Weekend Article - Racing Post Trophy Day at Doncaster

The flat season concludes it major series of races in the next few weeks with the Breeders Cup in America seen as the traditional curtain raiser, along with the Melbourne Cup in Australia. However eyes are on 'Gods Country' Saturday as the domestic season finishes with The Racing Post Trophy, a Group One race for two year old colts, over the straight mile at Doncaster.

The race is seen as a point towards classic success the year after, with glory on the horizon. This years favourite comes once more from the Aidan O' Brien Ballydoyle stable through CAMELOT, who was massively impressive, winning a Leopardstown maiden on the bridle. Son Joseph is booked for the son of Montjeu, which personally is a negative, and may give away a few pounds overweight. I like the look of the outsider TALWAR for Jeremy Noseda, who is a massive price. He went to The Curragh with a massive reputation after winning the Solario Stakes at Sandown, a race where the form has worked out extremely well. He was clearly wrong in Ireland, finishing stone last. He ran with credit in the big sales race at Newmarket, and providing he runs to a similar standard, given the question marks surrounding the Irish raiders, he is a great each way price.

EXCELT BOLT looks a very interesting runner in the 2.00, a highly competitive handicap. The Bryan Smart Exceed and Excel Colt has some very smart form to his name and is still highly unexposed. Finishing third in the Norfolk Stakes last year, he finished ahead of smart horses such as Zebedee, Dubawi Gold and Dinkum Diamond. Providing he is race fit and raring to go, he should run very close.

In the same vain as looking for value, I was pleased to see recent tip GUSTO running well and winning at Kempton recently. After finishing fourth of four in a Conditions Race at Salisbury, where he got no luck in running, he showed he is in good heart, travelling and winning well. It is another step up in trip, but has been in good form, as has the yard, and could be another tasty price.

Roger Varian has had a few 'handicap good things' that have been around this year, including John Smiths Cup favourite Pekan Star, and although disappointing there, SUHAILI looks to have bags more improvement to come from his four starts. The form of some of his earlier runs is tremendous. Finishing seventh behind World Domination on his second run, with group horses Fiorente, Wayward Glance and Solar Sky all ahead of him that day. He has since won a maiden and on his comeback run this year was last of 9, losing by 50 lengths. The manner of defeat highlights that he was practically pulled up after being dramatically eased down, so can put a line through that race. He looks class on pedigree, and the trainer has shown he can bring horses back, seen with Nahrain giving him his first group one win at Longchamp on Arc Day.

2.00 Doncaster Excel Bolt (Ew)

2.30 Doncaster Gusto (Ew)

3.00 Doncaster Talwar (Ew)

4.10 Doncaster Suhaili

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

QIPCO Champions Day

QIPCO Champions Day promises to be the jewel in the crown of British Racing, with Racing for Change putting every possible resource into promoting the richest day of British Horse Racing to date, and with five Group races, three of which being Group One, promises to be a momentous day, irrespective of the winners and losers on Saturday.

The long distance cup is a two mile encounter, with the best stayers in the country finally culminating their various cups at York, Goodwood, Doncaster and Royal Ascot here on Champions Day. Ascot Gold Cup hero Fame and Glory is yet to be officially declared to run, but signs from the stable look positive, and he is obviously a massive threat, although there are question marks after his two recent disappointing efforts over 1m 6f. Colour Vision ran a cracker to finish third in the Cesarawitch, and clearly stays all day. As does the Sir Mark Prescott horse Motrice, who finished third behind Opinion Poll and Saddlers Rock at Doncaster. It is hard to see past OPINION POLL, who looked to not see out the extended trip in the Doncaster Cup over 2m 2f. He travelled like a dream and came to the 2 furlong poll on the snaff, and the drop back in trip should help the dual Goodwood and Yorkshire cup winner, putting Frankie in the winners enclosure at Ascot once more.

The sprint division has been ruled this season by a few star performers, notably Hoof It and Dream Ahead, but in general it has been wide open. Society Rock, Bated Breath and Night Carnation have all put in good performances, but the Qipco Champion Sprint Stakes seems to come down to MOONLIGHT CLOUD and DEACON BLUES. Moonlight Cloud went off favourite for the 1000 Guineas, and seemingly didn't see out the trip, as seen when being the comfortable winner of Prix Maurice de Gheest over 6 1/2 furlongs at Deauville. The other star performer is the winner of The Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot is Deacon Blues. He has since won three Group 3 races with relative ease, and teh step up in class looks to be no problem whatsoever for the skeleton, James Fanshawe.

