The Ballydoyle newcomers generally need the run and should be avoided with preference being for the duo of MISTER AVIATION and DIBAYANI. Mister Aviation ran well despite greenness and will have come on tremendously for the last run for a respected stable. Similarly The Aga Khan’s colt has a very striking pedigree and is related to several winners.
HI EMPEROR is a well bred son of Choisir and won his maiden well last time out at Fairyhouse, and has a very lenient mark compared to his potential. Whereas STRONGER THAN ME looks to be a handicap job with two duck eggs in maiden company but already well backed and Jonny Murtagh booked.
True Verdict will be short and is obviously potentially very good, but preference goes for SCENT OF ROSES for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen who have done particularly well with their fillies this year, winning the Irish 1000 Guineas trial, and most recently The Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. Green on debut and awkward leaving the stalls, she made up ground to only lose by a neck, and given her pedigree and cost as a yearling, she will be entitled to have come on a fair bit for that.
Famous Name has an outstanding record in Group 2 and 3 races, in particularly at Leopardstown, but a dire record at The Curragh, and as such preference goes to Native Khan, who has transferred to the John Oxx stable. After winning The Craven Stakes, he didn’t seem to stay The Derby trip, and is instead raced over 10 furlongs, a trip that looks ideal, and his fifth at Epsom looks good form on paper.
The manner of IZZI TOP’s two wins this season have been very impressive, and although a good looking field for The Pretty Polly Stakes, there are holes in most of her rivals. Was pinched the Oaks from the front, with the form being replicated in The Ribblesdale, but Maybe was in behind, and will be further hampered by soft conditions. Izzi Top being a daughter of Pivotal should love the cut, with the only serious threat looking to be Dermot Weld’s Sapphire.
EMPIRICO has been knocking on the door in recent runs and has not had much luck in running as of late. With a clearer run he should run well for a red hot in form stable.
HARTANI looked a smart promise when making all in a novice race last time out, and further boosted by the form of his maiden win he has strong claims providing he handles conditions. A proven handler of soft ground is FATHER OF SCIENCE who won well at Chester in bottomless ground. A well bred two year old, he has missed some striking entries, and is clearly well thought of at home.
SKY PILOT has been in great form for Miss Joanna Morgan this season and has a great chance to defy a 6lb penalty under Pat Smullen. Form figures of 1-2-1 so far, the gelding is up 15lb from his initial winning mark, but has looked like winning with plenty in hand, with his recent Limerick win working out well, the fourth winning last week.
2.10 Curragh – Mister Aviation & Dibayani
2.40 Curragh – Hi Emperor & Stronger Than Me
3.10 Curragh – Scent of Roses
3.40 Curragh – Native Khan
4.20 Curragh – Izzi Top
4.50 Curragh – Empirico
5.25 Curragh – Father of Science & Hartani
5.55 Curragh – Sky Pilot
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Saturday 30 June 2012
Saturday afternoon racing at Windsor, Chester and Newmarket
I generally look for little Lucky 15’s when in between painstaking form study towards a big festival, whether on the flat towards Ascot, Newmarket, Goodwood, York and onwards, or be it the Holy Grail that is Cheltenham. I have three for the loyal followers at all of the big meetings for this afternoon.
FAITHFILLY will be a good price against an odds on favourite for Richard Hannon, and it could side with laying the jolly. The filly has gradually progressed and won a nice maiden at Sandown, in similar conditions, and although officially 8lb inferior, she is the more progressive of the two. ZENAAT is a Galileo filly who showed promise last year in a Kempton maiden before being well held in two starts this season at Newmarket and Lingfield. As such has got a very lenient mark of 76, and given how expensive of a yearling she was, there should be plenty more to offer. Another progeny of the Galileo is SUN CENTRAL for the in form William Haggas stable, who runs in a weak looking maiden. From the family of 2000 Guineas winner George Washington, he finished behind a subsequent Andrew Balding winner last time out when finishing a decent third. The Haggas and Kelly teams fill the final spot as well with WELL PAINTED. He won a good maiden at Newbury on Lockinge day, before finishing second last time out at Doncaster. The mile trip seemed too strong last time out and drops back to 7f, all four look to have strong claims.
2.10 Chester – Faithfilly
2.40 Chester – Zenaat
3.10 Chester – Sun Central
3.40 Chester – Well Painted
Newmarket holds a fairly strong card with hotly touted Michelangelo running in the three year old trophy, and although he should win, it is more a watching brief whilst at the prices. Newmarket is one of those quirky tracks with its undulations that find many out, so course form is a positive, which swings us towards SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard, which is having a particularly fruitful year with juveniles. The Oasis Dream filly should appreciate the extra furlong and looks a decent price to do so. It isn’t a fashionable selection but DANDINO’s solid second behind Sea Moon at Goodwood puts him head and shoulders above listed company, and he should win easy under Hayley Turner. EDINBURGH KNIGHT looks relatively overpriced considering he has one bad run to his name, when not getting a run in The Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. He returns to his preferred trip and he will appreciate the better ground. MEDIA HYPE looks to still be ahead of the handicapper judging on his win at York last time out, and with the Burke yard still in good order, he can defy an 8lb rise in the handicap over 10 furlongs.
2.30 Newmarket – Sandreamer
3.00 Newmarket – Dandino
3.35 Newmarket – Edinburgh Knight
4.40 Newmarket – Media Hype
Windsor has a nice card on this afternoon, which has relatively gone under the radar, but there looks to be some competitive racing, which means some tasty prices! BLESSINGTON runs for John Gosden in the first and was a 75,000 Guineas purchase as a yearling, and the son of Kheleyf goes for an in form stable, and looks the obvious pick in a weak looking maiden. SHOLAAN was luckily for me, put up in this blog two weeks ago when absolutely bolting up at York, winning by five lengths, going off a nice 10/1 winner for the loyal readers! He looked to have any amount in hand that day and can defy a rise with the headgear retained once more. In the Midsummer Stakes, the ‘horses at the head of the market are there on reputation and connections, and the value could lay with THISTLE BIRD. The Selkirk filly maker a belated seasonal appearance and returns to a more suitable trip, where she is a course and distance winner. Although she has to make up ground with Highland Knight and Coupe De Ville, she showed enough progression last season to indicate she was going in the right direction and way on the way to gaining some success in Pattern Company. Roger Charlton could make it a quick fire double with REX IMPERATOR half an hour later in an open handicap. He is a horse with bags of ability and clearly above handicap class, beaten three lengths in a group three, and a four lengths fifth of six in a listed race on his reappearance, he has since been gelding, and will have all the cobwebs blown away and should be cherry ripe for this.
2.25 Windsor – Blessington
3.30 Windsor – Sholaan
4.00 Windsor – Thistle Bird
4.30 Windsor – Rex Imperator
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
FAITHFILLY will be a good price against an odds on favourite for Richard Hannon, and it could side with laying the jolly. The filly has gradually progressed and won a nice maiden at Sandown, in similar conditions, and although officially 8lb inferior, she is the more progressive of the two. ZENAAT is a Galileo filly who showed promise last year in a Kempton maiden before being well held in two starts this season at Newmarket and Lingfield. As such has got a very lenient mark of 76, and given how expensive of a yearling she was, there should be plenty more to offer. Another progeny of the Galileo is SUN CENTRAL for the in form William Haggas stable, who runs in a weak looking maiden. From the family of 2000 Guineas winner George Washington, he finished behind a subsequent Andrew Balding winner last time out when finishing a decent third. The Haggas and Kelly teams fill the final spot as well with WELL PAINTED. He won a good maiden at Newbury on Lockinge day, before finishing second last time out at Doncaster. The mile trip seemed too strong last time out and drops back to 7f, all four look to have strong claims.
2.10 Chester – Faithfilly
2.40 Chester – Zenaat
3.10 Chester – Sun Central
3.40 Chester – Well Painted
Newmarket holds a fairly strong card with hotly touted Michelangelo running in the three year old trophy, and although he should win, it is more a watching brief whilst at the prices. Newmarket is one of those quirky tracks with its undulations that find many out, so course form is a positive, which swings us towards SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard, which is having a particularly fruitful year with juveniles. The Oasis Dream filly should appreciate the extra furlong and looks a decent price to do so. It isn’t a fashionable selection but DANDINO’s solid second behind Sea Moon at Goodwood puts him head and shoulders above listed company, and he should win easy under Hayley Turner. EDINBURGH KNIGHT looks relatively overpriced considering he has one bad run to his name, when not getting a run in The Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. He returns to his preferred trip and he will appreciate the better ground. MEDIA HYPE looks to still be ahead of the handicapper judging on his win at York last time out, and with the Burke yard still in good order, he can defy an 8lb rise in the handicap over 10 furlongs.
2.30 Newmarket – Sandreamer
3.00 Newmarket – Dandino
3.35 Newmarket – Edinburgh Knight
4.40 Newmarket – Media Hype
Windsor has a nice card on this afternoon, which has relatively gone under the radar, but there looks to be some competitive racing, which means some tasty prices! BLESSINGTON runs for John Gosden in the first and was a 75,000 Guineas purchase as a yearling, and the son of Kheleyf goes for an in form stable, and looks the obvious pick in a weak looking maiden. SHOLAAN was luckily for me, put up in this blog two weeks ago when absolutely bolting up at York, winning by five lengths, going off a nice 10/1 winner for the loyal readers! He looked to have any amount in hand that day and can defy a rise with the headgear retained once more. In the Midsummer Stakes, the ‘horses at the head of the market are there on reputation and connections, and the value could lay with THISTLE BIRD. The Selkirk filly maker a belated seasonal appearance and returns to a more suitable trip, where she is a course and distance winner. Although she has to make up ground with Highland Knight and Coupe De Ville, she showed enough progression last season to indicate she was going in the right direction and way on the way to gaining some success in Pattern Company. Roger Charlton could make it a quick fire double with REX IMPERATOR half an hour later in an open handicap. He is a horse with bags of ability and clearly above handicap class, beaten three lengths in a group three, and a four lengths fifth of six in a listed race on his reappearance, he has since been gelding, and will have all the cobwebs blown away and should be cherry ripe for this.
2.25 Windsor – Blessington
3.30 Windsor – Sholaan
4.00 Windsor – Thistle Bird
4.30 Windsor – Rex Imperator
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Saturday 23 June 2012
Sunday Racing at Hereford and Pontefract
Hereford
It looks a really good card for a Sunday afternoon, and credit has to go the racecourse, with some strong connections taking advantage of the better (in comparison to usual Sunday afternoon racing) prize money.
SUD PACIFIQUE boasts a smart flat pedigree, and was a good horse formerly owned by Sir Robert Ogden, and trained by Jeremy Noseda, winning handicaps up to 10 furlongs. He got his neck in front last time out at Cartmel, just, but there may be more to come. The son of Montjeu should be a decent price due to Cape Express of Nicky Henderson and Shaloon of John Ferguson in the race.
BALLBOUGH GORTA suggested enough on his return from a break that there may be more to come than the bare result of his third in first time blinkers over course and distance in handicap company for the first time. Now with Peter Bowen, he has struck up a fruitful partnership with Jamie Moore, who continues to ride well, particularly for his father throughout the summer. Although beaten 27 lengths, he was severely eased, and is down 3lb in the handicap, and likely to appreciate the added moisture in the ground.
ROLLINROLLINROLLIN was well backed when winning a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last month and has been given a more than reasonable opening mark of 107. The well bred son of Oscar will appreciate being stepped up in trip, and it would be no surprise to see him being able to go on a little sequence of wins from here.
KAYFTON PETE has Tom Scudamore riding for the family and he looks to have decent enough claims in the two mile handicap hurdle. The Kayf Tara gelding has been rejuvenated since joining this yard, with form figures of 3146 since moving stables, and he looks progressive. Tiring last time out on firm ground has led to a 5lb rise and a drop in trip from running over two and a half miles, and gives him a mark he could easily exploit.
Advised:
2.20 Sud Pacificque
3.20 Ballybough Gorta
3.50 Rollinrollinrollin (Nap)
4.50 Kayfton Pete
Pontefract
MOLLYVATOR runs for the Karl Burke stable and is well related to three winners and is a son of Derby winner Motivator. The filly ran second behind Pay Freeze last time out at York who went on to run with credit at Royal Ascot, and she sets a decent standard in an average maiden.
KATHLATINO runs for the in form duo of Micky Hammond and Kelly Harrison, an underrated partnership in the north. She had a disappointing campaign last season but returned from a long break with a good win at Redcar, a 33/1 shock on the day. Under a 6lb penalty the mare ran another strong race finishing second, and running on well towards the end. She has clearly found her appetite for racing again, and although up another 5lb is likely to give another strong account.
DESCARO is a tough campaigner for the David O’ Meara stable, who are in red hot form, another 10/1 winner in a northern handicap yesterday, this time Redcar, and his horses seemingly slip under the radar. He has slipped down to a mark of 67, a mark he won off last time this slow at Pontefract over course and distance. The handicapper seems to have given him a chance, and with his old protagonist Sylvester De Sousa back on board and back on form, he looks a big price.
Tom Dascombe and Richard Kingscote team up in the last with an unexposed three year old colt having his first run in handicap company, and fresh from a run in a Newbury maiden where he never threatened, but nor was he ever asked a question. ANTON CHIGURH will be around the 10/1 mark but since his poor run in his second maiden, he will have been put away for this level of racing and has a mark of 74, so although the handicapper hasn’t given him too much slack, he is obviously respected. He was only eight lengths off the winner in his last maiden, and although not significant, the form has worked out well and is another plus.
Advised:
2.10 Mollyvator
2.40 Kathlatino
4.10 Descaro
5.10 Anton Chigurh
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
It looks a really good card for a Sunday afternoon, and credit has to go the racecourse, with some strong connections taking advantage of the better (in comparison to usual Sunday afternoon racing) prize money.
SUD PACIFIQUE boasts a smart flat pedigree, and was a good horse formerly owned by Sir Robert Ogden, and trained by Jeremy Noseda, winning handicaps up to 10 furlongs. He got his neck in front last time out at Cartmel, just, but there may be more to come. The son of Montjeu should be a decent price due to Cape Express of Nicky Henderson and Shaloon of John Ferguson in the race.
BALLBOUGH GORTA suggested enough on his return from a break that there may be more to come than the bare result of his third in first time blinkers over course and distance in handicap company for the first time. Now with Peter Bowen, he has struck up a fruitful partnership with Jamie Moore, who continues to ride well, particularly for his father throughout the summer. Although beaten 27 lengths, he was severely eased, and is down 3lb in the handicap, and likely to appreciate the added moisture in the ground.
