HAPPY 52nd BIRTHDAY TO ME - 30th APRIL 1969 - 2021

30th APRIL 1969 - 2021

Happy Birthday old man !!
Well this has been a strange twelve months and no mistake, while we carry on working at home I never work my birthday and will certainly have the day off, not sure where to go though but shall make a plan to do something different today. Would have usually been off to Ascot this week with family and friends but that will be taking place without spectators still so will have to find something else to do. Have a ride down to Brighton on the trains probably just for a change of scenery if nothing else. 52 now, still feel a lot younger and I sure don't act my age most of the time ha ha. Keep well. Have a fun day. 

Will be having my second Covid-19 vaccination during this week too. Planning on a fairly quiet one safe at home on the Friday, probably open a bottle of something nice and raise a glass to wish you all a lovely day too. 

Happy Birthday to me! 

most of you won't get this reference...

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2021 SEASON -- MEETING #3 28th APRIL

 

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to our third meeting of the season taking place on Wednesday 28th April. 

1st race 2.00pm.
Going: Good to firm [Good in places] 

Until further notice race meetings will be run ‘behind closed doors’ with no admittance for the general public. The 2021 racing season at Pontefract is under way and we move onto the third meeting now. Tickets are now being sold for future events and selling quickly, it will be nice to see a big attendance at courses around the country for the summer.

NATIONAL HORSERACING COLLEGE CHARITY DAY
This is the third race meeting behind closed doors and the racecourse is hosting it's Annual National Horseracing College Charity Day! This is a unique day in the racing calendar when bookmakers come together to offer their support to the National Horseracing College by sponsoring some of the races on the card.  Based in Doncaster, we’re proud to continue our association and support of the college who offer a range of courses at all levels for people looking at horseracing as a future career and those currently working in the industry wishing to develop their qualifications and skills. Racing begins at 2pm with a seven race card and the feature race named after today's Charity event 'National Horseracing College Charity Day Handicap' off at 3:10pm sadly appears that small fields are the order of the day.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. Following a winning opening meeting we suffered a small loss in the second resulting in a deficit of -3.3 points to carry onto this third meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm [Good in places]' while the weather for Wednesday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with some chance of showers but hopefully not too much. We are seeing a forecast maximum temperature around the 11C mark.

Here are our selections for the seven races taking place on Wednesday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

14:00  Racing With Pride And National Horseracing College EBF Novice Stakes

5f 3y  (Class 4  6 runners)
(1) -- Kenyan Commander  [4th @22/1].
(2) -- Province  [5th @22/1].

14:35  tote Celebrating The Team At The National Horseracing College Handicap

1m 2f 5y  (Class 5  5 runners)
(1) -- Regal Mirage  [2nd @7/4f].
(2) -- Framley Garth  [5th @50/1].

15:10  National Horseracing College Charity Day Handicap

1m 6y  (Class 4  4 runners)

(1) -- Cote d'Azur  [2nd @6/4f].
(2) -- Perfect Swiss  [3rd @5/1].

15:50  Women In Racing And National Horseracing College Handicap
6f  (Class 4  7 runners)

(1) -- True Mason  [Non Runner].

(2) -- Triggered  [Non Runner].

16:25  Tuffa Boots Supports The National Horseracing College Handicap (3yo)

6f  (Class 5  9 runners)

(1) -- Tiny Danser  [2nd @12/1].
(2) -- Footstepstothehart  [6th @13/2].

17:00  Trustees Of The National Horseracing College/British EBF Maiden (3yo)

1m 2f 5y  (Class 5  3 runners)

(1) -- King Frankel  [Won @4/5f].
(2) -- Gurkha's Surprise  [3rd @125/1].

17:30  Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap

5f 3y  (Class 5  6 runners)

(1) -- Soul Seeker  [Won @7/4f].

(2) -- Ventura Empress  [2nd @Evens].

Staked -- 14 points.

Returns -- 6.55 points.

Having started the 2021 season afresh, we begun reasonably well and with a full season on the track we look forward to a successful year, alas the opening few fixtures will be behind closed doors. After the opening two meetings we are sadly -3.3 points behind coming into this third fixture, the results for today will be updated during the afternoon. Sadly another losing meeting, couldn't find that elusive big winner yet, still wasn't too bad losing -7.45 today but we are now -10.75 overall. 

