Month: May 2006

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The list to follow is throwing up a reasonable supply of winners the latest being Liberate at 7/1.

  

Former top jockey Pat Eddery is in his first season as a trainer.  I see that he runs The Jay Factor in the 6.15 at Sandown.  This colt is a half brother to 6 winners which is enough for us to take an interest in him.

  

We have had some success in sprints already this season.  Harrison’s Flyer (6.45) will be a familiar name to my regulars and I have included him on the list to follow again this season.  He is a tough sort that has a win or two in him, probably at a working man’s price.  He is well drawn and at 12/1 looks an each way chance.

  

Archiestown (7.55) rhas been 4^th on both his starts so far, both at Newmarket in fair company. This additional 2 furlongs should suit and he is entitled to be there or thereabouts.  He is 9/1 in the RP.

  Up at Ayr, Mark Johnston saddles Dubai Touch in the 2.10.  Although only 6^th of 7 on his debut at York he will have learned from that and has possibilities here.  Nottingham 2.30 Moonlight Applause was 4^th on her debut at Thirsk and has an each way shout here.  

Pagan Sword (4.05) progressed well in handicaps last season and remains on a fair mark. He has not won first time out before and is probably best on a faster surface so may just need this.

  Noble Minstrel is one to watch in the 5.10.  He is bred to want much further than this and is having his 3^rd run here.  Handicaps beckon!  

In the 2.20 at Yarmouth Brian Meehan gives a debut to Grey Big Stuff.  Not surprisingly a grey colt and could be one to watch.

  Good luck

Continue reading “Diary: June 1 2006” →

Warsaw Pact (12/1) Reverence (9/4) and Hopeful Purchase (1/4) kept the scoreboard ticking over on Monday.  I am writing these notes before Greek Wells race at Sandown.  The 2 year old I featured, Princess Palatine, was 3^rd of 15 at 16/1.

  

Brighton’s card on Wednesday opens with a 2 year old maiden where Winning Spirit looks to have a good chance to get off the mark.  He was 3^rd on his debut at Newmarket in a race where the winner and 4^th have both won since. High Style could be the one to chase him home.

  

In the 4.20 I hope that Ceredig can improve on his 3^rd at Bath.  The two that beat him that day had both had a previous run this season so may have had the edge on fitness.

  

In the 2.10 at Yarmouth Captain Marvellous is the only one with previous experience.  He won at Chester despite missing the break and may well be able to defy a penalty.  Justy is an interesting debutante for Michael Bell.  He was an expensive purchase and is well bred.

  

Up at Beverley we have two runners in the 6.40.  Entranced and Liberate have the worst possible draws in stalls 1 and 2.  In the circumstances I would have to recommend that any bets are kept to small each way interests.

  

The Hilary Needler Trophy at 7.10 looks a competitive affair.  Fly Time and Miss Otis are a couple that I quite like but they would both need to step up a bit on the form the showed on their respective debuts.  Kevin Ryan introduces a well bred filly in Roxan who is by Rock of Gibraltar

  

All 12 2 year olds in the 8.10 have already won a race. Supreme Speedster and Mood Music would be my fairly tentative 2 against the field.

  Good luck

Continue reading “Diary: May 31 2006” →

Tungsten Strike kept things ticking over for our list to follow with a win at 4/1 in the Group 2 Henry ll Stakes at Sandown on Monday, despite racing on ground softer than ideal.

  

I was also very impressed with the 2 year old Excellent Art who absolutely hacked up at Sandown.  The 3^rd, Dressed to Impress had an encouraging debut run and will be interesting next time.

  

Looking back at some of the action over the last few days I see that Polar Magic won for James Fanshawe at Goodwood in the week. Polar Magic deserved his success after just missing out on some nice prizes last season.  For those that follow trends he has now won first time out in 3 of the last 4 seasons. 

  

Borehan completed a hat trick when winning at Newmarket on Saturday.  Both the winner, and the second Signor Peltro created favourable impressions last season as juveniles and I will continue to watch their progress with interest.

  

Haatmey failed to win when I had him on my list to follow last season but he came good at Redcar on Monday at 10/1.  He clearly likes the Teeside air as he had been only beaten a short head on his last visit to Redcar.

