Category: Horse racing

I’ve been sorting out my shed over the past week and putting all sorts of rubbish in a skip.  Talking of rubbish, my list to follow is on the crest of a slump at present.  There were some pretty disappointing runs today but I would excuse Borderlescott, Monte Alto amd Transcend who all ran very creditable races. 

The big race at Goodwood was dominated by the Cheveley Park horses with the consistent filly getting the better of Cesare.  This was the underrated Echelon’s 8th career win.

 

There are a few runners from our list scattered around the various meetings tomorrow although none look over promising.

 

Spume took me by surprise when he won at Thirsk on his first start for Danny Murphy after leaving the Stoute yard.  He then folded rather tamely when favourite at Carlisle last week.  It is a bit difficult to weigh him up.  He runs in the 2.10 at Goodwood.

 

Princess Valerina has been largely disappointing this season.  She has tended to race keenly so Goodwood might just suit her style.  She runs in the 2.45.

 

Measured Tempo has won 2 of her 3 races with her only defeat coming in the Oaks when she finished next to last.  She runs in handicap company in the 3.20.  She should have an excellent chance but form in pattern company doesn’t always translate into handicaps.

 

Escape Route has looked a promising sort but has refused to enter the stalls on his last couple of appearances and seems a nervy individual. She runs in the 4.30.

 

Malaath won on the all weather at Lingfield on her only start last season but has shown little in 2 runs this term. There si no obvious reason to support her in the 2.20 at Yarmouth, although she does have the assistance of Jamie Spencer in the saddle.

 

Spencer also partners another of our list runners, Pairumani Princess in the 4.40.  This half sister to Persian Lightning has been in the frame a few times this season without ever really looking like winning. Tried at 14 furlongs for the first time she may well make the frame.

 

I see that Paul Cole sends Eisteddfod over to Deauville for the Group 3 race at 2.20.  As you probably know Eisteddfod comes from a very successful family as all of his siblings have won at least once.  Harlech Castle was the latest to uphold the family tradition in the week.

 

See you tomorrow

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 26 2007” →

Saturday preview

 

 The 1.30 at Beverley doesn’t look the strongest of contests and might not take a great deal of winning Staked a Claim wears first time blinkers has possibilities.

 

The listed race t 3.00 features some old favourites.  Borderlescott would be a very popular choice as he just lost out in a desperate finish to Zidane in the Stewards Cup recently.  He should again be thereabouts as should Tax Free who has already won 3 times this season.  Baltic King was 2^nd at Chester on his last outing and the ground tomorrow should be just right for him.  These 3 would be my main fancies with Strike up the Band the best outsider.  If pushed for a selection it would be Tax Free, the mount of Adrian Nicholls.

 

The 3.35 looks a very competitive affair.  Record Breaker and Cabinet both come here on the back of wins.  Cabinet has been raised 7 lbs for his win at Sandown in soft ground last month. Record Breaker has a 6 lbs penalty for his win last Sunday at Pontefract but comes back from 12 to 10 furlongs tomorrow. Five a Side posted a promising effort on his latest start when 2^nd at Ripon while Monte Alto has been a model of consistency all season and will be hard to keep out of the frame.  Record Breaker won in good style last week and looks to be progressing.  He gets the selection.

 

Monashee Brave recorded his only ever win at Beverley and returns there for the 4.05.  He wears a first time visor and if this gets him to produce his best form he would go close.

 

Ivy Creek won two listed races earlier in the season and a return to that sort of form would give him every chance in the 2.05 at Goodwood.

 

The 3.10 looks good for Cesare who is not far short of top class.  Echelon runs in the same colours.  She has 4 wins at Group 3 level to her credit and should not be too far away.  Blythe Knight, a former winner of the Lincoln is an admirable sort and has won his last two races. Dunelight is a course and distance winner at a track where course form can be a big plus while Blue Ksar comes into the reckoning and has not been out of the first 2 on his last 6 starts.  Cesare has the best form and is preferred to Blue Ksar.

 

Pacific Pride has not won for over 2 years and his recent form is no encouragement.  He is dangerously well handicapped though and is the type to pop up at a silly price eventually.

 

Coup D’Etat ended a long losing sequence 5 days ago and connections run him again under a penalty in the 4.15.  He would go close if he has recaptured his best form but he does not look a straightforward sort.

