Month: September 2006

Odin Dawn agve me a winner at Pontefract today.  He comes from a winning line and didn’t let the family down, winning in workmanlike fashion.

  

The main attraction over the next few days is the British Festival of Racing at Ascot.

  

The 2.00 is a hot looking handicap with 3 runners from our list, Obe Brave, King Orchisios and Burning Incense.  There is not much to choose between these 3 and I wouldn’t say that any of them are particularly strong fancies.  Burning Incense was made favourite for the Ayr Silver Cup but ran badly.  He is surely better than that.  Obe Brave is consistent and game but does not look that well handicapped, while King Orchisios often fails to live up to his potential.  Burning Incense and King Orchisios would be tentative each way suggestions.

  

Scottish Stage should win the 2.35 on form but is probably not one to take a very short price about.

  

Indian Ink impressed me when winning at Newbury earlier in the season and would be my suggestion for the 3.10. Brian Meehan’s pair Naayla and Maid of Ale appeal as each way possibilities.

  

I have an abysmal record following Sir Michael Stoute’s horses, Book of Music being the latest loser today. Scottish Stage and Queen’s Best are both likely favourites tomorrow so I hope they may buck the trend.  Queen’s Best ran well on her reappearance despite losing a shoe and does look the one to beat in the 3.45.

  

Moving to Haydock Fantasy Parkes makes her debut in the 2.15.  She is related to several winners and is one to watch out for.

  

The 2.45 could be informative.  Julie Camacho does well with her small string and she runs Currahee who looks the type on breeding but may need this debut run.  Woqoodd should come on for his debut run and his trainer does well at this track.  Mick Channon runs Royal Guest who is the subject of some good reports.

  

Our list runner in the 5.35 is Karlani.  Karlani has moved from Sir Michael Stoute and is now with Alan Swinbank.  He has ability and I am hoping that a change of air will have done him good!

  Bye for now

Continue reading “Diary: September 22 2006” →

The horses from our list to follow had quite a successful day at Goodwood this afternoon.  Imperial Stride had been off the course for nearly 400 days and was running over a trip short of ideal so a win, albeit a narrow one probably pleased connections.  He would have to improve considerably on that running to be a serious contender for his proposed engagement in the Melbourne Cup however.  He was well ridden by Kerrin McEvoy who is in tremendous form at present. Nakheel took another step on the road to recovery in the same race.  Although he was only 5^th he was not beaten far and finished well after not getting a clear run.

  

Earlier in the day Greek Renaissance turned what had looked like a competitive handicap into a procession.  This full brother to Machinist seems  well ahead of the handicapper and looks a good bet to follow up under a penalty.

  

Halla San has been a good servant to Russellform and collected at 10/1 today under a very impressive ride from young claimer Jamie Moriaty.  There is a suggestion that Halla San may go hurdling this winter – he certainly looks the type to do well over timber.

  

Finally Harrison’s Flyer who has yet to win this season was 3^rd at 10/1 in the final race at the Sussex track.

  

I have rather neglected the Irish flat racing this season so I was glad to get an e-mail about a race at The Curragh the other day.  Smarty Socks was only beaten a head on his debut in a valuable 7 furlong maiden.  I must admit to not knowing anything about this horse but looking at his pedigree he is bred to win as a 2 year old.  His sire was a top sprinter and is quite a new stallion but has already bred some winners.  The dam was a winner as a two year old so the future could well be bright for Smarty Socks.  Thanks to Billy (and his daughter) for the tip.

  

Tomorrow’s flat racing is at Pontefract.  Capannina comes into the 3.00 in good form and shapes as though the trip will suit.

  

The only runner from our list to follow is Book of Music.  He ran poorly last time but that was at Chester, a track which may not have suited him.  He is worth another chance in the 4.00.

  

The 5.00 looks difficult to solve.  Odin Dawn has shaped well enough on two starts so far and is my best shot at finding the winner.  He is a half brother to 7 winners.

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: September 21 2006” →

Of the horses mentioned in last nights notes Adagio looked a promising newcomer when battling on well to win by a very short head from Tybalt at Newmarket.  There were other noteworthy performances, not least from the ultra consistent Just Dust in the nursery that closed the Newmarket card, and Sunlight who ran a blinder on her debut in the fillies maiden.

  

A couple of our list horses have an outstanding chance in the 3.20 at Goodwood tomorrow.  Greek Renaissance is a full brother to the useful sprinter Machinist but has not quite lived up to expectations yet. He is certainly not out of it but slight preference is for Roman Quest who is a course and distance winner.

  

The 3.55 features a couple of horses on the comeback trail.  Nakheel has had a pelvic problem and this is his second effort having returned to action at York 11 days ago.  The Godolphin colt Imperial Stride makes a very belated seasonal reappearance after over a year off the course.  He won his last 4 starts last season and if back to his best would take some beating. He is a half brother to Zero Tolerance and is also related to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Indian Haven.

