ahorse

 

Aleatricis (picture below) provided my list to follow with a winner on Monday, and there was a nice story to go with it as it was jockey Rosie Jessop’s 19^th birthday. The horse will not be penalised for the success and it is long odds on that his trainer will finds another winning opportunity for him before he is reassessed by the handicapper. I wasn’t sure that the drop down to 10 furlongs would be ideal but his young jockey gave him a positive ride, making plenty of use of his stamina. In the evening meeting at Windsor, First Avenue was a beaten favourite and is proving expensive to follow.

At Catterick tomorrow Lenny Lungo’s Rehearsal runs in the claimer at 4.00. Rehearsal has won three times in his career, once on the flat, once over hurdles and once over fences. All 3 wins have been on good ground. He is an Elite Racing Club horse so I hope he wins but he doesn’t have a great strike rate.

I had Rivington Pike in my notebook earlier in the season as he looked the type that might improve when tackling middle distances. To be honest he has not given followers much encouragement but he is racing off a mark of only 56 and his trainer is in splendid form. He runs in the 5.00.

Down at Kempton Walter Swinburn’s Brief Candle, who runs in the 7.20 is interesting for a number of reasons. She is presumably named after the tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow speech from Macbeth, although she is out of a mare called Bright Hope which might also explain the name. Anyway, more to the point she is a half sister to multiple winner Birkside, and also to Wintercast who won over a mile at 2.

The picture of Aleatricis is by kind permission of British 2YO Racing

 

Yorkshire trainer John Quinn was in fine form over the weekend with an across the card double. I wasn’t convinced that Blythe Knight would be able to win over 7 furlongs at Chester, mainly on the evidence that he had not won over that distance before and he is now a seven year old. Still, I was not sorry to be proved wrong as he such a star. I did flag up the trainer’s other winner, Zomerlust though, who benefitted from a strong ride from Robert Winston.

There were reasonable runs from a couple of my other handicap tips, Ezdiyard, who was 3^rd in the John Smith’s Cup, and Sanbuch who was a staying on 4^th at Ascot. Poor Borderlescott was narrowly beaten yet again. His defeat at Chester was the 13^th time he has finished runner up in his career . In fact if you look at his last 10 runs he has finished second on 7 occasions. Beckermet, who beat him by a nose on Saturday, is trained by Roger Fisher. It was nice to see the trainer interviewed in TV. He has done well with Beckermet. He was something of a favourite trainer of mine in years gone by with jumpers like Ekbalco and Run and Skip.

I know I have gone on about Seafield Towers numerous times in the past and he basically never wins. In fact he hasn’t won for 3 years. He has actually won 3 times in a long career at odds of 4/1, 20/1 and 33/1. All 3 wins came in July or August so you could try and drum up an argument for him coming good at this time of year! His last run a week ago showed a smidgeon of promise as he was 4^th despite being 12 lbs out of the handicap. He runs in the Ayr 2.10 tomorrow, where he is a course and distance winner. If he is ever going to win again it just might be tomorrow. Tell you what; if he doesn’t win tomorrow I guarantee never to put up a case for him again!

General Ting was a winner for my list to follow on Saturday. Another runner from the list and also from the same stable is Aleatricis in the Ayr 5.10. He only scrambled home by a nose at Hamilton last time out and has gone up 7 lbs as a result. He was driven along some way from home that day and I really expected him to be upped in trip when he next ran. I am surprised therefore that he drops back to 10 furlongs.

Windsor stage a decent evening card and there are a couple of runners from our list to follow in the 7.00. Tarkheena Prince has done us proud, winning at 7/1 and 6/1 already. He has gone up a bit in the weights but there may well be more to come from him. He tries a mile and a half for the first time. There is stamina on the dam’s side so the trip might not be a problem. He has proven form on soft ground but the tight track would be a slight concern. First Avenue was 2^nd at Newbury last time. He looks the sort that would benefit from some ease in the ground and perhaps also from a more positive ride.

Today’s pictures are by courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

The next update will be Tuesday evening.

It has been a dire week for my tips over the last few days with the steady stream of losers only matched by the rain outside which has turned the going in the back garden to soft, heavy in places!

Once again there are plenty of meetings over the weekend and with the current weather conditions the going will no doubt continue to play a major part.

I will start tonight’s preview of the weekend racing with the 4.00 at Ascot. Sandbuch had a progressive profile last season and there was much to like about his first run this season when he finished 3^rd at Newmarket despite not getting a clear run. The runner up in that race, Halla San was subsequently only beaten a head in the Northumberland Plate so the form looks OK. Sandbuch has shown his best form on fast ground but it was good to soft when he was 3^rd at Newmarket so he seems to handle some give in the ground as well. He tackles 2 miles for the first time here and provided he gets the trip, and I think there is a fair chance he will, he should give us a run for our money. Ryan Moore has the ride which is another positive.

There is a runner from my list to follow in the last race on the Ascot card, at 5.45. Hereford Boy has been kept busy running 7 times already this season, winning once, at Folkestone. That win was off a mark of 75 and he runs off 79 tomorrow. He has never won with an “f” in the going description.

The evergreen Blythe Knight (pictured below by courtesy of Tracy Roberts, TurfPix) runs in the Chester 2.25. He is suited by a bit of give in the ground but he has never won at this specialist trip of 7 furlongs. Vanderlin is a course and distance winner but he really needs fast ground. The lightly raced Tasdeer has won on soft ground and along with Welsh Emperor and the Barry Hills trained Captain Marvellous looks worth considering. Army of Angels acts on soft ground but has to overcome a long absence from the track and a wide draw.

Oldjoesaid is my selection in the 3.35 as he has ticks in (almost) all the right boxes. He has only been out of the first 2 twice in 9 career starts; he handles soft ground and comes from a stable bang in form. The only negative is that he is drawn 10 of 10. Unfortunately that is a pretty significant negative.

President Elect remains a maiden after 6 starts but he has put in some decent efforts in defeat. He runs in the 7.40 at Hamilton and as he has come down 4 lbs in the handicap I think he may be able to break his duck.

Merrion Tiger represents my lit to follow in the Nottingham 2.35. Although clearly not a world beater he runs off a very modest mark and has a 7 lbs claimer on board. He has shown some signs of ability and has an each way squeak.

There are a couple of runners that interest me in the 3.40. Fearless Warrior runs over 14 furlongs for the first time and appeals as the type that will improve the further he goes. The other one that I like is General Ting who ran very green indeed last time at Kempton but still managed to finish 3^rd and should be much better for the experience.

The York card starts with a very competitive looking handicap at 2.10. Osteopathic Remedy comes into the race in tip top form having run up a sequence of 3 wins, the most recent being in the Carlisle Bell. He is steadily climbing up the weights but he couldn’t be in better form and he handles any ground, so certainly one for any short list. Swop is another interesting runner. Although a 5 year old he has only run 3 times so the handicapper has not got much to go on when assessing him. If he handles the likely soft ground then he must have a great chance.

In the 2.40 Zomerlust will handle the ground and is well drawn. Baby Strange is another with a good draw that should appreciate the going.

The Magnet Cup at 3.15 is as competitive as ever. 8 of the last 10 winners have been drawn in single figures so I am going to concentrate mainly of those with a favourable draw. Ezdiyard, last years winner Charlie Tokyo and Heaven Knows all have form on soft ground. Of those drawn higher Monte Alto and the mud loving Mutajarred make most appeal. Superseus, Flying Clarets (runner up last year) and Championship Point all come into the race on the back of a win which adds spice to the selection process. Four year olds have a good record in the race and for my final selection I am going for Ezdiyard.

Solent is a runner from my list to follow in the 3.50. He should be fitter for a recent run.

With plenty of rain falling in the North West the going looks like being testing at Haydock on Sunday. There are two runners from my list to follow in action, Tudor Prince (3.20) and Kashimin (3.50). The latter ran well over course and distance when only beaten a neck 10 days ago.

