Month: July 2009

The Godolphin team had winners at Newmarket this afternoon and they seem to be flying at present. The stable form may be a factor in the Newmarket 1.30 tomorrow where Newmarket maiden winner Sovereign Remedy is my each way suggestion. He was a beaten favourite on his last start but a drop back to a mile may suit him.

The track is likely to play to the strengths of the Irish raider Emperor Claudius in the 2.00 and I take him to reverse the Royal Ascot form with Big Audio.

Redford was far from disgraced when 3^rd in the Buckingham Palace Stakes and he surely has a big race win in him. The easier ground at Newmarket tomorrow will be in his favour and he is one to consider in the Bunbury Cup at 2.35. Captain Brilliance was returning from an absence from the track spanning nearly 2 years when winning over course and distance last month. He has only had 3 starts in his career and is the other one I fancy in this race.

Paco Boy, Fleeting Spirit and Main Aim should all go well in the July Cup but they may have to give best to the Australian Scenic Blast who was so impressive over 5 furlongs at Ascot. He seems to handle any ground and is as effective over 6 furlongs. I have a lot of respect for Paco Boy dropping back in trip but at the odds I would suggest a small each way saver on Fleeting Spirit at around 10/1.

There are two runners from my list to follow in action at Ascot. Both Alanbrooke (3.00) and Street Power (4.10) have good chances while my each way selection in the 2.25 is Satwa Son.

Sir Mark Prescott’s 2 year old Virginia Hall got off the mark at Windsor recently but has some way to go to match her half sister Violette who won 4 times. Virginia Hall can close the gap on her relation in the 7.00 at Chepstow though.

Kammaan broke her duck at the 5^th time of asking when winning at Newcastle. She is well drawn tomorrow at Chester in the 6.40 and if handling the quicker ground would be worth considering.

The booking of Ryan Moore to ride handicap debutant Burma Rock looks interesting in the Newbury 7.25.

There are three runners from my list to follow entered at York. The admirable Look Busy has won 10 times, but those victories have all come at the minimum trip. She runs over 6 furlongs in the 2.45 tomorrow and has to give weight away to all her rivals so it looks a stiff task.

Red Kestrel has been a bit too high in the weights but has been dropped 4 lbs and has a 5 lbs claimer on board in the 3.55. He still has to step up on recent efforts though but you couldn’t rule him out.

Lastly, Northern Bolt is the selection in the 5.05.

My thanks to Peter Crane for the photo of the Newmarket July course.  The painting “Unsaddling at York” is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

The main interest in the 1.30 at Newmarket tomorrow will be the performance of Kite Wood. Godolphin are having a lean time of things at the highest level and Kite Wood is the latest expensive purchase that has failed to cut the mustard. Dropped in class to a group 3 contest here he should win and the majority of the newspaper pundits are tipping him. At 6/4 though I would be inclined to pull on the old watching briefs.

Moving on to the 2.00 there are grounds for supporting Arcano. He won on his debut at Newbury in a race where the runner up, the 5^th and the 6^th have all since won. Trainer Brian Meehan is not known for his first tiem out winners and there is every reason to hope that Arcano will come on plenty for his first run.

The 2.35 looks a very competitive handicap. Firebet comes into the race with very strong claims. He has won his last 2 starts and the form of his latest success at Ayr has worked our particularly well. Roman Republic was given too much to do when 6^th at Sandown last week and was doing all his best work at the finish. He looked to be crying out for tomorrow’s longer trip and is one for any short list. The other one I considered is Union Island who has twice been a close second this season and deserves a change of fortune. My two against the field would be Firebet and Roman Republic.

Alwaary represents my list to follow in the 3.10. He does need to step up on his previous efforts to take a hand here however and I could not support him with confidence.

Cloudy Start comes into the 4.20 on a hat trick and I fancy him to go well. The trip and ground should both suit him. Spring of Fame didn’t stay last time at Ascot but his 3^rd to Border Patrol at Sandown before that reads well enough and he looks the danger.

At Warwick Dig Deep looks well handicapped at the moment but then I seem to have been saying that for a while. He runs in the 2.55.

In the 5.15 De Soto has his first ever run on the flat at the age of 8. He was runner up in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham back in 2005 and he ran in a handicap chase at Worcester last month! Earlier on the Warwick card Secret Ploy is another runner better known for his exploits in the winter game. Three of his career wins came in bumpers and he once beat Barbers Shop in a novice hurdle.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of Katy Sodeau (see links)

Have a good day.

Time is short tonight and there are a lot of meetings. Newmarket’s July festival gets under way tomorrow and I will start there.

Sir Michael Stoute’s filly Resort may not have liked the track at Chester where she was very nearly a last resort. She had previously won a Newmarket maiden and with only 3 career starts behind her she may have scope to improve. At 12/1 she would be my tentative each way selection in the 1.30.

I thought about Dark Lane for the 2.00. Both his wins have come over this trip of 6 furlongs but the stable have not really been firing so I decided to look elsewhere. Run For the Hills is also a distance winner and although he was only 7^th of 9 in a listed race at Newbury last time behind Border Patrol the form of that race has worked out quite well. At around 9/1 Run for the Hills will do for me.

