Month: June 2006

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I haven’t had the chance to watch the recordings of all the races on Wednesday but I did watch Soviet Song’s excellent success. Her first at Royal Ascot, in the Windsor Forest Stakes.  This was her ninth career win and she obviously retains plenty of ability at the age of 6.

  After a pretty disastrous losing spell Cesare was a welcome winner for the list to follow in the Royal Hunt Cup.  Stronghold (2nd), Hinterland (4^th) and Pinpoint (6^th) were other listers to run well.  

Thursday gets under way with the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at 2.35.  Hoh Mike and Mood Music are two that have impressed me.  My slight preference is for the former with the in form Jamie Spender riding for Trainer Michael Bell.

  

Sir Michael Stoute saddles two of the main contenders in the Ribbledale Stakes at 3.10.  Sindirana was made to work hard to win the Lingfield Derby Trial.  Scottish Stage also had to struggle a bit to win a listed race at Newbury on her seasonal reappearance.  Both have room for improvement.  Scottish Stage would be my tentative suggestion.

  

We have one list runner in the Gold Cup at 3.50.  Tungsten Strike was an easy winner at Sandown last time and is an improving sort.  Has a bit to find with some of his rivals but cannot be ruled out.  Seems to act on any ground.

  

The 30 runner Britannia Stakes at 4.25 is needless to say difficult to solve.  The list to follow is well represented with Giganticus, Regal Royale, Peppertree Lane, Sir Gerard, Easy Air and Superseus.  The lightly raced Giganticus comes into the reckoning.  He has only had 3 career starts and ran with much promise when 3^rd at Newmarket on his reappearance this term.  Superseus is another lightly raced colt.  A winner last time out at Newmarket.  Peppertree Lane ran below par last time after recording a couple of impressive wins.  He is drawn 26 though and on the evidence of the Royal Hunt Cup a low draw might be best.  In the circumstances Sir Gerard could be the best bet drawn in stall 2.  Narrowly beaten at Haydock last time out his style of running suggests that this track should suit him well.

  

We have one list runner in the 4.55 in Hopeful Purchase.  He won a weak maiden last time out but has more to do here.  A 16/1 shot he has an each way chance.

  

Our 2 runners in the 5.30 are High Reach and Trafalgar Square.  High Reach may find that this trip stretches his stamina.  Trafalgar Square won for us at Goodwood last month.  Has gone up in the handicap for that and will need to improve to take a hand here.

  Up at Beverley Mark Johnston introduces a well regarded newcomer in Drumfire.  The stable do well with their juveniles first time out.  Our old friend Baron Rhodes will win a race at some stage this season.  She has a bad draw at Beverley in the 8.20.  The 5.20 at Wolverhampton may go to Sir Mark Prescott’s Phone In. See you tomorrow

Continue reading “Diary: June 22 2006” →

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Winners continue to be thin on the ground as we go into day 2 at Royal Ascot.  

I have a personal interest in the 3.10 where the Elite Racing Club’s star filly Soviet Song seeks to get off the mark.  She should certainly go close but this is no tap in.  Echelon looks the main threat.

  

In the 3.50 I am hoping that David Junior can break a losing run for the list to follow.  He looked at class act when winning the Champion Stakes at Newmarket and proved that was no fluke when heading an international field in Dubai in March.

  

The Royal Hunt Cup at 4.25 is a race I have a pretty miserable record in (yes, another one of those!).  The list to follow is well represented with Cesare, Blythe Knight, Stronghold, Hinterland, Pinpoint, River Royale and Minority Report.  Minority Report won at Thirsk on his last outing and although he has gone up 6 lbs in the ratings he seems to be improving and holds a decent chance.  My other fancy is Pinpont who was 4^th in the Victoria Cup and arguably a little unfortunate.  He is lightly raced and comes into this race with every chance.

  

Historically a very high or very low draw has been an advantage in this race.  Minority Report, Stronghold, Cesare and Pinpoint are drawn 1, 2, 3 & 4 respectively. 

  

In the 4.55 I will go with Roxan who was an impressive winner first time out at Beverley.  Neil Callan was full of praise for this horse on the Morning line last week.

  For my World Cup silly bet how about La Mottie in the 5.30?