ROLLINROLLINROLLIN was well backed when winning a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last month and has been given a more than reasonable opening mark of 107. The well bred son of Oscar will appreciate being stepped up in trip, and it would be no surprise to see him being able to go on a little sequence of wins from here.
KAYFTON PETE has Tom Scudamore riding for the family and he looks to have decent enough claims in the two mile handicap hurdle. The Kayf Tara gelding has been rejuvenated since joining this yard, with form figures of 3146 since moving stables, and he looks progressive. Tiring last time out on firm ground has led to a 5lb rise and a drop in trip from running over two and a half miles, and gives him a mark he could easily exploit.
Advised:
2.20 Sud Pacificque
3.20 Ballybough Gorta
3.50 Rollinrollinrollin (Nap)
4.50 Kayfton Pete
Pontefract
MOLLYVATOR runs for the Karl Burke stable and is well related to three winners and is a son of Derby winner Motivator. The filly ran second behind Pay Freeze last time out at York who went on to run with credit at Royal Ascot, and she sets a decent standard in an average maiden.
KATHLATINO runs for the in form duo of Micky Hammond and Kelly Harrison, an underrated partnership in the north. She had a disappointing campaign last season but returned from a long break with a good win at Redcar, a 33/1 shock on the day. Under a 6lb penalty the mare ran another strong race finishing second, and running on well towards the end. She has clearly found her appetite for racing again, and although up another 5lb is likely to give another strong account.
DESCARO is a tough campaigner for the David O’ Meara stable, who are in red hot form, another 10/1 winner in a northern handicap yesterday, this time Redcar, and his horses seemingly slip under the radar. He has slipped down to a mark of 67, a mark he won off last time this slow at Pontefract over course and distance. The handicapper seems to have given him a chance, and with his old protagonist Sylvester De Sousa back on board and back on form, he looks a big price.
Tom Dascombe and Richard Kingscote team up in the last with an unexposed three year old colt having his first run in handicap company, and fresh from a run in a Newbury maiden where he never threatened, but nor was he ever asked a question. ANTON CHIGURH will be around the 10/1 mark but since his poor run in his second maiden, he will have been put away for this level of racing and has a mark of 74, so although the handicapper hasn’t given him too much slack, he is obviously respected. He was only eight lengths off the winner in his last maiden, and although not significant, the form has worked out well and is another plus.
Advised:
2.10 Mollyvator
2.40 Kathlatino
4.10 Descaro
5.10 Anton Chigurh
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Friday 22 June 2012
Saturday at Royal Ascot - Day Five
The fifth and final day of Royal Ascot, and thankfully we are in the fortunate position of not having to chase profits, so no desperate lumping, we hope anyway, unless the dreaded thought of not a bean from the first five races, but that doesn’t even bare thinking about! It has been intense so far, and the pressure has been on, hopefully if you’re reading this, you’ve made a few quid and are either playing with Billy Hills, Joe Coral, Paddy Power or Mr Ladbrokes money!
The Chesham Stakes is a listed race over the specialist seven furlongs open for two year old colts and fillies. The race has a long history of going over to the Irish Sea, and they have the favourite once more with the Jim Bolger trained Move to Strike. She hacked up in a six furlong maiden at The Curragh last time out and is respected, but she looks plenty short in a race where many others are open to further improvement. Such is my way, that I like to pick two in these open stakes races, and the first one I like is JALAA for the newly established Richard Hannon and Sheikh Hamdan partnership. He looked very promising on debut at Leicester and is bred to improve the further he goes, he is a half brother to a Dewhurst winner and carries maximum respect. Similarly CHILWORTH ICON, who I backed when winning a similar event at Epsom when going off around the 10/1 mark. Mick Channon two year olds are generally overpriced for seemingly ‘unfashionable’ connections, but she warrants respect. She looks a gutsy sort who would be fine in a battle, as seen last time out, and stable jockey Martin Harley opts for him of the stable’s five horses.
The Hardwicke Stakes is one of my favourite races at the meeting, and there is a horse I have been waiting all week to see in AIKEN for the ever successful George Strawbridge, John Gosden and William Buick team. He hacked up last time out at Chantilly, retaining his unbeaten record in a Group Two contest on soft ground. He is a course and distance winner at Ascot, going the right way; he looks open to further improvement. Four year olds have a terrific record in the race, with the last two being Harbinger and Await the Dawn, and on breeding, he should relish the test of conditions, unlike many of his rivals such as Sea Moon, Dunaden, and Quest for Peace. Memphis Tennessee could be the biggest danger after hacking up around Chester last time out, but the form doesn’t look much on paper.
I don’t want to talk about the Diamond Jubilee too much, because much like the Queen Anne Stakes, just admire and revere the sight of a superstar in full flight. BLACK CAVIAR is the best sprinter in the world, and looks for twenty two wins on the bounce bringing her immortal reputation with her. She looks different gravy to anything we have to challenge her with and she WILL hack up. Moonlight Cloud’s best form comes over seven furlongs, and the best of the rest looks to be SOCIETY ROCK trained by James Fanshawe. He won this race last year and will thrive on the soft conditions. He ran a good third at York on his reappearance, and will improve for the run, and the more testing conditions.
The Wokingham is the feature handicap on Saturday, and with £120,000 in the prize pool, it has brought out some top quality horses. Those towards the front end of the market generally have a good record, with the last three winners all being 15/2 or shorter, but I am looking elsewhere this year. Jonny Murtagh has a good record in the race, winning it the last two years, and he rides GRAMERCY for the Kevin Ryan. He looks to have a live each way chance, starting off his season over an inadequate trip at York, and that run has seen him lowered 2lb in the handicap and is now just 1lb higher than his fifth in this race last year. Winner Deacon Blues went onto win four group races in a row after that, with Hoof It, Anne of Kiev, Fathsta and other good horses in behind, the form looks strong. Similarly WAFFLE, another who ran well last year, narrowly edged out by Deacon Blues, has progressed with three runs so far this year, getting better with every one. The last was a solid second at York, and with the predicted good to soft ground, should give him his ideal conditions. The David Barron yard are in good form, and perhaps significantly, Fran Berry is booked to ride. Macs Power looks likely to give another strong account, similarly High Standing, but both looked handicapped to high evens, and although I think they should run well, not well enough.
The Duke of Edinburgh Handicap, wow; where to start? This looks beyond tricky, this is The Crystal Maze after eight pints; good luck. This is usually a bad race for those at the head of affairs; the pesky bookmakers have never had it so good. Camborne is up 10lb for a recent win, and is likely to be underpriced due to the recent stable success, especially if Aiken hacks up in The Hardwicke Stakes, similarly Harrison Cave and Anatolian will both suffer similar fates. Fiery Lad, Midsummer Sun, Cill Rialaig and Harlestone Times have little form on soft ground, and are unbackable. The two I prefer are MULAQEN and STAND TO REASON. Mulaqen ran in a really good race at HQ two weeks ago, running a good fourth, with good form in behind. It wasn’t the best ride that day, Paul Hanagan deputising for T O’ Shea and the softer conditions, he may have a better chance off an untouched mark. Similarly Ted Durcan gave Stand to Reason a lot to do last time out, and he stayed on well, but came up short. He is up in trip here, and that could bring the best out of him, he has form on soft ground which should further aid him, along with Jimmy Fortune booked to ride. At around the 33/1 mark; CLASSIC VINTAGE could run a big race at a huge price. He usually runs well after a break, and has good form in big handicaps on good to soft or soft ground. Jim Crowley is in cracking form at the minute, and has won on the six year old before.
The last race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, is a gruelling two and three quarter mile slog, and where you would assume it would be National Hunt connections that dominant, you would be surprised to learn they have a poor record. Therefore we look to avoid Simeon and Overturn at the head of the market and instead focus on PETARA BAY for Robert Mills and Jimmy Fortune. From a seemingly unfashionable stable, most of his horses go off at decent prices, but the stable has a profit of +£5 from just eleven runners this month, and Petara Bay has good claims. The eight year old goes best fresh, and running with a 329 day break is a positive. He ran a good fourth in the Northumberland Plate last year and then went on to win at Goodwood. He looks to be a dark horse in a field full of big names and big reputations.
2.30 Ascot – Chilworth Icon & Jalaa
3.05 Ascot – Aiken (Nap)
3.45 Ascot – Society Rock (Betting without Black Caviar) (NB)
4.25 Ascot – Waffle (Ew) & Gramercy (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Mulaqen (Ew), Stand to Reason (Ew), Classic Vintage (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Petara Bay
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
The Chesham Stakes is a listed race over the specialist seven furlongs open for two year old colts and fillies. The race has a long history of going over to the Irish Sea, and they have the favourite once more with the Jim Bolger trained Move to Strike. She hacked up in a six furlong maiden at The Curragh last time out and is respected, but she looks plenty short in a race where many others are open to further improvement. Such is my way, that I like to pick two in these open stakes races, and the first one I like is JALAA for the newly established Richard Hannon and Sheikh Hamdan partnership. He looked very promising on debut at Leicester and is bred to improve the further he goes, he is a half brother to a Dewhurst winner and carries maximum respect. Similarly CHILWORTH ICON, who I backed when winning a similar event at Epsom when going off around the 10/1 mark. Mick Channon two year olds are generally overpriced for seemingly ‘unfashionable’ connections, but she warrants respect. She looks a gutsy sort who would be fine in a battle, as seen last time out, and stable jockey Martin Harley opts for him of the stable’s five horses.
The Hardwicke Stakes is one of my favourite races at the meeting, and there is a horse I have been waiting all week to see in AIKEN for the ever successful George Strawbridge, John Gosden and William Buick team. He hacked up last time out at Chantilly, retaining his unbeaten record in a Group Two contest on soft ground. He is a course and distance winner at Ascot, going the right way; he looks open to further improvement. Four year olds have a terrific record in the race, with the last two being Harbinger and Await the Dawn, and on breeding, he should relish the test of conditions, unlike many of his rivals such as Sea Moon, Dunaden, and Quest for Peace. Memphis Tennessee could be the biggest danger after hacking up around Chester last time out, but the form doesn’t look much on paper.
I don’t want to talk about the Diamond Jubilee too much, because much like the Queen Anne Stakes, just admire and revere the sight of a superstar in full flight. BLACK CAVIAR is the best sprinter in the world, and looks for twenty two wins on the bounce bringing her immortal reputation with her. She looks different gravy to anything we have to challenge her with and she WILL hack up. Moonlight Cloud’s best form comes over seven furlongs, and the best of the rest looks to be SOCIETY ROCK trained by James Fanshawe. He won this race last year and will thrive on the soft conditions. He ran a good third at York on his reappearance, and will improve for the run, and the more testing conditions.
The Wokingham is the feature handicap on Saturday, and with £120,000 in the prize pool, it has brought out some top quality horses. Those towards the front end of the market generally have a good record, with the last three winners all being 15/2 or shorter, but I am looking elsewhere this year. Jonny Murtagh has a good record in the race, winning it the last two years, and he rides GRAMERCY for the Kevin Ryan. He looks to have a live each way chance, starting off his season over an inadequate trip at York, and that run has seen him lowered 2lb in the handicap and is now just 1lb higher than his fifth in this race last year. Winner Deacon Blues went onto win four group races in a row after that, with Hoof It, Anne of Kiev, Fathsta and other good horses in behind, the form looks strong. Similarly WAFFLE, another who ran well last year, narrowly edged out by Deacon Blues, has progressed with three runs so far this year, getting better with every one. The last was a solid second at York, and with the predicted good to soft ground, should give him his ideal conditions. The David Barron yard are in good form, and perhaps significantly, Fran Berry is booked to ride. Macs Power looks likely to give another strong account, similarly High Standing, but both looked handicapped to high evens, and although I think they should run well, not well enough.
The Duke of Edinburgh Handicap, wow; where to start? This looks beyond tricky, this is The Crystal Maze after eight pints; good luck. This is usually a bad race for those at the head of affairs; the pesky bookmakers have never had it so good. Camborne is up 10lb for a recent win, and is likely to be underpriced due to the recent stable success, especially if Aiken hacks up in The Hardwicke Stakes, similarly Harrison Cave and Anatolian will both suffer similar fates. Fiery Lad, Midsummer Sun, Cill Rialaig and Harlestone Times have little form on soft ground, and are unbackable. The two I prefer are MULAQEN and STAND TO REASON. Mulaqen ran in a really good race at HQ two weeks ago, running a good fourth, with good form in behind. It wasn’t the best ride that day, Paul Hanagan deputising for T O’ Shea and the softer conditions, he may have a better chance off an untouched mark. Similarly Ted Durcan gave Stand to Reason a lot to do last time out, and he stayed on well, but came up short. He is up in trip here, and that could bring the best out of him, he has form on soft ground which should further aid him, along with Jimmy Fortune booked to ride. At around the 33/1 mark; CLASSIC VINTAGE could run a big race at a huge price. He usually runs well after a break, and has good form in big handicaps on good to soft or soft ground. Jim Crowley is in cracking form at the minute, and has won on the six year old before.
The last race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, is a gruelling two and three quarter mile slog, and where you would assume it would be National Hunt connections that dominant, you would be surprised to learn they have a poor record. Therefore we look to avoid Simeon and Overturn at the head of the market and instead focus on PETARA BAY for Robert Mills and Jimmy Fortune. From a seemingly unfashionable stable, most of his horses go off at decent prices, but the stable has a profit of +£5 from just eleven runners this month, and Petara Bay has good claims. The eight year old goes best fresh, and running with a 329 day break is a positive. He ran a good fourth in the Northumberland Plate last year and then went on to win at Goodwood. He looks to be a dark horse in a field full of big names and big reputations.
2.30 Ascot – Chilworth Icon & Jalaa
3.05 Ascot – Aiken (Nap)
3.45 Ascot – Society Rock (Betting without Black Caviar) (NB)
4.25 Ascot – Waffle (Ew) & Gramercy (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Mulaqen (Ew), Stand to Reason (Ew), Classic Vintage (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Petara Bay
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Thursday 21 June 2012
Friday at Royal Ascot - Day Four
Friday at Royal Ascot doesn’t quite have the fanfare of the previous day’s attention, but there is still yet another strong card on, with The Coronation Stakes pitting the 3 year old Guineas fillies together once more, and it looks a wide open contest once more.
