Category: Racing diary

Red Evie and Plum Pudding were winners from our list to follow while Captain Jacksparra did best of the rest, occupying the runners up spot.

  

The best race at Ripon tomorrow is the 3.40. Julie Camacho may provide the answer to this with Rio Riva who ran well in the Lincoln.  The main danger looks likely to come from My Paris who won the Thirsk Hunt Cup earlier this month.

  

Kevin Ryan trains My Paris and he saddles that horse’s half brother My Arch in the 4.40. A good draw and first time blinkers make this one an interesting prospect.

  

Northern Jem is a half brother to the prolific winner Polar Jem and has been knocking on the door with a couple of placed efforts.  He represents our list to follow in the 5.10.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 20 2007” →

I hope you managed to find a winner or two last week without my expert guidance!  I thought I would start today’s jottings with a look back at the racing scene since I have been away.

  

Last Friday Monte Alto only had to be shaken up to win on his reappearance at Lingfield in a 3 year old 7 furlong maiden.  Luca Cumani’s colt is clearly going the right way and can rate higher, especially over further.  Monte Alto was a very skinny price but we did have a winner at a nice price from our list to follow down at Nottingham on the same day.  The stoutly bred Bollin Felix, blinkered for the first time appreciated a step up in trip and stayed on well under in form apprentice Duran Fentiman.  At 10/1 Bollin Felix was a welcome winner for my somewhat flagging list to follow.

  

Winners from the list continued on Saturday, and Zidane, who has been a good servant to these pages scored in a competitive 6 furlong event at Ascot at 7/2.  Zidane is a half brother to Frizzante and Firenze both of whom have featured on my list to follow.

  

There was also a big 6 furlong sprint at Haydock which featured a number of real old favourites.  In teeming rain the red and white hoops of Sierra Vista made all in typically tough fashion into the teeth of a gale, with Borderlescott 2^nd and Fonthill Road flashing home in 3^rd.  This was Sierra Vista’s 10^th career win and at 8/1 she kept up her amazing record of winning at most attractive odds. Borderlescott of course won the Stewards Cup last season while Fonthill Road won the Ayr Gold Cup last season with Borderlescott runner up.  Three cracking sprinters.

  

The Lingfield Derby Trial went to Marcus Tregoning’s Aqaleem while on the same Lingfield card Blue Ksar gave Godolphin a winner.

  

While Zidane was winning at Ascot his half sister Firenze was keeping up the family tradition winning a 6 furlong listed contest at Nottingham.

  

Staying with the sprinters I was interested to see old Trojan Flight get his head in front at Thirsk, as usual coming from well off the pace.  This was his first run for Richard Fahey.

  

On Monday our list had a winner thanks to Leptis Magna at Windsor, another having a first run for a new trainer, in this case David Elsworth.  Leptis Magna ran 3 times as a juvenile and showed some promise.  He won this well going away from another of our list horses Rock Anthem.  Both can win again.

  

At York on Wednesday Henry Cecil’s Passage of Time ran a satisfactory Oaks trial while Amadeus Wolf bounced back to form to power home in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes.  He threatens to take high order in the sprinting ranks.

  

The highlight on Thursday was the impressive performance of Authorized in the Dante.  He looks a worthy Derby favourite.

  

Other notable efforts on Thursday were Terentia’s win in the sprint handicap and Blythe Knight’s success later in the afternoon.  At 12/1 Terentia was a nice winner for our list to follow and there were encouraging performances from other “listers” Hogmaneigh, Knot in Wood and Pacific Pride.  Corridor Creeper was a gallant runner up having filled the same position behind Caribbean Coral last week at Chester.

  

Blythe Knight is a tough individual and his success in the 1 mile Hambleton Handicap was the 7^th of his career.  He is of course a previous winner of the Lincoln.

  

Tim Easterby is enjoying a fine run  of form at the moment and his Bollin Derek was a decisive winner of the 14 furlong handicap at York on Thursday.  He is a half brother to Bollin Felix mentioned earlier.

   

Sir Michael Stoute’s Dance of Light only raced once as a two year old catching the eye in a Newmarket maiden.  She won nicely on her reappearance at Salisbury on Thursday and should be able to go on to better things.

