Category: Racing diary

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I have not enjoyed the best of luck of late but Saturday was quite a bonanza for the horses on our list to follow.  We had 6 winners and any number of near things.  Here goes for the roll of honour.

  

David Junior was given a great ride by Jamie Spencer to score a well thought out success in the Eclipse.  The Lancashire Oaks went to Allegretto who stayed on well and clearly gets the 12 furlong trip and is a progressive filly.

  

We had the first 4 home in the Old Newton Cup with Consular gaining a well deserved reward for some consistent efforts.  He was always handy which was probably key.  Ouninpohja did well in second under top weight for what was his 4^th successive 2^nd place. 

  

In the 4.35 at Haydock King Orchisios finally lived up to his reputation making most to just hold on from another of our listers Burning Incense.

  

Hinterland was a Pricewise horse having finished 4^th in the Royal Hunt Cup and could be called the winner some way out in the big handicap at Sandown.  Our other winner was Futun who looked well and truly boxed in but Nicky Mackay was admirably patient on him and when the gap appeared the colt quickened well.

  

Those were the 6 winners from the list to follow.  Benbaun also deserves a mention for his 2^nd in the Group 3 sprint at Sandown. Like Ouninpohja this was four 2nds in a row.

  

We only have one list runner on Sunday and that is at Brighton in the 4.15 where Prince Picasso should give us a run for our money.

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: July 9 2006” →

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I am on a pretty unsuccessful run at the moment, with a lot of the horses from the list to follow getting in the frame but not too many winning.

  The highlight on Saturday is the Eclipse meeting at Sandown. 

The Group 3 sprint that starts the Sandown card at 2.05 has a couple from the list to follow in Reverence and the unlucky Benbaun. Reverence won the Temple Stakes here in May but all his career wins have been when there was some juice in the ground. Benbaun has been runner up in his last 3 outings, is a course and distance winner and acts on fast ground.  He would seem the most likely of our pair on this occasion.

  

We also have two runners in the 2.35.  Hinterland is already a winner this season and last time out was 4^th in the Royal Hunt Cup, albeit from a favourable draw.  My Paris is running off a mark of 101 and his highest winning mark is 98.  He might need a bit of help from the handicapper before he wins again.  By the way he is a half brother to My Line who was a winner on the flat and over hurdles and was (perhaps still is) trained by the Reveleys.

  

Ouija Board will be a popular winner in the Eclipse itself at 3.15.  The main hope from our list to follow is David Junior.  Although he was well beaten by Ouija Board at Royal Ascot there was no pace on that day and a stronger gallop should see Brian Meehan’s colt in a better light.  Our other lister is Aussie Rules who won the French 2,000 guineas.  Johnny Murtagh takes over from Kieren Fallon and although the horse has it to do on the book Aiden O’Brien runners always command respect.

  

The 3.20 at Beverley has some old familiar faces.  Caribbean Coral won the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom in 2004 but has not won for over 2 years now.  Of his 5 career wins 2 have come at 20/1 and he is one of those sprinters that will probably pop up somewhere when no one is looking.  Likes fast ground.  Trojan Flight is another on a long losing runn.  His cause will not be helped by a low draw here.  Bo McGinty won last time out and his stable is in form.  He also has a good draw but to be honest is not one that can be relied upon completely.

  

There is an interesting card at Haydock where we have 2 listers in the 2.20.  Peppertree Lane has already won twice this season but has been rather disappointing on his last 2 runs. His wins have come at a mile on soft ground and he is upped in trip here on faster ground.  Futun is a lightly raced type and just the sort that his trainer does well with.  He won a 10 furlong maiden at Leicester and should stay this trip OK.

  

Allegretto and Innocent Air are our duo in the Lancashire Oaks at 2.50.  Allegretto won a maiden at Chepstow and would need considerable improvement to win this.  But she is very well bred and comes from a stable that must always be respected.  Innocent Air is John Gosden’s runner.  He has won this race twice in the last 3 years.  Innocent Air won a listed race at Newbury last season but disappointed this season on her reappearance on softish ground.  May well do better this time.

  The Old Newton Cup is one of the oldest races on the calendar.  The list to follow is well represented with Signatory, Thunder Rock, Prince of Light, Consular and Ouininpohja.  This is a very hot race indeed with Signatory just getting my vote over Thunder Rock. Ouninpohja has been second on all three runs this season and has been unlucky on a couple of occasions.  He has a lot of weight to carry in this however and that is what just puts me off.  Consular has been running well but seems just short of what is required to win here.  

Indian Trail was a winner for the list to follow last week and seeks to follow up in the 4.05.  Somnus is the likely danger if he can show his best form on a surface he probably does not enjoy.

  

We have 3 listers in the 4.35.  Ryedale Ovation is yet to open his account this term and may just be a little high in the weights.  I have just about given up on King Orchisios who has let me down a number of times this season.  I suppose first time cheekpieces may do the trick but I don’t think I am going to bet on it.  My tip goes to the 3^rd of our list runners, Burning Incense who won in good style at Windsor.  Further improvement seems likely and he will do for me.

  

Harrison’s Flyer represents the list to follow in the 5.10.  He showed a return to better form last time when staying on well enough in 3^rd at Newbury.  He is best suited by big fields and he is well handicapped at the moment.  Although he has top weight he has proved a good weight carrier in the past. In with a shout and rain would help his cause further.

  At Leicester we have Kerriemuir Lass in the 4.10.  This one has been second on both outings this season. She may lack a bit of toe so the fact that she is upped in distance may help.  Very quick ground would be a negative.  

It has not been a vintage year for our list to follow.  One of those that is yet to win is James Fanshawe’s Sweet Emily.  She won over course and distance last season though and is expected to put up a better showing.

  

In the 7.45 at Nottingham Conquest is the clear form pick.  He obviously has bags of ability but does not quite seem to have the application to match.  This should be a penalty kick for him but as we know they can sometimes be missed.  Castano ran a pleasing enough race in 3^rd on his debut and is the likely one to benefit should the favourite flop.

  That is all for now.  I will be back tomorrow evening.

Continue reading “Diary: July 8 2006” →

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We have two runners from the list to follow in the 8.30 at Haydock.  Both Spanish Lace and Karlani should be suited by the step up in trick.  Karlani would be my stronger fancy of the two.  

I retained Kenmore on my list to follow after he won for me at 20/1 last season.  He has since moved to Dandy Nichols yard and tackles 5 furlongs for the first time in the Sandown 2.05.  He is suited by some ease in the ground and rain is forecast.

  

The 2.40 looks competitive with all 9 runners having won a race this season.  Mood Music, Resignation, Fairfield Princess and Bahama Mama have all been featured in these pages this season.  Resignation looks the one most likely to have scope for improvement and he gets the tip.

  

3.50 Alfie Flits is the interesting one here. This former bumper winner has progressed steadily and won as he pleased last time at Pontefract.  If he continues on that upward curve he could take some stopping here.

  

4.25 Book of Music, In Full Cry and Coup D’Etat are the runners from our list in this handicap.  Six of the newspaper tipsters go with Mark Johnstone’s In Full Cry and I am inclined to go along with them.

  

Naayla was 2^nd to the useful Indian Ink at Newbury and that form should eb good enough for the 3.05 at Southwell.

 

Continue reading “Diary: July 7 2006” →

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There are 4 meetings to cover tonight.

  

The one that most interests me in the 2.50 at Haydock is the only filly in the race without a previous outing.  Patrick Haslam runs Park’s Girl who is bred to be a two year old.  Kevin Darley has the ride.  This trainer’s two year olds normally come on for their first run.  One to keep tabs on though.

  

Past winners of this race include Green Tambourine (2000) and Just One Look (2003).  What is the connection between these two horses? (Clue is in the names – it has nothing to do with horse racing).