The Albany Stakes is a Group Three for two year old fillies over the extended six furlongs, and has a bumper field of nineteen runners this year. The Hannon and Noseda teams have some good juveniles, but the favourite is Newfangled, a New Approach two year old for the John Gosden team. She was very impressive on debut, but looks considerably short in this calibre of race, and has to be opposed. AMAZONAS looks a smart filly, winning a nice debut at Yarmouth for Ed Dunlop and Sir Robert Ogden, the so far luckless Johnny Murtagh, and she won nicely enough first time out. The Cape Cross filly looks a big price at around the 18/1 mark, and could be worth a tickle. Similarly SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard who have been firing on all cylinders. She won a maiden on good ground, but the Oasis Dream filly won’t be hampered by the soft ground, and the form of her Newmarket maiden has worked out well, with the second and third have both come out and won since.
The King Edward VII Stakes looks a class renewal, and is usually used as a race and a stepping to stone for potential St Leger horses, as well as further Group One winners. Last year’s winner Nathaniel went on to win The King George on the back of victory here. Astrology is fancied after a good third in The Derby, and is proven on soft ground, but Epsom runners have a poor record, as seen in yesterdays Ribblesdale Stakes, and as such, I can’t have him or Thought Worthy. There would be two I would take against the field, the first being SHANTARAM. He ran in two very good Newmarket maidens, before finishing second to Main Sequence in The Derby Trial at Lingfield, on a form line with Astrology, they should be similarly priced. He won a nice maiden last time, and should run a big race at a price. As should THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, who came there full of running in her first race of the season before tiring and clearly needing the run. She then made a mockery of her 86 rating, hacking up in a Newmarket handicap three weeks ago. She has been well backed, which is a good sign, and Fennell Bay, yesterdays King George V winner was in behind, and the form has already been franked.
The Coronation Stakes looks a muddled affair, with fillies with form all intertwined with each other, and as such, there is no real out and out favourite. The one I like who and looks to be so progressive is LAUGH OUT LOUD for the Mick Channon team. Since the 1000 Guineas, she has won a listed race at York and then went to Chantilly and beat Mashoora in the Prix Sandringham Stakes (Group Two). She showed she handles soft ground that day, and for my money, is the one to beat. Frankie Dettori takes the ride and will be bouncing after his Gold Cup win.
The Wolferton Handicap is another one of those typical Ascot tight handicap affairs, with some very classy horses running arguably below their class. In particularly MIJHAAR for Neil Callan and Roger Varian, who finished third here at the meeting last year behind Nathaniel when well fancied for the King Edward VII Stakes. He has had the year off, and ran well last time out at York when third behind Fury in a good looking handicap. Prince of Johanne was second that day has come out and won The Royal Hunt Cup, Navajo Chief came out and won a good race at York on Saturday, in the ground, and she looks open to further improvement. Gatewood is respected after two wins at York and Epsom and looks a good colt in the making. I will be having a little saver on him.
The Queen’s Vase looks a weaker renewal than most years, a race that Mark Johnston usually earmarks, and he has no entries, similarly anything from the supposed bigger stables of Gosden, Cecil and Godolphin operations. On breeding alone it is hard to not get drawn to REPEATER for the in form team of Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris. The well bred son of Montjeu has been gelded over the winter after good form at two years, never running further than a mile and a quarter, but breeding suggests he is likely toe excel over this trip. ESTIMATE is also respected after the manner of his maiden win last week at Salisbury. The Queen’s Monsun colt won over a mile and a half on soft ground, after previously being behind future black type winners on debut at Leicester. Out of an Irish Oaks winning mare, she is bred to excel over this trip, and is very much respected.
It isn’t really the most fashionable of selections but PRIMAEVAL looks to have strong claims in The Buckingham Palace Stakes, after a good listed win last time out. Trainer James Fanshawe chose this race as opposed to more financially lucrative alternatives, and that warrants respect. The Pivotal gelding should be suited by cut in the ground and Hayley Turner takes the ride, and has a good record with him. He should give another good account.
2.30 Ascot – Amazonas (Ew) & Sandreamer (Ew)
3.05 Ascot – Shantaram & Thomas Chippendale
3.45 Ascot – Laugh Out Loud (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Mijhaar (Nb)
5.00 Ascot – Estimate & Repeater (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Primaeval (Ew)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
The Albany Stakes is a Group Three for two year old fillies over the extended six furlongs, and has a bumper field of nineteen runners this year. The Hannon and Noseda teams have some good juveniles, but the favourite is Newfangled, a New Approach two year old for the John Gosden team. She was very impressive on debut, but looks considerably short in this calibre of race, and has to be opposed. AMAZONAS looks a smart filly, winning a nice debut at Yarmouth for Ed Dunlop and Sir Robert Ogden, the so far luckless Johnny Murtagh, and she won nicely enough first time out. The Cape Cross filly looks a big price at around the 18/1 mark, and could be worth a tickle. Similarly SANDREAMER for the Mick Channon yard who have been firing on all cylinders. She won a maiden on good ground, but the Oasis Dream filly won’t be hampered by the soft ground, and the form of her Newmarket maiden has worked out well, with the second and third have both come out and won since.
The King Edward VII Stakes looks a class renewal, and is usually used as a race and a stepping to stone for potential St Leger horses, as well as further Group One winners. Last year’s winner Nathaniel went on to win The King George on the back of victory here. Astrology is fancied after a good third in The Derby, and is proven on soft ground, but Epsom runners have a poor record, as seen in yesterdays Ribblesdale Stakes, and as such, I can’t have him or Thought Worthy. There would be two I would take against the field, the first being SHANTARAM. He ran in two very good Newmarket maidens, before finishing second to Main Sequence in The Derby Trial at Lingfield, on a form line with Astrology, they should be similarly priced. He won a nice maiden last time, and should run a big race at a price. As should THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, who came there full of running in her first race of the season before tiring and clearly needing the run. She then made a mockery of her 86 rating, hacking up in a Newmarket handicap three weeks ago. She has been well backed, which is a good sign, and Fennell Bay, yesterdays King George V winner was in behind, and the form has already been franked.
The Coronation Stakes looks a muddled affair, with fillies with form all intertwined with each other, and as such, there is no real out and out favourite. The one I like who and looks to be so progressive is LAUGH OUT LOUD for the Mick Channon team. Since the 1000 Guineas, she has won a listed race at York and then went to Chantilly and beat Mashoora in the Prix Sandringham Stakes (Group Two). She showed she handles soft ground that day, and for my money, is the one to beat. Frankie Dettori takes the ride and will be bouncing after his Gold Cup win.
The Wolferton Handicap is another one of those typical Ascot tight handicap affairs, with some very classy horses running arguably below their class. In particularly MIJHAAR for Neil Callan and Roger Varian, who finished third here at the meeting last year behind Nathaniel when well fancied for the King Edward VII Stakes. He has had the year off, and ran well last time out at York when third behind Fury in a good looking handicap. Prince of Johanne was second that day has come out and won The Royal Hunt Cup, Navajo Chief came out and won a good race at York on Saturday, in the ground, and she looks open to further improvement. Gatewood is respected after two wins at York and Epsom and looks a good colt in the making. I will be having a little saver on him.
The Queen’s Vase looks a weaker renewal than most years, a race that Mark Johnston usually earmarks, and he has no entries, similarly anything from the supposed bigger stables of Gosden, Cecil and Godolphin operations. On breeding alone it is hard to not get drawn to REPEATER for the in form team of Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris. The well bred son of Montjeu has been gelded over the winter after good form at two years, never running further than a mile and a quarter, but breeding suggests he is likely toe excel over this trip. ESTIMATE is also respected after the manner of his maiden win last week at Salisbury. The Queen’s Monsun colt won over a mile and a half on soft ground, after previously being behind future black type winners on debut at Leicester. Out of an Irish Oaks winning mare, she is bred to excel over this trip, and is very much respected.
It isn’t really the most fashionable of selections but PRIMAEVAL looks to have strong claims in The Buckingham Palace Stakes, after a good listed win last time out. Trainer James Fanshawe chose this race as opposed to more financially lucrative alternatives, and that warrants respect. The Pivotal gelding should be suited by cut in the ground and Hayley Turner takes the ride, and has a good record with him. He should give another good account.
2.30 Ascot – Amazonas (Ew) & Sandreamer (Ew)
3.05 Ascot – Shantaram & Thomas Chippendale
3.45 Ascot – Laugh Out Loud (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Mijhaar (Nb)
5.00 Ascot – Estimate & Repeater (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Primaeval (Ew)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Thursday at Royal Ascot - Day Three
As a famous band once said, things can only get better, and this has been horrific. Some of the big handicaps have turned into big messes, and if you are on the side with no pace, you are effectively out of the race, turning some of the spectacles into near lotteries. Anyhoo, we will have another go.
MISTER MARC won a good Goodwood maiden before being seen as the stable as good enough to go to Ireland for some black type, performing with great credit. He got close to Dawn Approach, the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner, losing by two lengths. From a smart, speedy family, and it would be no surprised to see him taking to the drop down in trip to five furlongs.
The Ribblesdale is one of the great highlights of day three, and is a race with a great history, and has gone to pave the path for filly’s to become terrific broodmares. One of such is Irresistible Jewel, who was trained by Dermot Weld. He has her daughter in training in PRINCESS HIGHWAY, who made an impression at The Curragh last time out, winning a Group 3 race by eight lengths. The further they went, the more she impressed, and on breeding, she surely must have a terrific chance of this race, and has to be respected. Similarly VOW, trained by William Haggas, bred out of his previously trained Frog, looks a smart filly in the making. She didn’t look to handle Epsom, after previously impressing at Newmarket and Lingfield, despite showing evidence of greenness. She will be better suited to Ascot than Epsom.
Aidan O’ Brien has won The Gold Cup five our of the last six years, and FAME AND GLORY looks paved to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Yeats, who won four subsequent Gold Cups in a row. He looked to relish the step up in trip last year, under a good ride from Jamie Spencer took the race up two furlongs out, kicked on and was never caught. A year on, he has had a perfect preparation, will have ideal conditions on good to soft ground. He looks bombproof.
The Britannia Handicap is one of the races I alluded to in my opening monologue, it is something of a lottery, and it will all depend on the first few races, just how lucky I am indeed feeling. That being said, I backed and was really impressed by the way FAST OF FREE won last time out at Newmarket. He was clearly fancied on debut when being backed into favouritism for a Kempton maiden, with Paul Hanagan aboard. He hacked up last week in a good looking handicap field, and the 7lb rise in the weights, may not do enough to stop him completing the hatrick. At bigger prices; BRONZE ANGEL seems to be progressing well, and showed lots of guts and determination to win under a good ride from Hayley Turner last time out at Doncaster, her attitude will stand her in good stead for this type of race.
TALES OF GRIMM is a colt held in the highest regard by Sir Michael Stoute, and the way he finished off his run in The Heron Stakes at Sandown suggests more is to come. He was supposed to run in The Greenham and the 2000 Guineas, but bad weather scuppered that bid, and instead, he is campaigned here. He still looked green last time out, it was only his second career start, and first run of the season, and the manner in how he stayed on suggest further will suit.
The finale on day three is a mile and a half handicap, and looks an extremely competitive contest. The King George V Stakes is a race where northern trainers have a terrific record, in particular Mark Johnston, and presumably, he will have earmarked this race weeks ago. He has two runners; both won last time out and have live chances. The first being PRUSSIAN, who is a very progressive son of Dubai Destination. Showing promise on debut finishing second, the step up to handicaps has led to two wins from three races. He is up to a career high mark of 88, but the manner in how he would last time out at Redcar over a mile and a quarter suggests there could be more to come, stepped up to this sort of trip. His other runner is FENNELL BAY who is a lovely Dubawi colt, who fits a similar sort of profile. Three handicap wins already this season has seen his rating go from 70 to 81, and he has run well behind potential group horses Wrotham Heath and Thomas Chippendale at Epsom and Newmarket. He won well on Saturday at Sandown, and stepped up in trip on pedigree suggests further should eek out more improvement as well.
2.30 Ascot – Mister Marc
3.05 Ascot – Princess Highway & Vow
3.45 Ascot – Fame and Glory (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Fast or Free & Bronze Angel (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Tales of Grimm (Nb)
5.35 Ascot – Fennell Bay & Prussian
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
MISTER MARC won a good Goodwood maiden before being seen as the stable as good enough to go to Ireland for some black type, performing with great credit. He got close to Dawn Approach, the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner, losing by two lengths. From a smart, speedy family, and it would be no surprised to see him taking to the drop down in trip to five furlongs.
The Ribblesdale is one of the great highlights of day three, and is a race with a great history, and has gone to pave the path for filly’s to become terrific broodmares. One of such is Irresistible Jewel, who was trained by Dermot Weld. He has her daughter in training in PRINCESS HIGHWAY, who made an impression at The Curragh last time out, winning a Group 3 race by eight lengths. The further they went, the more she impressed, and on breeding, she surely must have a terrific chance of this race, and has to be respected. Similarly VOW, trained by William Haggas, bred out of his previously trained Frog, looks a smart filly in the making. She didn’t look to handle Epsom, after previously impressing at Newmarket and Lingfield, despite showing evidence of greenness. She will be better suited to Ascot than Epsom.
Aidan O’ Brien has won The Gold Cup five our of the last six years, and FAME AND GLORY looks paved to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Yeats, who won four subsequent Gold Cups in a row. He looked to relish the step up in trip last year, under a good ride from Jamie Spencer took the race up two furlongs out, kicked on and was never caught. A year on, he has had a perfect preparation, will have ideal conditions on good to soft ground. He looks bombproof.
The Britannia Handicap is one of the races I alluded to in my opening monologue, it is something of a lottery, and it will all depend on the first few races, just how lucky I am indeed feeling. That being said, I backed and was really impressed by the way FAST OF FREE won last time out at Newmarket. He was clearly fancied on debut when being backed into favouritism for a Kempton maiden, with Paul Hanagan aboard. He hacked up last week in a good looking handicap field, and the 7lb rise in the weights, may not do enough to stop him completing the hatrick. At bigger prices; BRONZE ANGEL seems to be progressing well, and showed lots of guts and determination to win under a good ride from Hayley Turner last time out at Doncaster, her attitude will stand her in good stead for this type of race.
TALES OF GRIMM is a colt held in the highest regard by Sir Michael Stoute, and the way he finished off his run in The Heron Stakes at Sandown suggests more is to come. He was supposed to run in The Greenham and the 2000 Guineas, but bad weather scuppered that bid, and instead, he is campaigned here. He still looked green last time out, it was only his second career start, and first run of the season, and the manner in how he stayed on suggest further will suit.