The fillies and mares race over a mile and a half looks another toug, puzzling contest, with seemingly many chances. Meeznah was impressive at Doncaster over an extended trip, and Oaks heroine Dancing Rain completed a double when taking the German equivalent to add to her Epsom crown. Last year's winner Crystal Capella has shown glimpses of her class, most notably when the Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket. The answer seems to lay at the foot of the two most unexposed sorts, who finished 1-2 in a listed race earlier in the season. FERDOOS just got the better of decent yarstick Vita Nova. Ferdoos looks to be very interesting, and the daughter of Dansili has still only raced four times, despite being a four year old. The form of the Haydock only makes her look even more impressive, with Vita Nova, Meeznah and Crystal Capella all behind her in second, third and fourth. That bare form line means she should have more in the locker, providing trainer Roger Varian has her right for the day.

It would be very difficult to oppose FRANKEL in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, and so instead, we will lastly focus our attention on the QIPCO Champion Stakes, which looks an abundance of riches, and many horses will reoppose since running in the Arc, showing how high a calibre of field, with at this current stage, with currently 9 Group One winners left in the field. So You think sets the standard over 10 furlongs, winning the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes, but he is too short in such a high quality field and such an open race. Green Destiny looked to thrive on the 10f trip in his recent Group 3 win, as did Dubai Prince in his comeback run in a listed race, but both could be out of their depth. King George winner Nathaniel is running over a trip that isn't his optimum, something that cannot be said about Circle Des Aigles. The french raider has been a model of consistency this year, with his best runs coming on softish ground over 10 furlongs, so a downpour could make him a very live threat. He has yet to finish out of the front three this season, all of which in Group company, and the gelding has never been beaten further than two lengths. The Sir Henry Cecil pair of Midday and Twice Over finished 1-2 in the International Stakes, and will surely run their usual consistent races but age may be catching up with the tried campaigners.

1.50 Opinion Poll

2.25 Deacon Blues

3.00 Ferdoos (Nap)

3.35 Frankel

4.10 Circle Des Aigles (Ew)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Prospects October Job Log

Jack's job log: 17

Written by Jack Milner, October 2011

Jack has finished his degree. His job hunt is proving a long and difficult road.

At work two weeks ago on a ludicrously busy Saturday afternoon, a friend came into the shop (a bookmakers, for those of you who are not regular readers) to place a few wagers on the football. In doing so, he looked round, with the kind of awe that a child has in Santa's grotto, to point out that there was horseracing on two huge plasma screens, the early afternoon kick-off on another and Sky Sports News on a fourth, featuring rugby league, golf and more football to come. He then said, ‘A job? This is PARADISE'.

To an outsider, it may seem just that. Especially on deserted evenings, where unsuccessful betting slips roll like tumbleweeds and bandits are replaced by under-aged youths attempting to sneak in and lose their pocket money.

However, paradise is often that on the outer only and, although the allure and the appearance of a glitzy, flashy hub of sports, jolly offers and the disregard of economics is lauded and almost made fashionable, there is a darker side to the place, and to the profession. The bookmakers, and the gambling industry in general, do not show the more cruel side - the side that the 2005 Gambling Act seeks to protect.

The three laws that all bodies in the industry are 'supposed' to abide by are:

1. Keep crime out of gambling
2. Be fair and open
3. Protect the young and vulnerable

On paper it sounds wise, achievable and easily to police. However, I can recount tales of all three being flouted, often overlapping. Youths seem adamant that the only way they can rise above the breadline is by putting their last few quid in a FOBT (fixed odds betting terminal) machine, hitting that magic number and having their name in lights a mere ten minutes after entering the premises. It doesn't happen. God loves a trier, he doesn't love a punter.

The dark side of gambling is rarely shown or discussed by media outlets or people in the industry. Take a recent advertisement from one of the main bookmakers - it involves a man betting on his laptop at home in a clean, swanky flat with his attractive partner bringing him a cup of tea. Exactly how it happens, isn't it?

Don't believe the hype. I once heard the phrase, 'See with your eyes and hear with your eyes'. Words of wisdom.

September 2011 Prospects Blog

Jack has finished his degree. His job hunt is proving a long and difficult road.

I am sure you have been waiting with bated breath to hear about how my potentially life-changing offer of a dream job went, and there seems to be a growing trend regarding the outcome. The phrase that immediately sticks out in my thoughts is ‘close, but no cigar’. I was informed that unfortunately I was not selected for the position, thank you for applying, etc.

The stats that the woman provided me with were supposed to fill me with some heart, and give me something positive to take from what was a very large negative. There were 160 applicants for the job and of these there were a meagre seven people interviewed in the Canary Wharf headquarters, of which I was one of the privileged few, getting an inside peek behind the proverbial Iron Curtain.

