Month: September 2009

 

In the 4.10 at Hamilton Petrovski may get the better of Newmarket arider Braveheart Move while at Uttoxeter Kangaroo Court can make a winning debut over fences in the 3.50.

The big race tomorrow is the Ayr Gold Cup at 3.10.

Initially the expert opinion tended to favour those drawn high but that view was not borne out by the result of the Bronze Cup today where runners from a low draw dominated. It seems to make sense to select one horse from either side. Hitchens hasn’t won since landing a 4 runner event at Thirsk in April but he ran well enough when 6^th in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last time out. He has been coming down the weights gradually and is one to consider of those drawn high. He has done his winning at fastish ground. For my high draw selection though I prefer Redford who is drawn 26. He is something of an enigmatic character and has not always produced the results that his apparent ability suggest he could achieve. He has twice been placed in heritage handicaps at Ascot this season but they were over 7 furlongs. This shorter trip could be what he needs however and he has been working well at home according to reports. Evens and Odds, runner up in the Stewards Cup comes out of stall 3 and is my other selection. He is trained by Dandy Nicholls and ridden by son Adrian.

The Silver Cup at 2.05 may give some further pointers to any draw bias. My original fancy here was Green Manalishi off bottom weight and I will stick with him. I will again go for two in this race with the in form Cape Vale turned out again quickly after his success in the week being my other choice.

Nanton won the Mallard Stakes at Doncaster last week and was certainly not winning out of turn as he had put up many excellent efforts in prestigious handicaps at varying distances over the last 12 months. He tackles listed company tomorrow in the Ayr 4.25 and he travels so well in his races that he must have a chance.

Scuffle won 3 races last season but has not yet managed to get her head in front this term. Her last couple of runs have been encouraging however and she is my fancy for the 5.00. In the 1.35 I am going for a couple that I feel may run well at decent prices, Alrasm and Aattash.

Charm School was becoming expensive to follow until coming good in a conditions event at 6/1 on the all weather. He has always had ability and now that he has got his head in front he may well go on from there. He runs in the 2.50 at Newbury tomorrow and 12/1 does not look bad value. I am going to oppose him on this occasion however with the consistent Antinori who has only been out of the first 3 once in his career – and then he was 4^th on his racecourse debut. Antinori comes from a stable that won this race in 2006 and he should give us a run for our money. Broomielaw, Mick Kinane’s mount, will be a danger to all if at his best.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 3.25. Look Busy may have had enough for the season while Captain Gerrard has only rarely produced his best form this year. Triple Aspect looks the best of the 3 and is the selection. He is lightly raced, consistent and his form has a very solid look about it.

Glass Harmonium was an impressive winner at Royal Ascot and looks the form pick in the 5.10 while my two against the field in the 5.45 are Zero Money and Block Party.

Newmarket next where there are a few with chances in the opener at 1.45. Fleeting Star a winner at Brighton last time is put forward as a tentative suggestion.

The majority of the tipsters go for Brief Look in the 2.25 but I am inclined to look for value elsewhere. Annice Stellato and Cascata were both second on their most recent outings. Cascata has always been well regarded by connections and this step up to a mile and a half should not present a problem. Annice Stellato somes from a stable in very hot form and if settling, which has tended to be a problem, would be in with a chance.

In the 3.40 Alanbrooke is a tough sort and hasn’t done a great deal wrong this season. He is looking a bit exposed though and I just prefer Saga de Tercey who looks on an upward curve.

At Catterick in the 3.35 Takaatuf is dropping down the weights and could run well at a price but the selection is Wicked Daze who I tipped last week when he was second at Goodwood last Sunday.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

Bluie had run up a hat trick before finishing a very respectable 4^th at Haydock last time out. There may still be more to come from him and he is one to look out for in the 2.55 at Ayr.

The Ayr Bronze Cup at 4.05 will take some solving. Northern Bolt has only won once in his career and that was over course and distance. He ran well enough on his last start and may just come good here. Another possible is Dark Lane who was doing all his best work at the finish behind Cape Vale the other day. There are a couple of runners from my list to follow later on the card at Ayr, Hey Up Dad (5.15) and Prince Rhyddarch (5.45).

Pastoral Player looks an interesting newcomer on pedigree in the Newbury 1.40 although he may need the run. My main hope at the Berkshire track though is Stimulation in the 3.55 who should strip fitter for his recent run at Doncaster and would be entitled to go well on the basis of last season’s form.

Dherghaam was 3^rd on his debut at York and should be able to improve on that in the Newmarket 2.00. I will put up Kona Coast as a hopeful selection in the 3.40.

Dig Deep doesn’t win very often but when he does it is often at decent odds. The sadly missed Jamie Kyne got him home by a short head at Chepstow a couple of runs ago and Hayley Turner rides him tomorrow in the 7.50 at Wolverhampton. He has won twice before at Wolverhampton and remains well handicapped on his best form.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Susan Shaw.

 

The racing at Ayr looks difficult tomorrow with some big fields. In the first at 2.20 it might pay to go with Walvis Bay, a half brother to 7 winners who made an encouraging enough start to his career when runner up at York.

Know by Now comes from the same stable as Walvis Bay. He showed some promise in a couple of runs on the all weather at the start of the year but has not progressed from there. He has dropped down the weights though and is blinkered for the first time in the 5.30 at Pontefract tomorrow.

I will put forward a couple for you to consider ar Wolverhampton in Blue Lyric (6.40) and Air Maze (7.10).

 

I had a good day today with 3 winners including sprinters Dark Mischief and Cape Vale at Haydock. Both were given positive rides by their jockeys Dane O’Neill and Adrian Nicholls respectively.

Looking ahead to tomorrow and the 6.50 at Kempton Park Lane has run 5 times over a mile and his form figures read 22321 so it would be no surprise to see him run well.

Ruthie Babe was a winner for me at Ffos Las the other day and is turned out again in the Kempton 2.20 under a 6 lbs penalty. This is a stiffer task but she is in form and I will stick with her.

In the 2.55 I like the look of Amanda Perrett’s Life and Soul on pedigree. By Azamour and related to winners in Italy and Germany.

In the 4.05 Cadre represents my list to follow. He has already won at 8/1 so as a horse to follow he has done his job! He has it to do in this race where Bankable looks the one to beat.

I have been following Cook’s Endeavour with a remarkable lack of success and I see he runs in the claimer at Yarmouth (2.10) tomorrow. I’ve given up on him! On a more positive note there is a potentially nice two year old making his debut in the Yarmouth 2.45 in Business as Usual. This colt, trained by Michael Jarvis is related to a New Zealand Oaks winner and is by Invincible Spirit, one of my favourite sires when assessing 2 year olds.

The 3.55 next where the lightly raced Cygnet could just be a blot on the handicap. He hasn’t run since winning a Nottingham maiden on his 2^nd career start last October. Very well bred he may just be better than his handicap mark.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 4.30, Splashdown, Hidden Brief and Mooakada. Splashdown has the best form of the trio and is the selection.

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

 

The future looked promising fro Dark Mischief when he won at Newmarket in April but he failed to progress from there. After being gelded he was tried on the all weather at Lingfield where he ran well in 3^rd behind Jaconet. On that showing he looks to have a race in him between now and the end of the season. He runs in the 3.30 at Haydock tomorrow.

The 4.00 could be between Dark Lane and Cape Vale. Cape Vale has found a consistent run of form and I would just give him the edge although Dark Lane, who has recently moved to Richard Fahey’s yard is respected.

In the 4.30 Hada Men is worth considering. Red Fama is yet to recapture last season’s form and may need further help from the handicapper.

Dylanesque lost her chance in the preliminaries last time but if she has learned from the experience would have a chance in the 2.10 at Yarmouth.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Jo Stockdale.

Bab Al Salam comes into the 5.20 at Bath tomorrow with a 100% record and is worth following in that sort of form.

They race at Ffos Las again tomorrow. The names of horses always interest me and I was taken with John Hills’ filly Sandie Shaw that runs in the 2.10 at the Welsh track. The filly is by Footstepsinthesand out of a mare called Susi Wong. Quite clever really.

Loden didn’t show a lot on his debut at Newmarket over 7 furlongs but has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and should do better over a mile tomorrow in the 2.45.

Ruthie Babe has shown bits of promise in maidens and now makes her handicap debut in the 3.20.

Petrovski won 3 times on the all weather in the winter and was then only beaten half a length by the progressive Chiberta King in May at Newmarket. A handicap mark of 90 might just under estimate his ability in the 3.55.

The lightly raced Paisley comes from a family I have followed for some years and looks the one to beat in the 4.30.

3 year olds have done well in the past in the Goodwood 1.30 and Alicante can continue the trend.

Casual Garcia is slipping down the weights and has a chance in the 4.20. However he may have to give best to another horse that has come down to a winnable mark, Wicked Daze. He won off a mark of 92 last season and has now come down to 78.

Selections at The Curragh; Vocalised (2.45), Rayeni, danger Border Patrol (4.15).

Benbaun runs in the 1.35 at Longchamp. He is a course and distance winner and put up a wonderful effort when runner up in the Nunthorpe. He is an 8 year old but certainly no back number and he is up to winning this.

I am hoping that John Gosden’s consistent Dar Re Mi can upset the French favourite in the 2.40.

Picture of Ffos Las racecourse courtesy of Joseph Riley.

 

I was pleased to see Nanton, one of my favourite horses gain a well deserved success today and there were also wins for Askar Tau and Stoic from last night’s preview.

There is plenty of top class racing both in the UK and in Ireland tomorrow with the highlight being the St Leger (Doncaster 3.00) It may not be the strongest renewal of the final English Classic but it is quite a puzzle to sort out fpr all that. Both the main Irish challengers warrant respect. Mourayan looks sure to stay the Leger trip and his 3^rd in the Irish Derby reads well. The chance of Changingoftheguard was given a boost by Nanton this afternoon and he is another with no stamina problems. One that still has a few questions to answer on that score is Great Voltigeur victor Monitor Closely. He stayed on well to win that race and may get the trip tomorrow although is not sure to do so on pedigree. I am going to be boring however and tip Kite Wood (pictured below). The horse is in good from having won his last two starts, the stable are going very well and the jockey has an excellent record in the race. My idea of the danger is Monitor Closely who holds the in consistent Father Time on their York running.

Judge ‘n Jury is the sole representative from my list to follow in the Portland Handicap at 3.00. He is a tough sort and has been running well but this looks a tough assignment. I don’t really have a strong view on this race although Johannes looks sure to go well while at bigger odds the Dandy Nicholls pair of Northern Dare and Buchaill Dona are worth considering.

Cat Junior was a little unlucky when 3^rd at Good wood on his last start. He hasn’t won for over 2 years which tempers my enthusiasm for him a little in the 3.35. He has a good chance on form but I narrowly prefer Stimulation, a horse I followed with some success last season. He is making his first appearance this year but has gone well after a long break before. Arabian Gleam is another in the race with claims having won this race for the last two years but I will stick with Stimulation

Another horse returning after a long break is Secrecy in the 4.05. He has not looked the most straightforward in the past and of course his fitness has to be taken on trust but Godolphin are flying and the horse could be well handicapped. Espiritu could be a danger with Jamie Spencer in the saddle for another in form trainer in Jeremy Noseda. You could consider a small each way interest in the consistent Webbow at bigger odds,

In the 4.40 I am going for Azizi. He has solid form in races that have worked out well and should be suited by the trip.

