Category: Racing diary

It is always nice to tip a winner but some give you more of a buzz than others. Bagber is no world beater but he finally got off the mark at my lucky track at Kempton, fairly storming up the straight – well he went quicker than the others anyway. This was his 11^th start and he had only been out of the first 4 once previously and this success was well deserved. Ryan Moore had ridden him on his previous outing, also at Kempton and had chosen to stay with him which I always think is a good sign. Sometimes when a horse keeps getting placed it is because he is not genuine but with Bagber it was more that he is not the quickest and kept finding one or two too good for him. Harry Dunlop found him a winning opportunity at Kempton though and Ryan Moore gave the horse a good ride from the front.

There is flat racing at Ayr, Catterick and Warwick tomorrow. And there are a few runners from my list to follow dotted about. There are a couple in the Ayr 2.40, Northside Prince and Jachol. Northside Prince has been running well enough but like Bagber has not managed to get his head in front. He remains capable of winning off a mark of 65. Jachol is also a maiden after 7 starts and was a beaten favourite last time out at Newmarket. That was over 12 furlongs and the drop back in trip tomorrow may well see him in a better light. This is probably not a race to get too carried away with but Northside Prince should go well as long as the soft ground does not present him with any problems. He does have plenty of stamina on the dam’s side.

In the 3.40 Woodsley House has dropped to the same mark as his last two wins which should enable him to be competitive. He is a course winner and seems to act on any ground. On the negative side the stable could be in better form.

Casual Garcia had shown nothing in his races this season until finishing 4^th at Pontefract 10 days ago. A change of tactics may have helped on that occasion as he was ridden with much more restraint. He runs in the 3.20 at Catterick tomorrow and in an open race he has a sporting chance.

I have been tipping Cook’s Endeavour all season with no success. He turns out again in the 3.50 at Catterick after running poorly at Redcar last time. I still have the feeling that he is better than he has shown this season but it is difficult to drum up a case for him on the form book.

Burma Rock was not beaten far by the highly rated Glass Harmonium last year as a 2 year old but has disappointed in his 2 starts this season. He may well be capable of better and is worth another chance in the Warwick 5.00.

Moving on to Thursday I would fancy Prince Rhyddarch in the 2.40 at Ayr if the ground is riding soft. He has dropped a few pounds in the handicap and if getting his ground should go well.

I thought that One Good Emperor made an encouraging debut at Goodwood and should benefit from the experience in the 3.50 at Lingfield.

My thanks to David Hebb for the photo of Catterick racecourse.

Bye for now.

 

Simon Callaghan introduces an interesting 2 year old in the Kempton 2.40 tomorrow in Mount Juliet. There have been some promising reports about this filly although she may need this first run. Certainly one to keep on eye on.

Later on the Kempton card there are a couple of runners from my list to follow, Hyades in the 3.40 and Bagber in the 4.10. Since winning a Yarmouth maiden on fast ground (the 2^nd won next time out) Hyades has been running well enough in some hot handicaps. He seems to have quite a difficult task against some of these rivals however and I couldn’t tip him with any real confidence. Bagber has been running consistently and deserves to win a race. Tomorrow’s race looks to be the best opportunity he has had to get his head in front and with Ryan Moore riding he looks to hold a good chance.

The 4.00 at Windsor looks an open race with all 6 runners in with a shout. If Mick Channon’s Aattash settles he could be the answer.

Annice Stellato returns after a 2 month absence in the 4.30. She ran in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and the Ribblesdale earlier in the season so clearly had shown some form at home. She might be worth considering. Cherish the Moment represents my list to follow in the 5.00 but there appear to be others with better claims.

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

The next update will be on Tuesday evening.

 

The last couple of days have seen an improvement on the tipping front including Dig Deep at 16/1 yesterday. Most of the horses featured in last night’s preview ran well enough.

As usual I will go through the runners from my list to follow that are entered tomorrow starting at Chester with Invincible Lad in the 2.25. He is on a high enough mark at the moment I feel and does not have an ideal draw. He has a bit of an each way chance but there do seem to be others with stronger claims notably Tom Dascombe’s Bertoliver a course and distance winner with a nice low draw who has a very able pilot in Philip Robinson.

Although not one of my “listers” I think that Dhaular Dhar is in with a chance in the 3.30. He likes a sharp track and does well in big field handicaps.

Saga De Tercey is entered in the 5.10 but ran today so may well be withdrawn. If he does line up he would warrant serious consideration.

