There are certain publications that are essential reading for anyone that follows the sport of Kings. One book that I buy every year is Steve Taplin’s excellent publication that gives an informed insight into the prospects of the latest crop of 2 year olds. His selections are well worth following, not just in their juvenile season, but also in subsequent years. Art Connoisseur who won the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot yesterday featured in Mr Taplin’s book last year as one of his 50 to follow.
The recession is bound to hit the racing industry and one recent high profile victim is the Scottish trainer Len Lungo who has announced his retirement. Always a good trainer to follow around the northern tracks Lungo trained the likes of Brooklyn Breeze, Crazy Horse, Full Irish, Villon, Monolith, Rehearsal, Skipper’s Brig, Rasharrow and Wild Cane Ridge (pictured below).
One of my favourite Lungo trained horses was The Bajan Bandit who won 15 times in his career with 9 of those coming at Ayr. Len Lungo will certainly be missed.
As usual I will cover both Monday and Tuesday in tonight’s preview. There are plenty of meetings to go at and I will endeavour to find something of interest at each one.
The Tatling (pictured below) is a 12 year old now and has had a splendid career winning 14 times including 2 Group 2s and a couple of Group 3s. He runs in a much lower grade these days claiming races these days and runs in a claimer in the Chepstow 6.50 tomorrow. He ran poorly at Bath last time out but is weighted to win tomorrow if he can put that disappointing effort behind him.
Guesswork and Virginia Hall both went into my notebook as possible juveniles to follow based on pedigree. Guesswork has finished 4th in both her starts and I see that she is dropped back to the minimum trip for the Lingfield 2.15 tomorrow. Virginia Hall was last of 9 on her debut run but like Guesswork she has shown some early speed. I wouldn’t write off either of these fillies just yet.
Billberry was finishing strongly when 3rd at Lingfield over a mile on his first run of the season. That run should put him spot on and he returns to Lingfield for the 2.45 tomorrow. He is a course and distance winner.
Lochstar has won two of his four starts on the all weather and should go well for Andrew Balding and William Buick in the 3.15.
Seeking the Buck is my selection for the 3.45. Hr is on a hat trick and looks well weighted.
You wouldn’t envy the task of the course commentator at Windsor in the last race tomorrow evening. Googoobarabajagal runs in the 9.10 and I bet the commentator is praying the horse isn’t involved in the finish!
Masafi won an amazing 7 times in the 2004 season when trained by Sir Mark Prescott and has since been hurdling for Howard Johnson. He hasn’t won since January 2006 but should go close in the seller at Wolverhampton tomorrow (2.30). His main rival might be Aureate another horse that has come down in the world since the day he won a Chester handicap by 19 lengths for Mark Johnston. Masafi is also entered in the 2.45 at Beverley on Wednesday.
Caribbean Coral was useful in his time, winning the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom in 2004. He runs in selling company these days and won in that grade at Bath last week. He looks the one to beat in the 3.30. He is a course and distance winner on the strength of a success at the seaside track on only the second race of his career back in 2001. The main danger my come from a more prolific course and distance winner in Landucci who has won 6 times at Brighton, in fact he has never won on turf anywhere else.
At Newbury on Tuesday Richard Hannon gives a debut to the well named Sabatini who is out of a mare called Two Sets to Love. She runs in the 6.50. Hannon is mob handed in the 7.25 with 4 runners. Two of them are by first season sire Motivator, these are Love Action and Pollenator. John Dunlop has a good record in this race and it would be worth considering his newcomer Clarietta.
There are a number of illustrations in tonight’s preview. My thanks to Sarah Clegg (photo of Wild Cane Ridge), Lisa Miller (The Tatling and Newbury parade ring) and Katy Sodeau (Windsor).