Month: May 2007

The Epsom card tomorrow boasts 3 Group 1s, including the Oaks.

  

I will start though with the 1.40, which is a Group 3 and over 1 mile with the going expected to be soft.  Echelon won the race last year and has run consistently well in this sort of company.  Her preference seems to be for faster ground and that would be the main worry. Nannina is the form horse.  She won the Coronation Stakes last season and was only beaten 2 lengths by Ouija Board in the Nassau Stakes. Like Echelon though Nannina has shown her best form on decent ground.

  

The going may well prove an important factor in this race with the best 2 horses possibly not suited by the ground.

  

The 2.10 is a very competitive looking handicap.  Plum Pudding was a nice winner for our list to follow the other week at Newmarket.  That was on good to firm though and he has gone up 5 lbs in the weights as a result.

  

Rio Riva put in an excellent effort when 2^nd in the Lincoln from a bad draw. He was then short of room when 5^th at Ripon.  The soft ground won’t be a problem. Ordnance Row did us a favour last season when winning at 20/1 in a Chester Handicap. He has shaped well on his last couple of starts and should handle the ground.  Unshakeable last won in 2005 in a valuable handicap at Goodwood but showed he is in good nick when 2^nd last time out on the all weather.

  

Hold up merchant Uhoomagoo won this race in 2004 and was a winner at Royal Ascot last season but is unlikely to relish the soft ground.  Ordnance Row would be my selection.

  

There are two runners from our list to follow in the 2.45.  Forrager was a winner at Haydock in April but subsequently unplaced when upped in trip.  He is back to 10 furlongs tomorrow and should have the soft ground that is important to him.  Stotsfold just failed to carry top weight to victory at Chester on his last run.  He was 2^nd to Temple Place on that occasion with Blythe Knight in 3^rd.  Blythe Knight has since come out and won a listed race at York, franking the form in style.  Sotsfold has a very good record at Chester and should handle the Epsom track.  The only problem may be the ground as he ran poorly on the only other occasion he met soft going.

  

Both Forrager and Stotsfold should run well.

  

St Leger winner Sixties Icon was impressive when winning the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on his return to action.  He has won on soft ground and is my selection for the 3.25.

  

The Oaks looks very tricky to solve. Both Measured Tempo and Dance of Light have only run twice and may well be open to improvement.  In addition both should handle the ground so cannot be ruled out.

  

Passage of Time won the Musidora at York and that has been a reliable trial down the years. I will go with her as my selection.

  

There are two runners from our list to follow in the listed race at 4.50.  Mofarij is a half brother to Iffraaj and won in Dubai at the beginning of March.  He folded tamely though on his subsequent start at Windsor which is a concern.  I had high hopes for Escape Route at the start of the season but he has finished 3^rd in both his races thus far.  He was very unlucky behind El Bosque at Lingfield on his last run though where he met considerable trouble in running and he is worth another chance.

  

Captain Jacksparra has been a frustrating horse to follow as he has finished runner up on his last 3 starts.  He is nothing if not consistent though and should again be in the frame in the 5.25.

  

Turning to Goodwood I think that Ivy Creek may be coming back to form judged on his last run at Chester.  He looks to have a decent chance in the 7.20. 

  

At Bath old Smokin’ Beau makes his 106^th racecourse appearance in the 8.30.

 

Continue reading “Diary: June 1 2007” →

Looking back briefly to yesterday there was a gritty performance from the filly Allegretto to win the Henry II Stakes and thereby add another Group 2 to her CV, having won the Lancashire Oaks last season.  This was another win for the Cheveley Park Stud.  Their red and white silks have been seen aboard the likes of Russian Rhythm, Echelon and Cesare in recent times.

  

From a personal point of view I was pleased to see Eisteddfod take the 7 furlong conditions stakes at Leicester.  This was his 10^th career win for the Elite Racing Club.

  

Another Elite Racing Club stalwart is fancied in the Ayr 4.20 tomorrow.  Monolith was a winner last time out and conditions look likely to suit him.  The main danger looks to be the front running Dr Sharp but hopefully he will set the race up for Monolith to nab the honours close home.