  

Three Thieves represents the list to follow in the 4.30.  He did not show much last time out and is 50/1 in the RP.

  

In the 5.05 Halla San is well handicapped and has an each way chance.  He would probably not want the ground to dry up too much.

  

I know that Harrison’s Flyer has had his chances this season but he does hold an each way chance in the 5.40.  He is well drawn.

  

Julie Camacho gives a debut to Currahee who is related to a number of winners in the 2.00 at Redcar. The stable have a poor record with first time our juveniles however.

  

The jumps is just starting to get a bit more interesting.  Go Commercial used to be trained by Martin Pipe.  Although his form figures don’t look too inspiring he did seem well regarded by the Pipe team and may be better than the bare form suggests.

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: September 20 2006” →

Hotel Du Cap was an easy winner for our list to follow this afternoon.

 

 

It will be a quick look at Tuesday as I am a little pushed for time.

 

 

Aussie Blue is bred to be a winning 2 year old but to be honest he didn’t give followers too much encouragement on his debut.  Still he should do better in the 2.40 at Beverley.

 

 

Dance of  Dreams showed enough promise on his econd run a couple of weeks ago to come into the reckoning in the 3.05 at Brighton.

 

 

The following 2 year olds are worth considering at Newmarket.

 

 

1.15 Minnis Bay, Scantlebury, Silaah.

 

 

1.45 Resignation

 

 

2.20 Maid to Believe & Sunlight

 

 

2.55 Colorado Rapid, Desert Dew & Morning Farewell

 

 

3.30 Adagio, Dr Dream, Mia’s Boy, Musheed & Nordic Affair

 

 

4.35 Ekhtiaar & Vanquisher

 

 

5.10 High Style, Just Dust & Star Strider

 

Continue reading “Diary: September 19 2006” →

Pinpoint was the star performer for the list to follow over the weekend landing the ultra competitive Heritage Handicap at Newbury at 7/1.  There were other good performances, notably from Borderlescott who was 2^nd in the Ayr Gold Cup.  In fact he won the “main race” on his side of the track.  It was unusual for the winner to come from such a small group on the far side.  Still, Fonthill Road has himself been narrowly beaten in big races before so it would be difficult to begrudge him his victory.

 

Other list horses to run well were Nidhaal and Ouninpohja who both came 2^nd in their races.  I had a few successes on the tipping front, notably with Excellent Art who won the Mill Reef Stakes in a bobbing finish under a stylish ride from Kerrin McEvoy.  I got it all wrong in the Newbury nursery though where Captain Marvellous won under top weight.

 

There is not a lot to comment on about Monday’s racing.  Dansil in Distress makes her debut in the 2.20 Folkestone.  She is a half sister to a number of winners including The Judge.

 

Queensgate should be there or thereabouts in the nursery at 3.25.

 

Coeur de Lionne was an eyecatcher on his debut at Kempton and erturns there for the 2.10.

 

Asturias looks one to watch in the 2.45 on breeding.

 

The only runner from our list to follow is Hotel Du Cap in the 5.20.  He was second at Leicester after an absence of a year and should come on for that.

Continue reading “Diary: September 18 2006” →

I have tried to put more emphasis on the 2 year olds this season and I was pleased that two featured last night won, Teslin and Opera Music.  Authorized ran a most encouraging race in 3^rd behind Teslin.

  

Of the list horses Zomerlust was only beaten a head in the Ayr Silver Cup.

  

Another sprinter from our list, Ice Planet, carries top weight in the 1.40 at Ayr tomorrow. He has been running well without winning this season.  He has been campaigned at 6 furlongs in recent times and there is no obvious reason why the extra furlong in this race should suit him.

  

The Rock of Gibraltar filly Roxan looked good when winning at Beverley on her debut but then cut no ice at Ascot.  She comes back after a break in the 2.10 and it will be interesting to see how she gets on.

  

Rio Riva (two wins at 9s and 8s) and Blythe Knight who won the Lincoln at 22/1 have been among the stars of the list to follow and certainly owe me nothing.  They both run in the 2.40 with Rio Riva looking to have a solid chance.

                 

Borderlescott and Intrepid Jack represent the list to follow in the Ayr Gold Cup at 3.15. Borderlescott won the Stewards Cup so is at home in big fields and he acts on any ground.  He is my choice in what has been described in another Internet article as a ‘loose change’ race, not a wallet job.

  

Ouninpohja is a difficult horse to weight up.  A winner 5 times last season he has become a professional runner up this season and does tend to carry his head high.  Can’t be ruled out of the 4.25 if finding his best.

  

The 2.25 at Newbury features a number of horses that I have discussed in these jottings during the season, Captain Marvellous, Lipocco, El Bosque, Kings Bastion and Cheap Street.  I will go for Lipocco, Cheap Street and El Bosque in that order.

  

Excellent Art has been running with credit in top company and is narrowly preferred to Bahama Mama in the 2.55.

