Thats racing guys...thats all it is

'If you are going through hell, keep going'

Not the start we were hoping for but we will fight on.

The first race tomorrow I'm going to ignore due to time rstraints (although I have backed Rival d'estruval at 9s ante-post and expect a big run there)

In the second I'm going to make the quite possibly foolhardy decision to oppose King Alexandre and instead side with Chatterbox who had My Tent or Yours behind him earlier in the season that may be false form due to the pace in that race but taking things on trust with a lot of these horses but at least for this guy the price is right.

Chatterbox 1.5pts ew 10/1

Took my a while to convince myself any of the entrants this year were good enough to win the RSA so decided to side with Houblon Des Oboux in the end. 4th last year in pertempts behind Cape tribulation who is no no-hoper in Fridays GC he also ran Court in Motion to a 1 1/4L earlier in the season. Can't be far off on the pick of his form.

1 pt ew Houblon des Obeaux 12/1

Worst Champion Chase I can remember Sprinter Sacre is unopposable no matter how hard I try. Sit this one out and applaud a 2 true champions and toast Sizing Europes imminent retirement. At least he is given the opportunity to be carried out on his shield, disgusted no one else had the courage to even try to beat SS. (I had to go and look up the 3rd favourite to see who he was given the strength in depth here!)

A lot of reasons not to back Pendra in the Coral Cup due to age experience field size and never having tried over 2m1f before. He was however second to Melodic Rendezvous in a Tolworth and races under 11-1 - thats good enough for me!

0.5pts ew Pendra 8/1

Ruacana is the best horse in the Fred Winter whether that will be enough I really don't know. Hard to get involved with anything here with much confidence

Probably would be tempted by Vieux Lion Rouge in the bumper if he wasn't a 4 yo as it is it will probably be down to Milo Man to carry whatever pennies I have left in the last but don't plan on winning your drinking money on this race unless you've already taken the pledge