Selections for Epsom Downs - Thursday 30th June 2011

Epsom Downs plays host to a fine card on Thursday for a competitive evening’s racing, where hopefully we shall hopefully have made amends from Carlton House’s disappointing defeats here in the English Derby, and Sunday at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent.

LANG SHINING is a horse who has been thriving in claimers recently, and Jamie Osbourne seems to have found a niche for the seven year old, who has won 6 of these claiming stakes races in the last year or so. The gelding runs in the 8:30 at Epsom Downs and won this exact race last year. He has finished second and third after an unsuccessful stint at hurdling. Although he has pounds to find on the leading players in the field, he has course and distance form, and the fact he is dropping down in trip and will also suit.

Another horse who is looking to win a race for the second successive year is SPACE STATION who runs in a seven furlong handicap at 7.55 on the same card at Epsom. The Simon Dow trained five year old has a sketchy track record, however that is mainly due to his dreadful record on all weather tracks, where he has just two second place finishes from eight runs. On turf however he has three wins and three further places from thirteen runs, a stark contrast. He is dropped down in trip from previously running over 9furlongs, which should suit, and his course and distance form gives him an immediate edge over his rivals.

One of the hottest stales in town at the minute is that of Mr Andrew Balding, who is in great form, having eight winners this month already. He has a runner in the showpiece race, the 7.25 which is a Class 3 handicap over six furlongs. FIREBACK

Looks different gravy to the rest of the field given his recent piece of form where he finished third in a Class 2 handicap over same course and distance. He has gone up 3 pounds from the handicapper, however given the yards record for horses progressing with further runs, I expect him to have a bit more in hand, and will take all the beating.

7.25 Epsom Downs - Fireback (Nap)

8.30 Epsom Downs - Lang Shining

7.55 Epsom Downs - Space Station (EW)

Coral Eclipse Day - Tipping from Sandown Park and Haydock Park

The Coral Eclipse is one of the highlights of the flat racing calendar, and the Group One contest will look to set tongues wagging once more, as we have a mammoth clash for the titans as the Australian superstar import for Ballydoyle takes on the Derby and Arc winning hero Workfoce.

I have long been an admirer of So You Think and prior to the season beginning, I personally backed him for both the King George and The Arc. However it seems the stable have opted to stick with 10f races since his disappointing second in the Prince of Wales, and I have to begrudgingly admit he will be second best here once more again. Workforce looked like he had retained all of his class in a pleasing reappearance, winning the Brigadier Gerard stakes convincingly over same course and distance. He will have fitness on his side from missing Royal Ascot, and a strongly run 10 furlongs looks ideal for him here.

MARGOT DID is a horse who is finally fulfilling the promise she showed in fits and starts last year, and looks to continue her fine form by completing a hatrick in the Coral Charge, which is a group three race ran over five furlongs. Connections have changed tactics this season and it has worked a treat. Instead of attempting to come from last to first, jockey Hayley Turner in the filly’s last two runs have made all, and she has thrived, and she runs against fairly exposed opponents, such as Triple Aspect and Captain Dunne.

The Lancashire Oaks is the highlight of a fine card at Haydock Park, and the group two contest looks a wide open affair with dual Irish and English Oaks heroine Snow Fairy opting for the Eclipse Stakes and the Jim Bolger trained Banimpire going instead for the Irish Oaks next month. The open race looks to be taylor made for VITA NOVA who looks to have the potential to be a very smart filly in the making. The daughter of Galileo ran Ferdoos to a neck upon her only career loss in a listed contest over same course and distance, with the pair pulling 4 ½ lengths clear of the field, which looks the best piece of form from the field.

2.00 Sandown – Margot Did

3.10 Sandown – Workforce (Nap)

2.50 Haydock – Vita Nova

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Irish Derby, Pretty Polly Stakes and Northumberland Plate

A horse that we shall remain faithful to as he seeks his redemption is CARLTON HOUSE, famously owned by Her Majesty the Queen, who was an unlucky third in the Epsom Derby and now goes across to the Curragh for the Irish equivalent.

He was terribly unlucky in his build up to the Derby and during the race itself. It seemed as if everything that could go wrong did go wrong. He suffered a setback at home the week before the race, severly affecting his preparation, and was then hampered in the race, before losing a shoe in running. While each incident in isolation may not have been critical there is little doubt that there would have been some cumulative effect.

He will face a largely similar field to that at Epsom, with Native Khan, Memphis Tennesee, Treasure Beach and Seville all reopposing. It could be a slightly substandard Irish Derby, and Carlton House has the class, the form and the connections that should see him comfortably home.

Another British raider seeking success across the Irish Sea this weekend is MIDDAY who bids to win the Pretty Polly Stakes. Henry Cecil's star five year old mare has looked at her outstanding best in her two runs this season, and seems to be progressing with every race. She followed her Middleton Stakes win with a narrow defeat in the Coronation Cup at Epsom to St Nicholas Abbey, who is now ante post favourite for the King George at Ascot.

She looks to have the best form is the race and should be at peak fitness.The obvious danger is the multiple Group One winning dual Oaks heroine Snow Fairy. Snow Fairy is undoubtedly a class act but she is likely to come on for the run and will be aimed primarily at International targets in the Autumn.

In Saturday’s big race at Newcastle, the Northumberland Plate, Europe’s richest two mile handicap, I like to look for horses with proven recent form at the distance. The first of to catch the eye is last years winner, the outstanding OVERTURN, who is seeking to becoming the first back to back winner since Tug of War's exploits in 1977/1978.

Donald McCain's star performer has excelled on the flat, and his front running techniques are incredibly effective, as ably demonstrated once more last time out when winning the Chester Cup. Although he is up 17lb in the handicap, he looks to have a great chance, and Henry Brooke will take 5lb off for his claim too.

Another horse who looks to have a fantastic chance is the current ante post favourite ACTIVATE. The son of Motivator looked all class when winning a two mile handicap on firm ground at Haydock and he could be a step or two ahead of the handicapper. The ground is expected to be good-to-soft, and that should pose no problems. He should come on for his last run, and has been heavily backed in the past week, indicating the yard feel he has an outstanding chance. Just for good measure, one of my personal favourite jockeys, Hayley Turner, is on board.

3.05 Newcastle (Sat) Activate (Ew) & Overturn

3.35 Curragh (Sat) Midday

3.50 Curragh (Sun) Carlton House (Nap)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

June/July Prospects Article

The Jack Milner circus is unfortunately for some still in town, which means more commotion, conflict and mishap than a gypsy wedding. I have been discussing the merit's of my current source of employment and the positives and negatives in the last couple of blogs, and unfortunately I am still stuck in career limbo. As you may have gathered, I am rather usless when it comes to decision making, which is made even more ironic considering I have no qualms or issue's when it comes to making them for other people - 'do as I say, not as I do etc etc'.

I have made that all important initial step in searching and applying, but have been rather hesitant when it comes to following through. I would like to consider myself somewhat of a loyal person (it is something of a Yorkshire trait), and doing this makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable. It gives off a vibe of almost adultery, you have a nice steady wife, very comfortable with, a bit stagnant though, and you are seeking something that is a bit more challenging. So you go out, not necessarily seeking anything in particular, just having a peek, whether or not the grass really is greener on the other side. I must point out that this example was used purely for metaphor examples, and I am in fact neither married, nor an adulterer!

So whether I need to have a couple of drinks and instill some 'Dutch courage' into me, to seal the deal so to speak, or at least venture outside of the Coral bubble. It is rather easy for someone like me, to talk relentlessly about sport, and betting on such events, with pointless facts and irrelevant statistics, I would consider myself as a specialist. However there is somewhat of an empty feeling, where I don't feel that I have contributed to society, rather than a set of shareholders. The fact it is purely in the service area or tertiary industry, there is no end product, or nothing physical you can see at the end of a project, like a builder for example.

As always, we shall wait and see. I hope to have higher spirits and a higher bank balance next time we meet!

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Midweek Tipping - June 23rd 2011 - Newcastle

It is perhaps anticlimactic now that Royal Ascot has gone and now in the archives, however the search for winners does not cease now we are dealing with Class 5 handicaps, as opposed to Group One races. As such, our search continues Thursday with a fine looking card at Newcastle, and even though the racing is not on the same par as Ascot, a winner is still a winner, regardless of the race!

