Our racing pundit Tony McCormick from www.irishbigracetrends.com and of geegeez.co.uk, the world’s largest independent horse racing website, shares his daily, each-way Double-Dutch selections.
This week Tony previews Ladies Day at Beverley on Wednesday.
Dust off your tiaras and polish those jewels, it’s time for a fairy-tale day out fit for a princess.
For this year’s Journal Ladies’ Day at Beverley Racecourse is next Wednesday, where tickets for the Premier enclosure are already sold-out, though Grandstand and Paddock tickets are still available.
This year will also see the return of the Laurent-Perrier Most Stylish Stakes, with some fabulous prizes up for grabs. Beverley Races Most Stylish Lady wins a luxury weekend in Jersey courtesy of Humberside Airport the Most Stylish Gent a Hugo Boss watch courtesy of Michael Roberts Jewellers and Most Stylish Hat a bespoke design once again from the Whatahat team.
As for the racing, the leading trainer in the last five years is still the late and much-missed Mel Brittain, so it may pay to keep a check on any runners during the day from Northgate Lodge Stables who are now trained by Mel’s son Antony.
It can be confidently advised to follow Richard Fahey-trained runners as, in the last five ‘Ladies Day’ events, he has a 52% win and place strike rate, with two winners and nine places from 21 runners.
Last year the trainer struck with 4/1 shot Drifting Spirit ridden by stable jockey Tony Hamilton.
Double check Fahey’s runners in the claimer or the maiden run on Wednesday.
Trainer Mark Johnston has solid figures on Beverley ‘Ladies Day’ with three winners and a further three places from 13 runners since 2011.
Look for the trainers’ runners in the Class Five, one mile four- furlong handicap late on Wednesday, a race that will be tagged in the racecard as part of the ‘Beverley Middle Distance Series’ Johnston won the race in 2012 with Aliante at 4/1 and Discay in 2013 at 2/1f, while in 2014, Got To Dream, landed the spoils at 7/4f.
Chances are, the trainer will have something lined up for this year’s contest after missing out last term.
Trainers to look out for on Wednesday, currently in good form around the Yorkshire tracks are, Kevin Ryan, John Quinn, Tim Easterby and David O’Meara.
As for arrangements on the day, you can park in the public car park opposite the racecourse for free.
Car passes for the Course Enclosure are £10 and advisable to pre-book as space will go very quickly on the day.
Because it is expected Ladies Day to be popular, a traffic system will be in place for departing traffic after 4pm.
York Road (the main road outside the racecourse) will become one way only, and all departing traffic must turn towards the Dog Kennel Lane roundabout, away from Beverley.
The road links are fantastic around here, so getting back to Beverley after racing can be done by either bypass at the roundabout.
Course officials ask all racegoers to use the designated exits from the car-parks, especially on the Westwood.