  

There was jumps action at Ludlow on Thursday evening where 3 races particularly took my eye.  Mr Ed has been knocking at the door and he was 2^nd in the handicap chase.  This tall gelding ran well enough and should find a race before too long.  Former flat winner Wooly Bully won the handicap hurdle for Evan Williams.  He could well have a profitable summer jumps campaign.  In the hunter chase Paul Nicholls’s Le Passing was all the rage and was clearly the best horse in the race on form.  In the event though he was unable to quite get to the 15 year old Longstone Boy who won by a short head.  In 3^rd was Viscount Bankes who is something of a course specialist.  This one is trainer in Oxfordshire by Rosemary Gasson and is described as “headstrong but harmless” by the trainer.

  

Friday produced 3 winners from our list to follow at Newbury, Sakhee’s Secret, Measured Tempo and Mujahaz, the latter at 15/2 for John Dunlop and jockey Steve Carson.

  

There was a very taking performance from Barry Hill’s juvenile Janina in the opener at York. She made it two wins from 2 starts and looks smart.

  

So much for the week just gone – let’s turn our attention to Saturday’s racing.  Starting with the two year old maiden at 1.35 there are good reports about John Gosden’s Revivalism.

  The showpiece of the Newbury card is of course the Lockinge Stakes, a Group 1 contest at 2.45.  Secret World, a former winner of the Wood Ditton has had injury problems.  He made no show on his return to the track last month but remains a horse with plenty of potential.  Red Evie won a remarkable 7 times lasts season and cannot be ruled out but I will take a chance with the consistent Peeress for my selection.  

Swinbrook is an interesting runner in the 3.50. He won at Leicester last April beating Zidane.  He went up in the weights for that success but is creeping down to a more realistic mark and is one to keep an eye on.  Hayley Turner rides him tomorrow.

  

My each way selection in the 4.25 is John Hill’s Diamond Diva.  A winner at Lingfield last season she was a decent 3^rd on her reappearance at Goodwood last week.  Jamie Spencer will be in the plate.

  

Transcend was runner up in a Nottingham maiden last month and should go on better in the Newmarket 1.50.  He is a half brother to the useful Suggestive.

  

In the 2.25 it could well be worth giving Acheekyone another chance to fulfil the promise of last month's good reappearance run at Newbury, a subsequent failure on the AW at Kempton excusable on account of his being trapped out wide. Plum Pudding has won twice over C&D and has enough going for him to be next best.

  

In the 3.00 Yossi looks the one to beat.  He was 2^nd at Haydock last month, should appreciate the going and his stable seem in good from.

  

The 3.35 looks a competitive staying handicap.  There are 3 runners from our list to follow and they all have chances.  The consistent Juniper Girl comes into the reckoning.  She goes well for her apprentice rider and stays very well.  Some more rain would aid her chances.  Colloquial is a horse I particularly like but he may need the run so I will side with Finalmente for my selection.  I was impressed with his 3^rd at Newmarket earlier this month and the additional 2 furlongs here should not be a problem.

  We have a list runner in the 4.05.  Passion Fruit was 3^rd at Hamilton over a mile on her last outing and this 7 furlongs should be more her bag of oats.  

Kevin Ryan has his horses in good form and his Captain Jacksparra has an each way chance in the 3.40 at Thirsk.

  

Dig Deep has already won for our list to follow this season and looks to follow up in the 4.45.  I certainly wouldn’t rule him out but hi best form has been reserved for the all weather.

  

River Thames ran a shocker last time at Goodwood and I am prepared to draw a line through that run.  He looks well handicapped and I will give him another chance in the 5.20.

  

That is all for this evening. 

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 19 2007” →

Today’s selections at Chester were not too far off the mark so let’s see if we can find a winner or two at the Roodeye tomorrow.

  The admirable Peppertree Lane steps up in class in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at 2.50.  Chester might just suit his front running style.  A bit more rain would help his chances.  The classy Scorpion may just be too good for his rivals if back to his best though.

