Okas Day at Epsom

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A tricky card at Epsom on Oaks day, but with the majority of firms online paying Best Odds Guaranteed, there are some cracking pieces of early price value around.


In the first, the market principles have generally proven inconsistent and an ability to not get the job done and finish first, instead proving to be the perennial bridesmaid. A progressive filly who looked very smart last time out at Ascot is GIFTED GIRL for Paul Cole, and Tom Queally doing the steering. The four year old daughter of Azamour won’t mind cut despite winning on good to firm last time out, and despite unproven in the grade looks overpriced given she is entitled to come on for that run last time out. Another potentially overpriced filly is Ighraa who wasn’t beaten too far in a hot Group 3 at Longchamp last time out. Before that, she won a similar listed contest, and on the ground and over the trip, she could prove very handy under Mikael Barzalona.


Blue Surf was one of seemingly everyone’s handicappers to follow last season for Amanda Perrett after winning a Windsor contest on handicap debut over 10 furlongs, and was then punted for every middle distance handicap as the season progressed. The four year old went well fresh last year, and despite being down the field in The November Handicap, he looks on a good enough mark of 98.


Penitent thrives on soft ground, and with sufficient juice at Epson, his front-running tactics may be able to dispose of a poor looking renewal of the Diomed Stakes. The stable despite petering off slightly are still in good nick, and given Penitent would be a lot shorter if the stables were turned round, he is overpriced at 8/1.


Liber Nauticus is a horse I have been sweet on for a while, and given all bookmakers take each other on for the best prices on the morning of a big race, the 9/2 about the filly is too big. She looked to have progressed when winning The Musidora, showing a lot of scope and a big rangy filly. She battled well winning at York and was coming away at the finish line. She will be better over a mile and a half and will come on for the run. There is no better jockey than Ryan Moore.


Hipster was a horse I backed when winning at the track last season, and looked to thrive on the undulations of Epsom. His last couple of runs have indicated he may be wanting a stiff seven furlongs on ground with ease underfoot and the three year old has conditions to suit for an in form stable. Andrea Atzeni is booked, and he is another in tremendous form. 14/1 is simply too big, and I expect the price to be gobbled up.


1:35 Gifted Girl (8/1 Bet365, BetVictor & Stan James), Ighraa Ladbrokes & BetVictor 10/1)
2:10 Blue Surf (4/1 BetVictor & Stan James)
2:45 Penitent (8/1BetVictor & Stan James)
4:00 Liber Nauticus (9/2 BetVictor, Paddy Power Stan James)
5:20 Hipster (14/1 Stan James)


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

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York's Dante Meeting - Friday: Day Three

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We shall leave the Derby and Oaks Trials alone because they generally turn out to be messy affairs, with muddling paces, and often results that don’t bare a true reflection of the race. I much prefer the long distance races, especially around the likes of Pontefract, Doncaster and indeed York, where a nice flat track and long straight gives the horse every chance, if indeed good enough.


The mile and a half handicap looks a cracker, and although I fancy both Martin Chuzzlewit, who ran well over course and distance here last year, and Sir John Hawkwood, who was impressive at Chester, I’ve turned to a trusty veteran. CRACKENTORP won here over course and distance last year on the back of a season opener, and can repeat the feat here once more. The eight year old ran in The Old Borough Cup and The Ebor on ground far too quick, and with heavy downpours on its way, the ground could come up perfect for the Tim Easterby charge. He is now 1lb higher than winning here last year, a nice bonus.


Similarly with the Yorkshire Cup, that has brought a tremendous renewal once again. Joshua Tree won The Canadian International last year, and carries a penalty along with Irish Leger winner Royal Diamond. The Godolphin stalwart Cavalryman won The Dubai Gold Cup and has good form over course and distance, but may not get his ideal quick ground. Guarantee failed to settle last time out in The John Porter Stakes, but may be another proposition here with a run under his belt. He looks the main danger to SIR GRAHAM WADE who was incredibly progressive last year over the staying trips, and put in a terrific third last month to Estimate at Ascot under Kieren Fallon. She looks Gold Cup bound, and he showed last season that the colt gets better with runs throughout the season. It could be a day full of local connections in the York winner’s enclosure.


On his two runs back this season, The Art of Racing has progressed nicely, and kept on gamely to win a five furlong Ripon handicap by a head under Harry Bentley, and the son of Acclamation may go under the radar with Jamie Spencer elsewhere on Satsuma. The trainer is in form, and only up 3lb for his latest win, could potentially be a very well handicapped animal. If the ground were to seriously dry up, Moviesta would be very respected.


Good speech looks very well handicapped in the finale, a mile and a half handicap at York, who put in a career best last time out at Pontefract. He has improved buckets since being upped in trip, and would have won last time out, but for an inspired Paul Mulrennan on Lion Beacon. He is now jocked up, and goes off the same mark. The cut should help, and the filly shows a game attitude, needed in a race of this open nature.


2.15 York – Crackentorp
2.45 York – Sir Graham Wade
3.50 York – The Art of Racing
5.00 York – Good Speech


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York's Dante Meeting - Thursday: Day Two

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Another potentially painful or ecstatic day at York awaits, with wide open handicaps and some competitive stakes races to give a beautiful compliment.


The first is a typical York handicap, and one Ron Harris has farmed in recent years. He has last year’s winner Judge ‘N Jury and Secret Witness, and isn’t the only one double handed, Dandy Nicholls has two and the Easterby boys have four. Jamaican Bolt has good claims on his form with Jack Dexter last year, but I’m not a fan of William Twiston-Davies, and he would ideally like the ground a bit softer. The one who looks to have everything in their favour is the filly Cheworee, who is just 4lb higher for a win last time out at Windsor on her seasonal reappearance. The filly has been progressive and acts on any ground, and the form of her sprint handicaps from last season looks strong. Paul Hanagan an obviously strong jockey booking.


The Middleton Stakes is often an opportunity for a Group One filly knocking on the door to drop down in class and scoop a nice pot, and I cannot see beyond the French filly Dalkala, She beat Shirroco Star in The Prix De Royallieu and will love the conditions, the softer the better. She gives weight to the field but is a class apart; top rated and is sure to see out the trip. Starscope for William Buick and John Gosden is consistent but I can’t see her seeing out the race, mainly racing over a mile.


The Dante Stakes is a terrific renewal, and although no Telescope, all the top stables are represented, with Aidan O’ Brien’s Montjeu colt the well supported favourite; Indian Chief. He is just a maiden winner however, and although could be anything, is no backable price around the 3/1 mark. Greatwood was pulled from Lingfield on Saturday, and an interrupted preparation for such a race against hardened colts. He finished behind Windhoek and ahead of Ghurair in the big Newmarket sales race, and as a form line, I don’t think it looks very strong. The one to side with is Jim Bolger’s Trading Leather, who was most impressive when battling well to win the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket. The form of that race looks superb, with Eye of the Storm and Galileo Rock second and third in the Classic Trial and Glory Awaits running a huge race to finish second in The Guineas. He will stay, and with the dead eight, looks a knocking each way bet.


A rather boring selection, but Fort Bastion will be very hard to beat off top weight in the mile handicap, now trained by Ed Dunlop, and Ryan Moore on board in fantastic form, a treble here yesterday. He runs well fresh, and will relish the trip, as seen last time out when beating Starboard in a Conditions event at Newmarket on his final start last season. He runs of an unaltered mark of 106, and looks the cliché group horse in a field of handicappers.


I’m not the biggest fan of Bryan Meehan, and similarly a huge fan of David O’ Meara so since Smoothtalkingrascal has gone up north, I’ve been on him on all three starts. He travelled like a dream at Hamilton before just fading late on, and with the ground a bit dryer, he should run a big race for an in form stable. Cosmic Chatter could run well at a big price since being gelded, and the filly Sound of Guns is also likely to be there or thereabouts.


No bet in the maiden, looks a minefield, and if had to make a choice, Tanseeb stepped up in trip would be a player for Mark Johnston and Paul Hanagan.


The two mile handicap that rounds off the card has lots of dual purposes horses, and John Quinn is usually the one to watch in these races, he has Moidore and Hidden Justice, and both have claims, Hidden Justice an impressive winner at Pontefract last time out. Cape Tribulation is rated 163 over fences, and undoubtedly well in, but was a lame sixth in this race last year off a 3lb lesser mark. The one who looks the most interesting is Mashaari for Brian Ellison, who beat Cape Tribulation here in October when trained by John Gosden. He has had a quiet National Hunt season, most recently seen finishing second in a jumpers bumper behind Anna’s Arch, who followed up with another win next time too. He will handle any ground, and has Graham Lee on board. He looks a fantastic price.


1.45 York – Cheworee
2.15 York – Dalkala (Nap)
2.45 York – Trading Leather (Nb)
3.15 York – Fort Bastion
3.50 York – Smoothtalkinrascal
5.00 York – Mashaari


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York's Dante Meeting - Wednesday: Day One

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A cracking day of racing, that will hopefully reap a few winners and some further clues for the rest of the season, with some likely runners bound for Epsom and Royal Classic, en route to perhaps further glory.


First Mohican flopped in The November Handicap, but the two runs before that last season suggested he was a potential group horse for Sir Henry Cecil. He travelled well but didn’t seem to stay the extra quarter mile, and back down in trip to ten furlongs should suit him well. Cut would be appreciated, but not essential, and given his record fresh, he has to be backed for the in form stable. Spifer is a rogue, who I can’t have given his reputation, and Clayton is another perennial nearly horse for Kevin Ryan.


Ron Harris did well in the sprint handicaps at the meeting last year, and has Prodigality and last year’s winner Secret Witness for the six furlong handicap on Wednesday, both of whom have chances. I’m personally not a fan of Dandy Nicholls or Kevin Ryan runners, which would discount Bapak Chinta, York Glory and Tax Free. Mass Rally needs cut, whilst Galican needs further. The one who took my eye last time out at Ponty was Singeur, who travelled strongly before tiring late on. Robert Winston is on again, and the six year old is unaltered in the handicap despite the run. He has won on his second start the last two seasons, and he is a winner around The Knavesmire, another big plus.


