Category: Horse racing

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.

 

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in action tomorrow; At Catterick, Woodsley House (3.30) and Cape Vale (4.00) while at Kempton I have Emirates Sports in the 7.50.

Of the rest Cordoba catches the eye on pedigree in the Kempton 7.20 while on the same card Billberry looks to be on a winning mark in the 9.20.

At least I got something right today with Fame and Glory justifying the market support to land yet another Group 1 for Aiden O’Brien. The real hero at The Curragh for me though was the evergreen sprinter Benbaun who now has form figures at the Irish track that read – 211221111231.

I will cover both Monday and Tuesday in tonight’s preview although to be honest there is not a great deal to comment on.

Sioux Rising won a Pontefract maiden on only her second outing and makes her handicap bow over course and distance in the 3.45 tomorrow off a mark of 80. The horses she beat have had mixed fortunes since so it is difficult to evaluate the form. She won well though and must be respected.

Moving on the Windsor Maverin represents my list to follow in the 7.40. Form figures of 434323 tell their own story really and although he has a strong chance on official ratings he has been expensive to follow and could not be supported with any great confidence although the booking of Ryan Moore to ride him for the first time will not harm his chance.

At Wolverhampton Carleton could go well in the 5.00. He is on a decent mark if he handles the surface OK. The lightly raced Fleeting Star is another worth considering.

On Tuesday at Hamilton Exgray should have come on for her promising debut when 2^nd at Musselburgh – she runs in the Hamilton 2.15. Northside Prince has shown some signs of promise in his races and is one I have been keeping tabs on. He runs in the 3.15 and I see he is dropped in trip to a mile despite having a stamina laden pedigree.

My list horse at Thirsk is Cape Vale in the 9.00. He has been a frustrating horse to follow and I can’t help thinking that he needs easier ground and some help from the handicapper.

Lastly, my list to follow is also is represented by Halfway House in the Brighton 4.00.

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

With Sea the Stars missing from the Irish Derby I don’t have a strong view on the outcome. Fame and Glory would seem the obvious choice and so often the obvious choice is the right one!

The Group 3 sprint at 2.10 could go the way of Inxile who seems to enjoy his trips across the Irish Sea. A revitalised Captain Gerrard and course specialist Benbaun (pictured below) are the likely dangers.

As a member of the Elite Racing Club I will be hoping for a win from the club 2 year old State Fair tomorrow in the 2.00 at Salisbury. He has the best form of those that have run so I am reasonably optimistic.

Surprise Pension has already done me a favour this season when winning at Leicester. The runner up that day has franked the form and Surprise Pension may well be hard to beat in the 2.35.

Over in France Curtain Call is my selection for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Today’s picture is by the artist Karen Davies.

Tomorrow sees Newcastle stage there big day, at least on the flat, with the Northumberland Plate. The two that I looked at for this were Wells Lyrical and Electrolyser. The former has not been out of the first 3 in his last 8 starts and won 3 times on the bounce last season. He gets this trip only going down by half a length over this trip at Doncaster on his latest start. His career wins have all come on ground officially classed as good and it is possible he might not want conditions to be too quick. Electrolyser has only had 6 career starts having not raced as a juvenile. He looks a late maturing sort and although untried at this trip he shapes as though a test of stamina could play to his strengths. Clive Cox has had his team in tremendous form and in Electrolyser he has a live contender here.

The Osteopath won at Newcastle on Thursday and Osteopathic Remedy, in the same ownership looks quite well weighted to score in the 3.45. He handles any ground and comes into this race in good heart having finished runner up at Redcar last week.

Mark Johnston has an interesting newcomer in the 4.20. Lowdown is a half brother to several winners including Al Khaleej. My regulars will know I have been plugging the chances of a horse called Danehillsundance over the last few weeks – with a notable lack of success. I suppose I will have to desert him now so he will most likely bolt up at a big price in the 4.50. He is well handicapped.