The finale on day three is a mile and a half handicap, and looks an extremely competitive contest. The King George V Stakes is a race where northern trainers have a terrific record, in particular Mark Johnston, and presumably, he will have earmarked this race weeks ago. He has two runners; both won last time out and have live chances. The first being PRUSSIAN, who is a very progressive son of Dubai Destination. Showing promise on debut finishing second, the step up to handicaps has led to two wins from three races. He is up to a career high mark of 88, but the manner in how he would last time out at Redcar over a mile and a quarter suggests there could be more to come, stepped up to this sort of trip. His other runner is FENNELL BAY who is a lovely Dubawi colt, who fits a similar sort of profile. Three handicap wins already this season has seen his rating go from 70 to 81, and he has run well behind potential group horses Wrotham Heath and Thomas Chippendale at Epsom and Newmarket. He won well on Saturday at Sandown, and stepped up in trip on pedigree suggests further should eek out more improvement as well.
2.30 Ascot – Mister Marc
3.05 Ascot – Princess Highway & Vow
3.45 Ascot – Fame and Glory (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Fast or Free & Bronze Angel (Ew)
5.00 Ascot – Tales of Grimm (Nb)
5.35 Ascot – Fennell Bay & Prussian
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Tuesday 19 June 2012
Wednesday at Royal Ascot - Day Two
Day two has a great spread of quality racing, with some of the best middle distance horses running in the world in The Windsor Forest Stakes and The Prince of Wales Stakes looking quality renewals.
Starting with The Jersey Stakes, which looks a strong renewal and three horses at the top of the market, all from the most respected of connections. Reply has been running in Group Company for Aidan O’ Brien, and this looks to be more on his level. The other two I am finding it difficult to split and it is probably wise to stay on the safe side and back both. ALJAMAAHEER is a promising Sheikh Hamdan colt, who beat The Nile at Sandown in soft conditions, and looks to have an improving profile. He is unexposed after only three runs and is respected. Similarly SENTARIL for William Haggas, who has been saved for this, rather been risked in the 1000 Guineas. She has been patiently brought on after winning a Newmarket maiden by seven lengths and was very professional last month at Doncaster. Both should fight home the finish.
NAHRAIN is a horse who I followed all of last season, and is a very gutsy, tough filly for Roger Varian. An offspring of renowned stallion Selkirk, she showed a tremendous attitude to win at Longchamp on Arc day, a fitting tribute, the week after former trainer Michael Jarvis’s death. She wouldn’t settle at the Breeders Cup, but still ran on well to finish second, her only career defeat. She looks the be all class, and should improve with age. Emulous and Chaichamaidee are obvious dangers, the former being a Group One winner in Ireland, but Nahrain has been reportedly burning up the Newmarket gallops, and she looks the value.
The Prince of Wales Stakes is the centrepiece around the dinner table that is day two on Wednesday, and has an absolute abundance of talent at disposal, and a field that looks a minefield is the race slips into another one of these ridiculous crawl, then sprint tactical affairs. Aidan O’ Brien has a good record in this race, and has the hot favourite, So You Think, who I did my absolute coconuts in this last year when a narrow second to Godolphin’s Rewilding, under a stellar ride from Frankie Dettori, whip bans notwithstanding. I am still financially and emotionally burnt by that, at a shade of odds on, I have to oppose him. Carlton House looks an interesting prospect, as we stumble another ante post disaster for me, after finishing third in The Derby, and fourth in The Irish Derby at The Curragh. He had a pleasing reappearance at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and looks to be back on track, despite the lack of form with Sir Michael Stoute. Looking back through the trends, you have to have class to win this, (go figure eh) which takes out all of the horses who have not won at Group One level. This immediately takes out Wigmore Hall, Sri Putra, Colombian and Big Blue Kitten. Trends aside as well, none look good enough in such a competitive field. CARLTON HOUSE looks back down to a more suitable trip and distance, and looks a decent price to lower the colours of the versatile globetrotter.
The Royal Hunt Cup is a glorified pin job, and you need one hell of a spoonful of luck to find the winner of this, it is a minefield. Much of it depends on the ground and the draw, and writing in advance, it is difficult to assess. That being said, there are two that I had ear marked, and both fortunate to run, both at reasonable prices. The first is ROCK CRITIC for the respected Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen connections. The gelded son of Pivotal is officially well in at the weights, and won the big handicap at the Galway festival last year. He came back in a pleasing reappearance at Tipperary, winning by 3 lengths and has obvious claims. Similarly BOOM AND BUST for Hayley Turner, who won the big prize at Goodwood last year, and goes well fresh. The Marcus Tregoning stable are in good form, and although a 5lb rise in the weights for that win last year, and the form from the Totesport Mile has worked out well. It could also be worth having a cheeky saver on DIMENSION, the hotly fancied ante post favourite for James Fanshawe, who has a tremendous record in Royal Ascot handicaps. Jonny Murtagh is booked; he has course form and had a nice tune up at Lingfield, he looks primed for this.
Wayne Lordan and David Wachman are prolific with their juveniles, and it is very interesting that they have a horses in The Queen Mary Stakes. They have a very well bred Excellent Art filly in the form of MIRONICA, and the form of her Naas maiden win has worked out alright, but she looked mightily impressive, and the drop in trip shouldn’t be a problem. UPWARD SPIRAL similarly has a likable profile, being an expensive yearling, before being snapped up by Qatar racing. The Tom Dascombe Teofilo colt won a decent looking Sandown maiden, rather comfortably on soft ground, and could and should be even better on quicker going.
The last race is a competitive filly’s handicap, and in races such as these, I like to take a couple of bullets to fire at the field, not literally, animal welfare can stay well away thank you. The first fancy is KINETICA for a stable that thrive around this time of the year, and Sir Mark Prescott has come good right on cue once again. She gradually progressed to group class last year, before flopping in desperate ground at The Curragh, and excuses can be made. She could be well treated on that basis.
Similarly DUNTLE for the Wachman stable once again, a well bred filly by Danehill Dancer, and ran a solid performance in the Irish 1000 Guineas trial. Before that she won a Dundalk maiden by a staggering eighteen lengths, jaw droppingly impressive fashion. She could be very well handicapped on that basis alone.
2.30 Ascot – Aljamaaheer & Sentaril & Reverse Forecast
3.05 Ascot – Nahrain (Nb)
3.45 Ascot – Carlton House (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Boom and Bust, Rock Critic, Dimension (All Each Way)
5.00 Ascot – Mironica & Upward Spiral
5.35 Ascot – Duntle & Kinetica
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Starting with The Jersey Stakes, which looks a strong renewal and three horses at the top of the market, all from the most respected of connections. Reply has been running in Group Company for Aidan O’ Brien, and this looks to be more on his level. The other two I am finding it difficult to split and it is probably wise to stay on the safe side and back both. ALJAMAAHEER is a promising Sheikh Hamdan colt, who beat The Nile at Sandown in soft conditions, and looks to have an improving profile. He is unexposed after only three runs and is respected. Similarly SENTARIL for William Haggas, who has been saved for this, rather been risked in the 1000 Guineas. She has been patiently brought on after winning a Newmarket maiden by seven lengths and was very professional last month at Doncaster. Both should fight home the finish.
NAHRAIN is a horse who I followed all of last season, and is a very gutsy, tough filly for Roger Varian. An offspring of renowned stallion Selkirk, she showed a tremendous attitude to win at Longchamp on Arc day, a fitting tribute, the week after former trainer Michael Jarvis’s death. She wouldn’t settle at the Breeders Cup, but still ran on well to finish second, her only career defeat. She looks the be all class, and should improve with age. Emulous and Chaichamaidee are obvious dangers, the former being a Group One winner in Ireland, but Nahrain has been reportedly burning up the Newmarket gallops, and she looks the value.
The Prince of Wales Stakes is the centrepiece around the dinner table that is day two on Wednesday, and has an absolute abundance of talent at disposal, and a field that looks a minefield is the race slips into another one of these ridiculous crawl, then sprint tactical affairs. Aidan O’ Brien has a good record in this race, and has the hot favourite, So You Think, who I did my absolute coconuts in this last year when a narrow second to Godolphin’s Rewilding, under a stellar ride from Frankie Dettori, whip bans notwithstanding. I am still financially and emotionally burnt by that, at a shade of odds on, I have to oppose him. Carlton House looks an interesting prospect, as we stumble another ante post disaster for me, after finishing third in The Derby, and fourth in The Irish Derby at The Curragh. He had a pleasing reappearance at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and looks to be back on track, despite the lack of form with Sir Michael Stoute. Looking back through the trends, you have to have class to win this, (go figure eh) which takes out all of the horses who have not won at Group One level. This immediately takes out Wigmore Hall, Sri Putra, Colombian and Big Blue Kitten. Trends aside as well, none look good enough in such a competitive field. CARLTON HOUSE looks back down to a more suitable trip and distance, and looks a decent price to lower the colours of the versatile globetrotter.
The Royal Hunt Cup is a glorified pin job, and you need one hell of a spoonful of luck to find the winner of this, it is a minefield. Much of it depends on the ground and the draw, and writing in advance, it is difficult to assess. That being said, there are two that I had ear marked, and both fortunate to run, both at reasonable prices. The first is ROCK CRITIC for the respected Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen connections. The gelded son of Pivotal is officially well in at the weights, and won the big handicap at the Galway festival last year. He came back in a pleasing reappearance at Tipperary, winning by 3 lengths and has obvious claims. Similarly BOOM AND BUST for Hayley Turner, who won the big prize at Goodwood last year, and goes well fresh. The Marcus Tregoning stable are in good form, and although a 5lb rise in the weights for that win last year, and the form from the Totesport Mile has worked out well. It could also be worth having a cheeky saver on DIMENSION, the hotly fancied ante post favourite for James Fanshawe, who has a tremendous record in Royal Ascot handicaps. Jonny Murtagh is booked; he has course form and had a nice tune up at Lingfield, he looks primed for this.
Wayne Lordan and David Wachman are prolific with their juveniles, and it is very interesting that they have a horses in The Queen Mary Stakes. They have a very well bred Excellent Art filly in the form of MIRONICA, and the form of her Naas maiden win has worked out alright, but she looked mightily impressive, and the drop in trip shouldn’t be a problem. UPWARD SPIRAL similarly has a likable profile, being an expensive yearling, before being snapped up by Qatar racing. The Tom Dascombe Teofilo colt won a decent looking Sandown maiden, rather comfortably on soft ground, and could and should be even better on quicker going.
The last race is a competitive filly’s handicap, and in races such as these, I like to take a couple of bullets to fire at the field, not literally, animal welfare can stay well away thank you. The first fancy is KINETICA for a stable that thrive around this time of the year, and Sir Mark Prescott has come good right on cue once again. She gradually progressed to group class last year, before flopping in desperate ground at The Curragh, and excuses can be made. She could be well treated on that basis.
Similarly DUNTLE for the Wachman stable once again, a well bred filly by Danehill Dancer, and ran a solid performance in the Irish 1000 Guineas trial. Before that she won a Dundalk maiden by a staggering eighteen lengths, jaw droppingly impressive fashion. She could be very well handicapped on that basis alone.
2.30 Ascot – Aljamaaheer & Sentaril & Reverse Forecast
3.05 Ascot – Nahrain (Nb)
3.45 Ascot – Carlton House (Nap)
4.25 Ascot – Boom and Bust, Rock Critic, Dimension (All Each Way)
5.00 Ascot – Mironica & Upward Spiral
5.35 Ascot – Duntle & Kinetica
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
The Prince of Wales Stakes- Ascot Day Two
The Prince of Wales Stakes is the centrepiece around the dinner table that is day two on Wednesday, and has an absolute abundance of talent at disposal, and a field that looks a minefield is the race slips into another one of these ridiculous crawl, then sprint tactical affairs.
Aidan O’ Brien has a good record in this race, and has the hot favourite, So You Think, who I did my absolute coconuts on in this last year, when a narrow second to Godolphin’s Rewilding, under a stellar ride from Frankie Dettori, whip bans notwithstanding. Last year he had Jan Vermeer used as a pacemaker, who quite frankly did a shocking job, and this year, Seamie Heffernan does the duties on Robin Hood this time, look after them fractions son. I am still financially and emotionally burnt by that, at a shade of odds on, I have to oppose him.
Carlton House looks an interesting prospect, as we stumble another ante post disaster for me, after finishing third in The Derby, and fourth in The Irish Derby at The Curragh. He had a pleasing reappearance at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and looks to be back on track, despite the lack of form with Sir Michael Stoute.
Godolphin look like a stable in anarchy, too many jockeys, not enough good horses, it seems a bit of a mess at the moment. The horses they inherit from overseas, particularly from Andre Fabre don’t seem to train on, see Mandean this year, and Dubawi Prince and Casamento last year, I can’t have Rumh or City Style.
Looking back through the trends, you have to have class to win this, (go figure eh) which takes out all of the horses who have not won at Group One level. This immediately takes out Wigmore Hall, Sri Putra, Colombian and Big Blue Kitten. Trends aside as well, none look good enough in such a competitive field.
The two French raiders could have live chances if back to their best after both disappointing last time out. Reliable Man was hugely disappointing in the Jockey Club Stakes last month when seventh and never travelling. He won a good French Derby last year, following that up with a Prix Neil win to set up a crack at The Arc, but suffered a setback and missed out. Planteur is a good yardstick, but is often the bridesmaid, and rarely the bride. On his CV he has places in a French Derby, Dubai World Cup and Grand Prix De Paris to his name; questions are still to be asked over his attitude.
As said at the top, I can’t bring myself to follow So You Think off a cliff again, after having my proverbials on him in this last year, The Champion Stakes and The Arc, he is too inconsistent. CARLTON HOUSE looks back down to a more suitable trip and distance, and looks a decent price to lower the colours of the versatile Irish/Australian/New Zealander.
3.45 Ascot – Carlton House
3.45 Ascot – Carlton House/So You Think & Carlton House/Planteur F/C’s.
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Monday 18 June 2012
Tuesday at Royal Ascot 2012 - Day One
Royal Ascot comes upon us once more and it is the first real test of the ‘classic generation’ going up against the big boys, their older, more experienced rivals. The pageantry, the spectacle, and most importantly Her Majesty, who will no doubt fully immerse herself in the Jubilee celebrations, with a sherry or two during the week. She has couple of interesting runners herself, including Set to Music, Momentary, and her most fancied runner, Carlton House in the Prince of Wales Stakes.
The meeting kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes, they don’t mess around, and it goes off with quite the bang. The race is steeped in history, and the last two winners were Canford Cliffs and Goldikova, two of the best milers in decades. A horse even better will saunter home in this; FRANKEL, officially the greatest horse currently on the planet. The only question mark is over who will chase him home, with Excelebration likely to do the honours ahead of Strong Suit, for only what, the umpteenth time in the last year or so?