After the interview I was quietly confident, although never truly believed I would get the job. I know how my life works and things just don’t seem to click into place. Even when first embarking on this blog and the job hunt, I was turned away from a seemingly perfect job role when a locally based and well run company said, ‘sorry, you are seemingly too good for the job’. Unbelievable but true.

Getting back on track, the interview seemed to go well. It was with the head of content for the website, the head of HR and the marketing director. They liked the fact I had put some time and effort into working unpaid for The Racing Forum and that I was working there purely on my love of the sport and to bolster my CV. My eyes lit up when they discussed that they were interested in setting up their own forum. If successful in my job application, I would be responsible for overseeing this side of the project, due to my previous experience in the field at Prospects and now at The Racing Forum. That’s a good sign, right? Hinting that I’m pretty much qualified for future tasks and projects they are thinking about running.

However, I didn’t get the job. Like a horse that has seconditis, I just cannot get over that finish line. Apparently, I was third out of the seven shortlisted, with the two candidates higher in the pecking order having more experience and bringing ‘fresher ideas’.

As my childhood hero Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart (yes, I am sad and I am aware of this) said, ‘the biggest dreams can come true’. For now, mine will have to wait.

Midweek Tipping - Brighton Thursday 13th October 2011

The racing world is awash with hype and expectation as the build up towards the first ever QIPCO Champions Day draws ever nearer. Once again the world and its mother can gaze their eyes on the world’s top rated racehorse, the Sir Henry Cecil trained FRANKEL, who looks to extend his unbeaten run to nine in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Before that however the jumps season is now in full swing and we head back to jumping’s HQ at Cheltenham, with a good set of handicaps on offer. Thursday has racing at Uttoxeter and Wincanton but we’ll focus our attentions on Brighton, where Silvestre De Sousa aims to make up ground on Paul Hanagan and Kieren Fallon.

Our first selection runs in the 3.00, a Class 6 Handicap run over 10 furlongs, where, despite the poor grade, it could be worth taking a chance on PRINCE OF THEBES who has come tumbling down the handicap in recent starts. He has looked like he may return to form, travelling well without finding much, and the new whip rules may just aid him as he seemed to be one who finds little under pressure. He has come down 24lb since his last win 18 months ago, and his apprentice rider takes another 5lb off to boot. The jockey is 3/9 at Brighton, so is something of a specialist, and could be worth a punt at a working man’s price.

A really tricky maiden is up next in the 3.30, with stables represented including the Balding, Hannon and Godolphin yards to name but a few, with some finely bred two year olds on display. Renegotiate runs for the Andrew Balding and Jimmy Fortune connections and he showed promise two weeks ago in a Newmarket maiden, there could be more to come. Richard Hannon won this race last year and has another smart prospect in Golden Jubilee. He was well backed last time out in what seemed a smart maiden at Salisbury but didn't seem to handle the soft ground. He could go better on a firmer surface.

The stand out entry, however, is EXPERT FIGHTER for Saeed Bin Suroor and the interesting jockey booking of William Buick. The Dubai Destination colt ran a good seventh on his debut at Haydock in a maiden where the form has worked out really well with the three subsequent runs bringing a win and two seconds.

PEARL OPERA is horse who has been thriving on the all weather lately, and has not been seen on the turf since his maiden at Chepstow, but that shouldn't hamper his chances at all. The filly has the advantage of acquiring the services of Richard Hughes, who has been in sparkling form this past few weeks, with 11 wins from 43 runners so far in October, including a Listed race, Sales race and two group wins. Pearl Opera won last time out and won well, staying on strongly. She has gone up only 3lb in the handicap and the handicapper seems to have given her a chance to go and give connections another happy afternoon.

3.00 Prince of Thebes (Ew)

3.30 Expert Fighter (Nap)

4.00 Pearl Opera

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Weekend Tipping - Newmarket and York - Future Champions Day

The weekend at Newmarket acts as a prelude to the much awaited QIPCO Champions Day at Ascot next week, where the stars of the season such as Opinion Poll, Blue Bunting, Deacon Blues, Hoof It and the greatest horse in training, Frankel, are all scheduled to appear. Before that we have 'Future Champions Day', with the two top Group 1 two year old races both run this Saturday. The Middle Park Stakes was won last year by Dream Ahead and the Dewhurst by Frankel and they have both gone on to achieve great things this year.

Starting with the Middle Park Stakes, over six furlongs, it looks a wide open contest, with strong contenders who have been consistent all year such as Lilbourne Lad, Tough as Nails, Saigon to name but a few. Caspar Netcher was successfully tipped for his win last time out, and will run his usual good solid race, but the answer looks to be BAPAK CHINTA for the Kevin Ryan yard.

