My list to follow had been enduring something of a lean time so I was glad to see Fearless Warrior come in at 9/1 on Sunday. First time blinkers and a drop in the weights probably contributed to the horse’s improved form. This win at Folkestone was over 12 furlongs but he may be worth trying over further again as his sister Queen of Iceni won over a mile and six, and there are a number of staying types in the family.
The other race that caught my eye on Sunday was at Newton Abbot where Contact Dancer won the novice chase. He is a member of that reasonably exclusive club of horses that have won on the flat, over hurdles and fences. The biggest win of his career was in the 2004 Cesarewitch where he beat another member of that club Mr Ed. That gives me an excuse to include a photo of Mr Ed a tall, good looking “flashy” chestnut. This photo is courtesy of Tracy Roberts (Turfpix).
Following horses merely because of their name is unlikely to show much of a profit but in the case of Battle of Hastings I couldn’t resist! He got his name because he was number 1066 in the sales catalogue. After 3 fairly uninspiring efforts he won a Newmarket nursery over 7 furlongs, having been backed down from 11s in to 7/1. He has only gone up 3 lbs for that win and tomorrow in the 3.10 at Goodwood he runs over a mile. Now although he is by the sprinter Royal Applause there is stamina on the dam’s side and the way he picked up late on for Hayley Turner at Newmarket a mile should be within his compass. Obviously Goodwood is a vastly different track to Newmarket but he is on the small side and should handle it. (Photo of Battle of Hastings is courtesy of British 2YO Racing)
Course form at Goodwood is always an important consideration and in the 3.45 the Eve Johnson Houghton trained Beaver Patrol is the only previous course winner in the field. A decent 6 furlong handicapper he excelled himself in Group 2 company on his last run when 3rd in the 7 furlong Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. He has run well at this time of year but his chances may be dependent on the ground as his last 6 wins have all come on good to firm.
John Dunlop had a winner with Fearless Warrior yesterday and I am hoping that his Duncan can oblige in the 4.20. He has finished 2nd on both his starts so far. He was beaten by a useful type in Island Vista last time and he can get off the mark here.
Tathkaar represents my list to follow in the 5.30. Since winning at Kempton early in the season she has been quite highly tried. It is difficult to gauge her chance but she may be a bit high in the weights.
Another horse from the list, Iron Cross, goes in the 3.55 at Southwell. I included him as part of the theory of following lightly raced Sir Mark Prescott 3 year olds, but like all good theories this one comes unstuck sometimes. Iron Cross has done precious little as a 3 year old and the only thing in his favour is that he is dropping down the weights. In the absence of the injured Seb Sanders Paul Hanagan gets a rare ride for this stable.
That is about it for today. The picture above is by kind permission of the artist Alison Wilson. If you would like to see more of her work, please follow the link below.
http://www.alisonwilson.co.uk/
Bye for now.
ahorse 