Cloudy Start has been running well this season and should be suited by the track at Chester. He is the selection in the 3.55 there. The other runner from my list to follow at Chester is Trumpstoo in the 5.40. Basically he has been most disappointing and is hard to fancy.

In the 2.40 at Goodwood Palavicini has more scope for improvement than his rivals and should go well. The 5.30 looks to be between Invisible Man and Resort who both come into the race on the back of a win. Perhaps Invisible Man has the stronger claims. Magnetic Force can take the maiden at 4.55 for Sir Michael Stoute.

In the 4.30 at Goodwood I give Tamagin a solid each way chance.  He has been running well in quality races and didn’t get the run of the race when 4th on his last start..

The 4.15 at Ffos Las is of particular interest to me as there are 3 from my list to follow in the line up.  Chiberta King, Royal Diamond and Clowance have all won at least once this season.  Of the trio I prefer Chiberta King who has only run badly once this season when not handling the track at Goodwood.

The big race over in Ireland is of course their St Leger where the great Yeats faces stern opposition, notably from Schiaparelli who should appreciate the underfoot conditions.

My thanks to British 2YO Racing for the photo of Kite Wood and to the artist Sarah Aspinall for her painting “The mile start at Goodwood.”

 

Today went quite well for us at Doncaster with both Coordinated Cut and Fantasia winning.

The first race that I want to look at tomorrow is the 2.05 at Doncaster where one of the fancied horses is Hawk Mountain who is part owned by TVs Nick Luck. Luck is something that the horse has not enjoyed much of as his consistent form is probably deserving of a better return that the 2 wins he has registered this season. He is handicapped quite close to the hilt I imagine but is a course and distance winner and should again give a good account of himself. He was 4^th on his last start which was at York and the runner up has won since, franking the form.

One of Hawk Mountain’s main rival will be Nanton, another who would not be winning out of turn. He was runner up in the Cambridgeshire, the Zetland Gold Cup and a heritage handicap at Haydcok and then ran 4^th in the Ebor at York. The trouble is he keeps going up the weights without winning. Both horses have each way chances.

I am looking for some value in the Doncaster Cup at 2.40. Askar Tau came back to form with a win at York last month and with his trainer now in good from I will take him to beat the favourite. One that could run well at a big price is the progressive Darley Sun although he would have to buck the trend as 3 year olds have only won this race once in the last 10 years.

Selections later on the Doncaster card are Virginia Hall (3.15) and Musaalem (3.50). There are 2 runners from my list to follow in the last race at 4.55, Alcalde and Red Kestrel. Neither has an obvious chance on recent form.

There is also a decent card at Sandown where there are 2 from my list to follow in the 4.00. The good looking Bravo Echo won a 4 runner race at Newmarket in July and is only 2 lbs higher in the handicap here. He must be in with a shout with the main danger coming from the unexposed Stoic, a recent Newmarket winner on only his 3^rd career start. In the 5.05 the form of Nbhan entitles him to be in the shake up.

Lastly, at Wolverhampton Jachol represents my list to follow in the 7.10. He has been in the frame on his last 3 starts and may well go close again.

Today’s picture is of Canon Can, winner of the Doncaster Cup in 1997.  He was trained by Henry Cecil and ridden by Kieren Fallon.  The picture is by kind permission of the artist Margaret Barrett.

 

I am going to start tonight by highlighting a horse that runs in the 2.00 at Doncaster and is one to keep an eye on. The Peter Chapple-Hyam trained Coordinated Cut is presumably well thought of at home as he has a variety of Group 1 entries and Kieren Fallon has been booked to ride. The son of Montjeu is a half brother to 10 furlong winner Wild Savannah and also to Border Castle. The latter is a past winner of the Scottish Champion Hurdle and also counts a victory in the Dettori’s Italian Ice Cream Stakes at Newmarket among his flat triumphs!

Fantasia boasts the best form on show in the 4.50 and with her trainer also going well at present ranks as the likely winner.

Bye for now