Category: Racing diary

 

Smarterthanuthink ended a mini losing run for my selection by making all at Hamilton, while we also had a winner at Sandown’s evening meeting thanks to Kensington Oval.  The latter shaped like a very promising colt on his racecourse debut.

The main attraction tomorrow is of course the Oaks Epsom (4.05) . Lush Lashes was a most impressive winner of the Musidora and was not stopping at the finish. He is a worthy favourite and it would not surprise me greatly if he were to win. Although Cape Amber was beaten 5 lengths when runner up to Lush Lashes it was her seasonal debut and she had earlier suffered a training interruption. She can be expected to come on for that run. Michita won the Height of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood which in the past has been a fair guide to the Oaks. Clowance has won her last 2 starts and Frankie Dettori replaced the usual pilot, Steve Drowne. Aiden O’Brien has won 3 of the last 10 runnings so his challenger Adored has to be considered. She won a Group 3 at Naas in mid May but I am not sure that the form is strong enough to win an Oaks. The unbeaten Chinese White has the pedigree to win an Oaks. She would have to step up considerably on what she has done so far but it is not impossible that she may do so. Katiyra was 2^nd to the subsequent Irish Guineas 3^rd Carribean Sunset over a mile at Leopardstown. She was staying on well at the finish and this longer trip should be to her liking. Her trainer John Oxx is a very shrewd operator and has his string in good form. Look Here didn’t get an entirely trouble free passage when 2^nd in the Lingfield Trial and is a lively outsider.

The way that I view this race is that it looks to be between the three pronged Irish Challenge of Lush Lashes, Katiyra and Chinese White, against the UK trio of Cape Amber, Clowance and Michita. Lush Lashes is rather a short price as there is just a slight stamina doubt. . Michita could be the each way value at 10/1.

It is hard to get away from Getaway in the Coronation Cup at 3.25 after his win in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket and he would be my selection.

Charlie Tokyo is at his best when the mud is flying and would be one to look out for in the 2.10 if getting his ground. Dream Lodge put in a good run at Chester last time out and he could also go well in this.

Film Maker represents our list to follow in the 4.50 and has an each way chance at around 8/1.

At Bath there are good reports about Barry Hill’s Majestic Lady in the 6.25, while Peruvian Prince, who narrowly failed at York the other day, can gain compensation in the Doncaster 7.40.

Trip the Light runs under a penalty6 in the 8.15 at Doncaster. He won a small race at Redcar last time over 14 furlongs. He drops down to a mile and a half here but may still be competitive.

Sagara was 3^rd in the Arc last season and looks the sort to improve with age. He looks the one to be on in the 7.20 at Goodwood although Speed Gifted, whatever he does tomorrow also looks one to keep on the right side.

Back at Bath I fancy top weight Sweet Afton in the 8.35.

Picture by kind permission of Lisa Miller – equestrian artist (see links)

 

 

Winners have been a bit sparse of late but we live in hope!

When Smarterthanuthink ran at Thirsk last month he was a very well supported favourite but could only finish 6^th of 16. He runs over an extra 3 furlongs in the 4.10 at Hamilton tomorrow and might be worth another chance.

Down at Lingfield Green Beret makes his debut in the 2.50. He is a half brother to the sprinter Tax Free.

Glasshoughton won on his only previous visit to Sandown and looks interesting in the 6.45 at the Esher track. In the 8.25 Kensington Oval makes his debut. He is a full brother to the high class Ask.

 

Photograph by kind permission of Mark Usher Racing

 

There are 4 meetings tomorrow assuming Nottingham goes ahead.

Tropical Strait was a good second at Salisbury a month ago and should go well in the 7.10 at Kempton. The listed sprint at 7.40 looks quite an open race. I thought that Green Manalishi put in an encouraging display behind Fyador at Haydock and is sure to come on for that. Galeota is another to consider at this level. He gets on well with Ryan Moore and is certainly one for the shortlist. The other one I like is the consistent Rowe Park who has an impressive record at this trip on an artificial surface. I would just give him the edge.

