Category: Racing diary

Tomorrow’s flat racing has an end of season look with some big field maidens.  In the 3.10 at Leicester Michael Bell introduces Allied Powers who is a half brother to Warsaw Pact who was a multiple winner for Sir Mark Prescott.  Michael Bell doesn’t have too many first time out juvenile winners so this one may need some time.  He is a name to watch out for though.

 

In the 5.10 Prime Exhibit looks the best of those that have run before. Newcomer Plavius was a hugely expensive yearling and will be expected to win.

 

The only runner from our list to follow is Staked a Claim who has a nice symmetrical record having run 4 times and been 4^th on each occasion.  He tries 6 furlongs for the first time having previously run over 5 and 7.

 

Continue reading “Diary: October 16 2007” →

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

 

Windsor 4.00 Leptis Magna

 

Wolverhampton 2.50 Ballet Boy

 

3.50 Geolimali

Continue reading “Diary: October 15 2007” →

There are quite a few meeting tomorrow, with 4 horses catching my eye.

 

Over at Naas I fancy Big Zeb (4.30) and Kimberlite King (6.00).

 

Cape hasn’t really lived up to expectations this season but there were some encouraging signs on her last run when 4^th at Haydock.  She looks to have a good chance in the 5.15 at Goodwood.

 

Princess Valerina has spoilt her chances this season by racing to keenly.  She is the only other runner from our list to follow and she goes in the 3.55 at Lingfield.  She has place claims on her best form if she can settle.

 

Continue reading “Diary: October 14 2007” →

There are a few runners from our list to follow in action today.

 

In the 2.20 at Ascot Strategic Mount is a course and distance winner but really need fast ground.  Ladies Best has been running well in these races all season and deserves something like this.  At around 9/1 he looks worth an each way interest.

 

Mutajarred revels in soft ground and should also be suited by the trip in the 4.10.

 

On form both Dig Deep and Bo McGinty would have definite chances in the 4.40.  Neither would want the ground too soft however.

 

Over at York Noisy Silence has a good each way chance in the 2.10.

 

In the 4.50 the progressive Broomielaw is preferred to Hassaad and Yossi.

 

Over the jumps I will be looking out for Whiteoak (Bangor 4.35) Washango (Bangor 5.40)Serabad (Chepstow 3.40) Pertinent & Theatrical Moment (Chepstow 4.15) Modicum (Hexham 2.15) Tot O’ Whiskey (Hexham 4.25) Abstinence (Hexham 5.30) Cork All Star (Fairyhouse 2.30)

 

Continue reading “Diary: October 13 2007” →

The national hunt season is beginning to get going.  Howard Johnson will no doubt have a strong team.  He introduces points winner Knockavilla in the bumper at 5.15.

 

On the flat the vastly expensive Jalil runs in the 4.35 where he takes on Al Khaleej who on the face of it has the superior form.

 

The 2.10 at York is another intriguing contest.  There are 3 runners from our list to follow, Big Timer, Spanish Moon and Sunshine Kid.  Best Alibi looks the percentage call on the basis of his 3^rd to Dylan Thomas in last year’s Irish Derby.  He is a course and distance winner too.  Spanish Moon won his only start as a 2 year old but has been off the track for nearly a year. His brother Spanish Sun won the Ribblesdale and he could be anything.

 

Continue reading “Diary: October 12 2007” →

Not a bad day with 2 wins and 2 seconds from the 4 horses mentioned last night.

 

Nothing really catches my eye tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: October 11 2007” →

Just a quick look at Wednesday’s racing.

 

Forrager returns after a 131 day lay off in the 5.10 at Nottingham.  He goes well fresh and likes some cut in the ground so at 6/1 looks to have each way possibilities.

 

At Kempton Sister Act is fancied for the 6.50.  She has shown signs of ability and could well break her duck from a favourable draw.

 

Albertas Run would be my nap of the day in the 4.30 at Towcester.

 

Opus Café will probably be going over fences sooner rather than later but stays over hurdles in the 2.50 at Exeter.  I think he will be winning races this season.