  

We have a couple of list runners in the 3.30.  I prefer Pinpoint here to Classic Punch.  Pinpoint is consistent and does not have too many miles on the clock.

  

Tournedos should pay his way this autumn.  He has a stiff task in the 4.05 where Eistedfodd will be running in the Elite Racing Club colours.

  

Mostashaar put in an improved effort last time out when 2^nd to Cesare and he should run a big race in the 4.40.

  

It is possible that we have already had our moneys worth out of Meikle Barfil with his 16/1 win at Salisbury.  Anyway, he is in action in the 1.45 at Warwick.

  

Radical Views has an each way chance in the 2.15, while Malt or Mash should improve for his debut run.  He goes in the 3.25.

  

Stagehand drops back in trip in the 3.55 and this should suit him.  He may well make all here with Maid of Ale a potential danger.

  

Harrison’s Flyer has been knocking on the door and runs in the 9.30 at Wolverhampton where he is a course winner.

  

The following horses from our list to follow are running on Sunday.

 

 

 Hamilton 4.45 Nidhaal 

 

See you Sunday evening.

Continue reading “Diary: September 16 & 17” →

Over the last 10 years the Ayr Silver Cup has only gone to a horse carrying less than 8 stone 12 once.  Both our list horses, Burning Incense and Zomerlust are in the right weight band and both have chances.  Both have live chances and are worth each way support.

   

The 2.00 has been won by some good horses in the past, including Dr Fong and Trade Fair.  Not sure if there is anything of that calibre in the race this year but Opera Music, 2^nd on his debut at Salisbury looks to have an each way chance.

  

Ideally was 4^th behind Water Mill in what was probably an above average maiden and Kempton and sets the standard in the 2.35.

  

The Royal Hunt Cup winner Cesare has been a good provider for this column.  He is stepped up in class in the 3.10 but is a lightly raced type and could certainly run into a place.

  

The 4.20 could turn into a hot little race. Tastahil was impressive when winning last time out at Kempton and certainly comes into the reckoning.  Teslin has run well in both his starts to date but the two newcomers are of particular interest.  Authorized was an expensive purchase and is related to numerous winners.  He looks one for next season but any market support would make him of interest on his debut.  Palamoun has an intriguing pedigree and is one for the notebook.

  

In the 4.55 Noojoom is bred for the job but horses from this yard usually need their first outing.

  

Exmoor has already done his job for my list by winning at 8/1 so anything further is probably a bonus.  This half brother to Million Percent runs in the 5.25

  

In the 5.55 Coup D’Etat has ticks in some of the right boxes and has an each way chance from a good draw.

  

That will do for tonight – back tomorrow for a look at the weekend when the highlight is the Ayr Gold Cup.

   

Continue reading “Diary: September 15 2006” →

Sir Nod did look a good bet at Beverley today and Tom Eves made the most of the draw bias on him to dictate matters from the front.  Julie Camacho has her horses in good form.

  

Another tip that won for me was Duke of Tuscany who also made just about every yard to win at Sandown.  The official winning margin was a neck but it looked rather more than that to me.  Duke of Tuscany stays well and should make up into a decent 3 year old next term.

  

At Ayr tomorrow Eau Good looks the one they have to beat in the 2.10.  Eager Ivor has shown some ability and could be the main threat while Par Siempre can improve on her debut run at Ripon.

  

Tom Eves won on a top weight for me today (Sir Nod) and I hope he can repeat the dose on Compromiznotension in the Ayr 4.50.  Compromiznotension made all to win a maiden at Newcastle and will probably be used in the same way tomorrow.

  

Swiss Act ran well enough on his debut to suggest he can go close in the 2.30 at Yarmouth.

  

The Illies won well on his handicap debut and can go in again in the 3.05.

  

Our list horses Consular and Cool Customer both have a shout in the 4.40 but neither is a certain runner.

  See you tomorrow

Continue reading “Diary: September 14 2006” →

The draw usually plays a major part in sprints at Beverley.  Sir Nod is drawn 16 of 17 in the 4.20 and as he has also shown good recent form he should go well – he certainly has ticks in most of the right boxes.

  

In the 5.25 the newcomer Aussie Blue makes some appeal both on pedigree and jockey booking but being drawn in stall 1 isn’t going to help.

  

I liked the way that Duke of Tuscany won at Goodwood and although Sandown is a very different track I fancy him to follow up in the 3.35.

  

There are some well bred types in the Yarmouth 2.20.  Red Blooded Woman and Extravagance are both worth looking out for.

  

There are some good reports about Monte Alto in the 2.55.  Might need the run.

 

Continue reading “Diary: September 13 2006” →

There are 3 runners from our list to follow tomorrow.

  

Sandown 3.15 Art Investor

  

4.25 Imperial Gain

  

Yarmouth 4.35 Goodricke

  Not much else to report.

Continue reading “Diary: September 12 2006” →