 

Composing represents our list to follow in the maiden handicap at 5.25 but is very hard to fancy.

 

Transcend won over 7 furlongs 2 outings ago and was not disgraced last time on the all weather.  He has an each way chance in the 2.20 at Newmarket.

 

In the 3.25 I fancy Balthazar’s Gift who has been in fine form of late. 

My 2 against the field in the 5.05 would be Swinbrook and Geojimali.

 

We have a couple of runners from the list to follow in the 6.15 at Windsor.  Hawridge Prince runs well in small fields but the trip might be on the short side for him. Tam Linn has plenty of ability but seems to be a bit of a nut.  I will give him one more chance here though as I am sure he has the talent to win something like this if he can get his head right.

 

Halicarnassus won a Group 3 last time out but the 6.45 looks a potentially tougher event.  The going may not too be to his liking either.

 

Good luck     

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Continue reading “Diary: August 25 2007” →

We’ll come has run consistently throughout his 7 race career thus far and has only been out of the first 3 once.  He is creeping up the weights as a result though and is 5 lbs higher than when 3^rd at Newmarket on his last appearance.  He should run well from a promising draw. Also of interest is Smart Enough who won this race last season.  He has been off the track since finishing 5^th in the Cambridgeshire but if fully would up after his absence would be one to consider.

 

The Nunthorpe (3.10) does not look a vintage renewal.  Dandy Man looks a fair bet as he should get his favoured fast ground.  The French trained Beauty is Truth could be the main danger.  Apart from Dandy Man, Reverence and Amadeus Wolf also run from our list to follow.  Neither has been in form in recent runs and the ground could also be against Reverence.  Of the remainder the 2 year old Kingsgate Native could run well at a nice price.

 

Our list runner in the 3.50 is Advanced but he has not won at the 7 furlong trip.  I will of course be rooting for Elite Racing Club horse New Seeker.  What are his chances?  You will have the join the club to get the inside info!

 

There are a couple of runners from our list in the 4.25.  Dance of Light was 7^th in the Oaks but the form of her last run when 3^rd at Yarmouth does not look particularly strong.  Gull Wing had been expensive to follow until winning in a canter last time out.  Looked good that day but is upped in class here.

 

Our 3 list runners in the 5.00 all have chances of sorts.  Sunley Peace got off the mark at the umpteen attempt.  He was 5^th in the Queen’s Vase and will not lack for stamina.  Rhaam is on a hat trick and steps up in trip here.  Does not look badly treated and should get the trip.  Bollin Felix has 3 wins to his credit already this season.  Only 3^rd of 6 of his current mark on his latest run. 

The well bred Thinking Positive has shown promise in her 4 starts so far and has a good chance of getting off the mark in the 3.00 at Lingfield.

 

On Friday Alleviate goes for the hat trick in the 6.55 at Bath under a 6 lbs penalty.  She looked good when accounting for Duty Free at Sandown and will be hard to stop on that form. Other qualifiesr from our list:

 

Bath 7.55 Balliasta

 

Newbury 1.50 Magic Mountain

 

Newmarket 5.00 Mirthful

 

Thirsk 3.35 Osteopathic Remedy

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 23 & 24 2007” →

Tonight’s bulletin covers the first two days of the York Ebor meeting.

 

Day 1

 

The ever popular Sergeant Cecil will no doubt come in for some support in the Lonsdale Cup at 2.00. He has not shown his best form in recent runs however and I am going to look elsewhere for the winner.  Juniper Girl steps up in class having snatched the Northumberland Plate in the dying strides. Rain would help her cause and she could have an each way chance in soft ground.  Septimus looks to have the right credentials.  Lightly raced, he won the Dante in soft ground in 2006 and also has solid form on a fast surface. Balkan Knight is the other one I like.  He has won twice this season and was 4^th last time out in the Goodwood Cup.

 

I don’t hold any particularly strong views on the Great Voltigeur at 2.35.  Macarthur, a brother to Derby winner Motivator may be better than his form figures this season suggest while Hearthstead Maison is consistent and comes from an in form stable.

 

The big three in the Juddmonte International   are Authorized, Dylan Thomas and Notnowcato.    My narrow preference is for Authorized who may have beaten Notnowcato last time but for the canny tactics adopted by the winning jockey.  Duke of Marmalade has pretty solid form and could go well at a price.

