Category: Special features

Two Year Olds to Follow

Only rabbits proliferate more than horses to follow guides to the flat these days. No bad thing of course on the basis that the more information we have the merrier we will be. There are not so many that concentrate on the latest crop of 2 year olds however and so to help fill that void I have compiled a list of 50 juveniles that I hope will provide readers with some interest and hopefully a winner or two.

I have not concentrated particularly on early season types and I hope that at least some of the horses go on to have successful careers beyond their first season. In coming up with the list I have looked at pedigrees, concentrated on certain trainers and thrown in a generous dollop of personal opinion (and just a pinch of guesswork.) Anyway, here are my “50 to follow.”

I make no excuses for starting with half a dozen juveniles trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Not a man to have too many 5 furlong early winners but in the longer term there is no better trainer to follow. One of the most exciting 2 year olds on this list is Baryna, by Pivotal, and the first foal of the multiple Group 1 winning filly Russian Rhythm, who was outstanding in a generation that contained the likes of Soviet Song and Six Perfections. Like Russian Rhythm, Echelon runs in the red and white of Cheveley Park Stud. Although not quite in the class of the 2003 1,000 Guineas winner, Echelon is a classy filly in her own right and a winner of 9 races, including a Group 1. Her half sister Expressive, is by first season sire Falbrav and very much one to look out for.

Spanish Sun had a short but successful career for the Stoute team. She only ran 3 times, but won the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. Spanish Sun’s brother, Spanish Moon, has already won twice, including a listed race this season. All this bodes well for the aptly named Cordoba, a daughter of Spanish Sun. Maraahel has been a great servant to connections and of his 8 career wins all bar one have been at Group 2 or 3 level. Maraahel’s half brother, Almuktahem, is another with Sir Michael Stoute. Remarkably 3 of Maraahel’s wins have come in the Huxley Stakes at Chester (he almost made it 4 in a row this season.) My next two selections also have connections with the Roodeye.

Arabian Gulf has only raced 3 times to date, but ran Soldier of Fortune to a short head in the Chester Vase last season. His half sister Dream Win, by Oasis Dream, looks of interest.

Danehurst won 10 times in all, the last of these being a listed race at Chester where she was returned at evens. That does not tell the whole story though as after forfeiting ground with a poor start, the five-year-old mare still looked hopelessly placed many lengths behind the leaders as the field turned for home. She then had to be switched at least twice to get a run and still had five lengths to make up on Golden Nun passing the furlong marker.
To her enormous credit she then responded to her jockey’s strong riding to produce a late burst which got her up to win a couple of strides before the post. Those who managed to get the 21’1 offered in running on Betfair about the even-money chance deserved every penny. Her second foal, a filly called Pole Position by Pivotal and is the last of my selections from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, for the moment anyway.

My next 4 are all from Roger Charlton’s stable, starting with what I hope will be one of my bankers. Ffestiniog won in listed company as a 2 year old but it is as a brood mare that she has really excelled as her first 6 offspring have all been winners. They include Eisteddfod, still going strong at the age of 7, Brecon Beacon, Tredegar and Harlech Castle. The latest is a colt called Border Patrol, let’s hope that he maintains the family tradition. You may remember Tante Rose, a filly that won the Sprint Cup at Haydock, just edging out Somnus. Her first, and sadly only foal is a filly called Rose Diamond, again with Roger Charlton. Speciosa’s win in the 1,000 Guineas was a triumph for the underdog as she came from a stable more used to getting winners in novice hurdles around the gaffs. Her half brother, Classically is by the sire, Indian Haven, himself a surprise classic winner from an unfashionable stable when taking the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2003. I followed a horse called Mutajarred last season with some success as he won 3 times and has to date never been out of the first 4. His half sister, Little Conker who is my next selection from Roger Charlton’ string.

One of the success stories of the 2004 season was the performance of sprinter Pivotal Point taking the Stewards Cup en route to the Diadem Stakes. Sylvester Kirk now trains this one’s half brother, called True Decision. Simianna was down the field in several of the races won by Pivotal Point that season. One win from 19 attempts hardly seems to qualify Simianna for a special mention on the face of it.  The bare statistics do not tell the full story however as she was given few favours by the handicapper but put up a string of fine efforts in defeat.  Her only win came at Newmarket at 11/2 but she repaid each way support 5 times at odds of 22/1, 10/1, 16/1, 6/1 and 20/1. Her first foal, Jan Mayen, a filly by Halling, is with Mark Johnston.

Baltic King beat Pivotal Point by a neck in 2003 at Ascot and was a smart sprinter, especially on quick ground, and he won the Wokingham in 2006. His sister, La Belle Dane will be trained this season by Jeremy Noseda. Greensward a colt with Brian Meehan is from a family I have followed for years. The dam, Frizzante won the Group 1 July Cup and is a half sister to Zidane and Firenze. The latter pair were both out of a mare called Juliet Bravo, named after an old TV series about a woman police office.

Countess Zara trained by Andrew Balding comes from a particularly strong sprinting family. Her dam, Lochridge, won 5 times including in listed company and this is her first foal. The second dam Lochsong was a champion Sprinter winning 15 times including 3 at Group 1 level.

Sticking with the sprinters, Hughie Morrison is one of the trainers I like to follow and of course has had considerable success with Sakhee’s Secret recently. He has the half sister called Some Sunny Day so it will be interesting to see how this one progresses.

One of the good things about sprinters is that they tend to have lengthy careers. A case in point is Continent who won twice last season at the age of 10. A real hold up horse his finest hour came in 2002 when he won the July Cup (Danehurst was 3^rd). His half brother Euston Square, another by Oasis Dream, is with John Gosden. Caribbean Coral is another grand old sprinter still going at the age of 9 with a liking for Epsom and Chester. His half brother, Trip Switch is with Willie Muir.

Dandy Nicholls is undoubtedly the sprint king and one of his most consistent performers in recent times has been Tax Free, winner of the Palace House Stakes among other decent prizes. His half brother Green Beret is in training with John Gosden. Monsieur Bond, a tough, consistent sprinter is a first season sire. One of his first crop, Sharav, a half brother to Bygone Days, a smart Group 3 winner for Godolphin and will be trained by Eve Johnson Houghton. Impressible (E Alston) like many in this list this filly is by Oasis Dream a winner of 3 Group 1 races at sprint distances. She is a half sister to Reverence, a high class sprinter who won the Nunthorpe and also to Quiet Elegance, a winner last season as a juvenile and this season at 22/1!

I am old enough to have watched Mick Channon at The Dell and his achievement to reach the top in two entirely different sporting fields is a remarkable one. He held classic hopes for his filly Queen’s Logic a few years back but, after she had won 4 Group races but injury cut short her career. Queen’s Logic, herself a half sister to Dylan Thomas, has already produced one winning 2 year old, and hopefully will have another in Dunes Queen (M Channon). Sweet Lily won 4 times for Mick Channon as a juvenile. Her half brother, Eddie Boy is with Michael Bell and is apparently well thought of by connections.

Footstepsinthesand was an emphatic winner of the 2,000 Guineas in 2005 and was unbeaten in his short career. His full sister Pelinnore is with Ed Vaughan, who has 30 odd horses under his care at Newmarket. Dubawi was a disappointing favourite behind Footstepsinthesand but bounced back to win the Irish Guineas. He is by the ill fated wonder horse Dubai Millenium, who only enjoyed one year at stud before his death. Godolphin have a half sister to Dubawi named Suba.

In his first season at stud One Cool Cat covered 156 mares! He was effective at 5 to 7 furlongs and is likely to get some speedy individuals. William Haggas has an interesting filly by One Cool Cat, called Adoring. She is a half sister to Galeota who won the Mill Reef Stakes as a 2 year old, and has gone on to taste listed success at age 3 and 5.

I am looking forward to following the fortunes of Paisley, a filly with Luca Cumani and very much a long term prospect. You may remember the dam Pongee that won the Lancashire Oaks and was a half sister to Pukka who was 9^th in North Light’s Derby and won both on the flat and over hurdles.

I once backed a horse called L’Affaire Monique to land a Chepstow maiden at 11/2. She is related to Short Skirt and her third foal, a colt called Bourne is with Luca Cumani and I will be following this one with interest. I have a good memory for my winning bets, there aren’t that many of them! A few years ago I was on a horse called Smirk when he won a Goodwood handicap at 12/1. Smirk went on to win in listed company and is out of a mare that has produced several winners. Smirk’s half sister Cartoon is with Michael Jarvis, so could not be in better hands.

Le Vie Dei Colori ran up 12 wins in Italy and France, including the Italian 2,000 Guineas, before joining Luca Cumani in 2005. His best run was his last when beating Sleeping Indian in a Group 2 at Newmarket. Sleeping Indian was trained by John Gosden and Gosden now has a half brother to Le Vie Dei Colori called Seminole, by Indian Ridge. Sleeping Indian himself is by Indian Ridge and won 6 races for Gosden including a Group 2 at Newmarket and the Group 3 Hungerford Stakes. Gosden has this one’s half sister called Pleasant Cape. Staying with John Gosden I am including a couple more of his juveniles in this list, Stage Performance, a full sister to English Ballet, and Take the Hint, a Montjeu filly closely related to Group 3 winner Stronghold.

Autumn Glory has his place in the record books as the first winner on a Group race in Britain on the all weather. He got the better of Court Masterpiece at Lingfield in 2005 over a mile. His half brother Unwavering is as the name suggests by 2,000 Guineas winner Refuse to Bend. He is with Henry Cecil and is certainly one to watch out for.

Dr Faustus is a winner already this season for Sir Michael Stoute. Godolphin train this one’s half sister though, a Cape Cross filly called Manaaqeb. I am including 3 more on my list that are related to horses that have won this season as 3 year olds. Apple Charlotte, with Henry Cecil, a half sister to Arthur’s Girl, Monitor Closely, a half brother to Stone of Scone by Oasis Dream with Peter Chapple-Hyam and Labisca, a half sister to Free Handicap winner Stimulation, by High Chaparral, with Hughie Morrison.

There was no more spectacular winner in 2002 than Just James who came from being tailed off 2 furlongs out at Newmarket to swoop to victory with a quite remarkable turn of foot.  He actually won 2 of his 6 starts that season, including the Group 3 Jersey Stakes with both wins at odds of 20/1. Backing 20/1 winners is certainly a Lovely Thought and that is the name of Just James’ half sister trained by William Haggas.

I remember a horse called Sabbeeh absolutely bolting up in a Ripon maiden a few years back. As a 4 year old he was 2^nd in a Group 2 at Goodwood. His half brother Green Agenda is trained by Mark Johnston. Penny Cross was a typical Mark Johnston 3 year old, tough and consistent she won 3 times and was placed on a number of occasions. Her first foal Quinsman is with John Hills and there are already promising reports about him. John Hills is an underrated trainer. He has an inexpensive purchase called Miss Mojito that is related to several winners. The dam is a half sister to Far Lane that won the Group 3 Darley Stakes a few years ago.

Another I have high hopes for is Alexander Loyalty a full sister to Bahama Mama who was a very speedy 2 year old, a listed winner and runner up in the Flying Childers. Like her sister, Alexander Loyalty is with Jeremy Noseda. Another that looks a good bet to win races is Cecily, trained by Sir Mark Prescott. Her half sister Violette won 4 times as a juvenile including a Group 3 at Ayr.

Julie Camacho does well with the ammunition at her disposal. Rio Riva has been a consistent sort for her running well in some big handicaps. She now trains his half sister Southern Scarlet. Another northern trainer that I like to follow is Alan Swinbank. He has a two year old by High Chaparral, called Olympian Dancer that I will include on my list, partly because the sire was a favourite of mine.

I remember watching Aiden O’Brien’s Gypsy King get up on the line to land the Dee Stakes under Kieren Fallon. He went on to finish 5^th in the Epsom Derby but sadly suffered a fatal injury in his next race. Marcus Tregoning has the full brother to Gypsy King called Uncle Keef.

Amanda Perret’s front runner Tungsten Strike has landed some decent prizes, including the Henry ll Stakes. Brian Meehan trains the half sister Arabian Mirage, yet another by Oasis Dream. Furmigadelagiusta won twice on the flat for Luca Cumani before moving to Karl Burke who sent him out to win over hurdles. He has also presented quite a test for the race commentators! His half brother, Fenoman is by Pivotal and is with Luca Cumani.

I was keen to include horses by some of the more likely first season sires, and we have already had a few such as Refuse to Bend and Falbrav. I wanted at least one by the top class Australian sprinter Exceed and Excel and I have decided on Hellbender who is with Sylvester Kirk. The dam is a half sister to Feet So Fast who was pretty smart over 6 furlongs and was a winner at the Shergar Cup meeting when ridden by Mick Kinane. Exceed and Excel has already sired winners in Australia.

Acclamation was a favourite sprinter of mine. He won 6 times in his career including the Group 2 Diadem Stakes at Ascot at the nice price of 9/1. He has actually done well at stud but it is his half brother Hunting Horn that I am putting up as the 50^th and final selection on my list. I am finishing where I started as Hunting Horn is trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

Reflecting on Acclamation’s career, his trainer Gerald Cottrell said: “We were hoping he could run for another year and it’s going to be sad losing him, we won’t have another one as good as him. He’s so placid, eats well and was so easy to train.” Let’s hope that the same can be said of my “50.”

All photos by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing

 

This is a list of horses that I will be featuring in my daily racing diary during the flat season.

They are mainly unraced or lightly raced 3 year olds together with a few older horses that look well handicapped.

Aflaam 3 J Gosden

Al Bariz 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Age of Reason 3 M Johnston

Albarouche 3 M Jarvis

Amaakin 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Archimage 3 D Barron

Arthur’s Girl 3 G Wragg

Ateesh 3 L Cumani

Atlantic Story M Easterby

Barricado 3 R Charlton

Basalt 3 T Pitt

Basanti 3 B Hills

Bigfanofthat 3 K Burke

Bajan Pride 4 R Fahey

Birkside 3 D Carroll

Cadre 3 J Gosden

Cape Express 3 M Jarvis

Clowance 3 R Charlton

Colony 3 M Stoute

Crossing Bridges 3 D Barron

Dancer in Demand 3 M Stoute

Diamond Lass 3 R Fahey

Duncan 3 J Dunlop

Electrolyser 3 C Cox

Empowered 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Fantastic Lass 3 R Fahey

Fantasy Fighter 3 J Quinn

Formation E Dunlop

French Riviera 3 M Stoute

Fujin Dancer 3 R Fahey

Hawk Mountain 3 J Quinn

Kensington Oval 3 M Stoute

King of Dixie 4 W Knight

Martyr 3 R Hannon

Merrion Tiger 3 K Burke

Midnight Muse 3 D Barron

Midnight Mystique 3 D Barron

Miss Skycat 3 D Barron

Montbretia 3 H Cecil

Musaalem 4 W Haggas

Papillio 3 K Burke

Patthepainter 3 K Burke

Pertemps Network 4 M W Easterby

Piverina 3 D Barron

Princess Maria 3 R Fahey

Punjabi 5 N Henderson

Reclamation 3 M Prescott

Regal Step 3 R Cowell

Rivington Pike 3 J Quinn

Rossini’s Dancer 3 R Fahey

Scanno 3 K Burke

Smarterthanyouthink 3 R Fahey

Smoothly Does It R Fahey

Solent 6 J Quinn

Souffleur 5 P Bowen

Stone of Scone 3 E Dunlop

Stravella 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Tawzeea 3 M Johnston

Toto Skyllachy 3 T Tate

Trip the Light 3 R Fahey

Unleashed 3 H Cecil

William Blake 3 M Johnston

Wood Chorus 3 M Bell

 

 

Here is the main list of horses I will be following over the summer months. As usual the list is large as I feel it helps to have a ‘core’ of horses to keep an eye on. I will be monitoring the fortunes of this “stable” over the coming months and hopefully giving a few pointers as to their chances.

WHY SUCH A LARGE LIST?

The list is really intended to cover the full season. I find it pays to start off with a central ‘core’ of horses to watch out for, rather than having to try and remember how a horse has performed.

Most of the horses are from the more successful larger stables. This seems to make sense as they have the majority of the winners! I have also included a smattering of horses from some of the smaller stables.

I will put up a second list of "dark horses" that didn’t quite make it onto the main list.

