Wednesday 15th August 2012 - Racing at Beverley

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MOHEEBB ran a very game and creditable race last time out at Carlisle; the eight year old has had a fairly consistent season. Beaten only two lengths by Kay Gee Bee, the bare form looks good, with the fifth that day coming out and winning a handicap next time out, he is respected and goes for a smart stable. Brocklebank and Violent Velocity will put up the nearest challenges based on official ratings.

Peter Chapple-Hyam is having a particularly fruitful year with his juveniles, with twelve separate two year old winners so far this term. He has another colt, this time by Exceed and Excel in the form of AL MUKHDAM, who aims to build on a decent start to his career, with a promising fourth in a hot Newmarket maiden. He was still very green that day, ducking right twice, but the bare result and promise was good, and with the run under his belt, he should come on a bundle. The second has since won next time out, and Al Mukhdam looks the best horse in an ordinary looking contest.

COCKTAIL CHARLIE keeps trickling down the handicap, and is due to come good eventually, and even though his form in numbers doesn’t look exactly scintillating, it is better than it may suggest. Beaten by 3 ½ lengths in his last three starts, but all competitive handicaps, at Haydock, York and most recently, sixth of nineteen runners at Thirsk. He is tried at five furlongs, and given his consistency, the form of the yard, and down to a career low mark of 74, there are certainly worse horses to have a punt on.

I backed PINOTAGE last time out, and he ran a solid race to finish third of fourteen, when a well backed 16s into 9s chance over a mile and a half at Pontefract. Graham Lee gave the gelding a very patient ride, and he stayed on well to finish down by around six lengths that day. The form of that, and his run at Redcar the race before has worked out well (lots of wins and places in behind), and with different tactics employed, he could fair better. He has been lowered a further 1lb by the handicapper, and Graham Lee has a 22% strike rate at the track.

2.15 Beverley – Moheebb
2.45 Beverley – Al Mukhdam (Nap)
3.50 Beverley – Cocktail Charlie
5.25 Beverley – Pinotage


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Tuesday Racing at Bath, Catterick and Ripon 7/8/2012

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Just a brief look at Tuesday’s cards, nothing too serious, with racing like this, you don’t always know who or what is playing with a full deck, pardon my cynicism..

MEDICOE bypasses handicapping for another tilt at a maiden, and Sir Mark Prescott’s son of Medicean has stayed on well over six furlongs both times to suggest a tilt at seven should shed the maiden tag at the fourth attempt. GAP PRINCESS has come back and shaped nicely in two comeback runs this season and now with the cheek pieces back on, the mare can improve further still. I flagged this partnership up last week, and with two wins in the bag in the last week, it would be rude not to bring up the hatrick here. IRISH GIRL’S SPIRIT was my Nap last Wednesday, and I was devastated to find she was a non runner that day, but out again tomorrow, I shall remain loyal, and the way she ran in her only two handicaps she is another, hopefully, well in.

IRRATIONAL’s form figures this season read 6-9-4, but they are a lot better when actually going through the form book and analysing the races. The sixth of nine was the filly’s comeback run, after a 213 day absence. Then last of 9, where she practically fell out of the stalls and never travelled. The last fourth suggested a return to form, beaten less than two lengths, staying on over six furlongs. Down to a new low mark of 57, she looks on a very workable figure.

2.20 Catterick – Medicoe
3.20 Catterick – Gap Princess
4.20 Catterick – Irish Girls Spirit
5.20 Catterick – Irrational

Starting off in a maiden at Bath, and Chris Caitlin rides the quirky course particularly well, with a 25% strike rate there in the last twelve months. He rides TREGERETH for Jonathan Portman, and the Footstepsinthesand filly can build after two promising runs already this season. She was third last time out over course and distance, beaten five lengths behind subsequent handicap winner Dream Maker for Tom Dascombe. With another run under her belt, and improvement to come, she will take all of the beating and then some.

