Month: August 2007

With the big Ebor meeting just around the corner Monday’s racing looks pretty low key.

 

Coup D’Etat has failed to win in his last 20 starts so it is difficult to get too excited about his chances in the 3.00 at Leicester.

 

The only other runner from our list to follow is Tonnante in the 7.50 at Yarmouth.  3 Year old handicappers from this stable always command respect, especially when being stepped up in trip.

 

Elsewhere Swanky Lady created a favourable impression on her debut at Goodwood and can build on that in the 5.30 at Windsor.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 20 2007” →

  Saturday preview

 

Dumas has claims to be the least successful horse on our list to follow.  He has only beaten 2 of his 65 rivals thus far in his four races.  He runs in a claimer at Lingfield tomorrow (5.30) where he wears a first time visor. In the 2.10 at Newbury Roger Charlton gives a debut run to Melodramatic who is well related being a half sister to the top class sprinter Tante Rose.

 

Talking of well related horses Classic Punch goes for a hat trick in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury (2.40)  He is a half brother to the late great Persian Punch.

 

In the Hungerford Stakes at 3.20 Red Evie looks interesting.  She drops back in trip to 7 furlongs where she has a 100% record from 4 runs.

 

Mullein made a promising start to her career when 7^th of 16 at Ascot last month and should come on for that run in the 4.25.  She is a half sister to Illustrious Blue, one of our horses to follow. Another that catches my eye in the same race is Dellini, trained by Mick Channon and related to several winners.

 

The all greys sprint at Newmarket is always a great spectacle if not necessarily the highest quality horserace in the world.  Tomorrow (3.00) I will be rooting for the old timers Legal Set (11), Certain Justice (9) and Middleton Grey (9), because like me they are all grey and knocking on a bit. They should all go well but my selection for the race would be Milton Bradley’s Summer Recluse.  The only runner from our list to follow is Grey Boy who is well handicapped on last season’s form but has shown little this time around.

 

Mia’s Boy has always been well regarded by his trainer and makes his handicap debut in the 4.10 at Newmarket.  He got off the mark last time out in a maiden at Thirsk and could be an improver.

 

I have been working on a shortlist of 4 in the 3.45.  Zomerlust won on heavy ground last time out at York. He is best with some cut in the ground so any rain will help his cause.  Turnkey was 2^nd in the York Race and he is another that shows his best form on softish ground.  He gets on well with young claimer Adele Rothery and he should go well.  Indian Trial has been unlucky on his last 2 starts and will be a big danger to all.  Unlike the other two he is best suited by faster ground.  The fourth one I like is Fullandby who won at Ayr a couple of starts ago.

 

Black Rock represents our list to follow in the 5.25 at Ripon.  He won at Sandown 2 runs ago and has probably underachieved so far as he looks to have some ability.  Tries a longer trip here.

 

I see that Peter  Chapple-Hyam sends his very promising 2 year old filly Laureldean Gale to Deauville for the 7 furlong Group 3 race there.  She was an impressive winner of a Newmarket maiden.

 

Another interesting English raider at Deauville is Michael Bell’s Regime in the 3.20.  Regime was down the field in the Derby but has earlier won the Sandown Classic Trial and on his last outing only went down by a short head to Harland in a Group 2 at Maisons-Lafitte.

 

On Sunday the following runners are entered from our list to follow.

 

Bath 4.30 Rainbow Promises

 

Leopardstown 4.45 Haatef

 

Pontefract 2.40 Record Breaker; 3.40 Diamond Diva

 

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

A short update tonight as I need to do a bit of maintenance work on the site.

 

There are a few runners from our list to follow out and about tomorrow and I will concentrate on them.

 

Orange is a Giant’s Causeway filly and a half sister to a number of winners.  She only ran once at two and has been off the track for over a year.  She is interesting on pedigree and worth having a look at in the Newbury 3.50.

 

Macedon was 4^th in the Newbury Spring Cup behind Pinpoint but then made no show in his next two runs.  He showed more promise on his latest start however when 4^th in a lady riders event at Ascot.  He has an each way chance in the 3.05 at Doncaster.

 

Dig Deep and Geojimali represent our list to follow in the 3.40.  Dig Deep has a couple of wins to his name this season and is capable on his day. He ran well when 3^rd to Stoneacre Lad at Ascot two runs ago.  He may just have gone up a bit too high in the ratings though.  Geojimali has a tendency to be slowly away. If he can get a better start he could be in the frame.