Sir Michael Stoute’s talking horse of the winter has been Liber Nauticus, who looked a frighteningly good prospect when winning a mile maiden at Goodwood last September. She stayed on strongly that day to beat fillies with subsequent strong form. Ryan Moore is booked, and she is much fancied to win this en route to Oaks glory. I for one think she could be a good thing. Romantic Settings appreciated the step up in trip last time out at Beverley, and despite being only rated 84, could see her running a big race for Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan.


The Duke of York Stakes has an incredible eighteen runner turn out this year, with many of the horses that contested the race last year, which was won by Tiddliwinks; He beat Bogart, Society Rock, The Cheka amongst others, who are set to renew their rivalries. Swiss Spirit will appreciate the ground, and won his maiden over course and distance two seasons back, he has to be a player. As will the filly Mince, who racked up an impressive sequence last season when winning a Group 2 at Ascot on horrible ground. Jack Dexter and Maarek would want it was wet as possible, and as such the shortlist has on it Society Rock and Hawkeyethenoo. Society Rock dismissed his notoriety for needing soft ground when winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock, and carried his form to a decent standard all season. The Fanshawe team have started well, and he has good form when fresh.


Cockney Sparrow will be popular given her win at Aintree over hurdles, and the stable are synonymous for raiding over both codes for the Quinn yard. She is no doubt well in off 78. As is Cousin Khee, who has good form in bumpers and handicap hurdles last year for the shrewd Hughie Morrison yard, and Ryan Moore booked to ride. The one I like is the hatrick seeking Guising for David Brown and Robert Winston. He built on an opening mark of 78 when winning a very good Windsor handicap despite hanging left and showing signs of greenness late on. Up 5lb and I can see a track like York suiting the son of Manduro, as would the forecast rain too.


The Novice Race looks a good renewal, and although Richard Hughes goes to ride Steventon Star, I was really taken by Extortionist’s win on debut for Olly Stevens and Jim Crowley. Another one for successful first season sire Dandy Man and the form of his maiden has worked out rather nicely. He looks the one with the most potential.


The concluding seven furlong handicap looks wide open, but a horse I backed last time out when ridiculously unlucky was African Oil for Charlie Hills and Jim Crowley. The colt was going extremely well when finding no room at Lingfield, and fitter for the run, he should run well from an unchanged mark. It would be no surprise to see Mundahesh have a weight of money behind him for the William Haggas yard, and Robot Boy is another with a potentially lenient mark for local trainer David Barron.


1.45 York – First Mohican
2.15 York – Singeur
2.45 York – Liber Nauticus
3.15 York – Society Rock
3.50 York – Guising (Nap)
4.25 York – Extortionist
5.00 York – African Oil



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Chester's May Meeting; Wednesday, Day One

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Chester’s May Meeting generally brings out the big guns as the flat season gets into full swing, and with trials for Epsom and Ascot on show, there are plenty of pointers around, as well as the terrific spectacle that is The Chester Cup. This year’s renewal has brought out a stellar field, with Ireland’s raiding party this year including runners from the Willie Mullins, Dermot Weld and Aidan O’ Brien respectively. Donald McCain has won the last two with Overturn and Ile De Re, who will likely have ground too quick for his liking, similarly Thimaar, who has been novice hurdling with the likes of Tominator, Theology, Suraj and Champion Hurdle third Countrywide Flame. Marvan Koukash is renowned for having winners around Chester and he has four runners, but none really appeal that strongly, although a market move would be significant. The ground should be rock hard, and the way Olympiad won a two mile handicap at York last summer suggested he had a lot of potential. He has a good record fresh and the stable are in cracking form.


Elsewhere on the card, Limegrove was impressive in defeat on Saturday when in behind a good sort for the Richard Hannon team and it could be rather significant that the filly is turned out again rather quickly. The form of her previous maidens looks rather smart and she should run a good race, providing she can overcome a tricky wide draw.


The Cheshire Oaks provided a 50/1 shock last year when Aidan O’ Brien’s Betterbetterbetter was done on the line by Good Morning Star, and there is another strong Irish raider in Salhooda for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen. She is bred to excel over a longer trip at three, and her two year old form saw her beating some 100 rated horses, and subsequent Group 3 winner Rehn’s Nest. Premium and The Lark are promising maidens with striking pedigree’s who look to be the strongest competition to the Irish filly.


In the Conditions Stakes, Jwala has to be a bet getting weight all round from the field, given her last piece of form from last year, running Sole Power to a couple of lengths at Doncaster. She will be stripped fitter from her reappearance at Bath, and is likely to have ground to suit. Well worth a punt.


1.45 Chester – Limegrove
2.15 Chester – Salhooda
2.45 Chester – Olympiad (Nap)
4.25 Chester - Jwala




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