THE NOBLE ORD has been running to a decent standard all season, without getting any rub of the green, or rub of anything else for that matter. Down to a new low of 72 last time out, the gelding was beaten less than two lengths into fourth in a fourteen runner handicap. Liam Keniry is back on board, and given he has a win and a second from three starts with the three year old.

I really, really don’t like backing horses who are officially out of the handicap, but I will make a rare exception with RUPEETOUPS for Henry Candy and Douglas Sweeney, another track specialist, with a 20% strike rate and +£26 profit for £1 stake in the last twelve months. Not really put in to three maidens, off a mark of 46, it seems more than fair, and with the stable flying, you are sure to see some money for this one, especially now gelded.

SPINNING WATERS is a game old horse for Dai Burchell, and the now six year old is on an attractive mark of 46 after an eye catching third last time out over two miles at Chepstow. The tired late on, and over the trip again, with fitness sharper, and more rivals with stamina doubts, he could go close. Kelly Harrison in the plate is a positive for me.

SHADES OF GREY proved to be the handicap good thing twice, when bolting up each time, the latter by five lengths and is expected to complete the hatrick in style, despite an 8lb rise. He looks to be going the right way, and when you get a mare enjoying herself, she tends to thrive.

2.00 Bath – Tregereth
3.00 Bath – The Noble Ord
3.30 Bath – Rupeetoups
4.30 Bath – Spinning Waters
5.00 Bath – Shades of Grey


MOVIESTA was rather frustrating last time out, the penny dropping too late, but when it did, the colt ran on rather strongly in the closing stages to suggest there is plenty more to come. With some impressive entries in his arsenal, and the run behind him he should come on a bundle.

OUR DIANE ran nothing like the race she ought to last time at York when being backed off the boards, and is expected to bounce back in style at Ripon in the 6.35 Nursery. She was given a questionable ride to say the least, and with hopefully different tactics now employed, she should run much better, and as the initial money and promise suggested.

ASTRA HALL is another of these Ralph Beckett horse lowly handicapped then laughs in the face of Phil Smith and his boys, winning twice with a relative ease both times. Despite the rise, the filly is clearly far better than a rating of 62 suggests, and expect a long streak on the way to an eventual mark around the 80-90 mark.

SINGEUR was well supported last time out in a good handicap for Robin Bastiman, and ran a creditable sixth on his season debut. That run should have put him spot on for this class three handicap, and his record at the minimum trip is exemplary, with a 40% strike rate.

The final selection is GABRIALS STAR who ran a blinder behind Sir Michael Stoute’s Sequence at Thirsk over a mile and a half, and is now stepped up for a tilt at two miles for the first time. A Hernando colt out of a Machiavellan mare, there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree, and with him staying on well last time out; this could further bring the colt along.

6.05 Ripon – Moviesta
6.35 Ripon – Our Diane
7.05 Ripon – Astra Hall
7.35 Ripon – Singeur
8.05 Ripon – Gabrials Star

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
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The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

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Monday Racing at Kempton and Ripon

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Racing on Monday is rather subdued, but I suppose we have been spoiled in the last week with the scintillating scenes at both Galway and Goodwood; excellent exhibitions of sport.

Just a slight bump in class Monday afternoon with cards at Ripon and Kempton, with Wolverhampton at night, half the English racing is on artificial surfaces, what is going on?!

Eve Johnston Houghton has a runner in the first at Kempton Park with SIMPLY getting a nice opening mark of 58, and there could be much more improvement in this Nayef filly to come. Not knocked about in three runs in decent maidens, she looks unexposed, and with three running out of the handicap, and the rest of the field showing little in handicaps thus far, a race like this is well within the grasp for a yard that are ticking along nicely.

MR FICKLE has proved costly to follow, finishing second and fourth in the gelding’s last two starts over six and seven furlongs, and has met more trouble in running than a Jamie Spencer highlight reel. Upped in trip further, George Baker has a mile to play with, and the longer trip should give the three year old more time to find his feet and come with his now trademark turn of foot.

LETSTALKABOUTMONEY runs in a maiden after stepping up into a listed company, running with great aplomb, only going down by five lengths to the Richard Hannon 2000 Guineas fancy Toronado. With a rating of 87, the colt should be too good for rivals in a fairly average looking maiden.

GINGER MONKEY only went down by three lengths to an even money favourite on the all weather over six furlongs at Lingfield, and with the Cockney Rebel gelding’s first run for six months, he should come on for that a lot. He came back at the favourite towards the line, and the step up in trip should suit this well bred sort for an in form Peter Chapple-Hyam.

2.30 Kempton – Simply
3.30 Kempton – Mr Fickle (Nap)
4.00 Kempton – Letstalkaboutmoney (Nb)
4.30 Kempton – Ginger Monkey

Win Yankee.

Similarly muddling card on offer at Ripon, where the Yorkshire Racing Festival carries on, with the local protagonists stealing the show, as per. Famous northern names such as Haggas, Easterby, Hanagan, Nicholls, Winston et al could have a fair few winners between them.

ROYAL ASPIRATION runs for William Haggas and Paul Hanagan in the first, and is a nice little boost to the multiples in the first. Two seconds in maiden company, before only being beat three lengths in the mud at Newbury for the Weatherby’s Super Sprint. He is much better than this grade, and as long as going off around the even money mark, look a good thing.

ACE OF VALHALLA is officially rated 3lb inferior to Pulverize for Paul Hanagan and Sir Michael Stoute, but I feel the Authorized colt has shown far substantial form and attitude in his four runs in comparison to his rival. Second to subsequent winner Rosslyn Castle at Windsor, and second on handicap debut, upped in trip should suit, given he is a son of a Derby winner, and the Cecil yard are flying, with three winners at Glorious Goodwood, all group one or two races.

After winning a maiden last year, SKY HIGH DIVER went onto complete a successful four timer, winner three straight handicaps over a mile and a half, and a mile and three furlongs, all at Southwell. The filly looked in need of the run in the heavy ground at Hamilton three weeks ago, and she should come on for that run. Robert Winston is the form jockey in the north, and he is booked to ride for this Graham Swinbank runner, and the partnership have had two winners in the last week, Honest Deal at Wolverhampton, and Painted Tail at Pontefract.

2.15 Ripon – Royal Aspiration (Nap)
4.45 Ripon – Ace of Valhalla (Nb)
5.15 Ripon – Sky High Diver

Win Treble.

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Sunday Afternoon Lucky 15 at Chester

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PENNY GARCIA goes for the in form Easterby win, and stepped up nicely from her maiden form to break the maiden tag at the fourth attempt. Up 5lb, she is still progressing with racing, and is capable of much more, and should appreciate handicapping.

Ed McMahon does well with his two year olds, and it is expected ARLECCHINO can step up from his debut two weeks ago at Haydock. That form couldn’t have worked out even better, Deauville Prince is well regarded by Tom Dascombe, the second; Steeler hacked up after being punted off the boards at Goodwood yesterday, and given the Hernando colt was still green on debut, he looks solid.

Van Ellis has been well supported in the listed race, and is a course and distance winner, but he looks plenty short now, and the value looks to be with PONTY ACCLAIM for Ted Easterby and Duran Fentiman. Finished last year as a Group Three winner, and ran the exciting Pearl Secret to two lengths at Pontefract on return. Beaten nine lengths in the Kings Stand, and six of thirteen in a York listed race. She gets weight all round as a three year old filly and has strong claims.

GRANDILOQUENT is a nice home bred for Khalid Abdullah and Juddmonte Farms, and is expected to build on his two wins from two runs this far this season. The colt won his maiden and subsequent handicap over a mile and a half and up only 3lb for that, on a mark of 84, he is open to all sorts of improvement, and looks the one to beat.

