I’ve just returned from a very enjoyable three days, attending the ‘Dante’ meeting at York racecourse. To say the winners were hard to find is an understatement, the trip turned out to be more of a ‘Bookies Benefit’!

The weather started off fair, but deteriorated as the week went on, turning into a steady downpour by Friday!

I went to York with my good friend Duncan Sams. Dunc’s always been good value for a laugh, and this year was no exception.

“I’ve got a new system for the winners today” says Dunc, as the rain lashed down and the going went to soft. (Claggy more like!) “Really?” says I, keen for any information that would change my luck.

“Aye lad” says Dunc, with a big grin, “I’m gonna back the horses with the biggest feet!”

I should have known!

Desperation set in by now, so I text my mate Andrew Crow.

(Acrow generally gets a few winners on a Sunday afternoon, so it was worth a try!) The text came back; ‘Back Henderson‘s, it’s a sure fire winner!’ ‘Henderson’s?’ I reply, ‘He’s a jumps trainer’ ‘Aye’ came the reply, ‘It’s running at LUDLOW!’ Now that’s a lot of use when you’re at York, but as if to emphasize my luck, Henderson’s horse did indeed win at Ludlow!

There’s always next year!

If any of you are going down to York for a weekend, I can recommend the ‘Central Travel Lodge’. It’s cheap and clean, and there’s a ‘Wetherspoon’s’ right next door. Also, ‘The Roman Bath’ pub in the city centre is worth a visit, it has live entertainment on most nights, and serves a decent pint!

There’s a converted church called ‘The Parish’, which is now a funky wine bar, and also does light snacks.

Avoid the ‘Spice Room’ on Fishergate!

Dunc ordered a ‘Sashlick’ as his main course; it was more like Slash lick!!

Mind you, you’ll eat anything after a few pints.

Strange how you never fancy an Apple!!