 

 

My Arch represents our list to follow in the last race on the card at 4.35.  He is a half brother to recent winner My Paris and to flat and hurdles winner My Will.  He was down the field last time over 7 furlongs at Leicester but this longer trip may well be more his bag of oats.

  

Passion Fruit should strip fitter for his run 8 days ago at Thirsk.  He runs in the 8.20 at Hamilton.

  

Staying at Hamilton Haifa has ticks in most of the right boxes in the 8.50.

  

My best bet of the day is in the Lingfield 1.40 where Pairumani Princess looks well handicapped.  She was a winner on the track over a mile last season and is bred to appreciate the extra distance tomorrow.

  

In the 4.20 I like the look of Monte Alto of Luca Cumani’s.  He was 3^rd on both of his starts last season and the form looks quite reliable.

  

Bollin Felix shapes like a dour stayer and the trip should be in his favour in the 3.00 at Nottingham. 

  

James Fanshawe introduces an interesting newcomer in Fondled who runs in the 4.10.  She is related to the top class filly Islington.

  

Looking forward to Saturday I see that Star of Light runs in the listed contest at Ascot (1.45.)  He has a bit to do at this level but this is his optimum trip and if the rain stays away he could go well.

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 3.35 at Ascot, Geojimali, Stanley Goodspeed and Zidane.  If the ground is on the fast side I would give Stanley Goodspeed an each way chance.

  

Junior is our list runner in the 4.10.  Strictly on the book he should not be able to beat Ned Ludd on the basis of their running together 3 weeks ago.  He is a lightly raced progressive type though and might still be hard to beat.

  

We have 3 list runners in the Lingfield Derby Trial.  Aqaleem showed promise in two starts last term and should be all the better for the step up in trip. Hearthstead Maison won at Newmarket last week over 10 furlongs.  He had earlier been well beaten in listed company this 12 furlong trip may bring out further improvement and I don’t think his astute trainer would run him here if he wasn’t hopeful. Mythical Kid si related to the top class Divine Proportions.  He has the form to win this but seems a bit temperamental and his stable are not yet quite firing.

  

Gull Wing and Sunlight represent our list to follow in the Oaks Trial at 3.45.

  

Blue Ksar won his last 2 starts in 2006 and reappears in the 4.20.  Should make a bold bid.

  

There are two runners from our list to follow at the evening meeting at Warwick.

  

Grey Boy runs in the 7.30 and should have his ideal conditions as long as the weather stays dry.  He looks to have an each way chance.  In the 8.00 much will be expected of Malaath who won on his only start last season.  She probably didn’t beat much in that race but the manner of her performance took the eye of many good judges.

  

The next update will be on Friday May 18.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 11 & 12 2007” →

Not a bad haul from the horses featured last night, with a winner and a couple of seconds.  Swiss Act provided the win at rewarding odds of 5/1.  He looks a typical Mark Johnston 3 year old, tough and progressive.

  

Temple Place gave Donald McCain a rare flat winner.  This one used to be trained by Michael Bell and was quite highly regarded at one time. This was his 4^th career win and they have come at odds of 20s, 12s, 8s and now 50/1.

  

Tomorrow’s card at the Roodeye looks plenty trappy enough.  Maraahel will be a warm order in the opener and is the most likely winner. If you want to take him on then Ivy Creek of Geoff Wragg’s could be the one.

  

There are plenty of speedsters in the 2.20.  Corridor Creeper is a course and distance winner and particularly well handicapped on his best form.  He handles any ground.  Dhaular Dhar has an impressive record at Chester.  Mr Wolf comes out of the favoured number 1 stall and could be a major player.  He is better over 6 furlongs though and wouldn’t want too much rain.  Kay Two on the other hand is most effective with cut in the ground and 5 furlongs is his trip. He should be all the better for his recent narrow defeat at the Hands of Cape Royal at Epsom.  Cape Royal himself and course and distance winner Caribbean Coral are others to consider.

  

In the last 10 years no horse has won this from a double figures draw and only two have carried more than 9 stone to victory.  In 8 of the last 10 years the winner has come from one of the 6 lowest draws.  Three of the horses I have short listed meet those criteria, Caribbean Coral, Mr Wolf and Kay Two. I will give a narrow preference to Kay Two.

