I must admit I haven’t been racing at Borrowdale Park lately, which could account for a somewhat jaundiced view of this Sunday’s card.

Watching the goings on via Tellytrack’s limited and disjointed coverage of racing at Borrowdale leaves one brooding about shock results, in and out running, and the impossible task of trying to find form when runners are constantly moving up and down in class, coupled with trying any old distance.

At least, on course, one is surrounded by fairly cheerful people who may shout and scream a bit but end up taking it on the chin, and getting on with the party.

With the $50 000 Republic Cup in the offing, the sixth race, an 1800m Merit Rated 80 Handicap, should be quite interesting.

Madigan, Lava Flow, Perfect Grace and Thriller In Manila are all Republic Cup nominees, albeit at the bottom end of the scale, while Got a Hold On Me, Supa Challenge, Eversolucky and Red Savage each have something to recommend them.

I am, of course, prepared to be surprised by the end result…..but can spend next week searching for justification, hindsight being marvellous.

 Eversolucky with Wes Marwing up in her glory days. Brendon McNaughton rides on Sunday.

Madigan and Got A Hold On Me, both seven-year olds, are ten-time winners according to the TAB sheet for Sunday’s meeting, although the last mentioned is only credited with five wins on Formgrids. Be that as it may they can, in this field, be considered class acts, and distance suited.. They met in an 1800m Merit Rated 90 Handicap on January 17 which Print The Pounds won, with Madigan (58.5 kgs) 3.05 lengths back, and Got A Hold On Me (54.5 kgs) 9.05 lengths off the leader.

Madigan ran in the recent OK Grand Challenge, without distinction, and at the last meeting Got A Hold On Me finished 7.25 lengths off Gotago over 1200m.

At one time Thriller In Manila played a significant role, with the best, around the turn, but of late has reverted to shorter trips, where he shone during 2013 and 2014. However at the June 19 meeting the Thriller took on Sunday’s runners Supa Challenge and Red Savage in a 1700m Merit Rated 70 Handicap, which the latter won. That day Supa Challenge (60kgs) was 1.35 lengths back, and Thriller In Manila (54.5kgs) a length behind him. Given the turnaround in weights Red Savage will have more to do this time.

Perfect Grace has raced three times at Borrowdale. On May 7 he won an 1800 MR 70 Handicap, where Red Savage was well beaten at level weights. Subsequently the Antonius Pius (USA) gelding was second to Noble Peer over 1600m, following up with a very much below par run over 2000m, when Star Dance won. However it was reported that the saddle slipped forward on Perfect Grace at approximately the 1200m mark, and from the 1000m mark, this horse ran freely and Jockey van Rensburg was unable to assist his mount thereafter – so we can ignore that.

Lava Flow, another recent import, raced in the Tankard and the OK, where he ran 2.85 lengths off the winner, Duffi’s Call, at level weights. This isn’t one of the major features so a repeat of that could stand Lava Flow in good stead here.

Eversolucky, a four-year-old Ashaawes (USA) filly, who featured prominently as a three-year-old, must also be considered. She has had four runs since returning to racing after a year’s layoff due to injury, and her last start on June 19 was encouraging. Carrying 60 kgs Eversolucky ran in the 2000m MR 70 Handicap won by Star Dance. She was 5.15 lengths behind, conceding 7.5 kgs. On Sunday Eversolucky carries 53 kgs, a good galloping weight, and if back to her best could be dangerous.

Those are the facts and I am sure you are none the wiser. There is no way I can find the winner but at least I won’t be enraged by the result…this time. A case can be made where necessary.

The first race on Sunday is due off at 12 noon and, weather permitting, maybe I will make it.