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John Shaw’s

HE first rule of punditry is to shout from the rooftops when your tips win.

The second rule of punditry is to actually get some winning tips.

I make no apologies for drawing attention to the two selections I made in last week’s column – Pivoine and Ten Sovereigns.

Both horses flew in at 14-1 and 9-2, with the double paying a tasty 80-1.

Needless to say the Shaw household invested the winnings wisely on Saturday evening, with both the electricity and gas supply reconnected again.

But you’re only as good as your last bet and the encouraging news is I’ve a good feeling about today.

One of my more reliable contacts has reported connections are brimming with confidence that FOX CHAIRMAN will win the opener at Newbury this afternoon.

The bet365 Stakes is a listed race over 1m 2f with just six going to post. Andrew Balding’s three-year-old won at the course on his debut in April over a mile.

He finished a disappointing third of six runners on his next run at Chester although the winner, Circus Maximus, did go on to win a Group One race. Fox Chairman’s last run at Royal Ascot was his most eye-catching.

His fast-finishing second place behind Sangarius in the Hampton Court Stakes suggests he should have way too much for his five rivals today. If you watch a replay of that race you’ll see that Fox Chairman was boxed in on the rail in the closing stages and had to check his run.

I have no doubt he would have won with a clear passage.

Rain is forecast for Newbury and that’s more welcome news, because Fox Chairman has won on good to soft at the course.

Make sure you get on early. I can see money coming in for him, most of it mine. “Gambling has closer brought our family in a together. We now live one-bedroom flat.”

– Chico Marx