A man who has made giant strides since going it alone in the training world is KEITH DALGLEISH, who was pointed out on The Racing Forum a month ago as a man to follow, especially in the north. He has a runner in the 2.10 Novice Stakes in ACT YOUR SHOE SIZE, a two year old who was an impressive maiden winner three weeks ago. The form has since been franked, with the second winning next time out, and there looks plenty of improvement to come from Act Your Shoe Size, who should only find Piece y Piece as his only serious threat.

The 3.20 is Class two handicaps for older horses, and looks to have a very strong field, competing for a near five figure first prize, so kudos to Newcastle. An odd mix of horses at the bottom of the weights on the upgrade and those at the top of the weights coming down from higher class races means the race is wide open. Extraterrestrial looks promising, however is up 10 pounds for a recent win, and the handicapper seems to have him in his grip at the minute. A similar story goes for Tartan Gigha, who has gone down 14 pounds from this time last year, and is still yet to record a win since then. A chance could be taken on ARABIAN SPIRIT who has been the model of consistency in his career, and has shown further progression this season in competitive handicaps. His preferred surface comes with cut in the ground, which should make him an even greater chance than his form figures suggest. Richard Fahey has a great record at Newcastle, and although stale jockey Paul Hanagan has chosen one of his rivals, Tony Hamilton is a more than able deputy.

2.10 ACT YOUR SHOE SIZE

3.20 ARABIAN SPIRIT (EW)

Forgot to publish on here, however was on The Racing Forum

Saturday sees some of the greatest sprinters in the world turning up on the final day of Royal Ascot for the valuable Golden Jubilee Stakes. The confident choice, and a horse who already has ‘superstar’ stamped all over him is DELEGATOR. The one-time 2000 Guineas hot favourite has found a new lease of life since turning his hand to sprinting and looked very special when winning the Group 3 Duke of York Stakes at York during the Dante meeting. He will have wonder-boy jockey Mikael Barzalona on board, and should take all the beating.

AWAIT THE DAWN has been the dark horse in the Ballydoyle stable this season. When it comes to older middle distance horses, they have an embarrassment of riches with Group one winners such as Cape Blanco, St Nicholas Abbey and the Australian superstar So You Think. However, Await the Dawn has shown class, winning a Group 3 in Ireland, before looking even better when winning another Group 3, this time at the Chester, bolting up by 4 1/2 lengths. Given how well the Ballydoyle runners progress race to race, there should be more to come, and with Ryan Moore on board, it looks easy pickings in a field that lacks serious depth.

MAYBE is another two year old that looks to have bags of promise for trainer Aidan O' Brien and Aidan will be hopeful of taking another two year old race back home across the Irish Sea when the daughter of Galileo runs in the Chesham Stakes. An impressive winner on her debut, she pulverised a field at Naas, winning by 4 1/2 lengths. The form looks rock solid, with the Jim Bolger trained Teolane, who has since won a maiden and listed race.

2.30 Ascot - Maybe

3.05 Ascot - Await the Dawn (Nap)

3.45 Ascot - Delegator

Royal Ascot 2011 Day One - Tuesday 14th June 2011

It is that time of the year again! Royal Ascot opens up with a bang with three Group One races on Tuesday. The opening race is a mouthwatering clash between the champion wonder mare GOLDIKOVA and last year’s champion three year old miler CANFORD CLIFFS in the Queen Anne Stakes. That is then followed up by some of the fastest horses in the world competing in the King Stand Stakes over five furlongs. The hot favourite here is top Australian sprinter Star Witness. The final Group One race of the day features the eagerly awaited reappearance of 2,000 Guineas winner FRANKEL, who looks set to maintain his unbeaten record in the St James Palace Stakes.

Goldikova has won the Breeders Cup Mile three consecutive times and also won this race last year, beating the Richard Ghannon trained Paco Boy. I can envisage a very similar scenario here, with Hughes likely to sit out at the back on Canford Cliffs, aiming to go from last to first in the twinkling of an eye. Goldikova looked like she had retained all of her class when taking the Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp last month. Similarly, Canford Cliffs won the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Sandown with relative ease and both should come on for the run. Goldikova is a tried and tested yardstick, 13/8 is too big a price for such a quality mare and I expect her to narrowly hold the late charge of Canford Cliffs.