Game Park was 3^rd at Newmarket last time out and might have improved his position had he steered a straight course. At around 10/1 he looks a fair each way chance in the 8.40.

Basanti only had one run last season when 7^th in a Newmarket maiden. That was over 7 furlongs and he now tackles a mile and a quarter in the Lingfield 4.50.

Another that might be suited by a longer trip is Aleatricic in the 3.20.

Mrs Kipling and Majestic Lady are likely types in the Nottingham 2.10 while in the 4.10 Army of Angels will handle plenty of give and looks the one to beat. Dream Lodge is a bit of a favourite of mine but has plenty to find at the weights.

In the 4.10 Falconry looks quite well treated.

In the 8.20 at Ripon Crocodile Bay and Moheebb represent our list to follow and both have an each way chance.

Wood Chorus has been a beaten odds on favourite on her last 2 starts. She clearly has a good chance on the form book in the Ripon 9.20 but she is not one to take a very short price about.

Picture by kind permission of  Lisa Miller (see links).

 

Bankable and Bukit Tingii were winning selections on Saturday, and there were other good runs from horses featured in the day’s preview, notably from Basalt. Dhaular Dhar was a 16/1 winner from my lust to follow but I am afraid I didn’t give him a glowing write up!

I will cover the various meetings for Monday and Tuesday this evening, starting with Carlisle tomorrow, where Ann Duffield saddles a couple of 2 year old newcomers in the 2.15. The filly Hell’s Angel is by first season sire Pyrus and is pictured below (Picture by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing).

There are a few that interest me on the 3.15. Salsa Steps makes her handicap debut for Julie Camacho. This half sister to Dancing Bay has shown bits of form and a mark of 65 does not look too bad. Princess Maria has not shown a lot so far but she is related to plenty of winners and may be capable of better. Midnight Mystique was runner up in a Newcastle maiden last time out and the front two had pulled well clear of the remainder. She could be capable of landing this sort of race.

The 3.45 doesn’t look the greatest of races. Piverina and Scanno have possibilities.

Leicester next, and in the 2.00 Michael Bell’s Battle of Hastings is so named as he was lot number 1066 in the catalogue. I thought you might like to know that!

In the 3.00 my selection is Wing Play trained by Hughie Morrison. This son of Hawk Wing won a Wolverhampton maiden in good style last November and looked a horse to follow.

In the 3.30 I am keen on the chances of Danae. She beat subsequent winner Melodramatic at Newmarket and her trainer Henry Candy has his team in good form.

I am going for a bit of a speculative one in the 7.15 at Thirsk. La Fortalesa, trained by Kevin Ryan has run over a mile on his last 2 starts but drops back to 7 furlongs here which might suit him better.

Moving on to Tuesday and the 7.50 at Folkestone, course and distance winner The Fifth Member should have come on for a recent run and is my each way choice.

Earlier, in the maiden at 6.50 the speedy Tropical Paradise should be on the premises based on her recent 3^rd at Sandown. (Picture by kind permission of British 2YO Racing)

 

Keisha Kayleigh was ridden by Graham Lee in a flat race for jump jockeys last month. Not a world beater certainly, but she has an each way chance in the 3.00 at Ripon where she is a course and distance winner. She is probably best on good ground.

Valery Borzov goes for a hat trick in the 3.30. He is going up the handicap but has been in great form and I am going to stick with him.

Inspecter Clouseau shaped with promise when 2^nd at Thirsk last month and is my selection in the 4.00.

 

I had a fair day on the tipping front yesterday with many of the horses covered in the preview finishing in the money. I was quite pleased with forecasting a potential shock in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes where I felt the soft ground would play a part. Smokey Oakey was probably findable at 20/1. Something else worth noting from Thursday’s results is that Michael Dods had a double with Osteopathic Remedy and Barney McGrew, so his runners will be worth a close look over the coming days.

