Category: Racing diary

We are having a poor week so far so hopefully we will have some success at York over the next few days.

  

We have a representative in the 1.45.  This is a pretty competitive handicap and Consular does have a chance.  I feel that he is better over 12 furlongs though and he also may not have ground conditions to his liking.  A small each way interest perhaps at around 12/1.

  

Alexandrova will be expected to win the 2.45 for Aiden O’Brien and Kieren Fallon but she will be an odds on shot.

  

3.15 Moss Vale was an expensive purchase for Dandy Nicholls after some excellent performances last season. He looks the type for this but he may not have his favoured fast ground.  I didn’t include Eisteddfod on my list to follow but I fancy him to run well here.  At 8/1 he has a fair each way chance with F Dettori booked and some give in the ground.

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4.25 Dubai Touch is an interesting runner for Mark Johnston.  He is the only runner without the benefit of a previous outing. Clearly well thought of by connections but on breeding will want at least an extra furlong.  One to keep tabs on though.

  

Bath 6.40 Lipocco was 3^rd here on his debut and ran with promise despite showing signs of greenness.  I fancy him to go close here.

  

Hereford 4.15 Penzance makes his chase debut at Hereford after his hurdles career has become somewhat becalmed. 

  

The answer to yesterday’s quiz question was Michael Holding.  Of course the famous commentator’s line was, “the bowlers Holding, the batsmans Willey.”  And on that note I will say goodnight.

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: May 17 2006” →

I only have time for a short update tonight so I will throw in a quiz question at no extra cost.

  

Monday was not a great success with both our list horses going down, although Snark was 3^rd at 20/1.  I also gave Hoh Mike at 4/5.

  There are 3 horses from the list to follow running on Tuesday, all at Newcastle.  

2.20 Whispering Death was a progressive sort last season and looks to be in with a solid chance here.

  

3.20 Celtic Carisma is a course and distance winner who has already won for us at 12/1.

  

4.20 Dig Deep is a half brother to Zeitgeist who was on our list to follow last season.  Probably goes on any ground and looks on a fair mark.

  

And so to the quiz question.  Which famous sportman was nicknamed Whispering Death and which other player was he linked with in a famous commentator’s faux pas.

Continue reading “Diary: May 16 2006” →

The French 2000 Guineas looked under threat from the PMU strike but things did eventually get going at Longchamp where one of our list to follow, Aussie Rules, won for Aiden O’Brien at 4/1.  

There are two runners from the in action on Monday as well as a couple of 2 year old races that might give some pointers to the future.

  

My best shot of the day is probably Prince Picasso in the 5.20 up at Redcar.  This looks like a typical Sir Mark Prescott 3 year old “improver.”  He ran away with a handicap at Yarmouth last week and a 6 lbs penalty seems unlikely to stop him scoring again. 

  

I put Snark on the list to follow on the back of his win on the AW at Lingfield in November.  He was quite disappointing on his seasonal reappearance at Windsor recently though and has something to prove now.  He has dropped 3 lbs in the handicap though and I am hoping he puts in a better run this time.  His stable are going fairly well at present.

  There are a couple of juveniles making their debuts in the 2.20 at Redcar that could be worth a close look.  Sophie’s Dream, trained by James Given, is out of a dam that was placed at 2 at this track.  He is a first foal and is by Warning who has got winners at a variety of trips.  On this occasion I prefer High Style of Richard Hannon’s.  This trainer has an excellent strike rate with his 2 year olds and this one is a half brother to Godsend who was a winner at 2years old.  

The opener at Windsor in the evening (6.00) has some interesting types as well. Cappanina is a half sister to 5 winners and based on that she is one to keep an eye on.  Hoh Mike has the benefit of a previous run.  He made a pleasing start to his career when 2^nd here at Windsor last month and I fancy him to go one better in this. 