Mark Johnston won the 2.35 with Attraction and he has a chance of taking the prize again with Capercaillie. James Fanshawe has saddled the winner of the Falmouth Stakes 3 times in the last 6 years, twice with Soviet Song (pictured below).

Tomorrow he is represented by Spacious who bounced back to form when winning at Royal Ascot. She should be there or thereabouts. Goldikova and Rainbow View are obvious dangers.

Last Few Minutes and Dancourt look the pair to concentrate on in the 5.30.

Elsewhere Bel Cantor looks well handicapped in the Kempton 9.20.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.

We have the big Newmarket meeting coming up later in the week but in the meantime there is not a lot of quality on show on Monday and Tuesday.

I will however take a quick look at 3 horses that I have been following this season. Venture Capitalist has not paid anything to those investing in him thus far and he remains a maiden after 6 career starts. He ran his best race a couple of starts ago at Leicester when 2^nd there in May but then only beat one home last month at Yarmouth. His half brother ran well in both English and Irish Derbies but Venture Capitalist is clearly not in that sort of class. He runs in the Brighton 4.30 tomorrow where Jamie Spencer has the ride for the first time. If reproducing the Leicester form he would have a chance.

Lochstar is yet to win on turf but comes from a stable in excellent form and cannot be ruled out in the Windsor 7.30.

There is just one runner from my list to follow on Tuesday and that is Hey Up Dad in the Pontefract 5.30. He won a maiden at Ayr on heavy ground as a 2 year old but has given his supporters little encouragement in 4 starts this term. He was too keen in first time blinkers on his last start at Haydock and the headgear has been left off this time. He has come down in the weights but would need to show some form before I will back him.

All in all I can’t get too excited about the chances of this trio with perhaps Lochstar presenting the most promise, particularly with Andrew Balding’s horses going so well.

My thanks to David Hebb for the photograph of Pontefract racecourse.

There is just one runner from my list to follow entered tomorrow. Pedregal runs in the 2.10 at Ayr and as he is still a maiden after 12 runs I can’t get too carried away with his chances. This is a weak race though and the trip probably suits him so he is likely to be on the premises.

Mick Channon sends Attash up to Scotland for the 2.40 and the step up to 7 furlongs should be in his favour. He has an each way chance.

I had a particularly poor day today with some of my selections running shockers, notably July Jasmine. In fact Sea the Stars was my only winning tip. At a lower level I was pleased to see Baybshambles win at Beverley for Kelly Harrison. This was the horse’s 6^th career win and he is a real flag bearer for his small yard.

The main focus tomorrow will be at Sandown where Sea the Stars will be looking to add another Group 1 to his tally. Having won the 2,000 Guineas over a mile and the Derby over 12 furlongs tomorrow’s trip of a mile and a quarter looks to be ideal for him. He had Rip Van Winkle behind him at both Newmarket and Epsom while his other main rival Conduit will probably find this trip just a little too sharp for him. Sea the Stars does not have any obvious chinks in his armour and will take all the beating.

There have of course been many famous winners of the Eclipse. In 1984 the race went to Sadler’s Wells (pictured below) who went on to gain even greater fame and glory at stud.

Triple Aspect has won 4 of his 5 career starts with the sole defeat coming against subsequent winner Border Patrol. He will do for me in the Sandown 2.05. An added bonus is the current good form of his trainer William Haggas. The other runner from my list to follow in this race is Captain Gerrard who is yet to find his form this season.

The pair that head the weights in the 2.40 Smokey Oakey and Blythe Knight are both former winners of the Lincoln Handicap while Alfathaa, 5^th in the Royal Hunt Cup and We’ll Come the recent Salisbury winner are others to consider. The stats favour older horses such as this quartet as only one 3 year old has won this handicap in the last 10 years. For my selections I am going to live dangerously and ignore the trend as my two against the field are both 3 year olds, Mirrored and Roman Republic. Mirrored, twice a winner this season ran a cracker when 3^rd in the Britannia Stakes while Roman Republic, despite a a modest effort in the Britannia had a progressive profile prior to that run and his trainer is in good form.

The other runners from my list to follow in the later races at Sandown, Say No Now (3.45) and Wells Lyrical, who was runner up in the Northumberland Plate last week, (4.20).

Finally at Sandown I narrowed the 5.30 down to a short list of 3 consisting of Raaeidd, Tiger Flash and Nbhan. I have been impressed with Raaeidd who seems to have a nice balance between speed and stamina and I will just give him the edge over Nbhan.

Haydock next where the feature is the Lancashire Oaks at 2.55. Flame of Gibraltar and High Heeled will be the market leaders I would imagine so in search of a bit of value I will look elsewhere. Sir Michael Stoute won this race 3 years ago with Allegretto and saddles July Jasmine this time. Very lightly raced she was runner up to Midday in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and comes here with an each way chance.

