Month: July 2007

Tonight’s bulletin will cover both Friday and Saturday.

  

Friday

  

I see that Sylvester Kirk saddles Ballora in the Newbury 1.30.  This filly is apparently well thought of by connections. The stable’s juveniles usually need their first run but I would certainly keep an eye on this one for the future.

  

Rainbow Promises makes a belated return to action in the 3.40.  Brian Meehan has always thought of her as a Group class filly and she broke the juvenile course record at Lingfield last season.  She may well be able to take this if fully would up with the consistent Vital Statistics the likely danger.

  

Brian Meehan introduces an interesting newcomer in Queen Scarlet in the 6.15 at Newmarket.  She is a half sister to the high class miler Nannina.  Another runner to look out for is Luca Cumani’s Time Control, a filly with an excellent pedigree.

  

We’ll Come was a solid 3^rd last time out at Newmarket where he couldn’t cope with a devastating finishing burst from Tybalt.  He is back to 7 furlongs in the 6.45 and has solid claims.  The other runner from our list to follow is Flores Sea who has been unplaced on his last 3 starts since winning over this trip at Thirsk.

  

Tetouan has only been out of the first 2 once in his last 5 starts.  He should again be on the premises in the 7.50.

  

I have an abysmal record when following Sir Michael Stoute runners.  Lang Shining is the latest to get the kiss of death in the 8.20.  He was a promising 3^rd on his only start as a 2 year old.

  

Mutajarred goes for a hat trick in the Nottingham 3.55. He was a runaway winner last time out at York and a 6lbs penalty may not be enough to stop him on his favoured heavy going.

  

Julatten is an interesting one.  She is a half sister to the high class Irish hurdler Iktitaf.  She has had 3 runs as a juvenile over sprint distances and makes her handicap debut over a mile in the 4.55 at Nottingham.

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 7.35 at Pontefract.  Bo McGinty has been running well this season and deserves to win one of these.  He is well drawn and has the benefits of a very talented apprentice taking 3 lbs off. Pacific Pride and Geojimali have both been a bit out of sorts lately.

  

Saturday

  

Eastern Gift was 4^th on his debut at Ascot.  He can go one better in the 7.30 at Lingfield.

  

In the 2.30 at Newbury I like the look of Reverence and Al Qasi.  Reverence might be one to avoid if the word soft does not appear in the going description.  Baltic King would have an each way chance on a fast surface.

  

Plum Pudding indicated that he might be coming back to form last time out at Sandown and he could go well in the 2.50.

  

Our list to follow is well represented in the 4.25.  Stotsfold may find this company a little too hot while Caldra may need the run and would prefer good or softer ground. I will take a chance with Hearthstead Maison to outbattle Blue Ksar.

  

Star of Light has not had his ground all season but if the going rides on the fast side in the 5.00 I would give him a chance.

  

In the 2.35 Portal may be able to reverse the form with her Lancashire Oaks conqueror Turbo Linn.  The other runner from our list to follow is John Dunlop’s Green Room.

  

Escape Route has been unlucky in his last couple if runs and is my tip to put things right in the 3.05 at Newmarket.

  

Cape needs a bit of cut in the ground so conditions will be the key to her chance in the 3.55.

  

Deserted Dane may have struggled in the heavy ground last time out and is worth another chance in the 5.15.  Bo McGinty is also entered.

  

Osteopathic Remedy represents our list to follow in the 7.40 at Haydock Park.

  

See you on Saturday evening.

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 20 & 21 2007” →

Qualifierts from our list to follow.

  

Wednesday

  

8.20 Kempton Comma & Sunlight

  

Thursday

  

Folkestone 7.30 Diamond Diva;  8.05 Pentatonic

  

Leicester 3.15 Fisberry; 3.50 Al Tharib & Rallying Cry

  

Sandown 8.20 Rock Anthem

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 18 & 19 2007” →

Kevin Ryan’s River Thames is on a decent mark if he can rediscover his best form. As a 2 year old he was 3^rd in the Group 2 Flying Childers but has now dropped to a mark of 70.  He has form on soft ground and Jamie Spencer has been booked to ride him for the first time in the 3.30 at Ayr.