The unbeaten colt was incredibly impressive when winning a maiden at Hamilton beating subsequent group winner Frederick Engels. He then followed up by winning the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot over five furlongs. He won going away and the step up to 6 furlongs should improve him further. The form from the race has worked out well with Burwaaz showing to be tough and durable, as well as Charles the Great winning the Weatherby's Super Sprint and Tell Dad winning the Tattersalls Millions race.

EKTIHAAM looks a good bet for the Dewhurst for the Sheikh Hamdan family, and he can use this as a springboard to future classic glory next spring. The son of Invincible Spirit made the best possible start when winning a Newbury maiden, beaten a very strong field. The second, third, fifth and sixth all have won subsequently, including beating the Jeremy Noseda classic entered Harvard N Yale. That was followed by a Conditions Stakes win at Doncaster at their St Leger Festival. The manner of the victory was nothing short of impressive, and although the form hasn't worked out that well, he looks to be open to lots of improvement. Aidan O' Brien could have any number of runners, and if National Stakes winner Power turns up he would be very difficult to beat. Red Duke is another who has shown promise and could run into a place.

KEYS is a horse I have followed for a while now, ear-marking him for future glory last season and backing him for the Cheltenham Bumper. An injury dashed those dreams, but switched to the flat he has retained all of his class for trainer Roger Charlton, and his manner of victory at Newbury two starts ago was simply breath-taking. He won on the bridle, and was turned out again quickly to win at Ascot a week later under a penalty. The trip shouldn't pose any problems, and with Richard Hughes booked to ride, there will be no excuses for Keys to not run a good race come Saturday.

Internationaldebut is a horse who I have followed closely this year and he is thriving for trainer Paul Midgely after having an unlucky start to the season. He would travel well but find little off the bridle, as seen when an opening second at Doncaster with Kieren Fallon on board. That has changed recently with two wins in strong handicaps followed up by landing the hat-trick in a conditions event at Beverley. A step back up to his preferred 6 furlongs should suit, and although now 16lb higher than when his winning streak started he should run another consistent, strong race.

2.35 Newmarket - Bapak Chinta (Nap)

3.10 Newmarket - Ektihaam

3.50 Newmarket - Keys (Ew)

4.05 York - Internationaldebut (Ew)

Midweek Talking Turf - October 6th 2011 - Botham to hit them for six at Ayr!

Without jinxing things, the form of the tipping article has been exceptional, with the last 4 naps all being successful, making August and September very profitable months for followers of The Yorkshireman.

We focus on Ayr on Thursday for a competitive card, and where there are some promising chances, especially for some of the more notorious northern yards, such as Jim Goldie and Paul Midgely, both of whom like to pull off a nice betting coup now and again, so be sure to keep an eye on any market movers!

Our first selection comes in the first race, the 2.10, in a mile maiden race. NEVER PERFECT looks an exceptionally well bred colt who can build on a promising fourth on his racecourse debut last time out at Newcastle. The son of Galileo looked green on debut, but still managed to run a respectable race on ground that was less than ideal. He has a Racing Post Trophy entry, so is clearly highly though of by connections, and should go a lot better against a much lower quality field.

BOTHAM is a horse who was very impressive last time out, winning at Hamilton under a penalty, and won with plenty in hand. Jim Goldie's dual performer was running after a previous win at Hamilton 10 days previous, and the horse and the yard are clearly in good heart at the moment, and can complete the hatrick in the 5.10, the lucky last. The 9 furlong trip should be ideal for the gelding, and given his last two victories have been successful on both good and soft ground, the forecasted rain would not hamper his chances. He is due to go up 5lb in the handicap next week, so is a horse who is well in, and should win a shade cosily under Danny Tudhope who has 2 wins and 1 place from 3 starts on him, and I would be very surprised if a gamble isn't launched and landed from local connections.

Our final selection is for another native of the Ayr region and is from Keith Dalgleish, who has a tremendously successful season, in his first year since departing as Mark Johnston's right hand man. One of his more consistent horses is CHOOKIE AVON, who since being given a break in the middle of the summer, has come back looking fresh and thriving at northern tracks. His last three starts have reaped a first, second and a third at Newcastle, Ayr and Mussleburgh respectfully, and is another who seems to have remained slightly ahead of the handicapper. Persistent rain means the ground is likely to be soft, which shouldn't be a problem, winning two starts ago on soft ground, beating consistent Middleham Park Racing stalwart Whispering Spirit.

2.10 Ayr - Never Perfect

3.10 Ayr - Chookie Avon

5.10 Ayr - Botham (Nap)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner