2010 - A big year for...

I could easily give you the names of five or so horses to follow in the in the opening year of the…(what will this decade be called? The teenies?) but that’s not blogging, it’s tipping. Anyway, I’d probably be wrong. No, these are the human names that will reach a higher level in 2010, the people who you need on your side for the year ahead.

Jockey - Phil Makin.
After a fraught couple of seasons due to injuries, the ‘Tom Queally of the North’ was back with a bang in 2009. Like his southern counterpart, Makin is reliable, hard-working and gives it to you straight. With the momentum of a currently successful all-weather season behind him, he looks set to rake in a multitude of winners come the new season. Not only should he be pushing into the top 5 in the jockeys championship but a plunder of the odd valuable contest should be within. When the likes of Gosden, Stoute and Godolphin head up north and need a jockey, don’t be surprised if Makin gets the leg up.

Apprentice - Paul Pickard
Last season Frederik Tylicki proved that northern firepower can out-muster any southern attack by beating David Probert in a thrilling race for the apprentice’s championship. Likewise, a northern push could be enough to propel Pickard to the top of the rookie riders’ tree. After a promising 2009, he has decided to stay in England for the all-weather season - a wise move and one that should be rewarded with an expanding of his contacts book. Heading into the new season with a 5lb claim will make him an attractive proposition to many trainers, including that of his boss, Peter Midgeley. With an apparent natural aptitude for race- riding and a polite manner out of the saddle, Paul Pickard is a name to remember.

Trainer - Warren Greatrex
The pronunciation of his surname may be a matter of debate but there’s no doubt about the fact that Greatrex has equine firepower. The real task will be for the rookie handler to steer his horses in the right direction and aim them at the achievable targets. Backer Malcolm Denmark has put full faith in his trainer and the results have so far been highly encouraging. Greatrex has made no secret about the fact that anything he does now will be a stepping stone for future years but, from recent evidence, he big time may come sooner than he thinks.

Ok, I said I wouldn’t give you a horse to follow but there’s one bit of value I’ve seen that has to be gobbled up like the last roast potato at Christmas dinner. His name is Punjabi. Yes, that probably does ring a bell. He’s 12/1 for the Champion Hurdle, a race he won only last March. Even the each-way thieves can’t resist a price like that.