Category: Horse racing

There is no shortage of racing over the weekend, with quality as well as quantity.  I will look at the meetings in alphabetical order, sartrtting at Haydock.

 

In the 2.05 Indian Trail carries top weight.  He won at Sandown last week and Frankie Dettori again has the ride.  He is certainly respected.  Another with chances is Northern Empire.  His 4^th at York on his most recent start has been franked with the 3^rd horse having won since.  Our list to follow is represented by Dig Deep who has already won twice this season, and Blazing Heights.  Dig Deep ran well in 3^rd at the end of July but has failed to sparkle in his 2 most recent runs. He has come down a  few pounds and also has useful 3 lbs claimer Liam Jones on board.  Blazing Heights has ability but doesn’t win very often.  He is capable of going close off his current mark but he does tend to run into traffic problems.

 

Caldra won 4 times as a juvenile but then suffered a bad injury.  His comeback run 23 days ago was encouraging and if he can impove on that in the 2.35 at Haydock he would be interesting.  On the downside though the likely quick ground seems a negative.  Smart Enough is another that made a belated reappearance recently.  He also showed good form last season but was beaten a long way in his return to the track at York.

 

Sakhee’s Secret has a perfect record this season of 4 wins from 4 starts and could hardly have been more impressive.  He is very much the one to beat in the 3.10. The other 3 runners from our list to follow are Al Qasi, Advanced and Amadeus Wolf.  Al Qasi is unlikely to take part on ground that will be too quick for him.  Amadeus Wolf has lost his way a little since starting the season in fine style in the Duke of York Stakes in May.  He was 3^rd in this race last year though and his stable is in good form.  Advanced, from the same stable as Amadeus Wolf was 2^nd in a listed race at York last time out but has a bit to find with the best of these.  Red Clubs and Balthazar’s Gift look each way alternatives to Sakhee’s Secret.

 

In the Old Borough Cup at 3.40 Record Breaker looks interesting for the stable that won the race last season with Peppertree Lane.  He has won 3 of his 6 races this season and may well benefit from tackling this longer trip.  He has won on good to firm and has Liam Jones in the plate.  Sagredo was 3^rd to Bauer at Chester last week and should be in the shake up as he is quite lightly raced and may have scope for further improvement.  Misty Dancer is the other one I like in this.

 

Mark Johnston may have the answer to the 5.15.  Five A Side was 2^nd at Ripon last month and the winner that day has gone in again.

 

Turning our attention to Kempton there is a tricky looking 12 furlong Group 3 race at 2.50.  Al Tharib won at Kempton last time out and is a horse with plenty of ability.  He is related to Coshocton who broke his leg in the 2002 Epsom Derby.  Lion Sands has been a bit disappointing since winning a maiden at Haydock.

 

Magic Mountain has been on e of the least successful horses on my list to follow with 8 straight defeats.  During the course of the season so far he has dropped 16 lbs in the weight but even so he would need to show more sparkle that he has done of late to figure in the 5.30.

 

There are 2 runners from our list to follow in the 2.10 at Leopardstown and both could be fancied on their best from.  Regime won the Sandown Classic Trial earlier in the season and also ran well when just going down to Harland at Maison Laffitte.  He was not disgraced when 5^th at Deauville last time and comes into the reckoning here.    Hearthstead Maison has been a terrific horse to have on my list to follow this season as eh ahs won at 9/1 and 25/1. He is yet to win outside of handicap company though.

 

Red Evie is going for back to back wins in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at 2.40.  She comes here in good nick having won the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last month.  Arch Swing has not enjoyed the best of luck since finishing 2^nd in the 1,000 Guineas.  She deserves to win a big race.  The 3^rd runner from our list to follow is Evening Time who is stepping up from sprint distances.  The main danger to our trio may be the admirable 8 times winner Echelon who comes here on the back of a win in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood.  Red Evie has a telling finish and her jockey rides her to perfection.  I think she will win this.

 

Dylan Thomas, with Kieren Fallon in the saddle looks the likely winner of the Champion Stakes at 3.50.  His form stands up to the closest inspection and he ran well last time against Authorized where the Peter Chapple-Hyam horse got first run on him.  Dual classic winning filly Finsceal Beo is an interesting contender.

 

Turning to Sunday’s racing Grey Boy runs from our list to follow in the 3.25.  He is well handicapped on last season’s efforts but has shown very littlee this season apart from a  decent 3^rd in the greys only race at Newmarket on the run before last.