2.00 Chester – Penny Garcia
2.30 Chester – Arlecchino
3.05 Chester – Ponty Acclaim
4.45 Chester – Grandiloquent

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Glorious Goodwood - Day Four

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A few weeks ago it was all about horses with soft ground form, those mud larks were the ones to follow, their time has come and gone, those quick ground animals are now those to follow.

Some have won on both, and the classy GATEWOOD has won on good at Epsom and York, and soft at Ascot, he is versatile, unexposed and classy. He manages to settle under William Buick so well in his races, that he comes on the wide outside with a late rattle and has put the three handicaps away with relative ease, and little fuss. The George Strawbridge owned Galileo colt steps up into group company, and has pounds to find on official ratings with others, but out of a Selkirk mare, he should relish the step up in trip, and he looks the best bet of the day.

ALJAMAAHEER was an unlucky loser at Royal Ascot in the Jersey Stakes, and was flying towards the end with Sentaril, with Ishvana and Seamie Heffernan catching the field off guard, kicking early and pinching it from the front. Aljamaaheer looked so classy when winning a very good listed race at Newmarket, running on well over seven furlongs. Finally stepped up to a mile, this Dubawi colt can improve further, and looks very classy. Tales of Grimm is still unexposed and can fill out the forecast.

SMARTY SOCKS is a game old horse for the in form David O’ Meara yard and has Kieren Fallon as an eye catching booking in the saddle. His best form has been on good ground, and he has been shaping up nicely thus far this season, ignoring reappearance aside. After that, a solid staying on third on ground not suited, over seven furlongs, followed by fourth in a listed race over again inadequate trip and ground, before finally getting a rock hard surface and winning nicely at York. Fallon was on that day, and with him returning to ride and the form of his two wins looking rather good, the old boy can bring it home for the north.

ORTENSIA finally has her ideal ground after having to hack around Ascot and Newmarket in the mud. This Aussie mare is a quick ground horse, and even though not liking the ground, still performed with credit. The fact she has hung around for this speaks volumes, and is a group one horse in a group two field. Putting it plainly, she is the best horse in the race, and I like her. A LOT.

CARLTON BLUE looked to be pretty unexposed off a mark of 74, and runs under a penalty in the 4.20, a seven furlong nursery after winning rather pleasingly at Ascot in a thorough fashion. I flagged up the Paul Cole yard a few weeks ago and they are coming good. Ashley Morgan is a five pound claimer, but gave the colt a very nice ride and retains the ride again, and can hopefully make it a nice, cheeky double.

GRACIA DIRECTA came over from Germany for a Group Three last month at York and won well under Robert Winston, and it could be worth taking a chance on the filly to continue her rich vein of form. She is stepped up from six furlongs to seven from shrewd connections and looks the value play in a field where Godolphin hold the aces with UAE 1000 Guineas winner Gamilati and the talented Dysphonia.

The Henry Candy yard are coming good as of now, The Confessor tipped up on here and won on Wednesday and LARWOOD can do the same. A good second last time out has him 4lb well in official ratings and is open to further improvement than most, dropping down to the minimum trip.

2.00 Goodwood – Gatewood (Nap)
2.35 Goodwood – Aljamaaheer
3.10 Goodwood – Smarty Socks
3.45 Goodwood – Ortensia (Nb)
4.20 Goodwood – Carlton Blue
4.50 Goodwood – Gracia Directa
5.25 Goodwood – Larwood

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Glorious Goodwood - Day Three

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Asatir is unbeaten thanks to two handicap wins either side of the season, but the form of his three victories does not amount to much, even if he is on an upward curve. Similar story for Hefner, who is likely to be short due to connections and Hallings Comet doesn’t look to have beaten much in two starts this term. Compare that to OPINION, who bounced back from a lacklustre effort over a mile to trounce a good field, mainly thanks to a belter from Ryan Moore. He really got a tune out of the colt, who is impressively bred, by Oasis Dream, out of a Saddlers Wells mare, and the second, third and fifth won next time out, and the fourth was second. He looks the one to beat.