Dream Eater has only won once in 14 starts but he has some good form in the book nonetheless. He has been eased in class tomorrow in the 3.25 at Newmarket and also dropped back to 7 furlongs and I would hope for a big run from him. Court Masterpiece would be a big danger at his best.

The lightly raced Wintercast is my selection in the 4.00 where he looks less exposed than some of his rivals.

Spirit of Dubai was 4^th behind Midday in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and if reproducing that form would take some beating in the Chester 3.50.

Hawk Mountain rarely runs a bad race and looks the likely winner in the Doncaster 8.10 where he is a course and distance winner.

There are two runners from my list to follow in action at Windsor. Judge ‘N Jury in the 3.35 has come down a little in the weights and has a 7 lbs claimer on board but really quick ground is probably not ideal for him. In the 4.05 I am hopeful of a good run from Warringah although the 2/1 quoted about him in the RP looks too short.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.

Good luck

At Folkestone tomorrow I am quiet interested in a couple of horses that are looking to complete hat tricks. Our old friend Caribbean Coral has won sellers at Bath and Brighton this month and while the 3.05 tomorrow is probably a harder race than either of those he is certainly in form.

At the tail end of the jumps season Callisto Moon put up a really good performance over hurdles when runner up to Sangfroid at Sandown. Back on the level I quite fancied him back at the Esher track for a staying handicap but I didn’t quite have the courage of my convictions. He duly came in at 20/1 and has won since at Musselburgh. He runs in the 3.40 tomorrow when he will be ridden by a jockey in excellent form, Daryl Holland.

Kattar was last of 6 on his handicap debut but there may have been excuses for him and 14/1 looks a big price in the 5.15. Before leaving Folkestone I have to point out that George Baker looks to have a good chance in the opener at 2.30. That is George Baker the horse, trained by George Baker and ridden by another George Baker!

Hitchens hasn’t done much since winning a conditions event at Thirsk but he has come down the weights a few pounds as a result. He could be given a small each way chance in the Newcastle 7.25. The 7.55 looks to be between Silk Trail and Kammann. Silk Trail is preferred. Charles Parnell is on a handy mark compared to his all weather form and I can see him going close in the 8.55.

The only runner from my list to follow at Newmarket is Dark Lane in the 9.10. He is not without a chance and the drop back to 5 furlongs may well help him.

At Doncaster Wigan Lane has an each way chance in the 2.20.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Ruth Buchanan.

This evening I will concentrate on the chances of the runners from my list to follow.

Starting at Kempton in the 3.40 we are represented by Cloudy Start, a winner at Epsom last time out over 7 furlongs. He looks a progressive sort and the extra furlong tomorrow should help him but he has a fair bit to find on official ratings in this conditions event. He has an each way chance.

Hillside Las has only won once from 8 starts and that was a Lingfield maiden. He has generally run his race though and with a first time visor and conditions largely in his favour he comes into the 4.10 with a sound chance.

Like Hillside Lad, Penang Princess is trained by Ralph Beckett and is probably my best chance of a winner tomorrow. She goes in the 4.40 and comes into the race on the 00back of a win at Sandown last month where she beat today’s Salisbury victor King Of Wands.

Free Falling runs in the 5.40 but has been largely disappointing and is best watched at present.

At Warwick Ralph Beckett saddles Bennelong in the 3.20. He has been fairly consistent and should finish in the first 3.

My other runners at Warwick are Honest Quality (3.50) and Choral Service (4.20). The latter, making his handicap debut is perhaps the more interesting of the pair.

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

 

The Carlisle Bell Handicap (3.35) is a typically tight looking affair.  I have been following Sir Royal all  season and I think I will stick with him here to convert his recent seconds into a win. The stable won the race a few season’s back with Hartshead.

 

Dig Deep is well handicapped on his best form and looked to be coming back to form when 4th at Pontefract last time.  He is my selection in the 5.15.

Down at Salisbury the card opens with a four runner staying handicap where they all look to have chances.  I narrowly prefer Darley Sun to King of Wands.

Keep an eye on Forest Crown in the 2.10.  She is a half sister to Crowded House.  Mabuya has been doing enough to suggest he can win a modest contest and he should go close in the 3.15.

My thanks to Jane Ince for the excellent photo of Carlisle racecourse.

 

 

There are certain publications that are essential reading for anyone that follows the sport of Kings. One book that I buy every year is Steve Taplin’s excellent publication that gives an informed insight into the prospects of the latest crop of 2 year olds. His selections are well worth following, not just in their juvenile season, but also in subsequent years. Art Connoisseur who won the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot yesterday featured in Mr Taplin’s book last year as one of his 50 to follow.

The recession is bound to hit the racing industry and one recent high profile victim is the Scottish trainer Len Lungo who has announced his retirement. Always a good trainer to follow around the northern tracks Lungo trained the likes of Brooklyn Breeze, Crazy Horse, Full Irish, Villon, Monolith, Rehearsal, Skipper’s Brig, Rasharrow and Wild Cane Ridge (pictured below).

One of my favourite Lungo trained horses was The Bajan Bandit who won 15 times in his career with 9 of those coming at Ayr. Len Lungo will certainly be missed.

As usual I will cover both Monday and Tuesday in tonight’s preview. There are plenty of meetings to go at and I will endeavour to find something of interest at each one.

The Tatling (pictured below) is a 12 year old now and has had a splendid career winning 14 times including 2 Group 2s and a couple of Group 3s. He runs in a much lower grade these days claiming races these days and runs in a claimer in the Chepstow 6.50 tomorrow. He ran poorly at Bath last time out but is weighted to win tomorrow if he can put that disappointing effort behind him.

Guesswork and Virginia Hall both went into my notebook as possible juveniles to follow based on pedigree. Guesswork has finished 4^th in both her starts and I see that she is dropped back to the minimum trip for the Lingfield 2.15 tomorrow. Virginia Hall was last of 9 on her debut run but like Guesswork she has shown some early speed. I wouldn’t write off either of these fillies just yet.

Billberry was finishing strongly when 3^rd at Lingfield over a mile on his first run of the season. That run should put him spot on and he returns to Lingfield for the 2.45 tomorrow. He is a course and distance winner.

Lochstar has won two of his four starts on the all weather and should go well for Andrew Balding and William Buick in the 3.15.

Seeking the Buck is my selection for the 3.45. Hr is on a hat trick and looks well weighted.

You wouldn’t envy the task of the course commentator at Windsor in the last race tomorrow evening. Googoobarabajagal runs in the 9.10 and I bet the commentator is praying the horse isn’t involved in the finish!

Masafi won an amazing 7 times in the 2004 season when trained by Sir Mark Prescott and has since been hurdling for Howard Johnson. He hasn’t won since January 2006 but should go close in the seller at Wolverhampton tomorrow (2.30). His main rival might be Aureate another horse that has come down in the world since the day he won a Chester handicap by 19 lengths for Mark Johnston. Masafi is also entered in the 2.45 at Beverley on Wednesday.

Caribbean Coral was useful in his time, winning the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom in 2004. He runs in selling company these days and won in that grade at Bath last week. He looks the one to beat in the 3.30. He is a course and distance winner on the strength of a success at the seaside track on only the second race of his career back in 2001. The main danger my come from a more prolific course and distance winner in Landucci who has won 6 times at Brighton, in fact he has never won on turf anywhere else.

At Newbury on Tuesday Richard Hannon gives a debut to the well named Sabatini who is out of a mare called Two Sets to Love. She runs in the 6.50. Hannon is mob handed in the 7.25 with 4 runners. Two of them are by first season sire Motivator, these are Love Action and Pollenator. John Dunlop has a good record in this race and it would be worth considering his newcomer Clarietta.

There are a number of illustrations in tonight’s preview. My thanks to Sarah Clegg (photo of Wild Cane Ridge), Lisa Miller (The Tatling and Newbury parade ring) and Katy Sodeau (Windsor).