 

Tajdeef was an impressive winner at Newbury and is taken to win the 3.50 at the expense of Campanoligist and Captain Brilliance.

 

Oasis Wind was a comfortable winner at Leicester 3 weeks ago and looks the one to beat in the nursery at 4.25.

 

Buachaill Dona has not recaptured his smart form from last season as yet.  I will give him another chance in the 5.00

 

Day 2

 

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 1.30, Plum Pudding, Star of Light and Heaven Knows.  The latter has been off the track for a year following training setbacks but looked a progressive sort before that.  I will take a chance with him here.

 

Purple Moon won a listed race at Goodwood on his last outing and could well be a blot of the handicap in the Ebor at 2.35.  He may be a short price though so I will have a look at some of the others.  Strategic Mount won last time out and would come into the picture if the ground is fast enough for him.  Minkowski is an interesting entry.  He handles soft ground well and should be all the better for this step up in trip given his pedigree. 

Honolulu won a listed race at Limerick last time out and there may well be more to come from him as he has only raced 3 times.   Tranquil Tiger won a listed race at Newmarket in a fast time last month and is one for the short list as is hurdler Pevensey who tackles a trip beyond 12 furlongs on the flat for the first time.  Macorville was only just touched off by Juniper Girl in the Northumberland Plate and would have a major chance on soft ground if making the cut.  All the Good has won 3 times over this trip and is only 2 lbs higher than his last winning mark.  

 

Purple Moon looks the most likely winner.  Honolulu, Minkowski and Strategic Mount would form the rest of my short list although the last named needs fast ground.

 

Alexandrova makes her first appearance of the season in the Yorkshire Oaks at 3.10.  It is asking a lot for her to win this after a lengthy lay off and Peeping Fawn looks the one to be on.

 

Runners entered from our list to follow at other meetings:

 

Tuesday

 

Brighton 4.05 View from the Top

 

Wednesday

 

Carlisle 2.15 Cadwell:  4.00 Spume    

 

Next update Wednesday

                                                                              

Continue reading “Diary: August 21 & 22 2007” →

With the big Ebor meeting just around the corner Monday’s racing looks pretty low key.

 

Coup D’Etat has failed to win in his last 20 starts so it is difficult to get too excited about his chances in the 3.00 at Leicester.

 

The only other runner from our list to follow is Tonnante in the 7.50 at Yarmouth.  3 Year old handicappers from this stable always command respect, especially when being stepped up in trip.

 

Elsewhere Swanky Lady created a favourable impression on her debut at Goodwood and can build on that in the 5.30 at Windsor.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 20 2007” →

  Saturday preview

 

Dumas has claims to be the least successful horse on our list to follow.  He has only beaten 2 of his 65 rivals thus far in his four races.  He runs in a claimer at Lingfield tomorrow (5.30) where he wears a first time visor. In the 2.10 at Newbury Roger Charlton gives a debut run to Melodramatic who is well related being a half sister to the top class sprinter Tante Rose.

 

Talking of well related horses Classic Punch goes for a hat trick in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury (2.40)  He is a half brother to the late great Persian Punch.

 

In the Hungerford Stakes at 3.20 Red Evie looks interesting.  She drops back in trip to 7 furlongs where she has a 100% record from 4 runs.

 

Mullein made a promising start to her career when 7^th of 16 at Ascot last month and should come on for that run in the 4.25.  She is a half sister to Illustrious Blue, one of our horses to follow. Another that catches my eye in the same race is Dellini, trained by Mick Channon and related to several winners.

 

The all greys sprint at Newmarket is always a great spectacle if not necessarily the highest quality horserace in the world.  Tomorrow (3.00) I will be rooting for the old timers Legal Set (11), Certain Justice (9) and Middleton Grey (9), because like me they are all grey and knocking on a bit. They should all go well but my selection for the race would be Milton Bradley’s Summer Recluse.  The only runner from our list to follow is Grey Boy who is well handicapped on last season’s form but has shown little this time around.

 

Mia’s Boy has always been well regarded by his trainer and makes his handicap debut in the 4.10 at Newmarket.  He got off the mark last time out in a maiden at Thirsk and could be an improver.