  

There are a couple of runners from our list to follow in the 4.00. They have had contrasting fortunes so far this season with How’s She Cuttin’ having won 3 and Buachaill Dona yet to get off the mark.  How’s She Cuttin’ has not been out of the first 2 in her last 9 starts.  She started the season on a mark of 63 and has now gone up to 86 so life is getting increasingly difficult for her. Her draw should suit her style of running though.  Buachaill Dona won at York last August beating Terentia and looked a horse with a bright future.  That win came off a mark of 91 and he has now dropped down to 96.  He looked progressive last season and with a couple of runs under his belt already this season he could strike here.

  

Moving on to Tuesday there are 3 from our lit to follow in the 9.15 at Kempton. Of the two trained by Hughie Morrison, Duty Free and Composing, the former seems the best on the basis of his 2^nd at Bath last week.  Alleviate is a half sister to Allegretto and was 2^nd in a race at Beverley last time out.  Duty Free would be my selection.

  

Dance of Light was 7^th in the Oaks and drops down to 10 furlongs in the 7.55 at Yarmouth.

  

Next bulletin will be on Tuesday evening.

 

Continue reading “Diary; July 16 & 17” →

The various betting scandals and other problems concerning our jockeys have not done the image of the sport any favours over the last couple of years.  I was sorry to see Tony Culhane become the latest to suffer a ban. Culhane partnered old Quito to 14 of his wins to date including the Ayr Gold Cup in 2003.

  

On a more positive note I read an article in one of the Sunday papers highlighting the number of promising young jockeys that are coming though at the moment.  Luke Morris, who gave such a super ride to Juniper Girl in the Northumberland Plate, and Greg Fairley who won on Hearthstead Maison yesterday were among those featured.

  

A young newcomer that has caught my eye this season is Adele Rothery.  She rode Just James and Danzig River, neither an easy ride, to victory earlier in the season and then took Turnkey from last to first at Pontefract last week.  She is one to watch out for as she is well worth her allowance.

  

Star of the show today was Sakhee’s Secret who took the July Cup in style with Dutch Art finishing well in second.  This was his 4^th win of the season which is the best score for any of the horses on our list to follow.  Copernican, Tax Free, Bollin Felix and How’s She Cuttin’ come next on 3 each.  The biggest priced winner so far is Hearthstead Maison at 25/1, with Deserted Dane and Mount Kilimanjaro having both won at 20s.

  

Going back to this afternoon’s racing I was hopeful about Artimino and We’ll Come in the opener at HQ but although they ran well in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively they were no match for Tybalt who really flashed home in style. 

  

Newcomer Laureldean Gale, who I mentioned last night was a well backed winner of the 2 year old maiden at Newmarket while Mutajarred revelled in the mud at York to win the 4.30 by a wide margin.  Blazing Heights (2^nd) and Princess Valerina (3^rd) ran well in their respective races.

  

Once again there is no shortage of meetings on tomorrow and Sunday.  I will take them in alphabetical order starting at Ascot tomorrow.  Cesare is yet to win in Group company but he has his favoured ground in the Group 2 Sony Summer Mile at 2.50.  Of the rest both Dunelight and Royal Oath have shown their best form on a sound surface.

  

There are 2 runners from our list to follow in the 5.40.  Dig Deep won early in the season on the all weather but has not shown the same form on turf.  On the other hand the consistent Obstructive seems to handle both types of surface and with a useful apprentice in the plate he looks sure to run well.

  

Dr Sharp loves soft ground and is a course and distance winner so should give a good account of himself in the 4.45 at Chester.

  

There are some real old Russellform favourites running in the 7.20 at Hamilton.  If Seafield Towers retains any of his old ability he must win eventually off his current low mark while the 11 year old Legal Set gave his supporters club cause for optimism when finishing 4^th on his last run.  The one they will have to beat though will be Harrison’s Flyer, a winner at Brighton 18 days ago.

  

Tomorrow’s Dancer, trained by Kevin Ryan , returns to Hamilton where he was 4^th over course and distance 11 days ago.  He has place claims.

  

Eagle Mountain has posted solid efforts in 3 classics this year and now goes for the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchanp tomorrow (7.20).  As long as the ground does not end up soft he should go close.

