Just one selection today. Jim Goldie’s Blazing Heights in the Ayr 3.50.
Continue reading “Diary: May 23 2007”
Month: May 2007
Diary: May 22 2007
Runner from our list to follow tomorrow are as follows.
Beverley 4.50 Bollin Felix
Leicester 6.30 Monte Alto: 7.30 Pentatonic.
Lingfield 4.10 Free Offer & Tetouan: 4.40 Escape Route
Southwell 5.00 Vanquisher
Diary: May 21 2007
The results from Ripon today were satisfactory with both the horses from our list to follow winning; My Arch at 13/2 and Northern Jem at 6/4.
For for those that follow the fortunes of the old Platinum Racing Club horses Platinum Charmer (2.40) and Legal Set (3.10) are in action at Musselburgh tomorrow. Old Seafield Towers runs in the 3.40. He tends to pop up at a big price on occasions but I am not sure about the trip for him here and he is not well drawn.
Bye for now.
Diary: May 20 2007
Red Evie and Plum Pudding were winners from our list to follow while Captain Jacksparra did best of the rest, occupying the runners up spot.
The best race at Ripon tomorrow is the 3.40. Julie Camacho may provide the answer to this with Rio Riva who ran well in the Lincoln. The main danger looks likely to come from My Paris who won the Thirsk Hunt Cup earlier this month.
Kevin Ryan trains My Paris and he saddles that horse’s half brother My Arch in the 4.40. A good draw and first time blinkers make this one an interesting prospect.
Northern Jem is a half brother to the prolific winner Polar Jem and has been knocking on the door with a couple of placed efforts. He represents our list to follow in the 5.10.
See you tomorrow.
Diary: May 19 2007
I hope you managed to find a winner or two last week without my expert guidance! I thought I would start today’s jottings with a look back at the racing scene since I have been away.
Last Friday Monte Alto only had to be shaken up to win on his reappearance at Lingfield in a 3 year old 7 furlong maiden. Luca Cumani’s colt is clearly going the right way and can rate higher, especially over further. Monte Alto was a very skinny price but we did have a winner at a nice price from our list to follow down at Nottingham on the same day. The stoutly bred Bollin Felix, blinkered for the first time appreciated a step up in trip and stayed on well under in form apprentice Duran Fentiman. At 10/1 Bollin Felix was a welcome winner for my somewhat flagging list to follow.
Winners from the list continued on Saturday, and Zidane, who has been a good servant to these pages scored in a competitive 6 furlong event at Ascot at 7/2. Zidane is a half brother to Frizzante and Firenze both of whom have featured on my list to follow.
There was also a big 6 furlong sprint at Haydock which featured a number of real old favourites. In teeming rain the red and white hoops of Sierra Vista made all in typically tough fashion into the teeth of a gale, with Borderlescott 2nd and Fonthill Road flashing home in 3rd. This was Sierra Vista’s 10th career win and at 8/1 she kept up her amazing record of winning at most attractive odds. Borderlescott of course won the Stewards Cup last season while Fonthill Road won the Ayr Gold Cup last season with Borderlescott runner up. Three cracking sprinters.
The Lingfield Derby Trial went to Marcus Tregoning’s Aqaleem while on the same Lingfield card Blue Ksar gave Godolphin a winner.
While Zidane was winning at Ascot his half sister Firenze was keeping up the family tradition winning a 6 furlong listed contest at Nottingham.
Staying with the sprinters I was interested to see old Trojan Flight get his head in front at Thirsk, as usual coming from well off the pace. This was his first run for Richard Fahey.
On Monday our list had a winner thanks to Leptis Magna at Windsor, another having a first run for a new trainer, in this case David Elsworth. Leptis Magna ran 3 times as a juvenile and showed some promise. He won this well going away from another of our list horses Rock Anthem. Both can win again.
At York on Wednesday Henry Cecil’s Passage of Time ran a satisfactory Oaks trial while Amadeus Wolf bounced back to form to power home in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes. He threatens to take high order in the sprinting ranks.
The highlight on Thursday was the impressive performance of Authorized in the Dante. He looks a worthy Derby favourite.
Other notable efforts on Thursday were Terentia’s win in the sprint handicap and Blythe Knight’s success later in the afternoon. At 12/1 Terentia was a nice winner for our list to follow and there were encouraging performances from other “listers” Hogmaneigh, Knot in Wood and Pacific Pride. Corridor Creeper was a gallant runner up having filled the same position behind Caribbean Coral last week at Chester.
Blythe Knight is a tough individual and his success in the 1 mile Hambleton Handicap was the 7th of his career. He is of course a previous winner of the Lincoln.
Tim Easterby is enjoying a fine run of form at the moment and his Bollin Derek was a decisive winner of the 14 furlong handicap at York on Thursday. He is a half brother to Bollin Felix mentioned earlier.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Dance of Light only raced once as a two year old catching the eye in a Newmarket maiden. She won nicely on her reappearance at Salisbury on Thursday and should be able to go on to better things.
