Category: Horse racing

 

My only selection tomorrow is Espiritu in the 4.30 at Beverley.

The last few days have yielded some degree of success with winning tips for both the Oaks and the Derby with Seeking the Buck and Roman Republic also coming up trumps in handicaps.

I will cover Monday and Tuesday tonight.

At Folkestone tomorrow it might be worth having a look at Barter in the 4.45. She is related to some smart types and may be better than she has shown so far. Thus will be her third run so she will qualify for handicaps from tomorrow and may be worth considering in that sphere.

Mr Crystal is a horse I have followed with some success in the past. He runs tomorrow in the Pontefract 7.20. He has plenty of weight but stays really well, is a course winner and relishes firm ground.

In the sprint at 9.20 both Charles Parnell and Dig Deep are well handicapped if things drop right for them.

At Chester on Tuesday Wigan Lane should be all the better for his debut run when 6^th at Redcar. He runs in the 6.45.

Kammaan represents my list to follow in the Redcar 4.45. A beaten favourite on his last couple of starts he doesn’t look one to rely on. Sir Royal on the other hand is entitled to go close in the 5.45 on the strength of his 2^nd last time out at Ayr although he has been raised a couple of pounds for that run.

My best chance of a winner may come at Salisbury. Imperial Warrior and Flashy Lover should both be better for their respective debut runs and should go well in the 1.40. Imperial Warrior is a half brother to the sprinter Wyatt Earp while Flashy Lover is related to Flashy Wings who was a smart 2 year old a few years ago.

Burma Rock showed enough promise in 3 runs as a juvenile to suggest that he could pick up a handicap or two this season. He runs in the 3.20 and is trained by Luca Cumani.

Lastly my two against the field in the 3.55 are Cascata and course and distance winner Aromatic.

It has been teeming with rain all day here in the Peak District so I have included a couple of pictures from the national hunt season as that seemed more in keeping with the weather!  The pictures, by the artist Sarah Clegg, are of Binocular and Denman. 

Take care

Having successfully tipped the Oaks winner can we do the double with the Derby tomorrow? After a good deal of deliberation and a few changes of mind I have decided to go for Sea the Stars who has the proven class, if not quite the certain stamina. I will take Gan Amhras and Black Bear Island to complete the 1-2-3.

I started with a short list of 3 for the 1.25. Goliath’s Boy was badly hampered when last of 8 at Chester but was a runaway winner of a Catterick maiden last season before finishing 4^th in a listed race in France. London Bridge was runner up to Monitor Closely on his debut as a 2 year old. He has only had 3 starts and got off the mark at Newmarket on fast ground. He makes his handicap debut here and a mark of 82 may underestimate his ability. Union Island is yet to finish out of the first 3 in his 6 career starts. His most recent effort was when 2^nd in a competitive handicap at York. I have a lot of respect for Union Island who looks sure to run well but my selection has to be London Bridge who could well be better than his current rating.

Spacious only won once last season but was runner up in the 1,000 Guineas and 4^th in the Coronation Stakes. Four year olds have a good recent record in the 2.25 and Spacious has the class to maintain that trend. Sirens Gift and Crimson Fern are my each way suggestions for the “Dash” at 3.00.

The 4.30 is an open race where Red Kestrel is my “sporting” selection. He was 7^th last time over a trip short of his best and has been dropped 3 lbs by the assessor since. The 12 furlongs tomorrow should play more to his strengths.

Dandy Nicholls has a strong hand in the 5.05 with 7 runners. It is never easy to “pick” from a Nicholls mass entry. Cape Vale has a race in him at some stage and it would not surprise me if he came good here but for my selection I am going for Something who won a Kempton handicap in April and may still be ahead of the handicapper.

In the opener at Doncaster I like the look of Errigal Lad who looked a sprinter on the upgrade when 2^nd at Newcastle last week. Mark Johnston’s horses are generally running well and he can land the 2.35 at Doncaster with Roman Republic. This son of Cape Cross has only had 2 runs and is open to plenty of improvement.

