ahorse

 

I managed to find a few winners this weekend, especially over the jumps. I was particularly impressed with the performance of Argento Luna at Huntingdon. She showed signs of temperament before the start, although certainly not during the race, and as long as she doesn’t spoil her chances in the preliminaries we should hear a lot more of her. She was given a good ride by the underrated Dominic Elsworth.

As usual I will concentrate mainly on the horses from my list to follow in this preview of the meetings on Monday and Tuesday, which are all on the flat.

At Pontefract in the 3.10 Navajo Jo and By Command are the runners from my list. Both won earlier in the season but have disappointed since. They finished 8^th and 9^th respectively at Sandown last month. Both wore blinkers for the first time in the Sandown race, an indication that they have not lived up to early promise. By Command has been dropped 5 lbs in the ratings while Navajo Joe has come down a pound. That apart there is no particularl reason to support them tomorrow. The blinkers have been left off Navajo Joe who has tended to race far too keenly. Frankie Dettori rides him tomorrow and will need to get him to settle better. The Italian rode him once last season when he finished 2^nd at Haydock

By contrast to the pair in the 3.10, Tarkheena Prince, who runs in the 3.40 has been one of the successes from my list. He has won 3 times showing a liking for soft ground. He is stepped up in trip markedly tomorrow which is not an unusual ploy with his trainer. Jamie Spencer has been booked to ride and is likely to play a waiting game. The horse has gone up 9 lbs since the beginning of the season. The one that I would regard as a big threat is the useful hurdler from Keith Reveley’s yard, Tazbar.

Like Tarkheena Prince, Louis Seffens is trained by Alan Swinbank. This 3 year old only raced once in 2007 and shaped really well finishing runner up in a back end Doncaster maiden. He was however last on both his starts this season but has not run since May 10 so it is possible that he has had a problem. He runs in the claimer at 4.10 tomorrow where he would have a chance based on the promise shown last season.

Hawk Mountain (Pontefract 4.40) won in impressive style at Nottingham in August and was then 2^nd at Redcar. He has gone up steeply in the weights but I would still be hopeful of another decent effort. It is possible that he wouldn’t want the ground to be too soft.

William Haggas has been firing in the winners of late and I would expect his 2 year old Baron Otto to run well in the 3.50 at Warwick. Baron Otto caught my eye before he had even run as his dam is a half sister to the 2,000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand. He ran well enough in 5^th on his debut at Newbury and should come on for that run.

First Avenue (Warwick 4.20) has been really frustrating to follow this season with form figures that read 33223. On 4 of those 5 occasions he was a beaten favourite and there must be a few questions marks about his attitude now. He is good enough to win this, as demonstrated by his 3^rd to subsequent St Leger winner Conduit earlier in the season. He is back at 10 furlongs tomorrow having been racing over 12 and I am going to give him one more chance.

Albarouche has been running pretty consistently and with trainer Michael Jarvis in good form should go well in the 4.00 at Windsor. The other runner in this race from my list to follow is French Riviera. Baby Rock bounced back to form last month when 2^nd at Yarmouth and is my selection for the 4.30.

There are a couple of runners from my list in action on Tuesday, both at Leiceater. General Tufto runs in the 3.40 and Electrolyser in the 4.10. The latter looks to have a good chance based on his recent 2^nd at Newmarket when he was returning from a long absence. He is lightly raced and should have scope for further improvement.

Finally, I am a bit interested in Miss Eze in the 3.50 at Folkestone. She is named after a village near the French Riviera and comes from a family mostly named after places connected to that area of France. Her dam, Miss Corniche was a horse I used to follow and I hope that Miss Eze runs well for her trainer Geoff Wragg, who is retiring at the end of the season.

Both pictures are by courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.  See links for more details of her work.

My next update will be on Tuesday.

 

 

No filly has won the Arc since 1993, although they won 5 on the trot between 1979 and 1983. Anyway, these trends are there to be broken as shown by Katchit in the Triumph Hurdle and Sir Michael Stoute in the St Leger this year. The filly Zarkarva has won all her 6 starts including 5 at Longchamps and is the most likely winner in tomorrow’s feature race . Her odds are likely to be very short though and in view of the fact that she gave away several lengths at the start of her last race, a similar problem tomorrow would be difficult to overcome, she is not value. It is always dangerous to oppose Aiden O’Brien in Group 1 races and he has Duke of Marmalade and Soldier of Fortune in the line up. Johnny Murtagh has chosen to ride Duke of Marmalade, although significant rain over in Paris would favour Soldier of Fortune.

Youmzain was 2^nd last season and would be an immensely popular winner for Mick Channon but if there is value to be had it seems to be with Papal Bull. He is a quirky individual but talented and he came very close to beating Duke of Marmalade at Ascot in July.

Elsewhere on the Longchamp card I fancy Treat Gently, 3^rd to Zarkova in the Prix Vermeille in the 3.00. The main threat to the Andre Fabre runner looks likely to come from the Irish pair Lush Lashes and Katiyra.

Tante Rose was a favourite filly of mine a few years ago and I have been following the fortunes of her daughter Rose Diamond this season. She has been running consistently well and takes her chance in the 1.50 at Longchamp where she has a bit of an each way chance at around 25/1.

The jumpers are in action at Huntingdon where Philip Hobbs has the likely favourite in the 2.40 in French Saulaie. This free going sort has some decent from over hurdles having finished 3^rd in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last season. Master Medic (pictured below) will appreciate the ground as long as it remains on the fast side and he looks over priced at 16/1.

Oceana Gold was 2^nd to Bankable in a mile handicap on the flat last season and makes his hurdles debut in the 4.20. He is now trained by Emma Lavelle who has booked AP McCoy to ride. Stamina could be a problem I suppose but with the ground riding on the quick side Oceana Gold could take some stopping if his hurdling is up to scratch.

Argento Luna had some good form in bumpers last season and makes her hurdles bow in the 4.50. Good ground is likely to suit.

I don’t know if Max Bygraves ventured as far into the frozen North as Kelso during his singing career but Dougie Costello will be looking to get a tune out of the horse of that name in the 5.00 at the Borders track. He looks reasonably treated off a mark of 85.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls sends a team to Uttoxeter and saddles Earth Dream in the 2.30. On breeding he should be suited by the trip.

I’msingingtheblues, who runs in the 4.10 looks to be the strongest of the Nicholls runners tomorrow. He has good hurdles from and it would be no surprise if he made a winning start to his career over fences in the 4.10.

Herecomesstanley seeks to follow up his win in the 4.40 last season and he looks the one to beat. The Kim Bailey trained Sarde, 3^rd at Aintree on his last start would be an interesting runner here but he will only take his place in the line up if there is sufficient rain.

Acknowledgements: Photo of Master Medic by Tracy Roberts (Turfpix); Top picture courtesy of Jo Stockdale, bottom picture courtesy of Katy Sodeau.

Good luck and see you tomorrow.

 

 

Today was something of a mixed bag with a sprinkling of winning tips and a few disappointments. One point to note from this early part of the jumps season is the form of Howard Johnson’s stable. The handler from Crook up in County Durham is certainly firing in the winners. His expensive purchase from Ireland On Raglan Road made a winning debut for at Hexham this afternoon while Drever Route got the better of a couple of classy recruits from the flat in the novice hurdle.

There is plenty to look forward to this weekend which is one of the best in the racing calendar, with top-class action at Newmarket and in France at Longchamp.

I am going to begin at Newmarket with the Cambridgeshire (3.50) which is as competitive as ever. So let’s have a look at some of the contenders. The weights are headed by a Group 3 winner, Smoky Oakey. Mark Tompkins’ 4 year old won the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May beating last season’s Cambridgeshire winner Pipedreamer at level weights in the process. He is no stranger to big handicap wins either as he won the Lincoln at the start of the season. He has claims but the two things that put me off are his preference for soft ground and his weight. He has gone up 15 lbs in the handicap since winning the Lincoln and I think that there are better handicapped runners in the field.

Docofthebay was runner up to Pipedreamer in 2007 but is now 9 lbs higher in the weights. He has been running well enough this season, has a good record in big fields and has a fair turn of foot at the end of his races. Once again though the weight factor puts me off. Mutajarred comes from a stable in excellent form but needs the heavens to open between now and the race as he is best in a swamp!

Don’t Panic is rather caught between handicaps and pattern races. He won the Spring Mile at Doncaster at the start of the season and has since been running in listed and Group races. He is another that may not find the ground to his liking though.

Lang Shining could be interesting. He looked set for a bright future when taking the Newbury Spring Cup in April but failed to build on that in subsequent runs until coming back to form on his latest start when 2^nd to Ask the Butler at Sandown. He is a bit hard to weigh up as his form has been rather in and out but on his best form he certainly has a chance here over what could well be his optimum trip.

Premio Loco is well in at the weights and comes here looking for a hat trick having recorded a couple of wins at Kempton on the all weather. These wins were over a mile but the way he won indicates that the extra furlong will not be a problem. Dream Lodge went up 8 lbs for winning a 4 runner conditions event and that, combined with the fact he will not want the ground too firm make him an unlikely winner. Swop is a lightly raced 5 year old that has only run 5 times in his career. He has never finished out of the first 3, most recently finishing 3^rd behind Ask the Butler and Lang Shining at Sandown. With Richard Hughes on board he comes here with every chance.

 

Of the remainder Yaddree, Prince Kalamoun and Virtual tick most of the right boxes. Yaddree and Prince Kalamoun in particular will like the ground if it stays on the quick side. For my selection will side with Premio Loco.

I thought that Tiger Eye ran as though she would come on for the race when she was 4^th at Yarmouth. She runs in the 2.10 and has an each way chance at around 10/1.

I tipped Mafaaz when he won on his debut at Kempton and I will stick with him tomorrow in the 2.45.

Spacious won both her races as a two year old and has done nothing wrong this season. She was runner up to Natagora in the 1,000 Guineas and she was then 4^th in the Coronation Stakes before being dropped in class to get off the mark for the season at Doncaster. I am hopeful that she can run well in the 3.15. Festoso was 3^rd to Natagora in the Cheveley Park in 2007 and was then off the track for 11 months before overcoming a tardy start to finish 3^rd in a listed race at Doncaster. She deserves her place in this line up and is certainly not without a chance.

I have been following trainer William Haggas with some success of late and his Dream Date makes some appeal in the 4.25 having shown enough in 3 runs to suggest he is up to winning a nursery.

There are plenty of British runners at Longchamp. Just to run through a few of them John Gosden is represented in the 12.45 and 1.15 with Centennial and Dar Re Mi respectively. Centennial has won two group races this season, while Dar Rte Mi has been running with admirable consistency and was runner up to the brilliant Zarkava in the Prix Vermeille last month. Dar Re Mi looks to have a good chance of landing the spoils in her race.

Richard Fahey has our old friend Utmost Respect in the 2.20 but the ground may not be soft enough for this one.  Richard Hannon’s Paco Boy might be the one most likely to bring the prize back across the Channel. The 1,000 winner Natagora will be one of the French hopes in this.

The all conquering Yeats will be going for a 6^th career Group 1 win in the 2.55 while our old friend Blythe Knight takes his chance in the 3.30, a race he finished 3^rd in last season.

Back home at Kempton Park there are 2 runners from my list to follow in the 3.10. The in form Knot in Wood has been enjoying his visits to Scotland this season winning twice at Hamilton and running 4^th in the prestigious Ayr Gold Cup. He is not well drawn tomorrow but I would still expect a decent run from him. Aahayson won a listed race in March and his handicap mark suffered as a result. He has been dropped a few pounds now though and may well be able to get competitive here. The one they both have to beat though is Ebraam who has a proven record on the all weather.

Empowered is a half brother to Derby winner Authorized. He has only run once when he was a little disappointing and could only finish 4^th in a maiden at Leicester. That was back on the 3^rd April so it does seem as though the horse has had problems. He runs in the 4.20 at Kempton where any market support for him would be interesting.

The consistent Moheeb represents our list to follow in the 2.25 at Redcar which is an ultra competitive handicap. He has an each way chance. For lovers of completely pointless statistics there are two former winners of the Carlisle Bell Handicap in the race: Osteopathic Remedy and Hartshead.

I will be back tomorrow evening for a look at the Longchamp Arc card as well as some interesting racing from the UK jumps meetings.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Ruth Buchanan.  See links for more examples of this artist’s work.

 

 

The well bred 2 year old Evasive was well backed on his debut at Kempton but after having a bit of trouble loading into the stalls ran rather green. He finished well in third though and should certainly benefit from the experience. He would be my choice in the Newmarket 1.00 in a race where the stable were successful back in 2004 with the enigmatic Rob Roy. Of the unraced horses Halfway House is one to keep an eye on. His dam won the Italian Oaks. Gerard Butler introduces Trojan Reef who is related to several winners and is another newcomer to note.

Bankable has won 4 of his 7 starts over a mile so is certainly one to take seriously over that trip in the 2.05 at Newmarket tomorrow. He has finished 2^nd on his last 3 starts but as two of those defeats were to Passage of Time and Raven’s Pass he was hardly disgraced. If he handles the faster ground OK tomorrow he should go well. The other runner from my list to follow in this race is Calming Influence, a winner in listed races at Newmarket and Deauville this season. The stable have won this race for the last 2 seasons and if he settles, he has raced too keenly at times, then Calming Influence would not be without a chance. Bankable is my idea of the likely winner though.

