BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY RACING -- 28th MAY 2018

Been a busy time for horse-racing for me of late, last week had a great evening out to Sandown Park for my brothers birthday and now we have a host of Bank Holiday fixtures to enjoy. Could go out to Windsor, although it's not one of my favourite tracks it is local and sure to be extremely busy. Maybe I am just getting old but I do recall that Bank Holidays used to be a feast of racing, about ten meetings and now we've only six in UK (plus an evening meeting in Ireland) which is not much different from a regular Saturday? Maybe it is just my imagination or memory playing tricks on me now that I am older ... 

CARTMEL BANK HOLIDAY FIXTURES ARE BUSY

National Hunt fixtures;
Cartmel (above) -- traditional Bank Holiday meeting with funfair and hopefully lovely sunshine. Their seven race card begins at 14:10. The feature race on Monday is the Class 2 Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle at 15:20 and a field of eight declared where I fancy the chances of OLD HARRY ROCKS and at 14/1 is a good win/place bet today.

Huntingdon -- The other NH meeting this afternoon begins at 13:30 and has been billed as their "family fun day". Another 7 race card on offer and the children will be entertained by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Their most valuable race is the 2m Handicap Chase off at 15:10 and might well go to WALDEN PRINCE a course and distance winner and in receipt of weight from the field.

Flat fixtures;
CHELMSFORD CITY (All weather) -- The Essex course hosts their Family Fun Sports Day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. First race is at 13.55 and there's a load of sporting competitions to get involved with for a great cause. Their best race is only a class 4 handicap (15:50) but can go to Mark Johnston ADDICTED TO YOU who went down by a head in a better class race than this last time and Franny Norton is the right man to have on your side today.

REDCAR -- Probably the feature race meeting of the day with the renewal of the Zetland Gold Cup worth more than £31,000 to the winner. Racing here gets underway at 12.45 here the Zetland is off at 16:10 and last years winner BRIARDALE lines up once more and races off 5lb higher today but hasn't had the benefit of a race this season. 
Was going to pick the Queen's horse SENIORITY but that appears as a Non Runner now sadly so will give my tip as ABAREEQ a winner off higher marks last year, and goes well under Joe Fanning for trainer Mark Johnston.

LEICESTER -- Their own Family Fun Day and good value at £10 entrance plus accompanied children are admitted free. Racing gets underway at 13:45 with a selling race that can go to Hayley Turner riding RACEHORSE. Their feature race is the Victoria Park Handicap a race for three year olds off at 14:55 which can go to the progressing filly ELNADIM STAR who is seeking a four timer.

WINDSOR -- Having cleared up from the Royal Wedding last weekend they host their family fun day too with Free rides galore and a 7 race card to enjoy (you won't see much though due to the track configuration) first race is 13.55.

Their big race goes off at 16:50 and is the sprint handicap over five furlongs for three year olds. A race where MIDSUMMER KNIGHT can snatch this from the front, will be hard to peg back if allowed an easy lead.

Ireland;
BALLINROBE -- The only Irish meeting today is an evening NH fixture beginning at 17.30. They have a couple of nice races but the biggest prize on offer tonight is in the 18:30 Mares Handicap Hurdle which can go the way of AWAYINTHEWEST and Barry Geraghty takes the ride.

Whatever you doing this Bank Holiday I hope it's sunshine and fun for you. Enjoy.