 

Broomielaw was 4^th in a maiden at Newmarket on his last run and the 3^rd, 5^th and 6^th have all won since.  Ryan Moore has been booked to ride him in the 4.10 for Ed Dunlop.

 

Bollin Felix doesn’t owe me anything as he has already won 3 times this season.  He may still be ahead of the handicapper but he is not sure to handle the fast ground in then 5.15.

 

Passion Fruit carries top weight in the 4.00 at Newcastle.  She carries a 6 lbs penalty for her win at Redcar on Saturday but is not without a chance.

 

Yossi remains a maiden after 8 starts.  He has been 2^nd 4 times and may be a little faint hearted.  He boasts the best form in the Catterick 8.15, especially his short head 2^nd to Rhaam at Pontefract  two runs ago.  He should win but is not really one to take a short price about.

 

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary; August 17 2007” →

There are 6 runners from our list to follow tomorrow and 5 of them are in the same race, the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury (4.15) over a mile.  Dunelight looks to have a good chance for in form trainer Clive Cox.  He won a listed race at Goodwood earlier in the season and was 3^rd at the same track on his latest outing in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes.  Thousand Words was 4^th in that race and finished in fine style after failing to get a clear run.  Hunt Cup winner Royal Oath finished 2^nd to Cesare at Ascot with Dunelight a somewhat unlucky 5^th.   He then came 8^th in the Lennox Stakes.

 

Caldra returns to the track after a long absence and may need the run while Secret World needs to put a poor recent run behind him.  The latter was 4^th to Red Evie in the Lockinge though which would put him in with a squeak.  There are plenty of other dangers but I will stay loyal to my “listers” and side with Thousand Words.

 

Our only other runner is Magic Mountain whose recent form has not been convincing.  He runs in the 4.35 at Sandown.

 

Alleviate was a winner for our list today.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 16 2007” →

I have always admired those cricket commentators on the radio that seem to be able to come up with something to say in even the dullest moments on the pitch.  Having looked ahead to the next two days of racing I need something similar!

 

Well, for starters  you may have missed the news that a couple of old favourites have recently been retired.  Connections of the mare Asian Maze have decided to call it a day. After finishing last in Auteil in May last year she never really recovered her form. Pretty useful on her day she won 9 races in all.  The one I remember best was when destroying her field, including Hardy Eustace, to win the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last year. Old Quito has also been retired at the age of 10.  He has apparently suffered from stiff joints all his life and it has been decided to call time on a career that saw him win 20 races from over 100 starts.  He won a number of listed races but his biggest success came in the 2003 Ayr Gold Cup when he weaved through the field with a typical late run to land the spoils at 20/1.

 

On the subject  of old timers I see that Smokin’ Beau is down to run in the 8.15 at Nottingham tomorrow evening.  He is a 10 year old now and not exactly in the best of form as he has only beaten 1 horse in his last 3 runs.  He has been a real old warrior in his time though winning 16 races often at big odds.  In fact he has won at 10/1 or bigger no fewer than 7 times.  He has been dropped 5 lbs since his last defeat and he has a good 5 lbs claimer on board in Hadden Frost.  Add the fact that he is a course and distance winner and I have almost talked myself into a small each way interest just for old times’ sake.

 

Talking of horses than win at big odds Seafield Towers is dropped to selling company for the first time tomorrow.  His 3 career wins have come at 4/1, 33/1 and 20/1.  He is taking a big drop in grade and must go well if he retains any of his old ability.  Royston Ffrench rides him for the first time.

 

I’m out at the footy tomorrow night so I will have a peek at Wednesday’s racing; two days for the price of one at no additional cost!

 

Another one of my old sprint friends, Bo MCGinty runs in the 3.10 at Beverley.  He has been running well without winning and is probably in the grip of the handicapper.  He has a bad draw tomorrow.  He is owned by Paddy McGinty and Bo Turnbull, hence the name and he is related to a jumps winner in the Czech Republic. 

Leptis Magna has paid his way as a horse to follow this year as he has already won at 7/1.  He has tended to pull too hard in his races but if he can settled he should run well in the 3.30 at Salisbury.