This afternoon we had the progressive King of Dixie at 9/4 and Peruvian Prince was only beaten a head.

I am going to start my look at tomorrow racing with the 4.15 at Doncaster, a tricky 7 furlong handicap. I am going to assume that the ground is riding of the fast side, which will suit Giganticus, who will also like the track and is one to consider. His current mark is 2 lbs higher than he has won at before but I wouldn’t discount him.

Plum Pudding comes here in good heart but seems to reserve his best performances for Newmarket so I am going to leave him out of my calculations. Artimino is worth a second look though. He is a 4 year old but has not had much racing and it is interesting that he has been kept in training. If you look at his 4^th behind Giganticus at Newmarket last season he is actually worse off at the weights and that puts me off. Skhilling Spirit is capable of winning something like this but his better form in recent times has come with some ease in the ground. Dhaular Dhar seems best with some cut as well and has shown his best form on sharp turning tracks like Chester. For my each way selection I am going to take a chance with Burning Incense from a stable in form. He was 4^th on his last start, also at Doncaster and I am hoping that he gives us a run for our money. King of Dixie is also entered in this and if turning up again after his win this afternoon he would have to be respected.

Baybshambles has been one of the early season stars on my list to follow with 2 wins already at rewarding odds. He is certainly progressive and perhaps should be followed while in such good nick. He goes in the 4.50 at Doncaster.

Bankable has won his last 3 starts and there may well be plenty of improvement left in him as he is lightly raced. He looks the one to be on in the 3.35. Of the others Lady Gloria will like the ground while I thought that Whitcombe Minister ran well in the London Gold Cup at Newbury last week.

There are some nice 2 year olds in the 4.05. Richard Hannon is well represented with three runners and his Party Cat has already shown some promise when 4^th of his debut. He sets the standard here and the step up to 6 furlongs will also benefit him. The newcomer Noble Jack is well thought of and is by the Prix Morny winner Elusive City. One certainly bred for speed is Hellbender who is by Exceed and Excel out of a mare that is a half sister to Feet So Fast, a good 6 furlong winner.

Up at Haydock Fat Boy looks the one they all have to beat in the 2.10 while Beacon Lodge is on something of a recovery mission after disappointing in the Greenham. He has winning form on soft ground though so further rain may help his chance.

In the Cecil Frail at 2.45 there are two runners from my list to follow. Quiet Elegance doesn’t owe me anything as this half sister to Relevance has already won at 22/1. She cut no ice in the Nell Gwyn Stakes but she is a winner on soft ground and if we get plenty of rain she could be up there. Crystany has been running well without winning and has an each way chance.

Colloquial won the 4.20 last season but is running off a mark 7 lbs higher now which will make life more difficult. The stable have been going very well though. Bollin Derek goes particularly well on soft ground so is one to look out for if we get rain. My idea of the likely winner though is Michael Bell’s Highland Legacy who may not have been entirely at home on the sharp track when 5^th in the Chester Cup.

Mark Johnston has won the 4.55 for the last 2 seasons so his William Blake has to be taken seriously. I would also be interested in Tighnabruaich who may not have been suited by Chester last time. This one might be best when the ground is on the soft side.

In the Lingfield 7.40 there is a strong word for the Henry Cecil filly Samara Valley and she is my selection. In the same race I note that Winterbourne is a half sister to The Trader.

In the 8.45 Diminuto has slipped to a potentially winnable rating.

In the 7.55 at Newbury I am interested in Dan Chillingworth (pictured below) who created a very good impression when 5^th at Kempton on his second and final start last season. He looks the sort to do well as a 3 year old.

Birkside has been a most progressive animal and has already recorded 11 wins. On his last run at York he was apprentice ridden and I thought he just got muscled out of it when about to launch a run. I think he does better for a stronger jockey and David Allan has got the best out of him previously. He has Neil Callan on board tomorrow in the 2.20 at York where he is a course and distance winner.