The fourth fixture here will be the first with an attendance (hopefully) an evening fixture to be held on Friday 28th May so we do hope you will follow the action here throughout the season.

ASCOT RACES TRIALS DAY - WEDNESDAY 28th APRIL 2021

Today would usually have been part of my birthday week with a day out to Ascot Racecourse to celebrate with a few family / friends. Sadly for the second year we will not be able to attend this meeting in person but still having the time off to enjoy. Have been coming here for many years now on this particular meeting although numbers have sadly dwindled recently, Ascot stages it's first flat meeting of the season and will feature the Ascot Gold Cup trial known as the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes. Renamed Royal Ascot Trials Day since 2019, Ascot's first Flat meeting of the season focuses on some of the key prep races ahead of the Royal Meeting in June.

Today's race card is good quality for a midweek meeting albeit small fields as usual in the opening contests. The seven-race card will have an increased focus ahead of Royal Ascot with four specific trials on the card, led by the Group 3 Longines Sagaro Stakes, won in recent years both Colour Vision and Estimate on their way to Gold Cup glory at Royal Ascot. It also continues as part of the Wetherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million, won last year by Gold Cup champion Stradivarius. 

Today is a good trial for the Gold Cup, while Dee Ex Bee landed the 2019 renewal here for trainer Mark Johnston and subsequently finished runner-up to champion stayer Stradivarius in the Royal Ascot showpiece. The 2020 edition was run at Newcastle in early June following the resumption of British racing after its Covid-19 enforced lockdown. The winner that day was Nayef Road who gave Johnston his fourth Sagaro Stakes success, the trainer having also saddled the great Double Trigger to consecutive victories in 1995 / 1996 as well as the 1995 Ascot Gold Cup. 

In addition to the Gold Cup trial we are delighted to have another Group three contest with the Pavilion Stakes (renamed as a Commonwealth Cup Trial) a 6f contest for 3yo's along with another listed event the Paradise Stakes over the mile (now a Queen Anne Stakes Trial). In recent years the fields have been rather small especially for the 2yo races we will see what the declarations present us soon. We note that the apprentice handicap has now moved from the end of the card to the beginning with a relatively new handicap now bringing the meeting to a close.

Here's a link to the days race card; racecard link
Going and Weather
The forecast going is described as 'Good'. There is a bit of a chill in the air and possible forecast for a drop of rain in the afternoon however as we'll be at home following the meeting online that won't matter either way, it's the nearest local meeting to my birthday (Friday) and always better than being at work with other activities slowing opening up too we begin our route back to a more normal life.
 
Here are my selections for this afternoons meeting;
13:00  Women In Racing Manny Mercer Apprentice Handicap

1m  [Class 3  9 runners]
A slightly earlier start this year and we get underway with an Apprentice Handicap which has traditionally been the final race on the card. Let's continue to support and praise the many women in racing indeed, so it's good that the field is headed by CLIFFS OF CAPRI (Jamie Osborne) for who 5lb claimer Saffie Osborne rides for her trainer father. Back riding having broken her arm is back amongst the winners and this could be another for her. 

Danger down the other end of the handicap is Papa Stour for champion AW apprentice jockey Marco Ghiani this 6yo has been a multiple winner on the all weather and slowing seeing his handicap mark easing. While support for recent Spring Mile third Mostawaa could be worth noting racing off a similar mark here for Ellie Mackenzie (5lb).

Result - 1st (6) Keyser Soze @12/1 [Angus Villiars].

13:35  Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial Conditions Stakes
5f  [Class 2  5 runners]

This race has a small turnout as has been the trend all 2yos in the line up and only five declared, where we have three previous winners of their sole run so far. The pick of these three for me would be CHIPOTLE (Eve Johnson Houghton) who won the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, the others are Gubbass [Non Runner] for Richard Hannon who is always dangerous in this event, and The Gatekeeper for Mark Johnston.

The two newcomers, War of Courage for Alice Haynes and Wrought Iron for Jamie Osborne would need to be a little bit above average in my opinion although they do receive 4lbs in weight, and Jamie's yard have been having good winners of late.

Result - 1st (1) Chipotle @6/5 [Charles Bishop].