Continue reading “Diary: June 21 2006” →

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Royal Ascot gets under way with the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at 2.35.  There are 5 runners that I have featured in these pages already this season.  Captain Marvellous, Joburg, Prince Golan, Major Cadeaux and Tudor Prince.  Of these the most likely look to be Major Cadeaux, who beat Joburg at Newbury last month and Prince Golan, a winner at Ripon on his 2^nd outing. This is not a race where have any particularly strong views.

 

 

  I know nothing about the Aussie raiders in the Kings Stand at 3.10 so I will concentrate on the home contenders.  There has been a big gamble on La Cucharacha (what does that mean in English by the way?). She looks the one to beat.  There are 4 runners from our list to follow.  Moss Vale, Tax Free, Benbaun and Reverence. Moss Vale has already won twice this season and Kieren Fallon again has the ride. There is a feeling that he is better in small fields but he was 3^rd in this race last season and is one for the shortlist. Reverence has a super strike rate and was mightily impressive when winning the Temple Stakes last time at Sandown.  Benbaun and Tax Free were 2^nd and 3^rd respectively behind Moss Vale at Chantilly.  Benbaun in particular will appreciate the fast ground.  Tax Free is possibly better at 6 furlongs.  Our only list runner in the 3.50 is Yasoodd.  He won a Group 3 in Ireland at the start of the season but seems held on the form book in this.  

 

 

The Queen Anne Stakes at 4.25 looks like being one of the highlights of the day.  Peeress won the Lockinge over this trip and had Court Masterpiece back in 3^rd that day.  Peeress has won 7 of her 13 starts and seems to handle any ground.  She is certainly respected but fillies have quite a poor record in this event.  Court Masterpiece is probably better at 7 furlongs and the main danger to Peeress seems likely to come from Proclamation. He showed quiet a turn of foot when accounting for Soviet Song in the Sussex Stakes last season and a repeat of that performance will make him hard to beat.  He is by the way a full brother to the hurdler No Refuge.

 

 

  Races like the Ascot Stakes (4.55) are not really among my favourites.  The only runner From our list to follow is Elusive Dream, second here in a handicap over 2 miles on his last start.  For followers of the World Cup Football Crazy and Prins Willem (runs in the same colours as the Dutch team) might be fun bets. 

 

 

Richard Hannon’s Dazed and Amazed and the unbeaten Espartano have possibilities in the 5.30.

  

Elsewhere the speedy Inflight could go close in the 7.05 at Brighton.

  

At Thirsk Banjo Patterson represents the list to follow in the 2.55.  He has been largely disappointing this season.  He was however 4^th last time out and the 5thy has won since. 

  

In the 3.30 I quite fancy Grayt Big Stuff to step on on earlier efforts over this longer trip.  There are a couple of newcomers worth noting.  Centenary is a half brother to a horse that won over this trip as a juvenile, while Mick Channon sends My Monna up north and this one also looks a likely type on breeding.

  

If Confide takes his place in the line up for the 5.45 I would give him at least an each way chance.

  Good luck

Continue reading “Diary: June 20 2006” →

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I see that Don Pele was a 9/1 winner at York on Sunday, appropriate enough during the World Cup!  Our list to follow drew a blank but both Liberate and Whispering Death were 2^nd.  Safqa was an 11/4 winner for the list on Saturday.

  

Monday’s racing is fairly low key on the eve of Royal Ascot.

  

David Barron has a couple of runners in the 2.15 at Carlisle.  La Esperanza looks an interesting filly.

  

We have a list horse in the 3.15.  Confide ran out quite an easy winner at Catterick and should go well here.

  

In the 7.05 at Windsor Suzie Blue has an each way chance dropped into selling company.

  

Tracer, Queensgate and Callwoood Dancer are 3 newcomers to note in the 7.35.  Tracer is related to a number of winners and comes from an in form stable.  Queensgate is also related to a couple of decent winners but has shown little in two runs thus far. Callwood Dancer comes from a stable that has been doing well with its juveniles and is one to watch in the betting.

  

In the 8.35 the highly rated Greek Well looks to get off the mark.  He was unplaced a fortnight ago on his debut but was unlucky in running that day.  Kieren Fallon rides for Sir Michael Stoute.