  

The lightly raced Obstructive has been placed twice at Lingfield from 3 runs at the track and should again go well there in the 2.00.

  

The Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown looks like being a tight affair.  A case could be made for most of them but I will give a tentative vote to Tam Lin.  He showed some consistent form last season when trained by Sir Michael Stoute and is now with Godolphin.  He is untried on soft ground.

  

In the 7.50 New Jersey seems to have the best form on offer.

  

The Temple Stakes looks a tasty sprint with the in form trio of Moss Vale, Firenze and Sierra Vista my shortlist.  Narrow preference for Moss Vale.

  

My best offer at Yarmouth is Moody Tunes in the 3.40.

  

Bye for now

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 31 2007” →

Only time for a very brief update tonight – sorry about that.

  

There are just two runners from our list to follow in action tomorrow.

  

Beverley 7.50 Deserted Dane

  

Yarmouth 3.20 We’ll Come

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 30 2007” →

There has been news in the last few days of some retirements. Dancing Bay is a member of the fairly exclusive club of horses that have won on the flat, over hurdles and fences. He has recently been retired after a career that started in 1999.  He won 11 races in total but ran his best in defeat.  He was runner up to Mac’s Joy in the 2004 Swinton Hurdle and 2^nd in the Coral Cup the following year.  On the flat he was 2^nd in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2004.

  

The high class filly Peeress has also been retired this week.  She won 7 times including a couple of Group 1 races, The Sun Chariot in 2005 and the Lockinge in 2006.

  

Lastly and on a rather sadder note serious injury looks to have ended the career of Henry Daly’s top hurdler Mighty Man.  The injury was sustained at Punchestown in April.  Although twice placed in the World Hurdle it is for his exploits at Aintree that he will best be remembered.  He won the John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle in 2006 and 2007 and on both occasions beat the reigning World Hurdle champion. Until he was pulled up injured in Ireland he had only been out of the first two twice in 14 races.

   

I have been keeping an eye on the 3 year old races in the early part of the season and the following horses have caught my eye.

  

Elusive Dreams (J Gosden),  Flavious (M Stoute), Fondled (J Fanshawe), Gold Prospect (M Bell), Hazytoo (N Callaghan), Jamboretta (M Stoute), King’s Event (M Stoute), Lucarno (J Gosden), Manbar (M Stoute), Praxiteles (M Stoute), Riggins (L Cumani), Spice Route (M Bell), Sister Act (J Fanshawe), Wing Express (L Cumani).

  

Looking at tomorrow’s racing there is not a lot that makes much appeal.  In the 6.10 at Sandown Tatbeeq is a half sister to several winners including Crosspeace and So Sweet and is one to watch out for.

  

In the 6.40 the lightly raced Queen’s Best will handle the ground and looks to have strong claims.

  

In the 7.50 Mount Kilimanjaro represents our list to follow.  He won a tactical affair at Nottingham last time out and has winning form on soft ground.  He should go well.  Among his rivals is Allegretto, winner of last season’s Lancashire Oaks who has a first time visor, and last years winner Tungsten Strike.

  

Magic Mountain tried to make all at Chester last time but was swallowed up.  The extra distance in the 8.20 should not be a problem tomorrow but he is unproven on soft ground.

  

Black Rock was 3^rd to Diamond Tycoon at Newbury and the form of that race is working out very well.  He is likely to be favourite for the 8.50 where the main concern would be the trip as he is bred along miling lines.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 29 2007” →

Reg Hollinshead’s one eyed sprinter Gilded Cove has run 61 times in his career but only 7 of these have been on turf.  His 12 wins have some at Wolverhampton (10) and Southwell (2).  He runs in the 2.50 at Carlisle tomorrow, his first ever visit to that track.  He runs off a rating of 64 – he has won off 70.

  

Prince Evelith has won 3 of his last 4 starts and I would be hopeful that he can add to that tally this season for canny trainer Alan Swinbank.  He holds a good chance in the Carlisle 3.25.

