After Pam Sly’s success with Speciosa last season Cockney Rebel is flying the flag for the smaller yards. He became only the 6th 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 11th 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 10th 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 4th at Goodwood to suggest she has an each way claim.
Good luck
ahorse 