14:10  Naas Racecourse Royal Ascot Trials Day British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes (3yo)

7f 213y  [Class 3  6 runners]

Another race that has small fields usually and no change this season either with just the six declared all 3yo fillies in the line up. Charlie Appleby runs two for the Godolphin owners Creative Flair and Danilova where the latter is the one for me in the match with Adam Kirby riding. DELTA BAY is my main selection here, this Nathanial filly won her maiden at Newmarket and Frankie made all the running there and this course is his favourite, so very likely a good day for him and trainer John Gosden. Looks a wide open renewal though nothing looks that outstanding this season here.

Result - 1st (2) Creative Flair @9/4f [W Buick].

14:45  Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3)
1m 7f 209y  [Class 1  7 runners]
Time for our feature race and the first of the Group 3 contests, just 7 stayers being declared it's also not helping any each way or placepot entries. Last year's winner (at Newcastle) Nayef Road reappears, although will have to beat off the reigning stayers champion and 2020 Ascot Gold Cup winner STRADIVARIUS (pictured above) who is way ahead of all these on ratings and should be a banker with Frankie Dettori riding at his favourite track. 

At a big price STAG HORN could be one for the place as a stayer on the rise, with Hollie Doyle in the saddle and the 4yo should be one to follow in staying events this season.

Result - 1st (6) Stradivarius @4/7f [L Dettori].

15:20  QIPCO British Champions Series horseracinghof.com Pavilion Stakes (Group 3) (Commonwealth Cup Trial)

6f  [Class 1  10 runners]

Another field of ten for our next Group 3 race and are headed by SUPREMACY trained by Clive Cox and winner of last season's Group One Middle Park stakes at Newmarket. Likely to be a short price here, should win if tuned up ready on debut before bigger things later in season.

Possible place bets would be Method [Non Runner] who was runner up in another Group 3 (Cornwallis Stakes, Newmarket) might continue to show improvement as 3yo and also of interest is Saint Lawrence, only a neck down in a big field handicap at Newbury earlier in year, third in the Horris Hill also at Newbury end of last season and ran well given he has a tendency to veer left / right on leaving the stalls, this straight track should help. 

Result - 1st (7) Rohaan @22/1 [R L Moore].

15:55  Charlie Waller Trust Paradise Stakes (Queen Anne Stakes Trial)

1m  [Class 1  9 runners]
At last a field of nine declared for the listed event over the mile, Doncaster Lincoln winner HAQEEQY reappears in a listed event and should be taken very seriously even without his talented claiming jockey Benoit de la Sayette who is now serving a long ban. The horse ran on well to secure that big handicap and it's not unusual for winners of this event to move on to bigger things. Solid Stone is interesting having been kept in training under Sir Michael Stoute has been winning last year in handicaps and worth a second look again today.

While Muraad is versatile with regards to ground conditions I think might want to reconsider handicaps again, the Richard Hannon pair of Oh This Is Us (Won 66/1!!) and Qaysar are respected with preference for the latter who could be the one to place again in a listed event.

Result - 1st (5) Oh This Is Us @66/1 [Tom Marquand].

16:30  Great Racing Welfare Cycle Handicap

5f  [Class 4  11 runners]
Last year they added in an additional handicap event to create a seven race card, it's a five furlong sprint with a field of 11 declared headed by Rewaayat trained by Charlie Hills and could well be the one to be on despite the weight burden. Rose Hip at least returns to her level again, and will win races again this year while Outrage and Diligent Lady [Non Runner] will be our place bets against the top selection in a race that lacks a lot of sparkle coming after all the quality events earlier in the day.

Result - 1st (9) Pettochide @25/1 [Saffie Osborne].

Good luck today.

Results will appear here during Wednesday evening, if I'm sober enough to update things then. Please check out the Pontefract blog too which is also taking place today.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM - 2021 SEASON - MEETING #2 19th APRIL

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to this our second meeting of the season taking place on Monday 19th April. 

1st race 1.00pm.
Going: Good to firm [Good in places] 

Until further notice race meetings will be run ‘behind closed doors’ with no admittance for the general public. The 2021 racing season at Pontefract is under way and we move onto the second meeting now. Tickets are now being sold for future events and selling quickly, it will be nice to see a big attendance at courses around the country for the summer.

The 2nd meeting of the season features the equine equivalent of the London Marathon! The Pontefract Marathon is the longest flat handicap race run in Britain! At 2m 5f 139yds all round, you need a brave, staying horse to get home up the famous ‘Ponte’ hill!  As well as the Pontefract Marathon (Round 2 of the Stayers Championship) at 2pm, there are six other exciting races to enjoy starting at 1pm.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. Following a couple of winners in the opening meeting we have a small profit of +0.2 points to carry onto this week.

The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm [Good in places]' while the weather for Monday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with some chance of showers but hopefully not too much. We are seeing a forecast maximum temperature around the 16C mark.

Here are our selections for the seven races taking place on Monday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

13:00  Northern Commercials Iveco And Fiat EBF Novice Stakes

5f 3y  (Class 5  4 runners)
(1) -- Come Quick  [2nd @5/2].
(2) -- Tothenines  [Non Runner].

13:30  RIU Hotels And Resorts Handicap

5f 3y  (Class 2  6 runners)
(1) -- Justanotherbottle  [2nd @4/1].
(2) -- Caspian Prince  [4th @7/2].

14:00  Into The Sky Pontefract Marathon Handicap

2m 5f 139y  (Class 5  11 runners)

(1) -- Wemyss Point  [WON @5/2f].
(2) -- Uncle Bernie  [5th @10/1].

14:30  Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap
1m 6y  (Class 5  11 runners)

(1) -- Cote d'Azur  [2nd @10/3f].
(2) -- Irv  [5th @11/2].

15:00  Join Racing TV Now Handicap

5f 3y  (Class 5  6 runners)

(1) -- Ventura Express  [WON @5/1].

(2) -- Mutabaahy  [4th @9/2].

15:30  tiesplanet.com Fillies' Novice Stakes

6f  (Class 5  8 runners)

(1) -- Three Hat Day  [4th @11/2].
(2) -- Midnight Stripper  [5th @9/1].

16:00  Father's Day Racing 20th June Handicap

1m 6y  (Class 5  8 runners)

(1) -- Alba De Tormes  [6th @3/1].
(2) -- Tellmeyourstory  [5th @6/1].

Staked -- 14 points.

Returns -- 10.5 points.

We started the 2021 season afresh, at least we appear to be on track to have a full program this time, alas the opening few fixtures will be behind closed door. After the opening meeting we are +0.2 points ahead (every little helps eh) today's results will be updated during the afternoon. Just the pair of winners and one non runner for us today so we lost -3.5 points to SP as a result and overall are -3.3 points behind going onto meeting three in just over a week's time.

Our third fixture here will be held on Wednesday 28th April so we do hope you will follow the action here throughout the season.

EMIRATES FA CUP SEMI FINALS WEEKEND _ SATURDAY 17th _ SUNDAY 18th APRIL 2021

Beginning to reach the final stages of this season and as we've reached the middle of April it's time for the semi final stages of the FA Cup sponsored by Emirates. These matches will be played at Wembley and one of them is being used as a test event for the return of fans, a limited crowd of 4000 will be allowed for the match between Leicester City and Southampton on Sunday 18th April.

These footballing test events, which also includes the EFL Cup Final at Wembley, will be part of the government’s science-led Events Research Programme (ERP) working closely with local authorities and organisers to undertake studies to get fans and audiences back in safely as restrictions are gradually eased.

First of these will be the Emirates FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton on Sunday 18 April, which will host an audience of 4000 people, before the League Cup Final on 25 April which will step up to have 8000 spectators. The plan is then to build up to hosting a 21,000 crowd for the Emirates FA Cup Final on Saturday 15 May.

Saturday 17 April 2021
Chelsea 1 - 0 Manchester City (5.30pm BST) – BBC One
[Ziyech 55']

BBC will televise the first of the two semi finals this weekend as Chelsea, last season's beaten finalists, will take on Manchester City who are still fighting on four fronts this season. The Blues are fighting for two cup competitions under Thomas Tuchel and are also firmly in the top four race with the season beginning to reach it's climax. Chelsea made it through to the semi final stage of the FA Cup having beaten Sheffield United 2-0 in the quarter finals six days ago at Stamford Bridge, an own goal from Oliver Norwood and Hakim Ziyech's injury time strike enough to give Tuchel's side the victory in a game where they were not at their best. 