The Kings Stand Stakes this year looks a very open affair with Australian favourite Star Witness at the head of the market largely due to the lack of serious home-grown genuine Group One contenders in the race. There aare serious question marks against many of the runners here. Kingsgate Native prefers to run fresh for example, whereas Prohibit, Iver Bridge Lad, Rain Delayed and Rose Blossom are all exposed.

The only stand out in terms of value looks to be the Ed McMahon filly ASTROPHYSICAL JET. Fillies have a great record in this race and her form has been a revelation since dropping down to five furlongs from six. She has won three, and been third once and was unplaced on her seasonal reappearance, but was found to have had a small niggle afterwards. She goes on good or good to firm so the ground won’t be a problem as long as the rain doesn’t arrive in too large quantities.

Instead of tipping up the prohibitively priced Frankel in the St James Palace Stakes, I shall instead look to the Coventry Stakes for our third race. The race is over six furlongs, and can be and indicator of future champions. Previous winner Canford Cliffs went on to win four group ones, including the Irish 2000 Guineas and those with longer memories will recal Chief Singer’s famous win in the 1980’s.

Richard Hannon doesn’t seem to have a star performer this year, but a trainer who does is Aidan O’Brien in POWER. He looked very forward when staying on and battling well to win the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh over five furlongs at the Curragh, He looked beat 50 yards out, but showed real grit to fight back, and the fact he was coming away after the line indicates six furlongs is sure to suit. Another trainer in good form with his juveniles is Mick Channon, who has GATEPOST. I was fortunate to see him win a Class 3 Novice Stakes at York comfortably with Jamie Spencer on board, and the form has worked out well, with all horses coming back out and running with credit. He’s worth an interest.

Royal Ascot Tuesday

2.30 – Goldikova (Nap)

3.05 – Astrophysical Jet (EW)

4.25 – Power & Gatepost

Saturday 11th June - Calm before the storm at York, Chester and Sandown

It feels like the calm before the storm as we approach the week of mouth watering action that is Royal Ascot, but the quality racing keeps coming thick and fast, and even in a week where it is sandwiched between The Epsom meeting and Royal Ascot, racing on Saturday I still that of the utmost quality, with fine meetings at Newbury, York and Chester.

Andrew Balding has started the season in fantastic form and one of is leading handicap hopeful’s is OPERA GAL, who run’s in the 3:55 at Chester, which is a class two handicap. The filly has been nothing but progressive over the last two years, being the model of consistency. She has finished fourth and second in her two outings this year, and got backed off the boards at Doncaster last time out, and the ease that has come in the ground in the last few days should be in her favour to push her over the finishing line in first.

With stay with the Balding yard to move to York for the 3:15, another class two handicap, where it looks like DESERT LAW is one who is on the upgrade and has plenty more potential than his current handicap mark. He made his debut in handicap company two weeks ago, and looked for all the winner, before being narrowly held by Majestic Myles at Newmarket. He should come on greatly for the run, as was his first run for 225 days. As mentioned, the yard is in flying form, and stable jockey Jimmy Fortune is booked in the saddle.

THE CONFESSOR goes at Sandown for Henry Candy, and has a tremendous record when fresh. He has run twice when having a 85 day absence or more, and returns to seven furlongs, where he is two from three, with his only loss coming after running with only a seven day break, which clearly does not suit the horse. Henry usually has his horses fit and ready to go, which should mean he has every chance whilst running against potentially rust horses.

2.55 Sandown – The Confessor

3.15 York – Desert Law

3.55 Chester – Opera Gal

Midweek Tipping - Haydock Park - Wednesday 8th June 2011

Haydock have a really good card of racing on Wednesday, with a combination of competitive handicaps and fairly open looking maidens on the agenda for the six race card.

The first selection, AL JEMAILIYA, runs in the second race for the in-form combination of Kevin Ryan and stable jockey Phillip Makin. He has run once, finishing a respectable third on his debut over five furlongs at Ayr. He finished behind two smart horses that day and ran on well in the final half furlong, so the step up to six furlongs should be ideal. He sets a good standard here.

CLASSIC VINTAGE was a very consistent horse last year, performing with credit in tough handicaps before an unsuccessful switch to hurdling this winter. He has gradually been eased in the handicap and is now at a mark of 92, a mark he ran off two years ago when winning the Heritage Handicap at Goodwood. He will have come on a lot for his first run of the season back at Goodwood. He looks to have a cracking each way chance in an open looking race.