Bushranger showed plenty of speed to land the Prix Morny at Deauville in August and looks the one to beat in the Middle Park Stakes. He fits the profile of recent winners such as Dutch Art, Oasis Dream and Amadeus Wolf in that speed seems to be his strong suit. Finjaan, winner of the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood over 5 furlongs has given the impression that the additional furlong tomorrow would be in his favour and he may give the Irish challenger most to do.

Emirates Roadshow who runs in the 3.45 holds a number of Group 1 entries so appears well thought of by his connections. He was 6^th on his debut at Yarmouth and should come on for that run.

There are 4 runners from my list to follow in the 4.20. This race presents plenty of problems to the would be tipster. For example to what extent has Regal Flush recovered the form that saw him finish 4^th in the St Leger last year? He has been largely disappointing this season until winning a small race at Salisbury. Now that may have restored his confidence but the overall form of the stable is a concern as is the trip which may be on the short side for the Godolphin horse. Speed Gifted is also difficult to assess. He has had problems in some of his races recently. He had to be re-shod before the start at Longchamps and was then brought down at Chester. His runs in Group company suggest he is up to winning at listed level but he has not always shown a willing attitude. Duncan is the dark horse of the race. He has only had 3 career runs, a couple of 2nds culminating in an impressive runaway victory in a Pontefract maiden over 10 furlongs. He is entitled to improve on what he has done thus far, not least because he is bred to appreciate the extra quarter mile tomorrow, but he does have to improve considerably on his form so far. The fourth runner from my list is Whistledownwind. Only beaten a neck in the Sandown Classic Trial he was then 4^th of 6 in a listed race at Goodwood before appearing not to stay in the St Leger.

This is a very tricky little race. Regal Flush should win but I would be reluctant to take short odds. I am inclined to take a chance with the improver, Duncan, as the others all have question marks against them for one reason or another.

Ascot Lime has looked a progressive horse for Sir Michael Stoute and has displayed a willing attitude. He is my selection in the 4.55. The other runner at Newmarket from my list to follow is Stow who has an each way chance in the 5.30.

I have had some success of late following the in form trainer William Haggas and I quite fancy his Silvanus in the 4.10 down at Lingfield.

There is jumping at Hexham where According to Pete makes his chase debut in the 2.50. He was third in handicap hurdles at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last spring and if taking to fences looks an interesting prospect.

Howard Johnson has been among the winners in the last couple of weeks and has a powerful string lined up for the coming months. He runs On Raglan Road in the 3.00 for his main owners Graham and Andrea Wylie. The County Durham trainer paid £320,000 for On Raglan Road who won his only point to point in Ireland and then won a Punchestown bumper on his rules debut. He is bred for the job as his dam is a half sister to Therealbandit and The Bajan Bandit and comes from the family of Andy Pandy.

The 4.30 looks interesting, not least because of the participation of Alfie Flits, a dual listed winner on the flat. Also in this line up we have Solent, an impressive winner at Bangor and Khachaturian from Donald McCain’s stable. Alfie Flits had the class and could be hard to beat.

The Portonian, a half brother to the ill fated Calymore is held in high regard by trainer Malcolm Jefferson and runs in the bumper at 5.40.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Karen Davies (see links).

 

 

The Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket kicks off tomorrow with a 2 year old maiden at 2.00 where most of the top stables are represented. Of those that have already had a run Alhaque sets the standard based on his 2^nd to North East Corner a couple of weeks ago over 7 furlongs at Newmarket. On pedigree the extra furlong tomorrow should not pose a problem

The 30 runner 2.35 is obviously a difficult one to solve. I have been following the fortunes of Cool Art and Ballyalla this season but I am not sure that either is well drawn.

After a couple of cracking efforts in heritage handicaps Savarain has gone up to a mark of 104. Perhaps not surprisingly his trainer has aimed him at the listed Noel Murless Stakes (3.10) tomorrow as life in handicaps will be difficult from now on. Although Savarain was last of 6 when he tackled listed company earlier in the season his form since then seems to have improved and given the fast ground that he likes he should go well.

The result of the 2.00 should give us a pointer to the 3.45 as North East Corner, conqueror of Alhaqhe lines up in this race.

Rowe Park hasn’t won for over a year now but has shown some signs of coming into form on his last two starts. He runs in the 4.20 tomorrow and I can’t help thinking that he has a race like this in him if things go his way. We are into October now though and he is running out of opportunities. If the ground rides on the fast side Matsunosuke could go well. He comes into the race on the back of a couple of good efforts on the all weather at Great Leighs.

