3/8 UPDATE

BAnk holiday in Ireland means 2 race meetings here. the racing generally today is poor from a place only perspective and I hope I can salvage something

220 NAAS

BETTING FORECAST: 4/5 Purple Heart, 4/1 Mujaazef, 5/1 Style Queen, 6/1 Seventh Star, Zarif, 8/1 Ghostindmachine, Is Feidir Linn, 12/1 Gypsie Queen, 20/1 Big Typhoon.

O'Brien debutant the fav simply by reputation and pedigree. Mujaaef slight mover in a tricky maiden given all bar 3 are debutants. The majority of these 2 year olds are making their debut in soft ground which may get heavier.

230 NEWTON ABBOTT
BETTING FORECAST: 5/4 Quell The Storm, 11/4 Consulate, 4/1 Corum, 17/2 Cailin Na Ri, 16/1 Galilean, Madam Crystal, 20/1 Lord Of Sehayl, 40/1 Occasionally Yours, 66/1 Shan The Man, Tarabela.

DIOMED VERDICT: QUELL THE STORM can hopefully get away with ground in a race where the market leaders have questions to answer.

Only 4 under 16/1 can hopefully be the ones to concentrate on here in another race with ? over the horses' ability to handle soft ground.

The fav has a 7 lb claimer on which does not instill must confidence with me. 7lbs could indicate an inexperienced jockey

235 CORK
BETTING FORECAST: 7/4 Next Week, 5/2 Total Excitement, 6/1 Salesin, 8/1 Granaruid, Schofield, 10/1 Another Jayjay, 12/1 Baggio, Go Dana Le Pras, 14/1 Niamh´s Joy, 20/1 Mocca, Sara Cara, Sole Agency, 25/1 Glenawinna, Glenfidick, Imperial Decree, Kleinova, Taking Part, 33/1 Bincas Beauty, Katcarhue, Kiltycross, Smooth Notion, 50/1 A Haon A Do, Declan´s Lad, 66/1 Jack The Full Back,

3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th are non runners which really makes the job a lot easier for the front 2 runners.
Only 2 under 10/1 and only 3 under 20/1 in the live market at present hint that the front 2 should be the ones to concentrate on
Now a 16 runner event, there is plenty opportunity for the front 2 to get hassled, bumped, and hampererd.
Ground is yielding at Cork.
Any positives? Well Next Week's previous 2nd has been franked by a win for his victor at the Galway Festival.
Total Excitement hsa the excellent Barry Geraghty on board.and has the top RPR for what it's worth
Also, a lot of the non runners are close market rivals
NEGATIVES? - field size, possible ground concerns and the fact this is a maiden hurdle.

300 NEWTON ABBOTT

BETTING FORECAST: 15/8 Stumped, 4/1 Master Wells, 6/1 Critical Stage, Gracechurch, 8/1 Levantine, Massams Lane, 14/1 Planetarium, 20/1 Something Inside, 25/1 Frosty´s Gift, 66/1 Isitanywonder, 100/1 New Minerton,

DIOMED VERDICT: STUMPED has taken on a new lease of life since joining Andy Haynes and has much in his favour.

PRice gapper in this claiming hurdle and a horse who is flourishing in a grade which shows him at his best. 11stone 11lbs to carry in soft ground is a hell of a task!
Drop to class 5 saw him win.

320 NAAS
BETTING FORECAST: 6/4 Lan Sasta, 7/4 Midnight Mover, 6/1 King Of Aran, 13/2 Elusive Gent, 8/1 Majestic Pearl, 12/1 Chasing Angels.

In a poor day, races I would normally dismiss merit consideration. Top heavy market here -the 2 to cconcentrate on? Soft ground and 2 debutants in this 2 year old auction race-YIKES!

330 NEWTON ABBOTT
BETTING FORECAST: 5/4 Wake Board, 13/8 Mam Ratagan, 11/2 Predateur, 8/1 Nordwind, 33/1 Knapp Bridge Boy.

DIOMED VERDICT: MAM RATAGAN can exploit in flaws in Wake Board's jumping.

6 wins from 6 rides for Dickie Johnson makes Wake Board of obvious interest, BUT sequencially he cannot keep winning.
Knapp Bridge Boy a possible place lay opportunity although I suspect the price will be a little high .

335 CORK
BETTING FORECAST: 3/1 Oh Goodness Me, 7/2 Jumbajukiba, 4/1 Georgebernardshaw, 6/1 Kalidaha, 8/1 Finicius, Latin Love, Smart Coco, 9/1 Indiana Gal, 14/1 Scarlet O´Hara.

Listed race at Cork today, and some top quality stables/jockeys and horses.
Finicus and Indiana Girl are the 2 non runners in a betting forecast which hints at a very comeptitive affair.
So 7 runners now and 3 places, with George the favourite at present but in some quarters George, Jumba and Oh are all 3/1 co favs.

350 NAAS
BETTING FORECAST: 5/2 Sher Why Not, 5/1 Warcraft, 6/1 Princess Nicole, Show Blessed, Valhalla Vision, 7/1 Qualviro, 8/1 Spring The Que, 10/1 Scolboa King, 12/1 Light On The Broom, 20/1 Winterdown Star.

A solid 7/4 at present and has Ruby onboard -napped in the Racing Post for what it's worth.
A reasonable chance I suppose here-faith mainly in the jockey - ability to handle soft ground seems to be assured

415 RIPON
BETTING FORECAST: 7/4 Cotillion, 11/4 Laazim, 9/2 Cherish The Moment, 13/2 My Chestnut Girl, 12/1 Leulahleulahlay, 16/1 Duke Of Burgundy, 25/1 East Of The Sun, Informal Affair, Nakoma, 33/1 Haunting, Steel Giant, 50/1 Treeko, 100/1 Mistic Academy.

