EVEN those of us who weren't in on it would have appreciated the irony of connections landing a gamble on Oh Yah Dancer at Perth yesterday.
They did do it, after all, in the race run in memory of legendary bookmaker Freddie Williams.
The Nicky Richards-trained six-year-old didn't appear to bring a lot to the table going into the race, unless form students missed something in him b
eing beaten a total of 182 lengths in his only three starts to date.
Someone clearly knew something the rest of us didn't however and having been available at 12-1 in the morning, the Greystoke raider was eventually sent off 100-30 favourite.
Those involved in the plunge on Oh Yah Dancer might have suffered a few palpitations as the We Miss You Freddie Handicap Hurdle unfolded, but it all clicked into gear in the end with Fearghal Davis driving his mount home. There to see it, and present the trophy, was William's daughter Julie, who will continue the family tradition by taking over most of the pitches of her late father, although she has no plans to repeat the old man's legendary jousts with JP McManus just yet.
The Richards camp was also successful earlier on the card with Flying Doctor, while few fixtures around Scone Palace these days are completed without an Irish winner or two.
This time, there were three. Grand National winning trainer Gordon Elliott led the way with a double, thanks to Franc Villez and Russian War, with Ballyholland, who had finished third at the track 24 hours earlier, going a couple better for Colin McBratney.
The advantages of a tongue-strap were again seen when Richard Johnson's mount, Mizen Raven, landed the opener sporting one for the first time.
Humourous lived up to his name by bringing a smile to the face of trainer Brian Storey for whom the victory ended a losing run and fingers crossed the nap Koraleva Tectona does the same for yours truly at Salisbury this evening.
Pat Eddery's charge had been tried over various trips without success, but came good when dotting up by five lengths on her first attempt at six furlongs last time out.
The filly had a couple of in-form rivals well behind her on that occasion so she's clearly on the up and as such, should be capable of shrugging aside her penalty.
This evening's venue presents a fair test of stamina, so the best bet's staying power should come in very handy when the field hit that uphill finish.
The full article contains 433 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