The 3.25 looks the sort of race where most of the runners have some sort of chance. Supersonic Dave stepped up on previous efforts when 2^nd to Macarthur at Chester last time and is entitled to come on again for that run. Regal Flush, 4^th in the St Leger last season, was a bit disappointing when well beaten on his last outing but the Godolphin team are in much better form now and an improved showing is expected. Although Tungsten Strike will like the firm ground he is better going right handed. There should be a strong pace here which ought to suit Lion Sands although he was far from impressive last time at Ascot. Regal Flush, Supersonic Dave and Lion Sands would be my 3 against the field and if pushed for a selection the form of the Godolphin horse would tend to sway me towards Regal Flush.

You have to look closely at Dandy Nicholls runners in the big sprint handicaps and I like the look of his Northern Dare in the York 3.55. The evergreen River Falcon comes here in fine form and is my other fancy.

In the 5.05 at York I will side with the relatively unexposed Bukit Tinggi a winner at Haydock 9 days ago. At a bigger price Basalt has been given a chance by the handicapper after a poor run of form.

On Sunday I would be a bit interested in Hereford Boy in the 5.10 at Bath.

The photo of Dan Chillingworth in used by kind permission of British 2YO Racing

Good luck

 

 

Not much time tonight but here are a few suggestions for tomorrow’s meetings.

Goodwood 4.10 Rock Peak (danger – Barricado)

Haydock 8.10 Navajo Jo and Tourist (ew)

Haydock 8.40 Toboggan Lady

Musselburgh 8.20 Mr Crystal

York 2.10 King of Dixie (others to consider Celtic Sultan & Diamond Tycoon)

York 3.20 Peruvian Prince

York 3.55 Hereford Boy (ew)

Picture by courtesy of Equestrian artist – Lisa Miller

 

 

Sandown stage a top quality evening card tomorrow and that seems the best place to start.

The high class hurdler Punjabi (pictured below) looked a seriously well handicapped horse when winning at Newmarket last week and he should be able to follow up, under a 6 lbs penalty in the 6.10.

The last two winners of the race are both in the field for the 7.15. Tungsten Strike is unlikely to be suited by the ground which I presume will be on the soft side. Allegretto is a serious contender but has needed her first run in previous season so I will give the nod to Royal and Regal who was only beaten a head in the Yorkshire Cup and is proven on soft ground. One that could run well at a bigger price is Peppertree Lane who will act on the ground.

Lucano makes his seasonal reappearance in the 7.45 but might find this trip too short for him. Maraahel was only just pipped at Chester and this is his ideal trip. It would be no surprise to see him go close. I am going to select Pipedreamer who comes here on the back of a fine run in third behind Phoenix Tower who has since gone on to finish 2^nd in Group 1 company. This is the sort of race where we could get a surprise if the ground rides very testing though.

The 4.20 at Ayr is effectively a match between Alleviate and Plane Painter but tricky to call all the same. Alleviate has gone up to a career high mark but I would still give him the edge.

At Great Leighs Unleashed looks to have a good chance for Henry Cecil in the 2.30. He made a pleasing impression on his sole start last season at Leicester.

In the 4.30 Sky Dive looks the one to be on although Sheer Bluff might be worth an each way saver. He is a free going sort and this drop in trip may suit him.

Crocodile Bay won for us last week under an enterprising Adrian Nicholls ride. He runs under a penalty in the Newcastle 7.05 and could again go well from a good draw.

Barney McGrew and Northern Dare represent our list to follow in the 8.40 and both have an each way chance. Another that could go well if the ground rides quick is Gunfighter. Of the 3 mentioned Gunfighter and Barney McGrew have the best of the draw.