  Good luck

Continue reading “Diary: June 19 2006” →

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It has not been a vintage year for our list to follow but generally the sprinters have done ok.  Fullandby is yet to score but put in an improved performance when a close 5^th last time.  The extra furlong of the 4.20 at York will help and he has an each way chance.

  

Whispering Death is our list horse in the 4.50.  He has failed to find anything approaching last seasons’ form.  First time visor here and on a fair mark if he can recapture his best form.

  

Talking of sprinters Milton Bradley saddles 3 in the Salisbury 3.00 and two of them are on our list to follow.  Harrison’s Flyer is slipping to a dangerous looking mark and will surely get his head in front again soon.  Meikle Barfil has shown nothing this season as yet.

  

Presto Shinko was arguably an unlucky loser last time at Windsor and holds a fair chance in the 3.30.

  

If Liberate wins the 4.30 he will be the first horse on our list to follow to win 3 times.  Very good chance.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 18 2006” →

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I had an e-mail from a punter last week who said his selections had been hitting the bar recently.  Mine seem to be ending up in the crowd behind the goal or going out for a throw in!

  

There are plenty of meetings on this weekend so let’s see if I can get a shot or two on target.  This bulletin will only cover Saturday.

  

The 2.05 at York is for lady amateur riders and not really a great betting proposition.  Crow Wood has trip and ground to suit and should go well.

  

In the 2.35 Rio Riva is a runner from our list to follow.  He won for us at Redcar back in April but as a result has gone up 8 lbs in the weights. He goes well fresh so the 61 day absence will not be a problem.  He seems to handle any going too but it is really a matter of whether or not the handicapper has caught up with him.  Hartshead and Master of the Race are a couple of runners from last season’s list to follow.  Hartshead is a hold up performer who will appreciate a strong pace and should not be ruled out.  Master of the Race is still a maiden having finished runner up on all his 5 career starts.  He has Kieren Fallon in the plate and has place claims.

  

There are 20 runners in the big handicap at 3.10 King Orchiosis and River Bravo represent our list to follow.  King Orchiosis has disappointed this season having been highly rated as a 2 year old.  He has been running on soft ground though and this return to faster going just might make the difference.  There was much to like about the way River Bravo won at Haydock last time and he would be a strong fancy for this if it were not for the fast ground.  If he handles it I would fancy him.

  

Of the rest Borehan has won his last 3 starts but has gone up 15 lbs during that time. The track will suit him.  Mr Sandicliffe was developing a reputation as the perennial runner up after finishing 2^nd in 6 of his first 7 starts.  He has put that behind him now it seems with 2 wins in 3 starts.  An in form sprinter who has gone up 6 lbs for his latest victory.

  

Looking at the 4.15 Seriously Lucky made little impact on his debut but the booking of Kieren Fallon to ride could be worth noting.

  

Safqa is our “lister” in the 5.25.  He has form figures of 322 and is starting to look expensive to follow. Could be vulnerable against one or two less exposed types.

  

The 2.10 at Bath only has 5 runners but is a trappy looking contest nonetheless. Kings Bastion and Fairfield Princess have both recorded a win but they have had 3 and 4 runs respectively and neither won last time out.  On what they have achieved so far there is little to choose between them.  My slight preference would be for Fairfield Princess whose trainer is not in bad form and has a good strike rate at Bath.  Resignation of Richard Hannons has only had one run and should come on for that.  It would not surprise me if he made a bold show here.

  

The 2.45 could be a good opportunity for Lipocco.  The form of his 3^rd here last month has worked out well.  I once backed a horse called Royal Prince successfully at 13/2 and his half brother Star Strider also runs in this so I will be keeping a close eye on this one as well.

  

El Alamein won for us in the week and he could be a good thing to go in again under a 6 lbs pen in the 3.50.  A typical Sir Mark Prescott 3 year old handicapper.

  

At Leicester Capannina looks a likely winner in  the 7.15.  She shaped with promise on her debut I thought and should improve for the experience.  Of the newcomers Roclette could be the most likely on breeding.

  

Down at Lingfield Fly Time has the best form in the 6.35.  Mick Channon’s youngster has finished 2nd twice.  The main threat could come from the unraced Centreboard.  He comes from a stable with a 42% strike rate with juveniles in June,

  

Coeur Courageaux represents the list to follow in the Sandown 2.20. This colt was an expensive “signing” at the sales but has given problems going into the stalls this season.  Not lacking in ability though.

 

  

Ceredig has been one of the disappointments of the list to follow.  He is still a maiden after 6 starts but is blinkered for the first time in the 4.00 so perhaps that will do the trick.  Darryl Hollnad rides him for the first time.  I suppose Yellow Card could be a popular choice in this race and of course there will be those wanting to double that up with John Terry in the 5.10.  I am hoping that Heaven Knows can win this for our list to follow though.  Heaven Knows won in pleasing fashion at Thirsk last month and has a good chance of following up.  D Holland rides this one as well.

  I will be back tomorrow night for a look at Sunday’s racing.

Continue reading “Diary: June 17 2006” →

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We were on Just Dust when he won last time out in a seller.  He has a bit more to do in the Chepstow 6.30.

  

Allegretto should be the answer in the 7.30 although she will likely be odds on.

  

Inside Straight of Richard Hannon’s looks an interesting newcomer in the Goodwood 6.15.

  

Roman Quest represents our list to follow in the 9.00 at the Sussex track.  He has disappointed since winning first time up at 6/1 and is a 12/1 shot here.

  

There are a few likely looking juveniles in the 2.20 at Sandown.  Of those with the benefit of a previous run Silver Hotspur should put on a better show than when last of 9 on his debut on soft ground at Newmarket. High Style improved on his debut run when 3^rd at Brighton last time and should be on the premises. Of the unraced horses El Bosque takes my eye.

  

Our only “lister” at Sandown is the sprinter Harrison’s Flyer in the 2.55.  He is the sort that is always likely to pop up when you least expect it at a big price.  He is not on a bad mark at present.

  

In the 3.25 Zelos is one that is bred to win at 2.  Trained by Jamie Osborne.

  That is all for now.

Continue reading “Diary: June 16 2006” →

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A short update tonight.

  

There are just 3 runners from the list to follow on Thursday.

  

Newbury 2.45 Edaara

  

5.05 Karlani

  

Yarmouth 5.15 El Alamein

  

The other one worth a look is the two year old Astronomic View in the 2.30 at Lingfield

  Good luck

Continue reading “Diary: June 15 2006” →

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We have had some success already this season with the tactic of following Sir Mark Prescott 3 year olds.  There are 2 running today and both are on our list to follow.

  

Alambic goes in the 2.40 at Beverley.   The trainer knows the family well and this looks a typical runner from the yard having had 3 runs last season at inadequate trips.

  

We will have top wait until 9.35 to see how our other list horse gets on.  Phone In, another possible Prescott “special” was 4^th at the same track on his seasonal reappearance. Did not impress now but stable are in much better form than they were then.

  The other race that interests me is the Hamilton 7.15 Narrjoo and Vauquelin both look worthy of a second look.  My preference for this race is Narjoo of Mick Channon’s.

Continue reading “Diary: June 14 2006” →

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A short update tonight as I have been watching the footy!

  

I had a look at the 2.15 at Salisbury where there are three runners that I will eb taking an interest in.  Stagehand didn’t show on his debut but I wouldn’t write him off.  Stable has a poor record at this track though.  You always have to respect Richard Hannon’s juveniles and he introduces Spiderbeck here, a half brother to Ruby Rocket. Bill Turner also does well with his 2 year olds and he has Fade to Grey in this.

  

3.15 Greek Renaissance represents our list to follow in this.  This is his first attempt at 6 furlongs and that should favour him as he is a full brother to the Dandy Nicholls trained Machinist.

  

Moving on to Chester Dress to impress made a fair debut at Sandown but does not have the best draw in the World in the 6.45.

  

I think Mutawaffer has possibilities in the 8.15 although the ground might be on the quick side for him.  He is the second runner from the list to follow today. Another horse I rather like is Cyclical but he has an awful draw.8.15 Cyclical

  In the 2.30 at Redcar Silca Soprano is a tentative suggestion.

Continue reading “Diary: June 13 2006” →