The Horsington Blog

Other than Balthazar King,  (which I had at 20-1!- Ed) this years Grand National brought very little joy and even less profit to us all on Saturday. Except perhaps to those of you who had been fortunate enough to follow this column’s advice to back Peter Hobbs’ runners on an each way basis and who were rewarded with a gratifying 12/1 winner in Duke of Lucca.

So onto better things with other horses and courses. This country’s most promising young trainer, Harry Fry from Seaborough, just south of Crewkerne, is sending two horses up to Scotland on Saturday. Mendip Express is likely to start favourite at 10/1 or thereabouts for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr while on the same afternoon and at the same meeting Bold Chief , a winner last time out , is likely to start at a somewhat shorter price in the three mile chase at 5.05pm.

This same yard has a number of entries for Wincanton on Sunday and should be supported if they run Fair Dreamer and Vauban du Soleil in the 2.50pm  , Presenting the Way in the 4.30 and or Oscars Lad in the 5,05pm race. While Sir Ivan may run in the bumper at 5.40pm.

Proper flat racing is usually believed to start with the Craven meeting at Newmarket on Wednesday of the following week from where I shall expect my ever hopeful colleague Swinley Bottom to have gleaned some useful insights into likely future winners when he makes his debut before the Horsington Blog’s faithful readers later in the month.

He hasn’t mentioned Mrs Badger, so it seems that she is probably a non-runner. Many of our readers, (including the editor) are possibly more interested in this match than in the four-legged wonders -Ed.

Good morning ma’am, we are always happy to hear from you-Ed.

Dear Mr Editor,

I have been following your new racing correspondent Winterbourne Longjohns with great interest, and not inconsiderable  profit, and I wonder if there is some way you could introduce me to him. My late husband (my third, alas) was a noted point-to-point rider in his day, and there was nothing he liked better than a joyous gallop over the jumps. But I digress!

Perhaps he knew Winterbourne Longjohns? There is nothing I would like more than to sit with your esteemed tipster and reminisce about the good old days at Goodwood, Badbury Rings and Charlton Horethorne over a glass of two of something special. I should also like an opportunity to reward him for the good fortune he has brought me.

Do you know who he is? Could you perhaps furnish a photographic likeness of him?

Yours, fondly,

Amelia Badger (Mrs)

Winterbourne is a very private man. When I say he shares a postcode (well part of it) with Her majesty the Queen, you will surely understand that we have to be discreet. However he does make the occasional foray into Somerset,  often for the Wincanton race meeting associated with your good name. He asks whether you are perchance connected with that great brewing dynasty responsible for Badger ale?

A positive answer, he assures me, may result in a rapid take up of your kind invitation.

Meanwhile, here is a picture of Winterbourne Longjohns, not taken in the Royal enclosure at Ascot.

Winterbourne Longjohns writes:

I understand Phillip Hobbs is s very optimistic about all his Aintree runners today( Friday) and tomorrow and Wishful Thinking (Melling Chase, 1505)  is perhaps the most likely of all.

It lost- Ed

Flushed with his success at Wincanton Yesterday, Winterbourne Longjohns turns his attention to  some races outside Somerset. Ooh la la!

Methinks the asparagus will be early this year and should be matched to a Sauvignon Blanc.

Meanwhile. In order to celebrate yesterday’s win,  I  intend to help myself to a little of the 20/1 available for Balthazar King on Saturday, as  selected by our winning trainer of yesterday  Harry Fry, who,  as I learn this morning, is also most. enthusiastic concerning   his charge Mendip Express’s  chances in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in ten days time.

Meanwhile Andre Fabre’s Orienteer runs at midday  today in France and Harry Fry’s Garton Star and Polelamico are no more than a modest interest this afternoon at Taunton while our main interest will be with our two previous selections at Aintree.

Our new racing tipster, the legendary Winterbourne Longjohns, landed a 9/4 winner – Jollyallan, and a 5/2 2nd – Henryville, at Wincanton today. Both horses could have been secured at much better odds early in the morning when the blog appeared.

His other two tips were non-runners.

A very good start. We hope his luck – and judgement- will continue. Well done.