Month: August 2007

There are 2 runners from our list to follow involved in the 2.50 at Chester.  Bauer won 4 times last season and looked in good from when 2^nd on his latest start.  The extra distance and fast ground at Chester should being his favour and he looks sure to go close.  Sagredo in on a hat trick and is a typically progressive 3 year old from Sir Mark Prescott’s yard.  He has gone up the weights but may still be ahead of the handicapper.  He steps up from 10 to 14 furlongs and that may also bring about further improvement.

 

In the 4.55 Eastern Gift looks to break his duck.  He has finished runner up on his last two starts but with Richard Hughes on board this time he may be able to open his account.

 

The 7.25 at Musselburgh could be an opportunity for Buachaill Dona to record his first win of the current campaign.  He looked a progressive horse last season and his most recent effort, when 3^rd to River Falcon at York was his best for some time. Deserted Dane and Blazing Heights are the other runners in this from our list to follow.

 

Strategic Mount has been hard to place during this wet summer.  He has shown his best form over longer distances but if enough use can be made of his stamina he could go well in the 3.10 at Sandown.

 

The lightly raced Marozi looks interesting off bottom weight in the 3.45.  He is unexposed and could be a lot better than his current handicap mark.

 

Sunday

 

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in action on Sunday, all at Folkestone.

 

2.30  Dumas

 

5.00 Sunlight & Free Offer

 

Continue reading “Diary: September 1 2007” →

It has been hard to enthuse about the racing over the last few days but tomorrow presents a few talking points.

 

I put Sue’s Surprise on my list to follow on the strength of a promising effort in a listed race as a two year old but she has struggled this season and remains a maiden.  Tried in first time cheek pieces in the 2.20 at Chester tomorrow she has the best form but seems to lack gears and is probably not one to take a short price about.

 

Trojan Flight is only a 6 year old but seems to have been around for ever.  He used to be trained by the Ramsdens but is with Richard Fahey these days.  He is a real hold up horse and can find traffic problems.  His last run was a acse in point when apprentice ridden. Pat Cosgrave is on board tomorrow in the 2.55.  Trojan Flight has never won over 7 furlongs but on a sharp track like Chester he should not have stamina problems.

 

In the 4.00 Dellini looks outclassed but has an interesting pedigree and wouldn’t be running in this if not well thought of. Might be interesting in attracting market support.

 

Noisy Silence impressed when winning on his seasonal reappearance at Windsor.  He comes from a stable in hot form and could be the answer in the 4.30.

 

A knowledgeable friend of mine is quite keen on the chances of Alan King’s Daryal in the 5.05 so I pass the tip on. This horse has a much higher rating over hurdles apparently and could be better than his handicap rating on the flat.  He also goes well fresh.

 

Duty Free has looked a progressive sort for Hughie Morrison with two wins to his credit already. Although second last time out he had the remainder of the field well beaten.  With a decent 3 lbs claimer riding he looks to have a good chance in the 7.10 at Salisbury.

 

The lightly raced Lang Shining won his maiden nicely last month and the 2^nd and 3^rd have won since.  There is probably more to come and he looks to have solid claims in the 4.20 at Sandown.  Leptis Magna has tended to race too keenly for his own good.  He has been pretty consistent nonetheless and has place claims in the same race.

 

Sugar Ray was an easy winner of a weak race last time out.  He seems to be going the right way and is the selection in the 5.25.  Rock Anthem would be my alternative.

 

The only runner from our list to follow at Wolverhampton is View from the Top in the 8.55.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 31 2007” →

There is nothing much that interests me about tomorrows racing so I will take the opportunity to bore people with some stats.

 

It has been a fair season so far for our list to follow.  There have been plenty of big race winners, not least Authorized (Derby and Juddmonte International), Finsceal Beo (English and Irish 1,000 Guineas) and Dylan Thomas (King George).  We have also had some wins in major handicaps; Royal Oath (Royal Hunt Cup), Hogmaneigh (Vodaphone Dash), Juniper Girl (Northumberland Plate) and Zidane (Stewards Cup).