Aahayson 4 K Burke

Adversity 3 M Stoute – Won Chester handicap at 6/4

Ajhar 3 M Tregoning – 9/2 winner

Aleatricus 3 M Prescott – Has won 5 races

Alexander Castle 3 K Ryan

Alfathaa 3 W Haggas

Al Khaleej 4 E Dunlop – a winner at 5/2 and 2nd in the Victoria Cup

Almajd 3 M Stoute

Amanjena 3 A Balding – 8/1 & 10/1 winner

Another Decree 3 M Dods – 16/1 winner

Ascot Lime 3 M Stoute – 11/4 winner

Ask 5 M Stoute – Group 3 winner

Astrodome 3 M Prescott – Won at 100/30 & 7/4

Atlantic Sport 3 M Channon – Wins at Evens & 9/4

Bankable 4 L Cumani – Has won twice

Barney McGrew 5 M Dods – 13/2 winner

Baybshambles 4 R Barr – 3 wins 10/1 & 11/2 & 11/4

Beacon Lodge 3 C Cox

Blackat Blackkitten 4 S Bin Suroor

Broomielaw 4 E Dunlop

Bukit Tinggi 4 M Jarvis – has won twice

Burning Incense 5 M Dods

By Command 3 J Dunlop – Won at 13/8

Cabinet 4 M Stoute – Won Heritage Handicap

Calming Influence 3 S Bin Suroor – has won 2 listed races

Cape Amber (3) P Chapple-Hyam – 5/1 winner

Cape Vale 3 D Nicholls

Caribbean Coral 9 J Quinn – 5/2 winner

Celtic Sultan 4 T Tate 7/1 winner

Charles Parnell 5 M Dods

City Stable 3 M Stoute – 9/4 winner

Collection W Haggas – Wins at 11/4 & 13/2

Confidence Trick (3) M Stoute

Confront 3 M Stoute

Corrybrough 3 H Candy – 3 wins so far

Craechadoir 4 S Bin Suroor – Winner of the Lockinge Stakes

Cruel Sea 3 B Hills

Crystany 3 H Cecil

Danae 3 H Candy – 16/1 winner

Dan Chillingworth 3 J Fanshawe – Won twice, both at 7/2

Dar Re Mi 3 J Gosden – Has won twice

Dendor 4 D Barker

Dhaular Dar 6 J Goldie 16/1 winner

Docofthebay 4 J Osborne

Don’t Panic 4 P Chapple-Hyam

Dr Faustus 3 M Stoute

Endless Luck 3 M Johnston

Excitement 3 R Fahey

Fast Company 3 B Meehan

Fearless Warrior 3 J Dunlop – 9/1 & 11/4 winner

Festoso 3 H J L Dunlop

Film Maker 3 B Meehan – Won twice including 5/1

Fireside 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Floristry 3 M Stoute

Forgotten Voice 3 J Noseda

Full Speed 3 G A Swinbank

Game Park 3 F Fanshawe

General Ting 3 M Prescott – Winner at 11/4

General Tufto 3 R Charlton

Glorious Gift 3 O Chapple-Hyam

Golden Groom 5 C Fairhurst

Hawaass 3 M Johnston – Winner at 3/1

Hereford Boy 4 D Ivory – Winner at 15/8

Highland Legacy 4 M Bell

Houghton 3 M Stoute – Winner at 11/4

Hurlingham 4 M Easterby a winner at 10/1 & 11/4

Infallible 3 J Gosden

Inspector Clouseau 3 T Tate

Iron Cross 3 M Prescott

Island Vista 3 M Jarvis – Won at 9/2

Jimmy Styles 4 C Cox – Won at 7/2

Just Two Numbers 4 W Jarvis

Kandahar Run 3 H Cecil

Kashimin 3 G A Swinbank

Kingsgate Native 3 J Best – Won Golden Jubilee Stakes at 33/1

Kiwi Bay 3 M Dods – Won at 7/2

Knot in Wood 6 R Fahey – Won 3 times 7/2, 10/11 & 7/1

La Fortalesa 3 K Ryan

Lang Shining 4 M Stoute – Won Newbury Spring Cup at 9/2

Lanterns of Gold 3 Mrs A Duffield

Laughter 3 M Stoute

Laureldean Gale 3 S Bin Suroor

Lazy Days 3 D Elsworth

Literato 4 S Bin Suroor

Look Here 3 R Beckett – Won the Oaks at 33/1!

Louis Seffens 3 G A Swinbank

Lucarno 4 J Gosden – 6/1 Group 2 winner

Luminous Gold 3 C Wall – 7/2 winner

Mad Rush 4 L Cumani – Won the Old Newton Cup

Majeen 3 W Haggas – 9/2 winner

Majestic Marauder 3 M Stoute

Majestic Roi 4 M Channon

Malt or Mash 4 R Hannon

Marajaa 6 W Musson

Mastership 4 J Quinn

Matsunosuke 6 A Coogan

Medecine Path 4 E O’Neill – 9/2 winner

Melodramatic 3 R Charlton

Milne Graden 4 J Noseda

Miss Lucifer 4 B Hills

Missioner 3 M Johnston – 6/4 winner

Moheebb 4 Ruth Carr – 7/2 winner

Mountain Pride 3 J L Dunlop 20/1 winner

Mr Crystal 4 M Hammond – 3/1 & 8/1 winner

Muthabara 3 J L Dunlop – Won Fred Darling Stakes at 9/4

Natagora 3 P Bary – English 1,000 Guineas winner

Navajo Joe 3 B Meehan

Northern Dare 4 D Nicholls

Northern Fling 4 D Nicholls – 20/1 winner

Oceana Gold 4 A Balding

Oldjoesaid 4 H Candy – 2/1 winner

Pathos 4 D Elsworth

Pacific Pride 5 J Quinn – 9/2 winner

Perfect Treasure 5 A Toller – A winner at Brighton where all his 4 career wins have come

Peruvian Prince 6 R Fahey

Pevensey 6 J Quinn

Pipedreamer 4 J Gosden – Won Group 2 York Stakes

Pippa Greene 4 P Cole Won Ascot Heritage Handicap at 20/1

Plane Painter 4 M Johnston

Planetarium 3 M Johnston

Prairie Tiger 4 N Vaughan

Praxiteles 4 M Stoute

Premio Loco 4 C Wall – 7/2 & 2/1 winner

President Elect 3 D Barron

Presumptive 8 R Charlton

Prevailing Wind 3 J Fanshawe

Prime Exhibit 3 R Charlton

Quiet Elegance 3 E Alston – 22/1 winner

Raven’s Pass 3 J Gosden – Won Totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood & Ascot QEII Stakes (at 3/1) and Breeder’s Cup Classic (8/1)

Redford 3 M Bell – 8/1 & 2/1 winner

Regal Flush 4 M Stoute 11/10 winner

Rimrock 3 J Noseda

Rio de la Plata 3 S Bin Suroor

Roaring Forte 3 W Haggas – 4/1winner

Robby Bobby 3 M Johnston

Rock Peak 3 H Morrison

Rosa Grace 3 R Guest – 11/2 winner

Rough Sketch 3 M Prescott

Rowe Park 5 Linda Jewell

Royal Confidence 3 B Hills – 4/1 winner

Royal Jasra 4 E Dunlop

Rule of Life 4 B Hills

Sadlers Kingdom 4 R Fahey

Sakhee’s Secret 4 H Morrison

Savarain 3 L Cumani – 11/4 & 10/11 winner

Schiaparelli 4 S Bin Suroor

Screen Star 3 S Bin Suroor

Sense of Joy 3 J Gosden

Septimus 5 A O’Brien – Won Group 3 Curragh Cup

Shanafarahan 3 T Tate

Sheer Bluff 3 D Elsworth

Silvanus 3 W Haggas

Silver Suitor 4 D Elsworth – 1/1 winner

Sortita 3 M Jarvis – Wins at 7/4 & 7/2

Skadrak 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Skydive 3 L Cumani

Smart Enough 5 M Magnusson

Sovereign’s Honour 3 M Stoute

Spacious 3 J Fanshawe

Speed Gifted 4 L Cumani

Stalking Tiger 4 R Charlton

Stimulation 3 H Morrison – Won European Free Handicap  (15/8) & Group 2 (9/2)

Storm Force 3 S Bin Suroor

Stow 3 H Morrison – 7/2

Tajaaweed 3 M Stoute – Won Dee Stakes at Chester

Tarkheena Prince 3 G A Swinbank – 4 wins, 7/1, 6/1, 9/2 & 15/8

Tartan Bearer 3 M Stoute – Winner of the Dante, 2nd in the Epsom Derby

Tathkaar 3 C Brittain

Thannaan 3 B Hills – 9/4 winner

Throne of Power 3 M Magnusson – 5/2 winner

The Illies 4 S Bin Suroor

Tiger Dream 3 K Ryan

Tighnabruaich 3 M Jarvis – 4/1

Torch of Freedom 3 M Prescott

Tourist 3 B Hills – 100/30

Tropical Strait 5 D Arbuthnot – 10/1 winner

Tudor Prince 4 T Carroll

Twice Over 3 H Cecil – Won 2 Group races

Utmost Respect 4 R Fahey – Has won twice, including a Group 3

Valery Borzov 4 D Nicholls – 3 wins so far

Very Wise 5 W Haggas

Westlake 4 D Weld

West with the Wind 3 T Tate

Whistledownwind 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Wingplay 3 H Morrison – 14/1 winner

Wintercast 3 W Swinburn

Without a Prayer 3 R Beckett – 18/1 winner

Zaahid 4 B Hills – Won Victoria Cup at 5/1

Zaham 4 M Johnston

This is a further list of horses that I will be featuring in my daily racing diary during the flat season.  Picture below by courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

They are mainly unraced or lightly raced 3 year olds together with a few older horses that look well handicapped.

