Category: Racing diary

The race that caught my eye this afternoon was the Newmarket 4.40 where Punjabi held off the fast finishing Mad Rush. Both horses look set for a profitable campaign, in particular the runner up who did not get a clear passage.

Moving on to Saturday I will tackle the meetings in the UK in alphabetical order.

With only 7 runners we can perhaps non pay quite so much attention as usual to the draw bias at Beverley in the 2.55. Utmost Respect ran pretty well in the Duke of York Stakes and although he is giving weight to everything else he gets my selection. 5 furlongs on fast ground suit Aegean Dancer but I am not sure that Beverley is necessary his sort of track.

Mr Crystal was an easy winner of a moderate handicap at Newcastle but has gone up 9 lbs as a result. He is only a 4 year old and may still be competitive off his revised mark. He runs in the 4.25.

I had a brief look at the Catterick 3.50. Dig Deep is decent on his day but may need to come down a few pounds. The same might be said of Sir Nod. In the end I decided to leave this one alone.

The 2.05 looks the sort of sprint handicap that we should eb abel to work out. The first thing that struck me about the top weight Indian Trail is that Frankie Dettori has won 2 from 3 on him. He is a course and distance winner and 6 of his 7 wins have come on good to firm. He is on a high enough mark though, as is Green Manalishi, another course and distance winner.

Northern Fling won at Doncaster last month in a race that has worked out pretty well. He seems to act on any ground and although he has gone up in the weights there may be further improvement to come from him. Knot in Wood is a horse I have followed in the last couple of years. I just get the feeling about him that he needs to come down the weights a little before he will win again. When Ebraam gets his favoured conditions, 5 furlongs and fast ground, he is pretty consistent and he is one for the shortlist. Indian Trail, Northern Fling and Ebraam are the 3 that interest me most.

Anna Pavlova who runs in the 2.35 won on this card last season. She is best on soft ground though. Maid to Believe should win races this season and could go well at a price.

Connections had high hopes for Endless Luck but he disappointed at Sandown behind Centennial. He reverts to a mile in the 3.05 and could be a different proposition this time. Tiger Dream was long odds on when winning at Thirsk but made rather hard work of it. Unbreak My Heart won twice last season and then looked a progressive sort when runner up at Sandown in the Esher Cup on his reappearance.

Fleeting Spirit was second to Natagora in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes last season. She is my fancy for the Haydock 3.35.

Cape Vale, a half brother to Moss Vale, was only beaten a head over 6 furlongs at Haydock a couple of weeks ago. He was staying on well at the finish last time and the extra distance may well suit him.

Stimulation was 7^th in the 2,000 Guineas and before that had won the Free Handicap, and the second that day has won since. He looks the one to beat in the 2.50 at Newmarket. Calming Influence won his only start last season in a York maiden and looked a decent prospect that day.

In the 4.35 the 3 that interest me are Meydan Dubai, Toto Skyllachy and Glorious Gift. I will give the nod to Meydan Dubai.

Over at The Curragh I have a feeling that New Approach may be able to reverse the Newmarket form with Henrythenavigator, while Jupiter Pluvius could spring a surprise.

Pictures are by kind permission of Lisa Miller – Equestrian Art (see links)

 

 

Winners have been in rather short supply this week but at least Bukit Tinggi won for us at Haydock today and looks a horse to follow.

Pacific Pride is hardly a prolific winner with a strike rate of only 2 from rather a lot. However, he has only been raised 2 lbs for his win at Ripon a couple of weeks back and he is still on a lenient mark if you look at his 2 year old form. He could go in again at Haydock in the 7.20 tomorrow.

Missioner just found one too good for him on his reappearance at Yarmouth but could well go one better in the Haydoch 8.20. La Fortalesa showed promise on both his starts last season and is another to consider in this race.

Rossini’s Dancer remains a maiden after 5 starts but his 2^nd at Beverly last time out entitles him to go close in the Newcastle 5.05.

The 4.40 at Newmarket looks an interesting race. Punjabi could be an absolute snip. His last run on the flat was when he finished 3^rd at Lingfield off a mark of 73 over a mile. Since then he has proved himself a top class hurdler with Nicky Henderson, finishing 3^rd in the Champion Hurdle, and most recently winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. He may well turn out to be a much improved animal over this trip of 12 furlongs and his handicap rating of 75 could be a complete nonsense. These sort of theories don’t always work out of course and another to consider would be Mad Rush who has had an injury and been off the course for a long while. He was only beaten narrowly by the subsequent Park Hill Stakes winner though and on that form would be a serious threat in this.

There seem to be a number of two year olds around this season with names connected to footballers and Bryan Smart’s Go Nani Go is one such. He looked a sharp sort when making a winning debut at Musselburgh and could well follow up in the 7.30 at Pontefract.

There will likely be an odds on jolly in the 9.00 but only 3 of the last 7 favourites have obliged in this race. In search of something at a working man’s price I thought of Another Decree and Merrion Tiger.

Good luck

Photograph by courtesy of Mark Usher Racing

 

Sixties Icon looks like being odds on for the Goodwood 2.50 tomorrow but at around 11/4 Blue Ksar could represent the value. The question mark remains about the form of the Godolphin horses though.

At Haydock Camelot Communion (pictured below) should be all the better for her run at Pontefract last month and has an each way chance.

Bukit Tunggi was only beaten a head in 2^nd at Doncaster earlier in the month and the 4^th horse in that race has won since. He would be my selection in the 3.00 where Plane Painter could also go well.

In the 3.35 I have narrowed it down to 3. Thannaan is the obvious choice on the basis of a comfortable success at Folkestone last month that has since been franked by the runner up. A mark of 80 looks quite lenient. Majeen looks the obvious danger on the basis of two seconds on his last couple of starts in 2007. One that could run well at a bigger price is Shanafarahan who showed promise last season and would be interesting if settling better as he took a keen hold on his final run last season.

Iron Cross showed zilch over 3 runs as a juvenile but it would be no surprise if he found the longer trip of the 7.40 at Salisbury a very different proposition.

Lastly in the 8.40 I will take a chance with Sheer Bluff each way on the basis of his fair 2^nd at Great Leighs 3 weeks ago.

Photograph by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing

 

Well, Monday’s preview yielded a few winners so let’s hope that the trend continues!

Up at Ayr tomorrow in the 2.35 I looked at the top weight Gunfighter. He likes fast ground so we can safely ignore his last run at Doncaster. He won a couple of races at the back end of last season and is one to keep a close eye on.

The Goodwood card looks tricky and I must say I am struggling to come up with too many pearls of wisdom. In the 2.15 Ed Dunlop’s Formation does not look badly handicapped and could be an each way shot.

Turning to the 2.50 the race won by Savarain on the track over a furlong further 2 weeks ago looked a decent heat and he could well go in again. Whistledownwind has only had 3 runs and was runner up to Centennial at Sandown on his last start. There is a suspicion that he may need some cut in the ground as he won his maiden last season on soft. There is perhaps a question mark about the stable form with only 1 winner from the last 22 but many of the losers have been placed.

You may have seen the comments of Mikey64 about the 3.25. He’s is not a bad judge of things Goodwood and Dove Cottage clearly goes well at this track. He will need to win off a career high mark but that is not beyond the bounds of possibility. Dangers may be the lightly raced Royal Jasra and all weather winner Apache Fort.

In the 4.00 I am hoping for a big run from Rosa Grace (pictured below) who was 4^th in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket last season.

Count Ceprano was 6^th in the Victoria Cup over 7 furlongs and was running on at the finish. He should be suited by the mile in the 5.45.

At Sandown Tropical Paradise who runs in the 6.00 is the subject of good reports. City Stable was disappointing on his seasonal reappearance but might be worth another chance in the 7.35.

Unleashed ran with some promise on his only run last season but then sustained an injury. He could be one to follow. He runs in the 8.10.

 

We managed to get a few winners on Saturday, notably in the Lockinge. There are plenty of meetings over the next two days and something of interest in most of them.

At Bath in the 4.30 I wondered about Stow. He was 3^rd at Pontefract on his reappearance and wouldn’t need to improve much from that to take a hand here.

Sir Mark Prescott has had winners recently and could well be poised for a few more. He runs Aleatricis (pictured below)  in the 2.40 at Musselburgh. The dam won twice as a 3 year old for Prescott and this horse looks on a very low mark for his pedigree.

As a juvenile First Avenue was 6^th to Twice Over on his debut at Newmarket and went on to confirm that promise by winning a Yarmouth maiden. He makes his handicap debut in the 7.40 at Windsor and is my selection.

Regal Step (pictured below)  has shown plenty of speed in her 3 runs to date and with Ryan Moore booked to ride looks to have a good chance in the 8.40 at Windsor.

Moving on to Tuesday, Baybshambles represents our list to follow in the 3.20 at Beverley. He has a good draw but may not want the ground too firm. In the 3.50 Crocodile Bay should be all the better for a recent run. He seems versatile when it comes to underfoot conditions but may be besr on genuinely good ground.

Lanterns of Gold was a winner at Redcar last season and looks the sort to progress as a 3 year old. She comes from a stable in form and runs in the 4.20.

In the 4.50 I am interested in another Sir Mark Prescott 3 year old. Astrodome is a half brother to the prolific winner Alambic and should appreciate the step up in trip to 12 furlongs.

Fearless Warrior didn’t cut much ice on his reappearance at Salisbury 16 days ago but may be suited by more of a test of stamina and would be my each way pick in the 8.50.

In the 2.30 at Southwell I am a bit surprised that recent Wolverhampton winner Reclamation is kept to a mile. I still think she looks the sort to run up a sequence though.

 

I will have a look back at today’s racing on Sunday evening but just a quick word about tomorrow.

The Godolphin team received a major boost in the Lockinge and this may signal a return to better form for their horses. I see that they have the classy Literato in the Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp. The trip may be a bit sharp for him but his performance may be a further pointer to the wellbeing of the Godolphin operation.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of Mark Usher Racing.

 

At the time of penning these notes last night’s preview had “bagged” two winners in Clowance and Full Speed.

Sir Michael Stoute’s team are flying at the moment and he introduced the well bred Dancer in Demand in the Newbury 1.35 tomorrow. He is related to the likes of North Light, Gamut and Researched.

In the 2.10 Malt or Mash and Regal Flush (both pictured below, Malt or Mas is the grey)are the pair that most interest me. Malt or Mash went from strength to strength last term recording 4 wins including the November Handicap at Doncaster. He steps up to 13 furlongs tomorrow. He has gears and if this turns into a tactical affair he may well take a hand in the finish. He is best on fast ground. Regal Flush was another progressive horse last season winning heritage handicaps at Goodwood and Haydock before finishing 4^th in the St Leger. The Godolphin horses have tended to need their first run so I am not going to go overboard with a tip for him but he should win if producing his best form.

The Lockinge at 2.45 is quite a puzzle. Cesare is likely to be a leading fancy. He has 9 career wins, 7 of them over this trip of a mile. Four of those wins have come at Ascot and he is yet to win at Group 1 level.

Peter Chapple-Hyam will have a big say in the outcome of this race as he has 3 runners. Al Qasi is the choice of Alan Munro. His chance is difficult to assess as he tackles a mile for the first time and he has never won over further than 6 furlongs. He should be all the better for his run when 2^nd at Leicester 3 weeks ago, and if he stays and the ground is on the easy side he would have a chance. Tariq is pretty adaptable with regards to ground. He won the Lennox Stakes over 7 furlongs at Goodwood last season but is another that has to prove his stamina at this trip. Medicine Path ran up a hat trick of wins over this trip during the winter and spring but ran unaccountably poorly last time at Sandown. He seems to act on any ground.

Creachadoir represents Godolphin. He has never won beyond Group 3 level but was 2^nd in both the French and Irish 2,000 guineas. Phoenix Tower has had injury problems but has won all 4 career starts, the last in a Group 3 race at Newmarket. The enigmatic Rob Roy runs for the in form Sir Michael Stoute yard but he could only finish 6^th when he last ran in this race. I quite like Creachadoir in this but I am also going to put up Majestic Roi who ran well to beat Nannina and Echelon in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket last October. Mares have a good recent record in the Lockinge having won 3 of the last 4 runnings.

The 3.20 has been won by Mark Johnston and Sir Michael Stoute over the last 3 years and both have fancied runners this time. William Blake is unbeaten after 3 starts and has looked a typical Johnston 3 year old. A relentless galloper he may well try to make all. He won well at Beverley and may still be ahead of the handicapper despite a hike in the weights of 8 lbs. Colony won a competitive handicap at Sandown last month and has also gone up 8 lbs. Perhaps a less obvious contender but one worth having a look at is Whitcombe Minister.

There is a nice balance of progressive types and more established sprinters in the 3.55. Royal Rock has won 4 of his 8 career starts most recently at Yarmouth 19 days ago. He is steadily going up in the ratings but may yet have more to offer. Another recent winner is Jimmy Styles who won over course and distance last season and more recently won an Ascot handicap last week. Baby Strange (pictured below) had top class form as a 2 year old but then suffered a serious injury and didn’t race at 3. He has shown signs recently of a return to form and would certainly command respect here on his best form. Signor Peltro is a bit hard to predict but is capable on his day. He has a first time visor and comes from a stable in form.

The fillies’ handicap at 4.30 will take some sorting out. I can’t say I have studied the form in any detail but the James Fanshawe filly Falconry (pictured below) who won a Doncaster maiden last season before coming last in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes looks a likely sort for a race like this.

Amaakin is very much a talking horse but if he lives up to the hype he would be hard to beat in the 5.00.

It is mainly guesswork in the 5.35 but I will put forward Film Maker who created a good impression when 5^th in a maiden at Newmarket last season.

At Newmarket I like the look of Oceana Gold (pictured below) in the 2.25. He has a good record at the track.

The Fifth Member has won on both good to firm and heavy and could be a fun horse to follow this year. He lines up in the 4.10

In the 4.45 I am interested in Exceptional Art who is by the first season sire Exceed and Excel.

Up at Thirsk Smarterthanuthink makes his handicap debut in the 3.10. He ran 3 times over sprint trips last season but now tackles a mile which should suit him.

Tom Tate has his horses in good form. He runs Inspector Clouseau in the 3.45. He won at Thirsk last season and also ran 2^nd to Alexander Castle at Newcastle. He looks likely to pay his way in handicaps this season.

Recent Kempton winner Valery Borzov has a plum draw in the 4.20 and looks set to win again.

At Doncaster’s evening meeting Pegasus Prince goes for a hat trick in the 6.10 after a couple of wins on the all weather. He has a turf pedigree and looks to have an each way shout at 15/2. In the 7.45 Charles Parnell and Sir Nod are the two I like best.

Finally, in the 8.20 Throne of Power looks of interest. He didn’t get much luck in running last time but is a really good looking sort.

Good luck

Photos by kind permission of British 2YO Racing

Well it wasn’t the easiest of days on the tipping front at York. The opener went to a 33/1 shot and two odds on favourites were turned over.

Tartan Bearer won the Dante showing a willing attitude in the process. He should come on plenty for the run and has to be a serious Derby contender. Twice Over probably didn’t like the ground but it would be no surprise to see him revert to a mile in the future. Another that looked uncomfortable on the quick ground was Lang Shining in the Hambleton Stakes. I was pleased to see Arthur’s Girl win for Geoff Wragg at Salisbury. The trainer lost one of his best horses, Ivy Creek last weekend.

There are plenty of meetings to go at tomorrow, with again York taking centre stage. There are several with chances in the handicap at 2.10. Birkside reappears after winning over course and distance on Wednesday. He was given a good ride by David Allan on Wednesday but is apprentice ridden this time, presumably to offset the 6 lbs penalty. The claimer has won on him twice before though. This race is much tougher than the last one but Birkside seems to be going the right way and cannot be ignored. Pippa Greene is a horse I am very keen on this season. The problem could be the ground though as his form has been with some ease in the ground.

