I wonder what more a track like Warwick has to do to attract a decent crowd after Saturday's excellent card failed to spark a stampede to the course. OK, it might have been better to have more than just one burger van (which attracted a constant queue from before the first until after the last) and a sweetie stall to feed those in the stands, while the 'entertainment' between races (for those who need such things) consisted of a good-looking young lad playing a few decent tunes on his guitar opposite the winning post.
But it was an interesting day's action on a clear, dry afternoon, featuring plenty of big names and some good prize money and there can't have been more than 4,000 at the absolute most to soak it up. Owners, trainers and jockeys were interviewed after their victories in front of an attentive audience around the winner's enclosure and the day ticked along nicely.
For every 30,000 weekend crowd at Cheltenham, York and Newcastle, there is another equally good afternoon of racing elsewhere that attracts far less interest among local racegoers.
Kelso's meeting has fallen to the frost, leaving just a tough-looking all-weather card at Kempton for British punters to plough through. Desert Strike (3.10) produced a good performance to win a competitive-looking claimer two runs ago at Wolverhampton and showed he could be just as effective at Kempton when closed up in a tough handicap over five furlongs only four days ago.
Moving up to six furlongs and returning to claiming company should aid his prospects back at the track and, with plenty of his rivals liking to help push the pace, Desert Strike should also get the fast early gallop that suits him best.
Regal Rave (4.10) has been expensive to follow with just one win from 26 starts but he finished fast at Lingfield on Friday having missed the break and looks a decent each-way bet at 9-2 with Paddy Power and Boylesports, given his current healthy vein of form.
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