KEYS was a horse that I followed last year and also tipped up ante-post for the Cheltenham Bumper where he was unfortunately ruled out due to injury. He won three from three, including a Listed race at Cheltenham. He has now switched to the flat and finished second on his first start, giving every indication of more to come.

Champion jockey Paul Hanagan is booked and although it looks a tough maiden, with good horses from Henry Cecil, David Simcock and William Haggas in the race, we shall remain loyal and hope Roger Charlton does indeed have the Keys to unlock this competitive field!

THE DERBY

It is billed the most famous race in the world and the greatest test of a thoroughbred. The Derby at Epsom racecourse is what turns potential into achievement, stars into superstars and dreams into reality.

It is sometimes doubted whether the race meets the hype but looking back on previous winners it really is evident that the cream does rise to the top. Stretching back to the turn of the millennium, Montjeu and Galileo for Ballydoyle went onto win a King George (Group 1) on the back of their Derby wins. High Chaparral went onto win a Champion Stakes and dual Breeders Cup Turfs. New Approach won the British and Irish Champion Stakes; Sea the Stars won the International and Irish Champion Stakes en route to his incredible Arc win. And then last year Workforce followed up a disappointing King George run with a blistering Arc de Triomphe victory showing, once again, the value of the Derby in establishing the best.

The reason it is held in such high regard, as well as the history and the alumni, is the unique track and conditions it is run under. The 1m 4f trip proves it is a true test of stamina, Tattenham Corner and the gradients and cambers test the horse’s agility and that run down the straight in front of a massive crowd of cheering racegoers will test its resolve and determination.

Such is the pace the race is invariably run at, the winning horse has to have a high cruising speed which can then be translated into that extra kick of acceleration in the straight.

This year the main challenger has the hopes of a nation and a monarch on his back. The Queen’s CARLTON HOUSE seemingly fulfilled all his previous promise when winning the Dante Stakes at York, a good indicator towards Epsom, with Motivator and Authorised in recent times winning en route to their Derby victories.

The colt played up before the start of that race, showing signs of greenness, but in the race he showed maturity in taking a gap that appeared a furlong from home, showing a smart turn of foot, and winning comfortably in the end. Trainer and jockey believe he will come on a lot for that run and his recent work on the gallops have wowed spectators, indicating he is in perfect order for the day. A recent setback put his participation in doubt but if he lines up you can be sure that Sir Michael Stoute will have him in perefct order.

Ballydoyle and trainer Aidan O’ Brien usually take on Epsom mob-handed, and this year is no exception. In 2009 he had five runners of an eleven runner field, and last year had four from thirteen. This year he currently has five entered – although Irish Guineas winner Roderic O’ Connor is expected to be diverted to France.

O’Brien has Dante second SEVILLE, who will have Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillion on board again. He also has the Derrinstown Stakes winner RECITAL. The Derrinstown is always a strong trial and Recital looks smart, although he does show some of the less beneficial Montjeu traits. His head carriage looked awkward at the Curragh and he may find the Derby Day atmosphere at Epsom a trial. Chester Vase winner Treasure Beach and Derinstown second Memphis Tennessee complete the likely O’Brien starting quartet.

The other main challengers come from across the English Channel, with the French posing a serious threat for the first time in several years (they haven’t won the Derby in 35 years). POUR MOI represents Andre Fabre and wonder boy jockey Mikael Barzalona. The vibes have been very strong for this horse in the last few weeks, having been backed down from 20/1 into 7/2 second favourite after a recent Group 3 success at Longchamp.

He cantered well at a recent Epsom work out, and the stable are hopeful. The horse he beat at Longchamp was a warm favourite for HH The Aga Khan, in VADAMAR, a colt trained by Alan Royer-Dupre. However he came out of the race with a minor injury so could perhaps be excused. He is a possible dark horse for Saturday at a bigger price.

What seems such a close race has been made wide open with that doubt over the Queen’s star horse CARLTON HOUSE. However, if he turns up at Epsom he should be very difficult to beat. He has a sharp turn of foot, travels and stays, and looks very much the complete package. Ballydoyle horses are invariably bred for this race, and should fill the minor berths, with Recital possibly running on past stablemate Seville, who should be held by Carlton House on Dante form.

1. Carlton House
2. Recital
3. Seville

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner