Category: Racing diary

Saturday promised much for the horses on my list to follow but in the end we only had one winner, with again Kieren Fallon the man producing the goods.   Moss Vale’s success at The Curragh was all we had to show for a large number of runners at the end of the day although Sir Gerard, Degas Art and Elusive Dream were all 2nds.

  The least said about Saturday the better so swiftly on to Sunday where there is flat racing at Newmarket and The Curragh. In the 2.40 at HQ I am interested in Dazed and Amazed and Vital Statistics who were 3 and 4^th respectively on their debuts.  They were only separated by half a length and will probably both go on to win races.  I thought Vital Statistics might have had more scope for improvement that day and I would just give him the edge, although the stable seem to be having a bit of a lean time of it lately.

 

 In the 3.50 Banjo Patterson represents the list to follow.  He has gone down 1 lb in the weights since his last run here.  His wins have all come on a sound surface and that is the worry.  Firenze was on last season’s list but this is another one that is best on faster ground. We have a few runners at The Curragh from the list to follow. 3.00 Hurricane Run3.35 Race for the Stars4.10 Puerto Rico See you tomorrow

Continue reading “Diary: May 28 2006” →

The recent successful run for our horses to follow continued on Friday with Signatory and River Bravo both winning.

  

If the going in our back garden is any indication then it might pay to side with horses that like a bit of cut in the ground over the weekend.

  

Racing at Ascot is back this weekend and that seems an appropriate place to start.

  

There is an early start at Ascot and the opener is a conditions event for 2 year olds at 12.50.  I featured Kings Bastion when he won his maiden at Lingfield and although he has more on his plate here he has an each way chance.  One to look out for among the unraced types is Richard Hannon’s Revisionist.  He is related to several winners but might take time.  Put him in your notebook though.

  

I don’t have any really strong views on the 1.20 but Frank Sonata should like the ground and has been in good form.

  

We have 4 runners from the list to follow in the Victoria Cup at 2.20. Zomerlust has already won for us at 16/1.  A tough sort who should act on the ground.  The main concern would be that he has not won at this trip.  Game Lad must have a good chance.  A big strong type, this is his trip and ground and he has already posted a couple of decent efforts this season.

  

Kamanda Laugh is probably best at a mile as is our other runner Pinpoint who is making his seasonal reappearance.

  

In the 2.50 we have Elusive Dream.  He should act on the ground but there is a slight question mark over his stamina at tgos trip.

  

Burning Incense was 2^nd to Didn’t We at Lingfield but I fancy him to turn the table here and with the stable in form he gets the selection in the 3.25.

  

We just have one list horse at Catgterick and that is Compromiznotension in the 2.45.  He was not knocked about when 5^th on his last outing and he has shown enough to indicate that he should take a hand here. Looks a bit of a short price though.

  

We have 3 runners in the 3.45 at Haydock where the going could be pretty desperate. Peppertree Lane has won his last two races in soft ground and showed a really willing attitude to make every yard at York last time in a performance typical of horses from this yard.  Sir Gerard justified favouritism at Beverley when held up until very late by Jamie Spencer.  That run will have brought James Fanshawes horse on but the going was good to firm that day.  Our third runner is Superseus who prevailed in another close finish at Newmarket a fortnight ago.

  

It really is very difficult to separate these 3 but if pushed I would just favour Peppertree Lane who showed such a willing attitude at York.

  

I gave Silca Soprano a good write up when she was 2^nd on her debut and she may well eb able to use that experience to win the 4.50 for Mick Channon.  Springtime Parkes is an each way alternative.

  

Turning to Newmarket John Gosden’s Alsadaa showed plenty of promise when 3^rd at Newbury last autumn and should eb up to winning a race.  In with a chance in the 1.25.

  

I thought that Tudor Prince ran a nice race in 8^th on his debut last week at Newbury in what may have been a strong race.  He could go well in the 1.55.  Of the others that have run Ebn Reem should come on for his run at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.  Of the newcomers Justy was a very expensive purchase whose brother won as a juvenile over 7 furlongs.

  In the 2.25 Book of Music and Degas Art represent the list to follow.  Book of Music won on his only start last season and is a potential improver.   

We also have 2 runners in the 3.30.  As his form figures testify Obe Brave has been a model of consistency this season and looks on a reasonable mark.  Not sure of he will act on the ground.  King Orchiosis has been a shade disappointing this season but is still lightly raced and has always been held in high regard by his connections.

  

In the 4.05 Sir Michael Stoute’s Motaraqeb was a ready winner at Thirsk earlier this month and looks a progressive type.

  

Trip and ground should both suit Whispering Death in the handicap at 5.15 and he is certainly in with a shout if we forgive him his poor run a couple of weeks ago.

  We have a few runners over in Ireland at The Curragh.  Dandy Nicholls sends sprinter Moss Vale over for the 3.20.  He has won on soft ground but he is probably at his best on a faster surface.  

It is hard to see beyond the brilliant George Washington for the Irish 2,000 guineas at 3.55.

  See you tomorrow for a look at Sunday’s racing.   

Continue reading “Diary: May 27 2006” →

With Salisbury abandoned and both Tax Free and Edaara withdrawn because of the ground at Goodwood it was left to Trafalgar Square to fly the flag for the list to follow. Despite being weak in the market he was an easy winner at 9/2.

  

Turning to Friday’s cards, Cool Customer has been one of the more successful members of the list to follow and he sets the standard in the 2.10 at Goodwood.

  

Danski caught my eye when flying at the finish to take 3^rd at Kempton.  If he can get going a bit earlier in the 3.50 he should go close.

  

River Bravo goes in the 4.45 at Haydock.  There are only three runners so a tactical race is possible.  Rio Bravo, unlike his two rivals, lacks a recent run but he is a horse of some promise and should be followed this season.

  

Lady Lily and Our Ruby are possibles in the 2.20 at Newmarket.  Our Ruby has had a run already and was 6^th showing a bit of promise and should come on for that.  She was a cheap purchase but looks promising all the same.  Lady Lily is bred to win a race or two and trainer Henry Cecil has a fair record with his debut 2 year olds.

  

2.55 Arminius wears a first time visa.  Won a Newmarket maiden over 7 furlongs last season and was 3^rd of 4 on his reappearance this season.  I see that none of the tipsters go for him.

  

3.30 Signatory is probably my best shot at tipping a winner today.  This lightly raced son of tough miler Kris has the scope for considerable improvement and the trip here should suit him.

  

6.35 Pontefract – Confide looks well handicapped and should pay his way over a mile this season.  He will probably be best suited by fast ground though.

  See you tomorrow

Continue reading “Diary: May 26 2006” →

Assuming Salisbury goes ahead there will be 4 runners from our list to follow on Thursday.

  

Tax Free is one of the more confident choices in this season’s list to follow. He has won 4 of his 5 career starts and could be a bit special.  He may well win the 2.40 at Goodwood but it is possible that he will not handle soft ground as he was twice taken out of races last season when the ground was on the soft side.

  

We had a winner from Willie Haggas’s yard on Saturday and I am hoping that Edaara can oblige in the 4.20. She ran well enough when 2^nd in a maiden at Newmarket on her first outing of the season but form figures of 322 are just starting to look a little worrying.  I am also not really convinced about the trip as her pedigree suggests that this 9 furlongs might be getting towards the outer limits of her stamina.  Still, I live in hope!

  

Trafalgar Square is probably one of the riskier “listers” but I feel that his form figures do not quite do him justice.  He was finishing well last time out at Lingfield 12 days ago, but did not get a clear run.  My concern with him is that both his wins have come over 7 furlongs, as opposed to the 8 he tackles in the 5.30.

  I usually have a sprinkling of Sir Mark Prescott 3 year olds in my list to follow.  So far this season the tactic has only yielded one winner but we have a qualifier in the Salisbury 8.15 with Liberate.  He is very much the classic Prescott type having had 3 runs as a juvenile over inadequate trips but he was rather disappointing when only 4^th on his handicap bow 12 days ago.  He was favourite that day so presumably better was expected .  Worth another chance.  