 

I have been working on a shortlist of 4 in the 3.45.  Zomerlust won on heavy ground last time out at York. He is best with some cut in the ground so any rain will help his cause.  Turnkey was 2^nd in the York Race and he is another that shows his best form on softish ground.  He gets on well with young claimer Adele Rothery and he should go well.  Indian Trial has been unlucky on his last 2 starts and will be a big danger to all.  Unlike the other two he is best suited by faster ground.  The fourth one I like is Fullandby who won at Ayr a couple of starts ago.

 

Black Rock represents our list to follow in the 5.25 at Ripon.  He won at Sandown 2 runs ago and has probably underachieved so far as he looks to have some ability.  Tries a longer trip here.

 

I see that Peter  Chapple-Hyam sends his very promising 2 year old filly Laureldean Gale to Deauville for the 7 furlong Group 3 race there.  She was an impressive winner of a Newmarket maiden.

 

Another interesting English raider at Deauville is Michael Bell’s Regime in the 3.20.  Regime was down the field in the Derby but has earlier won the Sandown Classic Trial and on his last outing only went down by a short head to Harland in a Group 2 at Maisons-Lafitte.

 

On Sunday the following runners are entered from our list to follow.

 

Bath 4.30 Rainbow Promises

 

Leopardstown 4.45 Haatef

 

Pontefract 2.40 Record Breaker; 3.40 Diamond Diva

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 18 & 19 2007” →

A short update tonight as I need to do a bit of maintenance work on the site.

 

There are a few runners from our list to follow out and about tomorrow and I will concentrate on them.

 

Orange is a Giant’s Causeway filly and a half sister to a number of winners.  She only ran once at two and has been off the track for over a year.  She is interesting on pedigree and worth having a look at in the Newbury 3.50.

 

Macedon was 4^th in the Newbury Spring Cup behind Pinpoint but then made no show in his next two runs.  He showed more promise on his latest start however when 4^th in a lady riders event at Ascot.  He has an each way chance in the 3.05 at Doncaster.

 

Dig Deep and Geojimali represent our list to follow in the 3.40.  Dig Deep has a couple of wins to his name this season and is capable on his day. He ran well when 3^rd to Stoneacre Lad at Ascot two runs ago.  He may just have gone up a bit too high in the ratings though.  Geojimali has a tendency to be slowly away. If he can get a better start he could be in the frame.

 

Broomielaw was 4^th in a maiden at Newmarket on his last run and the 3^rd, 5^th and 6^th have all won since.  Ryan Moore has been booked to ride him in the 4.10 for Ed Dunlop.

 

Bollin Felix doesn’t owe me anything as he has already won 3 times this season.  He may still be ahead of the handicapper but he is not sure to handle the fast ground in then 5.15.

 

Passion Fruit carries top weight in the 4.00 at Newcastle.  She carries a 6 lbs penalty for her win at Redcar on Saturday but is not without a chance.

 

Yossi remains a maiden after 8 starts.  He has been 2^nd 4 times and may be a little faint hearted.  He boasts the best form in the Catterick 8.15, especially his short head 2^nd to Rhaam at Pontefract  two runs ago.  He should win but is not really one to take a short price about.

 

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary; August 17 2007” →

There are 6 runners from our list to follow tomorrow and 5 of them are in the same race, the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury (4.15) over a mile.  Dunelight looks to have a good chance for in form trainer Clive Cox.  He won a listed race at Goodwood earlier in the season and was 3^rd at the same track on his latest outing in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes.  Thousand Words was 4^th in that race and finished in fine style after failing to get a clear run.  Hunt Cup winner Royal Oath finished 2^nd to Cesare at Ascot with Dunelight a somewhat unlucky 5^th.   He then came 8^th in the Lennox Stakes.

 

Caldra returns to the track after a long absence and may need the run while Secret World needs to put a poor recent run behind him.  The latter was 4^th to Red Evie in the Lockinge though which would put him in with a squeak.  There are plenty of other dangers but I will stay loyal to my “listers” and side with Thousand Words.

 

Our only other runner is Magic Mountain whose recent form has not been convincing.  He runs in the 4.35 at Sandown.

 

Alleviate was a winner for our list today.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 16 2007” →

I have always admired those cricket commentators on the radio that seem to be able to come up with something to say in even the dullest moments on the pitch.  Having looked ahead to the next two days of racing I need something similar!