Formation has plenty of ability but does not look the most straightforward animal. He was coaxed to a win at Pontefract in June by Jamie Spencer but has flattered to deceive since. He finished well when 3^rd to Premio Loco at Kempton last month despite his trademark tail flashing. He has been creeping up the weights slowly despite not winning since his success at Pontefract but he is probably still well handicapped if he can be persuaded to put his best hoof forward. He runs in the 5.30.

Peter Makin does well with the ammunition at his disposal. His 2 year old Mabuya made a pleasing debut when 5^th at Newbury in August and could run well at a decent price in the Goodwood 2.10.

The Henry Cecil trained Montbretia is yet to finish out of the first 3 this season and should again be on the premises in the Goodwood 3.55.

If Ayr goes beats the weather then Hurlingham should go well in the 5.15 while at Great Leighs Sky Dive should give us a run for our money in the 9.20.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau (see links).

See you tomorrow

 

Only about 5 weeks left in the 2008 flat season now but we still have plenty to look forward to, most immediately the big races at Newmarket and Longchamps this weekend. In the meantime though there are 4 flat meetings scheduled in the UK on Wednesday although not a great deal that I can find to write about.

There are 4 runners from my list to follow in action up and down the country. Ruth Carr’s Moheeb won at Hamilton last week but to say he had been expensive to follow would be an understatement as he has previously been unsuccessful in 14 runs this season. He runs in the Brandling House Christmas Parties handicap at Newcastle tomorrow at 4.15 where he will carry a 6 lbs penalty for that Hamilton victory. He is effective over a mile and also 9 furlongs and is best with some ease in the ground. His record at this standard is quite good and I would expect him to run well.

The other “list” runners are Charles Parnell (Nottingham 1.50), Sheer Bluff (Salisbury 1.30) & Stalking Tiger (Salisbury 3.35).

There are a few 2 year olds that caught my eye. Alanbrooke who runs in the Newcastle 3.45 is well related and did enough when 5^th on his debut to suggest that he could win a race. Ouqba looks the one to beat in the Salisbury 4.05 while Hesketh has an each way chance in the 5.00 at Nottingham.

Although there are no UK jumps meetings tomorrow the season will soon be gathering pace. I will be coming up with some horses to follow over the next few weeks. One horse that is likely to find his way onto that list is Pancake, trained by Philip Hobbs. This horse has some very unusual markings and is very easy to spot in his races. He also has a bit of a double in the dual purpose horse Mr Ed. See what you think. This is Pancake.

This is Mr Ed.

Today’s painting is by the artist Nick Fegan and the 2 photos are courtesy of Tracy Roberts (Turfpix).

Bye for now.

 

 

Recent winners include: Noble Alan 6/1, It’s Tough 5/2, Amanjena 10/1, North East Corner 5/1, Splashdown 5/1, Nawaadi 5/4, Great Endeavour 2/1, Soul City 5/2, Raven’s Pass 3/1 and Roaring Forte 4/1.

Harlech Castle is the featured horse for the month September on my Elite Racing Club calendar and I will be hoping for a good run from him at Windsor in the 2.30 tomorrow. In truth though he has not shown much form this season so it is more hope than confidence even though he has come down the weights 3 lbs. I won’t hinder his chance by burdening him with my selection as I am going to plump for Luminous Gold in this race. Chris Wall’s lightly raced 3 year old won first time out at Folkestone back on 1^st of May and didn’t appear again until finishing 6^th at Leicester a couple of weeks ago. That race should have put him spot on for this.

In the 3.00 the unraced Ponting from Ralph Beckett’s stable is related to the useful sprinter of a few seasons back, Feet so Fast and could be one to keep tabs on.

William Haggas has his horses in particularly good form at the moment with Roaring Forte and King’s Apostle winning for him over the weekend. He runs Majeen in the 5.00 at Windsor. This son of Rock of Gibraltar has raced a bit too keenly in his 2 starts so far but he has been given a good break, and as he comes from a winning family I am hoping that he can put up a bold show tomorrow.

Barry Hill’s 2 year old Majestic Lady caught the eye when doing all her best work at the finish when 4^th at Sandown earlier this month. She can get off the mark in the 2.10 at Bath.

Darley Sun who runs in the 3.40 at Bath could only finish 10 on his debut at Doncaster but may prove to be better than that in time. His dam is a half sister to the classy Flashy Wings (pictured below) , a smart filly for Mick Channon a couple of years ago.

When Basanti ran over a mile and 6 furlongs at Lingfield in August he finished 6^th but was closing on the leaders near the finish. I was a bit surprised to see him running over 10 furlongs tomorrow in the Bath 4.10 as stamina seemed to be his strongpoint.

