BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY RACING -- 27th MAY 2019

Has been a very busy time for horse-racing for me of late, enjoyed my 50th Birthday at Ascot at the beginning of May and then last week had a great evening out to Sandown Park for my brothers birthday. 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 it is just that I am getting older now 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? Probably just my imagination or memory playing tricks on me now that I am older ... still a good day to be enjoyed out there.

CARTMEL BANK HOLIDAY FIXTURES ARE BUSY

National Hunt fixtures;
Cartmel (above) -- the 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 3 Veterans Handicap Chase off at 15:20 and a field of 10 has been declared where I fancy the chances of DOING FINE with Tom Scudamore in the saddle.

Huntingdon -- The other NH meeting this afternoon begins at 13:30 and has been billed as their "family fun day". Another seven 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 15:15 and might well go to the consistent ISTIMRAAR who does mix hurdles and chases and is usually in the frame. (Non Runner).

Flat fixtures;
CHELMSFORD CITY (All weather) -- The Essex course hosts their Family Fun Day in aid of Help for Heroes. First race is at 14.00 and there's a load of competitions to get involved with for a great cause, children go free, and there's plenty of their favourite superheroes too. Their best race is only a class 4 handicap (15:50) over two miles which can go to the Charlie Fellowes trained CARNWENNAN [WON 11/8F] who won a similar event at York and this four year old could still be on the upgrade now over these trips.

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 13:50  with a 2yo novice event that can go to MECCA'S HOT STEPS here the Zetland is off at 16:10 very competitive as always and I've have a look at both EPAULEMENT (a course and distance winner with a similar size field) with SOCIETY RED against the rest.

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 handicap that can go to Rossa Ryan riding AL BARG. Their feature race is the Victoria Park Handicap a race for three year olds off at 14:55 which can go to the Clive Cox trained filly HERITAGE.

WINDSOR -- host their family fun day too with Free rides galore, including the UK's largest dodgems, and a seven race card to enjoy (though you won't see much away from the large screens though due to the track configuration) first race is off at 13.55 which is a 6f handicap and can go to BELATED BREATH [WON 13/8F].

Their big race of the day goes off at 15:05 and is the sprint handicap over five furlongs for three year olds. A race where we hope Ryan Moore can get DEPUTISE away on terms this time having stumbled out the stalls on previous appearance.

IRELAND;
BALLINROBE -- The only Irish meeting today is an evening NH fixture beginning at 17:45. They have a couple of nice races but the biggest prize on offer tonight is in the 18:45 Mares Handicap Hurdle which can go the way of the Gordon Elliott trained ARCTIC SOFIA who is lightly raced and can continue to improve for her new trainer.

Whatever you doing this Bank Holiday I hope it's sunshine and fun for you. Enjoy your day and back to work tomorrow.