 

Princess Valerina put in a much improved effort when a close up 3^rd last time at Ascot.  A repeat of that form would see her in with a chance in the 7.05 at Sandown.

 

The 8.10 at Sandown looks interesting as there are two runners from our list to follow.  Duty Free is going for a hat trick and won over course and distance a couple of weeks ago and does not look that badly treated. Alleviate is beautifully bred and comes out again quickly under a penalty having made all to win at Haydock on Saturday.

 

Spume added to the “roll of honour” for my list to follow with a win at 8/1 at Thirsk tonight.  Not that I gave him a very encouraging write up last night.  This was his first run since leaving Sir Michael Stoute and gave a first winner to trainer Danny Murphy.  Deserted Dane was a non runner in the 8.25.

 

See you on Wednesday evening.

 

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

It was certainly a good weekend for our list to follow which yielded 8 winners.  The fact that 7 of the horses were winning for the first time this season was down in part to the recent change in the prevailing going at most of our tracks.

 

Strategic Mount and Star of Light both certainly appreciated the faster ground, while  Sunley Peace was another to  benefit from the better ground.  Ground apart I think he basically outstayed his rivals anyway and seemed to get better the further he went. He has previously shown his ability over a distance of ground when 5^th in the Queen’s Vase at long odds. I was starting to give up on the well bred Alleviate but given an uncontested lead and under a canny ride from Neil Callan he was another to lose the maiden tag in a staying handicap. Alleviate is a half sister to the recent Goodwood Cup winner Allegretto.

Halicarnassus won his second race of the season in a muddling race for the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.  He has a turn of foot and seems at his best in small fields on fast ground.  Our 6th winner on Saturday was the mare Passion Fruit who came from last to first with a sweeping run to win at 14/1.  Eagle Mountain and Al Qasi were our list winners today.

 

We have a couple of runners at Thirsk tomorrow.

 

Spume has been most disappointing and I see that he has left Sir Michael Stoute.  He runs in the 7.25 and it is hard to drum up a case for him unless the fast ground, which he has not encountered before, does the trick.  Deserted Dane has already earned his keep on my list with a win at 20/1. He seems to handle any ground and is 2 lbs higher in the weights since his last win which came at Carlisle.  He runs in the 8.25.

 

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary; August 13 2007” →

There are runners from our list to follow in most of tomorrow’s meetings and several with decent prospects.

 

Starting in the 2.55 at Ascot Colloquial will appreciate the fast ground after finishing down the field in the Northumberland Plate in heavy going.  Hayley Turner rides him tomorrow in what looks quite a tough affair.  He has an each way chance.

 

Strategic Mount won 3 times last season on good to firm and was not disgraced when returning to the track recently on unsuitable ground.  I quite like his chances in the 3.30 especially with F Dettori on board.

 

Dig Deep didn’t do too much wrong when 3^rd at Ascot last time and should again go well in the 2.00 at Haydock.

 

We have 3 runners in the 2.35 with Blue Ksar, Hearthstead Maison and Harlicarnassus.  Blue Ksar showed a willing attitude when prevailing at Pontefract last time and will be hard to beat if he handles the fast ground OK.

 

All the Good runs in the 3.10 but I am not sure that either the trip or the going will play to his strengths.  Our other runner is My Arch who has not won at this trip.

 

We also have 2 runners in the 3.45.  Geojimali has already won for us this season and has returned to an interesting mark.  Bo McGinty has put up some sterling efforts without getting much help from the handicapper.  He is best on a decent surface so should go well.

 

We also have 2 in the 4.50.  Alleviate is well bre but has not lived up to expectations.  I prefer Franchoek who won last timem out and is ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.

 

Imperial Gain goes in the 7.40 at Lingfield where he is a course and distance winner.  He has shown precious little this season but continues to drop down the ratings as a result.

 

Sunley Peace runs in the 2.15 at Newmarket..  He is still a maiden but his 5^th in the Queen’s Vase indicates he should be able to win something like this.

 

Star of Light has conditions to suit him in the 2.50 and may put his form earlier this season behind him.

 

Queen Scarlet won nicely on her debut and could surprise a few in the 3.25.

 

Artiminio has a good record at Newmarket and may be able to defy a hike in the weights in the 4.00.