  

The race that caught my eye from a betting point of view was the claimer at Redcar at 4.50.  Million Percent has been in fair form of late.  He won at Wolverhampton on May 8^th and has since finished second in an amateur rider’s race when he hung across the track which didn’t aid his cause.  He goes well for the apprentice that rides him here and he has also got a good record in small fields.  He might not be far away but the two I prefer are CD Europe and Further Outlook.  Further Outlook is a 12 year old now but has a recent win to his name.  He normally shows his best with some give in the ground which is why I am inclined to oppose him.  CD Europe won the Group 3 Coventry Stakes back in 2000 but has dropped down the scale a fait bit since those days. He won here over 7 furlongs earlier in the month and I fancy him to go in again. 

  See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: May 15 2006” →

After a week in the Italian sun I am catching up on the racing I have missed. 

Saturday, May 6.

  There is no doubt about the highlight last Saturday.  George Washington produced a real turn of foot to account for his rivals with some comfort.   

My forecast was not too far away either.

  1. George Washington (1)2. Horation Nelson 3. Sir Percy (2)

4. Olympian Oddyssy (3)

  Actual finishing positions in brackets.  

Apart from Georghe Washington it was a really frustrating day for the horses on our list to follow.  Regal Royale, Tax Free, Reverence, Thunder Rock and Ice Planet all ran well to be placed

  Mick Channon enjoyed a successful day at Goodwood with Championship Point one of his winners in the Predominate Stakes.

 

 

Haydock staged a mixed card and I was quite taken with two horses in the 4.10.  Borhan (winner) and Signor Peltro (3^rd).  Borhan made just about all and stayed on well.  Signor Peltro shaped with promise.

  

The big race at Thirsk was the Thirsk Hunt Cup which went to one of our “listers” – Minority Report.  He pulled a bit in the early stages but charged through on the outside to win quite nicely in the end.  Another from our list, Game Lad was 4^th.

  

Sunday, May 7

  

If the 2,000 Guineas was a bit of a Russellform triumph, I am claiming a bit of credit in the 1,000 as well.  I gave surprise winner Speciosa quite a favourable write up.  “Speciosa is an interesting one from outside the list to follow.  If she can steer a straight course she may well worry some of her more illustrious rivals.”

  

Our list horses Nasheej (3^rd) and Silca’s Sister (4^th) should be up to winning decent races as the season unfolds.

  

On the same card Shirocco won the Jockey Club Stakes going away on his favoured soft ground, while the Pretty Polly Stakes went to Riyalma trained by Sir Michael Stoute.  The further they went the better she got.

  

One horse I will be watching with interest is Conquest who finished well in second in the 2 year old maiden.  He was only narrowly beaten after getting the hang of things late and should do better over further.

  

At Salisbury Degas Art was an odds on winner for the list while Loyal and Royal, a horse featured in these pages last season was a winner for David Elsworth.

  

Monday, May 8

  

Mainly ordinary stuff on Monday.  Million Percent appreciated the drop in class to take the seller at Wolverhampton.

   Tuesday, May 9 

I had given Diamond Hurricane a mention when he was placed on his debut and I was pleased to see him get off the mark at the second attempt at Catterick.  The second, The Italian Job did little wrong and should find a race.

  

At the other end of the age scale Ionian Spring, aged 11, recorded the 10^th win of his career at Chepstow.

  

Wednesday, May 10

  

Chester took centre stage for the next 3 days, but apart from a good run by Dancing Bay (Elite Racing Club) finishing 4^th in the Chester Cup there was nothing much that took my eye.

  

Thursday, May 11

  

The best run from one of our list horses at The Roodeye was Dragon Dancer who was a decent 2^nd in the Chester Vase.

  

We did get a winner though with Sir Mark Prescott’s Prince Picasso at Yarmouth.  A typical 3 year old from this yard he had 3 runs last season and started here off a lenient mark.  What price he runs up a sequence?

  

Friday, May 12

  

Chester had been looking a bit of a disaster for the list to follow until Art Deco came along at 8/1 to win the Dee Stakes.

  

A couple of 2 year olds that I had featured before I went away, Mood Music and Jack Rackham fought out the finish of the 6.15 at Hamilton.  Mood Music led most of the way and won a little cosily.  I had Jack Rackham down as a certain winner next time out when I watched him at occupy the runners up spot at Pontefract and he is getting a bit expensive to follow.

  

In the conditions event that followed Obe Brave was only caught in the dying strides.

  

Baizically is a horse that I considered for this season’s list to follow.  He looked to have it to do a couple of furlongs out in the maiden at Hamilton but in the end he ran out quite a comfortable winner for Jamie Osborne.

  

Kings Bastion had gone into my notebook after a promising debut and he duly collected the maiden at Lingfield with Hayley Turner riding. 

  

Saturday, May 13

  

Our winners on Saturday were Sindirana, Supaseus, Zidane and Star of Light.  Sindirana won the Lingfield Oaks Trial but had to work pretty hard for it.  I am not convinced that the track would have suited her and she still seemed a bit green to me.  I would be a little surprised if she actually lines up for the Oaks proper at Epsom.

  

Superseus and jockey Jimmy Fortune both battled in determined fashion to land a Newmarket maiden in a close finish while Star of Light was a game winner under a strong ride from Alan Monro in the Heritage Handicap.  Zidane was a 3/1 winner in the gathering gloom at Thirsk’s evening meet.

  Listers Burning Incense and Mannikko were 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the 4.50 at Lingfield behind Didn’t We, a horse I followed over the AW in the winter. 

One last thought on Saturday’s action.  Supreme Speedster won the maiden at Beverley for Kevin Ryan.  Fair enough it was well drawn, which is pretty crucial at the East Yorkshire track but he was always travelling well and could well win again.

  I have not had time to look closely at Sunday’s racing.  I see that there are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 2.50 at Longchamps.  Aussie Rules, James Joyce and Yasoodd.

Continue reading “Diary: May 14 2006” →

I will not be available to update the site this week.  I will be back with the next bulletin on Saturday evening, May 13.

  

The flat season steps up a gear this weekend with the first of the English Classics at Newmarket.

  

There are runners from our list to follow in all the races on Newmarket’s Saturday card.  Thunder Rock and Coup D’Etat are our representatives in the handicap at 2.00.  Coup D’Etat has not found his form as yet this season.  He is stepped up to 10 furlongs for the first time which may well suit him.  My preference is for Thunder Rock, who although a 4 year old has only run three times.  He was a very expensive purchase at 775,000 gns but so far has only won a maiden.  I fancy that he will start to repay some of that purchase price sooner rather than later. He looks on a fair mark and comes from a stable that does well with its older horses and has won this race for the last 2 seasons. I would respect both Crow Wood and Go Tech if the going is on the fast side of good.

  

2.35 Moss Vale, Reverence and Tax Free are the runners from the list to follow. Moss Vale has changed stables and is now with Sprint King Dandy Nicholls.  His last 3 wins have come at 6 furlongs rather than the 5 he races over here and I am not sure that Newmarket will be his kind of track.  Tax Free won 4 out of 5 last season and looks a horse with a future but this 5 furlongs could be on the sharp side for him.  Reverence is the most likely of the 3 to be suited by the trip.  My concern with him is that he has looked to be best with some give in the ground.  Of the remainder it is good to see Pivotal Point returning after a lengthy lay off.  He would have a squeak if back to his best form of a couple of seasons ago.

  

And so to the 2,000 guineas at 3.15.   There is plenty of interest from our horses to follow and the Ballydoyle contingent will be many people’s selections.  Kieren Fallon rides the unbeaten George Washington while Mick Kinane rides Horatio Nelson.  Of the 2 George Washington looks the more likely over this trip. He is obviously very highly rated and looks the obvious choice.  Olympian Odyssey, Opera Cape and Sir Percy are our other 3 listers.  Olympian Odyssey was probably unlucky when beaten by Atlantic Waves in a blanket finish here in a listed race last month.  Good solid type who should have no difficulty in winning races but this might be a bit beyond him.  Sir Percy, Horatio Nelson and Opera Cape were 1,2 and 3 in the Dewhurst Stakes last season.  Sir Percy got first run that day and may not be able to confirm the form with Horatio Nelson. As I said at the start the Ballydoyle pair look the most likely to me.

 

1. George Washington

2. Horation Nelson

3. Sir Percy

4. Olympian Oddyssy

  

3.50 We have 6 in this, Kings Gait, Ice Planet, Zowington, Kenmore, High Reach and Banjo Patterson.  King’s Gait has run well without winning this season.  His liking for give in the ground puts me off him today, and I have the same problem with Ice Planet and Kenmore.  Kenmore won for me last season at 20/1 and stays on the list to follow for a 2^nd season.  The lightly raced Banjo Patterson should be all the better for his first run of the season last week.  High Reach could have conditions to suit and his 4^th behind Zomerlust at Pontefact recently shows that he is in good nick.  Zowington has already won for us at a good price but has gone up 6 lbs for that.  By no means out of this though.  If I had to pick one it would be High Reach who looks each way value at 12/1.

  

4.20 Morghim made quite a pleasing return when 6 of 8 in a listed race at the Craven meeting and I think he could go well here at a fair price.

  

4.55 Blythe Knight won the Lincoln at Redcar.  That was over a mile of course but I think that this 10 furlongs will suit him fine. There was plenty of give in the ground at Redcar and conditions will be rather different at Newmarket.  Has a bit to find in order to figure here at level weights.

  

5.25 Regal Royale was a bit disappointing when down the field here on his seasonal reappearance and has something to prove.

  

Leaving the list horses for the moment I could drum up a fair case for Royal Challenge in the 3.25 at Goodwood.  The only thing that worries me is that the horse is best held up and can run into traffic problems.  Given that this is a 15 runner field I am just a little worried that he might get boxed in.  He has the ideal partner though in D Holland.

  

I am not going to go into detail on the jumps races.  There is a cracking hurdle race at Haydock however in the Swinton at 1.55.  There are 4 runners form our jumps list from last season in Into the Shadows, Carracciola, United and Senorita Rumbalita. Into the Shadows and Senorita Rumbalita in that order would be my tentative each way picks.

  

2.25 My Paris represents the list to follow. Major’s Cast will take the beating here with conditions very much in his favour.

  

Alfie Flits makes his flat debut in the 3.05 at Thirsk.  He has some very good bumper form and may be too good for the fairly modest opposition as long as he handles the faster ground OK.

  

4.50 Rio Riva, Minority Report and Game Lad run for the list to follow and there are a couple of old pals in Uhoogagoo and Hartshead.  Rio Riva is unlikely to be suited by the going, while Game Lad seems to come to his best later in the season.  Minority Report has ticks in most of the right boxes and gets the selection.  Ground and trip will suit, the stable are in form and he looks reasonably treated by the handicapper. Uhoomagoo and Hartshead are very closely handicapped based on their meeting at Newcastle last season when Uhoomagoo mugged his rival right on the line.  Minority Report is the selection.

  

Sunday

  

Newmarket 2.50 Shirocco is the best horse in the race and should win if he handles the ground.  The going is a concern though as his best form has been with give in the ground.  Hard Top could benefit if Shirocco misfires.  Hard Top has very few miles on the clock for a 4 year old and some improvement on last season’s form would give him a chance in all the top staying races.

  

3.30 Flashy Wings, Nanina, Reach for the Star’s, Rumplestiltskin and Silca’s Sister run for the list.  I would love to see Flashy Wings win for Mick Channon who I used to watch at The Dell way back in the 60s. My concern is that she has lost on her last 2 starts and although arguably a bit unlucky it is not the usual profile of a classic winner.  There is not much wrong with Nannina’s form but she looks more workmanlike than anything else and may just lack the class. A boring choice I am afraid but it is hard to fault Rumplestiltskin’s form with 5 wins last season. Speciosa is an interesting one from outside the list to follow.  If she can steer a straight course she may well worry some of her more illustrious rivals.  Just have a look at her last run on the Racing Post video and you will see what I mean about the steering.

  

4.05 Sindirana should have learned from her two runs last season.  She is entered in the Oaks and is one to keep a close eye on.

  

4.40 Winning Spirit, The Illies, Conquest and Silver Hotspur are all of interest here.  All 4 are worth putting in your notebook but in particular Winning Spirit for this race.

