Morning all,
A couple from me today, all with a chance to make the frame.
We start at Bangor, where there is two that I think have a chance. First of all, in the 3.10 there is Velator. A temperamental sort, he's plummeted down the weights this year, back down to his last winning mark of 118. He did pretty well for Peter Bowen in the spring of two years ago, but hasn't quite shown the same form for Neil Mulholland. He should enjoy the good ground that he's getting at Bangor and at 12/1, he's not a bad each way shout. Following that in the 3.40 there is Jacks Last Hope. He is lightly raced for a seven year old and is down to a career low mark of 114, having been rated as high as 130 in his early days when he won a couple of bumpers (including one here over two furlongs shorter) and a novice hurdle. This trip should be his optimum and he will also enjoy the good ground. I'd have liked him to be a bit bigger, but we'll take the 16/1 that's generally available.
On the flat meanwhile, there's a couple of Helmet's out and my followers will know that I'm a big fan of his two year olds so far. We start in the 2.20 at Chelmsford where Kreb's Cycle is the first of the two. He steps up to six furlongs after an indifferent run at Lingfield last time out and he should enjoy that step up. He does have top weight to contend with, but his jockey takes five back off and that could well be enough for him to make his experience count against a couple of decent newcomers. He is joint fav at 11/4. The second of the two Helmets is impressive last time out winner Chupalla in the 6.35 at Sandown. This is a very hot race with the likes of Global Applause and Mehmas all winning las ttime out and it could be a tough ask for Mark Johnston's filly. The market seems keen enough on her though and have her as second favourite behind Mehmas at 7/2
Finally two more that I like are Max Dynamite in the 7.05 at Sandown, but at odds on, he's no great price. At a better price, there's The Quarterjack in the 2.50 at Chelmsford. He has dropped three lbs down below his last winning mark of 70 and Kieran Shoemark takes another five lbs off with his claim. He also goes back up in trip and although it may still be a little on the short side, He could be well in of his mark. A price of 20/1 seems more than fair.
Thursday 26 May 2016
Tuesday 24 May 2016
The Decline of Man United
The Decline of Man United
by @redgameracer
I'm not a United supporter, my loyalty has belong the Spurs for many a year. But since United have a penchant for buying our best players year after year, I have followed them with a passing interest.
We all know that United have not been at their brilliant best these last few years. Since the departure of Sir Alex, United have finished seventh, fourth and fifth. Their points tally for those seasons has been lower than any Premier League season under Ferguson. But the problem goes deeper than the bare results. Man United have lost what made them great. Their patience.
Ferguson famously saved his job in 1990 having been there since 1986. United went on to win the FA Cup that year and never looked back. But since Fergie's departure in 2013, Moyes was allowed less than a season (of his six year contract!). Van Gaal got two years. You could argue that Moyes was a patsy, because the first manager after Ferguson would always find it tough. But he wasn't up to the job. He didn't have the big club mentality that United needed. His football was uninspiring and the results reflected that. But for all that, he had been left with a squad that had peaked. Admittedly, a side that had won the league previously, but nonetheless they had reached their top and were back down on the decline. He wasn't given sufficient backing and time to change that.
Van Gaal at least did bring them silverware, but the FA Cup trophy was too little too late for the big chiefs. Van Gaal did get the money and he spent a lot of it. But he also brought through a number of young players as is his forte. I'm probably biased, being Dutch and having grown up watching THAT Ajax side, but I feel that given more time, Van Gaal would've delivered the league. But I won't argue that the football was disappointing at times, especially the early part of this season. The injection of youth, with the likes of Rashford and Lingard, brought improvement towards the end of the campaign, but not enough to see them claim that vital Champions League place.
The circumstances around Van Gaal's sacking do not improve matters for United. The news was out as soon as the club had clinched the Cup and rumours had been floating around ever since Mourinho left Chelsea. It's obvious that contact had long been made and deals were done before the season was over and that is disappointing. A club with the size and the history of United should hold itself to a higher standard. It should be a class above the likes of City and Chelsea, but instead it's dragging itself down into the mire. You feel this sort of thing would never have happened with David Gill still in charge and I can't imagine Ferguson would go for this sort of thing either. In that sense, Mourinho will make a perfect fit.