There isn’t a lot to split Cay Verde and Ahern from Royal Ascot, but at the prices, it has to be CAY VERDE. Only beaten three lengths at Royal Ascot after winning a good Listed Race at The Curragh, Mick Channon’s stable won the big juvenile race on Tuesday, and he looks to have another promising prospect to complete a rare double.

SADDLERS ROCK seems to finally have the ground that he has so desperately been yearning for and the dry underfoot conditions, and quick ground should give him the edge over the veterans. Still only a four year old colt, he was far from disgraced in the Gold Cup, when Godolphin got the fractions spot on, finishing one-two, with Colour Vision the Gold Cup winner, re-opposing here. Simeon is a tough Willie Mullins jumper, who won twice at Royal Ascot, but doesn’t have the class to compete with Saddlers Rock, who is held in the highest regard by John Oxx and his stable.

ESTIMATE was my Nap as the best bet for the last day of Royal Ascot, and she duly hacked up for Her Majesty in the Queen’s Vase, appropriately enough. Although now stepping down in trip, she looks a good thing in the fillies Group 3 Lillie Langtry Stakes. Exceptionally bred, she was well backed and obliged in style, winning by five lengths. Although the form hasn’t worked out too well, but as a three year filly she gets a bundle of weight, and as top rated already, she already has pounds in hand on the field. It look’s like she will get the pace on offer too, it should set up nicely.

The maiden looks trickier than a crafty fox, and given the Hannon pair will be well punted, we can’t look there, I like the Osbourne horse, but JP Spencer on board, and that means I don’t. GOLDEN CAUSEWAY looks good on paper, and looking through her entries, she must be held in quite high regard. Entries in the filly’s mile, two year old trophy are eye-catching and the Hills team have done well with their juveniles this year. Market support would be even more persuasive.

DUCTH ROSE has been winning well for the shrewd David O’ Meara yard, and he has now won four of his last five starts. The jump from maiden win to handicapping hatrick has seen the Dutch Art filly raised 26lb since the start of her run. Her form is strong, with the last win in particular, the only three to come out and run have finishing 1-4-2. The stable are having winners everywhere, and expect another strong show.

The last race of the day, another one of them pesky sixteen runner three year old handicaps, and arguments can be made about a few. It’s hard to find some value, but CLON BRULEE goes for the shrewd David Barron yard, and the form of his two handicap wins look good, next time out winners in both, and is 2lb well in.

2.15 Goodwood – Opinion (NB)
2.45 Goodwood – Cay Verde
3.15 Goodwood – Saddlers Rock
3.45 Goodwood – Estimate (Nap)
4.20 Goodwood – Golden Causeway
4.55 Goodwood – Dutch Rose
5.25 Goodwood – Clon Brulee

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Glorious Goodwood - Day Two

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ORSIPPUS has already been well backed, and has been running well over the extended trips on the flat to warrant supporting in the opener, a hotly contested two mile-five furlongs handicap. Nicky Henderson has three, including the hot favourite Cape Express, Veiled and Sentry Duty, but none offers great appeal at current prices. Orsippus however has a rejuvenated K Fallon on board and has consistent form of 4214 since returning from the National Hunt sphere. His win in June at Pontefract came over 18 furlongs, and over the sticks he has form at this 21 furlong trip, third behind the smart Carlito Brigante in last years Coral Cup. Plenty of smart runners were in that field, and off a mark of 82 (136 NH), he should go close. As should TROVARE who landed a monster gamble at Kempton, before finishing second next time out under a penalty. The stable have finally found the answer to this five year old, and although now up 6lb, is still relatively unexposed.

GHURAR is a massively respected colt for the evergreen John Gosden and his formidable stable, and with Paul Hanagan on board for Sheikh Hamdan, he will take all the beating. 2/1 looks quite short though, despite him winning a smart Newmarket maiden and the value instead lay in MAXENTIUS - who didn’t handle the heavy ground last time out behind Olympic Glory at HQ. He set tongues wagging when winning pretty much on the bridle at Doncaster and still ran with credit in the mud. On better ground for an in form stable, he should go well.

Frankel wins by nine lengths. End of; enjoy.

The mile and a half handicap looks a very trappy affair and the race Stature won last time out has worked well, with similar profiles for Mawaqeet and Rule Book. I do instead however like two at biggish prices and for GASSIN GOLF and TREND IS MY FRIEND – both at working mans prices. Gassin Golf is a beautifully bred colt for Sir Mark Prescott who ran just plain too bad to be true last time out at Chester, never settling. He is a lot better than that on the basis of his Haydock win, Luke Morris was on him then, and is back on today, and think he could be an each way price at around the 25/1 mark. Similarly Trend is my Friend, who won well and on merit at Sandown on Eclipse Day. I backed the colt then, and he looks to be going the right way, stepped up in trip with a 5lb increase from the handicapper.

One of the best looking maidens of the meeting, and there is no shortage of class. Pearl Sea is favourite based on placed efforts in two maidens with subsequent winners, but there is absolutely no chance of me backing or tipping a Jamie Spencer favourite in a seventeen runner maiden. CUT NO ICE looks a smart type for Paul Cole, and would be no surprise to see the filly build on her good third last time out at Newbury. The stable are in good nick, and the winner and the fourth have both come out and won next time out. Similarly HASBAH for Peter Chapple-Hyam, whose two year olds have been running well, a narrow second on Monday, and the Cape Cross filly can step up from a good fourth on debut at Yarmouth. She led two furlongs out before fading, but wasn’t knocked about and will have learnt a lot from the run. The winner has since hacked up in a conditions race by seven lengths.

Jay-sus these handicaps don’t get any easier, a seventeen runner affair once more, with nine furlongs the trip, and plenty of unexposed sorts. Won last year by Dandy Nicholls, and trainers from the north have a strong record, and as such, have plenty entered. The Quinlan team have two, but the pick looks to be ARIYFA, formerly with John Oxx and bred by The Aga Khan in Ireland, he looks to have a bit of class about him. Placed in two solid handicaps this year, he should be on the upgrade, his last run was third behind Jack’s Revenge, who went down by two necks yesterday, the form looks good. William Buick in the plate is a big positive too. CHIGUN won a maiden by ten lengths coming away over a mile last time out at Salisbury, and is up 10lb for that, but was mightily impressive to see. With the form of the stable at current present, she is a beautifully bred filly and could improve again still.

How Dubawi Sound can be a 2/1 favourite in an eighteen runner Goodwood handicap is beyond me. With Harry Bentley on board, claiming 3lb, he is also 6lb ahead of the handicap, so hypothetically 9lb well in, but off top weight and running just four days later, far too short for my liking. TRIPLE CHARM has a much more likeable profile, and is well worth taking a chance on for Jeremy Noseda and William Buick. He seems to be on the right side of the handicapper, and was given a poor ride to try and weave through traffic and leave it too late at Kempton Park. I have a feeling that on turf, the Pivotal filly could run a solid race. Similarly THE CONFESSOR who has been lowered 2lb for not performing at all like she can in the extremely soft going at Yarmouth. She wasn’t given a hard time, and given his form in seven furlong handicaps, it would be no surprise to see the five year old bounce back.

2.00 Goodwood – Orsippus & Trovare
2.35 Goodwood – Maxentius (Nap)
3.45 Goodwood – Gassin Golf & Trend is my Friend
4.20 Goodwood – Cut No Ice & Hasbah
4.55 Goodwood – Ariyfa & Chigun
5.25 Goodwood – Triple Charm & The Confessor

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