 

Continue reading “Diary: October 10 2007” →

There are just 2 runners from our list to follow entered tomorrow.

Sir Mark Prescott runs Ballet Boy in the 4.30 at Catterick.  Ballet Boy won at Windsor earlier in the season but has not been seen for 3 months.  He disappointed on his last run but if that could be put down to the heavy ground he could be given a chance tomorrow.

Sugar Ray is stepped up in trip for the 4.10 at Leicester and should go well.

Continue reading “Diary: October 9 2007” →

I think that in years to come, when I look back at the races that I have watched, this year’s Arc will rank as one of the most dramatic.  There was the ultimate irony of Kieren Fallon having to wait an age for the “judges” decision.

Before the race there was talk of Frankie Dettori being in line for sportsperson of the year. Today’s race has almost certainly scuppered that and I don’t somehow think that Kieren Fallon will be in the running for that particular prize.

Whether or not jockey error cost Authorized will no doubt be debated over the coming days and long into the future.  In reality though the warnings signs were there before the horse ever went to post.  It was always going to be tough from that outside draw, the runs of Dutch Art and Tariq made me a little uneasy and of course not many Epson Derby winners have won the Arc in recent times.

Authorized seemed to me to be pulling  bit too hard early on and I wasn’t sure he handled the turns that well.  He certainly never really looked like making up th ground and his challenge soon fizzled out.  Did he get too much daylight?  Maybe.  It was a wonderful performance from Dylan Thomas anyway, and it was good to see one of my old football heroes Mick Channon so pleased with the super run from Youmzain.

This was also a triumph for Kieren Fallon who, like the truly great jockeys, makes that crucial difference between success and failure.

 

Elsewhere at Longchamp Benbaun continued his impressive run this season in the Abbaye.  He is a very consistent sprinter.  I had rather written him off because of the ground but both he and Dylan Thomas won despite conditions not being in their favour.

Not much that catches my eye about Monday’s racing so I will leave it there for tonight

Continue reading “Diary: October 8 2007” →

There are three runners from our list to follow in the Prix L’Abbaye at Longchamp at 1.15.  Hogmaneigh shouldn’t be quite good enough to win at Group 1 level, although the ground will be in his favour.  Strike up the Band handles soft ground and is probably best at 5 furlongs but has not shown much since winning at Chantilly a year ago. Dandy Man deserves to win a big race but really wants faster ground to show his best form.  Of the rest Benbaun and Moss Vale have had many a  close battle over the last year or two with Benbaun normally coming out on top.  Benbaun seems to reserve his best form for The Curragh and is also another that would prefer faster ground.  Moss Vale would be my very tentative selection.

Frankie Dettori rides Longchamp as well as anyone and I fancy his chances on Laureldean Gale in the 1.50.  This filly was trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam but is now with Godolphin.

 Finsceal Beo has been one of the stars on our list to follow landing two classics but ground and trip seem against her in the 3.00.

My heart definitely says Authorized for the Arc but my head has a few doubts.  He has to do it from stall 12 and on the tight French track that has historically proved a massive disadvantage.  Peter Chapple-Hyam’s two runners today made no show which is another negative point.  In addition, Epsom Derby winners have not fared too well in the Arc with only 1 of the 6 that have tried prevailing in the last decade.  Dylan Thomas has form figures of 311 at this trip, all in Group 1 races.  He should be in the shake up.  Mandesha is a course and distance winner with a good draw and should run well but I can’t see Youmzain being quite good enough.  I can see Soldier of Fortune putting up a bold show but I am going to let my heart rule my head and side with Authorized to get the better of Dylan Thomas and Soldier of Fortune.

Yeats will be hard to beat in the 4.25 where he seems to tick all the right boxes.  It will be interesting to see how Juniper Girl, the winner of the Northumberland Plate gets on.

I haven’t had the chance to put my horses to follow for the 2007/8 jumps season on the site yet.  When I do, Abstinence will be on it.  He won a Wetherby bumper in impressive style and was promptly snapped up by Howard Johnson for Andrea and Graham Wylie. He should win the Kelso 5.30

 

Continue reading “Diary: October 7 2007” →