Juliette 'S Weekly Frolic
Finishing fifth in the Welsh Grand National does not get you a mention in the Sunday papers but Straight Vulgan did a lot better than most of his twenty-three opponents and in any case deserves a fat consolation prize as my first runner for a fortnight — an average unlikely to be improved this week.
Racing correspondents who can't pick winners are an accepted part of the scene, one who neither knows the names of the races nor the horses she is supposed to be writing about should be pensioned off immediately — preferably with a large golden handshake. This shameful state of affairs has come about through the non-appearance (or delay) of the newsheet containing all this vital information — yet another victim of our industrial troubles, and all I can say for certain about Saturday is that if it takes place, races will be run at Kempton, Stratford and Teesside Park.
A delicate problem for a seriousminded lady of my profession and my solution would have been a week's working holiday in Cagnes-sur-le-Mer. It was sadly not The Spectator's, who consider that, since I am frequently without a runner when I do know the entrants, it can hardly make much difference when I don't. Brilliant logic, no doubt, but it does boil down to taking a pin to National Hunt Ditneform and trusting that by some miracle the horse you alight on is sent to the races next weekend. First out of the hat, then, we have Cabalva, a moderate hurdler who has scored in his one and only effort over fences. In his favour (as far as the likelihood of running is concerned) he had five engagements last week — two races were abandoned and three sidestepped — so unless his owner is content to pour money into entry fees ad infinitum, he must surely be produced at the first opportunity.
Now for a couple of facts. At Kempton on Saturday I do know that Yellow Pages telephone directories are putting up £6,000 for their, 'chase and hurdle, that Pendil and Inkslinger are expected to participate in the former and that a good class of novice always turns out for the latter. The 'Sundays' tip a variety of youngsters for this, including 'Triumph' favourite Attivo, but I can't see him running and suggest an old flame of mine, Young Robert. He's not been seen since before Christmas, but it's the type of race he'd go for if fit and well.
To wind up on a more concrete note, how about Canadius in the 2.45, Teesside, Saturday. A definite entry (according to the News of the World) and a confident recommendation (again according to the News of the World). Call it cribbing if you must, I prefer to put it in the great-minds-thinking-alike category. After all he was much fancied for the Schweppes.
Assets: £64.45. Outlay: £3 to win Cabalva, Young Robert and Canadius (anywhere, anytime Thursday to Saturday).
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