The King’s Stand Stakes is a race for arguably the fastest horses in the world. Over the straight five furlongs, the race has been farmed by the Australian sprinters coming over from down under, with the likes of Choisir, Takeover Target, and Miss Andretti all winning in under a minute. Blink and you’ll miss it. They have another raider this year in the form of ORTENSIA, the mare who won the Group 1 sprint in Dubai, coming from last to first in double quick time. She has been stationed over here for the best part of six weeks to get acclimatised, staying with Jane Chapple-Hyam in Newmarket. She looks to be one of the top sprinters around on the basis of her Australian form alone. The majority of the challengers have all beaten each other in round robin style in the past couple of seasons, and it is hard to make a strong case for any of the home challengers on that basis alone.
The St James’s Palace Stakes is the last chapter of the opening days three pronged Group One assault, and features the best three year old milers in Europe, with an influx of horses from France and Ireland this year; I suppose that is one way of helping the local economy. You would assume if only the Greeks knew about this horse racing lark eh, they would be out of recession in no time.
Henrythenavigator did The English and Irish Guineas double before winning this, and most recently Mastercraftsman and Canford Cliffs both completed The Irish 2000 Guineas before winning this race as a warm favourite. Power will look to continue that feat for Aidan O’ Brien who was impressive at The Curragh, getting his season back on track after finishing an ‘also ran’ at Newmarket. The Champion two year old last year was impressive when winning The Coventry Stakes and the Oasis Dream colt is an understandably short priced favourite for the race. He is the stable’s first choice, with Joseph on board, and Seamie Heffernan on the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote, but I just have a suspicion that Power will be massively underpriced, and Wrote, like in the Irish 2000 Guineas, will be used as a pacemaker.
The most intriguing runner of the entire field is BORN TO SEA for John Oxx and J P Murtagh. He is of course out of that star laden family of Urban Sea, Galileo and is a half brother to Sea the Stars. The colt set tongues wagging when winning a listed race on debut, before injuring himself on heavy ground in a Group Three at Leopardstown, and still able to finish second. He never settled in the English Guineas, and in the Irish equivalent settled too well. Pat Smullen made sure the colt learnt how to race properly though, switched off at the back, he made giant strides to make up around fifteen lengths in the last furlong and a half. John Oxx would not run a horse over here unless he thought he had a great chance of winning, from 20 runners, has had 7 winners and four further placed in Britain in the last five years. I think he could go off an outrageously over priced animal, and there is no better man in the saddle to steer this colt to home than Mr J P Murtagh.
The Ascot Stakes is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week, and is usually one dominated by national hunt trainers, with the two and a half miles being a gruelling battle, and quite the tactical affair. Last year it was won by Veiled for Nicky Henderson and Eddie Ahern, and ran creditably at Cheltenham, before disappointing at Aintree, but she is 7lb higher than her winning mark last year. Stable mate Sentry Duty carries top weight, and looks to have far too much weight off 9-10. David Pipe has Ashbrittle and Fiulin, both neither looks appealing, similarly Simenon, who will go off shorter than he should, purely because he is trained by W P Mullins. The most interesting in the field looks to be COSIMO DE MEDICI for the Hughie Morrison stable with Darryl Holland aboard. The five year old ended last season with wins at Newmarket over a mile seven furlongs on soft and at Haydock over two miles and a quarter on good ground, he is a model of versatility. On a career high mark of 89, however he had his comeback run last month at Goodwood, and ran a cracker, staying on well to snare fourth in a good race behind Life and Soul and Grumeti, and he looks to have been laid out for this and is the best each way bet on the card of day one.
The Coventry Stakes is the strongest race for two year olds up until now, and pits some of the best juveniles in the country against each other. It is another race that the Richard Hannon stable generally over perform in, including Canford Cliffs and Strong Suit. Aidan O’ Brien won the race last year with Irish Guineas winner Power, who was very impressive that day, and combined, the two mentioned connections have six runners, and it is hard to know what runner is the standout from either stable. Compare that however to Jim Bolger, and his thoughts on DAWN APPROACH, who has gone on record to saying the New Approach colt is one of, if not the best juvenile he has ever trained. He made it 3 from 3 in a listed event last time out at Naas, barely breaking sweat, in a very impressive manner. I have personally backed him for next years 2000 Guineas after seeing the manner of his novice stakes win, beating a good looking field by five lengths on his second career start, and I think this horse will go on to be an absolute superstar, and is in the right hands
The Richard Hannon trained Lyric Ace will be all the rage in the last race of the day, The Windsor Castle Stakes, and as such, can see him going off a very skinny price indeed. He has done steadily improved in his three career starts but there is value in opposing him, and I have two against the field. The first is COSMIC CHATTER for the David Barron stable, a very under-rated trainer based in Malton, North Yorkshire. Cosmic Chatter won a good looking maiden at Haydock over five furlongs, winning coming away, and has been subsequently snapped up by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing on the back of that win. He showed bags of speed, and beat horses from the Noseda, Hills and Hannon yards in the process, if he were from a more fashionable stable, he would be half the odds. Similarly PAY FREEZE, who is trained by Mick Channon, and has had a particularly fruitful year with his juveniles, most notably recent group winner Laugh Out Loud. Pay Freeze absolutely bolted up at York in a six furlong maiden after previously showing promise on good to soft to finish second at Newbury. Pay Freeze was very impressive that day and again, has been expensively bought, this time by Qatar Racing Limited. Both won impressive maidens and can hopefully bring the prize up north, irrespective which one, stay on the safe side and get out of jail Tuesday by backing both.
2.30 Ascot – Frankel/Excelebration F/C
3.05 Ascot – Ortensia (Nb)
3.45 Ascot – Born to Sea (Ew) & Born to Sea/Power RFC
4.25 Ascot – Dawn Approach (Nap)
5.00 Ascot – Cosimo De Medici (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Cosmic Chatter & Pay Freeze
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner (@JJMSports)
The meeting kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes, they don’t mess around, and it goes off with quite the bang. The race is steeped in history, and the last two winners were Canford Cliffs and Goldikova, two of the best milers in decades. A horse even better will saunter home in this; FRANKEL, officially the greatest horse currently on the planet. The only question mark is over who will chase him home, with Excelebration likely to do the honours ahead of Strong Suit, for only what, the umpteenth time in the last year or so?
The King’s Stand Stakes is a race for arguably the fastest horses in the world. Over the straight five furlongs, the race has been farmed by the Australian sprinters coming over from down under, with the likes of Choisir, Takeover Target, and Miss Andretti all winning in under a minute. Blink and you’ll miss it. They have another raider this year in the form of ORTENSIA, the mare who won the Group 1 sprint in Dubai, coming from last to first in double quick time. She has been stationed over here for the best part of six weeks to get acclimatised, staying with Jane Chapple-Hyam in Newmarket. She looks to be one of the top sprinters around on the basis of her Australian form alone. The majority of the challengers have all beaten each other in round robin style in the past couple of seasons, and it is hard to make a strong case for any of the home challengers on that basis alone.
The St James’s Palace Stakes is the last chapter of the opening days three pronged Group One assault, and features the best three year old milers in Europe, with an influx of horses from France and Ireland this year; I suppose that is one way of helping the local economy. You would assume if only the Greeks knew about this horse racing lark eh, they would be out of recession in no time.
Henrythenavigator did The English and Irish Guineas double before winning this, and most recently Mastercraftsman and Canford Cliffs both completed The Irish 2000 Guineas before winning this race as a warm favourite. Power will look to continue that feat for Aidan O’ Brien who was impressive at The Curragh, getting his season back on track after finishing an ‘also ran’ at Newmarket. The Champion two year old last year was impressive when winning The Coventry Stakes and the Oasis Dream colt is an understandably short priced favourite for the race. He is the stable’s first choice, with Joseph on board, and Seamie Heffernan on the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote, but I just have a suspicion that Power will be massively underpriced, and Wrote, like in the Irish 2000 Guineas, will be used as a pacemaker.
The most intriguing runner of the entire field is BORN TO SEA for John Oxx and J P Murtagh. He is of course out of that star laden family of Urban Sea, Galileo and is a half brother to Sea the Stars. The colt set tongues wagging when winning a listed race on debut, before injuring himself on heavy ground in a Group Three at Leopardstown, and still able to finish second. He never settled in the English Guineas, and in the Irish equivalent settled too well. Pat Smullen made sure the colt learnt how to race properly though, switched off at the back, he made giant strides to make up around fifteen lengths in the last furlong and a half. John Oxx would not run a horse over here unless he thought he had a great chance of winning, from 20 runners, has had 7 winners and four further placed in Britain in the last five years. I think he could go off an outrageously over priced animal, and there is no better man in the saddle to steer this colt to home than Mr J P Murtagh.
The Ascot Stakes is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week, and is usually one dominated by national hunt trainers, with the two and a half miles being a gruelling battle, and quite the tactical affair. Last year it was won by Veiled for Nicky Henderson and Eddie Ahern, and ran creditably at Cheltenham, before disappointing at Aintree, but she is 7lb higher than her winning mark last year. Stable mate Sentry Duty carries top weight, and looks to have far too much weight off 9-10. David Pipe has Ashbrittle and Fiulin, both neither looks appealing, similarly Simenon, who will go off shorter than he should, purely because he is trained by W P Mullins. The most interesting in the field looks to be COSIMO DE MEDICI for the Hughie Morrison stable with Darryl Holland aboard. The five year old ended last season with wins at Newmarket over a mile seven furlongs on soft and at Haydock over two miles and a quarter on good ground, he is a model of versatility. On a career high mark of 89, however he had his comeback run last month at Goodwood, and ran a cracker, staying on well to snare fourth in a good race behind Life and Soul and Grumeti, and he looks to have been laid out for this and is the best each way bet on the card of day one.
The Coventry Stakes is the strongest race for two year olds up until now, and pits some of the best juveniles in the country against each other. It is another race that the Richard Hannon stable generally over perform in, including Canford Cliffs and Strong Suit. Aidan O’ Brien won the race last year with Irish Guineas winner Power, who was very impressive that day, and combined, the two mentioned connections have six runners, and it is hard to know what runner is the standout from either stable. Compare that however to Jim Bolger, and his thoughts on DAWN APPROACH, who has gone on record to saying the New Approach colt is one of, if not the best juvenile he has ever trained. He made it 3 from 3 in a listed event last time out at Naas, barely breaking sweat, in a very impressive manner. I have personally backed him for next years 2000 Guineas after seeing the manner of his novice stakes win, beating a good looking field by five lengths on his second career start, and I think this horse will go on to be an absolute superstar, and is in the right hands
The Richard Hannon trained Lyric Ace will be all the rage in the last race of the day, The Windsor Castle Stakes, and as such, can see him going off a very skinny price indeed. He has done steadily improved in his three career starts but there is value in opposing him, and I have two against the field. The first is COSMIC CHATTER for the David Barron stable, a very under-rated trainer based in Malton, North Yorkshire. Cosmic Chatter won a good looking maiden at Haydock over five furlongs, winning coming away, and has been subsequently snapped up by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing on the back of that win. He showed bags of speed, and beat horses from the Noseda, Hills and Hannon yards in the process, if he were from a more fashionable stable, he would be half the odds. Similarly PAY FREEZE, who is trained by Mick Channon, and has had a particularly fruitful year with his juveniles, most notably recent group winner Laugh Out Loud. Pay Freeze absolutely bolted up at York in a six furlong maiden after previously showing promise on good to soft to finish second at Newbury. Pay Freeze was very impressive that day and again, has been expensively bought, this time by Qatar Racing Limited. Both won impressive maidens and can hopefully bring the prize up north, irrespective which one, stay on the safe side and get out of jail Tuesday by backing both.
2.30 Ascot – Frankel/Excelebration F/C
3.05 Ascot – Ortensia (Nb)
3.45 Ascot – Born to Sea (Ew) & Born to Sea/Power RFC
4.25 Ascot – Dawn Approach (Nap)
5.00 Ascot – Cosimo De Medici (Ew)
5.35 Ascot – Cosmic Chatter & Pay Freeze
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner (@JJMSports)
The St James's Palace Stakes - Ascot, Day One
The St James’s Palace Stakes is the last chapter of the opening days three pronged Group One assault, and features the best three year old milers in Europe, with an influx of horses from France and Ireland this year; I suppose that is one way of helping the local economy. You would assume if only the Greeks knew about this horse racing lark eh, they would be out of recession in no time.
This is the race where Frankel almost lost his unbeaten record last year, in Tom Queally’s not so finest hour, kicking on from the front at just over the half way stage; it was not quite the spectacle we had all hoped for. Frankel was completing the 2000 Guineas/St James’s Palace Stakes double, something that is quite a trend, whether is be the French, English or Irish equivalent. Henrythenavigator did The English and Irish Guineas double before winning this, and most recently Mastercraftsman and Canford Cliffs both completed The Irish 2000 Guineas before winning this race as a warm favourite. Power will look to continue that feat for Aidan O’ Brien who was impressive at The Curragh, getting his season back on track after finishing an ‘also ran’ at Newmarket. The Champion two year old last year was impressive when winning The Coventry Stakes and the Oasis Dream colt is an understandably short priced favourite for the race. He is the stable’s first choice, with Joseph on board, and Seamie Heffernan on the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote, but I just have a suspicion that Power will be massively underpriced, and Wrote, like in the Irish 2000 Guineas, will be used as a pacemaker.
Taking out the rags, there are horses in this race, which plainly have absolutely zero chance, and if it weren’t for the trainers wanting a day out and a jolly up at Royal Ascot, would not be running at all. Arnold Lane won a Chester handicap on horrendous ground, and his best form comes after a break. Miblish has generally disappointed after winning an average looking maiden last year at Newbury. He finished second in a conditions race at Kempton before finishing tenth of twelfth in The Craven, with the form working out horrendously. Gregorian has failed to run any form of race at Longchamp and Chantilly after a handicap win at Newbury. Similarly Saigon, who has good pieces of form at two, but has been unable to place in her last two listed races, I’d rather look at a market that lays me a price her finishing in the car park.
The French runners look to have chances on paper, but history dictates on the contrary, with French runners having a dismal record, with their last winner here being Sendawar for Alain Royer-Dupre in 1999, and before that Kingmambo for François Bouton. They have had two winners in the last fourty-two years. The French send over Hermival, Dragon Pulse and Lucayan, but I can not have any, and it may be short sighted, but neither strikes me of having enough class. Lucayan won an awful French Guineas as a 33/1 shot, where Dragon Pulse wouldn’t settle, and Hermival ran a nothing race in the Irish Guineas.