You may have noticed that I like to illustrate these pages with the works of equestrian artists.  If you are interested there is a big exhibition of equestrian art coming up in London next week.  See the link below.

http://www.equestrianartists.co.uk/

A copy of the picture "Unsaddling at York" is included by king permission of the artist Katy Sodeau.

Bye for now

 

 

The last few days have been remarkable, not only for the number of my losing selections, but for the number that have actually finished last! The only way is up?

With 6 flat meetings tomorrow there is plenty for the punter to go at – in fact there are more meetings than we seem to get on bank holiday Mondays nowadays.

The Newmarket 1.30 involves one runner from my list to follow, Throne of Power, who won at Doncaster in May before finishing down the field in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. He is now rated 95 having been raised 10 lbs for the Doncaster win and that may just make life a little difficult for him. The other two that I thought about for this were Perks, who created a good impression earlier in the season, and Unbreak my Heart. Perks was a 20/1 winner at Doncaster in April and was a good 3^rd at Newmarket after that. He was also down the field in the Britannia. The secret to Unbreak my Heart may well be the ground as his better runs have come on rain softened going. These would be my 3 against the field.

In the 2.35 Mine looks to win the Bunbury Cup for the 4^th time at the age of 10. He probably goes on any ground but has his best form on good to firm. Course and distance clearly suit him rather well! Smart Enough has been out of form but is capable on his day as shown by a 5^th in the Cambridgeshire off a mark 2 lbs higher than his current one. Diamond Tycoon’s only career win so far was in a Newbury maiden last season when he beat Locano who of course has gone on to much better things. Dhaular Dhar has been in great form this season following up a win at Doncaster with a close second at Royal Ascot. He has gone up the weights as a result of recent successes though. He wants softish ground.

Zaahid won the Victoria Cup at Ascot off a mark of 92 and has gone up 6 lbs for that. Although he won on fast ground that day he is probably better with some give. John Quinn’s Mastership comes here on the back of a promising second at Doncaster. That was over 6 furlongs which may be his best trip although he has won over 9 furlongs. He has a chance here but may be best on fast ground. Artimino was 4^th in last season’s Britannia Stakes and had a wind op over the winter. He was an encouraging 3^rd behind Dhaular Dhar on his seasonal reappearance and is certainly one for the short list. Zaahid gets my selection in front of Artimino and Mastership.

The 3.10 looks interesting. Utmost Respect won a Group 3 at Newcastle on his last run where the runner up, Zidane, was perhaps a little unlucky as he was travelling well when his run was blocked. Utmost Respect is at his best on soft ground in fact he has never one with an “f” in the going description. Jamie Spencer would presumably have had the option of riding Zidane but has chosen the other Fanshawe runner Sir Gerry instead. That seems significant. Sir Gerry was 3^rd to Kingsgate Native in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot where a number of others in this race were in the shake up, notably War Artist and US Ranger. Three year olds have won this 4 times in the past 10 years and I am going to take Kingsgate Native to continue the trend.

Ann Duffield sends the consistent Just Lille (pictured below) to Ascot for the 3.00.

Just Lille has been an excellent servant for connections winning 7 races and cannot be ruled out here. All her best form has been on fast going and if getting her ground could well make the long journey South pay off.. William Blake won his first 3 starts but has come down to earth somewhat since then and has been off form on last couple of starts and it may be that the handicapper has his measure. Formation won at Pontefract beating Missioner, who has not exactly franked the form since. Formation hardly came off the bridle on that occasion but does look at though he needs a bit of coaxing along. He almost certainly has the ability to win this if he has the application to match his talent.

Roaring Forte created a very good impression on his 2 starts as a juvenile and does not look on a bad mark for his handicap debut in the Ascot 3.35 tomorrow.

I had Oceana Gold down as a likely big handicap winner this season but he has not lived up to expectations. I see that he is fitted with first time blinkers for the Ascot 4.45 tomorrow.