We have had plenty of success with the ultra tough Archer’s Road and I am going to stick with Mick Channon’s 2 year old in the 2.20 at Musselburgh. In the 2.50 there are 3 runners from my list to follow and they all have a really good chance. Choosing between Alanbrooke, King’s Destiny and Holyrood is very difficult. King’s Destiny was probably not suited by the track when a beaten favourite at Chester and I am going to give him the narrowest of edges over Alanbrooke who looks the main danger. Holyrood, a rare runner from his stable at this track wears a first time visor and any market support for him would be worth noting.

Hitchens represents my list to follow in the 3.20 but it is not a race I have a strong view on.

There is evening racing at both Lingfield and Newcastle where I will highlight a few unraced 2 year olds to look out for. In the Lingfield 6.50 Pellinore is a sister to the 2,000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand, while a daughter of that horse, Chachamaidee is one to look out for in the 7.20.

Opus Dei could run well at a big price in the Newcastle 6.40.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Jo Stockdale.

Good luck

Tomorrow is Oaks day where Epsom stage the third of the English classics at 4.05. Commentators have said that this is not a vintage renewal but it is a fascinating contest nonetheless and not an easy puzzle to solve.

Rainbow View started a hot favourite for the 1,000 Guineas bet never looked like justifying her market position. The firm ground was given as the reason for her below par run at Newmarket and if you are prepared to draw a line through that performance then she comes into tomorrow’s race with every chance. She may well bounce back to her brilliant juvenile form and in many ways I hope she does as the sport needs its superstars. She does have question marks though as apart from having to bounce back from her last run she is not guaranteed to stay the Oaks trip. Others to consider include Midday, the Lingfield Trial winner and Sariska who won the Musidora. Both look sure to stay and could make this a stamina test which could find out any floors in Rainbow View’s ability to get the trip.

There has been money for the Sir Michael Stoute filly Phillipina. Although still a maiden she was finishing with some purpose when just failing to get up in the Cheshire Oaks. Rainbow View may well show a blistering turn of foot and make her rivals look one paced but I am going to stick with the guaranteed staying power of Sariska for my selection.

Plum Pudding may start favourite in the 2.10 but I am inclined to oppose him. Of his 7 career wins 6 have come over the Rowley mile while the most recent, at Warwick was in a conditions event and the form may not be reliable. Bencoolen is my selection. Third in the Thirsk Hunt Cup his trainer usually does well at this meeting.

The Coronation Cup at 2.45 looks an intriguing race. Expresso Star the Lincoln winner makes his chance at Group 1 level and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. The most reliable form line though looks to be the 2008 Arc and Youmzain (2^nd) and Ask (6^th) meet again. Youmzain looks the percentage call for all that he doesn’t have the best of strike rates.

I had high hopes for Charm School at the start of the season but he has disappointed thus far. I have decided to look elsewhere for the winner of the 3.25 and I like the look of Seeking The Buck. A winner at Newmarket last month he doesn’t have too many miles on the clock and there may be more improvement in him.

Nasri impressed me when runner up in a listed contest at Newmarket and looks the one they all have to beat in the 4.50. He is the selection but it might also be worth a second look at Mishrif who may have run out of stamina over further at Sandown last time.

Cloudy Start represents my list to follow in the 5.25 but recent form has not been encouraging.

There is a good evening card at Doncaster where I expect Block Party to go well in the 6.05. He makes his handicap bow and is the sort that his trainer excels with.

Turning to the 7.10 Margarita is a full sister to Soviet Song and is one to consider as is Almuktahem who is a half brother to Maraahel.

Danehillsundance is an interesting runner in the 7.40. He races off a mark of 77 and he has won 3 times off higher ratings including 89. He likes fast ground and looks worth considering.

Northside Prince has been steadily improving and should go well in the 8.45.

My only selection at Goodwood is Visite Royale in the 8.25.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

There is a distinct musical flavour to the 4.40 at Hamilton tomorrow. Tangerine Skies of course comes from the Beatles song;

“Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,
A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.”