Going forward, I can't see the appointment of Mourinho bring much improvement in the footballing sense. Yes, the results may well improve, but the manner in which they are achieved will not be to the same standards as under Sir Alex. But as long as Jose keeps his cool, the fans will have silverware to cheer. On the pitch, they really need a top notch centre back to solidify their defence. But most of the pieces elsewhere are in place. As for van Gaal, retirement is an option. But the sentimentalist in me fancies him to have one more crack of the whip. Back home, where it all began. After all, Ajax are currently without a manager.
by @redgameracer
I'm not a United supporter, my loyalty has belong the Spurs for many a year. But since United have a penchant for buying our best players year after year, I have followed them with a passing interest.
We all know that United have not been at their brilliant best these last few years. Since the departure of Sir Alex, United have finished seventh, fourth and fifth. Their points tally for those seasons has been lower than any Premier League season under Ferguson. But the problem goes deeper than the bare results. Man United have lost what made them great. Their patience.
Ferguson famously saved his job in 1990 having been there since 1986. United went on to win the FA Cup that year and never looked back. But since Fergie's departure in 2013, Moyes was allowed less than a season (of his six year contract!). Van Gaal got two years. You could argue that Moyes was a patsy, because the first manager after Ferguson would always find it tough. But he wasn't up to the job. He didn't have the big club mentality that United needed. His football was uninspiring and the results reflected that. But for all that, he had been left with a squad that had peaked. Admittedly, a side that had won the league previously, but nonetheless they had reached their top and were back down on the decline. He wasn't given sufficient backing and time to change that.
Van Gaal at least did bring them silverware, but the FA Cup trophy was too little too late for the big chiefs. Van Gaal did get the money and he spent a lot of it. But he also brought through a number of young players as is his forte. I'm probably biased, being Dutch and having grown up watching THAT Ajax side, but I feel that given more time, Van Gaal would've delivered the league. But I won't argue that the football was disappointing at times, especially the early part of this season. The injection of youth, with the likes of Rashford and Lingard, brought improvement towards the end of the campaign, but not enough to see them claim that vital Champions League place.
The circumstances around Van Gaal's sacking do not improve matters for United. The news was out as soon as the club had clinched the Cup and rumours had been floating around ever since Mourinho left Chelsea. It's obvious that contact had long been made and deals were done before the season was over and that is disappointing. A club with the size and the history of United should hold itself to a higher standard. It should be a class above the likes of City and Chelsea, but instead it's dragging itself down into the mire. You feel this sort of thing would never have happened with David Gill still in charge and I can't imagine Ferguson would go for this sort of thing either. In that sense, Mourinho will make a perfect fit.
Going forward, I can't see the appointment of Mourinho bring much improvement in the footballing sense. Yes, the results may well improve, but the manner in which they are achieved will not be to the same standards as under Sir Alex. But as long as Jose keeps his cool, the fans will have silverware to cheer. On the pitch, they really need a top notch centre back to solidify their defence. But most of the pieces elsewhere are in place. As for van Gaal, retirement is an option. But the sentimentalist in me fancies him to have one more crack of the whip. Back home, where it all began. After all, Ajax are currently without a manager.
Thursday 19 May 2016
Reds Racing Tips 19-05
Morning all,
A couple for today
One that's leapt off the page for me today is Sark @ 10/1 in the 3.30 at Goodwood. Won last time out at Doncaster over 1m 2f, but has won over this trip of one furlong less on the All-Weather at Wolverhampton. He had three subsequent winners (Red Verdon, Grapevine and Paling) behind that day. 1 lb less on his back today and his price seems a bit big to me considering the form. Thaqaffa is probably a decent favourite having split a pair of improvers last time out, but he's never tried a trip this far, while Bedrock for Ryan Moore was beaten by the aforementioned Grapevine last time out, so will have something to find with the selection on that run.
In the 4.35 at the same venue, Golden Horn's half sister Golden Reign has her second career run. She shaped really well on debut and it should be no surprise if she follows that up with a win today. Evens is the best price I've found.
Good luck
A couple for today
One that's leapt off the page for me today is Sark @ 10/1 in the 3.30 at Goodwood. Won last time out at Doncaster over 1m 2f, but has won over this trip of one furlong less on the All-Weather at Wolverhampton. He had three subsequent winners (Red Verdon, Grapevine and Paling) behind that day. 1 lb less on his back today and his price seems a bit big to me considering the form. Thaqaffa is probably a decent favourite having split a pair of improvers last time out, but he's never tried a trip this far, while Bedrock for Ryan Moore was beaten by the aforementioned Grapevine last time out, so will have something to find with the selection on that run.
In the 4.35 at the same venue, Golden Horn's half sister Golden Reign has her second career run. She shaped really well on debut and it should be no surprise if she follows that up with a win today. Evens is the best price I've found.
Good luck
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