My regulars will know that I have been following Tudor Prince this season, without any financial reward I must add. He is not getting much respite from the handicapper unfortunately and he may need to go down the weights a bit before he can get his head in front. He runs in the 8.05 at Chepstow.

Regal Step showed plenty of dash last season winning on his racecourse debut at Nottingham. He has failed to build on that promise though and I see he has a first time visor in the Chester 7.45.

Fujin Dancer was generally adjudged an unlucky loser when 2^nd at Hamilton last time and he looks to make amends in the Chester 8.50.

Triple Cee made a promising debut when 3^rd to a decent juvenile of Henry Cecils and she may well go one better tomorrow in the 6.20 at Newbury. A newcomer to note is Ballyalla a filly that has been the subject of some encouraging reports.

Kiwi Bay represents my list to follow in the York 3.20. He slammed a moderate field at Redcar last time beating Party in the Park by 5 lengths. A 10 lbs rise in the weighs seems a bit harsh for that but he looks a progressive sort and runs against mainly exposed types here so cannot be written off.

Birkside has only been out of the first 4 once in his last 17 races, quite an amazing achievement. He is not surprisingly on a career high mark but he may still be able to hold his own in the 3.55.Strategic Mount would be interesting if getting fast ground while Black Rock is another I like in this. 

West with the Wind represents my list to follow in the 4.30. He is still a maiden and need to put a disappointing effort at Newbury behind him but he tries a longer trip which may bring about some improvement.

That will do for tonight I think.

Pictures of Chepstow and the pre parade ring at Newbury are by courtesy of Lisa Miller.

Photo of Just Lille by courtesy of Ann Duffield racing.

 

 

I’ll start tonight’s preview at Newmarket and the listed race at 1.30. There are two runners from our list to follow, Unleashed, representing last season’s winning trainer Henry Cecil, and Wood Chorus, who is yet to be out of the first 3 in her career. Unleashed won a couple of races on the all weather before finishing down the field in the Queen’s Vase. Of the two I slightly prefer Wood Chorus as she comes from an in form stable and has shown a liking for cut in the ground. She has an each way chance.

Richard Hannon’s Prolific was 3^rd in the Royal Ascot Norfolk Stakes and is likely to start favourite in the 2.00. Sayif, by first season sire Kheylef, is well thought of at home and could give the favourite most to do.

There are 4 from my list to follow in the 2.35. Dr Faustus was a winner at Newmarket on his first start this season but made no show when upped in class at Ascot behind Collection. He was 2nd to Spacious in a maiden last season with Redford in 4^th which looks good form. He probably handles any ground but he does have a lot of weight. Age of Reason ran well behind Unefer at Newmarket in May and can be forgiven his last run at Ascot as the ground was probably too firm for him. Lazy Days has shown plenty of promise in his 4 starts He was 5^th in the Britannia Stakes at Ascot despite running on ground that may have been too fast for him. He had earlier beaten Missioner a length at Yarmouth and the Mark Johnston colt is now 4 lbs better off. Missioner was well beaten at Ascot last time when stepped up to 12 furlongs. Back to a mile and a quarter here should see him more competitive. Age of Reason and Lazy Days would be my each way fancies.

In the 3.10 Anna Pavlova is proven on the ground and looks the percentage bet. St Leger winner Lucarno has yet to win with a “s” in the going description, something which can be said for a few in this field. Sagara was good enough to finish 3^rd in an Arc and if returning to his best would be a major contender.

Alfathaar (4.20) was 6^th behind Collection at Ascot last month in first time blinkers. He seems to handle the ground and his stable is going well so he should be in with a shout. Whitcombe Minister was a decent 4^th in a listed race behind Bankable at Goodwood, handles soft ground and could run well at a working man’s price.

Northern Dare was 2^nd in a big field handicap at The Curragh on his last run, he has won on good to firm and heavy ground. He is my selection in the 4.55.

If we get enough rain at Doncaster I would fancy Charles Parnell in the 9.10.

I put Sheer Bluff on my list to follow on the basis of a promising effort in a hot maiden won by Rio De La Plata last season. He started this season well enough finishing 2^nd in a handicap at Great Leighs but he has done very little to encourage his supporters in his last 2 races. He runs off a mark of 71 which would put him in with a shout in the Folkestone 2.45 on some parts of his form.

At Nottingham Bollin Felix would take the beating in the 7.25. at Nottingham if the ground rides on the soft side. Yossi and Apache Fort would be others to consider.

Caribbean Coral continues to run well at the age of 9 and seems to act on any going. He has been dropped in the ratings a bit which might give him a squeak in the Warwick 2.55.

Dan Chillingworth makes his handicap debut in the 4.40 at Warwick. James Fanshawe does well with this type of horse and a good run is expected.

You may have noticed that I like to illustrate these pages with the works of equestrian artists.  If you are interested there is a big exhibition of equestrian art coming up in London next week.  See the link below.

http://www.equestrianartists.co.uk/

Bye for now

The picture of the unsaddling area at Newmarket is by courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

Trainer Mark Usher is one of my links so I always keep a watch on his results. He had a 28/1 winner this afternoon with Diminuto at Wolverhampton. I had a note to watch out for this one when running at Southwell where he had won 3 times before!

After a couple of quiet days the spotlight turns to Newmarket for the remainder of the week. I will concentrate mainly on the prospects for horses on my list to follow.

Tathkaar (Newmarket 1.30) had been running in Group company including the German 1,000 Guineas but that was probably flying a bit too high. She ran in handicap company last time out at Ascot and was not disgraced when 8^th of 16. She has dropped a couple of pounds as a result but may need a bit more help from the handicapper before she can win one of these.

Cape Vale is a half brother to the classy sprinter Moss Vale. He runs in the 2.00 where he has an each way chance. He seems to act on any ground.

Recent Lingfield winner Mrs Kipling (pictured below) is highly rated by connections and could be an exceedingly dark horse in the 2.35!

Infallible has run well in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes and takes on the older horses in the Falmouth Stakes at 3.10. Three year olds have a decent record in this and she shouldn’t be far away.

Marajaa went into my notebook lasts season when third at Newmarket to Third Set. He has a nice race in him this season and starts his campaign tomorrow in the 4.55. Good ground will suit.

Away from Newmarket there are a couple that interest me in the 8.20 at Kempton. The Fifth Member was a winning tip for me at 10/1 over course and distance last week. He won with a bit in hand and should still be competitive with a 6 lbs penalty. Eternal Luck was staying on well at the end of that race and finished 3^rd wearing first time blinkers. He is another to consider.

Bye for now

Picture by courtesy of British 2YO Racing

 

 

Some quiet days coming up with not too much to enthuse about.

If you are a follower of Sir Mark Prescott’s 3 year olds then Astrodome could be of interest in the Brighton 4.00 tomorrow. In the 7.50 at Ripon Shanafarahan represents our list to follow but in truth he has not shown much in his 3 runs this season. A list runner with a better chance is the Mick Easterby trained Hurlingham in the Ripon 8.50.

The next update will be Tuesday evening.

With only one horse rated as high as 120 this year’s Eclipse is by no means the strongest renewal. It still presents quite a puzzle for the punter for all that.

Literato is the highest rated but he has not shown his best form this year and may not get his preferred underfoot conditions. Frankie Dettori has chosen to ride Campanologist rather than Literato. This colt won the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating Conduit who was having his first run out of handicap company. Aiden O’Brien seems to be capturing most of the major prizes this season and he relies on Mount Nelson here. Mount Nelson does not have too many miles on the clock but hasn’t won since his 2 year old days. The 7 year old Maraahel has yet to win at Group 1 level although he rarely runs a bad race and has each way claims.. The runners with the best recent form are Phoenix Tower and Pipedreamer, who were 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot. Phoenix Tower had earlier been runner up in the Lockinge which gives the form a solid look. Yet to be out of the first 2 in his career Phoenix Tower is my selection, with Pipedreamer the one to chase him home.