 

Well, for starters  you may have missed the news that a couple of old favourites have recently been retired.  Connections of the mare Asian Maze have decided to call it a day. After finishing last in Auteil in May last year she never really recovered her form. Pretty useful on her day she won 9 races in all.  The one I remember best was when destroying her field, including Hardy Eustace, to win the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last year. Old Quito has also been retired at the age of 10.  He has apparently suffered from stiff joints all his life and it has been decided to call time on a career that saw him win 20 races from over 100 starts.  He won a number of listed races but his biggest success came in the 2003 Ayr Gold Cup when he weaved through the field with a typical late run to land the spoils at 20/1.

 

On the subject  of old timers I see that Smokin’ Beau is down to run in the 8.15 at Nottingham tomorrow evening.  He is a 10 year old now and not exactly in the best of form as he has only beaten 1 horse in his last 3 runs.  He has been a real old warrior in his time though winning 16 races often at big odds.  In fact he has won at 10/1 or bigger no fewer than 7 times.  He has been dropped 5 lbs since his last defeat and he has a good 5 lbs claimer on board in Hadden Frost.  Add the fact that he is a course and distance winner and I have almost talked myself into a small each way interest just for old times’ sake.

 

Talking of horses than win at big odds Seafield Towers is dropped to selling company for the first time tomorrow.  His 3 career wins have come at 4/1, 33/1 and 20/1.  He is taking a big drop in grade and must go well if he retains any of his old ability.  Royston Ffrench rides him for the first time.

 

I’m out at the footy tomorrow night so I will have a peek at Wednesday’s racing; two days for the price of one at no additional cost!

 

Another one of my old sprint friends, Bo MCGinty runs in the 3.10 at Beverley.  He has been running well without winning and is probably in the grip of the handicapper.  He has a bad draw tomorrow.  He is owned by Paddy McGinty and Bo Turnbull, hence the name and he is related to a jumps winner in the Czech Republic. 

Leptis Magna has paid his way as a horse to follow this year as he has already won at 7/1.  He has tended to pull too hard in his races but if he can settled he should run well in the 3.30 at Salisbury.

 

Princess Valerina put in a much improved effort when a close up 3^rd last time at Ascot.  A repeat of that form would see her in with a chance in the 7.05 at Sandown.

 

The 8.10 at Sandown looks interesting as there are two runners from our list to follow.  Duty Free is going for a hat trick and won over course and distance a couple of weeks ago and does not look that badly treated. Alleviate is beautifully bred and comes out again quickly under a penalty having made all to win at Haydock on Saturday.

 

Spume added to the “roll of honour” for my list to follow with a win at 8/1 at Thirsk tonight.  Not that I gave him a very encouraging write up last night.  This was his first run since leaving Sir Michael Stoute and gave a first winner to trainer Danny Murphy.  Deserted Dane was a non runner in the 8.25.

 

See you on Wednesday evening.

 

Continue reading “Diary: August 14 & 15 2007” →

It was certainly a good weekend for our list to follow which yielded 8 winners.  The fact that 7 of the horses were winning for the first time this season was down in part to the recent change in the prevailing going at most of our tracks.

 

Strategic Mount and Star of Light both certainly appreciated the faster ground, while  Sunley Peace was another to  benefit from the better ground.  Ground apart I think he basically outstayed his rivals anyway and seemed to get better the further he went. He has previously shown his ability over a distance of ground when 5^th in the Queen’s Vase at long odds. I was starting to give up on the well bred Alleviate but given an uncontested lead and under a canny ride from Neil Callan he was another to lose the maiden tag in a staying handicap. Alleviate is a half sister to the recent Goodwood Cup winner Allegretto.

Halicarnassus won his second race of the season in a muddling race for the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.  He has a turn of foot and seems at his best in small fields on fast ground.  Our 6th winner on Saturday was the mare Passion Fruit who came from last to first with a sweeping run to win at 14/1.  Eagle Mountain and Al Qasi were our list winners today.

 

We have a couple of runners at Thirsk tomorrow.

 

Spume has been most disappointing and I see that he has left Sir Michael Stoute.  He runs in the 7.25 and it is hard to drum up a case for him unless the fast ground, which he has not encountered before, does the trick.  Deserted Dane has already earned his keep on my list with a win at 20/1. He seems to handle any ground and is 2 lbs higher in the weights since his last win which came at Carlisle.  He runs in the 8.25.

 

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary; August 13 2007” →