 

Passion Fruit is a consistent mare but does not get much help from the handicapper. She carries top weight in the 3.05 at Redcar where she may just find a few too good.

 

The following horses from our list to follow are engaged on Sunday.

 

The Curragh 2.45 Eagle Mountain

 

4.15 Al Qasi & Evening Time

 

Leicester 3.20 Coup D’Etat

 

Redcar 3.10 Robbie Scott

 

Wolverhampton 3.30 Sue’s Surprise

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 11 & 12” →

It hasn’t been much of a week for our list to follow at Goodwood, although there were 3 winners elsewhere yesterday.  Marozi  finally broke my duck in the last race today.  Michael Jarvis picked him out as his horse to follow in a stable interview at the start of the season and he looks capable of further progress.

 

There was a nasty incident in the mile handicap this afternoon and it was something of a miracle that no jockeys or horses were badly hurt in the multiple pile up.  Our old pal Uhoomagoo was involved but appeared to get to his feet OK.

 

As usual I will concentrate on the chances of the horses from our list running tomorrow with general comments about a few others.

 

Black Rock represents the same stable as Marozi.  I have followed his progress with interest since his racecourse debut.  He runs in the 2.10 at Goodwood tomorrow, a 16 runner handicap.  He won a 4 runner maiden and was not disgraced on his handicap debut at Newmarket behind Hearthstead Maison.  He is stepped up to 11 furlongs tomorrow which is interesting.  However he may not run if the ground is unsuitable.  By that I presume the trainer means too firm.

 

We have a couple of runners in the 2.45.  Caldra won 4 out of his 5 starts last term but has his first run here so presumably has had some sort of problem.  This gelding was an impressive winner over course and distance last season and if fully fit would be worth careful consideration.  He has never raced on anything quicker than good.  Rallying Cry was not far away from the best last season but is yet to win this time around.  He ran 3 times in Dubai in races won by Asiatic Boy. Would be in with a shout on last season’s form.

 

There is a very high class field for the 3.25.  I fancy Peeping Fawn to get the better of Light Shift with the French raider Mandesha the main threat to those two.

 

We have 3 runners in the Stewards Cup at 3.55. Knot in Wood could well be ahead of the handicapper and looks to have a good draw.  He is preferred to Zidane and Borderlescott.  Balthazar’s Gift looks the best of the rest.

 

Staked a Claim has been 4^th on all his 3 starts so far.  He drops back to 6 furlongs in the Hamilton 7.45 and showed be in the shake up.

 

Seabow should come on for his 3^rd behind Cabinet last week and should go well in the 2.55 at Newmarket despite carrying top weight.

 

In the 4.05 Roger Charlton introduces an interesting newcomer in the shape of Melodramatic.  She is closely related to top class sprinter Tante Rose.

 

Transcend was a disappointing beaten favourite last time out but first time blinkers might galvanise him in the 4.40.

 

Composing has not been one of my successes thus far.  He showed a bit more last time when 7th at Kempton but further improvement needed if he is to make an impact in the 5.50.

 

Handsome Falcon has been raised  4 lbs for a win at Beverley.  Versatile with regards to ground he has an each way chance in the 3.10 at Thirsk.

 

In the 4.15 at Windsor the progressive Monte Alto looks to have chances and is preferred to Clear Sailing.

 

In the 4.45 the lightly raced Tebee has an in form Sir Mark Prescott runner to beat.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 4 2007” →

I have had a fairly lean time at Goodwood so far on the tipping front but there was still racing to enjoy and a couple of performances caught my eye in particular.

 

Allegretto was the only filly in the Goodwood Cup but she put up a top class display under an inspire Ryan Moore to take the spoils.  Rather like Championship Point on day 1 she came from last to first.   

Dandy Nicholls grabbed the last race of the day with his veteran campaigner Continent.  It was just like old times as Continent mounted a challenge in the final furlong to revive memories of when he won the July Cup 5 years ago.  The old boy is 10 years old now and was a very popular winner today.

 

Tomorrow’s card starts with a listed contest over 12 furlongs.  The only runner from our list to follow is Stotsfold who won 4 times in handicap company last season.  He has only tried this trip once before and clearly has a bit to find.  The track will probably suit him though.  Interestingly Dragon Dancer runs in this.  Despite only being beaten a whisker in last season’s Epsom Derby when he had Dylan Thomas back in 3^rd he is still looking for his first win.  Will he be able to lose his maiden tag at last?