Aflaam 3 J Gosden

Al Bariz 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Age of Reason 3 M Johnston

Albarouche 3 M Jarvis – 4/1 winner

Amaakin 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Archimage 3 D Barron

Arthur’s Girl 3 G Wragg – 9/2 winner

Ateesh 3 L Cumani

Atlantic Story M Easterby

Barricado 3 R Charlton

Basalt 3 T Pitt

Basanti 3 B Hills – 9/2 winner

Bigfanofthat 3 K Burke

Bajan Pride 4 R Fahey

Birkside 3 D Carroll – Wins at 7/1 & 6/1 & 9/4

Cadre 3 J Gosden – 4/1 winner

Cape Express 3 M Jarvis

Clowance 3 R Charlton 2 wins and 4th in the Oaks

Colony 3 M Stoute wins at 6/1 & 11/2

Crossing Bridges 3 D Barron

Dancer in Demand 3 M Stoute

Diamond Lass 3 R Fahey

Duncan 3 J Dunlop – Won at 10/11

Electrolyser 3 C Cox Won 13/2

Empowered 3 P Chapple-Hyam Won 2/1

Fantastic Lass 3 R Fahey

Fantasy Fighter 3 J Quinn

Formation E Dunlop – 2/1 winner

French Riviera 3 M Stoute

Fujin Dancer 3 R Fahey

Hawk Mountain 3 J Quinn – 3/1 winner

Kensington Oval 3 M Stoute – 7/2 winner

King of Dixie 4 W Knight – Has won twice, both at 9/4

Martyr 3 R Hannon

Merrion Tiger 3 K Burke

Midnight Muse 3 D Barron

Midnight Mystique 3 D Barron

Miss Skycat 3 D Barron

Montbretia 3 H Cecil

Musaalem 4 W Haggas – has won twice

Papillio 3 K Burke

Patthepainter 3 K Burke – 5/1 winner

Pertemps Network 4 M W Easterby – 9/4 winner

Piverina 3 D Barron

Princess Maria 3 R Fahey

Punjabi 5 N Henderson – has won twice

Reclamation 3 M Prescott – 4/1 winner

Regal Step 3 R Cowell

Rivington Pike 3 J Quinn

Rossini’s Dancer 3 R Fahey – 2/1 winner

Scanno 3 K Burke

Smarterthanyouthink 3 R Fahey – 4/1 winner

Smoothly Does It R Fahey

Solent 6 J Quinn

Souffleur 5 P Bowen

Stone of Scone 3 E Dunlop – 5/2 winner

Stravella 3 P Chapple-Hyam

Tawzeea 3 M Johnston – 7/2 winner

Toto Skyllachy 3 T Tate

Trip the Light 3 R Fahey – Has won at 8/1 & 2/1 & 15/8

Unleashed 3 H Cecil – Has won twice

William Blake 3 M Johnston

Wood Chorus 3 M Bell

 

Irish horses to follow

These are the horses I will be featuring during the 2007/8 national hunt season.

Amstecos
Aran Concerto
Aranleigh
Arrive Sir Clive
Big Zeb
Black Harry
Bob’s Pride
Cellar Door
Clopf
Cooldine
Cork All Star
De Valira
Drummer First
Duty
Glencove Marina
Hide the Evidence
Iktitaf
Impudent
Kazal
Kendor Dine
Kimberlite King
Kirbybroguelantern
Liskennett
Mick the Man
Nickname
Ninetieth Minute
Notre Pere
Offshore Account
Powerstation
Rock Diplomat
Save the Bacon
Schindlers Hunt
Scotsirish
Shirley Casper
Sizing Africa
Sizing Europe
Slash and Burn
Slim Pickings
Sophocles
Sublimity
Tailors Hall
Theatrical Moment
Townabrack
Wins Now

Irish horses to follow

These are the horses I will be featuring during the 2007/8 national hunt season.

Amstecos
Aran Concerto
Aranleigh
Arrive Sir Clive
Big Zeb
Black Harry
Bob’s Pride
Cellar Door
Clopf
Cooldine
Cork All Star
De Valira
Drummer First
Duty
Glencove Marina
Hide the Evidence
Iktitaf
Impudent
Kazal
Kendor Dine
Kimberlite King
Kirbybroguelantern
Liskennett
Mick the Man
Nickname
Ninetieth Minute
Notre Pere
Offshore Account
Powerstation
Rock Diplomat
Save the Bacon
Schindlers Hunt
Scotsirish
Shirley Casper
Sizing Africa
Sizing Europe
Slash and Burn
Slim Pickings
Sophocles
Sublimity
Tailors Hall
Theatrical Moment
Townabrack
Wins Now

Continue reading “Irish jumpers to follow 2007/8” →

The Dark Horses
This is a list of horses that didn’t make my main list to follow but I will still be monitoring their progress over the season.  I know some of them are not all that “dark” but I was stuck for something to head the page!

Aaron's Run (C Llewellyn)
Alfie Flits (G A SWinbank)
All for Luck (N Richards)
Always Waining (P Bowen)
Amhairghin (H Harker)
Amour Multiple (S Lycett)
Another Promise (F Murphy)
Aperitif (G Harker)
A Toi a Moi (C Longsden)
Alfie Flits (G A SWinbank)
Atomic Winner ( A King)
Aureate (B Ellison)
Back in Business (Evan Williams)
Ballabriggs (D McCain)
Ballamusic (A King)
Ballyvoge (N Richards)
Bergo (P Nicholls)
Big Fella Thanks (P Nicholls)
Blue Bajan (A Turnell)
Border Tale (J Moffatt)
Boulevardofdreams (D Pipe)
Brinkmanship (T Vaughan)
Brook no Argument (J J Quinn)
Cabby Doo (J Moffatt)
Carrick Star (F Murphy)
Celestial Halo (P Nicholls)
Chapoturgeon (P Nicholls)
Chief Dan George (J Moffatt)
City Affair (T Vaughan)
Classic Cut (J Ewart)
Classic Gold (Ben de Haan)
Cornas (Evan Williams)
Corran Ard (Evan Williams)
Court Ruler (Evan Williams)
Custom Design (G Harker)
Daltaban (Emma Lavelle)
Dave's Dream (N Henderson)
Day of Claies (H Hogarth)
Ergo (J Moffatt)
Evelith Echo (A King)
Ferrando (G A Swinbank)
First Feerie (N Chance)
Freneys Well (E Bolger)
Glenary (H Daly)
Great Quest (J Moffatt)
Halcon Generlardais (A King)
Harry Wood (D McCain)
Herecomesthetruth (P Nicholls)
High Chimes (Evan Willams)
Hilly Gale (H Hogarth)
Hitaaf (D Pipe)
In Accord (H Daly)
Indicible (A King)
Kavaloti (G Moore)
Khyber Kim (N Henderson)
Kimi (N Chance)
King Killone (H Hogarth)
Kings Euro (T Vaughan)
King’s Quay (J J Quinn)
Lablthou (Mrs E Lavelle)
La Troussardiere (J Ewart)
Major Suspect (H Daly)
Marcus (Emma Lavelle)
Marodima (P Nicholls)
Marshall Hall (F Murphy)
Master Eddy (S Lycett)
Master Minded (P Nicholls)
McKelvey (P Bowen)
Midnight Chase (P Keane)
Miss Ceka R Alner)
Mister Trigger (P Nicholls)
Mutual Friend (D Pipe)
Night Fly (C Llewellyn)
Ninetieth Minute (T Taafe)
None de Sivola (F Murphy)
Noland (P Nicholls)
Nom de Guerre (B De Haan)
Northern Quest (H Hogarth)
Northern Stars (H Hogarth)
Numero un de Solzen (J Ewart)
Oncle Bul (R Alner)
Onyorgard (R Alner)
Open de L’Isle (J Ewart)
Opus Café (Emma Lavelle)
Ordre de Bataille (H Daly)
Pevensey (J J Quinn)
Pistol Desbois (R Alner)
Planet of Sound (P Hobbs)
Prince Car (J H Johnson)
Prince Taime (P Hobbs)
Princess Flame (B Powell)
Professor Higgins (Howard Johnson)
Proud to Present (B Powell)
P’tit Vouster (J Ewart)
Quartano (C Llewellyn)
Quizzene (A King)
Quws Law (Mrs L Russell)
Quintessentially  (C Llewellyn)
Rathmulen (Henrietta Knight)
Ricardo’s Chance (S Lycett)
Ring the Boss (P Hobbs)
Rinnwood Lass (P Keane)
Robin de Sherwood (P Nicholls)
Rockwithcavemen (D Pipe)
Role On (N Richards)
Room at the Top (Lucinda Russell)
Scaramouche (B De Haan)
Scarvagh Diamond (N Richards)
Serabad (R Alner)
Shipmaster (A King)
Shoracres (B Powell)
Signs of Love (N Chance)
Sir Bathwick  (B Powell)
Sir Bumble (P Keane)
Slew Charm (N Chance)
Snap Tie (P Hobbs)
Spirit of Man (D Pipe)
Stern (Emma Lavelle)
Stumped (H Daly)
Tamimi’s History (N Richards)
Tatenen (P Nicholls)
Theatre Diva (Venetia Williams)
The Duke’s Speech (F Murphy)
The Empty Tin (P Nicholls)
The Old Pretender (C Llewellyn)
The Parting Glass (C Longsden)
The Polomoche (N Henderson)
Timpo (H Daly)
Top Brass (C Longsden)
Topless (P Keane)
Uffa Fox (B De Haan)
Washango (S Lycett)
Watch my Back (N Richards)
Whiteoak (D MCCain)
Wind Instrument (C Llewellyn)
Wipe your Eye (B Powell)
Zaffarella (P Keane)

Continue reading “The Dark Horses 2007/8” →

Here is the main list of horses I will be following over the winter months. As usual the list is large as I feel it helps to have a 'core' of horses to keep an eye on.

WHY SUCH A LARGE LIST?

The list is really intended to cover the full season I find it pays to start off with a
central 'core' of horses to watch out for, rather than having to try and remember how a horse has performed.

I will be adding a few more names over the next couple of weeks.

I will also put up a second list of "dark horses" that didn't quite make it onto the main list.

 

Bumper horses

Cool Operator (Howard Johnson)
Diamond Harry (N Williams)
Folie Dancer (E Lavelle) 2/1
Jorveybrook (N Richards)
Knockavilla (Howard Johnson) 5/4, 4/5
The Package (D Pipe) 11/2
Woolcombe Folly (P Nicholls)                        

Novice hurdlers

Abstinence (Howard Johnson)

Aux Le Bahnn (N Chance)
Balla Royale (J J O’Neill)
Bertie May (K Bishop)
Berwick Law (L Lungo)
Breedsbreeze (P Nicholls) 7/4, 6/4
Calgary Bay (Mrs H Knight) 9/1
Camden George (Sue Smith)
Cave Hill (Mrs H Knight )
Carrick Oscar (C Llewellyn)
Cracking Cliché (Miss V Williams)
Crocodiles Rock (J J O’Neill) 4/9
Den of Iniquity (C Llewellyn)
Franchoek (A King) 7/4, 6/5, 7/4
Helen’s Vision (Miss H Lewis) 7/2
I Hear a Symphony (P Hobbs)
I’m Delilah (N Richards)
Isn’t That Lucky (J J O’Neill)
Junior (B Meehan)
Kealshore Boy (Howard Johnson)
Kid Charlemagne (C Llewellyn)
Laborec (Howard Johnson) 8/11
Lightning Strike (Miss V Williams) 5/4, 2/1
Lodge Lane (V Dartnall) 11/8, 1/1
Marleybow (Howard Johnson) 10/11
Massasoit (P Nicholls)
Master Overseer (D Pipe)
Nevada Royale (P Nicholls)
Nakai (P Nicholls) 8/11
One Gulp (P Webber) 7/2, 5/2
Otage de Brion (C Longsden)
Ouzbeck (A King) 8/11
Pebrock (Evan Williams)
Pertinent (P Nicholls)
Regal Angel (J Auvray)
Runthatpastmeagain (J J O’Neill)
Scale Bank (G A Swinbank)
Scavenger (M Morris)
Schiehallion (N Henderson)
Starting Point (G A Swinbank) 7/4, 9/4
Steady Tiger (N Richards)
Tazbar (K Reveley) 4/11
Theatre Girl (A King) 7/4
The Tother One (P Nicholls) 2/7, 6/5, 8/13
Tinagoodnight (N Henderson) 2/1
Tot O’Whiskey (J Jefferson) 8/11, 4/13
Truckers Delight (J J O’Neill)
Valentine’s Lady (K Reveley) 8/11, 6/4

Handicap hurdlers

Altilhar (G Moore)
Amir El Jabal (ID Pipe)
Another Bottle (P Nichols)
Benetwood (V Dartnall) 2/5
Bon Viveur (P Hobbs)
Boyastara (P Nicholls)
Christdalo (M Pipe)
Cockatoo (G Moore) 4/1
Day to Remember (J J Quinn)
Faith and Reason (B Curley)
Faraday (B Curley)
Gaspara (D Pipe)
Gentle John (P Hobbs) 100/30
Great Approach (N Richards)
Gunner Jack (N Richards)
Laustra Bad (D Pipe)
Manhattan Boy (P Hobbs)
Michael Muck (P Nicholls) 11/8
Money Order (B Powell) 15/8
Mossville (R Buckler)
Naiad Du Misselot (F Murphy) 11/1
Noble Sham (D Pipe)
Northern Dune (B Curley)
Oscar Park (D Arbuthnot)
Pevensey (J J Quinn)
Present Glory (D Arbuthnot)
Russian Trigger (V Dartnall) 9/4, 6/4
Salut Saint Cloud (G Moore)
Seven is Lucky (D Pipe)
Silver Snitch (G A Swinbank)
Special Envoy (P Bowen)
Super Nick (Mss V Williams) 2/1
Tcherina (T Easterby)
Teamgeist (C Mann)
Time Bandit (D Pipe)
Travelling Light (D Pipe)
Wild Tonto (Helen Lewis)
Zabeel Palace (B Curley)

Championship hurdlers

Blazing Bailey (A King) 11/2
Blythe Knight (J J Quinn)
Inglis Drever (Howard Johnson) 15/8
Katchit (A King) 1/1
Man Overboard (Evan Williams)
Sublimity (J Carr)
Tidal Bay (Howard Johnson) 4/6, 2/9, 5/6

Novice chasers

Air Force One ( C Mann) 8/15
Albertas Run (J J O’Neill) 2/5, 7/2
Bedlam Boy (Howard Johnson)
Big Buck’s (P Nicholls) 1/2
Bougoure (Sue Smith)
Bywell Beau (G A Charlton) 4/1
Cedrus Libani (Howard Johnson) 6/1, 4/5, 4/11
Classic Fiddle (N Henderson)                                                                                                                         
Commander Vic (D Pipe)
Dear Villez (P Nicholls) 2/1, 8/11
Double Default (N Richards)
Double Eagle (D McCain)
Flight Leader (C Tizzard)
Imperial Commander (N Twiston-Davies) 10/11, 4/7
In Accord (H Daly)
Khasab (P Hobbs)
Kicks for Free (P Nicholls)
Lead On (P Hobbs) 7/2
Mark the Book (P Hobbs)
Massini’Maguire (PHobbs)
Mister Potter (R Lee)
Miss Mitch (R Alner) 11/4
Modicum (N Richards)
Mole’s Chamber (V Dartnall)
Money Trix (N Richards)
Or Jaune (G Moore)
Ornais (P Nicholls) 2/1
Osana (D Pipe) 7/1
Oslot (P Nicholls) 4/6
Predateur (P Nicholls)
Shouldhavehadthat (F Murphy)
Silverburn (P Nicholls)
Shrewd Investor (H Hogarth) 5/4
Skipper’s Brig (L Lungo)
Smart Street (K Reveley)
The Accordian Man (Evan Williams)
The Real Deal (N Williams)
The Sawyer (R Buckler)
Treasury Councel (N Henderson)
Trigger the Light (A King) 15/8

