my juveniles get hit first time out - if they do, I hit the jockey".  I totally agree, these youngsters should be educated rather than punished, but it might also go some way to explaining his 6% strike rate with his two year olds over the past five seasons!

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David has returned from the sales up at Doncaster with a total of four purchases.  As James referred to in his season review (which you can read by clicking here), David has a habbit of finding good value purchases at the sales, so let's hope that he has uncovered a few more gems here.  He has rewarded himself with an easy day today...he is off to watch the first day of action from Cardiff between England and Sri Lanka in the first Test match...judging by the skies though, I don't think he will watching much cricket!