  

I have been watching the video of the 6 furlong handicap at Newmarket on Sunday, which featured a few of my old favourites.  Greenslades won.  He is an entire and this was his 5^th success at the age of 7, both the last 2 coming at Newmarket.  The second, Idle Power had beaten subsequent winner Exmoor in April.  Now an 8 year old, Idle Power has won 11 races.  I backed in to win one of those at 9/1 in October 2002.  The 3^rd was Firenze (Italian for the city of Florence).  Firenze finished well and might be worth a close look next time.

  

There are 5 runners from our list to follow in action on Tuesday.

  

I will start with Sandown and Percy’s Pearl in the 6.40.  This gelding won on his debut at Windsor last season and although he could not build on that start in his next 2 outings he looks the sort that could progress.  David Elsworth’s horses have not been in the best of form of late however.  Another runner to note in this is Master of the Race for the in form Sir Michael Stoute.  This one finished 2^nd on all 4 runs last season.  Kept in training by Stoute though and that could be a pointer in itself.

  

Our list runner in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at 7.15 is the progressive Reverence.  This is only his 10^th start and he may still have scope to improve.  Looks to have a fair chance on ground that will suit.  I would also expect Eisteddfod to give a good account of himself as he should come on for his 2 runs so far this season and is another that will act on the ground.

  

There has been plenty of hype about Greek Well who is a full brother to Islington a filly that won 4 Group 1 races.  He makes his long awaited debut in the 8.50 at Sandown.  Not sure if the ground will suit.

  

At Leicester Warsaw Pact makes his handicap debut in the 3.20 after having 3 runs as a two year old. Ridden by Seb Sanders he is a fairly typical runner from a stable that specialises in this type of event.

  

In the 2.10 at Redcar Princess Palatine is one I will be watching carefully.  Stable are in good form at the moment although they do not have a great record with first time juveniles.

  

Lastly, in the 4.40 Hopeful Purchase should be good enough to add to our winners tally.

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: May 30 2006” →

The main meeting on Bank Holiday Monday is at Sandown where the centrepiece is the Group 2 Henry ll stakes at 3.25.  The front running Tungsten Strike represents our list to follow.  I see that he is a 5/1 shot but none of the experts go for him.  This is possibly because his wins have all come on a sound surface.

 

 

There are only 4 runners fior the listed 2 year old race at 2.50.  There was plenty to like about Excellent Art’s debut win when he was pushed clear of his rivals by Frankie Dettori.  There was talk of his being stepped up to 6 furlongs but I see that he is kept to the minimum trip here.  Mind you 5 furlongs at Sandown in testing going is probably the equivalent to 6.  I would recommend that you keep an eye on the complete outsider, Dress to impress who is making her debut.  You may remember her sister, Rag Top, who won 4 times as a juvenile a few years ago.

 

 

Bijouterie went into my notebook with an encouraging 3^rd at Nottingham and I am hoping she will get her head in front at Redcar 2.05.  Robert Winston rides for Alan Swinbank.

 

 

I would not be surprised if Shamrock Bay took the 3..15.  She was ruuner up to a handicap snip at Nottingham last week and handles the ground.  Again Robert Winston is the jockey.

 

 

Shamrock Bay’s half sister Spanish Lace is my fancy in the 4.55.  A winner over 9 furlongs at Wolverhampton, the additonal 2 furlongs here should bring out the best in her.

 

 

My main fancy at Chepstow is Trompette in the 4.40.  The ground should suit her.

 

 

See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: May 29 2006” →

Saturday promised much for the horses on my list to follow but in the end we only had one winner, with again Kieren Fallon the man producing the goods.   Moss Vale’s success at The Curragh was all we had to show for a large number of runners at the end of the day although Sir Gerard, Degas Art and Elusive Dream were all 2nds.

  The least said about Saturday the better so swiftly on to Sunday where there is flat racing at Newmarket and The Curragh. In the 2.40 at HQ I am interested in Dazed and Amazed and Vital Statistics who were 3 and 4^th respectively on their debuts.  They were only separated by half a length and will probably both go on to win races.  I thought Vital Statistics might have had more scope for improvement that day and I would just give him the edge, although the stable seem to be having a bit of a lean time of it lately.

