Higher and Higher 😍

Good morning all,

I must admit I'm still a little broken after watching the Scotland game.

Thankfully, my spirits were lifted considerably by Bafana Bafana's fantastic result, which has certainly kept my interest levels high for the remainder of the World Cup. Next up is Canada on Sunday night, and hopefully the boys can keep the dream alive.

We also have the Hollywood Durban July to look forward to. At this stage, my selections are Wish List, Note To Self, Zeitz and Hazy Dazy — although I must confess it's not with a great deal of confidence!

For the exotic bets, Double Grand Slam and Buffalo Storm Cody look the most reliable bankers on the card.

There is also some excellent racing from The Curragh in Ireland this weekend.

Saturday, 27 June

Pretty Polly Stakes

Joseph O'Brien saddles Thundering On, who should give a good account of herself.

Sunday, 28 June

Irish Derby

The English Derby was a bit of a strange affair this year, with the weather playing its part and the unusual decision to refund bets on the favourite. No complaints from me, of course, but perhaps it's time to give some of that back on the O'Brien-Moore partnership.

Christmas Day is undoubtedly the form horse, but Benvenuto Cellini is my play.

Saturday, 4 July

Coral-Eclipse

Unfortunately, Ombudsman looks set to miss the race in favour of the Juddmonte International at York in August.

That said, the Eclipse still promises to be a fascinating contest, with the O'Brien pair Constitution River and Hawk Mountain likely to feature prominently. It will be interesting to see which one Ryan Moore chooses to ride.

Have a wonderful sporting weekend.

Another classic from Jackie Wilson below — a song that certainly matches my mood after Bafana's win.

Good Punting 👍

🎵 Higher and Higher

Abraham Lincoln at the Curragh today cost over £2 million. Wootton Bassett colt
Has to be the NAP of the day 6/5 atm 

Another good one for Obrien 

The history books tell us that Epsom never happened and such was the routine manner of Benvenuto Cellini's triumph in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby that it's a more plausible possibility despite what we all saw.Inexplicably deemed a non-runner by the stewards after getting himself in a slight tangle in the stalls just before the Derby field was sent on its way, the distinctive-looking son of Frankel ultimately ran a lot worse than could be accounted for by his sluggish start.However, the ground at Epsom was soft, and Ryan Moore clearly felt that exacerbated the situation as he kept the faith when all of the Ballydoyle battalion turned up for another go at the Curragh in Ireland's most prestigious Classic. The market took its steer from Moore and Benvenuto Cellini was sent off a 7-4 favourite to set the record straight. Back on a decent surface, he duly made amends.