Formerly trained by Aiden O’Brien, Basalt in now with Tim Pitt and won twice on the all weather in February. He should strip fitter for his run at Chester last week and is one for a rather lengthy shortlist. Peruvian Prince is a smart handicapper and ran well here over 10 furlongs on Ebor day when beaten a head by Greek Well. He handles the ground and is not out of it although he might just need to come down a pound or two more.

Sugar Ray is a lightly raced horse that won last time out at Bath. He has been working with Tartan Bearer at home and is likely to be popular. Pevensey is a useful sort on his day. Best on good ground he is currently 1 lb higher than his highest winning mark. Like Pevensey, Furmigadelagiusta has been hurdling. He won twice on the flat last season but may not be suited by fast ground. Johnny Murtagh is an eye catching jockey booking though. Dansili Dancer won the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last season on good to firm and with his stable in form I will burden him with my each way selection..

I thought about Royal and Regal for the 2.40 but the ground may not suit. I think I will leave this race alone.

The David Nicholls pair of Buachaill Dona and Machinist both come into the 4.20 on the back of a very promising run. Barney McGrew is on my list to follow but has not shown much in his two runs so far and is best watched for the moment. Atlantic Story is potentially very well handicapped based on his all weather mark but the odd thing is he is tackling this trip for the first time. Another worth a mention is Damika who has run well on all 3 of his starts this season without winning.

Last season’s first and second, Wyatt Earp and Zomerlust line up again with the former 2 lbs better off this year. He loves fast ground and is a major player.

Full Speed has been running consistently and is my each way selection in the 4.55.

Moving to Newbury Fat Boy was only beaten a nose by Stimulation in the Free Handicap and that form looks solid. He is certainly the one to beat. Although Skadrak was a beaten favourite at Wolverhampton last month the winner has won again since so I wouldn’t rule him out.

In the 2.50 my two against the field would be Clowance and Rosa Grace. Clowance has only run twice and won a maiden over course and distance 4 weeks ago. Rosa Grace (pictured below)  won a couple of small races last season and was not disgraced when upped in class.

Game Park has shown enough in 4 starts to warrant respect in the 2.30 at Newmarket, while at Hamilton my selection is Spin Cycle in the 6.20.

Mr Crystal has been running well over hurdles with wins at Perth and Kelso and he should go well back on the level in the 7.50 at Newcastle.

Macedon has plenty going for him in the 8.25. Goes well fresh, stable in form, distance winner, goes on the ground and likes a straight track.

Good luck

Photo by kind permission of British 2YO Racing

Some of my tips went awry at York but at least I can claim Birkside who scored for the eleventh time of his career in the 3.45, and also Collection who won the last race on the card. Full marks to the canny Mike S who e-mailed me with a tip for Assertive. The curse of the high draw continued in Assertive’s race. Only US Ranger of the first 7 home came from a single figure stall so he is clearly one to take out of the race.

Tomorrow’s York card gets underway with a handicap over the minimum trip at 1.40. Green Park ran well when 2^nd at Chester last week and I am tempted to go for him but I have a suspicion that he is best on soft ground. The Dandy Nicholls pair of Tournedos and Strike up the Band are both well drawn but I am not sure that York is the ideal track for either of them. Aegean Dancer would be my fancy. He hasn’t been easy to train but he won some good races last season and his last 4 wins have come in double figure fields. He acts on any ground. Old River Falcon likes York but might find the ground a bit too lively.

Sir Michael Stoute’s older horses have to be respected and his Promising Lead is the clear form pick in the 2.10. Samira Gold has been described by her trainer as “a bit delicate” but if she is fit and well she could be the danger.

I don’t think I will get too heavily involved in the Dante at 2.40. Centennial didn’t impress particularly when winning the Sandown Classic Trial but he may not have been fully wound up that day and he was progressive last season. Stoute won this with North Light in 2004, and Golan’s brother Tartan Bearer may turn out to be the real deal, but on the evidence of his win in a Leicester maiden that is guesswork. Twice Over (pictured below)  is unbeaten and battled well to get the better of Raven’s Pass at Newmarket. Raven’s Pass didn’t do that form any harm in the 2,000 gns and the Henry Cecil colt has to be the form pick. Just how far he will stay is a debatable but he is out of a sister to Passage of Time.