 

Good luck.

 

 

  

Continue reading “Diary: September 8 & 9” →

There are just 3 runners from our list to follow tomorrow.

 

Chepstow 4.25 Imperial Gain

 

Haydock 4.15 Spume

 

Haydock 4.45 Mirthful

 

I will be back tomorrow night for an in-depth look at the weekend’s racing.

 

Continue reading “Diary: September 7 2007” →

Sunley Peace is the only runner from our lisy to follow tomorrow.  He runs in the 4.40 at Salisbury, which is named after the late great stayer Persian Punch.  Sunley Peace looks like being the outsider of the 5 runners and in truth he has a poor strike rate with only 1 win in 12 starts. 

He comes from the Persian Punch stable though and no doubt David Elsworth would love to win this race. Most of the other 4 have question marks against them and Sunly Peace is not without a chance in an open looking contest.

Continue reading “Diary: September 6 2007” →

Not a bad week so far with 3 wins and a second from the 4 runners featured.

 

I expected great things from Roger Charlton’s Proponent after he impressed last season winning both his starts.  He is yet to win this term but may have needed the run when down the field last time at Goodwood and may well do better tomorrow in the 3.05 at York.

 

Royal Oath and Halicarnassus represent our list to follow in the 3.35.  Royal Oath won the Hunt Cup at Ascot and has since finished runner up to Cesare in a Group 2 at the same track.  Halicarnassus has won twice this season making use of a telling burst of speed off a muddling pace.  I wouldn’t rule either out.

 

The lightly raced Tebee has run well on her last two starts on turf and looks the one to beat in the 8.50 at Kempton.

 

In the 3.15 at Lingfield I fancy Paul Cole’s Harlech Castle who is a half brother to several winners.

 

Vanquisher remains a maiden after 9 races.  He has the best form on show in the 4.20 but could be vulnerable to a less exposed sort.

 

Continue reading “Diary: September 5 2007” →

The horses mentioned in my previews have mostly been there or thereabouts over the last few days.  Long may that trend continue!

 

Just before the start of the flat season Captain Jacksparra and Mount Hermon both won races on the same day.  Neither has been able to repeat the performance but both are in action over the next two days.

 

 Captain Jacksparra runs in the Lingfield 3.40 tomorrow.  He is Kevin Ryan’s only runner at the meeting and has an each way chance as long as all runners stand their ground.

 

Mount Hermon runs in the 5.40 at Lingfield on Tuesday.  He was a disappointing favourite when 6^th on his last start back in April (Captain Jacksparra was 2^nd).  He has been given a lengthy break since then which may indicate that there was a problem with him that day.  His earlier form would put him in with a good chance.

 

Alan King’s Franchoek has won two of his last 3 starts and should again go well in the 3.10 at Goodwood.

 

In the 3.45 Dunelight, who usually runs well at Goodwood will probably try to win from the front and given his favoured fast ground could take some catching.

 

I will be back on Tuesday evening

 

Continue reading “Diary: September 3 & 4 2007” →

There are 2 runners from our list to follow involved in the 2.50 at Chester.  Bauer won 4 times last season and looked in good from when 2^nd on his latest start.  The extra distance and fast ground at Chester should being his favour and he looks sure to go close.  Sagredo in on a hat trick and is a typically progressive 3 year old from Sir Mark Prescott’s yard.  He has gone up the weights but may still be ahead of the handicapper.  He steps up from 10 to 14 furlongs and that may also bring about further improvement.

 

In the 4.55 Eastern Gift looks to break his duck.  He has finished runner up on his last two starts but with Richard Hughes on board this time he may be able to open his account.

 

The 7.25 at Musselburgh could be an opportunity for Buachaill Dona to record his first win of the current campaign.  He looked a progressive horse last season and his most recent effort, when 3^rd to River Falcon at York was his best for some time. Deserted Dane and Blazing Heights are the other runners in this from our list to follow.

 

Strategic Mount has been hard to place during this wet summer.  He has shown his best form over longer distances but if enough use can be made of his stamina he could go well in the 3.10 at Sandown.

 

The lightly raced Marozi looks interesting off bottom weight in the 3.45.  He is unexposed and could be a lot better than his current handicap mark.

 

Sunday

 

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in action on Sunday, all at Folkestone.

 

2.30  Dumas

 

5.00 Sunlight & Free Offer

 

Continue reading “Diary: September 1 2007” →

It has been hard to enthuse about the racing over the last few days but tomorrow presents a few talking points.