Earlier, Brunstonn represents my list to follow in the 2.20. A winner twice this season it may well be that the handicapper now has his measure. He is a big strong type though and it is possible that tomorrow’s longer trip might bring out some further improvement. He is not a forlorn hope.

The Old Newton Cup at 3.30 has been won by a 4 year old in 7 of the last 10 renewals. I have gone for a couple in that age group with Falcativ and Hevelius. Falcativ looked a progressive sort until a poor run last time and he can pick up the thread here for a trainer with a good record in the race. Hevelius is unexposed after only 3 runs and does not look on a bad mark.

My list horse in the 4.35 is Dark Mischief who won off a mark of 86 at Newmarket at the start of the season. He has been beaten on his last two starts and is now racing off a mark of 92 so I am not too confident about his chance.

One day last season a friend of mine gave me an absolute certainty in a race at Kempton but sadly the horse went the way of so many ACs in the past. That horse was Tyrannosaurus Rex and although he failed to land a monster gamble that day he has struck form this year with 4 wins. The first two came at Wolverhampton and subsequently at Nottingham and Chester on fast ground. He runs in the 5.10 and although on an all time high mark he is progressive and in with a shout. Look out for a couple of veterans in this race trained by Milton Bradley, The Tatling aged 12 (pictured below) and the 9 year old course and distance winner Cape Royal.

Block Party represents my list to follow in the 5.45. A beaten favourite on his handicap bow he was not disgraced in 4^th that day and I fancy him to at least make the frame.

Next stop is Leicester and the fillies handicap at 3.35. Visite Royale is respected but I like the chances of the lightly raced Mrs Beeton who is a half sister to Stotsfold, also trained by Walter Swinburn.

Danehillsundance is on an 18 run losing sequence with the last success coming off a mark of 89. Now racing off a rating of 71 he is obviously well treated on his best form. If he could recapture that form in the 8.20 at Nottingham he would be a bit of a snip at a big price. Rather a large if though I suppose!

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.

Good luck

Mubrook , a half brother to Dubawi looked on a reasonable mark for his handicap debut last month but made no show. He has some form in maidens as a 2 year old and might be worth another chance in the Doncaster 2.30 tomorrow.

Musaalem has rather lost his way since rattling off a hat trick of wins at the start of his career. He has been dropped a few pounds by the weight demon and is well suited by fast ground but he will need to step up on recent efforts if he is to take a hand in the 4.10. Atlantic Story looks the one to beat in this race.

In the 5.15 I will be interested to see how Cactus Courtesy runs. She is nicely bred but did not run as a juvenile. James Fanshawe is not known for his first time out winners so a watching brief might be best tomorrow. One to keep tabs on though.

Another horse just starting out on his racing career is Logo Astra. Well regarded by connections and Jamie Spender booked to ride.

At the age of 10 Unshakable is by far the veteran of the party in the 4.35. He is no back number however with 6 career wins to his name including some prestigious handicaps. His last win came off a rating of 90 and I see that he is now down to 85. He could be worth a small each way interest at odds of 50/1.

In the 5.05 my list to follow is represented by Alanbrooke and All Guns Firing. I quite like both these but slight preference is for Alanbrooke who wears first time blinkers.

Other runners tomorrow from my list to follow are Ben’s Dream in the 4.20 at Warwick and Distant Memories who looks in with a chance in the 8.15 at Haydock.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sally Martin

There are only two runners from my lit to follow entered tomorrow, both at Newbury. Putra One goes in the 9.10, and before that Ithbaat in the 7.35. Ithbaat won a mile maiden at Yarmouth but has since been beaten twice in handicap company and has only been dropped 1 lb as a result. He runs over 12 furlongs here a trip that he is not sure to get on pedigree.

Putra One is more likely to benefit from a step up in trip and looks a likely winner although the odds will reflect that no doubt.

Plum Pudding is an interesting runner in the 8.10. Richard Hannon’s 6 year old has won 6 times from 12 appearances at Newmarket but has only won once from 27 runs anywhere else.

Given the name of my web site Mick Channon’s 3 year old Mykingdomforahorse has to be a bit of a favourite of mine. He runs in the 5.00 at Yarmouth tomorrow where he is in with a realistic chance.

Mudawin does not have a great strike rate – 5 from 33 starts. Following him blindly throughout his career would have seen you well in profit though as he has won twice at 20s and famously once at 100/1 in the 2006 Ebor. He is with James Moffatt these days who trains up near Cartmel I think. It is nearly 3 years since Mudawin has actually got his head in front and I see that none of the newspaper tipsters want to know him in the Haydock 4.40. Trip the Light was a horse that did well for me last season winning 3 times and he has added two more victories to his tally this season. He goes well on fast ground but all his wins have come when equipped with a visor and I see that it will be left off tomorrow. He also runs in the 4.40 at the Lancashire track.

Finally, I see that my article on unraced 2 year olds has started to produce winners with Virginia Hall and Exgray obliging this week. My list to follow has also supplied a few winners.

Today’s picture, of Hel’s Angel who won at Pontefract the other day is by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing.