Month: June 2008

 

I had hopes for Hawk Mountain today but he finished 3^rd at 14/1. Hopefully you backed him each way!

There is not a lot of quality about Tuesday’s racing but I will try and find something of interest. Fujin Dancer went in my notebook when 4^th to subsequent Royal Ascot winner Collection at York, but then ran unaccountably poorly when 7^th of 8 at Redcar. This was puzzling because the Redcar race was won by Indian Days who had been runner up in Collection’s York race. You are following this aren’t you? Fujin Dancer may be worth another chance in the 3.45 at Hamilton.

In previous seasons I have had a good deal of success following Sir Mark Prescott’s 3 year olds. The system has not worked too well so far this season though as most of the Prescott runners on my list to follow have disappointed. Aleatricis runs tomorrow in the 4.15 at Hamilton. The dam won twice for the stable at 12 furlongs and Aleatricis attempts to uphold the family tradition. He has not shown much ability thus far in his 2 starts as a 3 year old but he runs off a lowly rating and may be good enough in this modest looking event.

Elkhorn is yet to hit form this season but he runs in the 4.45 at Hamilton where he is a course and distance winner. He is currently running off a mark of 74 and his highest winning rating is 72.

Luxuria didn’t impress on her debut at Windsor but her half sister was a smart juvenile winner and I am not going to give up on her yet. She runs in the 6.30 at Lingfield where Ryan Moore has the ride which can only aid the cause.

Reclamation won on her seasonal reappearance and ran creditably under an 8 lbs rise in the weights when runner up at Kempton. She runs over a longer trip tomorrow in the 7.30 at Lingfield. Her pedigree suggests that this extra distance could suit her and with Seb Sanders on board she looks to have a sound chance.

There are some interesting newcomers in the Thirsk 6.50 including Sardan Dansar (picture by courtesy of Ann Duffield Racing) who is a half brother to Monte Alto.

Merrion Tiger has had 3 runs to qualify for handicaps and gets in the 7.50 at Thirsk off a mark of only 60. He is also stepped up in trip which might be in his favour.

Baybshambles has had a tremendous season and goes for a 3^rd win of the campaign in the 8.50. He is drawn 16 of 16 but the effect of the draw is tricky to predict as the field is likely to split into 2 groups.

Bye for now

 

Hawk Mountain has had 3 runs to qualify for a handicap rating. I see that he makes his handicap debut over a much longer trip than he has tackled before and this may bring out some improvement in him. He runs off a mark of only 53 in the 4.15 at Pontefract. Patthepainter has gone up 5 lbs for a win at Beverly where first time blinkers seemed to do the trick while Princess Maria may be a bit better than she has shown previously.

 

It is difficult to see beyond New Approach and Tartan Bearer at The Curragh tomorrow. New Approach is clearly an exceptional talent but has been the subject of an injury scare. There is also the possibility that Tartan Bearer may be better suited to the track tomorrow than he was at Epsom.

There are two runners from our list to follow in action at Windsor. Amenjena in the 3.40 may be in the grip of the handicapper after an 8/1 win earlier in the season, while French Riviera looks the one to beat in the 5.25.

 

I am on something of a losing run at the moment so I am looking for a change of fortune over the next couple of days.

He won’t be much of a price but I am hoping that Silvanus can get this preview off to a winning start in the 2.50 at Doncaster tomorrow. Soft ground would dampen his chance though.

We have had a fair amount of success following the progress of Birkside. He has a penalty for his win last weekend but he gets on so well with jockey David Allan that you couldn’t rule out a 13^th career win in the Doncaster 4.00.

I have been keeping an eye on Rossini’s Dancer since he was a decent 2^nd at Beverley in April. He runs in the 5.05 at Doncaster but might still be a little too high in the ratings to get his head in front.

Brian Ellison has his team in form and he saddles Keisha Kayleigh in the Newcastle 6.55. Good ground will suit this 5 year old who comes here on the back of a creditable 2^nd at Ripon.

The sprint handicap at 7.25 looks a trappy affair. Recent course winner Barney McGrew is worth a close look but although he comes from a stable in good form the ground could be against him if riding on the soft side. The veteran River Falcon and Green Park are others to consider but for my selection I have to side with How’s She Cuttin’ who finished strongly in 3^rd at Ayr on Saturday. She was visored for the first time then and if she can repeat that form she will take some beating.

At Newmarket’s evening meeting I like the chances of the James Fanshawe trained Game Park in the 6.35. Although still a maiden he is lightly raced and may still be open to improvement.

Hawaass raced twice last season winning his second run at Sandown. He looks the type to be even better as a 3 year old and us taken to win the 8.40.

Regal Step ran disappointingly on her reappearance at Windsor finishing last of 11. She looked a speedy type last season though and if she can recapture her best form she would be of interest in the 9.10.

Turning to Saturday Sir Michael Stoute sends Adversity to Chester where he suffered from a wide draw when 5^th there at the May meeting. He has run since when he was a beaten favourite so he is perhaps best watched.