Gabrial is an interesting runner for Richard Fahey, supplemented after absolutely hacking up in a decent handicap at Haydock. The trainer said it was his best chance of the week, and it seems a lot of money for owner Dr Marwan Koukash to stump up in a race of this depth. He was unable to get the better of Arnold Lane on his seasonal run though, and doubts remain over his class.
It may be something matter-of-fact about it, but I really don’t like Brian Meehan runners, and on the whole, it offers little value following his runners, it is only in my humble opinion of course. He has only had 19 winners from 295 Ascot runners, a strike rate of 6.44%, and I will gladly lay every one of his runners at the meeting. That would immediately rule out both Most Improved and Cogito.
The Nile ran a good race in behind Aljamaaheer, who I fancy for the Jersey Stakes on Day Two, and has a progressive profile. As do Fencing and Foxtrot Romeo, who placed in the Dante Stakes and Irish Guineas respectively, but both did so in questionable circumstances, and are open to doubt.
The most intriguing runner of the entire field is BORN TO SEA for John Oxx and J P Murtagh. He is of course out of that star laden family of Urban Sea, Galileo and is a half brother to Sea The Stars. The colt set tongues wagging when winning a listed race on debut, before injuring himself on heavy ground in a Group Three at Leopardstown, and still able to finish second. He never settled in the English Guineas, and in the Irish equivalent settled too well. Pat Smullen made sure the colt learnt how to race properly though, switched off at the back, he made giant strides to make up around fifteen lengths in the last furlong and a half. John Oxx would not run a horse over here unless he thought he had a great chance of winning, from 20 runners, has had 7 winners and four further placed in Britain in the last five years. I think he could go off an outrageously over priced animal, and there is no better man in the saddle to steer this colt to Ascot glory than four time champion jockey Mr J P Murtagh.
3.45 Ascot- Born To Sea (Ew)
Power/Born to Sea (Reverse Forecast)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner (@JJMSports)
This is the race where Frankel almost lost his unbeaten record last year, in Tom Queally’s not so finest hour, kicking on from the front at just over the half way stage; it was not quite the spectacle we had all hoped for. Frankel was completing the 2000 Guineas/St James’s Palace Stakes double, something that is quite a trend, whether is be the French, English or Irish equivalent. Henrythenavigator did The English and Irish Guineas double before winning this, and most recently Mastercraftsman and Canford Cliffs both completed The Irish 2000 Guineas before winning this race as a warm favourite. Power will look to continue that feat for Aidan O’ Brien who was impressive at The Curragh, getting his season back on track after finishing an ‘also ran’ at Newmarket. The Champion two year old last year was impressive when winning The Coventry Stakes and the Oasis Dream colt is an understandably short priced favourite for the race. He is the stable’s first choice, with Joseph on board, and Seamie Heffernan on the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote, but I just have a suspicion that Power will be massively underpriced, and Wrote, like in the Irish 2000 Guineas, will be used as a pacemaker.
Taking out the rags, there are horses in this race, which plainly have absolutely zero chance, and if it weren’t for the trainers wanting a day out and a jolly up at Royal Ascot, would not be running at all. Arnold Lane won a Chester handicap on horrendous ground, and his best form comes after a break. Miblish has generally disappointed after winning an average looking maiden last year at Newbury. He finished second in a conditions race at Kempton before finishing tenth of twelfth in The Craven, with the form working out horrendously. Gregorian has failed to run any form of race at Longchamp and Chantilly after a handicap win at Newbury. Similarly Saigon, who has good pieces of form at two, but has been unable to place in her last two listed races, I’d rather look at a market that lays me a price her finishing in the car park.
The French runners look to have chances on paper, but history dictates on the contrary, with French runners having a dismal record, with their last winner here being Sendawar for Alain Royer-Dupre in 1999, and before that Kingmambo for François Bouton. They have had two winners in the last fourty-two years. The French send over Hermival, Dragon Pulse and Lucayan, but I can not have any, and it may be short sighted, but neither strikes me of having enough class. Lucayan won an awful French Guineas as a 33/1 shot, where Dragon Pulse wouldn’t settle, and Hermival ran a nothing race in the Irish Guineas.
Gabrial is an interesting runner for Richard Fahey, supplemented after absolutely hacking up in a decent handicap at Haydock. The trainer said it was his best chance of the week, and it seems a lot of money for owner Dr Marwan Koukash to stump up in a race of this depth. He was unable to get the better of Arnold Lane on his seasonal run though, and doubts remain over his class.
It may be something matter-of-fact about it, but I really don’t like Brian Meehan runners, and on the whole, it offers little value following his runners, it is only in my humble opinion of course. He has only had 19 winners from 295 Ascot runners, a strike rate of 6.44%, and I will gladly lay every one of his runners at the meeting. That would immediately rule out both Most Improved and Cogito.
The Nile ran a good race in behind Aljamaaheer, who I fancy for the Jersey Stakes on Day Two, and has a progressive profile. As do Fencing and Foxtrot Romeo, who placed in the Dante Stakes and Irish Guineas respectively, but both did so in questionable circumstances, and are open to doubt.
The most intriguing runner of the entire field is BORN TO SEA for John Oxx and J P Murtagh. He is of course out of that star laden family of Urban Sea, Galileo and is a half brother to Sea The Stars. The colt set tongues wagging when winning a listed race on debut, before injuring himself on heavy ground in a Group Three at Leopardstown, and still able to finish second. He never settled in the English Guineas, and in the Irish equivalent settled too well. Pat Smullen made sure the colt learnt how to race properly though, switched off at the back, he made giant strides to make up around fifteen lengths in the last furlong and a half. John Oxx would not run a horse over here unless he thought he had a great chance of winning, from 20 runners, has had 7 winners and four further placed in Britain in the last five years. I think he could go off an outrageously over priced animal, and there is no better man in the saddle to steer this colt to Ascot glory than four time champion jockey Mr J P Murtagh.
3.45 Ascot- Born To Sea (Ew)
Power/Born to Sea (Reverse Forecast)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner (@JJMSports)
Saturday 16 June 2012
Racing at Doncaster - Sunday 17th June
I plain love racing at Doncaster, there, I said it. It is one of the fairest tracks around, with a wide stretched course, long and never ending straight, and the roar of the crowd near the finish line, it is a proper northern track. There looks to be some pretty good racing there surprisingly enough for a Sunday afternoon, and an abundance of tough handicaps to sink our teeth into. Let's give it a shot.
The first race is an apprentice handicap, and strangely enough a race where there isn't a single course and distance winner in the field. Over the extended mile and three quarters, in soft ground, the trip will require some hardy staying performance. Mick Channon has started the season well, but yet to have a winner so far at Doncaster, two ducks can be broken here with HANDLES FOR FORKS, still a maiden after seven runs, but he has shown significant promise in races last year. Running around two miles, he is dropped down, and tried on soft ground for the first time. A son of Hawk Wing, his offspring usually get better with age, and he could spring a surprise at quite a hefty price.
BIOGRAPHER will probably go off around a skinny price at around the even money mark, but looks very difficult to get beat in the mile and a half maiden. A well bred son of Montjeu, will love the soft ground, and the form of his first run was franked yesterday with Opinion winning a good handicap at Sandown under Ryan Moore.
Another maiden, but a whole different ball game entirely, with a 20 strong field, and some lofty connections bringing some extremely well bred specimens to the table. Horses from the Bell, Brown, Ryan, Godolphin yard make up the top end of the market, but it could be worth taking a chance on COLUMELLA with William Haggas and the eyecatching booking of Frankie Dettori, both of whom have great records around Town Moor. A well bred daughter to Kyllachy, the filly is also a sister to star two year old filly Memory, and given how well the stable are performing, with another winner yesterday (tipped on up on the blog I hasten to add), she makes most appeal, at expected double figure prices.
It is far too early to be writing off SHAHZAN for the Roger Varian yard, after the colt made an eye catching maiden victory over course and distance last month. The Dansili colt demonstrated a game attitude to win that day when pressed by Milika (won next time out), and the form has been bolstered with the seventh and eighth that day also coming out and winning next time out. He disappointed last time out on firm ground at Haydock, when not seeing out the step up in trip, and he should benefit from a return to conditions here.
A horse that may see buckets of money come for is the newly emerging Burke yard, famous for the Hunt Ball exploits, and their horses have a terrific record when signing up the services of one Martin Harley, buoyed with confidence after his first classic win in The Irish 1000 Guineas. They are 2/2 in June and have new recruit DUKE OF ARICABEAU in the seven furlong handicap, and looks an intruiging prospect, having been bought from the Mick Easterby yard. He showed gradual progress in maidens, before being heavily backed in two handicap runs (fourth and second), and looks open to further progression.
The David O' Meara stable are flying at the moment, in particular in middle distance handicaps in the north. The 4.40, a Class 4 handicap over a mile looks to have their fingerprints all over it, and it would be no shock to see INGLEBY EXCEED bounce back from his reappearance at York last month. The filly was 18 of 20 that day, but wasn't knocked about, and only lost by 14 lengths, on her first run 261 days. The fifth has come out and won, and ninth that day Dolphin Rock ran a screamer to finish third at York yesterday. The stable are flying, with a 10/1 winner at York yesterday, and the horse won well last season, the run after its seasonal reappearance.
2.00 Doncaster - Handles For Forks (Ew)
3.35 Doncaster - Shahzan (Ew)
4.10 Doncaster - Duke of Aricabeau (Ew)
4.40 Doncaster - Ingleby Exceed (Ew)
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner (@JJMSports)
The first race is an apprentice handicap, and strangely enough a race where there isn't a single course and distance winner in the field. Over the extended mile and three quarters, in soft ground, the trip will require some hardy staying performance. Mick Channon has started the season well, but yet to have a winner so far at Doncaster, two ducks can be broken here with HANDLES FOR FORKS, still a maiden after seven runs, but he has shown significant promise in races last year. Running around two miles, he is dropped down, and tried on soft ground for the first time. A son of Hawk Wing, his offspring usually get better with age, and he could spring a surprise at quite a hefty price.
BIOGRAPHER will probably go off around a skinny price at around the even money mark, but looks very difficult to get beat in the mile and a half maiden. A well bred son of Montjeu, will love the soft ground, and the form of his first run was franked yesterday with Opinion winning a good handicap at Sandown under Ryan Moore.
Another maiden, but a whole different ball game entirely, with a 20 strong field, and some lofty connections bringing some extremely well bred specimens to the table. Horses from the Bell, Brown, Ryan, Godolphin yard make up the top end of the market, but it could be worth taking a chance on COLUMELLA with William Haggas and the eyecatching booking of Frankie Dettori, both of whom have great records around Town Moor. A well bred daughter to Kyllachy, the filly is also a sister to star two year old filly Memory, and given how well the stable are performing, with another winner yesterday (tipped on up on the blog I hasten to add), she makes most appeal, at expected double figure prices.
It is far too early to be writing off SHAHZAN for the Roger Varian yard, after the colt made an eye catching maiden victory over course and distance last month. The Dansili colt demonstrated a game attitude to win that day when pressed by Milika (won next time out), and the form has been bolstered with the seventh and eighth that day also coming out and winning next time out. He disappointed last time out on firm ground at Haydock, when not seeing out the step up in trip, and he should benefit from a return to conditions here.
A horse that may see buckets of money come for is the newly emerging Burke yard, famous for the Hunt Ball exploits, and their horses have a terrific record when signing up the services of one Martin Harley, buoyed with confidence after his first classic win in The Irish 1000 Guineas. They are 2/2 in June and have new recruit DUKE OF ARICABEAU in the seven furlong handicap, and looks an intruiging prospect, having been bought from the Mick Easterby yard. He showed gradual progress in maidens, before being heavily backed in two handicap runs (fourth and second), and looks open to further progression.
The David O' Meara stable are flying at the moment, in particular in middle distance handicaps in the north. The 4.40, a Class 4 handicap over a mile looks to have their fingerprints all over it, and it would be no shock to see INGLEBY EXCEED bounce back from his reappearance at York last month. The filly was 18 of 20 that day, but wasn't knocked about, and only lost by 14 lengths, on her first run 261 days. The fifth has come out and won, and ninth that day Dolphin Rock ran a screamer to finish third at York yesterday. The stable are flying, with a 10/1 winner at York yesterday, and the horse won well last season, the run after its seasonal reappearance.
2.00 Doncaster - Handles For Forks (Ew)
3.35 Doncaster - Shahzan (Ew)
4.10 Doncaster - Duke of Aricabeau (Ew)
4.40 Doncaster - Ingleby Exceed (Ew)
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner (@JJMSports)
Friday 15 June 2012
Racing at Sandown and York - Saturday 16th June 2012
Beautiful racing this weekend, at two of the most picturesque courses in the country, with York and Sandown being two of seven meetings on Saturday. York has it’s usually abundance of strong handicaps, and there is more of a diverse feel at Sandown, which has a nice mix of listed, maiden and handicaps to keep us on our toes, with one eye already on Royal Ascot.
Starting firstly with Sandown, we have another Lucky 15 for our loyal listeners, and the first selection comes in the form of SAM SHARP. The six year old son of Johannesburg has caught the eye on his two starts this season, finishing second at Sandown on the softest of soft, and then Newbury on good-to-firm, so is clearly versatile and goes on anything, so weather forecast not needed! Princes of Sorrento and Stage Attraction have been in good heart so far this year, and look the main rivals.
In the listed sprint race, Pearl Secret is sure to go off the hot favourite, the unbeaten Pearl Bloodstock three year old has shown lots of class in his three winning runs, but on soft to heavy ground, BALLESTEROS surely has a much stronger chance, with the current going of soft to heavy in places. He hacked up in the mud at Chester, after a good handicap win before over course and distance here at Sandown. He hated the good to firm ground at Beverley and we can put a line through that run, which should just make the price even bigger!
DELFT looks a near handicap good thing as they come for Jeremy Noseda, Ryan Moore and Cheveley Park Stud in the 4.30, a seven furlong handicap. The Dutch Art filly showed signs of still being green, yet still managed to win well at Lingfield on her first run for 164 days. She is only up 3lb for that, and given it was her first run and still being green, she should come on for that in spades.
Ryan Moore and Cheveley Park can have a quick fire double in the race after with the John Gosden filly MOONGLOW, who is a beautifully bred daughter of Nayef, a sire who is having a particularly fruitful season. She is a half sister to multiple winners including Medicean and Moon Goddess, and has some positive entries. She ran a good fourth on her debut, being very green in the process, but Gosden’s horses are running incredibly well, having 13 winners in June alone at a strike rate of 25%.