There is one runner from our list to follow at Brighton on Monday. Wing Play, a winner at Wolverhampton last November, is joint top weight in the 4.20 where he runs in a class 6 handicap for the first time.

Turning to the meetings on Tuesday I see that the consistent Reclamation runs in the 4.50 at Southwell. She has not finished out of the first 3 in her 4 starts this season and she looks good for at least a place again.

Dan Chillingworth is another consistent sort, but unlike Reclamation he is without a win this season. Trainer James Fanshawe tries him in a visor for the first time tomorrow in the 5.20.

Amanda Perrett, who had a winner in the first race at Ascot today saddles the two year old Wilfred Pickles in the 2.40 at Warwick. Jockey Jim Crowley picked this one out as a likely horse to follow before its first run and he certainly showed some encouraging signs when 3^rd at Newbury on his second outing. The horse is named after the TV broadcaster whose radio show Have a go, ran for many years.

Over the sticks at Sedgefield on Tuesday I would look out for According to Pete and Cool Operator in the beginners chase at 4.00.

The picture of Flashy Wings is courtesy of Lisa Miller.  The other two pictures are both by kind permission of Katy Sodeau. See links for further information on both these artists.

That is about all for tonight, the next update will be on Tuesday evening.

 

Sunday sees the final day of the Ascot festival while there are some valuable two year old races at The Curragh so let’s see if we can unearth a winner or two.

The 12 furlong handicap that starts the proceeding off at Ascot at 2.05 looks an open race but Young Mick is likely to be a popular choice with punters. If you favour the course and distance winner approach Young Mick is certainly the horse for you as he has 4 C & D successes to his credit. These wins all came in 2006 however and his last win was two years ago in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes. He likes fast ground and Ascot is clearly his favourite track. Apart from his quartet of wins there in the past, he has run well at the Berkshire course this season, finishing 4^th and 2^nd in valuable handicaps.

There are 3 runners whose fortunes I have been following during the season, Pevensey, Birkside and Kensington Oval. Pevensey has had an in and out season and at times has looked a far from straightforward ride, and he seems to run alternate good and bad races. He has won on good to firm and soft ground and he does have a couple of wins over course and distance on his record. He has tended to get behind early on in his races but he is well capable of winning this if things drop right for him.

Birkside has won 13 races since last May so clearly doesn’t owe connections anything. He is only a pound higher than when winning at York at the end of July and would be no forlorn hope as long as his hectic schedule is not starting to catch up on him. Kensington Oval has only ever run twice. He won on his racecourse debut at Sandown over 10 furlongs in maiden and then missed the break in a listed race at Ascot on good to firm. He could be a bit of a blot on the handicap especially as the extra 2 furlongs tomorrow is likely to bring out further improvement in him. My main concern about him would be the ground. He won on good to soft, and his brother, Ask, has never won with an “F” in the going description.

There are just 5 runners in the 2.40 which could turn into a tactical affair. Sixties Icon is possibly the safest bet in this race although I am also hopeful that recent Kempton winner Ajhar will run well for a stable that has supplied the winner of this race 4 times in the past 9 years.

I suppose I should be supporting the Hughie Morrison trained My Kingdom in the 3.50 given his connection to the name of my site. He certainly won impressively enough at Brighton at the start of the month while Blown It has been highly tried and could be interesting at a big price.

Godolphin have had a wretched season by their standards and I see that their 2007 Arc 3^rd Sagara will be sporting blinkers for the first time in the 4.25. He certainly seems to have regressed this year and as he is probably suited by soft ground anyway I think he is best watched for the time being. Sandbuch is a very consistent performer and rarely runs a bad race and given a true run race here he could go close.

The only runner from our list to follow up at Musselburgh is Peruvian Prince in the 4.45, while over at The Curragh my selections are as follows; 2.20 Hail Caesar, 2.55 Soul City & 4.15 Luminous Eyes.

Graham and Andrea Wylie have given jump racing a real boost in recent years and they will be hoping that their star performer Inglis Drever can make it a 4^th win in the World Hurdle come Cheltenham in March. In the meantime though their should be plenty of winners for the Wylie/Johnson/O’Regan team and they have a fancied runner in the 4.00 at Market Rasen tomorrow. Nosferatu is by the same sire as Inglis Drever and won on the flat when trained by Amanda Perrett. He could well be on an attractive handicap mark over hurdles.