  

In the 2.50 the Aiden O’Brien runner will be odds on.  Again, if you want to take on the favourite Sir Michael Stoute’s Arabian Gulf won well at Newmarket and should relish the extra couple of furlongs here if acting on the sharp track.

  

In the 3.20 Magic Mountain would be my each way selection.  A winner at Salisbury last season he was out of his depth when beaten at Sandown on his last start.  Does not look too badly treated off a mark of 87.

  

The 4.35 looks to be between Al Tharib and Urban Spirit.

  

At Goodwood Diamond Diva represents our list to follow in the 4.20.  She won on the all weather on her final start last season and looks a potential improver.

  

Manbar is dropped in class and should be able to take the 4.55.

  

For the benefit of the Legal Set fan club the old boy runs in the 6.20 at Ayr.  He is on one helluva losing sequence but did show a glimmer of form on his latest start.

  

If you keep backing Seafield Towers and keep your fingers and everything else firmly crossed there is always a chance he will pop up at a daft price eventually.  He runs in the Ayr 7.50 where Throw the Dice would be the more logical form pick I suppose.

  

Bye for now.

     

Continue reading “Diary: May 10 2007” →

The main meeting tomorrow is at Chester where our list to follow is represented in the 3.20 by Walter Swinburne’s Stotsfold.  This gelding has won 4 of his 9 career starts, two of those coming over course and distance.  He holds obvious claims.

  

Trainer Mark Johnston won the 4.00 two years ago with Quizzene.  He saddles Swiss Act this time, a winner last year at Hamilton.  Should go well.

  

Over the jumps hat trick seeking Inherent looks the one to beat in the 4.55.

  

See you tomorrow

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 9 2007” →

There is only one runner from our list to follow on what is a low key day’s racing on Tuesday.

  

In the Chepstow 2.40 Composing is dropped in class and comes from a stable in form.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 8 2007” →

It was a very busy weekend with mixed fortunes for the horses featured in my Friday evening preview.

  

On Saturday Flores Sea and Hearthstead Maison were winners for our list to follow while We’ll Come, Eastern Anthem and Finalmente were others to run with plenty of promise.

  

 I am not sure if Mark K is reading these notes but if so, well done to your brother for his write up on Cockney Rebel.

  

Sunday went well for our list horses.  Superseus, Sixties Icon, Finsceal Beo and Tax Free taking the first 4 races at Newmarket.  Sixties Icon quickened most impressively and looks set for a successful year.  The filly Finsceal Beo won with some ease and will be hard to beat against her own age and sex as the season unfolds.  I thought that Arch Swing ran a super race in second in the filly’s classic especially as she was rather marooned in the centre of the track.

  

It was a good weekend for north of the border trainer Len Lungo who had a win double with Kadount over hurdles and Monolith on the flat.   

  

There are 4 meetings on Bank Holiday Monday and I will start at Kempton where Lucarno looks the one to beat in the 3.30.  He was unfancied at 50/1 when runner up at Newbury but showed plenty of ability that day and can go one better here.

  

In the 4.00 I will be keeping an eye on Garden Party who is a half brother to Border Castle a winner on the flat and over hurdles.

  

Acheekyone could be the answer to the handicap at 4.30.  He was hampered when 6^th in the Newbury Spring Cup and the form of that race has worked out well.  The winner, Pinpoint, was only just touched off by Superseus at HQ yesterday, while the 8^th home, My Paris, was a winner on Saturday.

  

Up at Newcastle there are 2 representatives from our list to follow in the 4.35.  Feeling Wonderful was a winner in soft ground at Catterick last season so some rain would probably help his cause.  Tomorrow’s Dancer did not get a  clear run at Wolverhampton on his last outing and is better than the bare form figures suggest.

  Captain Jacksparra has not been out of the first 2 in his last 4 runs.  I am hoping that he will give our list to follow a winner in the 3.10 at Warwick.  

Mofarij is a half brother to the recently ertired Iffraaj, a winner of 3 Group 2s.  If Mofarij is that good then the 4.20 at Windsor should be within his compass.    

