“Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us.”

Earl Nightingale.

Like Clockwork leads Rayvin Black at first lot

It is a breezy morning here but there is plenty of sunshine as well. The ground will be starting to dry up if the wind continues, but it needs to as we got some real downpours yesterday and it was still throwing it down during last night's race meeting at Newmarket. A good, healthy exercise was had by every inmate this morning and all went according to plan.

    The Guv'nor with Tony Jakobson - and over at the pool

Last night’s runners were disappointing and it was one of those nights to just forget. Apprentice races are renowned for mixed results and jockeys not being able to carry out instructions. What our pilot was doing was the complete opposite to what he had been told. It’s enough to drive a sane man barmy, but we have been there before and hopefully I am old enough to have learnt. It will never happen again. Joe The Coat was never at the races, and ran inexplicably badly. I will be having some tests on him early next week, but that certainly wasn’t his form.

Second lot being watched round the indoor ride...

...being led round by Barwick

We have one runner tonight at Lingfield - Red Hermes in the 8:35. She is still only lightly raced but this is a poor affair and I would hope she could at least get into the shake-up. Liam Jones takes the ride. He has been riding well of late, including at Royal Ascot this week, so I am hoping he is on a high.

Returning through The Plantation

Today is the final day of Royal Ascot and what a week it has been. It is climaxed today with Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee. I can’t see her being beaten and very much hope she is not. It’s been a gallant effort from all concerned and she deserves to go home undefeated. Phil’s piece on what happened yesterday and today’s tips are below…

Phil writes:

A word of warning: Never, ever listen to any ‘inside information’ you might pick up on Newmarket Heath. Even the Guvnor, who should know better, fell foul of the golden rule yesterday.

In our Royal Ascot tipping competition his morning selection for the last race was Eton Forever. After second lot, and with his first choice having been published on the web site for half an hour,  he changed it. He’d heard from the assistant trainer, regular work rider and various lads that Eton Forever ‘cannot possibly win’. The ground, and just about everything else for that matter, had gone wrong.

Result: Up pops Eton Forever at 14-1, hammering 22 rivals in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, with the Guvnor’s new selection, Jamesie, in second. It’s no laughing matter!!!

For the record, the Exacta paid more than 300-1.

Still, after 24 races at one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive meetings, and with just one day to go, the Guvnor can’t lose on the week. It’s a great position to be in, even though it could have been so much better. He is £91.50 in profit to a £10 level stake as we start Day 5. I found one winner yesterday to ease the pain slightly but slipped to minus £134 on the week. In desperation as much as anything else I’m doing the unthinkable and opposing Black Caviar this afternoon …..

Heading for home past The Guv'nor

Royal Ascot Tips

FINAL DAY

                MHT                                                                                PHIL

2.30 – Move To Strike                                                                                                  Tha’ir

3.05 – Sea Moon                                                                                                     Red Cadeaux

3.45 – Black Caviar                                                                                            Moonlight Cloud

4.25 – Morache Music                                                                                                Maarek

5.00 - Camborne                                                                                                          Mulaqen

5.35 - Simenon                                                                                                              Overturn