  

Passion Fruit certainly does her winning normally north of Watford Gap as her wins thus far have come at Carlisle, Ayr, Newcastle and Thirst.  She tries her luck in the 3.10 as far south as Leicester where distance and ground look ideal.

  

Imperial Gain only has one career win to his credit but his move to the stable of Milton Bradley may well bring about some improvement.  The horse has shown ability in the past and finished strongly in 3^rd place two runs ago at Sandown.  He has a win in him possibly at decent odds.  He runs in the 4.55 at Leicester.

  

Up at Redcar Salaasa represents our list to follow in the 3.15.  Salaasa was last of 9 at Sandown after winning at Pontefract.  There may have been something amiss at Sandown and worth another chance.

  

Hasaad won at the start of the month at Ascot The step up to 10 furlongs for the Zetland Gold Cup (Redcar 3.50) should not be a problem and he looks a leading contender.

  

Currahee is related to a few winners but is yet to show a great deal on the racecourse himself. He runs in the 5.30 for trainer Julie Camacho.  Some rain would help his cause.

  

That is about all for today.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 28 2007” →

After Pam Sly’s success with Speciosa last season Cockney Rebel is flying the flag for the smaller yards.  He became only the 6^th horse to land the Newmarket/Curragh 2,000 Guineas double today.

  

It was not a particularly good day for my list to follow with only Artimino managing a win.  Artimino, trained by James Fanshawe and running in the red and white of the Cheveley Park Stud looks a progressive sort and one to keep on the right side.  Of the rest, Supersonic Dave ran a cracker behind the impressive Lucano.  Brian Meehan clearly thinks a lot of Supersonic Dave and as this was only his second appearance on a racecourse further improvement looks assured.

  

Elsewhere our old friend Sierra Vista set a blistering pace in the opening sprint at Haydock and none of her rivals could land a blow.  This was her 11^th career win and her 4th at Haydock.

 

Staying with the sprinters old rivals Moss Vale and Benbaun clashed at the Curragh.  Almost a year ago to the day Moss Vale beat Benbaun by 2 lengths at Chantilly but this time Benbaun managed to reverse the placing.

  

Al a lower level Million Percent is a horse I have features from time to time in these pages. His win this afternoon from the plum number 1 stall at Catterick was the 10^th of his career, the last 3 have now come at 25/1, 12/1 and 8/1.

  

Looking forward to tomorrow Dylan Thomas, last season’s Irish Derby winner looks the one to beat in the 3.00 at The Curragh.  Mick Channon’s Youmzain looks the one to give the Irish horse most to do.

  

The big race at The Curragh is the 1,000 Guineas at 3.35.  Finsceal Beo was an impressive winner of the English Guineas before being caught on the line in the French version.  The main danger may come from Arch Swing who finished 2^nd to Finsceal Beo at Newmarket despite having to run up the middle of the track.  The John Oxx trained filly might well get closer this time and if the favourite has not fully recovered from her efforts in France Arch Swing could possibly reverse the placings.  The 3^rd horse from our list to follow is Offbeat Fashion who will need to improve on previous efforts to take a hand in the finish.

  

At Newmarket Notepad, who makes her debut in the 2.45 is the subject of encouraging reports and is one to watch.

  

I never seem to have much luck tipping Sir Michael Stoute’s runners so you might want to lay this one!  Anyway I am going for Ladies Best, a progressive 2 year old last season and ridden by the in form Kerrin McEvoy to land the 3.15.

  

Transcend has been knocking on the door in her two runs so far this season and looks like starting favourite in the 4.25.  The once raced Destour showed enough promise when 4^th at Goodwood to suggest she has an each way claim.

  

Good luck

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 27 2007” →

We did well with the horses featured in last night’s preview.  Illustrious Blue won the listed race at Goodwood keeping up the successful record of 4 year olds in that event.  Illustrious Blue showed an excellent attitude to score for the 5^th time at the Sussex track.

  

Record Breaker gave a similarly gutsy performance to make all in the 11 furlong handicap on the same card.  Joe Fanning is one of the best on a front runner and was seen to good effect here.