 

I put Sue’s Surprise on my list to follow on the strength of a promising effort in a listed race as a two year old but she has struggled this season and remains a maiden.  Tried in first time cheek pieces in the 2.20 at Chester tomorrow she has the best form but seems to lack gears and is probably not one to take a short price about.

 

Trojan Flight is only a 6 year old but seems to have been around for ever.  He used to be trained by the Ramsdens but is with Richard Fahey these days.  He is a real hold up horse and can find traffic problems.  His last run was a acse in point when apprentice ridden. Pat Cosgrave is on board tomorrow in the 2.55.  Trojan Flight has never won over 7 furlongs but on a sharp track like Chester he should not have stamina problems.

 

In the 4.00 Dellini looks outclassed but has an interesting pedigree and wouldn’t be running in this if not well thought of. Might be interesting in attracting market support.

 

Noisy Silence impressed when winning on his seasonal reappearance at Windsor.  He comes from a stable in hot form and could be the answer in the 4.30.

 

A knowledgeable friend of mine is quite keen on the chances of Alan King’s Daryal in the 5.05 so I pass the tip on. This horse has a much higher rating over hurdles apparently and could be better than his handicap rating on the flat.  He also goes well fresh.

 

Duty Free has looked a progressive sort for Hughie Morrison with two wins to his credit already. Although second last time out he had the remainder of the field well beaten.  With a decent 3 lbs claimer riding he looks to have a good chance in the 7.10 at Salisbury.

 

The lightly raced Lang Shining won his maiden nicely last month and the 2^nd and 3^rd have won since.  There is probably more to come and he looks to have solid claims in the 4.20 at Sandown.  Leptis Magna has tended to race too keenly for his own good.  He has been pretty consistent nonetheless and has place claims in the same race.

 

Sugar Ray was an easy winner of a weak race last time out.  He seems to be going the right way and is the selection in the 5.25.  Rock Anthem would be my alternative.

 

The only runner from our list to follow at Wolverhampton is View from the Top in the 8.55.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 31 2007” →

There is nothing much that interests me about tomorrows racing so I will take the opportunity to bore people with some stats.

 

It has been a fair season so far for our list to follow.  There have been plenty of big race winners, not least Authorized (Derby and Juddmonte International), Finsceal Beo (English and Irish 1,000 Guineas) and Dylan Thomas (King George).  We have also had some wins in major handicaps; Royal Oath (Royal Hunt Cup), Hogmaneigh (Vodaphone Dash), Juniper Girl (Northumberland Plate) and Zidane (Stewards Cup).

 

The most prolific winner has been sprint ace Sakhee’s Secret (4 wins).  The following have bagged 3 wins each; Authorized, Copernican, How’s She Cuttin’, Bollin Felix, Dylan Thomas, Mutajarred, Record Breaker and Tax Free.

 

The biggest priced winner has been Hearthstead Maison at 25/1 with both Mount Kilimanjaro and Deserted Dane winning at 20/1.  That is the story so far.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 30 2007” →

There are no runners from our list to follow entered over the next two days.

 

You might look out for Speed Song in the 4.00 at Ripon tomorrow.  He is clearly well thought of by connections as he holds a Group 1 entry.

 

On Thursday at Kempton old Smokin’ Beau runs in the 2.10.  He has just dropped 5 lbs in the weights and I see that Patrick Hill s has been booked to take a further 5 lbs off.

 

Next bulletin Wednesday evening.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 28 & 29 2007” →

In the 2.30 at Chepstow Ballora is stepped up from 6 furlongs to a mile.  She should come on for her debut run at Ascot and has an each way chance.

 

Franchoek was a beaten favourite when slightly hampered behind Alleviate, who won again next time out, on his last run.  That was over 14 furlongs and he is back up to 2 miles tomorrow in the 3.40 and with Ryan Moore in the saddle looks worth considering.

 

The 4.35 at Kempton looks to be between Al Tharib and Portal.  Both come from in form stables and there is very little to choose between them on form.  I would give a narrow edge to Portal who has had to run on unsuitable ground this season.

There are 2 horses from our list to follow in the 5.25.  Coup D'Etat won a couple of run ago but is unreliable and Grey Boy may be a better bet. He finished 3rd in the greys only race at Newmarket last week and is well handicapped on his best form.

 

Up at Newcastle in the 2.10 Sonny Sam looks an interesting newcomer and one to keep an eye on for the future.

 

See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: August 27 2007” →