Month: May 2013

 

Epsom

1.35 This looks an ultra competitive handicap. I have a rather lengthy “shortlist.” The Mark Johnston pair of Greeley’s Love and Salutation are both interesting. The former won a Thirsk maiden last season and has shown enough in his 3 runs this season to suggest he could return to winning ways. Salutation won at Nottingham but disappointed under a penalty at Yarmouth last time. The trip will suit him and looks the type that his stable does well with.

Space Ship comes here on the back of a win in a Chester maiden. He has taken a hike in the weights as a result but could still be improving. King Muro won a maiden on the AW at Kempton in April but was too keen on his next run at Chester and was last of 9. He could be well handicapped off a mark of 74. The odds of 4/1 are a bit skinny but I will take a chance on Space Ship being able to cope with his rise in the weights.

3.15 Duke of Firenze is a tentative selection but I am a liitle worried that he will not be abel to match the early pace of some of his rivals. I am hoping that Ryan Moore can steer his mount through the field with a late run.

4.00 Dawn Approach may well win this but at current odds I wouldn’t back him given doubts about his stamina.

Doncaster selections

2.00 Tetbury

4.45 Elkaayed

Lingfield

8.25 Plenum is the obvious choice here on the basis of his 2^nd at Nottingham. The danger could be Inherited. The latter could be very well handicapped and gets the nod.

Musselburgh selection

3.30 Dashing Star

 

Epsom

3.20 Hi There is progressive and has conditions in his favour. He should give us a run for our money.

4.00 The main contenders appear to be Secret Gesture (winner of the Lingfield Trial), Liber Nauticus (winner of the Musidora) and Moth(3^rd in the 1,000 Guineas.) Of the outsider The Lark has scope to improve and has an each chance. Moth has pressing claims but I liked the way Secret Gesture won at Lingfield and I will just give her the edge.

5.20 You Da One and Heavens Guest are the pick in this handicap.

 

Hamilton

5.10 Alcaeus

Lingfield

3.50 Alnawiyah

5.20 Bright Glow

Sandown

6.40 Steventon Star

7.15 Rimes Up and Sir Graham Wade

7.50 Mukhadram

8.20 Montridge

 

Beverley

8.05 Heeraat

8.35 Aficianado

Nottingham

3.30 Mukhadram

4.40 Deficit

 

Leicester

2.30 Raging Bear

3.00 I like Skytrain, Majestic Moon and Jubilant Queen. I would consider any of that trio against the favourite. The selection is Majestic Moon each way.

4.00 Sunset Shore

4.30 Ertijaal and Toofi make most appeal.

5.00 Big Thunder

Lingfield

6.20 If So

Yarmouth

8.10 Emerald Sea

 

I’ll start tonight with a look back at the racing over the past week.

Saturday May 18

Cape Peron justified favouritism at Goodwood in the 1 mile handicap. The winner was most impressive and looks one to follow for trainer Henry Candy.

Sunday May 19

The one that caught my eye at Ripon was Tinghir in the 9 furlong maiden. He kept on well to score at the third attempt. He should stay further and will be interesting in handicaps.

Monday May 20

At the evening meeting at Leicester Plutocracy was a winning favourite for David Lanigan. The winner defied a 5 lbs penalty and looks to have further improvement in him.

At Redcar Alcaeus won on his handicap debut and looks a typical improver from his yard.

Tuesday May 21

Kikonga overturned an odds favourite at Nottingham. The winner is lightly raced and should be suited by 12 furlongs.

Thursday May 23

Mark Johnston scored at Goodwood with King of the Danes, a likable sort that could well win again.

At Haydock the Henry Cecil trained Continuum won the 12 furlong maiden despite giving plenty of weight to the rest of the field. Staying at Haydock Homage won the 7 furlong handicap for Jeremy Noseda and is another that could progress, possibly over a bit further.

At Sandown Wind Fire won the 2 year old maiden and looks one for the note book. Later on the same card Sea Shanty completed a hat trick and is probably following until he loses. Another Sandown winner worth following is Mutashaded for Roger Varian.

Saturday May 25

Arch Villain clearly likes the track at Goodwood and looks one to follow, particularly at the Sussex course. Another Godwood winner to follow was You Da One.

At Haydock Swiss Spirit the runner up in the Temple Stakes caught the eye.

So Beloved won the 7 furlong 3 year old handicap despite not finding the firm ground to his liking.

Pintura won the opener at York and there may be another race in him, especially on soft ground.

Monday May 27

Equity Risk won a competitive race at Leicester and there may be more to come from him.

We did well today with 6 wins from 11 selections. Glen’s Diamond was the pick at 25/1. We also had Chevalgris 9/2, Mijhaar 6/1, Heavens Guest 9/4, Sir John Hawkwood 13/8, Rye House 15/8.

Here are my thoughts on tomorrows racing.

Newbury

1.30 Russian Realm and Dare to Achieve are my picks in an open looking race.

2.05 The progressive Viking Storm looks value here from a stable going well of late.

2.40 Signor Sassi looks on a reasonable mark.

3.15 This looks to concern Hillstar and Tarikhi. Hillstar has the benefit of a recent run and just gets the nod.

3.50 I am going for a couple of outsiders each way in the Lockinge. Chil the Kite and Almaaheer.

Newmarket

2.20 Caravan Rolls On and Biographer are my 2 against the field.

2.55 My short list for this comprises Secretinthepark, Heaven’s Guest and Burning Blaze. Course and distance winner Secretinthepark does look the one to beat. The other pair could be worth each way savers.

4.05 The front running Mister Impatience may be difficult to pass.

Thirsk selections

3.25 Dick Bos

5.45 War Lord

 

York

2.15 Sir John Hawkwood

2.45 Glen’s Diamond

4.25 Rye House

5.00 Wyldfire

Hamilton

6.15 Chevalgris

7.25 Mijhaar

8.00 Heaven’s Guest

Newbury

1.30 Ambiance

2.00 The Lark

4.15 Autun

Newmarket

4.05 Nabucco

 

York

2.45 It would not be safe to rule any of these out but the percentage call could be Indian Chief. Aiden O’Brien has won this race 3 out of the last 7 runnings and the horse looks to have plenty of scope.

4.25 Humour has been the subject of good reports.

5.00 Hidden Justice, Chancery and Eagle Rock all make some appeal. For my selection I will go with Hidden Justice with Chancery the danger.

Salisbury selections

1.30 Society Pearl

4.15 Whipper Snapper

Newmarket selections

5.55 Royal Dutch

6.25 Alkaayed

8.05 Auction

York

1.45 Clayton does not have too many miles on the clock and ran well in a decent handicap at Epsom last time.

2.15 Farlow has dropped a couple of pounds in the handicap which puts him in with a chance in a race like this. Although he might be best with some cut he has won on good to firm.

2.45 Liber Nauticus is bred to win an Oaks and should take this en route to the Epson classic.

3.15 My short list for this comprises Jack Dexter, Tickled Pink and Swiss Spirit. Tickled Pink is my final choice. She is very much on the upgrade. Swiss Spirit, form a stable in good form, looks the danger.

4.25 Steventon Star and Extortionist are the pair I like here. The former has the strongest form but the latter gave the impression when he won at Nottingham that there was more to come.

5.00 Robot Boy and George Rooke are my two against the field.