  

Mutawaffer represents our list to follow in the 3.50.  He hasn’t won since September ’03 but recent runs have been quite encouraging and the stable are in good form.

  Moving on to Epsom, The Old Fella is likely to be odds on in the 6.45.  Tudor Prince might be the best one to oppose the favourite  There are some interesting newcomers in the 6.30 at Newbury.  Buckie Massa, Chataway and Xaaretta all look likely 2 year old types.  Tracer was a beaten favourite on his only start to date and will probably come on for that run.  He is a half brother to Just One Look who was mentioned earlier.  

Roman Quest has been one of the most successful runners from the list to follow, scoring at 6/1 and 9/1.  He carries a 6 lbs penalty for his last win in the 8.45 at Newbury.

  

At Yarmouth Godolphin have a first time out 2 year old in the opener at 2.30.  Mizzle is their first juvenile runner of the season and it will be interesting to see how she goes, especially as the stable remain rather under the weather.

  

The 4.30 looks a winning opportunity for Alasoun from our list to follow.  I will slip in a second quiz question here.  Alf Tupper runs in this race.  What was the nickname of the original Alf Tupper?

  That will do for tonight.  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: July 6 2006” →

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Back in, it must have been around 1971, I bought the album Four Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.  There is a track on that album called “Almost cut my hair,” a title that always appealed to me (although the song was pretty tedious). What put me in mind of that song?  Well, I almost backed a winner today.

  

I was on Just Dust when he won a seller at Catterick earlier in the season.  He was beaten next time in a better race and is clearly no world beater.  Still I should have been on him today at Brighton when he won at 11/2. 

  

Talking of Catterick there is racing there tomorrow where the day starts with a two year old maiden.  The race has been won by some decent types in the past but this year’s renewal has only attracted a field of 4. Mick Channon represents the southern challenge against 3 of the bigger northern yards.  Centenary ran with some promise on his debut in a muddling sort of race and he is the tentative tip.

  

The fillies maiden at 3.00 includes another runner from Howard Johnson’s yard, Golden Topaz.  This one is a half sister to Play Misty for Me, who is on my current list to follow.  She is one to note but one word of warning, the stable does not have a great record with its first time out juveniles.

  

Some bets stick in your mind more than others.  Nashaab is on a 23 run losing sequence.  He is a hold up horse that is difficult to win with but in May ’04 he seemed to me to have everything going in his favour in a handicap at Chester.  Kieren Fallon was on board and I told anyone that was prepared to listen that the horse was a cert.  He was 2^nd at 5/1.  Two runs later and back at Chester he won at 5/1 but I wasn’t on. 

  

What-A-Dancer is another horse that needs holding up until the last moment.  He was also the subject of a complex Russellform theory at Goodwood in 2003.  Once again I gave everyone the benefit of my expert opinion and this time the horse won, again Fallon was riding – I just never got around to backing it myself.

  

These ramblings were prompted by the fact that both Nashaab and What-A-Dancer are in action at Chepstow tomorrow in the 7.10.  They are both 9 year olds now and their best days are behind them but they are not badly treated here and have chances.  They will have to do without the services of Mr Fallon of course.  I see that a couple of the newspaper tipsters go for Nashaab and one for What-A-Dancer.

  Whispering Death won for our list to follow tonight in the 9.00 at Thirsk.    See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: July 5 2006” →

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It will be a short bulletin tonight as I am a bit pushed for time.  I will try and make up for it later on the week with some longer reports (if you think that is a good thing!)

  

I am writing these notes before the evening arcing but up to now I see that Dubai’s Touch and Capannina that were featured in my preview have won.

  

We only have 2 runners from the list to follow in action on Tuesday.

  

Hamilton 3.45 Entranced.

  

Thirsk 9.00 Whispering Death

 

 

Bye for now

Continue reading “Diary: July 4 2006” →

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Anyone who has backed all the Sir Mark Prescott runners from my list to follow will be in profit, but that is no thanks to Alambic and Phone in, as both are yet to open their account.