So we have 4 listers, all with a chance but equally all with a question mark against them for one reason or another.

  

Aprt from those 4 I imagine that Dazed and Amazed will be hard to beat in the 6.15 at Salisbury but he will surely be long odds on.  He made a bright start to his career when 3^rd on his debut at the Wiltshire track.

  Be lucky

Continue reading “Diary: May 25 2006” →

Our only selection on Tuesday was 2^nd at evens.

  

There are no runners from our list to follow on Wednesday.  I have had a look through the cards and there are a couple of interesting “dark horses” that you might like to watch out for.

  

I tipped the winner of the 2.10 at Goodwood last season.  This time around I am going for the unraced Majestic Roi.  Those that have had a run don’t seem anything special and Mick Channon’s filly is apparently well regarded.

  

In the 4.00 at Kempton I thought Ermine Sea might prove to be the answer.  He has only had a couple of runs, and showed promise in both.  He is related to numerous winners and was quite a costly purchase.

  That is about it for tonight.  Be lucky.

Continue reading “Diary; May 24 2006” →

I will not spend too much time on tonight’s offering as the current monsoons are likely to affect Tuesday’s meetings.

  

I fancy Easy Air in the 3.10 at Lingfield.  He lost his unbeaten record at Chester last time out but that may have been down to the going.  His two wins both came at Lingfield. That is the only runner from our list to follow.

 

 

Hoh Mike and Miss Otis (20/1) were winners from the 4 horses featured yesterday.

Continue reading “Diary: May 23 2006” →

  The weekend went well with 3 winners from the list to follow plus a few successful tips from outside the list.  

I had studied the form for the Lockinge Stakes carefully and was pleased to be proved right with Peeress.  The filly had quite a lot going for her as she has proved that she handles give in the ground and that she is quite capable of winning after a long break.  I thought she stayed on really well under Kieren Fallon.  Soviet Song did OK in 4^th and she may well be a different proposition later in the season on better ground. Peeress actually beat her on their first meeting last season.

  

Alfie Flits lived up to his billing winning very much as he pleased at Thirsk.  He probably didn’t beat anything much but he could not have been more impressive all the same.  Watch the video on the Racing Post site and see what you think.  Heaven Knows was our 3^rd winner, despite a rather weak write up in my preview.  Pearly King (Saturday) and Prince Golan (Sunday) were other winning tips.  Pearly King was completing a hat trick and once gain Kieren Fallon was quite outstanding. This is another race worth watching on video for the way that Fallon finds the gap at just the right time and always seems to have things under control.

  

I was particularly interested in the first race at Newbury where there were some nice 2 year olds in action.  I gave the winner Major Cadeaux a positive write up and he duly won with Richard Hughes in the saddle.  The second, Jo’burg, kept on well for a hands and heels ride and looked as though he would benefit from the run.  The favourite Conquest looked to be coming to win the race but his effort rather petered out.  It may be that he didn’t like the ground.

  

There are no runners from the list to follow on Monday so I will concentrate on a couple of two year old races on Windsor.

  

In the 6.10 Brian Meehan saddles Maid of Ale.  This filly is by Barathea who is responsible for some useful types such as Tante Rose, a winner over 6 furlongs at 2 and later at Group 1 level over the same distance, and Pongee, whose successes included the Lancashire Oaks.   Miss Otis is trained by Peter Winkworth who has a good strike rate with his small string of juveniles.  Unlike Maid of Ale who should stay further, Miss Otis is bred to be a sprinter.

  

In the 6.40 Hoh Mike and Bazroy are both previous winners.  Bazroy showed plenty of speed when breaking well and making all at Lingfield in March on his debut.  Hoh Mike is having his 3^rd run at Windsor.  After finishing 2^nd on his debut he broke the two year old course record last week.  That was over 5 furlongs on firm ground but the extra furlong and softer ground should be OK for him.  On what they have achieved so far there is not a lot between them but Hoh Mike is the more likely to act on soft ground.     

   See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: May 22 2006” →

After drawing a blank for the first 4 days of the week Friday produced 5 winners from the list to follow.