DIOMED VERDICT: Laazim's French form appears to warrant plenty of respect, for all that his stamina is taken on trust, but COTILLION is taken to build on his narrow defeat over this trip at Newmarket.

Fav has the race course eperience with 3 runs in class 4 (this is a class 5 maiden) -again a big field is the concern here as is the muddling middle distance.

505 CORK
Long Handicap: Gladiole 8-2

BETTING FORECAST: 7/2 Eytarna, 5/1 Ransomed Bride, 6/1 Kitty Hawk Miss, 7/1 Aseasyas, 8/1 Clodova, Coral Creek, Glebe Queen, 10/1 Cruel Sea, Gladiole, Temecula, 12/1 Lizzie Bennett, Silk Mascara, 16/1 Blackwitch Woman.

2nd fav a non runner and any Oxx/Kinane favourite must merit close consideration. Old eyebrows is such a good jockey.
This is a middle distance handicap though that might be tight given the quote of 16/1 for the outsider in the Racing Post

600 WINDSOR

Long Handicap: Apache Fort 10-1, Captain Oats 9-8, Wicksy Creek 9-5

BETTING FORECAST: 11/4 Falcon Rock, 5/1 Apache Fort, 6/1 Force Group, Maslak, Megalala, 9/1 Mustajed, 12/1 Drum Major, 14/1 Blockley, Randama Bay, 16/1 Crossbow Creek, 20/1 State General, 50/1 Captain Oats, Wicksy Creek.

DIOMED VERDICT: Megalala and Apache Fort could be dangerous but the improving 4yo FALCON ROCK makes clearly most appeal.

Price gapper in the live market and apparently a "big shout" for Falcon Rock. 13/8 - - - - 6/1 in the live market
Gentleman amatuer riders handicap should sound a slight note of caution as should the distance of 1 mile 3 which is a tricky distance to judge for professionals let alone amateurs. Winner under Richard Hughes last time , slightly different to 7lb claiming amatuer Mr Ennis!!

615 CARLISLE
BETTING FORECAST: 6/4 Diggeratt, 9/4 Just Five, 8/1 Artesium, Jill Le Brocq, 12/1 Hawkleaf Flier, Off Hand, 25/1 Our Apolonia.

DIOMED VERDICT: Diggeratt has at least 11lb in hand over her rivals on adjusted BHA ratings but may be worth taking on with JUST FIVE who has no question marks over the trip/ground.[Steven Boow]

Only 2 under 12/1 the ones to concentrate on here? Alas only 2 places and the hope is the frnt 2 take up the 1-2 positions to assure a profit regardless of the choice

700 WINDSOR
BETTING FORECAST: 11/4 Sister Clement, 7/1 Espy, Solemn, 9/1 Heaven, 10/1 Matteroact, Rondeau, 16/1 Brandywell Boy, Colorus, Digital, Gwilym, Triple Dream, 20/1 Fromsong, Peopleton Brook, Romantic Queen, Step It Up, 25/1 Figaro Flyer.

DIOMED VERDICT: SISTER CLEMENT was only just seen off by another improver here recently and this looks as if it will take less winning.

Price gapper in the live market 13/8 - - - 6/1 for Sister Clement in a class 5 5 furlong handicap - another poor race type for betting purposes.

730WINDSOR
BETTING FORECAST: 5/2 Prince Of Johanne, 4/1 Dear Maurice, 13/2 Kinsya, Tinshu, 7/1 Striding Edge, 9/1 More Time Tim, 12/1 Can Can Star, Global, 14/1 Monreale.

DIOMED VERDICT: PRINCE OF JOHANNE is the potential improver now he goes handicapping.

Now a 6 horse race and Prince Johanne remains as fav under Ryan Moore-well we couldn't hope for a better flat jockey onboard a fav in a 50/50 race!

CAution - outsider only 12/1 signifies this is still tough despite 3 places and only 6 runners

OTHER SPORTS
Football - nothing today, all Scanadinavian football and no significant short prices.
Bohemians this evening are 1.4 against Sligo Rovers in a cup game but Irish footy is so unpredicatable
GAELIC
Mouthwatering clash between Dublin (BOO!) and Kerry (HOORAY) today in Dublin. The dubs have not beaten Kerry since the 1970's but Kerry have stuttered recently with very tight wins and losing the Munster game to Cork.
This is reflected in the Betfair market which shows the Dubs as slight favs
Lay the draw?The draw is at 10 and is tradeable in a day where the opportunities are scarce.

SHORTLIST
So many niggles. The race which interests me is the 730 Windsor. Ryan Moore in a 6 horse race with 3 places and on the favourite - yes places.Prince of Johanne was the original favourite when the race had a full complement. 1.26 currently, this bet needs revisiting nearer the race time because anything can happen between now and 730pm.
Other shortlisters 350 Naas Sher why not has Ruby on board a price gapper - market not liquid

ONE A DAY
I will wait til this evening personally and look again at the 730 Windsor to see if there is any further strengthening in the Ryan Moore horse as fav. Flat Jockey champ in waiting - will he get beaten by 3 in a 6 horse race? He might but we have a 50/50 chance with the original fav.
If I can, I will update around 715pm

No lice chat today as I still have a lot to sort out after my arrival. And anyway it would be a thoroughly frustrating day of " no bets here" I assure you with soft ground and many other niggles