Tudor Prince has been one of the less successful members of my list to follow thus far. He runs in the 7.10 at Doncaster. He is still a couple of pounds higher than when he last won. Iron Cross is looking like another of my less inspired choices. He 0nly beat one home on his seasonal reappearance at Salisbury and I can’t really put him forward in the 6.250 at Lingfield.

Mrs Kipling was Frankie Dettori’s only ride of the meeting when she finished 2^nd at Nottingham on her debut. She is clearly well thought of and can go one better in the 7.20.

The 2.10 at Newcastle looks a fascinating contest with Greek Renaissance, Utmost Respect, Reverence, Lady Grace and Zidane all in there with chances. At this range I am finding it6 difficult to come up with a selection as much will depend on the going. Most of these prefer some cut in the ground. Greek Renaissance would be my tentative suggestion with Utmost Respect a possible.

The consistent Valery Borzov looks the one to beat in the Newcastle 2.45 while the booking of Jamie Spencer on Burning Incense looks interesting.

Highland Legacy, who may not have been suited by the track in the Chester Cup, and Bukitt Tinggi a close 4^th in the Ascot Stakes are my two against the field in the Northumberland Plate. If the ground were to ride on the soft side then Bollin Derek would come into the equation.

Redford was well fancied for the Brittannia Handicap at Royal Ascot but may have found the ground on the quick side. He is out again quickly in the 3.55 at Newcastle and could be worth another chance.

There are 4 runners from my list to follow entered in the 5.00. Sadlers Kingdom, Toto Skyllachy, Tarkheena Prince and Keisha Kayleigh.

Tourist won at Nottingham 17 days ago and gave the impression that there was more to come from him. He runs in the 5.35.

King of Dixie has done nothing but improve in his 5 race career so far and he may well be up to winning the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket (3.35). Army of Angels would be an obvious danger if the ground is on the soft side.

Beaver Patrol and Knot in Wood were 2^nd and 4^th respectively in the Wokingham last week and reappear in the Windsor 3.40. Beaver Patrol needs fast ground.

Good luck

Pictures are by courtesy of Dales artist Jo Stockdale

 

I will start with Great Leighs tomorrow where Rivington Pike could get a place at a big price in the 2.40. He has dropped don the weights and tackles 14 furlongs for the first time.

Another from the same yard that may be over priced is Fantasy Fighter in the 3.40.

If the previous pair were on the dark side I am going for a more obvious selection in the 4.10. Almajd won a Newmarket maiden last season before finishing 5^th in the Horris Hill Stakes where Stimulation was runner up. That form should be good enough here.

I went to Scanno last week, a nice sleepy little town in Italy. The horse of the same name runs in the 4.40. He showed a bit of promise on his only run as a two year old, at Beverely, but he has not done a lot this season.

Baybshambles has done our list to follow proud this season with wins at 10/1 and 11/2. I wouldn’t rule him out of the 6.45 at Leicester where the veteran Smokin’ Beau could also go well.

Wood Chorus represents our list to follow in the Newcastle 4.30. A winner at Ripon on soft ground earlier in the month she looks to have too much to do at the weights.

There are two runners from our list to follow in the 5.00, Shanafarahan and La Fortelesa. They both have a bit of an each way chance at around 12/1.

In the 2.50 at Warwick our old friend Caribbean Coral tries to make light of a penalty for his recent win in a claimer at Ripon. This looks a tougher assignment.

Wing Play, a winner at Wolverhampton in November should be fitter for a recent outing and has an each way chance in the Warwick 4.20.

Did you know that Banjo Patterson, who runs in the last race at Warwick is named after the guy that wrote the words to Waltzing Matilda!

I think I had better end on that note. See you tomorrow.

 

 

Not too much to set the pulse racing about tomorrow’s meetings. Glasshoughton runs well at Carlisle and he should go well in the 5.10 there. Deserted Dane returns to the track where he won this race last season at 20/1 on his only previous visit.

Talking of course specialists you have to respect Dvinski in the 7.50 at Kempton as he is a triple course and distance winner.

 

Racing over the next couple of days is fairly low key after the glamour of Royal Ascot. Still, I will try to dig out a few points of interest.

Harrison’s Flyer runs in the Chepstow 8.50 tomorrow. He last won on this day last year off a mark 5 lbs higher. The stable won the race in 2004 and Harrison’s Flyer is well drawn so there are a few positives. Generally Harrison’s Flyer seems to act best with some ease in the ground. Hayley Turner has the ride.

At Lingfield Hereford Boy is a runner from our list to follow in the 4.45. He is a course and distance winner but is 7 lbs higher now. Almaty Edxpress won last time out at Great Leighs but is really a Wolverhampton specialist. He has won 9 times there.

Glorious Gift has not been out of the first 3 this season. A winner at Nottingham in soft ground 2 runs ago he should be in the shake up in the 8.10 at Windsor.

There are a couple of runners from our list to follow in the 9.10. Rock Peak runs off a mark of 72 which could be lenient, especially if the ground rides on the fast side. Genral Tufto was a well beaten favourite on his last run and has come down the weights as a result. He is another that may be capable of better than he has shown so far.

There are 3 flat meetings on Tuesday. Starting at Beverley Pacific Pride represents our list to follow in the 3.15. He won first time out this season but has not cut much ice in two subsequent efforts. Best watched for the present. The Tatling would be a popular winner here. Now 11 years old he has won 11 times in his career, including 4 at Group level. Fast ground suits him best.

John Dunlop has won the 7.25 at Newbury for the last two seasons. He runs 3 in the race this year and a market move for any of these would be worth noting. Of those that have run already Henry Cecil’s Samara Valley will be bound to appreciate this 7 furlongs.

The pictures of The Tatling and the pre parade ring at Newbury are  by kind permission of Lisa Miller.

 

The only runner from my list to follow in action tomorrow is Peruvian Prince in the Pontefract 3.10.

 

Starting with the Chesham Stakes tomorrow Andrew Balding introduces a well thought of newcomer in Swindler. Regardless of the outcome tomorrow this son of Sinndar looks one to keep tabs on.

Maraahel goes for a hat trick of wins in the 3.05. He is ultra tough and ultra consistent and will take all the beating. Macarthur from all conquering Aiden O’Brien stable looks the obvious threat. The lightly raced Spanish Moon needs to step up on previous form but he may well have the scope to do so and he has proved that he acts of the track and firm ground. Others to consider are the improving Speed Gifted and St Leger winner Lucarno.

If the ground continues to ride fast I will go with Sakhee’s Secret in the 3.45. The fast improving Marchand D’Or would be interesting if there some ease in the going.

In the Wokingham at 4.25 it might pay to choose one with a low draw and one drawn high. Of the single figure draws Intrepid Jack, Knot in Wood and Machinist make most appeal while I thought that Big Timer, drawn 28 put in a good run at Haydock last time out. If pushed to select one it would be Knot in Wood.

Mad Rush was perhaps a little unlucky when runner up at Newmarket to the well handicapped Punjabi and is my selection for the 5.00. Pevensey was a fast finishing runner up at York and is another to consider. Basalt represents our list to follow in the 5.35 but although he has run with credit on both his last 2 starts he looks to have a bit too much to do at the weights.

David Allan has a very impressive record when riding Birkside and the partnership team up again in the 3.50 at Ayr.

Shanafarahan went into my notebook on the strength of some promise shown as a juvenile but he spoiled his chance on his seasonal reappearance by failing to settle. He runs in the 9.15.

At Newmarket in the 2 year old maiden at 4.35 newcomer Seminole is a half brother to the top class Le Vie Di Colori.

At Redcar I fancy President Elect in the 5.20.

Picture by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing

 

The field for the Coronation Stakes (3.45) at Ascot tomorrow includes 5 of the first 8 home in the 1,000 Guineas. The winner that day went on to finish 3^rd in the French Derby so there is no reason to doubt the form. Spacious was 2^nd in the Guineas despite not having had a prep run and she would have to be my choice. Infallible who was 4^th in the Guineas looks next best while Muthabara would prefer some ease in the ground. Modern Look was 4^th in the French 1,000 and would normally come into the equation but her last 3 wins have all come on soft ground.

I don’t have a strong view in the 4.20 where Championship Point attempts to follow up his win in the race last season. Four year olds have a good record in this and Monte Alto makes some appeal.

Age of Reason put up an encouraging display when 3^rd to Unnefer at Newmarket over 10 furlongs. He went in my notebook that day as a likely winner over further. He tackles 2 miles in the 4.55 which is a bit further than I had in mind! Still I will stick with him for my selection with all weather winner Unleashed worth a small each way interest.

The big field handicap at 5.35 will take some sorting out. Docofthebay is entered having finished second in the Royal Hunt Cup yesterday. The drop down to 7 furlongs shouldn’t inconvenience him and he will be a major contender if taking his chance.

Celtic Sultan loves to bowl along in front and he will be suited by the fast ground. A winner at Chester two runs ago he could go well although he is unlikely to get things all his own way in front. Smart Enough has not been at his best this season so far and he has not won at this trip while Dabbers Ridge, although a course and distance winner, is better on an easy surface. Giganticus is suited by firm ground and a straight track but may not have the best of the draw.

Zaahid has gone up 6 lbs for his win in the Victoria Cup and should again go well here. Dhaular Dhar has never won with an “F” in the going description.

Zaahid and Docfofthebay are the pair I like best while Atlantic Story could be an interesting dark horse.

At Newmarket in the 6.30 both Green Beret and Rose Diamond showed promise on their debut runs. Slight preference is for the Roger Charlton trained Rose Diamond.

I had high hopes for Royal Jasra at the start of the season but he has been pretty disappointing. He runs in the 7.05 but I think I will leave him alone (probably win at a big price then!)

In the 8.10 the veteran Presumptive holds his form well and will like the fast ground. I still think that Tudor Prince is going to pop up at a big price one of these days as well.

Good luck

Pictures are by courtesy of Lisa Miller (see links)