  

The Oaks hopeful Scottish Stage had to work hard for her narrow success in the listed race at Newbury. In fairness to her she shaped as though she probably didn’t much like the soft ground. There is no doubt room for improvement though and it will be interesting to see if she does indeed take her place in the line up at Epsom.

  

You can usually rely on Mark Johnston’s 3 year olds to be difficult to pass and Peppertree Lane was just that, pulling out more and more for Kevin Darley at York.

  

Another very game winner was Borderlescott who won the sprint at York from the front.  I thought he would need the race after quite a lengthy absence but he proved me wrong to notch a 6^th consecutive win. There were 5 other horses from our list in the race and they all ran with credit, indicating that their turn will come.  Another sprinter from the list that did the business for us was Exmoor.  You would not have picked him as a likely winner for much of the way at Newbury as he was ridden from some way out but he certainly finished with some purpose.

  

It wasn’t just the speedsters that won for us as Alan King’s Shipmaster won with something in hand at Nottingham over 1.75 miles at Nottingham.

  

A couple of the two year olds that I featured in my preview ran well.  Amber Valley and Silca Soprano both came second at 12/1.

  

The evening racing was a bit frustrating though with both Futun and Ouninpohja finishing in the runners up spot.

  

The big race at Newbury of Saturday is the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes over a mile at 2.45.  There is plenty of interest for me with 3 runners from the list to follow as well as a couple of Elite Racing Club horses.

  

The key factors in this year’s renewal look like being fitness and the state of the ground.  Majors Cast has fitness on his side having won 14 days ago.  He is probably the one they all have to beat but he is best on a fast surface and with rain about I am going to look elsewhere.

  

New Seeker is an admirable animal but lacks the class to win at Group 1 level.  Soviet Song is the class act but it is a question of whether she is fit enough.  She has done most of her winning on a sound surface but there is evidence in her career record that she can handle some cut in the ground.  The 3 from our list to follow are Court Masterpiece, Rob Roy and Peeress.  Court Masterpiece won a Group 1 in France last season, is a tough, reliable sort who will handle the ground. His only wins over a mile though have been at Goodwood and that just puts me off him.  Rob Roy has already got a win to his name this season and will handle the ground.  I am still not quite sure that he picks up quickly enough to get the better of some of these rivals and I just prefer his stable companion Peeress.  She has simply not run a bad race yet and seems to handle any underfoot conditions.

  

I would love to see Soviet Song win this but Peeress gets the selection.

  

The Newbury card opens with what could be quite an informative 2 year old maiden at 1.35.  There are a few worth mentioning in this.  My grandfather used to drive a tram in Johannesburg, not that that has much to do with anything, but there are a couple of colts sired by Johannesburg in this. 

  

Amanda Perrett has booked Mick Kinane for Jo’Burg.  This is the most expensive runner in the field and comes from an in form stable. Barry Hills saddles Joburg Gold who is related to some sprint winners.  His pedigree suggests he might be best on a sound surface.  There is a bit of a whisper for the Richard Hannon trained Major Cadeaux and it would be no surprise if this one went close on his debut.  The other newcomer that interests me is Tudor Prince who is entered in next season’s Derby.

  

For my selection though I am going with Conquest who was a promising 2^nd on his debut.  He runs in the same colours as last years Derby winner Motivator.

  

In the 3.20 Sir Michael Stoute’s Pearly King goes for a hat trick, ridden by K Fallon.  I have tipped him to win twice and will stick with him here.

  

Glistening could give us a winner in the 3.25.  He has changed stables since last season.  A lightly raced type bred along stamina lines.  He might be best on a sound surface.

  

The list to follow is represented in the 4.55 by Greek Renaissance, who is a full brother to the sprinter Machinist.  I would have thought that 6 furlongs might suit him better than this 7 but we will see.

  

We just have two runners at Nottingham. Tim Easterby’s Ryedale Ovation (3.00) has been 3^rd in both his races so far this term. I think that the grounds will suit him in this race and he has a fair chanced.