Rowe Park has been well beaten on both his starts this season. If he can recapture the form that saw him win a Group 3 at Newbury last year he would have an each way chance in the 2.10 at Sandown.

Celtic Sultan and Lang Shining represent our list to follow in the 2.40. Front runner Celtic Sultan, a winner at Chester in May, ran well enough at Royal Ascot and is likely to try and win from the front here. Lang Shining failed to overcome a bad draw in the Royal Hunt Cup and can perhaps be given another chance. He would be my tentative suggestion here. The 9 year old Unshakable likes Sandown and comes to the race on the back of a decent performance at Epsom. He has an each way chance.

In the 3.55 Melodramatic has been running consistently and should go well.

The big handicap at Haydock is the Old Newton Cup at 3.35. John Quinn has Solent and Pevensey in this. They fought out the finish in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last season with Pevensey getting home by a head. Pevensey is 4 lbs better off now but is probably seen to best advantage on soft ground. Luca Cumani has a good record in this race and saddles Mad Rush this year. Mad Rush has run two absolute crackers in defeat this season, but gone up the weights as a result. Although he has only won once in 6 starts he has never been out of the first two and has to be a major contender here. Another to consider is Dansili Dancer who likes fast ground and has form figures of 113 when running at Haydock. If we get some rain and there is an “S” in the going description then I would add Pippa Greene to my short list. I think I will go with Mad Rush with an each way saver on last season’s winner Dansili Dancer if the ground is riding fast.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 2.25 at Haydock. Planetarium has been given a long break since trailing in last of 3 when an odds on favourite at Catterick in April. Before that he had split Twice Over and Stubbs Art at Newmarket as a juvenile and anything like that sort of form would see him home here. You have to respect the chance of Full Speed though. He won a handicap at York where the 2^nd and 3^rd have since franked the form. Tighnabruaich was 4^th to Allied Powers at Chester in May but he now meets that rival on 3 lbs better terms, and both these horses come into the equation. If Planetarium can reproduce his 2 year old form he would be the selection but I like Full Speed and he can take advantage if the Johnston horse has not trained on.

I have rather a long short list for the Lancashire Oaks at 3.00. I looked at Anna Pavlova, Turbo Linn, Arthur’s Girl and Samira Gold. Arthur’s Gold has done little wrong this season and at around 7/1 is my each way choice.

Knot in Wood ran really well to finish 4^th in the Wokingham but is danger of falling into the no man’s land between the decent handicaps and pattern company. He runs in the 4.10 and although he should run well he might just find a few too good for him. Reverence has won on both his previous visits to Haydock and as long as the ground is not too firm he would have a chance.

Other runners in action from my list to follow are Moheeb (Carlisle 8.35), Rossini’s Dancer (Carlisle 9.05) and Charles Parnell (Haydock 5.20).

My main fancy at Leicester is Gift Horse in the 3.45 while at Nottingham in the 7.50 Jargelle should be able to build on a promising debut 3^rd behind Cecily.

If you read my preview of yesterday’s racing you can imagine that I was chuffed to see Pawan win in fine style for Ann Stokell at Warwick. Another old favourite from the Stokell yard, Legal Set, returns to the fray at Ayr on Sunday. He has won 11 races in his career but the last of these was over 3 years ago. A 12 year old now, he is a year younger than one of his rivals in this race Strensall who has 9 career wins to his credit. Incidentally, Strensall is a half brother to Baybshambles who has done so well for this column recently. In fact there are all sorts of interesting old timers in this amateur riders handicap as another old friend, Seafield Towers, is also in the line up. Although he has only won 3 times in a many race career the wins have come at 4/1, 20/1 and 33/1.

Earlier at Ayr, in the 2.20, Fantasy Fighter could run well at a decent price.

Good luck

Pictures are by kind permission of Lisa Miller

 

There are only 2 runners from my list to follow in action on Friday. Moheeb is entered in the Beverley 7.45 but will only run if the ground is suitable, while Trip the Light runs in the 8.50.