Handicap chasers

Abragante ( D Pipe) 15/8
According to John N Richards)
Aces Four (F Murphy)
Ballyfoy (T George)
Bannow Strand (D Pipe)
Bewleys Berry (Howard Johnson)
Bible Lord (A Turnell)
Blue Splash (P Bowen) 2/1
Bob Hall (J J O’Neill)
Caribou (O Sherwood)
Character Building (J J Quinn)
Cloudy Lane (D McCain) 100/30
Dictum (Susan Nock)
Don’t Push It (J J O’Neill) 2/1
Echo Point (N Richards)
European Dream (R Guest)
L’Antartique ( F Murphy) 11/4, 13/2
Lennon (Howard Johnson)
Limited Edition (C Llewellyn)
Low Delta (P Nicholls)
Native Coral (N Richards) 14/1
New Little Bric (P Nicholls)
Noir et Vert (F Murphy)
Not Left Yet (D Pipe) 7/4
Pablo Du Charmil) (D Pipe) 9/2
Pauillac (D Pipe) 8/15
Phenix Jack (P Nicholls)
Private Be (P Hobbs)
Regal Heights (D McCain) 5/1
Simon (P Spearing)
Three Mirrors (F Murphy)
Top Cloud (Ferdy Murphy)

Championship chasers

Denman (P Nicholls) 5/1, 4/9
Exotic Dancer (J J O’Neill)
Granit Jack (P Nicholls)
Kauto Star (P Nicholls) 11/10, 4/5, 4/6
Monet’s Garden (N Richards) 9/4
My Way de Solzen (A King)
Noble Request (P Hobbs)
Taranis (P Nicholls) 10/11
Twist Magic (P Nicholls) 2/11, 5/1
Voy Por Ustedes (A King) 2/5
Well Chief (D Pipe)

 

Continue reading “Horses to follow – jumps 2007/8” →

 

Another year and another look back at the exploits of the horses featured on this site during what was an eventful season.

 

Poetry in Motion

 

The star of the season for me was undoubtedly Dylan Thomas.  The 4 year old was certainly not kept under wraps by the Ballydoyle team as he ran 9 times, only finishing out of the first 2 once, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Monmouth Park. There were certainly excuses for Dylan Thomas for his showing here as torrential rain in the days leading up to the race meant the ground just went against him.  The race was appropriately enough won by a horse called English Channel on a day more suited to swimming than a world class horse race.

 

His 8 runs prior to that visit to the States had yielded 5 wins, 4 of them at Group 1 level.  He won the Irish Champion Stakes and the King George but his most dramatic win came at Longchamp in the Arc.  Produced by Kieren Fallon down the outside he veered markedly right cutting across several of his rivals and leaving connections with an anxious 30 minute wait while the stewards debated the issue.  In the end, surprisingly in view of the harsh line often taken by French stewards Dylan Thomas kept the race.  Justice was done I feel as he was the best horse in the race.  Ironically, the day after getting the right verdict at Longchamp Mr Fallon was to appear at the Old Bailey to face charges of race fixing.

 Let’s hope that Dylan Thomas now receives the praise he deserves. Few horses of recent times can match his record of six Group 1 races, or his versatility at the highest level over both a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half. The historians will probably note that an all-out defeat of Youmzain, with the outsider Sagara in third, doesn’t add up to this being one of the great Arcs but there is no getting way from the winner’s lifetime record. 

The Authorised version

 

Another horse to light up the flat season was Peter Chapple-Hyams Authorized.  An impressive winner of the Racing Post Trophy in 2006 he confirmed his well being when careering away from his field in the Dante at York and came to Epsom as a warm order for the Derby.  A repeat of his York performance saw him give Frankie Dettori his first Epsom Derby winner at the 14^th attempt.

 

Next stop for Authorised was Sandown where he took on the older horses in the Eclipse. Despite winning his race on the nearside he was beaten by the enterprisingly ridden Notnowcato who ploughed a lone furrow on the opposite rail.  As Peter Chapple-Hyam commented afterwards his horse probably thought he had won!

 

Authorized easily turned the tables on Notmowcato in the Juddmonte International at York in August to restore his reputation.  Dylan Thomas was second after being “held in” to some degree by Frankie who secured first run for his mount.

 

The final race of the season for Authorised was the Arc but he was never able to get competitive and finished well down the field. There were various theories put forward for this defeat but I am inclined to put it down largely to the fact that the stable were going through a barren spell.

 

The other overriding factor – perhaps the most important guideline in racing – is that when a yard is out of form, even its best horses are not immune. The one consolation for connections is that this was clearly not Authorized’s form.

 

A Classic double

 

The Irish trained filly Finsceal Beo lit up the early part of the season with a real purple patch in the months of May landing both the English and Irish 1,000 guineas

 

Prescott

 

Anyone who has read my earlier masterpieces will know that I always include a smattering of Sir Mark Prescott 3 year olds in any list to follow.  It is a tried and tested formula that has stood me in good stead over the years.  While not getting quite the same number of multiple winners as in previous seasons most of the horses chosen visited the winner’s enclosure at least once.  Copernican was probably the most successful with 3 wins but others worth a mention are Alleviate, Hora, Ballet Boy, View from the Top and Tonnante.

 

Sprinters

 

The star sprinter of the season was Hughie Morrison’s Sakhee’s Secret who carried all before him for the first half of the season winning his first four starts.  His biggest win came in the Darley July Cup where he travelled well at the rear of the field and then quickened impressively to win by half a length from Dutch Art.  He was then made a hot favourite for the Group 1 Bertfred Sprint Cup at Haydock but could only finish 5^th.  He remains a potential star and is not one to write off on the basis of one slightly disappointing effort.

 

Amadeus Wolf had been a high class juvenile and looked set to challenge the best sprinters around when landing the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes in May but he was never able to reach that level of form in his subsequent 4 outings.  Advanced, another Kevin Ryan sprinter showed a similar inconsistent profile winning just once from his 10 runs.  The win though was a prestigious one in the Ayr Gold Cup at 20/1 where Advanced carried the 3^rd highest weight ever carried to victory in that race.  His best effort apart from that was probably his 2^nd in a fairly weak Group 2 at Maisons-Laffitte.

 

Seldom do you see a horse in a 26-runner handicap travel as well, or win as decisively, as Utmost Respect, who was backed as though defeat were out of the question the Ayr Silver Cup.  He ran well enough next time out at Ascot over 7 furlongs off a 10 lbs higher mark but left the impression that 6 furlongs is his trip and he will be interesting next season.

 

Another from my list to follow to land a major sprint handicap was Zidane who won the Stewards Cup swooping late to nail Borderlescott on the line, with a third runner from my list, Knot in Wood close up in 3^rd.  Zidane had earlier won a handicap at Ascot.  Knot in Wood who is trained by Richard Fahey ran a number of decent races during the season including one of the easiest wins you are ever likely to see in the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton where he landed the spoils without coming off the bridle. 

 

The unlucky loser

 

Borderlescott must go down as one of the unluckiest horses on the season.  He finished runner up on no fewer than 5 occasions, twice being defeated by a short head.  He also played a major part in the dramatic events of the last day of the flat season.  The 2007 season was remarkable for the closely fought jockey’s championship which went right down to the lasts race on the last day of the season.  Seb Sanders had a 1 winner lead over Jamie Spencer coming into the listed Wentworth Stakes and he made a brave bid to make all on his more than willing partner Borderlescott only to be mugged on the line.  In the event Jamie Spencer won the last race of the day to tie the championship for only the 3^rd time in history.  Incidentally, Knot in Wood was 3^rd in that race showing that he is up to listed class.

 

Dandy Nicholls has long been regarded as the top trainer of sprinters and his Tax Free had another profitable year after wintering in Dubai.  His best win was in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket but he also won a Group 3 contest at Longchamps.

 

I also followed a selection of other handicapped sprinters.  These horses can often show a level stakes profit if backed blindly and Terentia, trained by Ed McMahon was a good example of this.  She ran 5 times, winning the 3^rd of these, a handicap at York at 12/1.  The 3^rd that day was Hogmaneigh who won the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom on his next run.  He also showed a level stakes profit, albeit only just as he ran 7 times in all and this was his sole win.

 

Another to show a profit from a solitary win was Deserted Dane whose only success came at Carlisle at 20/1 but not a bad profit given that he ran 8 times.

 

How’ She Cuttin’ was far more consistent winning 3 of her 7 starts. She has been either first or second 9 times in a 14 race career and just taking her runs at Musselburgh her form figures read 11121.  Her one fault is that she tends to hang right and she did this markedly in the finish of one of her Musselburgh wins when she veered across the track and nearly lost out to the Jim Goldie trained Blazing Heights.  The latter was another from my list to follow but proved pretty expensive to follow as she failed to score a win in her first 13 runs of the season.  His followers had to wait until the penultimate day of the flat season when Jim Goldie’s sprinter finally got it together to take a 5 furlong Musselburgh handicap, a race he had won in 2006.