 

The most prolific winner has been sprint ace Sakhee’s Secret (4 wins).  The following have bagged 3 wins each; Authorized, Copernican, How’s She Cuttin’, Bollin Felix, Dylan Thomas, Mutajarred, Record Breaker and Tax Free.

 

The biggest priced winner has been Hearthstead Maison at 25/1 with both Mount Kilimanjaro and Deserted Dane winning at 20/1.  That is the story so far.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 30 2007” →

There are no runners from our list to follow entered over the next two days.

 

You might look out for Speed Song in the 4.00 at Ripon tomorrow.  He is clearly well thought of by connections as he holds a Group 1 entry.

 

On Thursday at Kempton old Smokin’ Beau runs in the 2.10.  He has just dropped 5 lbs in the weights and I see that Patrick Hill s has been booked to take a further 5 lbs off.

 

Next bulletin Wednesday evening.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 28 & 29 2007” →

In the 2.30 at Chepstow Ballora is stepped up from 6 furlongs to a mile.  She should come on for her debut run at Ascot and has an each way chance.

 

Franchoek was a beaten favourite when slightly hampered behind Alleviate, who won again next time out, on his last run.  That was over 14 furlongs and he is back up to 2 miles tomorrow in the 3.40 and with Ryan Moore in the saddle looks worth considering.

 

The 4.35 at Kempton looks to be between Al Tharib and Portal.  Both come from in form stables and there is very little to choose between them on form.  I would give a narrow edge to Portal who has had to run on unsuitable ground this season.

There are 2 horses from our list to follow in the 5.25.  Coup D'Etat won a couple of run ago but is unreliable and Grey Boy may be a better bet. He finished 3rd in the greys only race at Newmarket last week and is well handicapped on his best form.

 

Up at Newcastle in the 2.10 Sonny Sam looks an interesting newcomer and one to keep an eye on for the future.

 

See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: August 27 2007” →

I’ve been sorting out my shed over the past week and putting all sorts of rubbish in a skip.  Talking of rubbish, my list to follow is on the crest of a slump at present.  There were some pretty disappointing runs today but I would excuse Borderlescott, Monte Alto amd Transcend who all ran very creditable races. 

The big race at Goodwood was dominated by the Cheveley Park horses with the consistent filly getting the better of Cesare.  This was the underrated Echelon’s 8th career win.

 

There are a few runners from our list scattered around the various meetings tomorrow although none look over promising.

 

Spume took me by surprise when he won at Thirsk on his first start for Danny Murphy after leaving the Stoute yard.  He then folded rather tamely when favourite at Carlisle last week.  It is a bit difficult to weigh him up.  He runs in the 2.10 at Goodwood.

 

Princess Valerina has been largely disappointing this season.  She has tended to race keenly so Goodwood might just suit her style.  She runs in the 2.45.

 

Measured Tempo has won 2 of her 3 races with her only defeat coming in the Oaks when she finished next to last.  She runs in handicap company in the 3.20.  She should have an excellent chance but form in pattern company doesn’t always translate into handicaps.

 

Escape Route has looked a promising sort but has refused to enter the stalls on his last couple of appearances and seems a nervy individual. She runs in the 4.30.

 

Malaath won on the all weather at Lingfield on her only start last season but has shown little in 2 runs this term. There si no obvious reason to support her in the 2.20 at Yarmouth, although she does have the assistance of Jamie Spencer in the saddle.

 

Spencer also partners another of our list runners, Pairumani Princess in the 4.40.  This half sister to Persian Lightning has been in the frame a few times this season without ever really looking like winning. Tried at 14 furlongs for the first time she may well make the frame.

 

I see that Paul Cole sends Eisteddfod over to Deauville for the Group 3 race at 2.20.  As you probably know Eisteddfod comes from a very successful family as all of his siblings have won at least once.  Harlech Castle was the latest to uphold the family tradition in the week.

 

See you tomorrow

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 26 2007” →

Saturday preview

 

 The 1.30 at Beverley doesn’t look the strongest of contests and might not take a great deal of winning Staked a Claim wears first time blinkers has possibilities.