  

Steve Drowne should be in good heart after his win on Sakhee’s Secret.  He partners Gull Wing tomorrow for Michael Bell in the 4.15 at Nottingham where there is a morning inspection.  Gull Wing has been placed several times this season and the step up in trip here may well suit her.  She ran well in 2^nd on her only previous visit to Nottingham.  Mia’s Boy is the other runner from our list.  He is trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam whose horses remain in good form and Mia’s Boy looks to have every chance in the 5.20.  I see that the top weight in this race is called Rain Stops Play and I rather fear that that could well be an omen!

  

Count Ceprano’s last win came on the all weather last September.  He was quite well supported in the market when 5^th on his last run at Windsor when 5^th and would have an each way chance in the 8.05 at Salisbury.

  

Bo McGinty is on a 17 run losing sequence so I don’t want to get over confident about his chances in the 2.40 at York.  He’s a bit of an old rogue but not short of ability and he has been running on late in some of his races recently.  He has been 2^nd at York twice before so I wouldn’t want to rule him out.

  

There are two runners from our list to follow in the 48^th running of the John Smith’s Cup at 3.15.  Star of Light is a good horse but needs the weather to dry up to be seen at his best while Hassaad also has to prove himself on the soft surface, his win 3 runs ago having come on good to firm.  Hitchcock has ticks in the right boxes and would be my selection.

  

Moving on to Sunday Stuart Williams send Hogmaneigh over to The Curragh for the 1.55 where he is set to carry 9 stone 12.  Hogmaneigh won the Vodaphone Dash at Epson earlier in the season and goes with give in the ground.

  

The other runner from our list to follow is Coup D’Etat in the 4.50 at Haydock.  After a miserable run of form he will be fitted with first time blinkers.

  

Have a good weekend

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 14 & 15 2007” →

A difficult day, with too many meetings tomorrow but we will try and cover them all so here goes!

  

The Newmarket card kicks off with the competitive Ritz Club handicap over a mile at 1.30.  Captain Jacksparra had been running consistently without winning but has been creeping up the weights as a result.  He is unexposed at this trip having only raced over a mile once, when only beaten a neck at Thirsk at May.  He is 4 lbs higher than then but will handle the ground and has place claims.  My 2 against the field would be We’ll Come and Artimino.  I first noticed We’ll Come last season when he was second to Tredegar at Newmarket.  A big gelding with scope for improvement he won at Yarmouth on his last start.  Artimino was favourite for the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot but didn’t get much luck in running and came 4^th.

  

The Bunbury Cup at 2.35 looks really difficult to solve.  King of Argos is trained by Ed Dunlop who has a good record in the race.  He won at Goodwood last month and the 3^rd that day, Ordnance Row has gone on to score twice.  The other one I like is Grantley Adams who was 5^th in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot finishing his race well after stumbling at the start.

  

There are 7 runners from our list to follow in the July Cup at 3.10. Amadeus Wolf won the Duke of York Stakes in good style but then ran poorly at Royal Ascot behind Soldiers Tale. He will be a serious player here if recapturing his York form.

  

Borderlescott won the Stewards Cup last season but has never won outside of handicap company and is probably not quite good enough in this company.  Trip and going will suit him though.  Dandy Man chased home Miss Andretti in the Kings Stand at Ascot but his form is over 5 furlongs and although I have the greatest respect for him I am going to pass him over in favour of the 6 furlongs specialists.

  

Dutch Art was 3^rd in the 1,000 Guineas and 4^th in the St James Palace Stakes but reverts to sprinting here.  Three year olds have a fair record in this race and this is a top class 3 year old.  Sander Camillo, who won the Cherry Hinton last season is another dropping down to 6 furlongs after failing in the French Guineas.  She is a brilliant filly and at her best would come into the reckoning.  She has a first time visor.

  

Sakhee’s Secret has won his last 3 starts in impressive style.  He faces his stiffest task to date here but the way he won at Salisbury last time out I am going to take him to find the necessary improvement.

  

The ground may not be right for Soldiers Tale while Asset and the Aussie raider Bentley Biscuit are possibles but I will stick with Sakhee’s Secret.

  

There are some interesting newcomers in the 3.45.  Laureldean Gale, Politeia and Top Vision are all the subject of favourable reports and this should be an informative race.

  

My Arch was a winner at Ripon in May and after disappointing at Epsom put up a good performance to finish 4^th at The Curragh on his most recent start.  He has each way claims in the 4.55.