The 3.10 is tricky. New Seeker has his ground but his runs at the end of last season were far from encouraging. The admirable Blythe Knight won the race last season but would not want the ground too firm. I would give the lightly raced Lang Shining a good chance if he handles the ground.

Docofthebay did little wrong last season. He runs in the 3.45 where his turn of foot could be decisive in this small field.

Tom Tate’s West With The Wind impressed me on both his runs last season. He should go well in the 6.55 at Newmarket, the stable are in good form and both trip and track should suit.

Glorious Gift and Without a Prayer represent my list to follow in the 8.00. I would not be sufficiently confident about either to tip them though.

Arthur’s Girl has shown bits of promise in 2 runs for Geoff Wragg. She runs in the 1.50 at Salisbury which will qualify her for a handicap mark. She is one to keep an eye on.

Be lucky!

Picture by kind permission of 2YO Racing

 

The meeting at York this week traditionally gives pointers to the Derby and Oaks. The Musidora Stakes at 2.40 tomorrow sees several of the leading Oaks fancies in competition. Dar Re Mi (pictured below) won a decent looking maiden at Sandown and sets the Standard. She blitzed her rivals at Sandown winning by 7 lengths and looks potentially high class.

Cape Amber won a 7 furlong maiden at Newmarket last season before an injury prevented her from running again. She is not guaranteed to get this trip but I think the likelihood is that she will. The form of the Newmarket maiden has not worked out particularly well but Amber Queen is clearly well thought of by connections and is respected. Sovereign’s Honour ran behind both Dar Re Mi and Cape Amber beaten by just over 8 lengths and 7.25 lengths respectively. Sir Michael Stoute’s filly looks to have scope but there seems no reason why she should turn the tables on her two conquerors. At 25/1 Cruel Sea is no forlorn hope. A winner at Doncaster on her only start as a juvenile she did well to finish 2^nd in a listed contest at HQ despite racing keenly. She clearly gets this trip, acts on the ground and should improve. The unknown factor is the Ballydoyle runner Moonstone, runner up on her only start at Leopardstown last month. She is very well bred and as they say could be anything. I am going to be boring here and select Dar Re Mi.

The 3.10 looks a hot sprint. I am going to throw in a potentially key stat here in that the last 10 winners have been drawn in single figures. This would rule out some otherwise likely contenders such as US Ranger, Soldiers Tale and Utmost Respect. So let’s have a look at some of those drawn low. Prime Defender (2) likes fast ground but has never won a race with more than 8 runners. Hoh Mike (3) is probably better over the minimum trip and possibly with some ease in the ground. Haatef (4) could be a leading light in the sprint division this season but is yet to win with an F in the going description. Beaver Patrol (5) likes fast ground but has never won outside of handicap company. Assertive (6) handles the ground and comes here on the back of a good run at Newmarket where he was just touched off by Zidane. He has only won once in his last 20 starts though and never at this level. Beckermet (7) is probably not good enough at this level and he is best in small fields.

My problem now is that I have ruled out the entire field! Well something has to win and I am going to go with Haatef – not too many miles on the clock and 3 from 3 at this trip.

I don’t have a strong view on the 3.45. Pontefract winner Ella will appreciate the step up in trip but her win came in heavy ground. Birkside has some good form on the all weather and ran creditably the other day when 4^th at Doncaster. We know he stays. Sin City hasn’t had a lot of racing but was 2^nd on both his starts last season. He is a talented horse who has a decent prize in him. He may well stay further than this later in the season.

I would be inclined to try and find something each way at a reasonable price in the 4.55. Tarkheena Prince won a mile maiden at Nottingham and looks a nice type with a decent attitude. Fujin Dancer at the bottom of the handicap won at Wolverhampton last month and like Tarkheena Prince is lightly raced. Collection looks on a handy mark. He was 6^th behind Perks at Doncaster and with only 3 runs behind him should have come on for that run.

I wondered about Diminuto in the 8.30 at Bath as he has run well at the track in the past.

Good luck.

Photograph of Dar Re Mi by kind permission of British 2YO racing