Ride a White Swan was the title of a T Rex hit and Mr Lu might well be a relative of Mr Wu who figured in a George Formby classic – “Oh Mr Wu, what shall I do ….” They don’t write songs like that anymore!

Well, For my selection I am going to ignore the musical connection as I quite fancy Atlantic Beach for this. An unexposed sort he was 3^rd at Haydock on his last start and should go close.

Amno Dancer has been the subject of some promising reports ahead of his debut in the Lingfield 2.50. He is not well drawn though so it may be best to adopt a watching brief this time with him.

I have been following Play to Win this season with a total lack of success. I have decided to give him a miss tomorrow in the Lingfield 4.50 – so he will probably win!

The most interesting racing comes from Sandown where the first race is a 2 year old maiden. Classic Colori is one that catches my eye on pedigree and comes from a stable that has first time out winners.

I will go with the in form Invincible Lad in the 6.45 while I give Bravo Echo a chance to redeem himself in the 7.15 after a poor showing on his reappearance at Doncaster when he was well down the field.

Twisted will probably be hard to be beat in the 8.25 where Bourne may be the main danger.

Picture by courtesy of the artist Sally Martin

There are a couple of old favourites in the line up for the sprint handicap at Ayr tomorrow (3.50). Bo McGinty has been a real fun horse for his connections over the years, winning 9 races and finishing in the frame on numerous occasions. He is owned by Paddy McGinty and Bo Turnbull, hence the name. He likes fast ground and has dropped down the weights so is not without a chance. Blazing Heights hasn’t won for ages but is ridiculously well handicapped on his best form and has a useful claimer on board taking some weight off. It might just be his turn to win.

Pedegral remains a maiden after 10 starts so is no world beater but he has shown some signs of ability. I see that he has his first outing for his new stable tomorrow in the 4.50 having moved from Richard Fahey to Jim Goldie. Sometimes a change of scene can revitalise a horse so you never know…

Luca Cumani can do no wrong at the moment and he saddles the ex Godolphin 3 year old Suba in the Nottingham 4.40. This one might be worth considering.

Bennelong was runner up on his last start over a mile at Lingfield. He has been dropped 4 lbs in the handicap which may enable him to go close in the Kempton 8.50.

A quiet day all in all though.

You get two for the price of one today as I need to preview Monday and Tuesday’s racing today. No time tomorrow night as it is my Italian evening class!

So how did my predictions go on Saturday? Well Main Aim was a well backed winner and Sweet Sonnet made a successful debut in unlikely fashion making up no end of ground in the final furlong. We have had some success of late – I am still recovering from having a 20/1 winner on Friday!

Anyway, there are numerous meetings over the next couple of days so without further ado…

I have had Carleton in my notebook for a while as I feel he is quite well handicapped. He put in a promising effort when 5^th at Windsor a couple of runs ago and he returns to that track tomorrow for the 7.25. He seems to act on any ground and if things drop right for him he should be there or thereabouts.

Reverence ran well for a long way at Haydock on Saturday in a race won by a horse formerly trained in Greece. Reverence ran respectably in 4^th but is probably not the force of a few years back when he was one of the top sprinters in Europe. His half sister Impressible runs at Carlisle tomorrow in the 4.15. Unlike Reverence she seems to prefer a quick surface and although she is 5 lbs higher than her last winning mark she should run well. Her jockey, David Allan is a bit of a sprinter himself having won a race for jockeys a little while back.

Roger Charlton sends Splendorinthegrass to Thirsk for the 7.10. This colt showed some promise in a couple of runs last season but was always expected top do better as a 3 year old. He is a full brother to Etlaala and Selective so the 7 furlongs trip should be OK and I think he will handle fast ground.

The oddly named Hey up Dad represents my list to follow in the 8.10. He has been a bit disappointing so far this season and I think I will keep a watching brief with him for the moment. His win last season came in a maiden at Ayr on heavy ground so conditions may not be in his favour tomorrow.