Pep Guardiola's City brushed aside Chelsea 3-1 back in January's league fixture, and will probably be favourites to reach another final this season. Despite last weekend's defeat to Leeds United they still on course to regain their Premier League title, already in the League Cup final (vs Tottenham) next weekend and faced Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night in the Champions League winning 2-1 on the night [4-2 on aggregate] keeping them in the hunt for four trophies. They reached this semi final tie by overcoming Everton 2-0 with late goals from Ilkay Gündogan and Kevin De Bruyne.

I hope for a high scoring entertaining game and will go for the over 3.5 goals here to mirror the 3-1 game in the league. 

Sunday 18 April 2021
Leicester City 1 - 0 Southampton (6.30pm BST) – BT Sport 1 

Ralph Hasenhuttl's side booked their place at Wembley with a comfortable 3-0 win over south coast neighbours Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo were on target in the Dorset sunshine while Leicester City caused a 3-1 'shock' against Ole Gunnar Solskaer's United to join them and their manager Brendan Rodgers will be aiming to take his foxes into this season's cup final as they are the only one of the last four to have not yet lifted the famous trophy.

With a few thousand lucky fans able to watch this tie will be strange to see Wembley so sparsely populated. Leicester to win this one for us, while also looking at goals from Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho probably back them for the first scorer. 

£900,000 and £450,000 will be distributed from the Emirates FA Cup’s prize fund to winning and losing clubs respectively in the semi-finals.

Good luck to all four teams this weekend, and it's Leicester who will meet Chelsea in this season's FA Cup Final next month.

AFC WIMBLEDON v SWINDON TOWN -- 20/21 LEAGUE ONE - PLOUGH LANE 17th APRIL 2021

Saturday 17th April 2021 5:30pm
AFC Wimbledon will 'host' their next home game back in Wimbledon against Swindon Town at the Plough Lane Stadium this weekend. With the funeral service of HRH The Prince Phillip taking place earlier in the afternoon the EFL have opted to allow matches to be moved to either 12:30pm or 5:30pm and we've opted for the latter. While we are not going to be able to see a game at our new stadium this season but hopefully can get down there soon enough after fans are back later in May and some 'test' events to be organised first. A few fans being allowed in for these test events featuring our youth/academy stars towards the end of May, having seen some pictures taken at the recent Charlton game of the new stadium shows a few things to be completed on the perimeter of the stands it does look like the main stand is ready for action. The Dons played away at Accrington Stanley last weekend and secured a morale boosting 5-1 win there, then on Tuesday faced Ipswich Town where they picked up another excellent win 3-0 as a result of these we are currently sitting above the relegation places in 19th with 42 points. I am delighted to see that we do continue with the pairing of Joe Pigott and Ollie Palmer up front with the attacking options from midfield including the likes of Ayoub Assal and Jack Rudoni who got himself on the scoresheet in that midweek win.

Onto today's game itself this Saturday in League One and our opponents today, Swindon Town, find themselves in 23rd place in the league on 37 points so are also desperate for the three points here. Managed by former Republic of Ireland international John Sheridan who took over in November 2020 after a short spell with fellow strugglers Wigan. Swindon also had a midweek game against bottom of the table Rochdale losing 2-1 there so expecting the bottom four to change with every game till the season ends.

A victory for the Dons would go a long way to reaching safety after a difficult season with only a few more games to go.

Most Recent League Games (Tuesday night)
AFC Wimbledon 3 - 0 Ipswich Town 

Rochdale 2 - 1 Swindon Town

Head to Head
Our head to head form against Swindon Town is quite sparse since our return to the football league. However only the one win out of six matches, two defeats and three draws. That sole win did come in the reverse fixture back in October, 1-0 at Swindon's County Ground with the deciding goal coming from Dons striker Joe Pigott.

Starting XI's [Confirmed]

AFC WIMBLEDON 

Win Odds - 17/20 [William Hill]
Tzanev (Gk), O'Neill, Heneghan, ⚽Nightingale, Guinness-Walker, Dobson, Woodyard (c), Rudoni, ⚽Assal, ⚽x2 Pigott, Palmer

SUBS - Cox (Gk), Alexander,  Oksanen,  🟨McLoughlin,  Longman,  Kalambayi,  Osew

Swindon Town

Win Odds - 16/5 [William Hill]
Camp (Gk),  Broadbent,  Grant,  🟨Grounds,  Caddis,  🟨Lyden,  Palmer,  Twine,  Payne,  ⚽Smith,  🟨Pitman (c)

SUBS - Matthews (Gk),  Garrick,  Grant,  Curran,  Thompson,  Omotoye,  Hope

Selected Bets On This Match;

• Over 1.5 goals in 1st half @5/2.
• Joe Pigott to score first @4/1.
• Penalty to be awarded and scored @7/2.
• Bookings over 45 points @12/5.
• Over 3.5 goals in match @3/1.