 

Blazing Height’s full brother Geojimali had a similar profile.  Like his brother he won just once from 14 attempts, the win coming at 8/1, surprise in a 5 furlong Musselburgh handicap. Things could have been different though as he was only beaten a short head in a handicap at Doncaster at 13/2.  As ever in racing it is a very fine line between success and failure.

 

Bo McGinty has been a regular on my list to follow and I was quite hopeful that he would show a level stakes profit.  It was not to be however and he was largely a victim of his own consistency.  He ran no fewer than 20 times and won but once, at 7/1 in a handicap at Haydock.  That sounds like a pretty dismal season but the bare facts don’t tell the full story as he was 2^nd 3 times, 3^rd 4 times and 4^th on 5 occasions including the race won by Deserted Dane at Carlisle.  In a very wet summer he also had to run on unsuitable ground much of the time as he shows his best form on a fast surface.  He must be a real fun horse to own I should imagine.

 

Dig Deep was another to be kept busy; in fact his trainer Willie Haggas followed the Goldie method of entering sprinters by running him 14 times.  Unlike his counterparts north of Hadrian’s Wall though Dig Deep managed 3 wins. Trying to fathom just when he was going to repay my support proved about as easy as eating ice cream with your fingers.  Well maybe I should have tried harder.  He ran twice over 6 furlongs and beat just 4 of his 29 rivals so we can safely say that 5 appears to be his trip.  Having said that his 3 wins before the start of the 2007 season all came at 7 furlongs. Oh well.  Someone was doing a better job of working him out than me as he was made favourite on 5 occasions and won 3 of them.

 

I was optimistic that River Thames would make his mark in sprint handicaps.  He’d been a decent juvenile, finishing 3^rd in the Flying Childers but had failed to win at 3, finding himself high in the weights.  Over the close season the horse had changed hands and gone to Kevin Ryan’s stable and started the season off a tempting mark.  He didn’t begin much like a handicap snip though and his first 5 runs didn’t set the pulses arcing.  Then all of a sudden he popped up at Ayr at 5/1.  In fact he absolutely dotted up without being asked a serious question by Jamie Spencer.  In truth he was entitled to win as he ran off a mark of 70, and had been as high as 100. He was then turned out 6 days later under a penalty as he was due to be raised 12 lbs. He was a nailed on certainty to follow up at Redcar with J Spencer on board right? Wrong, he was 4^th at 5/6. As it turned out the win at Ayr was his solitary success.  He did come close to showing a level stakes profit though as he was only beaten a neck at Chester on his penultimate start at 20/1.  He ended the season coming 8^th of 8 at Wolverhampton. Horses are difficult to fathom aren’t they?

 

John Gosden’s Transcend had shown the right sort of signs as a two year old and had clearly impressed someone at home as he was sent off favourite on 3 of his first 4 starts as a 3 year old.  He only won one of them though and seemed to be going backwards until winning his final start at Brighton.  He was dropped back to 5 furlongs for this final run and it may well be that sprinting is his game.  He is a nice type on looks and may be one to follow next season.

 

Some success stories and classic trials

 

Hearthstead Maison won the much coveted award as highest priced winner on the Russellform list to follow!  One thing you can rely on Mark Johnston’s runners for is effort and this fellow certainly didn’t lack in that department.  The win in question came at 25/1 in a 10 furlong Newmarket handicap.  The horse had shown some decent form before finishing 3^rd to Lucano (4^th in the Derby) and 2^nd to Aqaleem (3^rd in the Derby).  He won 3 races in all at 9/1, 25/1 and 9/2 with the final win coming in a Group 3 at Leopardstown.  He ran 11 times in all with perhaps the key to him being the trip.  Over 10 furlongs his form figures read 13101.  Two of his wins came when ridden by champion apprentice Greg Fairlie.

 

Aqaleem, trained by Marcus Tregoning had won the Lingfield Derby Trial at 12/1.  His 3^rd in the Derby was followed by a 2^nd only beaten a neck in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

 

Another to make a handsome profit to level stakes was Mount Kilimanjaro.  He won first time out at 20/1 in a listed race at Nottingham in early April.  He was 4^th of 7 in the Henry ll Stakes at Sandown behind Allegretto and was not seen after that.  Mount Kilimanjaro was one early season winner for the list to follow and further success followed in the various classic trials. Regime, Michael Bell’s colt won at Sandown in a race that has dipped in class since its heyday as the Guardian Classic Trial.  He made no show at Epsom but was involved in a couple of close finishes with other horses from the list to follow. He was 3^rd in a Group 3 at Leopardstown to Hearthstead Maison and was beaten a short head by Harland in a Group 2 at Maisons-Laffitte. Harland won 3 of his 4 starts including a listed race at Sandown beating the Godolphin runner Tam Lin.  Sir Michael Stoute’s Adagio won the Craven Stakes but disappointed subsequently and was sold to race in America.

 

Wet, wet, wet

 

We had an abnormally wet summer and it certainly favoured horses that like some cut in the ground.  Two that revelled in the conditions were Mutajarred and Bollin Felix.  Mutajarred had show promise on his only start as a juvenile and quickly ran up a hat trick of wins as a 3 year old winning his 3 races by a total of 17 lengths all on soft or heavy going. The handicapper eventually caught up with him but he still ran creditably when 4^th at Ayr after going up 20 lbs in the weights and the same could be said of his last run of the season when 2^nd at Ascot, stepped up from a mile to 10 furlongs. 

 

Bollin Felix ran 9 times winning 3 and was another that enjoyed plenty of cut in the ground.  His first win came at 10/1 so he was also a profitable horse for the list to follow. He also ran some decent races in defeat, notably when 3rd to Black Rock at Ayr over 13 furlongs.  Black Rock himself notched up 3 wins during the campaign.  Michael Jarvis's colt is a progressive three-year-old that could make a decent middle-distance stayer. He could be the sort to win a big handicap in time.  Another “Bollin” from Tim Easterby’s yard, Bollin Derek won on the last of his 3 outings at 9/4 so made a narrow profit to level stakes.  His win came in a 14 furlong handicap at York, where the horse revelled in the soft ground under David Allan to win by 5 lengths with the field well strung out behind him.

 

A Triumph Hurdle winner?

 

At the time of penning these notes Francoek has won a couple of races over hurdles for Alan King and is already being talked about as a Cheltenham Festival prospect.  On the flat last season he established himself as an improving young slayer winning 3 times all at 2 miles.

 

Coming of age

 

The best guide to unraced 2 year olds is undoubtedly Steve Taplin’s excellent annual.  The 2006 edition highlighted Luca Cumani’s Monte Alto as a horse to follow, describing him as “a very nice horse that is strong and good looking.”  He didn’t actually win as a juvenile but ran with promise on both his starts.  I put him on my list to follow for 2007 and he certainly proved a worthy choice winning 3 of his 9 starts. The most memorable of his wins was when he overcame the worst possible draw in a heritage handicap at Newbury.  Johnny Murtagh dropped him in at the back and produced him late with a perfectly judged challenge.  Monte Alto only finished out of the first 3 once and that was when 6^th of 34 in the Cambridgeshire.

 

While on the subject of the Steve Taplin book another of his selections, Signor Peltro figured in the 2005 version and indeed would have more than paid for the modest cost of the book because he won first time out as a two year old at 22/1.  Now a 4 year old he earned his place on my list to follow by winning a Newmarket handicap at 10/1 sporting first time blinkers. 

 

Signor Peltro is trained by Henry Candy who is also responsible for another horse that justified his place on my list to follow.  While Signor Peltro won over 6 furlongs Colloquial is very much a stayer. A lightly raced 6 year old, he obliged in a 2 mile handicap at Haydock at odds of 9/1.

 

Passion Fruit is an admirable mare who is kept on the go by her trainer Chris Fairhurst.  She narrowly paid her way to level stakes by winning 1 of her 14 starts at 14/1!  She came from last to first to win a 7 furlong handicap at Redcar under apprentice Andrew Elliott.  She ran pretty consistently throughout the season with several placed efforts including a creditable 3^rd of 6 in a listed race at Pontefract.  Seven furlongs is very much her trip.

 

Mick Channon’s Halicarnassus was a profitable selection with 3 wins, two of them at 9/1.  He picked up a couple of Group 2 races including the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.  He seems to excel in small field as he only faced a total of 12 rivals in total in claiming his 3 prizes.

 

You can usually rely on trainer Mark Johnston to come up with some prolific winners, especially among his 3 year olds.  This year I had Record Breaker on my list to follow and he won 3 of his 7 starts.  Another Johnston runner, Swiss Act won one of his 3 starts at 5/1.

