chrisobee

Did you only digest the parts of my post that suited you ? It is clear from the whole post that as a general principle I am against buying now and paying later. However, the Instalment plan was clearly an option that many needed if they were to buy a ST which would actually allow them to enjoy watching Saints over a 9 month period and pay in full long before that as opposed to say using a credit card to buy a new TV for £1000 simply because they had a large enough credit limit to do so. This Instalment plan could have been phased out this season so fans knew exactly what to expect next season and planned accordingly. Not a great deal to ask IMO and no the discussion about Instalment plans is not INANE, if you think that why bother to post?

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Well I have one selection for Bath which you can safely swerve: Bath 7.30 Filligree @ 4/1 Finally for today : Doncaster 8.15 Bold Cross ew @ 6/1 So with the 1st race at Epsom just around the corner that as is they say is that. Lets hope we buck the usual trend on these big race days and find stacks of winners ! Chris

Optimistic. But I like that

Welcome Frankie ! Chris

As ever at these big meetings it's not easy to select anything with real confidence. However, I'll be having small investments on the following, indeed very small investments on the whole ! 1.40 Mabait @ 7/2 / Harrison George ew @12/1 : Just the 1st race and already at least 2 I like the look of. Mabait looks a classy horse and likely to progress so would be my main bet. At a longer price I like Harrison George who has won two on the bounce and though needs to step up further that isn't beyond the realms of possibilty. 2.10 Tartan Gigha ew @ 13/2/Mull of Killough ew @8/1 : When in doubt go for the horse that won last year if running again which of course Tartan Gigha does. I'm hoping he'll have enough to at least finish in the places but runs off a 12lb higher mark than last year so really is a tentative selection in a race where few can be discounted. Mull of Killough ran well in the Lincoln before having no luck in running last time out so a small ew nibble on this one too. 2.45 Fame and Glory: Looks highly likely to win this but with it being nigh on impossible to know just how good Sariska is I'm not prepared to back Fame and Glory at odds on. 3.25 Tartan Gunna @5/1 : Having gone for Tartan Gigha I might as well go with Tartan Gunna in this one, has run well in defeat in a couple of strong 1¼m handicaps of late, including at the April meeting here, and he looks a solid option having been eased slightly in the weights . 4.05 Aviate ew @ 6/1/ Akdarena ew @8/1 : Could back 10 in this race and still not be confident of picking the winner. Aviate looks an obvious pick, unbeaten in 3 starts, notably Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York last month when bursting through late after being cramped for room. Likely to stay and still unexposed. Akdarena looks a different horse now fitted with blinkers so is going to be my 2nd pick. 4.50 Mon Cadeaux @ 9/2- It doesn't get any easier but Mon Cadeaux looks open to improvement and gets my tentative nod over Shakesperean. 5.25 Kajima @ 9/2 : If my some miracle I have any money left at this point it'll go on Kajima, Very consistent and won last 2 starts. Very best of luck to everyone Chris

D'oh, Frankie's bets from the regular thread Epsom. 1.40 A cracking race to start the day, Godolphins Alexandros has the proven form at this level, but I cant back anything from that stable at the moment as they are very patchy, Penitent looks to be on the upgrade but I am unsure if he will handle this ground and the Epsom undulations, one horse that should do as he is a lovely balanced type is Mabait, he hacked up on his reappearance then ran a corker in the Coronation Cup, this extra furlong should help and he is my selection, for a bigger price fancy watch the Cheka, he has run in some top class races and could run well again. 2.10 A pinstickers delight...my pin has fallen on Vitznau, who goes round Epsom ok and Hannon is still in great form, plus a few quid on Extraterresrial, he has run well in top handicaps this year but struggled at Chester last time out, with Dettori on his back and the Fahey team remaining in good form I expect a big run at a big price. 2.45 looks between Fame and Glory and Sariska, with preference to the first mentioned horse, won't be playing at these prices but one that may go well at a big price is the unexposed South Easter. 3.25 Thin Red Line was extremely impressive on his first start for Dods, and is definitely one to keep on the right side of while in that form, course form is important here and only one horse has that Victoria Sponge, so Thin Red Line and Victoria sponge for me. 4.05 A wide open Oaks this year with nothing standing out massively, Cecils Aviate has done nothing wrong winning his three starts to date, but I really like the look of Sajjhaa, he was massively impressive winning his Sandown maiden and is held in very high regard, lets hope he improves again for his first run and takes this race. 5.25 Kajima, seeking a hattrick and likes this course.

Epsom selections surprisingly on the Epsom thread ! Elsewhere aside from the earlier 2 : Catterick 1.50 Orchid Street @ 13/8 : Looks to set the standard in this race and with only 1 obvious challenger in Miss Clairton who may need further Orchid Street is hard to oppose.

Midge

history

Typical response.

Away from Epsom win double on : Catt 14:25 Chocolate Caramel Good 19:20 Duncan Both look to have a fair bit in hand over their rivals, Chocolate Caramel is particularly strongly fancied though at around even money I'm opting for a win double with Duncan who surely would have won at Ascot but for hanging right. The excellent William Buick takes the ride. Good luck, Chris

Oaks

Saint_stevo Champagnelifestyle - 16:05 - Epsom

Maybe more appropiate here ? http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=22994

Yes, heaven forbid the club would want to keep loyal fans happy though it's not at all clear what "certain groups of fans" refers to? Maybe the many who weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouth and actually have to work hard to make ends meet :smt102

Absolutely spot on though doubtless it'll not be long before the usual suspects turn up to criticise what is essentially an accurate summation of what has gone on. Why on earth people should be told to stop moaning and get a credit card beggars belief. Many people, myself included, despise credit cards. Maybe the sign of a slightly older generation but this buy now, pay later society we live in is one major reason this country is in such a mess. My Dad supported Saints for 65 years, always had a season ticket even when he and my Mum were no longer working. He knew what to expect, ie pay before the season and budgeted accordingly. No instalment plans were available so it was not an issue though I doubt he would have taken the option anyway. However, given that option was available but has been withdrawn at such short notice ( actually Cortese/the club treating the fans with contempt IMO) I can't fault anyone who was going to use that option but is now unhappy that they can't. A ridiculous decision and as Daren says one which would have had people calling for Lowe to be lynched if he had pulled something like this.

Epsom

2.45 Coronation Cup: Micky Channon runs Youmzain with Kieron Fallon on board. Currently at around 8/1 and Mick seems keen on his chances. Surely deserves a Group 1 success but is being sweet on his chances heart over head ? "He’s in great form and I’m very pleased with him. This has always been the plan. We just need the real Youmzain to turn up."

Trends for The Oaks: Trends Report: The Investec Oaks (G1) Key: Ran in last 2 months (13/14), winner at 1 mile+ (14/14), top 2 in pattern race (13/14), SP 12/1 or less (13/14), top 2 last time out (12/14), 2-6 career runs (12/14). Leaves a fairly long short-list: Akdarena, Aviate, Gertrude Bell (assuming she contracts into 12/1 or less), Rumoush (forgiven 7th LTO due to track bias) & Timepiece. Trim the short-list with questionable stayers - or keep the ones who will definitely stay. Timepiece and Rumoush are probably the most doubtful. Aviate looks a very high quality horse but not especially bred to stay and may just get found out. The final short-list is, Akdarena who will force a strong pace, and Gertrude Bell who should benefit from a searching test and enjoy something to aim at. Another angle for each way players could be Barry Hills' Champagnelifestyle who is stoutly bred for middle-distances and has reportedly made significant progress since her defeat to the very progressive Gertrude Bell (by 1 length) at Chester.

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