ahorse

The Chester may meeting was the first race meeting I ever watched live and it has always remained a favourite.

Sir Michael Stoute has an impressive recent record at the track and he saddles the once raced Laughter in the 2.15. This filly won a 7 furlong maiden at Leicester on soft ground last season. Bred to appreciate middle distances she looks an interesting contender.

Greenwich Meantime looks to follow up last season’s success in the Chester Cup at 2.45. He won off a mark of 83 last season and was 3^rd off 93 in 2006. He is rated 94 now and could well be competitive again. He wouldn’t want soft ground though. From the same stable Halla San looks to be on a high mark but he has been winning over hurdles and has a talented 3 lbs claimer on board. He also has a nice low draw. Fair Along was runner up last year but is now 10 lbs higher, while another that ran well last season is Som Tala from Mick Channon’s yard. He has the benefit of a recent run but is another that look high enough in the weights. Michael Jarvis has a good record in the race and is represented by Black Rock who was progressive last season. He looks worth a try at this trip but is not guaranteed to stay. He really needs give in the ground.

The top weight, the giant Shipmaster, comes here on the back of a Group 3 win at Ascot. His best form has come on soft ground and given his size I wonder if he will act on the track. My 2 against the field would be Double Banded and Highland Legacy. Double Banded should be suited by both trip and left handed track. Highland Legacy has won his last 3 races and has Jamie Spencer in the saddle. He might not want the ground too firm.

In the sprint at 3.15 we need to keep the draw in mind as a low one will be an advantage. Green Park is drawn 2 but is best on soft ground. Ebraam will appreciate the drying ground and is one for the short list as is the fast starting King Orchisios. I wouldn’t rule out last season’s winner Caribbean Coral with the useful claimer Luke Morris taking 3 lbs off.

Recent Newbury winner Tighnabruaich is lightly raced and open to improvement. He tackles 12 furlongs in the 4.35 and given his pedigree the trip could really suit him. On top of that he has William Buick in the plate.

At Beverley a high draw is favoured in the sprints. The consistent course and distance winner Pawan is drawn 10 of 11 in the 2.30 and is my each way selection.

In the 3.40 Moheebb has been placed in 5 of his last 6 starts. His record at Beverley is 21 so he cannot be ruled out. Zero Tolerance would be interesting should the ground ride soft while I have a sneaking fancy for Bajan Pride who was heavily backed on his last outing but may not have been suited by the ground. The other one I thought about was Hurlingham who looks on a handy mark on the best of his form.

President Elect ran well enough at Thirsk recently to suggest that he can take a hand in the 4.15.

In the 4.50 I am interested in Piverina and Princess Maria.

 

We have Chester to look forward to this week, but the racing tomorrow is rather low key.

At Catterick in the evening Crossing Bridges might be one to note. This run will qualify him for handicaps where he may prosper, especially over a longer trip.

Count Cougar has won 9 times at Southwell and attempts to make it 10 there in the 2.30.

Wood Chorus was a beaten favourite at Wolverhampton 3 weeks ago. She goes over a longer trip in the 4.30 and this should suit her. Hayley Turner has the ride.

 

Selections for Monday.

Kempton 4.00 Barricado

Warwick 5.15 Kalokairi

Windsor 3.35 Marvo

 

As we move into May the flat season really starts to gain momentum and tomorrow we have the second domestic classic in the 1,000 gns. The Newmarket card gets underway with the 2.05, a valuable handicap over 9 furlongs. Of those that have run already Proponent and Heaven Knows look the most interesting, while of those having their first run, last year’s winner Superseus, Free Offer and Oceana Gold look worth considering. Oceana Gold would be my each way selection.

In the 2.40 Malt or Mash takes a step up in class but may well be up to the task, especially if the ground firms up.

In the 1,000 gns at 3.20 there are stamina doubts over Laureldean Gale and Royal Confidence. I think that the winner will come from the quartet of Natagora, Spacious, Infallible and Muthabara. If pushed to narrow it down I would go with the two Cheveley Park fillies, Spacious and Infallible.

In the 3.55 I am hoping that Sakhee’s Secret can recapture the form that made him leading sprinter last year. The in form Zidane is an obvious threat while Rowe Park could go well at a decent price as could Matsunosuke if the ground is on the fast side.

Cruel sea won a Doncaster maiden on his only start in 2007 and could be anything. He runs in the 5.05.

Another coming here on the back of 1 run 1 win is Throne of Power who is my selection in the 5.40.

My selections at the other meetings are Baybshambles in the Hamilton 5.50 and Fearless Warrior in the Salisbury 3.40.

 

They race on the all weather at Lingfield tomorrow where there is a good word for Meydan Dubai in the 2.40. Trained by John Best Meydan Dubai was placed in 3 of his 4 starts last season and has apparently wintered well.

Smart Enough has a pretty consistent overall career record and I see that he has been fitted with first time blinkers for the 4.40 tomorrow.

