JULIETTE'S WEEKLY FROLIC
An unbeaten formula for losing friends: set yourself up as S tipster, notch up a few winners, gain all-out support in the wrong week and the whole edifice will come crash- ing down with yourself on the receiving end. So deprived of the patronage of 99 Gower Street and the responsibility that goes with it, I attempt to rebuild my £111 (£6 of which is still in reserve for Into View in the Gold Cup) in solitary glory at Kempton, Friday's dual between my ante-post choice and Titus Oates is not a betting race but there is plenty of compensation for punters the following afternoon with Ladbroke's Handicap Hurdle,
Although the 'stars' are being kept for the Schweppes, a large field of respectable hurdlers have been left in. Saint Accord. Chorus and Main Hill will be supported but I expect Midnight Fury to compensate for his bad showing in the Wills Hurdle and follow up his good fourth to Broken Melody at Newbury with a win here. The absence of any Gold Cup favourites in the following Walter Hyde Handicap Chase does not at all detract from its interest, as it gives a number of reliable horses, who have been consistently running into plaCes behind the-top chasers, a chance to pick up a good prize for themselves. There are only eight probables and while I give a chance to Chaou It and French Excuse, my firm fancy is for Fortina's Palace—running on when second to Into View at Newbury he should appreciate the extra half mile here and I hope he succeeds. Finally, up to Newcastle, where the long-distance (4 miles 1 furlong) Eider Chase has a large 'National' con- tingent. The Spaniard has the class, but looks overweighted and a more profitable each way chance could be last year's third Zara's Grove, who carries 16 lb less.
Outlay: £5 to win on Fortina's Palace and Midnight Fury; and £1 each way on Zara's Grove.
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