Category: Horse racing

Tomorrow features racing from the headquarters of both codes as well as a number of supporting meetings around the country.

The big handicap of the day is of course the Cesarewitch, the Newmarket 3.40. Darley Sun may well go off favourite. David Simcock’s progressive three-year-old is 12lbs well-in after his recent second in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. He has only been out of the first two once in 6 starts this season and will handle the ground.

Nanton has had a tremendous run in big handicaps and is really versatile with regards to trip but this just might be a bit too far for him. He also has an unfavourable low draw. Electrolyser has a 4 lbs penalty for a win in listed company at Ascot over 2 miles. He also ran well in the Northumberland Plate where he finished 5^th. Wells Lyrical was runner up in that race and is one for the short list with the benefit of a good draw. He may be better with some cut in the ground however. Alanbrooke has been running consistently all season and is a typically resilient type from the stable of Mark Johnston. He finished runner up over course and distance off the same mark recently.

Dirar won 3 times over hurdles during July and is an interesting dark horse. Times Vital last appeared in the UK when winning a 12 furlong handicap at Doncaster just over a year ago. He has since had a couple of runs at Deauville which should sharpen him up for this and if he stays (he has not attempted this sort of trip before) he could be an interesting contender. Dayia is a lightly raced mare with some good form in bumpers at the start of her career. She was a winner last time out at Wolverhampton. The booking of J Murtagh for Sereth looks potentially significant. A winner 5 times in Germany his current handicap mark could well be lenient. Fast ground could be a problem however. David Pipe’s Mamlook has finished third in the race before, had a good season over hurdles last term and clearly has a chance, while Gordonsville, well handicapped on some parts of his form has an each way chance. Based on his win at York in August I think that Swingkeel looks a likely type for this race. He handles fast ground well. Lastly Judgethemoment was completing a hat trick when winning the Ascot Stakes in June and is now only 2 lbs higher.

I know that is rather a long short list but let’s see how they are drawn.

Firstly, Nanton, Dirar and Sereth are all drawn in single figures and I am going to put a line through them. Let’s have a look at those drawn 18 or higher. Judgethemoment (18) Wells Lyrical (26), Times Vital (34), Darley Sun (25), Gordonsville (33) and Dayia (35). With the trainer of Gordonsville out of form we are left with a list of 5. Darley Dun and Dayia would be my 2 against the field.

The form of Main Aim has been very disappointing on both of his last two starts but if he could bounce back to the sort of form showed earlier in the season he would have a good chance in the 1.50. I have a feeling that the Irish may hold the key in the Dewhurst at 2.25 with Steinbeck and Chabal looking big threats to the home team.

Fame and Glory is the form pick in the Champion Stakes at 3.00 but his price looks short enough for a horse that ran in the Arc 13 days ago. Sariska, Pipedreamer and Twice Over are both more than capable of being in the shake up but at the odds the value looks to be between Never on Sunday and Mawatheeq. Never on a Sunday has had a light campaign and is already a Group 1 winner this season. Mawatheeq is an improving sort and is well suited by fast ground.

The lightly raced Nehaam, who beat Monitor Closely at level weights earlier in the season is my selection for a trappy looking Jockey Club Cup at 5.25.

Over the jumps at Cheltenham War of the World is fit, in form and has the benefit of Richard Johnson in the saddle in the 3.15. The 5.00 is probably between Red Admiral and Kangaroo Court with my preference for the latter who made a good start to his chasing career at Uttoxeter last month.

In the 5.35 Alan King runs a full sister to Over Sixty in Miss Overdrive. A winner at Southwell she then ran well in a mare’s bumper at Aintree and looks the one to beat here.

At Catterick the big race is the sprint handicap at 3.25 where my tentative suggestions are Fathom Five and Cape Vale.

In Canada there is a strong challenge from the UK for the two big races there. Rainbow View has not turned out to be quite the star that we hoped she would be but she has still shown a fair level of form all season. She can go well in the EP Taylor Stakes while Mark Johnston’s Jukebox Jury can be a hit in the Pattison Canadian International and add another Group 1 win to his recent success in Germany.

Good luck.

All pictures today are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.  The picture at the top of the page is of the great Inglis Drever who sadly had to be put down today after a serious attack of colic.  It is a great shame that he was not able to enjoy what would have been a well earned retirement.

With the first meeting of the season at Cheltenham tomorrow the jumps season is just about to step up a gear.

Snap Tie was a more than useful hurdler but fell short of the highest class. I always got the impression that he would make a chaser and tomorrow he has the chance to prove it in the 2.55. With the ground in his favour he looks set to make a winning start to his chasing career. He likes Cheltenham and has gone well fresh in the past so there are plenty of plus points.

Tot ‘O Whiskey is another runner from my list to follow. He goes in the 3.30 but is perhaps best watched for the present as he was pulled up on his last start.

The Jigsaw Man is a dual bumper winner with both his successes coming at Stratford. In between these starts he was a creditable second in a bumper at Galway. He looks a nice prospect and makes his hurdles bow in the 5.50 with Tony McCoy in the saddle. Both his wins have come on good to firm although he probably handles any surface.

There is also some decent flat racing, mainly at Newmarket. In the opener at 1.30 House Point looks an interesting runner. He is related to several winners including point of light.

A couple of newcomers to look out for in the 2.00 are Sour Mash and Nibani. Both are more likely to be longer term prospects but they will be worth noting in this race and their future progress should also be followed.

In the 3.10 Glass Harmonium and Palavicini represent my list to follow. Although Rio de la Plata has obvious claims I will go with Glass Harmonium for my selection. He impressed me at Royal Ascot and there may have been excuses for his subsequent defeat.

There are 4 from my list to follow in the 3.45. Splashdown, Mooakada, Hidden Brief and Leocorno all have claims. There may be more to come from the lightly raced Leocorno and she may also benefit from this drop back in trip. She is the selection.

Hevelius (5.35) is a lightly raced type and has dropped a few pounds in the handicap. Not without ability and comes into this with an each way chance.

There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in action at Redcar, 3.55 Blue Lyric and 5.40 Cook’s Endeavour.

One Good Emperor has done enough on hi last couple of runs on the all weather to put him in with a shout in the 6.15 at Wolverhampton while Ruthie Babe should go close in the 6.45.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Jane Dunn.

Selections for Thursday

Nottingham 3.40 Alcalde

Wolverhampton 6.30 Autocracy; 7.00 Penang Princess; 9.00 Kazbow

Punchestown 2.45 Some Present; 4.15 Sizing Europe

Today’s picture, courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller is on Harchibald, a fascinating recruit to fences at the age of 10, who opposes my selection in the Punchestown 4.15.

My first selection tomorrow is Block Party in the 7.20 at Kempton. He has put in some solid efforts this season and was second over course and distance on his last start.

I was impressed with Business as Usual when he won his maiden at Yarmouth and he may have the beating of his 3 rivals, all previous winners themselves, in the 2.00 at Leicester.

John Gosden may hold the key to the 3.05. He is double handed with both his runners looking to have a chance.

The jumps cards at Uttoxeter and Wetherby look pretty run of the mill stuff. With the benefit of a recent run Nirvana Swing looks to have an each way chance in the Wetherby but apart from that nothing really catches my eye.

I am interested in a couple of runners at Punchestown. Taking Stock makes his hurdles debut in the 3.15. He won a Punchestown bumper in February and although a chaser in the making he should be able to score over the smaller obstacles while gaining experience.

Weapon’s Amnesty, winner of the Albert Bartlett at the Festival last March is fancied to make a winning start to his career over fences in the 5.20. Davy Russell takes the ride.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Ruth S Harris.

Not a lot to report on from this afternoon’s racing although Dvinski proved what a course specialist he is at Kempton with his 6^th win at the track.

The jumps action tomorrow comes from Huntingdon where the Brian Ellison trained Overrule should go well in the 4.00.

On the flat at Leicester the pair that interest me are Mufarrh and Official Style who were 2^nd and 3^rd at Newbury last month. The 3^rd could get a lot closer this time around and I will just burden Official Style with the selection.

I am tempted to go for First City in the 3.40. She won on her debut as a juvenile and although not able to win again since she has displayed a fair level of form. My concern would be the ground as she may want conditions to be on the soft side.

Tiger Flash has been expensive to follow and remains a maiden despite the efforts of messrs Fallon, Spencer and Sanders. Ryan Moore tries his luck tomorrow in the 4.10 and the horse should once again be on the premises but he does seem to find it difficult to get his head in front.

Moore looks to have a winning chance in the 4.40 where he rides Botanist for Sir Michael Stoute. Runner up at Sandown last month he should be able to go one better here.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Maura Clarke.

Having just returned to the UK from a break in the sun in Sicily I will have a quick run through some of the highlights of the past week.

Obviously any review must start with Sea the Starts who proved himself to be ranked with the greats of the sport with a success in the Arc. Although he was in a none too promising position at one point he has the gears and the class to get himself out of trouble. I was pleased with my comment that “a late swoop from Youmzain can’t be ruled out.”

On Monday I had a spot of seconditis with Tiger Flash, Crackentorp and Felsham all occupying the runners up spot. Alcalde was a winner from y list to follow at 8/1 at Warwick giving Mark Johnston winner number 191 for the season. Crackentorp was close up second after a long absence from the track and should come on for the run. Alcalde remains one to follow especially where there is some juice in the ground.

On Thursday Classically got off the amrk at the 7^th time of asking at Kempton while Noafal looked a decent juvenile winning at Newbury.

On Friday Walvis Bay was a ready winner at York and justified favouritism.

Moving on to Saturday two runners from my list to follow fought out the finish of the Ascot Heritage Handicap with Opinion Poll getting the better of King’s Destiny. Over the jumps at Chepstow James de Vassy looked one to follow when landing the handicap hurdle. Noble Alan got his chasing career off to a winning start at Hexham. At Wolverhampton Royal Diamond completed a 4 timer for Sir Mark Prescott.

The following runners from my list to follow are in action tomorrow. Goodwood – 3.45 Mishrif and Pearl of Manacor; 5.30 Cherish the Moment & Scene Two. At Lingfield Prescription looks to have a good chance in the 3.35.

Runners entered from my list to follow;

Warwick 5.20 – Crackentorp and Alcalde

Windsor 3.30 – Tiger Flash; 5.00 Halfway House.

In the nursery at Windsor (4.30) look out for Felsham.

Other horses to note that are entered later in the week; Beau Fighter, Call It On, Dirar, Al Qeddaaf and Spirit of a Nation. Over the jumps in Ireland look out for Liss Na Tintri and Sweeps Hill.

I have recently added a jumps list to follow for the new season.

It is something of a day of destiny for Sea the Stars tomorrow. Already confirmed as the best horse we have seen for quite a while he could join the all time greats with a win in the Arc at Longchamp. Will he do it? He is the likely winner but taking a very short price about him could be unwise. The Arc is inevitably a bit of a rough race and there is no lack of quality opposition. Vision D’Etat and Conduit look likely to give the hot favourite most to do while a late swoop from Youmzain can’t be ruled out. They would be my first 4 home.

In the Prix de L’Abbaye I will stick with that old favourite Borderlescott with Benbaun the main danger. Midday can give Henry Cecil a winner in the 2.30 while it would be great to see Yeats sign off with a win in the 4.45 where Askar Tau could be an each way shout.

There is also jumping action around the country.

At Kelso in the 5.40 Jurisdiction is an interesting runner4. He won a bumper at Newton Abbot in May and although he may find it hard to win again here under a penalty he looks a fair long term prospect.

At Uttoxeter Moorlands Teri can give Tim Vaughan a winner in the 2.35.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sally Martin.

The Newmarket card tomorrow opens with a race for 2 year odld fillies at 1.50 that is a two horse race according to the tipsters. In search of value I will put up the Godolphin runner Siyaadah against the big two. She won well on her debut and there may have been something amiss when she disappointed next time out. There are a couple of others to note for future reference in Song to the Moon and House Point. Both are likely to need their first run but are interesting prospects for the future.

Sir Michael Stoute has his team in great form and his Markazzi could be a value bet in the 2.25 after an impressive win at Leicester. Kona Coast could run into a place at a huge price while the other John Gosden entry Meezaan is an interesting newcomer.

My list to follow is represented by Fantasia and Spacious in the 3.00 but they may be battling for the minor honours as Ghanaati has by far the best form on show.

And so to the Cambridgeshire at 3.40 and a little matter of 36 runners to sort out!

Swop is worth careful consideration despite unimpressive recent form figures. He caught the eye at Doncaster last time and may just be coming into form at the right time. He was 3^rd in this last year and is now on a higher mark but his trainer targets these big handicaps and he is one for the shortlist. The versatile grey Nanton has been in fine form all season and is a horse I like. He is 8 lbs higher than last year when he was second but he has probably improved since then. Fight Club is an intriguing entry from a stable better known for their jumpers. He hasn’t run for over a year and was last on his previous two starts but he was a Group 2 winner in Germany 4 years ago and a reproduction of that sort of form would make him a live contender. He may well need soft ground however.

The lightly raced Tryst could turn out to be better than a handicapper and is another to take seriously. There are two points against him; his lack of experience and the possibility that fast ground may not suit him. Charm School is very capable on a going day and to be fair to him his form has improved since he was gelded. The likely strong pace will suit him and he seems to go on any ground. Applause is a lightly raced type with claims. She missed the break at Ascot last time out but before that had won a Redcar handicap on fast ground. Greylami and Almiqdaad are others to consider in a very open race. Applause looks to have been laid out for this and is the selection. The Paul Cole trained Moynahan may be worth a small each way saver.

At Epsom I fancy last time out winner Dylanesque to follow up in the 2.35 where she should be suited by the step up to 7 furlongs.

I have been following Raines Cross this season as I like his underrated trainer. A winner at Salisbury on his last start I can see him running a big race in the 3.10.

Sovereign Remedy won a Nottingham maiden at the start of the season and has run well since in decent handicaps. He looks to have a good chance in the 4.20. Course and distance winner Chadwell Spring looks over priced and is a viable each way alternative. There is a runner from my list to follow in the 4.55. Ebyain does not really look good value at around 7/2 however.

Pastoral Player won well on his debut at Newbury and will do for me in the Redcar 3.15. The only runner from my list to follow at Redcar is Musaalem in the 3.55 but he has a bit too find at the weights with some of his rivals.

There are a few list runners in action at Longchamps. We have Cat Junior in the 2.40 where Border Patrol is another interesting British challenger. In truth though it is hard to see Goldikova being beaten. Spring of Fame runs in the 3.45 but though consistent is probably not quite up to winning at this level. Pipedreamer on the other hand looks to have a winning chance in the 4.20.

My only selection at Gowran Park is China Rock in the 5.25. At Fontwell recent Worcester winner William’s Wishes is turned out again quickly in the 3.30 and should win again.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Ruth Buchanan.