At Ascot on Saturday, the head of sponsorship was reassuring when I asked if next year's King George would have a backer. Epsom, Sandown, Ascot . . . all the big tracks have been worried about the sponsorship situation. But never mind worries at the top table — where would Sedgefield be without John Wade, the owner-trainer and supplier of equine fibre and rubber surfaces who regularly backs races at the track?
It's in the race Wade sponsors today at Sedgefield that the tip runs. Sorrento Moon (1.50) is the selection. The George Moore-trained runner is relatively lightly raced compared to his rivals here and had Just Posh a long way behind at Kelso last time. He doesn't look harshly treated on his handicap race debut and should give his supporters a good run for their money on a day when the quality of racing is low.
Win! Win! Win!
With the jumps season hitting full stride, we have five copies of David Myers' new book Racing Trends Revealed Jumps 2008/09: The Road to Cheltenham to give away, one each day during Talking Horses this week. It's the perfect guide to all the big races in the coming months, including the Cheltenham Festival in March, highlighting specific clues that help identify the winners.
To be in with a chance of winning one of the five copies, all you need to do is send us three daily tips, one each from three nominated races. Today's races are: the 3.00 at Lingfield, the 3.20 at Sedgefield and the 3.40 at Southwell.
The daily winner will be the tipster who makes the best profit on the day.
2pm Thanks to all those who've put their tips up below
You'd think there'd have to be a winner or two in there somewhere. But you're right, Socialwanderer, the Sedgefield race is difficult. Now you see what sort of puzzles we have to unscramble every day.
We'll draw a veil over Sorrento Moon, who faded out of contention from before the turn for home. The race produced a spectacular finish in which Nevsky Bridge (backed at 1-18 in running) was pipped on the line by a rallying Viscount Rossini.
3.05pm Stradbrook (7-4) wins at Lingfield
That's a flying start in today's competition for Mike6ie, FredS, Vardini, TheVic and Rivercity. But the winning odds are short, so no one's out of it yet.
3.33pm Shulmin (5-1) wins at Sedgefield
. . . and km68 is fired into a clear lead with one race to go!
3.45pm A grandstand finish!
Incomparable surged to the front at Southwell and things were looking good for km68, but he faded and Ingleby Arch finished strongly to score at 3-1. The winner was tipped by both FredS and Betmessenger but FredS had also found Stradbrook, giving him a net profit of £3.75, enough to win today's competition. Commiserations to km68, who finished on £3.
FredS, a copy of Mr Myers' book will shortly be on its way to you. The rest of you will be welcome to have another go in this space tomorrow, when Talking Horses will be back from around midday.
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And click here for today's latest odds.
