Oh Herberts Reign, trained by two-year-old specialist Richard Hannon and again mount of long-serving stable jockey Pat Dobbs, improved from debut experience five weeks ago and is all set to make it third time lucky in division two of the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of ‘good to soft’ Newbury this afternoon, when a seven-race card begins with three juvenile races.
Traditionally trainers enjoy introducing their runners at the lovely galloping Berkshire course where a high percentage have always been ‘non-triers’ since one started in the ‘Sport Of Kings’ several decades ago; it’s usually a leisurely atmosphere and fascinating to watch thoroughbreds on their ‘first day at school!’
Process of elimination was always my modus operandi when going to the races on a daily basis, the paddock said it all and watching horses go to post represented an informative scenario; it produced an edge, unfortunately because of so many obvious reasons, age, congested uncomfortable travel etc, it’s all gone but resulting time-handicap computation still puts this columnist one step ahead.
Later Oh Herberts Reign meets criteria requirement, judged on his eye-catching fifth at Adjuvant at Salisbury, also a venue for ‘quiet introduction’ where some real locally-trained ‘beauts’ have debuted; a famous occasion way back was Mill Reef, from the yard of Ian Balding, father of current leading trainer Andrew.
Hannon’s Acclamation colt wasn’t ‘knocked’ about by experienced Dobbs second time out but Oh Herberts Reign, well-backed, improved considerably on a Newmarket effort three weeks earlier and I’m thinking in terms of one of three places for the daily each-way trixie/patent bets; either/or suit my purpose.
Amanda Hug’n’kiss, unchallenged winner at Sandown eight days ago, is one of nineteen ‘decs’ for the listed St Hugh’s Stakes over five furlongs and will be difficult to beat under Andrea Atzeni, a reliable ‘jock’ who continues to impress with his extensive nous a tremendous factor. You can’t beat it!
Stuart Williams’ charge posted a cracking time-figure and from stall sixteen has an excellent chance; it will be like old times watching so many runners in a Newbury dash. 101-rated Delmona is an obvious danger but ‘Amanda’ could be really special.
Raydoun achieved enough first-up to suggest he’ll go close in a seventeen-runner Novice Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good to soft’ Thirsk, a ‘favourite’ for serious punting, especially in sprints.
Purpose of this ‘online’ column is updating; for instance never dismiss losers, note them for subsequent outings and take note of any late snippet such as Whitlesdown in the sprint nursery at Newbury with Rose Dawes taking off 7lbs apprentice allowance. She can ride, make no mistake, and Mick Channon is one to give youngsters a chance.
Selections, Newbury, 2.10 Oh Herbert’s Reign (e.w); 3.20 Amanda Hug’n’kiss (e.w); Thirsk, 6.23 Raydoun (e.w).
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019