 

The big handicaps

 

The Royal Hunt Cup has not been a lucky race for me over the years but in 2007 one of my list to follow at last managed to win the race.  Royal Oath proved an unusually easy winner in such a competitive heat storming clear by 4 lengths at 9/1 wearing first time blinkers.  It was his only success of the campaign although he did finish 2^nd to Cesare in a Group 2 at Ascot. Supaseus, who I had retained on my list to follow for a second season was 4^th to Royal Oath at Ascot but paid his way for the season by winning the 9 furlong Suffolk Stakes Handicap at HQ by a neck from Pinpoint at 10/1.

 

The Northumberland Plate produced one of the season’s closest finishes.  The soft ground and strong gallop made it a gruelling test and when George Moore’s Macorville went clear 2 furlongs from home he looked to be home and hosed. However promising apprentice Luke Morris got a late run out of Juniper Girl to grab the spoils in the dying strides and win by a short head.  11 days earlier Juniper Girl had finished 2^nd to Full House in the two and a half mile Ascot Stakes.

 

Another big race winner was the Irish trained Haatef.  He had been a strong fancy for the 2,000 Guineas but had disappointed at Newmarket.  He did manage to win a couple of races in Ireland but his last race of the season gave him his biggest win in the Group 2 Diadem Stakes where he won comfortably at 8/1.  Zidane was 4^th.

 

A winning tip and a consistent Diva!

 

While I was never exactly in the running for the champion Tipster award I did have my moments.  One such was the 13th of July when I told anyone who was prepared to listen that Obstructive would win the 5 furlong handicap at Chester and the 4 year old duly obliged at 11/4.  He had earlier won at Windsor and just been touched off by a short head at Newmarket.  As a result of those performances he had gone up 5 lbs in the weights but with a promising young 5 lbs claimer booked to ride and his front running tactics likely to be suited by the sharp Roodeye track he looked a fair bet.

 

One of the most consistent performers of the season was John Hill’s Diamond Diva who ended the season with form figures of 301012222.  The wins came on handicaps at Wolverhampton and Folkestone. She ran with great credit when stepped up in class and those last three “2S” were all in listed company.  Effective at 6 furlongs her best trip is probably 7.

 

More profitable selections

 

Another horse from our list to follow, Ivy Creek, had run well at Chester when 3^rd in  group 3 contest behind the tough Maraahel.  This run seemed to auger well and Geoff Wragg’s 4 year old duly won his next two races, listed events over 12 furlongs at  Goodwood and Pontefract at odds of 8/1 and 9/2.  He ran creditably enough in 4 more races in good company without winning again but he would have shown a profit if backed blindly.

 

All the Good was something of an afterthought when I was compiling my list to follow but he earned his place with a couple of wins. He came from first to last to win with something in hand in a 14 furlong handicap at Musselburgh and he finished his season with a win in a 12 furlong handicap at Ascot just getting up to pip Ladies Best close home. He proved quite a versatile horse with regards to trip as he was a close 2^nd over an extended 10 furlongs on the new all weather track at Dundalk in between his two wins.

 

Brian Meehan’s dual purpose performer Junior only had three runs but proved a progressive sort winning two of them, both over 2 miles.  He made all in both races, firstly at Newbury and then on the all weather at Kempton, beating Whispering Death under an enterprising ride from Jimmy Fortune. With the wins coming at 5/2 and 3/1 he was a profitable runner for the list to follow.

 

Michael Bell’s filly Red Evie had been one of the success stories to come out of 2006 with 7 consecutive victories. The remarkable run began with a class 6 maiden at Yarmouth and ended with a Group 1 at Leopardstown.  Although not as prolific in 2007 she still managed to win the Lockinge and the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes.

 

I have had some success with John Dunlop horses down the years and in 2007 his Free Offer was one of the more profitable animals on my list.  From 7 starts he won twice at 16/1 and 7/2.  The 16/1 win came in tenacious fashion in a 10 furlong fillies handicap at Newbury.  She continued to progress and was only beaten a head at 12/1 on her last outing in a Newmarket handicap. 

 

Henry Cecil – a popular resurgence

 

Henry Cecil enjoyed resurgence in 2007 partly due to his Oaks winning filly Light Shift. I had another filly of his, Passage of Time on my list to follow.  Passage of Time began the season by landing the Musidora at York and started 9/4 favourite for the Epsom Classic.  In the event she could only finish 8^th behind her stable companion. She had been suffering from a throat abscess and a 3 month layoff followed.  She returned to finish 3^rd in a Group 1 at Leopardstown from where she headed to the States for The Breeder’s Cup filly and mare turf at Monmouth Park. She ran well in 3^rd and was a rare success in what was a disastrous day for the European horses after torrential rain had turned the dirt course to soup and the turf track to soft.  Passage of Time was one of the few European challengers to have conditions that suited.

 

Another Henry Cecil winner for my list to follow was the 4 year old Multidimensional who had suffered a fractured pelvis after winning at Group 2 level in 2006.  He didn’t reappear until winning a conditions stakes at Newbury on September 22.   He then ran in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket where he finished 5^th.  He didn’t get much luck in running and did well in the end to stay on into 5th.  Hopefully he will get the chance to fulfil his potential next season.

 

Some listed and Group winners

 

Blue Ksar ran some solid races and won twice, including a listed race at Pontefract.  He was also runner up to the 2006 Lincoln Winner Blythe Knight in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom and 3^rd behind the consistent filly Echelon and Cesare in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood.  Others to enjoy listed success were Dunelight and Illustrious Blue, who both won at Goodwood, and Lion Sands who won the Noel Murless Stakes at Newmarket and Short Skirt.  The latter had been a classy 3 year old winning twice at Group 3 level but injury kept her off the track for most of the 2007 season. When she did come back, after an absence of almost exactly 12 months she did well to land a 10 furlong listed race at HQ. She may have “bounced” when down the field 9 days later in a Group 1 at Capannelle (Rome).

 

Arabian Gulf presumably had injury problems as he only ran twice.  After winning a Newmarket maiden at 7/1 who contested the Chester Vase where he only went down by a short head in a thrilling finish against Aiden O’Brien’s Soldier of Fortune who went on to win the Irish Derby.  Harland was another profitable horse to run in better class races.  He won 3 of his 4 starts including a listed race at Sandown where he edged out the errant Tam Lin and the Prix Eugene Adam, a Group 2 at Maisons’Laffitte where he pipped Regime by a short head.

 

Walter Swinburn’s Stotsfold was one of a number of horses who suffered from the wet summer.  He needs good to firm and when he had his favoured conditions he ran with great credit. He was runner up to Donald McCain’s 50/1 outsider Temple Place at Chester and ran 3^rd to Subsequent Ebor winner Purple Moon Goodwood.  On his last run of the season he returned to the Sussex track to record a deserved success in a Group 3 at 7/1 with other runners from our list, Halicarnassus and Blue Ksar well beaten.

 

And 6 to finish with

 

I will end this season’s review with 6 horses who all played their part in the season for me.  Noisy Silence, Marozi, Mujahaz, Furmigadelagiusta,  Mount Hermon and Mirthful.

 

Noisy Silence was backed in from 33s to 12/1 to win a Windsor maiden by a short head.  He wasn’t able to repeat that form in two subsequent runs but a 12/1 winner warrants a mention!

 

Marozi interested me as his trainer Michael Jarvis picked him out as his number 1 horse to follow for the season.  He didn’t appear until mid July and only ran 4 times winning twice. His second success came in a 20 runner 3 year old handicap at Goodwood over 5 furlongs.  Although disappointing on his final run at Sandown he could be an interesting sprinter next term.  Mujahaz made a level stakes profit as he only ran twice, winning a Newbury handicap at 13/2.  He has since moved to Peter Bowe’s yard but has not done much over hurdles at the time of penning these notes.

 

I always have one unpronounceable horse on my list to follow.  Last season it was Compromiznotension (now bought to go jumping with Howard Johnson) and this season I went one better with Furmigadelagiusta. Trained by Luca Cumani he earned his place on the list with 2 wins, in 12 furlong handicaps at Newbury and Wolverhampton.

 

Mount Hermon didn’t exactly scale the heights (sorry, couldn’t resist that one) but he was another to make a level stakes profit. He actually won on the all weather the day before the turf season started.  He then ran three times, winning the middle one at 5/1 back on the all weather surface that he clearly likes at Lingfield.

 

Racing is definitely a game to make fools of us all so I suppose it is fitting to end this hotch potch of ramblings with a horse called Mirthful.  Trained by Barry Hills he won 2 of his 6 starts, a maiden at Bath and a handicap at Haydock.  The wins came at 3/1 and 13/2 with Richard Hughes on board both times.

  

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