Coming from a family whose most cherished member is a
barrel-shaped Aberdeen terrier, I have long had a soft spot for Black and White Whisky Saturday. Ascot is unexpectedly good at these promotional junketings for the winter sport and casts aside her midsummer pomp in no uncertain manner. Kilted ladies on the lawns, highland dogs on the winning post and an exasperating quiz on the tacecard, which I jealously suspect is won by those farsighted enough to stuff their ample pockets with formbooks and encyclopaedias, while all the rest of us less crafty mortals wander unhappily about, racking our brains and dreaming of all that whisky to be won. At this juncture last year, I see I was down to my last £1.50. A sum duly lavished — and lost — on the odds-on Black Magic in the 'Whisky 'Chase,' a supposedly safe bet for a lady on the brink of bankruptcy. Happily the finances are in much better nick this time round, so there's no need for a similar despairing splurge on Fred Winter's young prodigy, Pendil — out to defend his unbeaten record in this year's running of the race. Not surprisingly only five have the nerve to take him on, but Ascot needn't worry for she could have as many as 100 horses spread over her other contests — a slight improvement on the seventeen who turned up for the last meeting With twenty-one down for the Black and White Hurdle there could no doubt be more original selections than last Saturday's winner, Some thing's Missing. That success prevents him meeting his Kempton conqueror's Corrieghoil, Cantlie and Moyne Royal on better terms, but the vibrations are right and at an irrestible 16-1 with Ladbrokes, I fancy his chances far more than stable companion, Headmaster, whom Hills make favourite at the time of writing. If half the eighteen probables stand their ground, Friday's 'Kirk and Kirk' should be the 'chase of the season so far. Titus Oates, Royal Relief, Dim Wit, Two Springs, the stars are too numerous to name, but perhaps Simian whose cracking pace helped Jack Palmer break the Lingfield course record last month, may bustle up Tantalum, understandably unable to deal with Moonlight Escapade on his opening run of the season, and now meeting that horse on 81b better terms. After the temporary reverses of The Chisler and Tudor Dance it's left to Canasta Lad to wave the flag for our trusty team of horses to follow in the 'K&K' Hurdle. I can think of more appetising opponents than Bula at level weights but at least the price should be to my liking. Of the heap of horses I'd like to back at Wetherby on Saturday I'll settle for Coxwain in the 2.30, who trounced Monday's winner, The Benign Bishop, by four lengths at Newcastle.
Assets: C107.10. Outlay: E2 to win Something's Missing (16-1) and Tantalum plus El EW double, and E3 to win Coxwain.
Six to follow, assets: £18.
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