 

 In the 3.50 Banjo Patterson represents the list to follow.  He has gone down 1 lb in the weights since his last run here.  His wins have all come on a sound surface and that is the worry.  Firenze was on last season’s list but this is another one that is best on faster ground. We have a few runners at The Curragh from the list to follow. 3.00 Hurricane Run3.35 Race for the Stars4.10 Puerto Rico See you tomorrow

Continue reading “Diary: May 28 2006” →

The recent successful run for our horses to follow continued on Friday with Signatory and River Bravo both winning.

  

If the going in our back garden is any indication then it might pay to side with horses that like a bit of cut in the ground over the weekend.

  

Racing at Ascot is back this weekend and that seems an appropriate place to start.

  

There is an early start at Ascot and the opener is a conditions event for 2 year olds at 12.50.  I featured Kings Bastion when he won his maiden at Lingfield and although he has more on his plate here he has an each way chance.  One to look out for among the unraced types is Richard Hannon’s Revisionist.  He is related to several winners but might take time.  Put him in your notebook though.

  

I don’t have any really strong views on the 1.20 but Frank Sonata should like the ground and has been in good form.

  

We have 4 runners from the list to follow in the Victoria Cup at 2.20. Zomerlust has already won for us at 16/1.  A tough sort who should act on the ground.  The main concern would be that he has not won at this trip.  Game Lad must have a good chance.  A big strong type, this is his trip and ground and he has already posted a couple of decent efforts this season.

  

Kamanda Laugh is probably best at a mile as is our other runner Pinpoint who is making his seasonal reappearance.

  

In the 2.50 we have Elusive Dream.  He should act on the ground but there is a slight question mark over his stamina at tgos trip.

  

Burning Incense was 2^nd to Didn’t We at Lingfield but I fancy him to turn the table here and with the stable in form he gets the selection in the 3.25.

  

We just have one list horse at Catgterick and that is Compromiznotension in the 2.45.  He was not knocked about when 5^th on his last outing and he has shown enough to indicate that he should take a hand here. Looks a bit of a short price though.

  

We have 3 runners in the 3.45 at Haydock where the going could be pretty desperate. Peppertree Lane has won his last two races in soft ground and showed a really willing attitude to make every yard at York last time in a performance typical of horses from this yard.  Sir Gerard justified favouritism at Beverley when held up until very late by Jamie Spencer.  That run will have brought James Fanshawes horse on but the going was good to firm that day.  Our third runner is Superseus who prevailed in another close finish at Newmarket a fortnight ago.

  

It really is very difficult to separate these 3 but if pushed I would just favour Peppertree Lane who showed such a willing attitude at York.

  

I gave Silca Soprano a good write up when she was 2^nd on her debut and she may well eb able to use that experience to win the 4.50 for Mick Channon.  Springtime Parkes is an each way alternative.

  

Turning to Newmarket John Gosden’s Alsadaa showed plenty of promise when 3^rd at Newbury last autumn and should eb up to winning a race.  In with a chance in the 1.25.

  

I thought that Tudor Prince ran a nice race in 8^th on his debut last week at Newbury in what may have been a strong race.  He could go well in the 1.55.  Of the others that have run Ebn Reem should come on for his run at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.  Of the newcomers Justy was a very expensive purchase whose brother won as a juvenile over 7 furlongs.

  In the 2.25 Book of Music and Degas Art represent the list to follow.  Book of Music won on his only start last season and is a potential improver.   

We also have 2 runners in the 3.30.  As his form figures testify Obe Brave has been a model of consistency this season and looks on a reasonable mark.  Not sure of he will act on the ground.  King Orchiosis has been a shade disappointing this season but is still lightly raced and has always been held in high regard by his connections.

  

In the 4.05 Sir Michael Stoute’s Motaraqeb was a ready winner at Thirsk earlier this month and looks a progressive type.

  

Trip and ground should both suit Whispering Death in the handicap at 5.15 and he is certainly in with a shout if we forgive him his poor run a couple of weeks ago.

  We have a few runners over in Ireland at The Curragh.  Dandy Nicholls sends sprinter Moss Vale over for the 3.20.  He has won on soft ground but he is probably at his best on a faster surface.  

It is hard to see beyond the brilliant George Washington for the Irish 2,000 guineas at 3.55.

  See you tomorrow for a look at Sunday’s racing.   

Continue reading “Diary: May 27 2006” →

With Salisbury abandoned and both Tax Free and Edaara withdrawn because of the ground at Goodwood it was left to Trafalgar Square to fly the flag for the list to follow. Despite being weak in the market he was an easy winner at 9/2.

  

Turning to Friday’s cards, Cool Customer has been one of the more successful members of the list to follow and he sets the standard in the 2.10 at Goodwood.

  

Danski caught my eye when flying at the finish to take 3^rd at Kempton.  If he can get going a bit earlier in the 3.50 he should go close.

  

River Bravo goes in the 4.45 at Haydock.  There are only three runners so a tactical race is possible.  Rio Bravo, unlike his two rivals, lacks a recent run but he is a horse of some promise and should be followed this season.

  

Lady Lily and Our Ruby are possibles in the 2.20 at Newmarket.  Our Ruby has had a run already and was 6^th showing a bit of promise and should come on for that.  She was a cheap purchase but looks promising all the same.  Lady Lily is bred to win a race or two and trainer Henry Cecil has a fair record with his debut 2 year olds.

  

2.55 Arminius wears a first time visa.  Won a Newmarket maiden over 7 furlongs last season and was 3^rd of 4 on his reappearance this season.  I see that none of the tipsters go for him.

  

3.30 Signatory is probably my best shot at tipping a winner today.  This lightly raced son of tough miler Kris has the scope for considerable improvement and the trip here should suit him.

  

6.35 Pontefract – Confide looks well handicapped and should pay his way over a mile this season.  He will probably be best suited by fast ground though.

  See you tomorrow

Continue reading “Diary: May 26 2006” →

Assuming Salisbury goes ahead there will be 4 runners from our list to follow on Thursday.

  

Tax Free is one of the more confident choices in this season’s list to follow. He has won 4 of his 5 career starts and could be a bit special.  He may well win the 2.40 at Goodwood but it is possible that he will not handle soft ground as he was twice taken out of races last season when the ground was on the soft side.

  

We had a winner from Willie Haggas’s yard on Saturday and I am hoping that Edaara can oblige in the 4.20. She ran well enough when 2^nd in a maiden at Newmarket on her first outing of the season but form figures of 322 are just starting to look a little worrying.  I am also not really convinced about the trip as her pedigree suggests that this 9 furlongs might be getting towards the outer limits of her stamina.  Still, I live in hope!

  

Trafalgar Square is probably one of the riskier “listers” but I feel that his form figures do not quite do him justice.  He was finishing well last time out at Lingfield 12 days ago, but did not get a clear run.  My concern with him is that both his wins have come over 7 furlongs, as opposed to the 8 he tackles in the 5.30.

  I usually have a sprinkling of Sir Mark Prescott 3 year olds in my list to follow.  So far this season the tactic has only yielded one winner but we have a qualifier in the Salisbury 8.15 with Liberate.  He is very much the classic Prescott type having had 3 runs as a juvenile over inadequate trips but he was rather disappointing when only 4^th on his handicap bow 12 days ago.  He was favourite that day so presumably better was expected .  Worth another chance.  

So we have 4 listers, all with a chance but equally all with a question mark against them for one reason or another.

  

Aprt from those 4 I imagine that Dazed and Amazed will be hard to beat in the 6.15 at Salisbury but he will surely be long odds on.  He made a bright start to his career when 3^rd on his debut at the Wiltshire track.

  Be lucky

Continue reading “Diary: May 25 2006” →

Our only selection on Tuesday was 2^nd at evens.

  

There are no runners from our list to follow on Wednesday.  I have had a look through the cards and there are a couple of interesting “dark horses” that you might like to watch out for.

  

I tipped the winner of the 2.10 at Goodwood last season.  This time around I am going for the unraced Majestic Roi.  Those that have had a run don’t seem anything special and Mick Channon’s filly is apparently well regarded.

  

In the 4.00 at Kempton I thought Ermine Sea might prove to be the answer.  He has only had a couple of runs, and showed promise in both.  He is related to numerous winners and was quite a costly purchase.

  That is about it for tonight.  Be lucky.

Continue reading “Diary; May 24 2006” →