The jumping season will be gathering momentum in the coming weeks and of course there will be various “guides” to the new season coming out. One that I can recommend is “Jumping Prospects” that is written by Merseysider John Morris. In his book John gives details of his interviews with a wide range of trainers and the comments have certainly helped me to find some big priced winners down the years. Follow the link below for more details.

http://www.jumpingprospects.co.uk/

One of the highlights of the 2007/8 national hunt season was the Grand National triumph of Comply or Die. Now the 2009 Aintree feature may be some way off yet but Christmas will be with us soon enough. The Spinal Injuries Association has commissioned a rather nice painting by the artist Katie Scorgie for one of their Christmas cards this year. As you will see the card shows Comply or Die at Becher’s Brook. This card and others are available online from http://www.spinal.co.uk or by telephoning 01462 735 745. Obviously a very worthy cause.

 

Acknowledgements: My thanks to "Howden Joe" for his photo of Market Rasen, and the artists Karen Davies (top picture) and Katie Scorgie (Comply or Die picture) for allowing me to use their work (see links for more information on both artists).

 

I will start tonight’s preview at Ascot with the Royal Lodge Stakes at 2.30. All 10 runners for this Group 2 event are previous winners. Almiqdaad won a Newmarket maiden last month and that race has since thrown up a couple of winners. He would be my choice although the ground might be an issue.

John Gosden’s horses are in fine form and his unbeaten filly Rainbow looks good for the 3.05. The Mick Channon trained Silver Games could run well at a decent price. She is a half sister to Nahoodh and ran as though a mile would suit her when 5^th at Newbury last time out and she could, run well at a huge price.

There is a big prize on offer for the 7 furlong handicap at 3.40. There are a couple of important factors to take into account here namely the likely going which I am assuming will be on the quick side and the trip, which tends to be a bit of a specialists distance.

Both trip and ground suit Dhaular Dhar who was 5^th in the race last season. He has since been runner up twice in big handicaps over course and distance and definitely comes here with a good chance. Celtic Sultan won first time up at Chester off a mark of 100 and is racing off 98 tomorrow. He likes to make the running and is drawn 9 which may mean that the pace in the race will be with the low numbers.

Zaahid won a strong Victoria Cup over course and distance in May but is now 5 lbs higher in the weights. He is usually held up and is drawn on the same side at Celtic Sultan so he should get a tow. He seems to handle any ground. I have had the feeling that Mastership will scoop one of these big handicaps at some stage. He has never won over this trip but he has been successful over longer and shorter distances and he should handle the ground OK. He needs things to fall right for him but with J Murtagh in the plate he will get every assistance from the saddle.

Skhilling Spirit was a creditable 5^th on heavy ground in the Ayr Gold Cup last weekend and if he has got over his exertions he comes into the picture. Atlantic Story has 11 career wins to his credit although the last 10 have all been on the all weather. He ran with plenty of promise when 5^th in a Doncaster handicap a couple of weeks back. He ran there after a 118 day absence so could be expected to have come on for the run and is well handicapped on turf compared to his all weather rating. My short list of 7 is completed by Giganticus who is ideally suited by a straight 7 furlongs on fast ground.

I normally like to go for one drawn high and one drawn low in these big field handicaps. Giganticus from stall one makes some appeal while from the high draws we have Dhaular Dhar (28) and Atlantic Story (26).  It was hard to choose between my favoured 7 as they all have something going for them.  I am thinking of having a few bob each way on Mastership.

The QEII Stakes (4.145) has not been a good race for favourites in recent years and I am tempted to take on the big 2 with Raven’s Pass. The stable are is excellent form and he was not beaten far by Henrythenavigator when they last met.

In the 4.50 Majectic Roi will appreciate the ground and seems to have the strongest credentials. Christany was 2^nd, only beaten a head the only time she has run over 7 furlongs and she is the other one I would fancy.

The only runner from our list to follow in action at Chester is Pacific Pride in the 5.00. The 5 year old has a poor strike rate and his only 2 career wins have come in small fields. He has got a good draw however and will like the ground.

Staying in the North West there is racing at Haydock where the smart hurdler Souffleur should be all the better for a recent run over course and distance in the 2.25.

Barney McGrew and Burning Incense represent our list to follow in the 6 furlong handicap at 3.00. Burning Incense has not won for over 2 years but has slipped to a mark he is capable of winning off. Barney McGrew, a winner at Newcastle at the end of May will certainly handle the ground. At around 11/1 I would favour Burning Incense each way.

In the 3.35 Aegean Dancer and Quiet Elegance are horses that I have been following during the season. The former probably handles any ground but is best on a fast surface. There is a suspicion though that the assessor may just have his measure. Quiet Elegance won at 22/1 first time out but has been disappointing subsequently.

There is evening racing on the all weather at Great Leighs where there is an interesting newcomer in the 6.50. Nawaadi is the subject of good reports and comes from a stable in form.

Roaring Forte has been consistent enough but expensive to follow nonetheless. I am going to stick with him in the Great Leighs 7.20.

The jumps season is starting to warm up and there is some decent racing at Maket Rasen. Alan King runs Black Jacari in the 2.40. Black Jacari is a winner at Chepstow and Goodwood on the flat and is in the same ownership at Triumph Hurdle winner4 Katchit who is a former winner of this race.

Nudge and Nurdle is owned by some cricketing enthusiast called The Yes No Wait Sorries. Now if you follow cricket you will understand both the significance of the names of both horse and owner’s syndicate. If you don’t follow cricket, take my word for it, it would take far too long to explain! Anyway, Nudge and Nurdle is an unexposed sort that has already won twice over fences. He takes on some more experienced campaigners here but certainly looks one to keep on the right side.  He runs in the 3.15 at Market Rasen.

The opening race (1.35) at Market Rasen looks quite an interesting one.  Solent is the obvious choice from John Quinn’s yard after he created a good impression when winning at Bangor. Unfurled is an intriguing runner for Nigel Twiston-Davies.  He was a listed race winner on the flat and ran second in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes but hasn’t run since August 2005 and makes his hurdles debut tomorrow.

Bye for now.

My thanks to John Thurm for his photo of Haydock Park.  The two paintings are by courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

I am penning these notes a little earlier than usual but I see we have already had one winner today thanks to It’s Tough at Perth (5/2). I will start my preview of Thursday and Friday with a look at a couple of prospects for the jumps meeting at Perth tomorrow.

Noble Alan won twice at Newcastle last season, once in a bumper and then in a novice hurdle. He retains his novice status until the end of the month and runs in the 2.20. He should win more races this season especially where he does not encounter soft ground. The other one I like at Perth is Crescent Island in the 2.50. He ran 5 times over hurdles last season winning twice and finishing in the first 3 in the reminder. He looks the type to be even better over fences.

There are several runners from my list to follow running on the flat tomorrow. Perhaps Ascot Lime has the best chance, in the 4.30 at Pontefract. He is a progressive 3 year old with a willing attitude and represents the same trainer/jockey combination that won the race last season.

Other runners from our flat list are, Smarterthanuthink (Pontefract 5.30) and 3 more at Great Leighs, Fantasy Fighter (7.20), Houghton (8.20) and Piverina (9.20).

The main flat meetings on Friday are at Ascot and Haydock Park.

Starting at Ascot Amenjena represents our list to follow in the 2.10. Andrew Balding’s filly was a winner at Kempton before being tried in Group and listed class in her next two outings. Runner up in a handicap at Windsor on her last start she comes into tomorrow’s race with an each way chance.

Film Maker has done well for me this season winning at Redcar and Great Leigh’s. He was a bit disappointing on his last run at Lingfield and wears blinkers for the first time in the 2.45 tomorrow. He has trip and ground in his favour but is 7 lbs higher in the weights than when winning at Great Leigh’s.

Looking at the 29 runner Watership Down Stud Sales Race at 3.20 6 of the last 7 winners have been drawn 18 or higher. Prowl has only had one run and showed some promise when 3^rd at Leicester but she is drawn 10. Having said that last season’s winner came out of stall 11 so perhaps there is hope. Lack of experience in such a big field might be a problem though. Ballyalla looked good when winning at Newbury but made no show in a listed contest on her next run. She has a chance from a high draw while the other one I like is Penny’s Gift but she is drawn 7.

Island Vista won a maiden at Newbury first time out last month and the runner up, Duncan has won well since. She takes on listed company in the 3.55 so will have to find plenty of improvement but as she has only run twice that is by no means impossible. The other runner from our list to follow in this race is Wood Chorus. This filly seems best on rain softened ground so may not have conditions in her favour.

Alicante was 9^th of 11 over 6 furlongs at Catterick 5 days ago and is out again over the same trip at Haydock on Friday. This filly is bred to stay much further and it looks as though she is being campaigned with her 2009 handicap mark in mind!

Navajo Joe represents out list to follow in the 4.55. He won at Lingfield in June but has spoiled his chance in subsequent races by pulling too hard. He will need to settle much better before he wins again.

Late update – Southwell 4.45 – selection Great Endeavour.

The pictures today are by courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn (see links).

The next update will be on Friday evening.