It would be a lovely result if Simple Rhythm could win the Ripon 2.50 as the race is in memory of the jockey’s mother. The once raced Ruthie Babe from the William Haggas yard could be the answer in the 4.00.

Trumpstoo and Know by Now represent my list to follow in the 5.05. Trumpstoo looks to have the better chance of the pair. He is also entered on Sunday in the 5.20 up at Musselburgh.

In the Sandown 2.10 Say No Now looks a decent price at around 6/1 while in the 3.15 course and distance winner Antinori looks good value at 12s

Sir Mark Prescott sends his consistent 2 year old Virginia Hall over to Deauville where she tackles Group 3 company for the first time in the 2.05.

They is a good card at Deauville on Sunday where a couple of English colts, Canford Cliffs and Arcano contest the Group 1 Prix Morny. Both come into the race with unbeaten records and it promises to be a fascinating clash.

Bye for now

The York meeting again takes centre stage tomorrow where the big race of the day is the Group 1 Nunthorpe at 3.25.

The lightly raced Amour Propre is one I am interested in. He won a Group 3 at Newmarket early in the season before disappointing at Ascot when he raced too keenly. He looks one for the shortlist if at his best and although he has been off the track since mid June he has gone well fresh in the past. Borderlescott is very consistent and it is easy to see him finishing near the front while if you are looking for something at a big price Moorhouse Lad who was not beaten far in this race last season when it was run at Newmarket and could spring a surprise.

There are 4 runners from my list to follow in the 1.45, Alanbrooke, Alcalde, Penang Princess and Braveheart Move. Braveheart Move looks to have the best chance. The 2.15 looks tricky with Spring of Fame, Palavicini and Forgotten Voice all worth considering. Spring of Fame comes from a stable in very good form and would be my suggestion.

The consistent Dream Eater is consistent even though he does not have a great strike rate. He has an each way chance in the 2.50.

There are some interesting newcomers in the 4.05 with the Exceed and Excel colt Dherghaam one to look out for as a prospect for the future.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 4.40, Hawk Mountain, Hada Man and Saga de Tercey. All have a chance but if pushed for a selection I would choose Saga de Tercey. He is lightly raced, has shown a battling attitude and is the sort of horse his trainer does well with.

Chester next where there are 3 from my lit to follow in the 4.15, Union Island, Goliath’s Boy and Takaatuf. I don’t have too much confidence behind this trio but of the three Goliath’s Boy looks to have the better chance.

I thought Raine’s Cross ran really well in a nursery at Goodwood on his last start and he looks to have an each way chance in the Salisbury 6.25. The well bred Paisley is my selection in the 6.55.

Shemoli and Halfway House represent my list to follow in the 7.30. The former probably failed to stay last time and will benefit from this drop in trip while Halfway House has been in good from but has gone up in the weights as a result. They both have a chance but I don’t think I could tip them confidently.

At Sandown there are some interesting newcomers in the 3.15 with Goolagong and Magnetic Force a couple to look out for.

My original selections in the 3.50 were Bravo Echo and Bab Al Salam. I will stick with them although they are drawn 2 and 1 which tempers my enthusiasm a little.

Lastly, on the all weather at Wolverhampton Cactus Curtsey could be interesting on her handicap bow in the 7.10.

My thanks to David Hebb for the photo of York racecourse.

Selections for tomorrow;

York 1.45 – Alrasm & Ghostwing (both each way)

2.15 – Beyond Desire

2.50 – Mirrored with an each way saver on Scuffle

3.25 – Sariska

4.05 – Leocorno

Chepstow 7.05 – Dig Deep

7.40 – The Tatling

Lingfield 1.30 – Satwa Son

4.25 – Corrybrough

In the first race at York tomorrow (1.45) the unexposed Class is Class looks to have the right credentials. He won a maiden at Yarmouth that has worked out well and his 3^rd behind Firebet at Newmarket was given a boost when that horse finished runner up at Group 3 level. The only concern with Class is Class is the going as he is yet to run on quick ground. The other one that I considered was Seeking the Buck who has been running consistently and handles fast ground well. He has gone up in the weights though and I am not sure he can win off his current mark of 91.

In the 2.15 I am hoping that Askar Tau can regain his form now that the Marcus Tregoning’s horses seem to have recovered from the bug that affected the stable earlier in the season.

I have been following Monsieur Chevalier this season with notable success but I am going to desert him tomorrow in the Gimcrack (2.50). Orpen Grey and Showcasing both look worth considering with preference for the latter.

