Leighs is great!

Performance ratings

ROYAL LODGE STAKES – Jukebox Jury 73

FILLIES’ MILE – Rainbow View 77

7f HERITAGE HANDICAP – Furnace 64

QEII STAKES – Raven’s Pass 89

1m4f HANDICAP – Night Crescendo 59

CUMBERLAND LODGE STAKES – Sixties Icon 78

DIADEM STAKES – King’s Apostle 76

BERESFORD STAKES – Sea The Stars 72


And so October is just around the corner. Didn’t feel like it on Saturday night at Great Leighs where it was short-sleeves everywhere. Have to say I was impressed with the Essex racetrack, even on the approach as the mass of floodlights gave it an American feel and looked quite impressive when lit up in late in the evening.

My wife and I turned up around 15 minutes before the first race which wasn’t a great idea – never is when you go racing! – as there is a long queue of cars at the entrance going back along the dual carriageway that you have to use to get to the venue. This was a big evening, though, so I can’t say whether traffic is a regular theme.
Easy to park, although the entrance is still makeshift with two portakabins – I was lucky I had a press pass so didn’t have to queue, but there was a good 10 minute wait in the main one.
After entering you have to wait again like at a level crossing, until the horses have gone to the start on the track, then the stewards let you walk across the Polytrack to the middle of the course. Not a great way to start the evening, with sand etc on your shoes, especially for the ladies.
But with the arrival out the way, the rest of the evening was great and I’d recommend it to anyone. It also helps when the weather is nice, you back three winners in only four races, and sneak into the owners bar for free food! The way I saw it was that if Luca Cumani does nail me in the Cambridgeshire on Saturday, I was going to help myself to some of the smoked salmon sandwiches laid on for him!
I did have a little on Orpsie Boy in the end, but also did Ceremonial Jade fortunately from a better draw. I also backed Shampagne by default as Cumani’s Poster was odds-on, and Shampagne was unbeaten in two AW outings – make that three now - aren't I the smartass!

On to this Saturday and the Cambridgeshire which I’ll give my final thoughts on later in the week after the draw. I’ve backed Prince Kalamoun at 33s as mentioned here last week and am hoping for a middle to high draw.
We got sent a media guide at the Guardian yesterday and the draw stats make interesting reading (year, first four home and ground):

2007 11-20-5-17 (GF)
2006 17-10-16-9 (GS)
2005 28-26-25-20 (S)
2004 3-7-5-18 (GD)
2003 17-28-31-24 (GF)
2002 26-2-23-33 (FM)
2001 11-2-12-8 (GD)
2000 34-15-20-33 (GD)
1999 14-17-29-21 (SOFT)
1998 33-35-29-22 GD)
1997 17-9-1-25 (GF)
1996 17-21-16-15 (GF)
1995 26-23-21-15 (GF)
1994 24-23-21-15 (GD)
1993 18-28-2-27 (GS)
1992 7-2-5-27 (GS)
1991 27-26-19-5 (GF)
1990 2-4-6-18 (GF)

Just need stall 17 for the Prince now, and the Cumani and Prescott beasts to be drawn one to four!


TOP OF THE FORM

Here are this week’s entries from Tuesday Sep 30 involving the eyecatchers from my RFO column, there were a few winners last week following some frustrating placed runners:


Al Gillani – The form from the first three home of this Great Leighs maiden has worked out well, as they have all complimented each other.

Almost Married (Thursday) – Featured in the hot Ayr sprint and nearly won over 5f, before another placed effort over the same trip on Monday. Will enjoy going back to 6f.

Artzola – Early days for this Wolverhampton handicap from Sep 12 but two winners have already emerged and Artzola caught the eye running on into fifth.

Bold Argument – Took care of three subsequent winners at Salisbury.

Casela Park - The form from the first three home of this Great Leighs maiden has worked out well, as they have all complimented each other.

Elijah Pepper – Form of Pontefract victory has worked out and trainer David Barron knows how to place progressive sprinters.

Hawk Mountain – This lightly raced three-year-old has improved with each run, staying on well here in front of two future victors. Should gain compensation in another staying handicap.

Hazzard County - Stayed on into third at Great Leighs and deserves to land one after some consistent efforts.

Head Down - Excellent second to Rose Diamond and could win a nursery.

Lonely Star – Fifth at Sandown worked out well, and should pick up a maiden, ideally back against her own sex – had a poor draw at Kempton on Monday.

Make Amends - Was seen making late ground into eighth on just his third outing at Bath.

Mullglen - Weatherbys Super Sprit working out well, especially those from the lower-half of the field that are given reasonable targets next time.

Pacific Ocean (Saturday) - Decent fourth at Yarmouth and a repeat on soft ground could suffice.

Pearl Of Manacor – Excellent third in Newbury maiden, which has churned out five subsequent winners.

Prospect Court - Sixth to Angus Newz was good form and is one to store away possibly for the autumn as he loves the mud and has slipped to a winning mark.

Quanah Parker (Saturday) – Clocked a decent time at Ripon beating three subsequent winners and should be able to hold his own in better company.

Red Lily (Friday) – Decent third at Yarmouth and a repeat on soft ground could suffice.

Total Gallery (Saturday) - Beverley form worked out and possibly drawn too near the stands' rail at Goodwood as the race developed down the centre.

Wee Ziggy (Tuesday) – Third in a Southwell handicap hurdle is decent form.

Wreningham - The form from the first three home of this Great Leighs maiden has worked out well, as they have all complimented each other.