The focus over the weekend will be on the Guineas meeting at Newmarket and that is where I will start today’s jottings.
We’ll Come ran 3 times last season all at Newmarket. He came to my attention as he was twice runner up to horses I was following, Tudor Prince and Tredegar. He has since been gelded and looks the type to do well in handicaps this season. He runs in the 2.10. The concern could be his stamina over this trip but his brother won over a mile at 2 so fingers crossed. Thunder Storm Cat of Paul Cole's could be the danger.
The Cheveley Park Stud filly Echelon has run consistently throughout her career and has won twice at Group 3 level. The 9 furlongs of the 2.45 is probably about as far as she wants to go but she has won over the trip at Epsom and I would expect her to be involved at the business end of the race.
The 2,000 Guineas looks far from straightforward. Adagio impressed when winning the Craven but that race has not been a great trial in recent years. There is no denying that Adagio is a nice colt but may be more of a Derby sort. I can see him running well though. Dutch Art lost his unbeaten record in the Greenham at Newbury and may be more of a sprinter.
Al Shemali does not look good enough on the strength on his 4th behind Petara Bay. Aiden O’Brien has two runners. Duke of Marmalade looked a smart colt last season but suffered an injury on his 3rd and last start when chasing home Strategic Prince at Goodwood. The trip and ground will not be a problem for him. Eagle Mountain, who is by Rock of Gibraltar, won the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last season but looks more of a stayer and may find things happening to fast for him.
Haatef won a maiden at The Curragh before stepping up markedly on that effort to finish 4th in the Dewhurst. There is plenty of speed in his pedigree and that raises possible doubts over his stamina. Halicarnassus, trained by Mick Channon, was 3rd behind Major Cadeaux and Dutch Art in the Greenham and will like the fast ground.
Strategic Prince was 3rd in the Dewhurst last season behind Holy Roman Emperor and Teofilo. Neither of those rivals reopposes today and Strategic Prince will be more at home of the fast ground. He gets my selection in an open looking renewal.
If the Guineas was tough to solve the sprint handicap at 4.00 is a real puzzle. I started with a short (ish) list and tried to whittle it down. Mecca’s Mate might fund the ground a bit quick while although Firenze is respected the lack of a recent run is a negative. Dark Missile is another that may need the run and is also possibly better in small fields, while Fullandby would prefer easier ground. I am going to take a chance with Indian Trail who won this race in 2005. He si not the most consistent but has had a recent run when apprentice ridden but I see that Richard Hughes is booked tomorrow. Another that could run well at a big price is Bentong who broke the track record at Salisbury last season.
In the 4.35 I like the look of the Godolphin runner Eastern Anthem. He won a mile maiden at Nottingham and looks the sort to improve with time.
Mark Johnston has two runners in the 5.10, including Hearthstead Maison, one of our horses to follow. This race is over 10 furlongs and I have a feeling that this one will come into his own later in the season over a longer trip.
Finalmente is aptly named in the 5.45, the last race on the card, as it means finally in Italian. Frankie Dettori has the ride keeping up the Italian connection. Finalmente is a progressive sort who won 3 times last season and could well be better than handicap class. This trip might be on the short side for him though.
Secret Ploy is an interesting runner in the 2.25. The 7 year old makes his flat debut. He has some very decent bumper form and ridden by a capable claimer he could well eb good enough if he handles the fast ground.
Danzig River does not win too often and may not be the most genuine. He was well ridden by claimer Adele Rothery when winning last week at Leicester. The combination look to follow up in the 4.40 at Thirsk.
A winner at Pontefract last season, the American bred Flores Sea should have another win or two in him. He runs in the 5.15.
River Thames made a pleasing return when 4th at Thirsk recently and he looks well handicapped in the Goodwood 3.05. The 10 year old course and distance winner Smokin’ Beau could be the danger.
The unraced Destour is well bred and looks one to watch in the 4.50.
Before moving on to Sunday I want to give a mention to a couple of Luca Cumani’s handicappers that could be worth keeping an eye on this season. Futun (Newmarket 5.45) and Minority Report (Thirsk 3.00).
On Sunday Pinpoint heads the weights in the 1.45 having won the Newbury Spring Cup. The runner up that day, Royal Oath has a 3 lbs pull in the weights. I have kept Superseus on my list to follow for another year after he served me well last season. He might just find the ground a bit too lively unless we get some rain. I think the finish may concern Pinpoint and Royal Oath again.
St Leger winner Sixties Icon makes his seasonal bow in the Jockey Club Stakes at 2.30. With slight fitness and going doubts I would keep a watching brief on Sixties Icon.
Finsceal Beo apparently means living legend in gaelic and the filly seeks to grab a slice of immortality in the 1,000 Guineas. She has the best form on show and is my selection. Sander Camillo was a bit disappointing when beaten on her return to action in the Nell Gwyn and the main danger may come from Arch Swing. The other one from our list to follow is Princess Valerina but she has disappointed in her 2 runs this season.
Tax Free already has a win under his belt and will take some stopping in the Palace House Stakes at 3.45. He is just preferred to Presto Shinko who is better over 6 furlongs.
Dance of Light showed promise when 5th on her debut last season in a maiden against colts. She runs in the 4.55 where she is bred to appreciate the 10 furlongs.
I will be interested to see how Peppertree gets on in the 4.40 at Salisbury. Although a 4 year old she has very few miles on the clock and is the type her trainer does well with.
Monolith stays longer than the mother in law and was a winner of the Pontefract Cup last season. He may find the trip a bit of the short side in thye 3.55 at Hamilton. One of his rivals Balyan won the Ladies Derby at The Curragh in 2004 if you are interested – well he still won even if you aren’t interested. The race is named after Collier Hill.
Our old friend Seafield Towers makes his reappearance after an absence of 634 days in the Hamilton 5.40. He wins but rarely but he ahs won at 20/1 and 33/1 so you never know.
I know some of my readers follow Million Percent. He runs in the 5.15 at Salisbury. His last 5 wins have come on the all weather though.
I will be back on Sunday evening. Hope you back a winner or two.
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