 

The listed race t 3.00 features some old favourites.  Borderlescott would be a very popular choice as he just lost out in a desperate finish to Zidane in the Stewards Cup recently.  He should again be thereabouts as should Tax Free who has already won 3 times this season.  Baltic King was 2^nd at Chester on his last outing and the ground tomorrow should be just right for him.  These 3 would be my main fancies with Strike up the Band the best outsider.  If pushed for a selection it would be Tax Free, the mount of Adrian Nicholls.

 

The 3.35 looks a very competitive affair.  Record Breaker and Cabinet both come here on the back of wins.  Cabinet has been raised 7 lbs for his win at Sandown in soft ground last month. Record Breaker has a 6 lbs penalty for his win last Sunday at Pontefract but comes back from 12 to 10 furlongs tomorrow. Five a Side posted a promising effort on his latest start when 2^nd at Ripon while Monte Alto has been a model of consistency all season and will be hard to keep out of the frame.  Record Breaker won in good style last week and looks to be progressing.  He gets the selection.

 

Monashee Brave recorded his only ever win at Beverley and returns there for the 4.05.  He wears a first time visor and if this gets him to produce his best form he would go close.

 

Ivy Creek won two listed races earlier in the season and a return to that sort of form would give him every chance in the 2.05 at Goodwood.

 

The 3.10 looks good for Cesare who is not far short of top class.  Echelon runs in the same colours.  She has 4 wins at Group 3 level to her credit and should not be too far away.  Blythe Knight, a former winner of the Lincoln is an admirable sort and has won his last two races. Dunelight is a course and distance winner at a track where course form can be a big plus while Blue Ksar comes into the reckoning and has not been out of the first 2 on his last 6 starts.  Cesare has the best form and is preferred to Blue Ksar.

 

Pacific Pride has not won for over 2 years and his recent form is no encouragement.  He is dangerously well handicapped though and is the type to pop up at a silly price eventually.

 

Coup D’Etat ended a long losing sequence 5 days ago and connections run him again under a penalty in the 4.15.  He would go close if he has recaptured his best form but he does not look a straightforward sort.

 

Composing represents our list to follow in the maiden handicap at 5.25 but is very hard to fancy.

 

Transcend won over 7 furlongs 2 outings ago and was not disgraced last time on the all weather.  He has an each way chance in the 2.20 at Newmarket.

 

In the 3.25 I fancy Balthazar’s Gift who has been in fine form of late. 

My 2 against the field in the 5.05 would be Swinbrook and Geojimali.

 

We have a couple of runners from the list to follow in the 6.15 at Windsor.  Hawridge Prince runs well in small fields but the trip might be on the short side for him. Tam Linn has plenty of ability but seems to be a bit of a nut.  I will give him one more chance here though as I am sure he has the talent to win something like this if he can get his head right.

 

Halicarnassus won a Group 3 last time out but the 6.45 looks a potentially tougher event.  The going may not too be to his liking either.

 

Good luck     

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Continue reading “Diary: August 25 2007” →

We’ll come has run consistently throughout his 7 race career thus far and has only been out of the first 3 once.  He is creeping up the weights as a result though and is 5 lbs higher than when 3^rd at Newmarket on his last appearance.  He should run well from a promising draw. Also of interest is Smart Enough who won this race last season.  He has been off the track since finishing 5^th in the Cambridgeshire but if fully would up after his absence would be one to consider.

 

The Nunthorpe (3.10) does not look a vintage renewal.  Dandy Man looks a fair bet as he should get his favoured fast ground.  The French trained Beauty is Truth could be the main danger.  Apart from Dandy Man, Reverence and Amadeus Wolf also run from our list to follow.  Neither has been in form in recent runs and the ground could also be against Reverence.  Of the remainder the 2 year old Kingsgate Native could run well at a nice price.

 

Our list runner in the 3.50 is Advanced but he has not won at the 7 furlong trip.  I will of course be rooting for Elite Racing Club horse New Seeker.  What are his chances?  You will have the join the club to get the inside info!

 

There are a couple of runners from our list in the 4.25.  Dance of Light was 7^th in the Oaks but the form of her last run when 3^rd at Yarmouth does not look particularly strong.  Gull Wing had been expensive to follow until winning in a canter last time out.  Looked good that day but is upped in class here.