Up at Musselburgh Moheebb represents our list to follow in the 3.20. This one has been expensive to follow this season and is probably best watched at present.

Skhilling Spirit has a good race in him this season. He runs in the 4.50 and comes into the race in fair form having finished 4^th at Thirsk a couple of weeks back. The more rain the better for this one as he likes to get his toe in.

My best offering at Southwell is James Fanshawe’s Game Park in the 5.00. Fifth in all three of his runs last season he showed enough ability to indicate that he will win now he has gained a handicap mark.

Moving on to Saturday I will start at Newmarket. In the 2.10 Perks has gone up 12 lbs for a runaway win at Doncaster. Owned by Benny Andersson, the former ABBA member Perks could well still be ahead of the handicapper and is respected especially is there is some cut in the ground. Meydan Dubai is also entered in this and would be one for the shortlist if turning up. Robby Bobby didn’t appear to act on the track at Ripon when a beaten favourite last time. He could well be seen in a better light tomorrow. Things didn’t really work out for Prime Exhibit at HQ on his seasonal reappearance but he is probably better than the bare form of that race would suggest. He looks well handicapped and is a live contender for this.

A throat problem meant that Passage of Time didn’t do herself justice last season. She looks set for a more successful 2008 though and starts her campaign in the 2.45.

The 2,000 gins at 3.25 looks a potentially strong renewal. Alfathaa won a Newbury maiden and went on to finish 5^th in the Royal Lodge. You wouldn’t think that he would be quite good enough for this. Fireside rather scrambled home in a Newmarket maiden last season and with a handicap mark of 92 shouldn’t be good enough. Plan was an impressive winner of a Leopardstown maiden last season on good to firm, while Stimulation has already got a win under his belt having taken the Free Handicap here last month. The unbeaten New Approach and the Godolphin hope Ibn Khaldun are obviously in there with a big chance but I will go for Raven’s Pass who lost nothing in defeat behind Twice Over here last month and has at least proved that he retains his ability. He would not want soft ground however.

Looking at the 4.00 Knot in Wood probably needs to come down the weights a bit while Barney McGrew has ability and is perhaps worth following if there is market support for him. I am going for Northern Dare each way for my selection. He ran well in 3^rd at The Curragh at the end of March and seems to handle any ground.

Khandahar Run was 2^nd in the Fielden Stakes on his reappearance and that should have put him straight. He looks to have a good chance in the 4.35.

I had high hopes for Mountain Pride this season but he was well beaten when reappearing at Newbury. That looked two bad to be true and it would be no surprise if he put in a big run in the 5.10. It might pay to side with Dr Faustus though. His form last season looks pretty solid and his handicap mark not too severe. He probably handles any ground.

In the 5.45 Silver Suitor is an interesting contender. His trainer has won this race a couple of times before and given a strong pace Silver Suitor should give a good account.

At Doncaster I am quite interested in the 8.20. Birkside has won 10 times in the last 12 months mostly on the all weather. Running off a mark of 82 on turf he could well be a threat. The other one I like is Bukit Tinggi who although still a maiden caught the eye when stepped up in trip at the end of last season.

The 2.30 at Goodwood looks a winning opportunity for Milne Graden who won both his starts for Jeremy Nosed last season. This one is a half brother to the dual purpose horse King’s Quay.

Skhilling Spirit and Very Wise would be each way selections for the Thirsk Hunt Cup at 3.45.

The 4.20 at Thirsk could be a source of future winners. In particular I will be watching Another Decree, Fantasy Fighter and Merrion Tiger.

Charles Parnell was 3^rd on heavy ground at Ayr on his final start last season. He looks to have a fair each way chance in the Thirsk 4.55.

Pictures are by kind permission of British 2YO Racing

Two selection and two winners this afternoon to continue a reasonably successful start to the flat season.

Starting tomorrow at Folkestone Luminous Gold (pictured below) may be the answer in the 3.20. This filly was 2^nd at the track on her third and final start last season and comes from a stable that is both in good form and that does well with this type of animal.

Sky Dive was a winner at Lingfield last season but a very disappointing favourite on his reappearance at Nottingham the other week when he was last of 11. I am prepared to give him another chance in the 6.20 at Great Leighs.

The are a couple of runners in the 6.50 that looks interesting. Martyr won at Lingfield in February and looks as though he could still be ahead of the handicapper. I also like the look of Sheer Bluff who makes his handicap debut and may well improve on his efforts last season now that he tackles a trip.

In the 7.50 John Dunlop’s Stone of Scone showed promise on his debut a couple of weeks ago and should come on for that experience.

At Redcar Full Speed is my selection in the 4.30, with the main danger coming from Collection.

 

 

The main meeting tomorrow is at Ascot where Cesare will likely start favourite in the listed race at 3.20.  He has 3 wins over course and distance and has solid claims.  The Hunt Cup winner Royal Oath could be the one to chase him home.

Another course and distance winner, Bankable, is my fancy for the 5.50.  He had a progressive profile last season winning his last 2 starts.