There is racing in Ireland on Monday at Listowel and Naas. I haven’t studied the two Irish cards in any detail but Pride Celebre caught my eye in the 5.40. She raced much too keenly when 5^th at Dundalk and if she settles better she could go close.

Moving on to Tuesday I rather like the name of one of the runners in the 6.50 at Folkestone – Guesswork – quite a lot of that is involved in trying to find the winner of a horse race! This 2 year old is actually not without a chance having finished 4^th first time out. She is related to the high class Court Masterpiece. At Ripon in the 4.00 High Office looks sure to go well after his 2^nd at Beverley recently.

My thanks to Katy Sodeau (racing at Windsor) and Ruth Buchanan (parade ring at Thirsk) for allowing me to use their paintings.  See links for more details on both artists.

That is about it for today. Next update Tuesday evening.

Given the name of this web site Mykingdomforahorse had to be one for me to follow last season; he even won a race! This son of Fantastic Light stays in training with Mick Channon and has his second run of the season at Goodwood in the 4.10. He only beat one home at Windsor last time though so I am not going to go overboard about his chances. Peter Makin’s Mabuya is my selection in this race. Runner up on his handicap debut at Bath he showed he handled Goodwood when 2^nd there in a maiden last season and he looks a solid choice.

At Haydock’s evening meet I am relying on Tricky Situation in the 8.40. A half sister to the very useful Trick or Treat she was a promising 2^nd on her only run as a juvenile.

Exgray is an interesting newcomer for Bryan Smart in the Musselburgh 6.50. An Exceed and Excel filly she is a half sister to the prolific juvenile winner Steelaninch. Later on the card one of the horses on my list to follow, Woodsley House, lines up in the 8.50. The 7 year old is back to the same mark as his last win but ideally would like some cut in the ground.

I will be a bit short of time tomorrow evening so I will look ahead to Saturday’s meeting tonight starting at Doncaster. In the opener at 2.30 Alrasm, second on his debut at Newbury should be able to go one better and should benefit from his debut effort.

There are two runners from my list to follow in action on the Town Moor. Lucky Dance in the 4.05 and Falcativ in the 4.40. The latter has won his last 3 starts and is clearly on the upgrade and he has the better chance of the pair.

Off to Goodwood next where I have high hopes of Crackentorp in the 2.50. A winner twice on the all weather at Lingfield last season he looks less exposed than some of his rivals.

The listed race at 3.25 features a couple of runners, King of Dixie and Premio Loco that have built their reputations mainly on their efforts on the all weather. Premio Loco comes from a stable that had a nice winner today thanks to Luminous Gold. Premio Loco is respected but I narrowly prefer King of Dixie. After running a shocker on his seasonal reappearance at Wolverhampton Hillside Lad put up a better show when 6^th of 16 at Salisbury and back at 5 furlongs and having been dropped a couple of pounds by the assessor he can go well in the 4.30.

Riggins was hailed as the proverbial good thing at Newmarket but met with traffic problems and could only finish 8^th. Off the same mark he should make amends in the 5.40.

Since putting in some top class efforts last season Captain Gerrard has completely lost the plot. I see that he wears first time blinkers in Haydock’s 2.05 tomorrow and it will be interesting to see if they do the trick. He prefers some give in the ground so some rain would not go amiss.

Main Aim romped away with a Newbury handicap a couple of weeks ago and he may well be able to cope with the step up to Group Class in the 3.05. He seems versatile with regards to ground conditions.

Cape Tribulation’s last win on the flat came in a Nottingham maiden but since then he has had some notable success over hurdles. It may be that his handicap mark on the flat is on the lenient side and with Seb Sanders in the saddle being another plus he looks an interesting runner in the 4.45.

Court Masterpiece won the Sussex Stakes in 2006 before leaving the UK to race abroad. He hasn’t run anywhere for a couple of years but I see he is now with John Quinn and lines up in the 2.40 at York. It will be interesting to see how he gets on.