⚽Half Time Score - 3 - 0    [Pigott 20' (pen) Nightingale 26' Asaal 44']

First Half Comments;

We are underway enjoying the late afternoon sunshine here at Plough Lane, and it's the visitors who are quickly out of the blocks having the opening shot which is blocked for the first corner of the match. Plenty of threat from both sides, who need the points at the bottom of the table, however the opening exchanges fail to fully test either goalkeeper. Dons begin to look a bit more in control as the half progresses, having more opportunities, corners and possession, Ollie Palmer having another shot blocked, hopefully a goal is not far away. Called it, a penalty is awarded to Wimbledon after 20 minutes and up steps Joe Pigott to put it away 1-0 Dons. Swindon's Jonathan Grounds is booked for the challenge that led to the penalty award. Will Nightingale quickly puts Dons 2-0 up with a header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. The game looks settled now even before half time when Ayoub Assal scores the third just before the break. Swindon's captain Brett Pitman becomes the third player into the referee's book just before the half time whistle sounds.

⚽Full Time Score - 4 - 1    [Pigott 54']    [Smith 79']

Match Summary;
Three wins in a row and plenty of goals, where did this Wimbledon side come from, such an improvement when we needed it most. Created plenty, scored when it mattered, goals being shared around and a five point gap to the bottom four now with only five games left to play, far from safe, but the feelings are much more positive now. 

My Man of the Match - Ayoub Assal improves with every game, good to see goal threat from midfield too.

Attendance - Sadly still no one for the time being. Maybe sometime later this year would be nice, after all we've a new stadium to celebrate in 2021.

Today's Referee - Our match referee for this afternoon will be Mr John Busby from Oxfordshire, has been on the national list for the last 5+ seasons, only taken one game for us this season out 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy, average number of cards below three a game but regular number of reds too. His assistants will be Paul Graham and Stuart Butler while our fourth official is the one and only Trevor Kettle.

Dons next league match:
Tuesday 20th April vs Oxford United (Home)
League One Kick off 7.00pm

KEMPTON PARK HORSE RACING 2021 - MEETING #11 WEDNESDAY 14th APRIL

 Welcome to Kempton Park racecourse a season of evening meetings following the events on a Wednesday night on the all weather flat track under the lights. We will be blogging throughout 2021 till the end of the year. Started well this season pleasantly still ahead as we enter April. The sporting weekend was of course over shadowed by the sad passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at the grand age of 99, but we did see history made at Aintree's Grand National  last weekend by Rachael Blackmore riding Minella Times to victory in the big race and my beloved AFC Wimbledon are out of the bottom four now (up to 19th place in League One) after their outstanding 1-5 away victory against the mighty Accrington Stanley, they also faced promotion chasing Ipswich Town on Tuesday prior to this meeting and picked up another win 3-0 which helps to keep us ahead of the relegation battle with only a handful of games to go.

Returning to the horse racing all results here are reported to 1pt at Starting Prices (SP) we will be keeping a rolling record of profit/loss all the way through from January till the Boxing Day 'King George' fixture in December. A successful opening first quarter in 2021 means we arrive here with a +27.68 profit and will continue to keep a record to SP throughout the season.

Throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 33/49 (67.34%). We reset the counters for 2021 and will be continuing this throughout the year again. Currently standing at 11/15 (73.33%) after the latest meeting and we shall see how things progress during the year ahead. 

This week will be our eleventh Wednesday evening meeting of the year although sadly it's still being held behind closed doors even as we begin to see signs of lockdown easing, a roadmap to a more normal life is in progress though I feel we won't be going racing till late May at best. Looking at tonight's meeting we shall expect an eight race card now with the final handicap having been divided, there are now six handicaps for us to review. Our action will now commence a little earlier now at about 16:40 with a seven furlong handicap, then we should end the card around about 20:15 with our final handicap event again over seven furlongs. 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is that it's going to be a cloudy day here and a high of only 12C expected tonight.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

16:40  Unibet New Instant Roulette Handicap (3yo)
7f  [Class 6  14 runners]

Plenty of 3yo action this evening our opening handicap has a max field of fourteen runners, COSMOS RAJ [2nd 10/3] placed a couple of times in his opening three runs, now in a handicap against his own age group should have a good chance here off a fair mark. 