  Henchman is something of a speculative choice for the list to follow and is likely to start at around 16/1 in the 4.40.  I think that this well bred gelding will pop up at a decent price at some stage this season.  

I feel that the 2.35 at Thirsk may go to one of the unraced horses.  Mick Channon sends Fly Time north for this. The dam is a half sister to smart sprinter Acclamation.  Moonlight Applause is another I like but Mick Channon’s charge is more likely to be ready first time up.

  

Hopefully we will get the long awaited flat debut of Alfie Flits in the 3.10. Part owned by footballer Gary Flitcroft, Alfie Flits has some smart bumper form to his name.

  

I have not had much success following Willie Haggas so far this term so I will not give Heaven Knows too strong a write up for the 3.45 at Thirsk.  He did show plenty of promise last season though and the opposition does not look that strong.

  

King Orchiosis does not seem to stay a mile and reverts to sprint distances for the 4.50.  Her is held in high regard by his trainer and can make the most of a favourable draw here.

  

On Sunday at Ripon I like the look of Prince Golan in the 2.40.  This one made an encouraging debut 11 days ago.   

     That is about it for the weekend preview.  I hope you find a winner or two.                                                 

Continue reading “Diary: May 20 & 21 2006” →

Winners from our list to follow seem very much a thing of the past but I suppose every loser brings me that much nearer to a winning run.  Ever the optimist!

  

I have found it hard to get interested in the racing this week so far from Friday is a very different matter with 4 flat meetings and plenty to talk about.

  

When I get around to it I am going to start a “Hall of Fame” section on the site dedicated to my favourite horses down the years.  Of the current crop Quito is a candidate for a place in the honours list. He has long been a favourite of mine and he came with a typical late run to claim 2^nd at York the other day.  He is 9 now and has won 15 times in this country with Tony Culhane riding 13 of those winners.  If you have broadband it is worth having a look at the video of his last run at York to see just how well he finishes.

  

Another horse I have always liked is Zero Tolerance who won at York today, his first success above handicap company. He is a front runner who loves a bit of cut in the ground.  He is as game as they come and again it is worth watching the finish of his last 3 winning runs to see how bravely he repels his challengers.  Jamie Spencer has a 100% record when riding him.

  

Anyway – I digress.  I am due a winner at York so I will kick off there.

  

York opens with a listed race over 5 furlongs for 2 year olds.  Amber Valley is a horse I have been monitoring and she has already won once.  This is a step up in class though and I am not convinced she will handle the soft ground.

  

The list to follow has been enduring a lean time of it recently so I am hoping that Peppertree Lane can get us back to winning ways in the 2.15.  His form looks pretty solid and he should handle the ground as he won in similar conditions at Ripon last month.  Does not look on a bad mark and gets the selection.  I feel he may need 10 furlongs before long.

  I don’t know whether Collier Hill will be up to winning the Yorkshire Cup at 2.45, but he is worth a mention anyway.  I just think he is one of the more remarkable horses in training.  His wins include the Irish St Leger, the Stockholm Cup, a race in Dubai and a maiden hurdle at Kelso.  Truly a horse for all seasons.  There are no fewer than 6 runners from the list to follow in the sprint at 3.50.  Coeur Courageux has ability but tends to get a bit het up in the preliminaries.  He unseated his rider at the start last time and is best watched for the minute.  Fullandby is suited by softer ground and this trip is probably about right for him.  He should be in the shake up.  Ice Planet has a leading chance on his 2^nd of 26 last time out.  He should be OK on the ground.  Intrepid Jack showed some smart form last season and the booking of Jamie Spencer here is a plus.  The ground should not inconvenience him and he is a live contender. Borderlescott is consistent at this trip and is a course and distance winner.  He has not run for a while though and might need this, although he proved he handled rain softened ground when winning here last season. Mutawaffer was disappointing last season but 6 furlongs is his trip and he was 4th in this race last year. A very hot race so I suppose Ice Planet is the logical choice.   

My regulars might recognise the name Mr Sandicliffe.  He finally got off the mark recently after a string of seconds.  He goes in the 4.25.  What price he comes second?

  

There are 3 listers in the 5.00. Spanish Lace is an Elite Racing Club horse trained by Julie Camacho.  Soft ground should suit and this filly has an each way chance.  Might need a bit further in time.  Karlani was a beaten favourite when disappointing at Pontefract last time out.  First time visor might do the trick.  Cool Customer has already won twice for us so far the last win a comfortable success at Kempton.

  

At Hamilton in the 6.25.Jack Rackham has been a bit expensive to follow with form figures of 322.   He has run well on each occasion and deserves a win but given his pedigree the soft ground may not be ideal.

  

The 7.30 only has 4 runners so may turn into a tactical affair.  Futun won well last time out and I am hoping he can follow up here.

  

Ouninpohja reeled off 5 wins on the bounce last season and I have kept him on the list to follow.  I don’t see why he can’t get off to a winning start in the 8.35.

  

Mick Channon has 4 of the 6 runners in the opener at Newbury (1.55).  I think Silca Soprano may be one for the future but this looks a race best watched.

  

There are a couple from the list to follow in the 3.00, Innocent Air and Scottish Stage.  Sir Michael Stoute has been mopping up a lot of races like this recently and Scottish Stage comes from a successful breeding line.  Innocent Air improved during last season and has a penalty as a result.  She might need a bit further than this to show her best and I will go with Scottish Stage.

  

Roger Charlton’s Exmoor looks to have a reasonable weight in the 3.30.  A lightly raced sort with more scope than some of the others.

  

Millistar is a half sister to 3 winners and is an interesting newcomer in the 5.10.

  

In the 2.05 at Nottingham Diamond Hurricane should give us a run for our money.  Stable does well at this track.

  

Roman Quest represents the list to follow in the 2.35.  He has already won for us and has a chance here although his price in the RP of 7/2 looks a bit skinny.

  

In the 3.05 I think that Shipmaster from Alan King’s yard might be the one to be on. This trip could prove ideal.

  Plenty of quality stuff over the weekend so join me tomorrow evening for a preview.

Continue reading “Diary: May 19 2006” →

York has long been a Russellform graveyard and Wednesday was no exception.

  

York 1.45 Kings Gait and Zowerton are our representatives here and both have a preference for give in the ground.  Zowington won on ground that was probably too quick for him at Epsom and has the better chance of the two.  Kings Gait has a win in him though and although a bi high in the weights has been running consistently.

  

2.45 Palace Episode sprung a major surprise when winning the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last season at 20/1. It was his 3^rd win of the season and he had some of today’s rivals in his wake.  The ground was heavy that day and cut in the ground may be important to him, although his pedigree suggests he may also handle faster ground.

  

3.15 Stronghold may not be at his best if we get too much rain.  He won well at Lingfield last time out.  Blythe Knight won the Lincoln at Redcar and is now 6 lbs higher in the weights. He likes some give and can’t be ruled out.  In form Dabber’s Ridge and soft ground specialist Zero Tolerance are likely threats.

  

4.55 Dr Sharp is a dour stayer and I feel that this trip may not make the best use of his stamina.

  

Carlisle  6.30 Roger Fisher has a good strike rate with his 2 year olds and runs Muncaster Castle here.  Horses from this stable usually need their first run though.  One to watch.

  

9.00 I reckon that Baron Rhodes will win a race or two this season.  Her 6^th behind Zidane last week looked promising but fast ground suits her best.

  

Salisbury  1.55 Dazed and Amazed and Vital Statistics are a couple of interesting newcomers.  Dazed and Amazed is from Richard Hannon’s stable, always a good source of 2 year old winners.  This one is apparently highly rated.  Vital Statistics is bred to be a speedy filly but of the two is more likely to need the run.

  

In the 2.25 I will be looking out for Dimelight.  Dimelight is from the same stable as Vital Statistics.  She is bred along stamina lines and will need further than this but is one to look out for in handicaps later in the season.

  4.35 Ceredig was 3^rd last time out beaten by a couple of horses that had already had a run this season.  Needs to overcome an unfavourable draw however.

Continue reading “Diary: May 18 2006” →