  

At Ascot Richard Hannon introduces an interesting newcomer in Eastern Gift in the 2.25.

  

Princess Valerina represents our list to follow in the 3.00.  She has failed to fulfil the promise shown last season and is hard to fancy on recent form.

  

In the 3.35 Swinbrook has the benefit of a good draw and looks to be on a reasonable mark.

  

The admirably consistent Obstructive should appreciate the track at Chester and should run a big race in the 7.40 there.  Patrick Hills takes 5 lbs off his back and he looks interesting.

  

Sagredo won a soft ground maiden last season but was too keen when last of 6 on his reappearance at Kempton.  Dropped in trip in the 8.40 but form of the stable’s 3 year olds would be a concern.

  

Knot in Wood reared up in the stalls at Ascot which might have cost him his chance.  He is well drawn in the 8.20 at Hamilton and with a talented 3 lbs claimer on board I am hopeful of a good run.

  

Passion Fruit has been running too well for her own good and gets little respite from the handicapper.  She will probably run her usual solid race in the 3.20 at York but may have to give second best to the progressive Gunfighter.  He was second over a mile at Carlisle last time out and gave the impression that 7 furlongs would be ideal for him.

  

In the 4.30 I like the look of Mutajarred.  He was successful upped to a mile in testing conditions at Haydock last month despite looking green; little strength in depth to that race but handicapper not gone overboard and should be more to come.

  

Blazing Heights is our list horse in the 5.05.  He has mainly run well this season but may just need to drop down a few pounds in the handicap before visiting the winner’s enclosure again.

  

See you tomorrow evening for a look at Saturday’s cards.

 

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 13 2007” →

There were a few surprise results at Newmarket today but by and large the horses from our list to follow ran well.  Urban Spirit was the only winner (8/1) accounting for a hot odds on favourite in the 4.55.  He had run well in a couple of decent races earlier in the season and clearly has ability. He did veer markedly to his left in the finish today which could be a worry.  If steering a straight course though he will be a horse to follow.  Sugar Ray was 3^rd in the same race on only his 2^nd ever run and should win races.

  

Utmost Respect ran on strongly in the 6 furlong handicap to finish 3^rd and deserves to win a decent prize, and the same could be said of Arch Swing who didn’t get the best of runs in the Falmouth.

  

Portal was 3^rd in the Lancashire Oaks and is another worth a close look on her next few runs.

  

Halicarnassus has the highest BHB rating on offer in the 1.30 at Newmarket tomorrow but, in what is likely to be a truly run race his stamina is unproven.  He should appreciate the going though and has an each way chance.

  

There are 4 runners from our list in the 2.35.  In the last 10 years half of the winners of this race have started at 10/1 or higher so don’t be put off backing something at longish odds.  Hearthstead Maison has form in some good company this season including a 2nd in the Lingfield Derby Trial.  He has top weight but ground should suit and has an each chance.  Ladies Best could only finish 8^th in the King George V handicap at Ascot but comes from a stable that always has to be respected in this sort of race and cannot be ruled out.  I had thought he would be better over further than tomorrow’s trip but we shall see.  Black Rock got off the mark at the 5^th attempt on his last run but has always been consistent and shown a likeable attitude.  Northern Jem won a Ripon maiden last time out and is a half brother to the prolific winner Polar Jem.  All 4 have potential but if pushed for a selection I would go each way on Black Rock.

  

In the 3.10 a case could be made fro both Sixties Icon and Ivy Creek.  Sixties Icon disappointed last time at Epsom but the ground may have been the problem that day so I will give him a slight edge over the in form Ivy Creek.

  

Dig Deep has won 4 times but 3 of these came at Wolverhampton so there is a bit of a question mark over his ability on turf.  He represents our list to follow in the 4.55.  Fast ground would possibly aid his cause and he does have a decent draw.

  

My theory of following Sir Mark Prescott’s 3 year olds has not paid the usual dividend this season.  I am hoping that Crossing the Line will go some way to redress the balance in the 8.20 at Folkestone.  He was 2^nd at Wolverhampton 10 days ago.

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 12 2007” →

This afternoon proved a successful one for our list to follow with 3 winners and a second from 4 runners.