  

See you tomorrow  

    

Continue reading “Diary: May 7 2007” →

The focus over the weekend will be on the Guineas meeting at Newmarket and that is where I will start today’s jottings.

  

We’ll Come ran 3 times last season all at Newmarket.  He came to my attention as he was twice runner up to horses I was following, Tudor Prince and Tredegar.  He has since been gelded and looks the type to do well in handicaps this season.  He runs in the 2.10.  The concern could be his stamina over this trip but his brother won over a mile at 2 so fingers crossed.  Thunder Storm Cat of Paul Cole's could be the danger.

  

The Cheveley Park Stud filly Echelon has run consistently throughout her career and has won twice at Group 3 level.  The 9 furlongs of the 2.45 is probably about as far as she wants to go but she has won over the trip at Epsom and I would expect her to be involved at the business end of the race.

  

The 2,000 Guineas looks far from straightforward.  Adagio impressed when winning the Craven but that race has not been a great trial in recent years.  There is no denying that Adagio is a nice colt but may be more of a Derby sort.  I can see him running well though.  Dutch Art lost his unbeaten record in the Greenham at Newbury and may be more of a sprinter.

  

Al Shemali does not look good enough on the strength on his 4^th behind Petara Bay.  Aiden O’Brien has two runners.  Duke of Marmalade looked a smart colt last season but suffered an injury on his 3^rd and last start when chasing home Strategic Prince at Goodwood.  The trip and ground will not be a problem for him.  Eagle Mountain, who is by Rock of Gibraltar, won the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last season but looks more of a stayer and may find things happening to fast for him.

  

Haatef won a maiden at The Curragh before stepping up markedly on that effort to finish 4^th in the Dewhurst. There is plenty of speed in his pedigree and that raises possible doubts over his stamina.  Halicarnassus, trained by Mick Channon, was 3^rd behind Major Cadeaux and Dutch Art in the Greenham and will like the fast ground.

  

Strategic Prince was 3^rd in the Dewhurst last season behind Holy Roman Emperor and Teofilo.  Neither of those rivals reopposes today and Strategic Prince will be more at home of the fast ground.  He gets my selection in an open looking renewal.

  

If the Guineas was tough to solve the sprint handicap at 4.00 is a real puzzle.  I started with a short (ish) list and tried to whittle it down.  Mecca’s Mate might fund the ground a bit quick while although Firenze is respected the lack of a recent run is a negative.  Dark Missile is another that may need the run and is also possibly better in small fields, while Fullandby would prefer easier ground.  I am going to take a chance with Indian Trail who won this race in 2005. He si not the most consistent but has had a recent run when apprentice ridden but I see that Richard Hughes is booked tomorrow. Another that could run well at a big price is Bentong who broke the track record at Salisbury last season.

  

In the 4.35 I like the look of the Godolphin runner Eastern Anthem.  He won a mile maiden at Nottingham and looks the sort to improve with time.

  

Mark Johnston has two runners in the 5.10, including Hearthstead Maison, one of our horses to follow.  This race is over 10 furlongs and I have a feeling that this one will come into his own later in the season over a longer trip.

  

Finalmente is aptly named in the 5.45, the last race on the card, as it means finally in Italian. Frankie Dettori has the ride keeping up the Italian connection.  Finalmente is a progressive sort who won 3 times last season and could well be better than handicap class.  This trip might be on the short side for him though.

  

Secret Ploy is an interesting runner in the 2.25.  The 7 year old makes his flat debut.  He has some very decent bumper form and ridden by a capable claimer he could well eb good enough if he handles the fast ground.

  

Danzig River does not win too often and may not be the most genuine.  He was well ridden by claimer Adele Rothery when winning last week at Leicester.  The combination look to follow up in the 4.40 at Thirsk.

  

A winner at Pontefract last season, the American bred Flores Sea should have another win or two in him.  He runs in the 5.15.

  

River Thames made a pleasing return when 4^th at Thirsk recently and he looks well handicapped in the Goodwood 3.05.  The 10 year old course and distance winner Smokin’ Beau could be the danger.

