It is the morning of the race and the going description has improved to good to yielding (from yielding to soft) . How is that possible when ½ inch of rain fell yesterday?

As an aside I would have written 12.7 millimetres this time last week but things have changed!!

Anyway, back to my point, this is not going to help our cause and will definitely be in the favor of a few others. The Irish Sun has him as their nap but, otherwise, he doesn’t get many mentions. He’s shortened in the betting this morning (now 10/1 in several places) and I am not sure how to feel. On one hand he should run well off this handicap mark but, on the other, we never quite know what to expect.

As I was considering how I felt I also had one more important decision to make: should I drive to the course or get a taxi?

Funnily enough, the answer to both questions was supplied by a simple regression and trend analysis by way of a decision tree. Let me show you:

Where has Bay of Freedom run?
Listowel Galway Cheltenham Punchestown Down Royal
Galway Roscommon Wexford Sligo

Did he win?
Yes No
Galway Wexford Everywhere else

Was it cold, windy and/or 'pissing it down'?
Yes No
Galway Wexford

Did I stay in that city.town the night before?
Yes No
Galway Wexford

Did I wear green and black socks?
Yes No
Galway Wexford

Did I travel to the course by car or taxi?
Taxi Car
Galway Wexford

The only conclusions to be drawn from this analysis are that a) I should definitely get a taxi and b) provided it turns wet and miserable, he will definitely win.

In case you are not convinced then let me add one final compelling piece of information:

I bought green and black PJ bottoms prior to his Wexford win (when worn against my white legs they represent my racing colours). Today is only the second time they have been worn prior to attending a meeting - the 100% record is likely to continue!

More to come later..............