[Richard Hoiles]

Adjusted fields for races swithced from grass to dirt:

Race 2:

7 Classy Lady NR.

Cat Belling and Tulipa De Job may now be carrying 53.0 vs old 54.5 though not sure why.

Race 5:
1. Yasoodd R.Cleary 55.0
3. Final Verse J.Egan 57.5
4 Arabian Prince D O’Dononhoe 57.0
5. Gharir R.Hills 56.0
8. Lucky Find K.Shea 56.0
9. Rosberg T O’Shea 56.0
10. Third Set L.Dettori 56.0

NR’S 2 Davidoff, 6 Alpacco, 7 European Dream,11 Earls Court,12 Starpix.

Race 7
1. King Jock W.Lordan 53.0
2. Brunel T O’Shea 57.0
4. Ans Bach J.Murtagh 58.50
5 Azarole J.Egan 57.0
6. Heart Alone R.Mullen 57.0
8 Objeto D’Arte C.Lemaire 57.0
9 Sea Hunter R.Ffrench 57
10. Almurad 53.50
11. Fleeeting Shadow A.Ajtebi (2.5kg) 56.50
12. Topor H.Karatas 56.0
13 Colorado Rapid (9) T.Durcan 55.0
14. Fremen (11) A.Nicholls 55.0
15. Happy Runner (13) J.Da Silva 54.50

NR’S 3 Emirates Gold, 7 Lucky Dance,16 Bain Douche.

[Richard Hoiles]

Take care for those races switched from grass to dirt tonight as new weights will be published reflecting dirt rather than turf marks.

May also lead to several jockey changes for those who now cant do weight etc.

Weights still being worked on – jockey changes allowed up to about 10.45 UK time.

[Richard Hoiles]

That is very kind Charlie but the last thing I am (or wish to be) is a celeb !

[Richard Hoiles]

Dave and I alternate out in Dubai.

I am doing RUK for the meetings when I am in this country.

[Richard Hoiles]

Will be on both ATR and RUK and also Sky Sports.

They are defintely racing tomorrow night but there is some query as to whether grass races will be run or not so may be a shortened dirt only programme.

For those following the Carnival you may find the follwoing websites of use :

http://www.emiratesracing.com/era/index.cfm

http://www.dubairacingclub.com/

Hope you all enjoy the coverage.

[Richard Hoiles]

Cheers Mounty.

After Marodima getting up the hill the other day I realised (finally !) that the chase course favours handy horses that get into a rhythm far more than I had given it credit for especially when the hurdles course rides so testing easy to assume chase is same whereas so much quicker.

Not sure whether I would have taken the 2’s but at least the info passed was accurate and still available. It was midway down the back I would have been tempted to back or when they closed going to the Pond Fence.

[Richard Hoiles]

From a personal point of view it was because ‘ there but for the grace of god go I etc’.

There are actaully a couple of instances of callers building up for towards a crescendo a circuit early only to realise their error when the jockeys do not begin to ride a finish !

[Richard Hoiles]

The point was not that Tramore was not sharp but that they only raced for 1m 5f.
The analogy used was for a four mile chase at Fontwell or Taunton or a three miler at Fakenham where at least if you miscount by a lap you would cover a legitimate distance i.e at least 2 miles.

[Richard Hoiles]

It is John Stimpson’s yard you can see by M6 around Jnct 15/16. Now has Barry Leavy as his assistant.
Lot of investment in the yard though they were not the best placers of horses prior to Leavy’s arrival but that may now change.

Merry Xmas to one all and all the best for 2008.

[Richard Hoiles]

Just to clarify entries are given a free entry into the main competition with any winnings (fat chance) going to a nominated charity.
Separate contest amongst those ‘celebrities’ (their title – most definitely not mine) for some champagne.
Hope that helps.

[Richard Hoiles]

That might be a reason for the extended distances. Like Ascot and York were running good times but finishing well strung out so possibly ground was a bit ‘shifty’ in places.
It was underwater just a few weeks ago which again would fit.

[Richard Hoiles]

Looked genuinely good to firm with times seeming to say it was at least that.
Wind was across as well and not behind so not wind assisted on straight course.

[Richard Hoiles]

Not my idea but pleased it was well received in some quarters.

Later on it was clashing with Chester but next time I am in the office I will pass on your views.

[Richard Hoiles]

GREAT LEIGHS will stage its opening meeting as Britain’s first new racecourse for 80 years on Thursday evening, August 16, writes Howard Wright.<br>"And that’s a promise," said Essex entrepreneur and track owner John Holmes yesterday.<br>"Only a catastrophe with the weather will stop us now," he added, speaking 24 hours after handing back to the BHB three scheduled fixtures in June and July, following the latest inspection by officials of the governing body and the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.<br>"We only had one fixture in July, so it makes good commercial sense to give that up and concentrate on the next official inspection date of June 21, when we want to deliver a finished racecourse."<br>HRA course inspector Nicky Carlisle is stepping up his regular visits from monthly to fortnightly, but the June examination is crucial if Holmes is to meet his new target.<br>Holmes said: "It’s HRA policy to have two months of consolidation and testing of the track, and we’d be the last people to go against that. We don’t want ourselves or the HRA to compromise the safety of horses and jockeys."<br>Holmes, who has suffered a variety of setbacks, from an unexpected Lands Tribunal defeat to a particularly wet winter, said: "I’m terrified to mention an opening date, because they’ve backfired before, but now I’m confident we will open on August 16."

Part of most recent update in RP.

Can find full article by searching on Great Leighs in cuttings library.

[Richard Hoiles]

Blue Chariot.

Press red button.

Side arrow to get Xtra picture.

Then press 1 and when picture comes back up (still in box) press red button again and you will get it full screen.

[Richard Hoiles]

Thanks. Obviously echo all the sentiments expressed above.

[Richard Hoiles]

A thread that puts things in perspective.

Am I right in thinking I called a race in Craig’s memory at Brighton (?) last year ?

[Author]

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