  

The unraced Destour is well bred and looks one to watch in the 4.50.

  

Before moving on to Sunday I want to give a mention to a couple of Luca Cumani’s handicappers that could be worth keeping an eye on this season.  Futun (Newmarket 5.45) and Minority Report (Thirsk 3.00).

  

On Sunday Pinpoint heads the weights in the 1.45 having won the Newbury       Spring Cup. The runner up that day, Royal Oath has a 3 lbs pull in the weights. I have kept Superseus on my list to follow for another year after he served me well last season.  He might just find the ground a bit too lively unless we get some rain.  I think the finish may concern Pinpoint and Royal Oath again.

  

St Leger winner Sixties Icon makes his seasonal bow in the Jockey Club Stakes at 2.30.  With slight fitness and going doubts I would keep a watching brief on Sixties Icon.

  

Finsceal Beo apparently means living legend in gaelic and the filly seeks to grab a slice of immortality in the 1,000 Guineas.  She has the best form on show and is my selection.  Sander Camillo was a bit disappointing when beaten on her return to action in the Nell Gwyn and the main danger may come from Arch Swing.  The other one from our list to follow is Princess Valerina but she has disappointed in her 2 runs this season.

  

Tax Free already has a win under his belt and will take some stopping in the Palace House Stakes at 3.45.  He is just preferred to Presto Shinko who is better over 6 furlongs.

  

Dance of Light showed promise when 5^th on her debut last season in a maiden against colts. She runs in the 4.55 where she is bred to appreciate the 10 furlongs.

  

I will be interested to see how Peppertree gets on in the 4.40 at Salisbury. Although a 4 year old she has very few miles on the clock and is the type her trainer does well with.

  

Monolith stays longer than the mother in law and was a winner of the Pontefract Cup last season.  He may find the trip a bit of the short side in thye 3.55 at Hamilton.  One of his rivals Balyan won the Ladies Derby at The Curragh in 2004 if you are interested – well he still won even if you aren’t interested.  The race is named after Collier Hill.

  

Our old friend Seafield Towers makes his reappearance after an absence of 634 days in the Hamilton 5.40. He wins but rarely but he ahs won at 20/1 and 33/1 so you never know.

  

I know some of my readers follow Million Percent.  He runs in the 5.15 at Salisbury.  His last 5 wins have come on the all weather though.

  

I will be back on Sunday evening.  Hope you back a winner or two.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 5 & 6 2007” →

Thgere are two meetings on the flat tomorrow.  I will start with Lingfield where I have a couple of interests in the 3.30.  I decided to retain Zidane on my list to follow for another season after he won twice last term. He makes his AW debut here and also tackles 7 furlongs for only the second time, having been well beaten on the other occasion.He has plenty of class though and I shouldn’t think the trip will be a problem.  Eistedfodd has already won on the AW this season and should be in the shake up.  This looks a very open contest indeed and probably best watched.

 

 

Mia’s Boy is apparently well regarded by connections and will be expected to win the 5.30.  He was 6^th in a pretty hot maiden on his only start as a juvenile.

  

Terentia is very quick over the minimum trip and registered 3 wins over last season.  She is a tough sort and should go well in the 3.50 where she gets weight from her 7 rivals.  She certainly has each way claims.

 

 

That is all for tonight but don’t forget to tune in tomorrow evening when I will be taking a look at the first of the English classics.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 4 2007” →

I fancied Cesare to win at Ascot today and he didn’t disappoint.  He won the Hunt Cup there last year and has always been something of a favourite of mine.

  

Elsewhere Raccoon broke a 25 run losing sequence in the sprint handicap at Nottingham. Interestingly Seb Sanders rode him and the horse’s form figures with Sanders on board now read 131.  Food for thought perchance?

  

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Coup D’Etat is on a 13 race losing run coming into the 5.30 at Folkestone. He has slipped down the weights and looks well handicapped now.  He could be interesting this season.

  The lightly raced Count Ceprano was 4^th at Windsor 10 days ago.  That should have put him right and he looks fairly treated off a mark of 84 in the 8.35 at Wolverhampton.  

Take care.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 3 2007” →