  

Tebee made all to win on her first venture into handicap company at Pontefract.  Jimmy Fortune judged it to perfection, kicking on from the front.  He really excels on a front runner. Two horses from our list contested the finish of the 4.45.  Yossi looked all over the winner but Richard Hills conjured a last effort from Rhaam to clinch it ob the line by a “fat lip.”  This really was a close finish and Yossi traded at 34/1 on on betfair. Yossi is proving an expensive horse to follow, but he didn’t do a lot wrong here.

  

Marozi was an odds on winner at Lingfield.  Michael Jarvis picked this one out as a horse to follow in a stable interview and he looks just that.

  

Turning our attention to the big meeting at Newmarket tomorrow Utmost Respect looks a fair bet in the competitive handicap at 2.00.  He created a favourable impression when 8^th at Goodwood last month and was then well backed for the William Hill Trophy that fell victim to the weather.  He doesn’t have an ideal draw in stall 13 as the winner is usually drawn in single figures but the winner did come from stall 13 in 2000.  This race has gone to some decent horses in the past such as Feet so Fast and Tax Free.

  

I don’t have a particularly strong view on the 2.35 but Jannina has impressed me this season and should run well.

  

In the Falmouth Stakes at 3.10 Red Evie looks to bounce back from a defeat at Ascot.  She had earlier won the Lockinge and she should give a good account here.  Arch Swing has been a bit disappointing since finishing runner up in the 1,000 Guineas.  There may have been excuses fro some of the recent efforts though.  She was badly hampered when 4^th behind Indian Ink last time and she could well be in the shake up here.  The one they both have to beat is Nannina though.  She was an emphatic winner at Ascot 3 weeks ago.

  

Portal represents our list to follow in the Lancashire Oaks, switched from a waterlogged Haydock, at 3.45.  She was 3^rd in a Group 3 earlier in the season and will need to step up on that form to win.  James Fanshawe has a good record at this meeting though and further improvement is not out of the question with this horse.  She has an each way shout .

  

Sugar Ray and Urban Spirit represent our list to follow in the 4.55.  Sugar Ray only ran once as a 2 year old and showed a bit of promise.  He is well bred and basically could be anything.  Urban Spirit has finished 5^th in both his starts so far this season behind Al Tharib and Arabian Gulf.

  

Pairumani Princess is related to a number of winners.  She was probably not suited by the bad ground last time out and may do better in the 3.55 at Lingfield.

  

Take care

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 11 2007” →

Runners from our list to follow have had a lean time of it over the last few days with only Bollin Felix scoring today.  There are 3 flat meeting tomorrow and of course later in the week we have the big July meetimg at Newmarket to look forward to.

  

Marozi represents Michael Jarvis in the 4.00 at Lingfield.  This American bred made a favourable impression when 2md to Miss Lucifer on his only run last season, at Newmarket.  He is well regarded by connections and despite not having the best of the draw should go well.

  

At Pontefract Tebee makes his handicap debut in the 3.45.  He went into my notebook when making an encouraging debut at Lingfield last October but has not shown a lot in two runs thus far this term. He has a mark of 73 which would give him a chance on the form shown in that initial run.

  

Rhaam and Yossi represent our list to follow in the maiden at 4.45. Yossi reverts to a maiden here after competing in handicaps.  He clearly has the ability to win a race like this but has not always looked the most straightforward of characters.  Rhaam was 4^th in a decent maiden at Haydock on his last outing and has at least an each way chance here. These 2 are only separated by 1 lb in the official ratings and that looks about right: there is very little to choose based on what they have achieved so far.

  

View from the Top has disappointed on both his starts on turf this season but was second at Wolverhampton two runs ago.  He returns to Wolverhampton for the 7.50 where he should not be far away.

  

Bye for now

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 10 2007” →

The qualifiers from our list to follow over the next two days are as follows;

  

Sunday Ayr 3.50 Terentia

  

4.50 Prince Evelith

  

Brighton 3.30 Imperial Gain

  

Chantilly 3.20 Asperity

  

Monday Bath 4.15 Vanquisher, Franchoek, Duty Free

  

Ripon 7.55 Ballet Boy, Bollin Felix

  

8.25 Deserted Dane

  

Windsor 8.35 Salsa Steps

  

9.05 Fisberry

 

Continue reading “July 8 & 9 2007” →