  

We also had a couple of winners at Haydock.  Fifty Cents made slightly hard work but managed to justify his short starting price while Luca Cumani’s Lion Sands won in good style and should move on to better things.

  

Bo McGinty is an interestingly named horse.  He is owned by Paddy McGinty and Bo Turnbull.  He is a bit of a rogue but has run well at Beverley in the past and could well make the frame there again in the 4.00.

  

In the Irish 2,000 Guineas there appears to be confidence behind Aiden O’Brien’s Duke of Marmalade (one for spread betting perhaps) and he can reverse form with Cockney Rebel on his own patch.

  

The 2.05 at Haydock will take some winning with the in form trio of Sierra Vista, Corridor Creeper and River Falcon all sure to have their supporters.  There are  2 runners from our list to follow in the race: the Dandy Nicholls trained Buachaill Dona and John Quinn’s Fantasy Explorer.  I am going to side with Buachaill Dona narrowly.

  

In the 3.05 Green Room represents our list to follow. She ran a tad disappointingly last time at Newbury and it might well be that she needs some give in the ground.

  

Thunder Storm Cat won a Newbury maiden last season that has worked out well and he looked to be going the right way when 3^rd at Newmarket 3 weeks ago.  He should be on the premises in the 3.40.

  

In the 5.15 Osteopathic Remedy has an each way chance at around 12/1.

  

The 2.20 at Newmarket looks interesting with 3 runners from our list to follow.  Hearthstead Maison was runner up in the Lingfield Derby Trial with Mythical Kid 5^th.  This shorter trip might just suit the Godolphin horse better but I think I will stick with Hearthstead Maison for my selection.  Supersonic Dave won his only start last season in a Newmarket maiden and it would not be a complete surprise if he were to run well.

  

Paul Cole’s Tredegar is joint top weight in the 3.45.  He was a winner twice last term but comes here on the back of a poor run last time.   My each way selection here would be Artiminio who did not get a clear run last time out and has a first time tongue Tie.

  

I will go for another James Fanshawe runner in the 5.00 where the lightly arced Peppertree should be all the better for her seasonal debut run at Salisbury and will like the ground.

  

See you tomorrow

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 26 2007” →

As usual I will concentrate on the runners from our list to follow that are in action tomorrow.

  

Illustrious Blue has looked as though he could land a listed race. His 2^nd to Cesare at Ascot reads well especially as the trip was probably on the short side for him.  4 year olds have a good record in the 2.35 and he should go well.

  

I have had success following Mark Johnston in 3 year old handicaps and he runs Record Breaker in the 3.45.

  

Fifty Cents made a very good impression on his only run as a 2 year old at Newbury.  HE makes his seasonal reappearance in the Haydock 3.55.

  

Macedon was 4^th to Pinpont in then Newbury Spring Cup, a race that has since provided a number of winners.  He runs in the 4.30.

  

Lion Sands holds a Group 2 entry and is fancied to go well in the 5.40.

  

Hello Nod represents our list in the 9.00 at Pontefract.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 25 2007” →

This week has been pretty disastrous thus far but we live in hope!

  Cabinet won at Lingfield last October over 7 furlongs and should appreciate the trip in the 2.00 where Frankie Dettori rides for Sir Michael Stoute.  

There are only 4 runners for the 2.35 with two from our list to follow. I thought Eastern Anthem ran a promising race when 3^rd to Salford Mill at Newmarket and I fancy him to go well tomorrow where the 12 furlongs should suit him.  Halicarnassus made no show in the Guineas.  There is perhaps a doubt about his stamina over the trip and Eastern Anthem is slightly preferred.

  

Noble Minstrel has always appealed as a likely useful staying handicapper.  I had him on my list to follow last season but he only raced once.  He has made up for lost time since and goes for a hat trick of wins in the 3.45.

  

In the 4.20 Sir Mark Prescott’s debut runner Limelight comes from a very talented pedigree line and is one to watch closely.

  

In the maiden at 6.40 Hughie Morrison introduces Fervent Prince, a half brother to Intrepid Jack.  Might need the run obviously but one to watch out for nonetheless.

  

See you tomorrow

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 24 2007” →