Harry's Stable Whispers

A 500-mile return journey to Hamilton Park last Wednesday and Swan at Whalley was left behind without coming under starter's orders, writes HARRY BARLOW.

This meant the starter had no option but to give Swanny a red card which means that he cannot be entered for any races until he passes a stalls test.

A horse can take a stalls test which has to be taken before racing with a full team in attendance at the start including an ambulance, starter, assistant starter and stalls lads, at anytime, but if he fails it during the first 14 days after the offence, there is a Jockey Club mandatory fine of £550.

We took that chance before racing at Pontefract yesterday and Swanny passed, he goes in like a lamb when there are no other horses about. We think he is taking the mickey now!

However, we were very disappointed with Saffizz's run yesterday. John Carroll did not give him a hard race in the final furlong as he was making a gurgling noise. We were having him scoped by the vet today.

There could possibly be a problem at Kevin Ryan's Hamilton Lodge as quite a few horses have run below par lately. There could be a virus in the yard, so we will leave his horses out of the betting equation until things improve.

Dandy Nicholls and Mick Easterby's horses are in really good form, so keep on following them. Mill End Quest of Mick's will follow up soon with more successes. At Catterick tomorrow, Goretski, with John Carroll on board, is the banker of the meeting. This horse is owned by the British Horseracing Board's chairman Peter Savill and the handicapper has been very lenient with his horse.

Sir Mark Prescott runs a very nice two-year-old, Far Mount, at Epsom tomorrow. He should follow up his easy win first time out with success over seven furlongs.

Jack Berry has sent Peter's Imp all the way from Cockerham to Epsom and this could be a good each-way investment tomorrow. While on Thursday at Haydock, the Mike Dodds trained Wishbone Alley must have an excellent chance in the 3.40. This horse is in excellent form and must be followed.

On Friday at Warwick, Monacle is a winner without a penalty.

My Saturday nap goes to Haydock and Bollin Rita, who should win for Tim Easterby, while Islay Mist of Sir Mark Prescott will take the first race at Carlisle on Saturday evening.

Have a good week.

TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

Catterick (Wednesday) - Goretski (Nap)

Epsom (Wednesday) - Far Mount

Epsom (Wednesday) - Peter's Imp (EW)

Haydock (Thursday) - Wishbone Alley (Nap)

Warwick (Friday) - Monacle (Nap)

Haydock (Saturday) - Bollin Rita (Nap)

Carlisle (Saturday) - Islay Mist

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.