Up In Smoke??

Just a quick note really to say our Ante post bets for 2008 before I forget them. The guys still think about racing even while they are on their holidays - I didnt! Anyway last night it was decided to go with the following & to be honest I'm rather impressed they didn't let the drink influence them in any way as we'd already discussed these horses six weeks ago but hadn't put any money down.

2000 Guineas:- Declaration of War (TJ) / Winker Watson (all) / Pegasus Again (EW) (TJ / Top Dog) 1000 Guineas:- Elletelle (Top Dog) / Albabilia (TJ) Derby:- Maze (all) / Feared In Flight (TJ) Grand National:- Ballycassidy (Top Dog) / Hedgehunter (TJ)

I have decided to quit syndicate betting after the end of this flat season bar at the Cheltenham & Aintree Festivals & the Classics themselves. I may now & again have the odd sporadic bet but other than that I won't. For once no one has tried to persuade me other wise but then I always did go for the more outlandish selections!

And also a very sad note, another of my favourite young sires, Hennessy (Chestnut, above) has died at stud in Argentina of a heart attack at the tender age of 14. Luckily he leaves behind his son, the great sprinter, Johannesburg, another of my fave up & coming sires. I really don't know what's happening lately to make all these influential horses pass away. Its like there's some kind of big conspiracy going on so that the only stallions left of any importance belong to Coolmore & Darley.

Ciao for now

TJ