 

My list horses have had a pretty disastrous Goodwood (although Tax Free and Finalmente both ran well in 3^rd today).  There are a couple of list runners in the 2.50.  Sander Camillo looked a potential star when winning the Cherry Hinton last season in emphatic style. She has failed to sparkle this season though and was virtually tailed off in the July Cup at Newmarket in a first time visor.  A return to last season’s form would put her in the picture but it requires a leap of faith to believe that she will find it. Rainbow Promises has only had one run.  She won a maiden on the all weather at Lingfield last October.  Very highly rated by her trainer she comes into the “could be anything” bracket.

 

The 3.30 is a competitive mile handicap.  Superseus has ticks in some of the right boxes.  He is trained by Hughie Morrison, is in the right age group and has form in big field handicaps.  He has an each way chance.

 

At 5.15 we have the cavalry charge of the Stewards Sprint Handicap where Border Music has recent winning form and a good draw.

 

The lightly raced Marozi and ultra consistent Obstructive both have chances in the 5.45.

 

River Thames absolutely bolted up at Ayr last month and looked a certainty to defy a penalty when a disappointing favourite at Redcar.  He has gone up in the weights now but remains interesting in the 4.25 at Thirsk if he can reproduce the Ayr form.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 3 2007” →

Rio de La Plata and Ramonti will get plenty of coverage elsewhere after their stylish wins at Goodwood today so I will give a mention to one of the lesser lights to score this afternoon.

 

Secret Ploy took the opening handicap, which is one of the longest races on the calendar.  He is supposed to be “quirky” but he showed plenty of courage today.  He made nearly all, only being headed inside the final furlong by Afrad, but he fought back to win going away.  Secret Ploy won the first 3 races of his career in bumpers ridden by Timmy Murphy and has since won over hurdles.  It just shows what a versatile trainer Hughie Morrison is, bearing in mind he also trains top sprinter Sakhee’s Secret.

 

Moving on to tomorrow I see that Luca Cumani has rather pitched Pentatonic in at the deep end in the Group 3 that starts the day at 2.15.  She won nicely enough at Folkestone last time out in a handicap but obviously has a lot more to do here.  She has enough stamina in her pedigree to suggest that this step up in trip will not be beyond her.

 

I don’t have any particularly strong views about the 2.50.  Tax Free has done well for me over the years and I am reluctant to desert him here.  The other runner  from our list to follow, Terentia, steps up, from handicap class and looks to have plenty to do.  Enticing looks likely to go off favourite.

 

Gordieland, Finalmente and Allegretto finished 2^nd, 4^th and 9^th respectively behind Yeats in the Ascot Gold Cup.  They are my main fancies for the 3.25, probably in that order.

 

The 4.00 looks a very open race.  Hearthstead Maison has proved a profitable horse to follow this season with wins at 25/1 and 9/1.  He heads the weights after winning at Newmarket last month over this trip.  He gets on well with his talented 3 lbs claimer and looks to have every chance. Halicarnassus has been running in listed and group company.  He also drops down in trip after not getting home over further last time.  The stable had a nice winner yesterday with Championship Point and this is another for the short list.  Proponent was well beaten in the Dante but won both his starts last season.  He comes back after a break here and makes his handicap bow.  He is difficult to assess but is clearly well thought of and not without a chance. Ladies Best was 3^rd to Hearthstead Maison at Newmarket and is weighted to be a lot closer tomorrow.  Urban Spirit does not look an easy ride but has ability and won a decent maiden at Newmarket last time despite veering markedly left.

 

In the 5.05 Top Vision and Politeia who were 7^th and 10^th respectively in a Newmarket maiden last month should benefit from that experience.

 

Pacific Pride represents our ist to follow in the 5.40.  He has not shown a great deal this season but probably needs fast ground.

 

In the 3.15 at Nottingham the booking of Kerrin McEvoy for Franchoek looks interesting.

 

Sagredo looks a comfortable winner at Pontefract on Sunday and should follow up under a penalty in the 3.50.

 

Duty Free, trained by Hughie Morrison, looks the one to beat in the 8.35 at Sandown.  There was much to like about his win at Kempton last time.

 

See you tomorrow

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 2 2007” →