  

Hamilton 4.25 Accordello is the sort of dual purpose horse that the Reveley stable place well.

  

Salisbury 3.05 Greek Renaissance is a full brother to the sprinter Machinist.  Made his debut over a mile but is back to 6 furlongs here.

  

4.50 Degas Art has finished 2^nd on his last 2 outings.  Stepped up in trip and in with a good chance.

  

The list of horses to follow is under Special Features on the main menu, and hopefully a few of them will find their way into the winner’s enclosure before I resume next Saturday evening.  See you then.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 13 & 14 2006” →

There is just the one runner from our list to follow on Friday and that is Majestic Times in the listed sprint at Cork at 5.50.  Liam McAteer’s sprinter tasted his first success in listed class over 5 furlongs here last season.  He is equally effective over this trip of 6 furlongs and the ground should suit well enough. He is the type of horse that will always give of his best but he has a bit to do at these weights.  The price of 8/1 in the Racing Post seems to fairly reflect his chances.

  Not much to say about the UK racing.  Otelcaliforni seems a likely winner in the 4.50 at Musselburgh but not worth it at the likely short price.  See you tomorrow evening for a look at what promises to be an exciting weekend with the first 2 English classics at Newmarket.

Continue reading “Diary: May 5 2006” →

Well Mr Sandicliffe finally broke his duck after a remarkable string of 2nds.  It will be interesting to see if he can go on from there.

  

The flat list to follow continues its stuttering start to the season.  Stronghold surprised me by winning, while Tungsten Strike was a close 2^nd.

  

I am going to start with Redcar tonight.  There is an interesting 2 year old in the maiden at 2.20.  Silly Gilly is a half sister to 5 winners and is certainly one to keep an eye on.

  

Compromiznotension was certainly not disgraced when 2^nd of 14 at Folkestone and can gain compensation in the 3.50.

  

4.20 Pearly King won for me last time out and stands a good chance of following up in the 4 runner handicap.

  Musselburgh  7.00 Fullandby and Grigorovitch represent the list to follow. They are both well drawn and there is not much between them Grigoravitch is a course and distance winner and seems to go on any ground.  Fullandby though has the best recent form. Bye for now.

Continue reading “Diary: May 4 2006” →

We had a disappointing haul from the 5 runners from the list to follow on Tuesday, with only 1 winner, Mannikko at evens.  I think that some of the others will come good eventually though and I will be sticking with them.

  

Apart from the listers, I was pleased that a couple of other horses that I mentioned, Clear Impression and Sierra Vista ran well in the sprint at Bath.  They were 3^rd and 4^th at 18/1 and 9/1 respectively.

  

Regular readers may remember a horse called Mr Sandicliffe.  His career form figures now read 222242.  He has turned finishing 2^nd into a positive art form.  Can he break his duck in the Nottingham 2.10?  I wouldn’t bet on it!

  

Woolly Bully, from our list to follow seems bent on emulating Mr Sandicliffe as he has finished runner up on both his starts this season.  He was only beaten a short head last time out at Leicester and tries to go one better in the 4.10.  He has not gone up in the weights since his last run and now has a good 3 lbs claimer on board in Adam Kirby.  Woolly Bully deserves to win a race.

  

Miss Thailand represents our list in the maiden at 4.40.  Geoff Wragg’s filly made an encouraging start to her career when a close up third at Yarmouth last September.  She is related to the classy Asian Heights and looks one to follow.

  

Cool Customer is probably nothing special but he has won for us this season already in a weak maiden at Leicester.  He runs in the 8.52 at Kempton, another ordinary looking race and he must have a fair chance.

  

Lingfield 2.00 Fairfield Princess won nicely at Kempton last time.  The 2^nd that day was Crystal Gazer, who reopposes here.  Should be close between these two.

  

3.00 Mostashaar and Stronghold represent out list to follow. Mostashaar was an easy winner of the Britannia Handicap at York last season and if fully would up on his first run of the season looks the likely winner.

  

3.30 River Thames is a horse that I featured a few times last season and he did win a couple.  I didn’t include him in the list to follow this season as he looks the type that could be a bit difficult to place as a 3 year old.  I will continue to monitor his progress though.

