Month: May 2012

 

Kempton

8.00 The Ukrainian

Nottingham

2.15 Gold Hunter

3.45 Al Jabraeiah

5.15 Arabic & Kung Hai Fat Choi

Leicester

7.20 Dream Ally could run well at a big price. He is well thought of by connections.

8.50 Again going for an outsider Richard Fahey’s Arley Hall has an each way chance.

Windsor

8.40 O’Gorman is a half brother to Temple Meads and looks on a fair mark.

 

Newbury

1.30 Essell was an 80/1 outsider when 8^th of 14 here on his debut. This longer trip could see him in a better light. Galleon showed promise when 8^th at Sandown on his only run as a juvenile and is bred to appreciate middle distances. Sun Central was making late headway when 7^th on his debut at Yarmouth last season. He comes from a family of winners and I am going to burden him with my selection.

2.30 Mac’s Power has been a little hard to win with but he is well handicapped if things drop right from him.

3.05 Trader Jack was a major disappointment on his seasonal reappearance but it is too soon to write him off. Thomas Chippendale won well at Leicester last season and looks well handicapped. Expense Claim has already won twice this season and there may be more to come. Almuftarris comes here on the back of a Lingfield maiden win. He is a good looking sort with scope. Finally, Tidal Way, a winner at Thirsk last season will strip fitter for his recent outing at Windsor.

Expense Claim, Thomas Chippendale and Almuftarris are my short list.

3.40 I can’t see Frankel getting beaten but this is a race to watch.

4.50 I will take a chance on Mossbrae who was 3^rd on his debut at Yarmouth last season. He should be suited by the ground as he would probably not want it too firm.

Newmarket

2.15 This would seem to be between Thought Worthy and Noble Mission. Thought Worthy is getting weight from his rival which could make the difference.

2.45 Mince is consistent and could turn out to be better than a handicapper. Definitely one to consider. Top Cop was a little disappointing here last month but remains an interesting runner. Pea Shooter was an easy winner of a York maiden and is another I like. Rafeej won both his starts last season but on his return last month he was well beaten when last at Sandown. It is too early to write him off. Mince is the selection with a small saver on Pea Shooter.

3.20 Aljamaheer looks open to improvement.

3.55 I have pencilled in 3 for this. Western Prize, High Jinx and Viking Storm. It looks an open race with High Jinx just getting the nod.

4.30 Captain Cat sets the standard on his 3^rd to Noble Mission at Newbury.

5.05 There is a good word for the unraced Greatest.

5.470 Wrotham Heath, Autarch and Aazif were my starting list for this one. Wrotham Heath was a bit too keen when beaten on his last start but he could well gain compensation here if settling better.

Thirsk selections

2.55 Pearl Ice (outsider Mass Rally)

4.05 Singeur

Doncaster

7.45 Lady’s First

8.20 Cape Classic

8.50 Shamahan (danger Lucky Henry)

Picture courtesy of the artist Sally Martin

 

York

2.00 Luca Cumani does well in the better handicaps and holds a leading chance here with Spifer.

2.30 Glen’s Diamond is the outsider of the 8 in this but stays well and could run into a place.

4.45 I am looking for an outsider in this open looking handicap. Rayvin Black could show significant improvement now he has been upped in trip. Daneking has been running on heavy ground and he will benefit from this better ground. Sirious Oss makes his handicap debut and is a big price given that he showed some promise on his debut run at Newcastle last season.

Daneking holds Group 1 entries and has to be the selection but the other two could run well at big prices.

Hamilton

8.00 Gulf of Naples was an excellent 3^rd in the Chester Cup and could well make all over this shorter trip.

8.35 I am going to take a chance with Jessies Spirit, an impressive winner at Leicester and Ripon last season.

Newbury

2.10 Firdaws, 3^rd in a Group 1 last season in the selection. Lacily is another worth considering.

3.45 Deia Sunrise was runner up in a decent handicap at Newmarket earlier this month and looks sure to go well. Expert Fighter was a good winner at Brighton over a mile last season and looks sure to improve for this step up in distance. These would be my 2 against the field.

4.20 Swiss Spirit impressed me when runner up at Newmarket last month and should improve for the run.

Newmarket

2.50 Haydock winner Twelve Strings is one for the shortlist. Fennell Bay may run well at a bigger price but for my selection I will take a chance on Lawn Jamil who looks leniently treated off a mark of 73.

3.55 Danadana has a chance here if Fallon can get him to settle.

4.30 Popular and Openly are worth considering.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

York

1.30 Racy doesn’t win too often but he has a god record at York and I am hopeful that he will go well.

2.30 Bonfire looks a worthy favourite and should go well. At a bigger price Fencing is an interesting prospect. He was 6^th in the Guineas after an interrupted preparation.

3.00 Mijhaar looks to be on a fair mark and could be good enough here despite this trip being on the short side for him.

3.35 A small field but most are in with a shout. Ponty Aclaim is a speedy type best suited by quick ground. Es Que Love is on a hat trick and seems to handle any going. Course and distance winner Pearl Secret has won both starts so far and will be hard to beat.

Newmarket selections

7.35 Moshaagib.

8.05 Starboard

Picture courtesy of the artist Jo Stockdale.

 

York

1.30 Gatewood, Labarinto and Kirthill look the trio to concentrate on. Gatewood has only had 3 career starts but is potentially well handicapped on the basis of his first two runs. Labarinto was a progressive sort last season and should be all the better for his run down the field in the Newbury Spring Cup. Kirthill finished last season with a win at Newbury and there may be further improvement to come. Not a lot to choose between these 3 but if pushed for a single selection it would be Labarinto.

2.00 York Glory won 4 times last season including one success on the Knavemire. He is the selection. Victoire de Lyphar had a poor season last term and has been below par on his runs this time. He is a course and distance winner though and would be a big danger if recapturing his old form.

2.30 The Fugue was running on at the finish in the 1,000 Guineas and should be suited by the extra trip here.

3.00 Hoof It, Mayson and Sirius Prospect form my shortlist. Mayson is just preferred to Hoof It.

4.45 Tartiflette was a good second at Newbury last month and can go one better here. Byronic Hero could run well at a big price.

Bath selection

8.10 Jawim

Lingfield selection

3.55 Tawaasul

 

Beverley

4.30 Warcrown

Kempton

8.50 Johnno

 

Redcar

2.00 Eastern Destiny looks potentially well handicapped and has won with some give in the ground. In with a chance here if handling the testing ground.

Windsor

6.40 Buster Brown could be better than his from figures suggest and could win off his current mark. Burnham is the other one I like. He has just had the 3 runs to earn a handicap mark and looks the type to improve now he has been stepped up in distance. Burnham is the selection.

8.10 Man of Plenty won at Windsor over a mile last month and this additional distance should bring out further improvement. Polydamos could be well handicapped and looks a tempting price but I am not sure about his ability to handle soft ground.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

Ascot

2.20 Aiken is on a winning run, handles the ground and is a course and distance winner. He looks the one to be on here.

2.50 The two I fancy are Free Verse and Chatterati. The former is a winner on soft ground and gets the nod.

5.10 Rocket Rob is one for the notebook. He is best on fast ground so I will avoid him today but he is dropping down the weighst and there may be a race in him when the weather bucks up a bit!

5.40 This is a tricky little race. Grumeti was third in the Triumph Hurdle and went on to win at Aintree. Back on the flat here he is very much respected. Viking Storm is a consistent sort and comes here on the back of a win at Lingfield. He stays this trip well but may prefer faster ground. Lord of the House won 3 times lasts season all with give in the ground. He stays well (will stay further than this) and I would just give him the edge over Grumeti.

Haydock

4.50 Tidal Way has a likeable attitude, is a distance winner and is unsuited by cut in the ground. Added to the fact that he has dropped a couple of pounds since his last run and he looks value here.

Lingfield

2.20 Fallen for You, a recent winner at Kempton is bred along middle distance lines but has won at this trip and is worth an interest.

2.40 Vow comes from a winning family and made a successful start to her own career at Newbury. She looks a worthy favourite for this Oaks trial.

3.10 Shantaram, Main Sequence and Hallings Quest and are the trio I like. I think they will finish in that order.

Nottingham

3.50 It might be worth going for an outsider in this sprint. Vocational and Roger Sez are the apir that catch my eye with Roger Sez the more likely to handle the ground.

4.25 Split stake Zakreet and Just Fabulous.

Thirsk selections

7.05 Lordofthehouse

8.45 Secret City

Picture courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn

Ascot

6.35 Fennell Bay & Now My Sun

Chester

2.05 Bonfire

Hamilton

8.25 Gowanharry

Lingfield

3.50 Periphery