Diary; September 4 2009

I have hit a better run on the tipping front these last few days. Raine’s Cross was a successful tip, today and with the consistent Tropical Paradise coming in later on the card at rain lashed Salisbury trainer Peter Winkworth had a good day as well. I always think that Winkworth, who trains at Chiddingfold in Surrey, is an underrated trainer and one well worth following.

Northern Bolt hasn’t won for nearly 2 years but there are several factors that point to him having a chance in the Catterick 4.00 tomorrow. He will have his favoured ground for one thing and that has not often been the case recently. He has also come down a little in the weights, wears a first time visor and his last few runs have shown some encouraging signs.

At Chepstow Hillside Lad should be in the frame at least in the seller 2.40.

I will have to tip one of Mr Fallon’s rides on his return to the fold. He rides Wigan Lane in the 6.20 and this filly should benefit from this return to 6 furlongs.

Master Minded

My fancy in the 7.20 is Brian Meehan’s Pin Cushion. By Pivotal out of Frizzante she is certainly bred for the job and she ran well in third on her last stay at Newbury where the fast ground may not have been to her liking.

Charm School has failed to live up to expectations. He was a leading fancy for the Lincoln at the start of the campaign but has under achieved in his 4 outings. He is tried over a longer trip tomorrow in the 8.50 which probably makes sense as he has been staying on late in his races over shorter distances.

Street Power has been in fine form and goes for a 4 timer in the 3.50 at Lingfield. Despite going up in the weights he will be hard to beat.

Mutamaashi is only lightly raced and ran with plenty of promise when 3rd at Newmarket last time. He is the selection in the 4.50.

As a reminder that the jumps season is not far away I have featured Emily Russell’s picture of Master Minded today.

Silver

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws and a silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

Walter de la Mare