  

In truth, Phone In has been expensive to follow.  I had really high hopes for this half brother to Pedrillo but he has been quite disappointing.  He runs in the 3.30 at Wolverhampton.  Alambic has only had one run this season and was well fancied for that but ended up out of the money.  Worth another chance in the 9.25 at Musselburgh.

  I have been keeping my eye on the two year old races this season. 

Dubai’s Touch, a Dr Fong colt won well at Ripon on fast ground last time out and has a good chance of following up in the 3.15 at Pontefract.

  

Capannina should be up to winning the 4.00 at Wolverhampton.  She has run well in much stronger races. The form of his 3^rd at Leicester has been franked as the winner went in again on Saturday. The other one that catches my eye is Jamie Osborne’s Zelos who should come on for an encouraging debut run when he was 7^th.

  

I have been following the fortunes of Queensgate who runs in the 6.40 at Windsor.  Her latest run was her best but she needs to improve again to take a hand in this maiden.

  Good luck

Continue reading “Diary: July 3 2006” →

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The big race on Sunday is of course the Irish Derby at The Curragh (3.50).

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow, Classic Punch, Puerto Rico and Dragon Dancer. Classic Punch sprung a surprise at Windsor when winning at 25/1.  Makes a big step up in class here although the extra 2 furlongs should suit him as he is related to that great stayer Persian Punch.  Puert   o Rico is not Aiden O’Brien’s first string runner but holds a chance nevertheless.  He won a 5 runner Group 3 here last month over 10 furlongs.  The longer trip should not be a problem.  Dragon Dancer ran a blinder in the Epsom Derby and was only denied a win in the dying strides.  Amazingly he remains a maiden.  He deserves a success after his great Epsom effort and he is my selection.

  

We have 2 runners in the listed sprint at 2.05, Majestic Times and Benbaun.  In theory this should go to Benbaun who was only beaten a short head in the Group 2 King Stand at Royal Ascot.

  

I have been following the fortunes of Dress to Impress this season.  He now has form figures that read 322 so is looking a little exposed.  He was quite well beaten by Winning Spirit last time but should again be on the premises in what looks a fairly ordinary maiden in the 2.20 at Warwick.

  

The 2.30 at Windsor is a nursery.  High Style of Richard Hannon’s has shown enough in 3 maidens to make him of interest.

  

Heaven Knows from our list to follow runs in the 3.35.  He3 won on heavy ground at Thirsk last month and has since been beaten, albeit only by a neck, at Sandown.  That was on faster ground so there must be the slight fear that the giung will not suit him here.  He steps up to 10 furlongs here and that should be to his advantage as he is certainly bred to stay that far.

  

I gave Miss Otis a good write up when she won first time up at 20/1.  She has since finished down the field in the Hilary Needler and under av penalty has a bit to do in the 4.10.  There are good reports about the newcomer Pelican Key who is sprint bred and comes from an in form yard.

  The lightly raced Percy’s Pearl represents our list to follow in the 4.45. He is a course and distance winner and was 47^th last time out after a 9 month absence.  In with a good chance.  

Continue reading “Diary: July 2 2006” →

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Well old Further Outlook completed his three timer, not bad for an old boy of 12.  I am penning these notes before the evening racing but we had at least one list winner through Greek Renaissance.  It was good to see Marcus Tregoning get a winner after the tragic loss of one of his best horses during the week.

  

Dandy Nicholls used to train Further Outlook and the sprint king has two runners in the 2.45 at Newcastle.  I cannot choose between Ice Planet and Indian Trail.  The latter was extremely unlucky I felt in the Wokingham.

  

I do not have any really strong views on the Pitman’s Derby at 3.20.  Odiham and Dorothy’s Friend are the two that strike me as worth a second look.  Odiham does not actually win too often though and I will have my 10p each way on Roger Charlton’s Dorothy’s Friend who goes well on fast ground.