Photo Courtesy of Tracy Roberts TurfPix

See you tomorrow

 

There were a couple of winners from our list to follow on Monday. Richard Fahey’s Trip the Light took advantage of a low mark to score in the staying handicap that closed the card at Redcar. He was visored first time which seemed to bring out some improvement in him. There may be a bit more to come from him. In the same race I was quiet taken with the 5^th Warsaw Waltz who travelled well for most of the way but didn’t quite get home. A drop down to 12 furlongs could see him pick up a little race.

Earlier at Redcar Brian Meehan’s Film Maker had scooted home in the 6 furlong maiden winning by 6 lengths. He will be interesting in handicaps.

There is an evening card at Beverley on Wednesday. In the Rivington Pike hasn’t exactly scaled the heights in his 4 runs thus far. He has his second run of the season in the 6.35 and I am going to try and drum up a case for him. Well. It is his second run of the season so he should be fitter. He has dropped to a mark of 63 and he tackles 12 furlongs for the first time which should also suit him.

In the 7.05 the top weight Morocchius could be of interest. Two runs ago he ran with a bit of promise when 6^th at Thirsk. He then ran disappointingly on the all weather at Southwell but he might not have been suited by the surface.

Corrybrough (pictured below) looked a sprinter to follow when winning at Sandown last month and he is my nap in the 8.05.

The image at the top of the page “Flash of Brilliance” is reproduced by kind permission of Dales artist Jo Stockdale.

 

There is not too much that catches my eye over the next couple of days. In the 5.15 at Chepstow tomorrow Michael Jarvis runs Albarouche who was 3^rd behind Dar Re Mi at Sandown, albeit quite a long way behind the winner. This sister to Derby runner up Dragon Dancer should be suited by the additional 2 furlongs at Sandown and is likely to acquit herself well.

I marked Al Samha down as a horse to follow when he won at Wolverhampton in March but he was a big disappointment when he reappeared at Windsor last time. He is worth another chance in the 3.15 at Redcar. Fujin Dancer, another Wolverhampton winner ran well when 4^th to Collection at York and seems to be going the right way.

The big race at Redcar is the Zetland Gold Cup at 3.50. The last 8 winners have all carried 9 stone or more and if we apply that statistic to the field we eliminate 5 of the 15. Rio Riva is best on soft ground so assuming we get no rain I am prepared to put a line through him. The consistent Monte Alto has a good record at this trip and should go well. Smart Instinct should come on for his run 12 days ago and is another to consider. Smart Enough would have a chance if he stays which he might, given his pedigree while Docofthebay ran better than the bare form suggests last time.

Film Maker has shown some promise in his two runs to date and is one to look out for in the 4.25.

In the 5.30 Kalokairi is the sort that John Dunlop does well with.

In the 2.00 at Leicester on Wednesday I am interested in Cecily, a half sister to a number of winners including Violette, and Prowl who is by One Cool Cat out of a sister to an Oaks winner.

In the 3.00 Mark Johnston’s Hamilton winner Tawzeea should be in the shake up while Kiwi Bay should be competitive off a mark of 75.

Caribbean Coral may have been given a chance by the handicapper in the 4.10 at Redcar.

Today’s photograph’s are by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing (Pacific Bay that runs in the opener at Redcar on Tuesday), and Turfpix (former Triumph Hurdle winner Penzance).

 

 

Not a vintage day for me on the tipping front, after Another Decree obliged late on Friday at 16/1. I did have Fleeting Spirit in the big sprint at Haydock though.

Staying with the sprinters but at a rather lower level there is a competitive handicap at Newmarket tomorrow at 4.05. Phantom Whisper will love the ground but has reserved his best from for Windsor. Beaver Patrol is a course and distance winner, goes on the ground and the stable have been in form. Baby Strange has gone up 5 lb for his win at Newbury but at the weights may have a bit to find with Cape who beat him by a neck at Doncaster last month. Firm ground is not certain to suit either of these though but Premio Loco will be quite at home on it. He tackles 6 furlongs for the first time here but his form last season looks very solid and I would just give him the edge. He certainly hasn’t looked devoid of speed in his runs over longer trips.