2.50 Sandown – Sam Sharp
3.25 Sandown – Ballesteros
4.30 Sandown – Delft (Nap)
5.00 Sandown – Moonglow
The first race looks an absolute minefield, with a twenty runner lady amateur riders handicap being an absolute puzzle. In races like these however it usually pays to look for those who have the best course form, and in particular course and distance form. That would narrow it down to Odin’s Raven, Antigua Sunrise, Veiled Applause, Hanovarian Baron, Demolition and one that I particular like being CRACKENTORP. The Tim Easterby seven year old looked back to something of his best when finishing third over course and distance here three weeks ago after 169 days off and only losing by a neck and a short head. He is up 2lb for that run, staying on strongly towards the end, and the form has already worked out well. Considering his only two wins have come here, he carries maximum respect for a shrewd yard.
The six furlong handicap carries a huge pot, with a £51,572 first prize, and has brought out some very progressive horses. Priceless Jewel looks on a very strong upward curve for the in form Roger Charlton stable, as does Top Cop and Bartolomeu for Andrew Balding and Marco Botti respectively, who both have strong form in good handicaps this year. That being said, it could be worth taking a chance on SHOLAAN who has blinkers on for the first time, and the William Haggas stable coming into form just at the right time. They have had 5 winners and a further 12 places (including 9 seconds) from 33 runners this month. His maiden form has been franked with the second, third, fourth and sixth have all come out next time out, and further handicap successes in behind as well. The Invincible Spirit gelding was only beaten 3 ½ lengths on handicap debut at Epsom, and looked like he would suit a flatter track, such as York, and she should be a tasty price at around the 14/1 mark.
DANCE AND DANCE looks a different class to his rivals in the Listed Ganton Stakes over a mile, where he steps down from Group company, in what looks like a much easier task for the six year old. The Ed Vaughan trained son of Royal Applause chased home Side Glance at Epsom, and showed that he was back to his best under a good ride from Ryan Moore. Luke Morris takes the rider after riding him at home on the gallops and reportedly worked like a treat, he looks banker material.
ALFRED HUTCHINSON was put up as my nap two weeks ago at York, when he was absolutely smashed up and won comfortably, eventually going off the 9/2 favourite in a sixteen runner handicap, he was clearly fancied and duly obliged for connections. The Geoffrey Oldroyd is back running over course and distance with a 5lb rise, but that doesn’t look likely to stop him further winning. He is yet to finish out of the first three, and is still very unexposed with only five runs to his name throughout his career. He may go off short, but looks very much the good thing he appears on paper.
2.05 York – Crackentorp
3.10 York – Sholaan (Ew)
3.45 York – Dance and Dance (Nap)
4.15 York – Alfred Hutchinson (Nb)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner - @JJMSports
Starting firstly with Sandown, we have another Lucky 15 for our loyal listeners, and the first selection comes in the form of SAM SHARP. The six year old son of Johannesburg has caught the eye on his two starts this season, finishing second at Sandown on the softest of soft, and then Newbury on good-to-firm, so is clearly versatile and goes on anything, so weather forecast not needed! Princes of Sorrento and Stage Attraction have been in good heart so far this year, and look the main rivals.
In the listed sprint race, Pearl Secret is sure to go off the hot favourite, the unbeaten Pearl Bloodstock three year old has shown lots of class in his three winning runs, but on soft to heavy ground, BALLESTEROS surely has a much stronger chance, with the current going of soft to heavy in places. He hacked up in the mud at Chester, after a good handicap win before over course and distance here at Sandown. He hated the good to firm ground at Beverley and we can put a line through that run, which should just make the price even bigger!
DELFT looks a near handicap good thing as they come for Jeremy Noseda, Ryan Moore and Cheveley Park Stud in the 4.30, a seven furlong handicap. The Dutch Art filly showed signs of still being green, yet still managed to win well at Lingfield on her first run for 164 days. She is only up 3lb for that, and given it was her first run and still being green, she should come on for that in spades.
Ryan Moore and Cheveley Park can have a quick fire double in the race after with the John Gosden filly MOONGLOW, who is a beautifully bred daughter of Nayef, a sire who is having a particularly fruitful season. She is a half sister to multiple winners including Medicean and Moon Goddess, and has some positive entries. She ran a good fourth on her debut, being very green in the process, but Gosden’s horses are running incredibly well, having 13 winners in June alone at a strike rate of 25%.
2.50 Sandown – Sam Sharp
3.25 Sandown – Ballesteros
4.30 Sandown – Delft (Nap)
5.00 Sandown – Moonglow
The first race looks an absolute minefield, with a twenty runner lady amateur riders handicap being an absolute puzzle. In races like these however it usually pays to look for those who have the best course form, and in particular course and distance form. That would narrow it down to Odin’s Raven, Antigua Sunrise, Veiled Applause, Hanovarian Baron, Demolition and one that I particular like being CRACKENTORP. The Tim Easterby seven year old looked back to something of his best when finishing third over course and distance here three weeks ago after 169 days off and only losing by a neck and a short head. He is up 2lb for that run, staying on strongly towards the end, and the form has already worked out well. Considering his only two wins have come here, he carries maximum respect for a shrewd yard.
The six furlong handicap carries a huge pot, with a £51,572 first prize, and has brought out some very progressive horses. Priceless Jewel looks on a very strong upward curve for the in form Roger Charlton stable, as does Top Cop and Bartolomeu for Andrew Balding and Marco Botti respectively, who both have strong form in good handicaps this year. That being said, it could be worth taking a chance on SHOLAAN who has blinkers on for the first time, and the William Haggas stable coming into form just at the right time. They have had 5 winners and a further 12 places (including 9 seconds) from 33 runners this month. His maiden form has been franked with the second, third, fourth and sixth have all come out next time out, and further handicap successes in behind as well. The Invincible Spirit gelding was only beaten 3 ½ lengths on handicap debut at Epsom, and looked like he would suit a flatter track, such as York, and she should be a tasty price at around the 14/1 mark.
DANCE AND DANCE looks a different class to his rivals in the Listed Ganton Stakes over a mile, where he steps down from Group company, in what looks like a much easier task for the six year old. The Ed Vaughan trained son of Royal Applause chased home Side Glance at Epsom, and showed that he was back to his best under a good ride from Ryan Moore. Luke Morris takes the rider after riding him at home on the gallops and reportedly worked like a treat, he looks banker material.
ALFRED HUTCHINSON was put up as my nap two weeks ago at York, when he was absolutely smashed up and won comfortably, eventually going off the 9/2 favourite in a sixteen runner handicap, he was clearly fancied and duly obliged for connections. The Geoffrey Oldroyd is back running over course and distance with a 5lb rise, but that doesn’t look likely to stop him further winning. He is yet to finish out of the first three, and is still very unexposed with only five runs to his name throughout his career. He may go off short, but looks very much the good thing he appears on paper.
2.05 York – Crackentorp
3.10 York – Sholaan (Ew)
3.45 York – Dance and Dance (Nap)
4.15 York – Alfred Hutchinson (Nb)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner - @JJMSports
Tuesday 12 June 2012
The US Open – The Toughest Four Days In Tournament Golf On The Planet
The 112th United States Open golf championship will be held over the Lake Course at the Olympic Club in San Francisco California. The second major of the year held annually in June is simply the toughest test a golfer will face all year. There is no hiding place in a US Open, as each player is subjected to harshest course set up known possible. You only have to scan through the list of previous winners over the last few years which include McIlroy, McDowell, Glover, Woods, Cabrera, Ogilvy, Campbell, Goosen and Furyk to notice that any type of golfer as long as your game is at its peak that week can take the title. You could argue that while it is the hardest, it is also the fairest major of the year as it puts all golfers on a level playing field.
In previous years the United States Golf Association has set up each course to try and keep the winning score at around level par for the week. Exemptions do occur however as with last year’s tournament played over a rained soaked course where scoring was anything but difficult as Rory McIlroy fired a four round total of 16 under par to vanish the ghosts of the previous year. This year’s course by comparison to previous years is also on the short side as measuring only 7,170 yards it is not the normal 7,500 plus that players are accustomed to, and with the weather for the week expected to be hot, it should be perfect for golf.
The course can broadly be defined as being narrow, with tree lined fairways with small well bunkered greens. It is difficult enough however after last year, which will have left some USGA officials wanting to make amends for one of the highest scores in the Championship’s history. Vindication will be on the cards and I expect the course to be set up to the extreme. Fairways narrower than a supermodel’s waistline and rough thicker than Cornish custard. When you throw in the fact the greens will be like lightening, it should be the ultimate test for a professional.
Firstly therefore a premium has to be put on driving accuracy off the tee. Once you stray off the straight and narrow, a golfer will be punished immensely. Gone are the days of muscling it out of the rough and on to the green in a US Open, sorry boys. With the equipment changes in recent years, it is virtually impossible to get spin on the ball without being in the fairway.
Secondly as each green is small and well guarded it will also be a must to make sure a golfer hits a high percentage of greens in regulations. Putting pressure on yourself to be scrambling every other hole will eventually lead to succumbing to the surroundings, you can only run so good for so long. A good scrambling game is obviously helpful, but giving you two putts for par will relieve the pressure of missing greens, and as it gears towards Sunday, the pressure, and handling of such, will have more of an effect than the actual shots. Not to mention actually putting yourself in a position to actually make birdies.
Based on the above criteria I have drawn up a list of eight golfers that’s game currently fits the requirements. I have also included their best current industry price:
Steve Stricker – 45/1 (Hills, Coral, Betfred, Bet365, Paddy Power)
Tiger Woods – 7/1 (Hills, Coral, Betfred, Stan James, Paddy Power)
Justin Rose – 33/1 (Betfred, Coral, Paddy Power)
Luke Donald – 14/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes)
Jason Dufner – 30/1 (Paddy Power)
Peter Hanson – 75/1 (Paddy Power)
John Senden – 150/1 (Blue Square, Coral, Hills)
Mark Wilson – 200/1 (Betfred, Coral, Hills)
All the above have consistently been putting the ball in fairway off the tee with Mark Wilson and Luke Donald featuring in the top ten in statistics on the US PGA Tour this year. In regards to the greens in regulation statistics, Jason Dufner, Justin Rose, Tiger Woods and John Senden find themselves in the top ten.
For all the names on the list it may well be worth opting for Steve Stricker as the number one pick, who’s temperament and steady style for the game fits perfect for a US Open. It would no doubt cap the career of a once journeyman who turned his game around to become in recent years one of the most consistent performers on tour. If this fairytale where to come true it would be the second time at a major this year the winner has shown his true emotions for the world to see, as like Bubba Watson at The Masters before him, Steve Stricker is one for the waterworks, and if were to start, I'm sure there would be many in the gallery following suit.
Paddy Power are paying ¼ 1-2-3-4-5-6-7, so I would advise to back the selections where they are top price to back there; Stricker, Woods, Rose, Dufner, Hanson.
Magic Marve and JJMSports
Happy Punting!
@JJMSports
Wednesday Tipping at Haydock and Beverley
A little glance in the directions of Wednesday’s cards, and there’s plenty of action going on at Hamilton, Yarmouth, Kempton, Fairyhouse, as well as the two cards we’re focusing on at Haydock and Beverley. It is at times like this you just put the quality over quantity argument to the fine folk of the BHA.
Anyway, moving on, we are focusing firstly on Beverley, the usual suspects are out in full force, with Danny Tudhope, Tony Hamilton, David Allan and Graham Gibbons all with good rides, but the man who rides here better than anyone is Robert Winston. He had a winner and two seconds at the last meeting, and is extremely good nick, riding primarily for Mel Brittain, as well as picking up spares from the likes of Brian Meehan and Charlie Hills, has led to him having 24 winners so far this season, including a 25% strike rate around Beverley.
He has four rides on the card, and all look to have decent chances. The first is COTTAM DONNY who has been knocking on the door on his three starts this season, finishing third first time out, followed by two seconds. Both second came over course and distance and on that bare form alone, he should finally get his head in front here, with everything seemingly in his favour.
Similarly TOBRATA can step up from his good third first time out at Southwell in an apprentice handicap in the spring. He is incredibly still a maiden after 21 starts, but has four seconds and six thirds to his name, and given the Brittain/Winston form, if he was to act on previously untested soft ground, he is a serious threat.
His third chance comes in the form of BADA BING for Malton based Scott Dixon, who will be looking to progress from all weather form over the winter. The filly was well beaten in three maidens, but stepped up to score a creditable third in handicap company for the first time. Rated 51, she is potentially very unexposed, and is having her debut on turf.
His fourth ride and the final quarter of our Lucky 15 is GLADSOME for the John Ward camp, who runs in the 5.00; a seven furlong maiden. She sets a good standard based on a fourth and third at Redcar and Thirsk in maidens over 7/8 furlongs. Based on that bare form alone, the filly has a reasonable chance in fairly poor race.
3.30 Beverley – Cottam Donny (Nap)
4.00 Beverley – Tobrata
4.30 Beverley – Bada Bing
5.00 Beverley – Gladsome
They say there are few things guaranteed in life, death and taxes being the obvious ones - actually throw in Frankel to that too. However there is another one, that is a well known but little said fable; being Sir Mark Prescott’s horses come good in June. He starts slow and erupts like a Joey Barton temper tantrum, just with more style and with military precision. Clinical won a good handicap at Epsom, and Athenian won and finished second within the space of ten days, it is vintage Sir Mark Prescott. He has a beautifully bred son of Montjeu running at Haydock GASSIN GOLF, who showed a great deal of potential last year, He has been gelded over the winter, is switched to turf, and has cheekpieces on for the first time. He could turn out to be a very good staying handicapper, and could go off a very big price in the 2.20.
It is said that when there is a bit of juice in the ground, we really start to see the best out of John Gosden’s horses, and that very hypothesis has been toasted at the weekend at Doncaster. Winners a plenty, lead stable jockey William Buick to have trebles on Friday’s and Saturday’s card there. Considering connections have won the Ladbrokes St Leger the last two years running, I think the dynamic duos are warming to South Yorkshire. They have two runners Wednesday at Haydock, the first being CHAT, a well bred Dynaformer filly for George Strawbridge. Closely related to his star filly Rainbow View, she has an exciting pedigree, and with another yard hitting form at the peak time, she has to be respected. Their other runner is REGAL AURA for Cheveley Park Stud. A half sister to the stable’s Robemaker, she is also a son of Jim Bolger’s champion 2yo Teofilo. She travelled powerfully in a hot looking Salisbury maiden, and should step up and make amends here.