  

Coeur Courageux (3.55) was an expensive purchase for the D Nicholl’s yard and was considered group class at one stage.  Has shown little this term and has looked a bit of a tricky customer.  You can never rule Nicholls out in a sprint though.

  In Full Cry won his only start last season at Ripon and did enough on his reappearance at Sandown to indicate that he can win the 4.55.  

Trafalgar Day represents our list to follow in the 2.40 at Chester. His dam is related to Bandari.  He has had 3 runs to qualify him for handicaps and makes his bow in that sphere.  The fact that he has left Luca Cumani’s yard is a slight concern to me.

  

Compared to Further Outlook Ionian Spring is a mere whippersnapper at 11.  He has every chance of striking another blow for the veterans though in the 4.20 where he is well treated by the conditions of the race.

  

Silver Hotspur was 3^rd at Sandown last time and should not be too far away at Lingfield in the 6.30.

  The 1.30 at Newmarket looks the sort of race that could go to one of the newcomers.  The two most likely are Mesbaah and Shmookh.  There was plenty to like about Indian Ink’s win the other day and I fancy her to follow up in the listed race at 2.25., mainly at the expense of Fairfield Princess.  

There are two from our list to follow in the 3.00, Hard Top and Ouninpohja.  Hard Top is dropped in class here.  He ran in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot where he was much too free early on and ran out of gas.  If he settles here he has to go close but the consistent Ouninpohja, twice a course and distance winner will give him plenty to think about.

  

New Seeker was only beaten by a late surge from Quito last time and looks the one they have to beat in the 3.35 where Philip Robinson will no doubt try and make every post a winning one.

  Down at Windsor Zowington is a runner from our list to follow, in the 3.10.  He is probably better with a bit of give in the ground.  If you want a real outsider Cyclical at 16/1 has an each way chance.  

If you want a topical world cup bet you could always try Freddy in the 3.45.  He used to be trained in Argentina where he was 4^th in their 2,000 guineas.  If he wins this handicap he will of course get a penalty!

  

At Wolverhampton I am hoping that Sweet Emily can notch a win for my list to follow.  She is trained by James Fanshawe and carries top weight in the 8.15.  She was a rather disappointing beaten favourite at Leicester last time.

  There will be a separate bulletin on Saturday evening covering Sunday’s racing.

Continue reading “Diary: July 1 2006” →

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Further Outlook is one of the elder statesmen of the flat racing world and has a win for every one of his twelve years.  He still retains some ability and is on a hat trick in the 3.30 at Folkestone.  This grey has made all in both his last two outings and obviously gets on well with talented claimer Danny Tudhope.  He will be short enough here and is probably not a betting proposition as his recent wins were over the minimum trip with give in the ground.  I hope he wins though!

  

The sprint handicap at 7.15 up at Newcastle features many of the usual suspects such as Cape Royal, Pieter Brueghel and Sierra Vista.  We have a couple from our list to follow in Fullanby and Gregoravitch.  Our pair have each way chances at big prices but I suppose Sierra Vista is as good a tip as you are going to get.  She has been running well in decent company and has a couple of wins at this track on her CV.

  

In the 8.50 Colonel Cotton, Trojan Flight and Throw the Dice are all horses with ability that have slipped down the weights.  They are all worth a closer look I feel.

  

At Newmarket Vital Statistics is the form pick in the 6.00.  She was 6^th at Group 2 level last week at Royal Ascot and before that had run 2^nd to Dazed and Amazed, who won earlier in the week.

  

Snark represents the list to follow in the 7.35.  His 3^rd last time at Windsor coupled with the likelihood of the extra 2 furlongs here puts him in with an each way chance.

  The next “lister” is Greek Renaissance in the 3.20 at Wolverhampton.  This colt is a full brother to Machinist and should be suited by the trip here.  

Our last runner is Henchman in the 4.20.  Today’s trip looks ideal and is ridden by a useful 3 lbs claimer.

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: June 30 2006” →