KODIAC BROWN BEAR [WON 7/1] has had plenty experience, more than most here, having started off in handicaps on a mark of 70, now rated 57 this looks more suitable for his three year old campaign ought to be close again if he can repeat his runner up effort at Southwell, now has 3lb claimer Connor Murtagh although it's his first run on the surface.

17:15  Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Fillies' Handicap (3yo)

1m 3f 219y  [Class 4  6 runners]

Short price runner here with Nellie Moon (Mrs A Perrett) looking to go favourite now, so we'll chance two bigger price selections against that one. LIVIA THE EMPRESS [4th 9/2] a Chelmsford winner and placed elsewhere on the all weather tracks for trainer George Scott, looks consistent with her weight allowance plus Laura Pearson's 5lb claim bringing her into the equation. 

SECRET SHADOW [3rd 13/2] has run three times so far and enters her first handicap so could have a lot to say for her top trainer Andrew Balding and 16/1 against the potential short odds shot looks an attractive option.

18:45  Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Handicap

1m  [Class 4  11 runners]

Nice and open contest the betting shows about 5/1 the field, SILVER DUST [9th 16/1] represents Richard Fahey and is a course winner over the trip last March, has continued to run well even off these higher handicap marks and should be running well once more here

A winner here more recently TOMMY ROCK [5th 11/1] is often held up for a run and if allowed to kick for home a bit sooner should be involved in the finish again even in this slightly higher grade and 16/1+ looks a decent place option too.

19:15  Wise Betting At racingtv.com Handicap (3yo)

1m  [Class 6  14 runners]

The filly Final Fantasy looks like a short price favourite for this handicap event so we'll try a pair elsewhere against her, they are all three year olds, TOKYO CHIC [Non Runner] was runner up here to Final Fantasy a couple of weeks ago and is worth a chance once more in this low grade appeared to be running on at the end of that race and might be able to reverse fortunes with only half a length to make up. 

Also looking at DEVIL'S CLUB [3rd 5/2f] who has placed here before in nursery events last year, has had a break since and if ready to roll as a 3yo would be interesting in the market.

19:45  Try Our New Super Boosts At Unibet Handicap (Div One)

7f  [Class 6  14 runners]

Our final handicap tonight has been separated into two divisions, the opening event sees our regular VIOLA PARK [Non Runner] at the head of affairs, won twice not long ago and returns to the scene of the latter win with a strong chance in this grade. 

Regular Wolves runner UNAPOLOGETIC [WON 6/1] has dropped down to a nice mark and is 4lb lower than her runner up effort in December, with jockey Connor Murtagh taking off a further 3lb must be in with a chance over this trip she seems to stay on and might be worth a look over a mile later too.

20:15  Try Our New Super Boosts At Unibet Handicap (Div Two)

7f  [Class 6  14 runners]

The second division also has a maximum field STREET POET [3rd 11/1] does appear to be a Wolves stalwart, but when seen here last finished runner up to Viola Park (late non runner in previous race) and a multiple winner off higher marks too. 

Sir Mark Todd trains filly KYLLINGA [Non Runner] and while she remains a maiden the trainer has had some success and her last three efforts over this trip haven't been too shabby, it's a low mark to exploit and a decent price as a result.

Staked -- 12 points.       Returns -- 18 points.
Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. All results are accurate and recorded to SP returns to a 1pt win stake only and updated each meeting. Our winning start to 2021 continues and these first few months have proved to be successful our overall profit stands at +27.68 pts after meeting #10. We will update tonight's meeting #11 during the course of this evening. Another profitable week with few nice winners and places, profit of +6 points to SP taking us to +33.68 pts.

Lays -- 11/15 We had a good season last year again with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. The plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicaps. Successful lay selection tonight so now 12/16 overall.

Tonight's Lays;

17:45 - Isola Rossa  [6f Novice Stakes]. Lost 3rd 4/1

Our next midweek floodlit meeting here will be held on Wednesday 5th May so keep well and hopefully we can have a successful 2021.