GOOD BOY JACKSON rounds off the equine quarter, and is a tentative selection, but has been somewhat unlucky in recent starts. Well fancied at Donny on his return, he never travelled, and similarly didn’t like the heavy going at Epsom next time out. He got his preferred ground at Hamilton (good to soft) and finished second by a neck, getting there with every stride. He has his preferred ground at Haydock, and should be suited by the step up in trip.
2.20 Haydock – Gassin Golf
2.50 Haydock – Chat
3.20 Haydock – Regal Aura (Nap)
4.50 Haydock – Good Boy Jackson
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Anyway, moving on, we are focusing firstly on Beverley, the usual suspects are out in full force, with Danny Tudhope, Tony Hamilton, David Allan and Graham Gibbons all with good rides, but the man who rides here better than anyone is Robert Winston. He had a winner and two seconds at the last meeting, and is extremely good nick, riding primarily for Mel Brittain, as well as picking up spares from the likes of Brian Meehan and Charlie Hills, has led to him having 24 winners so far this season, including a 25% strike rate around Beverley.
He has four rides on the card, and all look to have decent chances. The first is COTTAM DONNY who has been knocking on the door on his three starts this season, finishing third first time out, followed by two seconds. Both second came over course and distance and on that bare form alone, he should finally get his head in front here, with everything seemingly in his favour.
Similarly TOBRATA can step up from his good third first time out at Southwell in an apprentice handicap in the spring. He is incredibly still a maiden after 21 starts, but has four seconds and six thirds to his name, and given the Brittain/Winston form, if he was to act on previously untested soft ground, he is a serious threat.
His third chance comes in the form of BADA BING for Malton based Scott Dixon, who will be looking to progress from all weather form over the winter. The filly was well beaten in three maidens, but stepped up to score a creditable third in handicap company for the first time. Rated 51, she is potentially very unexposed, and is having her debut on turf.
His fourth ride and the final quarter of our Lucky 15 is GLADSOME for the John Ward camp, who runs in the 5.00; a seven furlong maiden. She sets a good standard based on a fourth and third at Redcar and Thirsk in maidens over 7/8 furlongs. Based on that bare form alone, the filly has a reasonable chance in fairly poor race.
3.30 Beverley – Cottam Donny (Nap)
4.00 Beverley – Tobrata
4.30 Beverley – Bada Bing
5.00 Beverley – Gladsome
They say there are few things guaranteed in life, death and taxes being the obvious ones - actually throw in Frankel to that too. However there is another one, that is a well known but little said fable; being Sir Mark Prescott’s horses come good in June. He starts slow and erupts like a Joey Barton temper tantrum, just with more style and with military precision. Clinical won a good handicap at Epsom, and Athenian won and finished second within the space of ten days, it is vintage Sir Mark Prescott. He has a beautifully bred son of Montjeu running at Haydock GASSIN GOLF, who showed a great deal of potential last year, He has been gelded over the winter, is switched to turf, and has cheekpieces on for the first time. He could turn out to be a very good staying handicapper, and could go off a very big price in the 2.20.
It is said that when there is a bit of juice in the ground, we really start to see the best out of John Gosden’s horses, and that very hypothesis has been toasted at the weekend at Doncaster. Winners a plenty, lead stable jockey William Buick to have trebles on Friday’s and Saturday’s card there. Considering connections have won the Ladbrokes St Leger the last two years running, I think the dynamic duos are warming to South Yorkshire. They have two runners Wednesday at Haydock, the first being CHAT, a well bred Dynaformer filly for George Strawbridge. Closely related to his star filly Rainbow View, she has an exciting pedigree, and with another yard hitting form at the peak time, she has to be respected. Their other runner is REGAL AURA for Cheveley Park Stud. A half sister to the stable’s Robemaker, she is also a son of Jim Bolger’s champion 2yo Teofilo. She travelled powerfully in a hot looking Salisbury maiden, and should step up and make amends here.
GOOD BOY JACKSON rounds off the equine quarter, and is a tentative selection, but has been somewhat unlucky in recent starts. Well fancied at Donny on his return, he never travelled, and similarly didn’t like the heavy going at Epsom next time out. He got his preferred ground at Hamilton (good to soft) and finished second by a neck, getting there with every stride. He has his preferred ground at Haydock, and should be suited by the step up in trip.
2.20 Haydock – Gassin Golf
2.50 Haydock – Chat
3.20 Haydock – Regal Aura (Nap)
4.50 Haydock – Good Boy Jackson
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Monday 11 June 2012
Monday Tipping - 11th June
The Yorkshireman has been keeping a tentative watchful eye over the flat season, and as things are bubbling towards Royal Ascot nicely with the wondermare Black Caviar strutting into Newmarket, it looks like June can get even better after Camelot’s history making Derby win at Epsom.
Racing Monday at Windsor, Pontefract and Folkestone on the flat, as well as over the sticks at Roscommon and Newton Abbot, but we shall leave the summer jumping alone, for now at least.
Starting at Windsor, I think there is one bet and one bet only to be had there in the form of TANGO SKY for the in form duo of Ralph Becket and Jim Crowley, ever tough in a finish, especially down the straight of Windsor. The three year old makes a belated start to the season, delved into handicaps after four solid runs in maiden company, finally getting his head in front at Lingfield in November. The form of all of his races has worked out well, being behind some smart sorts, including pattern performers Silverheels, Lord of The Stars. Gelded over the winter, the stable are flying, and off a reasonable mark of 76, he looks open to further potential.
Similarly, I could find only one horse worth putting my precious pennies on at Folkestone, in SIR GLANTON. The gelding had strong outings in his first few runs, including a narrow second to Eureka, a listed winner for Richard Hannon. As such, his handicap rating hit 90, and led to struggling against better handicapped opposition. Down to 82, the Amanda Perrett yard is in good nick, and Hayley Turner rides, after steering Ghostwing to victory last week at Goodwood. Fresh from a run on the all weather, he has strong claims.
Donald McCain nearly landed a monster gamble a couple of weeks ago with EMRANI running at his local track Haydock, and he had to begrudgingly have to settle for second. However, considering that was the five year olds first run for nearly a year, great heart can be taken from it, and he is expected to come on tremendously for the run. He only lost by a head that day, and although a 5lb rise, a bit of forecasted rain could further aid this gelded son of Rahy. Graham Lee is booked to ride, which in my book is another strong positive.
Another eyecatcher running last week was CORSETRY for Sir Henry Cecil and Tom Queally, a filly making her debut into handicap company over 10 furlongs at Nottingham last week. She was very game when headed two furlongs out, fighting back, before being passed by both joint favourites, finishing a creditable third. The further two horses to come out of the race have both run well, and further improvement can be expected. She has solid maiden form behind her, and it would be no surprise to see her improve at a steady rate over the summer.
4.45 Folkestone – Sir Glanton
7.20 Pontefract - Emrani
7.40 Windsor – Tango Sky (Nap)
8.20 Pontefract – Corsetry
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Racing Monday at Windsor, Pontefract and Folkestone on the flat, as well as over the sticks at Roscommon and Newton Abbot, but we shall leave the summer jumping alone, for now at least.
Starting at Windsor, I think there is one bet and one bet only to be had there in the form of TANGO SKY for the in form duo of Ralph Becket and Jim Crowley, ever tough in a finish, especially down the straight of Windsor. The three year old makes a belated start to the season, delved into handicaps after four solid runs in maiden company, finally getting his head in front at Lingfield in November. The form of all of his races has worked out well, being behind some smart sorts, including pattern performers Silverheels, Lord of The Stars. Gelded over the winter, the stable are flying, and off a reasonable mark of 76, he looks open to further potential.
Similarly, I could find only one horse worth putting my precious pennies on at Folkestone, in SIR GLANTON. The gelding had strong outings in his first few runs, including a narrow second to Eureka, a listed winner for Richard Hannon. As such, his handicap rating hit 90, and led to struggling against better handicapped opposition. Down to 82, the Amanda Perrett yard is in good nick, and Hayley Turner rides, after steering Ghostwing to victory last week at Goodwood. Fresh from a run on the all weather, he has strong claims.
Donald McCain nearly landed a monster gamble a couple of weeks ago with EMRANI running at his local track Haydock, and he had to begrudgingly have to settle for second. However, considering that was the five year olds first run for nearly a year, great heart can be taken from it, and he is expected to come on tremendously for the run. He only lost by a head that day, and although a 5lb rise, a bit of forecasted rain could further aid this gelded son of Rahy. Graham Lee is booked to ride, which in my book is another strong positive.
Another eyecatcher running last week was CORSETRY for Sir Henry Cecil and Tom Queally, a filly making her debut into handicap company over 10 furlongs at Nottingham last week. She was very game when headed two furlongs out, fighting back, before being passed by both joint favourites, finishing a creditable third. The further two horses to come out of the race have both run well, and further improvement can be expected. She has solid maiden form behind her, and it would be no surprise to see her improve at a steady rate over the summer.
4.45 Folkestone – Sir Glanton
7.20 Pontefract - Emrani
7.40 Windsor – Tango Sky (Nap)
8.20 Pontefract – Corsetry
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports
Friday 1 June 2012
Epsom Dash - Derby Day at Epsom
The Epsom Dash is another highlight of the Investec Derby Festival, with some of the best sprinters around going hell for leather down the straight five furlongs. Good, firm ground is ensured, so we could see a new track record broke, with some of the runners in the race already clocking some very quick times this season.
The race was won last year by Captain Dunne for Ted Easterby, The seven year old usually needs the run, and came on well for that on ground that wouldn’t have suited at Newbury. The third and sixth have come out and won since, and being dropped 2lb brings him to the mark he won the race on last year. He looks the pick of his string, ahead of Confessional who is officially 6lb well in official ratings, after a strong run behind Bated Breath at Haydock last time. The two look the pick of the northern plots, with horses also being sent down from Kevin Ryan in the form of York Glory and Courageous, but York Glory looked seriously rusty last time, and Courageous is running out of the handicap. He has Dickies Lad too, and interesting that Tom Queally is booked to ride. Unless he is burning up the gallops at home however, I can’t see him being a serious player. The north doesn’t look to have any stronger chances elsewhere with Long Awaited for David Barron winning last time out but the four year old looks inexperienced, and his best form is on softer ground. Vocational for Mark Johnston is 10lb out of the handicap, and although Silvestre De Sousa rides Epsom well, he has too much on his plate. Richard Fahey has Jamesway and Arctic Feeling, but neither looks appealing on current handicap ratings. Similarly the David Nicholls trained Fitz Flyer, who is 3lb lower on official ratings, as is the Hughie Morrison trained Sohraab, and looked lacklustre on his reappearance, similarly Living it Large for Ed De Giles.
We can scratch a few more off the shortlist by immediately taking out Diamond Charlie, and Stone of Folca look to be seriously outclassed in a race of this level, and can’t see them even placing in any particular scenario, Similarly with the Irish raider Oor Jock and he has Colm O’ Donoghue booked to steer. He is officially due to go up 2lb for a solid effort on his return at Dundalk, and has been running well in better company, but could be handicapped to the hilt. Taajub looks something of a dark horse, and should the money come, be interesting. Campaigned over the winter, he looked to suit the change to turf when running a good second over course and distance last time out.
The remaining players all look to have strong claims, but are plenty short enough in the market. Bear Behind, Catfish, Judge N’ Jury and Desert Law are all within the top ten in the market, and there are plenty reasons why. Bear Behind for Tom Dascombe. Beating Hamish McGonagall before losing in the stewards’ room, and then a narrow defeat to Ballesteros. That form has been franked and then some and he looks to have the progressive type of profile in a race like this. The Brian Meehan stable are flying at the moment, so Carfish has to be respected, similarly with Desert Law for Andrew Balding. Both should have come on for their initial runs, and have good form in the past on better ground. Judge N’ Jury looks progressive for Ron Harris, but seems to run better on flatter, less testing tracks.
Bear Behind 2pts EW @ 8/1 BOG
Captain Dunne 1pt EW @ 10/1 BOG
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
The race was won last year by Captain Dunne for Ted Easterby, The seven year old usually needs the run, and came on well for that on ground that wouldn’t have suited at Newbury. The third and sixth have come out and won since, and being dropped 2lb brings him to the mark he won the race on last year. He looks the pick of his string, ahead of Confessional who is officially 6lb well in official ratings, after a strong run behind Bated Breath at Haydock last time. The two look the pick of the northern plots, with horses also being sent down from Kevin Ryan in the form of York Glory and Courageous, but York Glory looked seriously rusty last time, and Courageous is running out of the handicap. He has Dickies Lad too, and interesting that Tom Queally is booked to ride. Unless he is burning up the gallops at home however, I can’t see him being a serious player. The north doesn’t look to have any stronger chances elsewhere with Long Awaited for David Barron winning last time out but the four year old looks inexperienced, and his best form is on softer ground. Vocational for Mark Johnston is 10lb out of the handicap, and although Silvestre De Sousa rides Epsom well, he has too much on his plate. Richard Fahey has Jamesway and Arctic Feeling, but neither looks appealing on current handicap ratings. Similarly the David Nicholls trained Fitz Flyer, who is 3lb lower on official ratings, as is the Hughie Morrison trained Sohraab, and looked lacklustre on his reappearance, similarly Living it Large for Ed De Giles.
We can scratch a few more off the shortlist by immediately taking out Diamond Charlie, and Stone of Folca look to be seriously outclassed in a race of this level, and can’t see them even placing in any particular scenario, Similarly with the Irish raider Oor Jock and he has Colm O’ Donoghue booked to steer. He is officially due to go up 2lb for a solid effort on his return at Dundalk, and has been running well in better company, but could be handicapped to the hilt. Taajub looks something of a dark horse, and should the money come, be interesting. Campaigned over the winter, he looked to suit the change to turf when running a good second over course and distance last time out.
The remaining players all look to have strong claims, but are plenty short enough in the market. Bear Behind, Catfish, Judge N’ Jury and Desert Law are all within the top ten in the market, and there are plenty reasons why. Bear Behind for Tom Dascombe. Beating Hamish McGonagall before losing in the stewards’ room, and then a narrow defeat to Ballesteros. That form has been franked and then some and he looks to have the progressive type of profile in a race like this. The Brian Meehan stable are flying at the moment, so Carfish has to be respected, similarly with Desert Law for Andrew Balding. Both should have come on for their initial runs, and have good form in the past on better ground. Judge N’ Jury looks progressive for Ron Harris, but seems to run better on flatter, less testing tracks.
Bear Behind 2pts EW @ 8/1 BOG
Captain Dunne 1pt EW @ 10/1 BOG
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
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