Month: July 2006

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There is no doubting which is the big race of the day on Wednesday, with a real vintage renewal of the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket (3.10).

  

Soviet Song, bidding to win this for the 3^rd year in a row is likely to start favourite. She showed her well being by landing a Group 2 at Ascot on her last run.  She has 5 Group 1 successes to her name and is likely to be very hard to beat here.

  

Peeress has beaten Soviet Song on two occasions and clearly cannot be ignored.  She was unlucky when 4^th in the Queen Anne when nothing went right for her. Nannina represents the younger generation.  She stormed clear of a high class field to land the Coronation Stakes and should get her favoured fast ground.  There is not much in it between these 3 and I think we have to be conscious of the fact that the younger filly, Nannina may still be improving.  Three year olds have won 6 of the last 10 runnings of this race and I am going to side with Nannina.  It is an intriguing race though and one not to be missed.

  There are some likely looking newcomers in the 3.45.  Gerard Butler’s Jafaru is related to a number of winners and should have no trouble stamina wise over this 7 furlong trip. Henry Cecil has won this race a couple of times in the last 10 years and he saddles Many Volumes. This colt is out of an Oaks winner and is certainly bred for the job.  The other on that takes my eye on breeding is Ed Dunlop’s Maslak who is a half brother to Nidhaal, a smart two year old from last season who won twice including first time out.   In the 7.56 Pineapple Poll is the day’s biggest certainty to achieve a career best run.  So far she has been last of 12 in both her races and this time there are only 11 runners!  

There are two from the list to follow in the 8.24. Sant Elena has been very disappointing and folded very tamely last time out.  Greek Renaissance if preferred after winning a Wolverhampton maiden on her latest outing.

  

The only other runner from the list to follow on Wednesday is Spectral Star in the Lingfield 5.15.

  Good luck

Continue reading “Diary: July 12 2006” →

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I am writing these notes before the evening racing but I see that Alambic was a winner for the list to follow this afternoon.  

There are a couple of runners from the list in the 3.45 at Pontefract.  This is quite an appropriate race for this site as it is the Richard lll Handicap – “a horse, a horse” and all that.  Banjo Patterson has failed to find his form this season and may simply be a little too high in the weights.  Ice Planet has a more obvious chance.  He hasn’t been far away in any of his races this season and will be suited by the fast ground.

  At Wolverhampton we have Wawsaw Pact who is a typical Sir Mark Prescott 3 year old handicapper. We have had a couple of winners from this source over the last 2 days and Warsaw Pact should go close here.

Continue reading “Diary: July 11 2006” →

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The only runner from our list to follow on Sunday was Prince Picasso who won at evens.  I wonder if he looked a picture in the paddock?  

I will start Monday’s preview at Bath where Star Strider is of interest in the 2.15. He went into my notebook as a likely future winner when 4^th last time at this track.  This is his third run in maidens and after this run he will be one to watch out for in nursery handicaps.

  

The 2.45 is a juvenile seller.  Suzieblue, wearing cheekpieces for the first time broke her duck in a similar contest at Chepstow and could well be involved in the finish here.  Fly Time is both owned and trained by Mick Channon.  She is dropped in class but it can sometimes be dangerous to support this type of horse in sellers.  Looks a race to be careful of.

  

Our list to follow has struck a bit of a purple patch in the last few days.  We are represented by Ceredig in the 4.15 but he has not given much cause for optimism so far this term and was last at Sandown on his most recent outing.  You would have to be backing the listers blindly to support him at the moment.

  

There is racing in Scotland at Musselburgh where the 3.00 is an auction maiden.  Sophie’s Dream ran with promise on her initial run at Redcar but failed to build on that start at Carlisle.  There is nothing else in this race that really catches my eye.

  

We have had some success with Sir Mark Prescott’s 3year olds this season, the latest winner coming today via Prince Picasso.  Prescott sends Alambic north for the 3.30.  He was 2^nd here last time out and is weighted to go close.  Might need an extra furlong or two though.

  

The 6.35 at Windsor should be a winning opportunity for Jo’burg who was 5^th in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.  Of those with previous runs Cheap Street was a bit unlucky last time and Eager Ivor will probably come on for his debut run.  Hughie Morrison saddles a likely newcomer in Sakhee’s Secret, whose half brother Marker won this a few years back.  Jo’burg should be too good though.

  

Conkering was an early season winner for our list to follow back in April but has been sidelined with an injury since.  That win was on soft ground but as long as he can handle a faster surface and has fully recovered from the injury he should go close in the 8.05.

  

I have been reminded that I have not given the answers to a couple of quiz questions I posed last week.  The connection between Just One Look and Green Tambourine is that they were both 60s song titles and Alf Tupper’s nickname was “The tough of the track.”

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: July 10 2006” →

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I have not enjoyed the best of luck of late but Saturday was quite a bonanza for the horses on our list to follow.  We had 6 winners and any number of near things.  Here goes for the roll of honour.

  

David Junior was given a great ride by Jamie Spencer to score a well thought out success in the Eclipse.  The Lancashire Oaks went to Allegretto who stayed on well and clearly gets the 12 furlong trip and is a progressive filly.

  

We had the first 4 home in the Old Newton Cup with Consular gaining a well deserved reward for some consistent efforts.  He was always handy which was probably key.  Ouninpohja did well in second under top weight for what was his 4^th successive 2^nd place. 

  

In the 4.35 at Haydock King Orchisios finally lived up to his reputation making most to just hold on from another of our listers Burning Incense.

  

Hinterland was a Pricewise horse having finished 4^th in the Royal Hunt Cup and could be called the winner some way out in the big handicap at Sandown.  Our other winner was Futun who looked well and truly boxed in but Nicky Mackay was admirably patient on him and when the gap appeared the colt quickened well.

  

Those were the 6 winners from the list to follow.  Benbaun also deserves a mention for his 2^nd in the Group 3 sprint at Sandown. Like Ouninpohja this was four 2nds in a row.

  

We only have one list runner on Sunday and that is at Brighton in the 4.15 where Prince Picasso should give us a run for our money.

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: July 9 2006” →

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I am on a pretty unsuccessful run at the moment, with a lot of the horses from the list to follow getting in the frame but not too many winning.

  The highlight on Saturday is the Eclipse meeting at Sandown. 

The Group 3 sprint that starts the Sandown card at 2.05 has a couple from the list to follow in Reverence and the unlucky Benbaun. Reverence won the Temple Stakes here in May but all his career wins have been when there was some juice in the ground. Benbaun has been runner up in his last 3 outings, is a course and distance winner and acts on fast ground.  He would seem the most likely of our pair on this occasion.

  

We also have two runners in the 2.35.  Hinterland is already a winner this season and last time out was 4^th in the Royal Hunt Cup, albeit from a favourable draw.  My Paris is running off a mark of 101 and his highest winning mark is 98.  He might need a bit of help from the handicapper before he wins again.  By the way he is a half brother to My Line who was a winner on the flat and over hurdles and was (perhaps still is) trained by the Reveleys.

  

Ouija Board will be a popular winner in the Eclipse itself at 3.15.  The main hope from our list to follow is David Junior.  Although he was well beaten by Ouija Board at Royal Ascot there was no pace on that day and a stronger gallop should see Brian Meehan’s colt in a better light.  Our other lister is Aussie Rules who won the French 2,000 guineas.  Johnny Murtagh takes over from Kieren Fallon and although the horse has it to do on the book Aiden O’Brien runners always command respect.

  

The 3.20 at Beverley has some old familiar faces.  Caribbean Coral won the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom in 2004 but has not won for over 2 years now.  Of his 5 career wins 2 have come at 20/1 and he is one of those sprinters that will probably pop up somewhere when no one is looking.  Likes fast ground.  Trojan Flight is another on a long losing runn.  His cause will not be helped by a low draw here.  Bo McGinty won last time out and his stable is in form.  He also has a good draw but to be honest is not one that can be relied upon completely.

  

There is an interesting card at Haydock where we have 2 listers in the 2.20.  Peppertree Lane has already won twice this season but has been rather disappointing on his last 2 runs. His wins have come at a mile on soft ground and he is upped in trip here on faster ground.  Futun is a lightly raced type and just the sort that his trainer does well with.  He won a 10 furlong maiden at Leicester and should stay this trip OK.

  

Allegretto and Innocent Air are our duo in the Lancashire Oaks at 2.50.  Allegretto won a maiden at Chepstow and would need considerable improvement to win this.  But she is very well bred and comes from a stable that must always be respected.  Innocent Air is John Gosden’s runner.  He has won this race twice in the last 3 years.  Innocent Air won a listed race at Newbury last season but disappointed this season on her reappearance on softish ground.  May well do better this time.

  The Old Newton Cup is one of the oldest races on the calendar.  The list to follow is well represented with Signatory, Thunder Rock, Prince of Light, Consular and Ouininpohja.  This is a very hot race indeed with Signatory just getting my vote over Thunder Rock. Ouninpohja has been second on all three runs this season and has been unlucky on a couple of occasions.  He has a lot of weight to carry in this however and that is what just puts me off.  Consular has been running well but seems just short of what is required to win here.  

Indian Trail was a winner for the list to follow last week and seeks to follow up in the 4.05.  Somnus is the likely danger if he can show his best form on a surface he probably does not enjoy.

  

We have 3 listers in the 4.35.  Ryedale Ovation is yet to open his account this term and may just be a little high in the weights.  I have just about given up on King Orchisios who has let me down a number of times this season.  I suppose first time cheekpieces may do the trick but I don’t think I am going to bet on it.  My tip goes to the 3^rd of our list runners, Burning Incense who won in good style at Windsor.  Further improvement seems likely and he will do for me.

  

Harrison’s Flyer represents the list to follow in the 5.10.  He showed a return to better form last time when staying on well enough in 3^rd at Newbury.  He is best suited by big fields and he is well handicapped at the moment.  Although he has top weight he has proved a good weight carrier in the past. In with a shout and rain would help his cause further.

  At Leicester we have Kerriemuir Lass in the 4.10.  This one has been second on both outings this season. She may lack a bit of toe so the fact that she is upped in distance may help.  Very quick ground would be a negative.  

It has not been a vintage year for our list to follow.  One of those that is yet to win is James Fanshawe’s Sweet Emily.  She won over course and distance last season though and is expected to put up a better showing.

  

In the 7.45 at Nottingham Conquest is the clear form pick.  He obviously has bags of ability but does not quite seem to have the application to match.  This should be a penalty kick for him but as we know they can sometimes be missed.  Castano ran a pleasing enough race in 3^rd on his debut and is the likely one to benefit should the favourite flop.

  That is all for now.  I will be back tomorrow evening.

Continue reading “Diary: July 8 2006” →

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We have two runners from the list to follow in the 8.30 at Haydock.  Both Spanish Lace and Karlani should be suited by the step up in trick.  Karlani would be my stronger fancy of the two.  

I retained Kenmore on my list to follow after he won for me at 20/1 last season.  He has since moved to Dandy Nichols yard and tackles 5 furlongs for the first time in the Sandown 2.05.  He is suited by some ease in the ground and rain is forecast.

  

The 2.40 looks competitive with all 9 runners having won a race this season.  Mood Music, Resignation, Fairfield Princess and Bahama Mama have all been featured in these pages this season.  Resignation looks the one most likely to have scope for improvement and he gets the tip.

  

3.50 Alfie Flits is the interesting one here. This former bumper winner has progressed steadily and won as he pleased last time at Pontefract.  If he continues on that upward curve he could take some stopping here.

  

4.25 Book of Music, In Full Cry and Coup D’Etat are the runners from our list in this handicap.  Six of the newspaper tipsters go with Mark Johnstone’s In Full Cry and I am inclined to go along with them.

  

Naayla was 2^nd to the useful Indian Ink at Newbury and that form should eb good enough for the 3.05 at Southwell.

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 7 2006” →

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There are 4 meetings to cover tonight.

  

The one that most interests me in the 2.50 at Haydock is the only filly in the race without a previous outing.  Patrick Haslam runs Park’s Girl who is bred to be a two year old.  Kevin Darley has the ride.  This trainer’s two year olds normally come on for their first run.  One to keep tabs on though.

  

Past winners of this race include Green Tambourine (2000) and Just One Look (2003).  What is the connection between these two horses? (Clue is in the names – it has nothing to do with horse racing).

  

Mutawaffer represents our list to follow in the 3.50.  He hasn’t won since September ’03 but recent runs have been quite encouraging and the stable are in good form.

  Moving on to Epsom, The Old Fella is likely to be odds on in the 6.45.  Tudor Prince might be the best one to oppose the favourite  There are some interesting newcomers in the 6.30 at Newbury.  Buckie Massa, Chataway and Xaaretta all look likely 2 year old types.  Tracer was a beaten favourite on his only start to date and will probably come on for that run.  He is a half brother to Just One Look who was mentioned earlier.  

Roman Quest has been one of the most successful runners from the list to follow, scoring at 6/1 and 9/1.  He carries a 6 lbs penalty for his last win in the 8.45 at Newbury.

  

At Yarmouth Godolphin have a first time out 2 year old in the opener at 2.30.  Mizzle is their first juvenile runner of the season and it will be interesting to see how she goes, especially as the stable remain rather under the weather.

  

The 4.30 looks a winning opportunity for Alasoun from our list to follow.  I will slip in a second quiz question here.  Alf Tupper runs in this race.  What was the nickname of the original Alf Tupper?

  That will do for tonight.  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: July 6 2006” →

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Back in, it must have been around 1971, I bought the album Four Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.  There is a track on that album called “Almost cut my hair,” a title that always appealed to me (although the song was pretty tedious). What put me in mind of that song?  Well, I almost backed a winner today.

  

I was on Just Dust when he won a seller at Catterick earlier in the season.  He was beaten next time in a better race and is clearly no world beater.  Still I should have been on him today at Brighton when he won at 11/2. 

  

Talking of Catterick there is racing there tomorrow where the day starts with a two year old maiden.  The race has been won by some decent types in the past but this year’s renewal has only attracted a field of 4. Mick Channon represents the southern challenge against 3 of the bigger northern yards.  Centenary ran with some promise on his debut in a muddling sort of race and he is the tentative tip.

  

The fillies maiden at 3.00 includes another runner from Howard Johnson’s yard, Golden Topaz.  This one is a half sister to Play Misty for Me, who is on my current list to follow.  She is one to note but one word of warning, the stable does not have a great record with its first time out juveniles.

  

Some bets stick in your mind more than others.  Nashaab is on a 23 run losing sequence.  He is a hold up horse that is difficult to win with but in May ’04 he seemed to me to have everything going in his favour in a handicap at Chester.  Kieren Fallon was on board and I told anyone that was prepared to listen that the horse was a cert.  He was 2^nd at 5/1.  Two runs later and back at Chester he won at 5/1 but I wasn’t on. 

  

What-A-Dancer is another horse that needs holding up until the last moment.  He was also the subject of a complex Russellform theory at Goodwood in 2003.  Once again I gave everyone the benefit of my expert opinion and this time the horse won, again Fallon was riding – I just never got around to backing it myself.

  

These ramblings were prompted by the fact that both Nashaab and What-A-Dancer are in action at Chepstow tomorrow in the 7.10.  They are both 9 year olds now and their best days are behind them but they are not badly treated here and have chances.  They will have to do without the services of Mr Fallon of course.  I see that a couple of the newspaper tipsters go for Nashaab and one for What-A-Dancer.

  Whispering Death won for our list to follow tonight in the 9.00 at Thirsk.    See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: July 5 2006” →

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It will be a short bulletin tonight as I am a bit pushed for time.  I will try and make up for it later on the week with some longer reports (if you think that is a good thing!)

  

I am writing these notes before the evening arcing but up to now I see that Dubai’s Touch and Capannina that were featured in my preview have won.

  

We only have 2 runners from the list to follow in action on Tuesday.

  

Hamilton 3.45 Entranced.

  

Thirsk 9.00 Whispering Death

 

 

Bye for now

Continue reading “Diary: July 4 2006” →