 

 

There is an evening meeting at Windsor tomorrow where Just Two Numbers is an interesting runner in the 6.40. A course winner last season on soft ground he is a strong sort who has been gelded since his last run and gives the impression that there are more races to be won with him.

On Tuesday it might be worth considering Trip the Light who found plenty of trouble in running last time at Southwell. He runs in the 8.35 at Wolverhampton.

 

All in all it was another good day with a number of winners from the horses mentioned in last night’s write up.

Dar Re Mi (pictured below) was a runaway winner at Sandown. As the commentator wittily remarked it was a case of Dar Re Mi so far!

Ryan Moore looks as good a jockey as any I have seen in this country in recent times and gave Ask and Corryborough excellent rides. He did get boxed in on Conduit though in the race won by the well handicapped Colony.

In Dar Re Mi’s race I will be interested in following Albarouche and Sovereign’s Honour who came 3^rd and 4^th respectively. Oslot was a winner over the jumps although Quizzene was beaten into second spot. On a sad note Lenny the Blade broke his neck when coming down at Chepstow.

Tomorrow marks the last day of the jumps season with Sandown staging a mixed card including the Celebration Chase and the Betfred Gold Cup (formerly the Whitbread)

I’ll start at Sandown with the 1.40 where I will be hoping that Penzance can make me a winning owner! He has been 3^rd and 1^st in this race in the past, dead heating on both occasions so I am hopeful of a big run. Another one that might be worth considering here is Hide the Evidence. He should be all the better for a recent run at Aintree and his trainer is in good form.

There are 4 runners from our list to follow in the 2.10, Laustra Bad, Helen’s Vision, Or Jaune and Tot O’ Whiskey. Tot O’ Whiskey ran really well in a competitive handicap at Sandown last month and if he can reproduce that effort he would go close. The David Pipe pair of Laustra Bad and Or Jaune have not shown enough this season to warrant a tip but the market could be a guide to their chance. Helen’s Vision has been a disappointment since winning first time out although there was some encouragement in her most recent performance.

The 2.40 looks another open race. Monet’s Garden is the class act. He was 3^rd to Twist Magic here in the Tingle Creek and it may be that he needs further these days. The ground should suit him and although I have certain reservations he would be my tip. Lennon has run really well this season and deserves to win a decent race. Good ground will suit him but I am not so sure about the track. A few of Howard Johnson’s runners have been a bit below par recently as well. Pablo Du Charmil has not done much since winning the Haldon Chase at Exeter and Andreas may pose the biggest threat to Monet’s Garden and Lennon.

I don’t really have much of a view on the 3.20. I would love to see Bewley’s Berry win but coming so soon after his 5^th in the Grand National it is surely too much to ask. I thought about the consistent Caribou but all his form is on soft ground. If pushed for a selection I would go for Ungaro.

Medicine Path has been impressive in his last couple of runs and I will stick with him for the 3.55.

The Classic Trial at 4.30 hasn’t gone to the favourite in the last 10 years so I will look at those at a bigger price. Endless Luck looked a promising sort last season and after finishing 2^nd at Leicester on his debut he won well at Musselburgh. There is a lot more required tomorrow but he is certainly worth a try at this level. Whistledownwind is similar in some ways. He won on his second start, this time at Newbury. A bit of cut in the ground is likely to suit him.

In the 5.05 Very Wise has an each way squeak at around 7/1.

Moheebb has been running consistently but does look to lack gears. Another with an each way chance in the Haydock 7.20.

I can see Tudor Prince coming in at a big price at some stage of the season. He gets on well with Philip Robinson and is one to consider in the Leicester 2.45 along with Compton’s Eleven who didn’t get a clear run last time at Ripon.

In the 3.15 at Leicester City Stable (pictured below) , who is related to Gamut, should improve for a step up in trip and looks well handicapped.

Paul Cole’s string are in good form and I am hoping that Eisteddfod gives a good account in the 3.50.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Tartan Bearer is a full brother to classic winner Golan and will be expected to collect in the 5.00. Alan Munro has the ride.

Laborec and Ouzbeck represent our jumps list to follow in the 1.50 at Market Rasen. Ouzbeck would have slightly the better chance of the pair.

The Brits have done really well at Punchestown this week and Franchoek may well add to the winning tally in the 4.20.

Up at Ripon Mark Johnston runs Tawzeea in the 3 year old handicap at 2.30. He was 2^nd at Warwick last month and should be in the shake up here.

Sadler’s Kingdom hasn’t shown too much so far this season but I fancy we will see him to the fore in some staying handicaps. He runs off bottom weight in the Ripon 3.40 and gets my tentative selection.

After a 10 minute break the new jumps season starts on Sunday! Atomic Winner has found his form recently after struggling a bit when he first came over from France. He goes for a hat trick in the Ludlow 3.05 and would be my selection on decent ground.

Pictures are by kind permission of British 2YO Racing