There was jumps action at Ludlow on Thursday evening where 3 races particularly took my eye. Mr Ed has been knocking at the door and he was 2nd in the handicap chase. This tall gelding ran well enough and should find a race before too long. Former flat winner Wooly Bully won the handicap hurdle for Evan Williams. He could well have a profitable summer jumps campaign. In the hunter chase Paul Nicholls’s Le Passing was all the rage and was clearly the best horse in the race on form. In the event though he was unable to quite get to the 15 year old Longstone Boy who won by a short head. In 3rd was Viscount Bankes who is something of a course specialist. This one is trainer in Oxfordshire by Rosemary Gasson and is described as “headstrong but harmless” by the trainer.
Friday produced 3 winners from our list to follow at Newbury, Sakhee’s Secret, Measured Tempo and Mujahaz, the latter at 15/2 for John Dunlop and jockey Steve Carson.
There was a very taking performance from Barry Hill’s juvenile Janina in the opener at York. She made it two wins from 2 starts and looks smart.
So much for the week just gone – let’s turn our attention to Saturday’s racing. Starting with the two year old maiden at 1.35 there are good reports about John Gosden’s Revivalism.
The showpiece of the Newbury card is of course the Lockinge Stakes, a Group 1 contest at 2.45. Secret World, a former winner of the Wood Ditton has had injury problems. He made no show on his return to the track last month but remains a horse with plenty of potential. Red Evie won a remarkable 7 times lasts season and cannot be ruled out but I will take a chance with the consistent Peeress for my selection.
Swinbrook is an interesting runner in the 3.50. He won at Leicester last April beating Zidane. He went up in the weights for that success but is creeping down to a more realistic mark and is one to keep an eye on. Hayley Turner rides him tomorrow.
My each way selection in the 4.25 is John Hill’s Diamond Diva. A winner at Lingfield last season she was a decent 3rd on her reappearance at Goodwood last week. Jamie Spencer will be in the plate.
Transcend was runner up in a Nottingham maiden last month and should go on better in the Newmarket 1.50. He is a half brother to the useful Suggestive.
In the 2.25 it could well be worth giving Acheekyone another chance to fulfil the promise of last month's good reappearance run at Newbury, a subsequent failure on the AW at Kempton excusable on account of his being trapped out wide. Plum Pudding has won twice over C&D and has enough going for him to be next best.
In the 3.00 Yossi looks the one to beat. He was 2nd at Haydock last month, should appreciate the going and his stable seem in good from.
The 3.35 looks a competitive staying handicap. There are 3 runners from our list to follow and they all have chances. The consistent Juniper Girl comes into the reckoning. She goes well for her apprentice rider and stays very well. Some more rain would aid her chances. Colloquial is a horse I particularly like but he may need the run so I will side with Finalmente for my selection. I was impressed with his 3rd at Newmarket earlier this month and the additional 2 furlongs here should not be a problem.
We have a list runner in the 4.05. Passion Fruit was 3rd at Hamilton over a mile on her last outing and this 7 furlongs should be more her bag of oats.
Kevin Ryan has his horses in good form and his Captain Jacksparra has an each way chance in the 3.40 at Thirsk.
Dig Deep has already won for our list to follow this season and looks to follow up in the 4.45. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out but hi best form has been reserved for the all weather.
River Thames ran a shocker last time at Goodwood and I am prepared to draw a line through that run. He looks well handicapped and I will give him another chance in the 5.20.
That is all for this evening.
Diary: May 11 & 12 2007
Today’s selections at Chester were not too far off the mark so let’s see if we can find a winner or two at the Roodeye tomorrow.
The admirable Peppertree Lane steps up in class in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at 2.50. Chester might just suit his front running style. A bit more rain would help his chances. The classy Scorpion may just be too good for his rivals if back to his best though.
My Arch represents our list to follow in the last race on the card at 4.35. He is a half brother to recent winner My Paris and to flat and hurdles winner My Will. He was down the field last time over 7 furlongs at Leicester but this longer trip may well be more his bag of oats.
Passion Fruit should strip fitter for his run 8 days ago at Thirsk. He runs in the 8.20 at Hamilton.
Staying at Hamilton Haifa has ticks in most of the right boxes in the 8.50.
My best bet of the day is in the Lingfield 1.40 where Pairumani Princess looks well handicapped. She was a winner on the track over a mile last season and is bred to appreciate the extra distance tomorrow.
In the 4.20 I like the look of Monte Alto of Luca Cumani’s. He was 3rd on both of his starts last season and the form looks quite reliable.
Bollin Felix shapes like a dour stayer and the trip should be in his favour in the 3.00 at Nottingham.
James Fanshawe introduces an interesting newcomer in Fondled who runs in the 4.10. She is related to the top class filly Islington.
Looking forward to Saturday I see that Star of Light runs in the listed contest at Ascot (1.45.) He has a bit to do at this level but this is his optimum trip and if the rain stays away he could go well.
There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 3.35 at Ascot, Geojimali, Stanley Goodspeed and Zidane. If the ground is on the fast side I would give Stanley Goodspeed an each way chance.
Junior is our list runner in the 4.10. Strictly on the book he should not be able to beat Ned Ludd on the basis of their running together 3 weeks ago. He is a lightly raced progressive type though and might still be hard to beat.