  

4.00 Tungsten Strike is a course and distance winner but may need the run after being off the track for 200 Days.

  

5.00 Imperial Gain went into my notebook last season after he had run 2^nd to Signor Peltro at Haydock.  He has had 3 runs and now makes his handicap debut.

  

Pontefract 2.20 Jack Rackham and Seriously Lucky are interesting runners here.  Jack Rackham finished well when 3^rd on his debut at Musselburg and one of the horses behind him has since won.  He gets the selection on the basis that his experience will stand him in good stead.  Seriously Lucky is bred to win as a 2 year old and is one to watch on his debut here for a stable that have a good hit rate with juveniles.

  

4.20 Chess Board runs for Sir Mark Prescott.  On Tuesday I had high hopes for another horse from this stable, Phone In, but he could only finish 4^th at Kempton.  He was allowed to start at 6/1 which was surprising and I am wondering if the Prescott 3 year olds are in need of a run to put them right.  I will be watching Chess Board with interest.

  That is about it for now.  Plenty of interesting runners on Wednesday.  I will be back tomorrow night to review the day and preview Thursday.

 

Continue reading “Diary: May 3 2006” →

After the successes of Saturday it was back to earth with a bump with only 1 winner from 3 on Monday, and that at 1/3.

  

There are a few runners from the list to follow in action on Tuesday.  Our first runner is Neverletme go in the listed sprint at Bath 4.30.  She won over the minimum trip at Doncaster and Nottingham last season and seems suited by fast ground. May not have ground conditions to suit here though. A couple of old friends are also in the line up.  My regulars will know that I have given Sierra Vista plenty of write ups in the past.  She is a remarkable horse in that she has won 8 times and always at a big price.  33/1, 25/1, 16/1, 11/1 (twice), 8/1, 11/2 and 4/1, and she only cost 500 gns as a yearling.  She is best with a little give in the ground but has never won above handicap class.  The lightly raced Clear Impression had classic entries at one time but has probably had injury problems and has changed stables.  Interesting that she is dropped back to the minimum trip here.

  

The 4.30 is probably not a race to get too heavily involved in but the handicap at 5.00 has distinct possibilities. We have two from our list to follow in Ceredig and Mannikko.  Ceredig had just 3 runs last season and looks the type that could do well in handicaps off a modest rating.  Slight preference on this occasion is for Mannikko who plugged on to be 2^nd at Nottingham racing down the centre of the track 3 weeks ago.

  

We also have a couple of runners in the 7.56 at Kempton.  Julie Camacho is an underrated trainer who places her horses astutely.  Entranced was a 20/1 winner at Wolverhampton in a maiden.  She is bred on stamina lines and looks the type to improve. Phone In represents Sir Mark Prescott who excels with his 3 year old handicappers. This is a departure from Prescott’s usual modus operandi as we don’t normally see his runners until well into the summer.  He ran three times last season over inadequate trips but should be seen to much better effect over middle distances.  He might just be thrown in here off a mark of just 65.

  

4.10 Southwell – Zorn has won 5 times in his career and they all came at Southwell, 4 of them at this distance.  At 10/1 he seems a value each way selection.

  Good luck and hope to see you again tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: May 2 2006” →

 

Of the horses mentioned in Saturday’s preview 10 won and 3 were 2^nd.

  

Only 3 runners catch my eye on Monday’s cards and they are all at Windsor.

  

Espartano won nicely over course and distance on his debut and is taken to follow up in the  2.00.  The faster ground should not inconvenience him.

 

 

Arminius scampered away from his field to win a 7 furlong maiden at Newmarket on his second run last season. Stepped up to a mile here he impressed me on his debut and I would expect him to prevail in the 4.10. 

 

 

Milton Bradley knows a thing or two about sprinters and I fancy his Johnny Parkes to land a win or two this season.  He gets in the list to follow partly on the strength of a second to another “lister” Harrison’s Flyer at York last season when the pair of them were well clear of the rest.  He has an each way chance in the 4.40. See you tomorrow

Continue reading “Diary: May 1 2006” →