Tuesday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
John Gosden was interesting on the naming of his Von Blucher as he chatted with reporters at Newmarket yesterday. The two-year-old was a promising second in the same Sandown maiden in which, years ago, Benny The Dip made his debut. He will run next at Newmarket on Friday.
Von Blucher is owned by Gosden’s wife, who initially wanted to call the horse Paul Gauguin after the French artist who spent much of his life on islands in the South Pacific. That would have been appropriate because the colt is by Zoffany, also named after a famed painter, and out of Tropical Lady.
“Paul Gauguin was available,” Gosden recalled cheerily, “but the French wouldn’t give us permission because we couldn’t get permission from a surviving relative. Well, you try and find Gauguin’s relatives. There’s probably a wholly legitimate line living in Tahiti. So we couldn’t get Paul Gauguin for him, it’s a name you can’t touch, really.”
Von Blucher became the second choice because the Prussian field marshall after who the colt is now named came from the same part of the world and the same time period as Zoffany. It was felt to be an apt name because the horse would start racing in this, the anniversary year of the battle of Waterloo, in which Von Blucher led the Prussian army against Napoleon. Gosden knew a descendant of Von Blucher who still carried that surname while working as a vet in California in the 80s.
That’s going to seem like a long story if Von Blucher turns out to be a bit slow. But all racehorses deserve well thought-out names and it’s pleasing to hear about the effort that went into this one.
The overnight rain I was led to expect has not arrived at Pontefract, although there may be some drips and drops to come before the action starts this afternoon. One or two of my tips there might struggle for pace but that doesn’t seem likely to happen to Temptress (3.10), a 5-4 shot for the Pipalong.
Roger Charlton’s filly won an Ascot handicap off 91 in May and was then beaten just a neck in the Hunt Cup at the Royal meeting off a mark of 98. She has more to give and looks the standout in this field, although No Poppy would have been interesting if the word ‘soft’ had crept into the going description.
Later, I like 5-1 about Brian Meehan’s Officer Sydney (4.40). He was never nearer when third on his handicap debut at Windsor last time, having reared at the start and raced keenly under Ryan Clark. Graham Gibbons gets a go here and I think progress can be expected. Meehan’s strike-rate in three-year-old handicaps this year is 21%.
Tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
My Name Is Rio 9-4
Nocturn 16-1
Showstoppa 15-2
And our leader is ...
slackdad39 +8.75
... who had Showstoppa AND My Name Is Rio. No one found Nocturn but 10 others had Showstoppa and chase the leader on +5.50.
FAO BearRides, please check your email!
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.40 Pontefract, 4.10 Pontefract, 7.25 Brighton.
This week’s prize is a copy of The Bluffers Guide to Horseracing, which none of you will exactly need, of course, but which you are all likely to find entertaining, since it has been written by David Ashforth, one of the best and funniest writers ever to grace racing’s press room. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -3.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