We have 3 list runners in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Aqaleem showed promise in two starts last term and should be all the better for the step up in trip. Hearthstead Maison won at Newmarket last week over 10 furlongs. He had earlier been well beaten in listed company this 12 furlong trip may bring out further improvement and I don’t think his astute trainer would run him here if he wasn’t hopeful. Mythical Kid si related to the top class Divine Proportions. He has the form to win this but seems a bit temperamental and his stable are not yet quite firing.
Gull Wing and Sunlight represent our list to follow in the Oaks Trial at 3.45.
Blue Ksar won his last 2 starts in 2006 and reappears in the 4.20. Should make a bold bid.
There are two runners from our list to follow at the evening meeting at Warwick.
Grey Boy runs in the 7.30 and should have his ideal conditions as long as the weather stays dry. He looks to have an each way chance. In the 8.00 much will be expected of Malaath who won on his only start last season. She probably didn’t beat much in that race but the manner of her performance took the eye of many good judges.
The next update will be on Friday May 18.
On Wenlock Edge
On Wenlock Edge the wood's in trouble;
His forest fleece the Wrekin heaves;
The gale, it plies the saplings double,
And thick on Severn snow the leaves.
'Twould blow like this through holt and hanger
When Uricon the city stood:
'Tis the old wind in the old anger,
But then it threshed another wood.
Then, 'twas before my time, the Roman
At yonder heaving hill would stare:
The blood that warms an English yeoman,
The thoughts that hurt him, they were there.
There, like the wind through woods in riot,
Through him the gale of life blew high;
The tree of man was never quiet:
Then 'twas the Roman, now 'tis I.
The gale, it plies the saplings double,
It blows so hard, 'twill soon be gone:
To-day the Roman and his trouble
Are ashes under Uricon.
A E Houseman
Diary: May 10 2007
Not a bad haul from the horses featured last night, with a winner and a couple of seconds. Swiss Act provided the win at rewarding odds of 5/1. He looks a typical Mark Johnston 3 year old, tough and progressive.
Temple Place gave Donald McCain a rare flat winner. This one used to be trained by Michael Bell and was quite highly regarded at one time. This was his 4th career win and they have come at odds of 20s, 12s, 8s and now 50/1.
Tomorrow’s card at the Roodeye looks plenty trappy enough. Maraahel will be a warm order in the opener and is the most likely winner. If you want to take him on then Ivy Creek of Geoff Wragg’s could be the one.
There are plenty of speedsters in the 2.20. Corridor Creeper is a course and distance winner and particularly well handicapped on his best form. He handles any ground. Dhaular Dhar has an impressive record at Chester. Mr Wolf comes out of the favoured number 1 stall and could be a major player. He is better over 6 furlongs though and wouldn’t want too much rain. Kay Two on the other hand is most effective with cut in the ground and 5 furlongs is his trip. He should be all the better for his recent narrow defeat at the Hands of Cape Royal at Epsom. Cape Royal himself and course and distance winner Caribbean Coral are others to consider.
In the last 10 years no horse has won this from a double figures draw and only two have carried more than 9 stone to victory. In 8 of the last 10 years the winner has come from one of the 6 lowest draws. Three of the horses I have short listed meet those criteria, Caribbean Coral, Mr Wolf and Kay Two. I will give a narrow preference to Kay Two.
In the 2.50 the Aiden O’Brien runner will be odds on. Again, if you want to take on the favourite Sir Michael Stoute’s Arabian Gulf won well at Newmarket and should relish the extra couple of furlongs here if acting on the sharp track.
In the 3.20 Magic Mountain would be my each way selection. A winner at Salisbury last season he was out of his depth when beaten at Sandown on his last start. Does not look too badly treated off a mark of 87.
The 4.35 looks to be between Al Tharib and Urban Spirit.
At Goodwood Diamond Diva represents our list to follow in the 4.20. She won on the all weather on her final start last season and looks a potential improver.
Manbar is dropped in class and should be able to take the 4.55.
For the benefit of the Legal Set fan club the old boy runs in the 6.20 at Ayr. He is on one helluva losing sequence but did show a glimmer of form on his latest start.
If you keep backing Seafield Towers and keep your fingers and everything else firmly crossed there is always a chance he will pop up at a daft price eventually. He runs in the Ayr 7.50 where Throw the Dice would be the more logical form pick I suppose.
Bye for now.
Diary: May 9 2007
The main meeting tomorrow is at Chester where our list to follow is represented in the 3.20 by Walter Swinburne’s Stotsfold. This gelding has won 4 of his 9 career starts, two of those coming over course and distance. He holds obvious claims.
Trainer Mark Johnston won the 4.00 two years ago with Quizzene. He saddles Swiss Act this time, a winner last year at Hamilton. Should go well.
Over the jumps hat trick seeking Inherent looks the one to beat in the 4.55.
See you tomorrow
Diary: May 8 2007
There is only one runner from our list to follow on what is a low key day’s racing on Tuesday.
In the Chepstow 2.40 Composing is dropped in class and comes from a stable in form.
ahorse 