It has been a very long 2 months. Far more going on in the world than I could ever have imagined happening in my lifetime. Added to that, a sense that this somehow closer to the beginning than the end right now.
24th March, the last time I had a bet on the racing (a behind closed doors jumps card at Clonmel) feels a lifetime a go. Yes, there are undoubtedly far more important things than racing going on in the world. Of course I miss it, but I am also very philosophical and am not clamouring for racing to return here before the time is right.
Avoiding the pitfalls of getting involved in sports that I know very little about, Table Tennis, the Darts from Home Tour, or early morning racing in Hong Kong and Australia. My punting over the past 8 weeks has been limited mostly to the weekend Football from Belarus. Not the greatest quality, but I am so grateful to have been able to watch it and pass some time.
This week has felt like a turning point. The slight easing of lockdown has made very little difference to my every day routine, but there is now some light at the end of the tunnel. The return of French racing on Monday has really lifted the mood. Being able to watch the Horses again has given a sense of normality. Now prior to this year, French racing was not one of my strong points, with perhaps an occasional bet in the Arc or the Prix du Jockey Club the extent of my punting.
However, with the time on my hands, I have been able to get back into the routine of making notes, watching replays and comparing horses. Everything that I was working on in pre-lockdown times. The first point I must make is to commend France-Galop, their website is superb. Full replays, weights, data, breeding, all in one place. The second point, is to congratulate them on not only showing that racing can safely return, but that it can be managed and planned well too. A quality set of cards, with group action spread across the week and a well thought out program.
In many ways, the racing on offer has been very similar to the early season flat program in the UK. Emerging 3-year-olds, some who have wintered well and improved and others who have badly needed the run. 2 year-old races, where the betting market seems to be the best guide, while many look like longer term projects.
The week started well, a 28-1 winner in the shape of “The Summit”, the only front runner in the field who stole it from the home bend in the Prix de Fontainebleau. This has been backed up with wins on Port Guillaume, Irska and Monsieur Croco. As usual, for every winner there have also been disappointments, Hellenistique, Bailleul and Bionic Woman to name a few.
In February, as mentioned in a previous post, we took a short break to Paris as a family, before the world changed. That seems a lifetime ago, though it was in fact less than 3 months. Now in May, the French have once again lifted the spirits and got some sense of normality back into everyday life. While I am still eagerly waiting and hoping for a return to British racing in June, I have discovered a passion for French racing, that I hope will remain in the future.
Vive Le France! Stay Safe
The Novice Punters Diary 