Paul Webber Racing

A very busy day...................providing the rain stays away.
Heavy showers are forecast approaching from the west and if they materialise our three-pronged attack on Worcester this evening may be curtailed. Also we certainly do not want those showers getting to Goodwood before 2.10pm, where AUSTRALIA DAY is favourite for the opening race of Glorious Goodwood Week.
'SKIPPY' is raring to go again after his amazing demonstration of front-running hurdling at Market Rasen ten days ago. He was beaten just over 7 lengths in this race last year when various factors were not as favourable as they are today. Last year he was off a mark of 98 as opposed to 95, he was drawn 1 of 18 whereas he's 15 of 16 today and the ground, if the showers can stay away, will be quicker and so more to his liking. The 'Top Bend' at Goodwood is just about the closest jockeys get to riding 'The Wall of Death' on a British racecourse, but Martin Dwyer will have to have maximum faith in his horse and keep quickening to make this a very properly-run and testing gallop, or SKIPPY could be in danger of being swallowed up by his pursuers.
At Worcester, DE SOTO runs over hurdles rather than make the long, lonely and expensive journey to Perth for a chase. This looks a good opportunity and is a good stepping stone to Bangor in a month's time for a valuable chase that he won last year. This did not go right for TRIBE on his chasing debut and as feared Stratford proved a bit too sharp for him. He ended up going around the outside and gave acres of ground to his rivals. The track at Worcester should be ideal and he schooled well at Lambourn on the all-weather last week. I think he has a better chance than the paper suggests. CARBON PRINT's race looks more competitive than hoped, but he ran very well to be second at long odds last time. He has an each-way chance but if the rain does come it may be too soggy by 8.50pm (and dark!) for him to run.
So during a parched summer, (except in Cornwall last week for my holiday with my children!) we are frightened of rain.......... Funny business this.