There are plenty with chances in the Ebor (3.25) where Changingoftheguard sets the standard after wins at Navan and Down Royal but he is likely to go off at a short price and there may be better value elsewhere. Nanton has good form in big handicaps at shorter trips and will like the ground but there has to be a stamina doubt about him. My short list consists of Warringah, Deutschland and Precision Break. Only two winners in the last 9 years have carried more than 9 stone which perhaps puts a question mark against the top weight Warringah. Deutschland would prefer more give in the ground so for my selection I will go for the bottom weight Precision Break.

Archers Road (pictured below) has served me well this season and I will stick with Mick Channon’s ultra tough juvenile as my each way selection in the 4.05.

Up at Carlisle there are two runners from my list to follow, Charles Parnell in the 3.15 and Northern Bolt in the 3.50, while at Folkestone Great Bounder is an unexposed sort with an each way chance in the 5.50.

At Kempton the course specialist Dvinsky runs off a winnable mark and is certainly one to consider in the 8.10. My selection in this race is the in form Street Power though, another that likes the track. Teeky was a wide margin winner at Newmarket last month and can follow up in the 8.40 while Quality Mover should run well at a decent price in the 7.10.

Good luck

Ruth Carr is having a tremendous season and claimed another winner this afternoon courtesy of Ninth House. This was the 7 year olds 12 career win and the 8^th at Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow sees the start of York’s Ebor meeting where the main event will be the appearance of Sea the Stars in the Juddmonte International at 3.25. With Tartan Bearer a likely absentee only Mastercraftsman stands in the way of another Group 1 win for the John Oxx colt. It is hard to envisage Sea the Stars being beaten as he has looked a real superstar and 10 furlongs is his optimum trip.

The meeting starts with a hard to solve sprint handicap at 1.45. The Dandy Nicholls pair of Buachaill Dona and Fol Hollow are my selections in this.

Poet’s Voice won well at Newmarket last month and with both trainer and jockey in great form he looks the one to beat in the 2.15. At a bigger price the Mark Johnston runner Sea Lord who won in game fashion at Ascot looks a lively outsider.

The 2.50 is a decent renewal of this Group 2 contest and may well give some pointers to the season’s final classic at Doncaster. Father Time won the King Edward at Ascot and is a lightly raced sort with possible improvement in him. He is giving weight away to all bar one of his rivals. Alwaary sets a very high standard based on his last two runs against older horses of the highest class. Harbinger has done nothing wrong but faces his biggest test to date. Jukebox Jury made a belated start to the season when winning a Group 3 at Haydock and should be suited by the extra distance here. The consistent Monitor Closely has earned his right to take his place this but has a bit to find with the best of his rivals. This is a very competitive affair and will take some winning. My selection is Alwaary with Harbinger next best.

My only other selection is Venture Capitalist in the Brighton 4.20.

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

After a poor day on the tipping front on Saturday things went much better this afternoon with 5 winners spread across 3 countries! Tomorrow is a quiet day ahead of the big Ebor meeting at York.

Resort was 3^rd to Invisible Man who franked the form with a win at Pontefract. Resort goes in the 7.05 at Windsor and looks to hold a good chance.

Stoic was 5^th in a Newmarket maiden on his only run last season. He looked one to follow on the basis of that encouraging start to his career but has not appeared since so has presumably had a problem. He is an interesting runner in the 7.35.

Braveheart Move gave us a winner at Pontefract this afternoon and I am hopeful about Speed Dating from the same stable in the 8.05.

At Wolverhampton I am hoping that Nbhan can get off the mark in the 2.15 after a series of placed efforts. His trainer has a good record at the track.

I am going to tip another Sir Mark Prescott runner in the 3.15. Prescription was an impressive winner at Lingfield last week and a 6 lbs penalty seems unlikely to stop him following up.

In the 4.15 it might be worth taking on the hot favourite with Logos Astra.

Nothing much to go at on the Yarmouth card. Gun For Sale represents my list to follow in the 6.50. A slight each way chance at best.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Katy Sodeau.

Brian Meehan’s 2 year olds usually come on for their first run and his Pin Cushion should benefit from the experience of his run at Windsor a couple of weeks ago in the Newbury 1.30. Of the newcomers Michael Jarvis runs Dylanesque a half sister to the high class Alexandra Volta and this is one to keep an eye on.

Kite Wood got back on the winning trail at Newmarket last month and with his stable in form could be the answer in the 2.35. In the 3.10 I fancy the lightly raced pair of Palace Moon and Border Patrol. With the ground possibly against the latter Palace Moon gets the nod.