I fancied Hitchens and Siren’s Gift in the 3.45. Hitchens was disappointing on his last start however so I have decided to go with Siren’s Gift. The stable are in good form (Lochstar won for them today) and the horse was only narrowly beaten by Look Busy last time out and that horse has well and truly franked the form since. In the 4.20 I like the look of the well bred newcomer Sweet Sonnet.

The lightly raced Quannah Parker, named after an Indian chief, ran a fine race in 3^rd at Haydock last Saturday and a repeat of that sort of performance will see him claim a few scalps in the 4.55.

I have one selection at each of Saturday’s evening cards. Free Falling in the 7.00 at Lingfield and Dream of Gerontius in the 6.45 at Newburyb where the unraced Flashy Lover would also be interesting particularly if attracting market support.

Today’s pictures are by courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

Good luck

The best quality racing tomorrow comes from Sandown where I will start with the handicap at 8.50. Cadre did us a favour at very generous odds last time and being a lightly raced sort can’t be ruled out. The other one I would put forward in this race is Shamali. This 4 year old has only had 3 starts winning the last of these at Wolverhampton in November. A mark of 85 might well underestimate his ability.

Patkai has a 50% career strike rate and is 2 from 2 at the trip in the 7.10. Having said that no favourite has won the race in the last 10 years so the 8/13 on offer is probably not that attractive.

We are faced with a similar dilemma in the 7.45 where only 2 favourites have obliged in the last decade. I still fancy a couple at the head of the betting though in Pipedreamer and Conduit. There is a doubt whether the trip is quite ideal for either horse but I will just give the edge to Pipedreamer who has the benefit of a run this season.

My last fancy at Sandown is Border Patrol who seems to be improving rapidly.

Sir Royal has disappointed in his 2 runs this season but both were on fast ground. If conditions are a bit easier tomorrow he might be worth a small each way interest in the Ayr 3.50.

At Lingfield Lochstar should strip fitter for his run at the track earlier in the month and is my selection in the 3.30. He will have to overcome a poor draw however.

Sir Michael Stoute has his horses in great form and his Dancourt looks the one to be on in the 4.30. He is making his handicap bow and looks to be on a mark that his trainer can exploit.

Looking for a bit of value at Yarmouth it might be worth having a look at Choral Service in the 3.10. He did enough on his reappearance at Nottingham to suggest he has a race in him. Maverin is another that has claims.

Espiritu has form in decent races and look the one to beat in the 3.40.

Ithbaat won well at Yarmouth on May 11 and the 4^th in that race has since won while the runner up was only beaten a short head on his next start. Ithbaat looks to have more to offer and gets the nod in the Newcastle 9.15.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

There are some familiar names in action at Chepstow tomorrow. I remember Caribbean Coral winning the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom back in 2004. He’s a 10 year old now and hasn’t won for nearly a year but he has always been bit tricky to win with as he needs to be held up until the last moment. George Baker rides him tomorrow in the 2.30 where he has an each way chance.

Another that caught my eye was the 5 year old Cheap Street in the 4.50. He was a decent juvenile winning 3 times when but he hasn’t won since. Rated as high as 90 at one time I see he is racing off a mark of 64 now.

It seems reasonable to hope that the well related Venture Capitalist will improve for a step up to 10 furlongs in the 3.30 at Leicester and I think he could go well. One that could pose a threat is Michael Bell’s Halfway House, a beaten favourite on his last run but now coming down in trip.

Invincible Lad won a couple of times on the all weather last October. He is a half brother to Ellen’s Academy who was a firm ground specialist so he is worth a second look in the 4.30.

Turning to the Redcar 2.10 Wigan Lane is a half sister to a couple of horses that won first time out as juveniles and comes from a stable well known for first time out winners. She is also well drawn.

Baybshambles was a real fun horse to follow last season winning 3 races. He was finishing strongly when just failing to get up at Beverley last time out and has a chance in the 3.40 despite being 3 lbs out of the handicap.

There are a few horses that you might like to consider on Wednesday.

Beverley 6.20 – Mr Freddy; 6.50 – Northside Prince; Lingfield 3.35 – Aromatic.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jo Stockdale (see links).

Good luck