 

Our 3 list runners in the 5.00 all have chances of sorts.  Sunley Peace got off the mark at the umpteen attempt.  He was 5^th in the Queen’s Vase and will not lack for stamina.  Rhaam is on a hat trick and steps up in trip here.  Does not look badly treated and should get the trip.  Bollin Felix has 3 wins to his credit already this season.  Only 3^rd of 6 of his current mark on his latest run. 

The well bred Thinking Positive has shown promise in her 4 starts so far and has a good chance of getting off the mark in the 3.00 at Lingfield.

 

On Friday Alleviate goes for the hat trick in the 6.55 at Bath under a 6 lbs penalty.  She looked good when accounting for Duty Free at Sandown and will be hard to stop on that form. Other qualifiesr from our list:

 

Bath 7.55 Balliasta

 

Newbury 1.50 Magic Mountain

 

Newmarket 5.00 Mirthful

 

Thirsk 3.35 Osteopathic Remedy

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 23 & 24 2007” →

Tonight’s bulletin covers the first two days of the York Ebor meeting.

 

Day 1

 

The ever popular Sergeant Cecil will no doubt come in for some support in the Lonsdale Cup at 2.00. He has not shown his best form in recent runs however and I am going to look elsewhere for the winner.  Juniper Girl steps up in class having snatched the Northumberland Plate in the dying strides. Rain would help her cause and she could have an each way chance in soft ground.  Septimus looks to have the right credentials.  Lightly raced, he won the Dante in soft ground in 2006 and also has solid form on a fast surface. Balkan Knight is the other one I like.  He has won twice this season and was 4^th last time out in the Goodwood Cup.

 

I don’t hold any particularly strong views on the Great Voltigeur at 2.35.  Macarthur, a brother to Derby winner Motivator may be better than his form figures this season suggest while Hearthstead Maison is consistent and comes from an in form stable.

 

The big three in the Juddmonte International   are Authorized, Dylan Thomas and Notnowcato.    My narrow preference is for Authorized who may have beaten Notnowcato last time but for the canny tactics adopted by the winning jockey.  Duke of Marmalade has pretty solid form and could go well at a price.

 

Tajdeef was an impressive winner at Newbury and is taken to win the 3.50 at the expense of Campanoligist and Captain Brilliance.

 

Oasis Wind was a comfortable winner at Leicester 3 weeks ago and looks the one to beat in the nursery at 4.25.

 

Buachaill Dona has not recaptured his smart form from last season as yet.  I will give him another chance in the 5.00

 

Day 2

 

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 1.30, Plum Pudding, Star of Light and Heaven Knows.  The latter has been off the track for a year following training setbacks but looked a progressive sort before that.  I will take a chance with him here.

 

Purple Moon won a listed race at Goodwood on his last outing and could well be a blot of the handicap in the Ebor at 2.35.  He may be a short price though so I will have a look at some of the others.  Strategic Mount won last time out and would come into the picture if the ground is fast enough for him.  Minkowski is an interesting entry.  He handles soft ground well and should be all the better for this step up in trip given his pedigree. 

Honolulu won a listed race at Limerick last time out and there may well be more to come from him as he has only raced 3 times.   Tranquil Tiger won a listed race at Newmarket in a fast time last month and is one for the short list as is hurdler Pevensey who tackles a trip beyond 12 furlongs on the flat for the first time.  Macorville was only just touched off by Juniper Girl in the Northumberland Plate and would have a major chance on soft ground if making the cut.  All the Good has won 3 times over this trip and is only 2 lbs higher than his last winning mark.  

 

Purple Moon looks the most likely winner.  Honolulu, Minkowski and Strategic Mount would form the rest of my short list although the last named needs fast ground.

 

Alexandrova makes her first appearance of the season in the Yorkshire Oaks at 3.10.  It is asking a lot for her to win this after a lengthy lay off and Peeping Fawn looks the one to be on.

 

Runners entered from our list to follow at other meetings:

 

Tuesday

 

Brighton 4.05 View from the Top

 

Wednesday

 

Carlisle 2.15 Cadwell:  4.00 Spume    

 

Next update Wednesday

                                                                              

Continue reading “Diary: August 21 & 22 2007” →