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Captain's Blog - 17th February 2012

Boy that Delegator is a good horse when he is on his game. Yesterday I thought he was wildly impressive at Meydan over 7 furlongs, winning cosily having had to overcome a wide draw and a wider than ideal trip thought he race. I am convinced he is a sprinter that just gets seven furlongs and am also sure that being fresh is the key to him. When he won the Duke of York Stakes at York last season he ran a blockbuster speed figure of 118, that came after a 6 month lay off. Yesterday he made short work of a classy field after a five month lay off, a pattern seems to be emerging and is one we should take note of as far as this talented performer is concerned.

Delegator
© Racehorse Photos

All in all it was rather a frustrating day for yours truly in the desert yesterday, our blog selection was Master of Hounds who finished third but was beaten by his stable companion, Viscount Nelson, throw the remote control at the TV stuff really, luckily I did not do that, but as Master of Hounds refused to pick up when it really mattered I must admit I called him a few names. I am done with the Master now, I have followed him to the edge of the cliff and he is not going to take me over the edge with him next time out.

The whip rule reared its ugly head again yesterday and this time it was AP McCoy who was the sufferer. He picked up a four day ban for managing to force a dead heat on Prince of Pirates at Leicester. Even a dead heat did not look likely jumping the last, but McCoy does what he does best and forced the issue right on the line. For this our great leaders wish to punish him, presumably they would prefer it if he had dropped his hands and settled for second place! Totally ridiculous.

You are in for a treat on today with a super card at Newbury and also a decent one from Sandown, plus of course more from Dubai. Something for everybody I would suggest. The Newbury card will be particularly informative as far as Cheltenham is concerned, but it is also simply a good days racing in its own right regardless of whether the Festival is on the horizon or not.

I hope you enjoy today with us on and I look forward to being with you on Mark your Card tomorrow. See you then.

All the best.

Today's Selections

2.25 Newbury - Deireadh Re (each way 5/1 Various firms)

2.10 Sandown - Loch Ba (each way 11/2 Various firms)