I have sort of adopted Mykingdomforahorse as my web site mascot given his name. Mick Channon has done really well with him and he comes into the 4.55 on the back of a win at Yarmouth. He would be in with a chance of following up but probably wouldn’t want the ground too quick.

Richard Fahey sends Sioux Rising down to Newmarket for the 3.25. After a couple of wins at Pontefract the 3 year old appeared not to stay an extra furlong at Ascot and is back at the shorter trip tomorrow. He is not without a chance.

In the 4.35 it might pay to take a chance on Alcalde from the Mark Johnston yard. He won both his starts last season but may have been found out by a lack of race fitness when down the field at Doncaster at the start of the month.

I was expecting great things from Cascata this season but she has not shown much on her two starts. I am still hopeful that she is better than she has shown and will stick with her in the Ripon 2.45.

In the big sprint at 3.55 I am hoping for a big run from Judge ‘n Jury who has been in good form of late. He acts on any ground but a bit of rain would probably help his cause. Hitchens could run well at a big price. Quick ground suits him.

Moving on to Sunday Bourne might be worth considering in the 3.00 at Bath. After an encouraging debut run he was last of 11 on his most recent outing and it looked as though there might have been a problem of some sort. Worth another chance.

At the Curragh Casual Conquest looks the form horse in the 2.45. He has good course form and quite a bit in hand on the ratings. Curtain Call could be the one to give him most to do with the ground likely to be in his favour. Benbaun (pictured below) absolutely loves it at The Curragh having won there 7 times. He will be the one to beat in the 4.15 with Vocalised looking the main threat.

There are a whole host of runners from my list to follow in action at Pontefract on Sunday. Not all have an obvious chance but anyway, here goes! The lightly raced Braveheart Move ran a shocker at Goodwood last time but may not have been suited by the track. He had looked highly progressive before and could come good again in the 2.40. You can’t really fancy his stable companion Casual Garcia in the 3.10 as his form this season has been abysmal. He has been dropped a few pounds since his last run but not enough to give him a chance on the book.

Adorn is another horse that is badly out of form having only beaten one home in her last two starts. At her best she would have a chance in the 3.40 but would have to improve on recent showings.

Invisible Man has already won twice this season and there may be more to come from him. He goes in the 4.10. Park Lane caught a tartar last time in Spendorinthegarass but will not meet anything of that standard in the 5.10 and may well be able to get off the mark at last.

The big race at Deauville on Sunday is the Group 1 with the very long name which I will just call the 3.25. Goldikova is the obvious choice here and will probably win. Aqlaam and Virtual could be battling for the places.

I was sorry to hear that New Seeker (pictured below) had to be put down on Wednesday after having sustained an injury. Trained by Clive Cox and Paul Cole his total career earnings exceeded £390,000 by the time of his retirement in 2008.

He was a favourite with many thanks to his front running style, a tactic memorably deployed with a solo effort along the far rail to take the Britannia Stakes. New Seeker tasted further success at the Royal meeting two years later, in the Royal Hunt Cup, with other career highlights including twice winning the valuable Tote International Stakes and three Listed races.

I have quite a few acknowledgements to make tonight.  The 3 paintings featured are, starting from the top of the page, by courtesy of the artists LIsa Miller, Katy Sodeau and Karen Davies. My thanks also to Kate Tann for the photo of New Seeker.

Starting at Newbury tomorrow Walcott Square should benefit from his initial run when he was 6^th of 14. He could go well at a nice price in the 1.20.

There were some promising reports about Kona Coast a while back but when he finally made his racecourse debut he was wearing blinkers and did not look straightforward. He clearly has some ability though and is an interesting runner in the 1.50.

Again looking for value Spirit of Dubai looks a big price for a horse that ran in the Italian Oaks and finished 4^th to Midday at Lingfield. She runs in the 4.35.

Trip the Light runs in the 5.45 at Catterick, the opening race on their evening card. He won 3 times last season and has already equalled that tally this season. He is clearly a tough customer and he escapes a penalty for his most recent win. He should go well.

Queen Eleanor won on her handicap debut at Lingfield and looks to follow up in an open looking filly’s handicap at Nottingham (3.45).

For those who like a bit of racing trivia Veronicas’ Boy who runs in the 4.45 at Nottingham. He has been 4^th in his last 7 races.

Today’s picture of Fantastic Light, sire of Trip the Light, is reproduced by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.