In last month's Yorkshire Oaks Sariska refused to leave the stalls allowing Henry Cecil's Midday to collect the spoils. Three and a half weeks on and something remarkably similar happened in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp this afternoon; once again Sariska failed to come out of the stalls and Midday took the spoils. Connections immediately retired Sariska while Skybet have shortened Midday to even money for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
There was a bit of a turn-up in yesterday's St. Leger at Doncaster where the Godolphin even money hotpot, Rewilding, failed to fire, coming home a well-beaten sixth behind John Gosden's 12/1 chance Arctic Cosmos. Corsica (40/1) from the Mark Johnson yard ensured there was no hanging around, setting a searching gallop and staying on stoutly to finish third, beaten a nose for second by the Aidan O'Brien trained Midas Touch. Meanwhile over in Ireland Olivier Peslier brought 13/8 favourite Sans Frontieres to the front with a well-timed run to record a comfortable three quarter length win from market rival Profound Beauty. This represents a first Group One win for owner Sir Robert Ogden; connections have indicated that the Melbourne Cup in November is 'very much on the cards.'
Some potentially interesting race readers to keep an eye out for with (the threat of) Christmas just around the corner...
Ruby: The Autobiography by Ruby Walsh [publication date to be announced];
Kauto Star & Denman by Jonathan Powell;
Gentlemen and Blackguards: Gambling Mania and the Plot to Steal the Derby of 1844 by Nicholas Foulkes;
Race Profiles - Jumps 2010-2011 by Dr Peter May;
No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone by Tom Bower [publication date to be announced].
Plenty has been written over the past week on the antics of England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney. By some distance the most amusing article I came across was Frank Skinner's piece in Friday's Times. I had to smile at this particular line: 'Ms Thompson said, on one occasion, when Rooney approached her in a hotel, that Michael Owen looked at him with disgust. Apparently this caused Owen to pull a muscle in his face and he has been out of action for six weeks.'
Last night the contestants in Strictly Come Dancing 2010 were allocated their dance partners and told to go away and practice for three weeks. The layers, never ones to miss an opportunity, have already priced up the field. Mrs Tips comes into her own with this sort of stuff - her verdict on Gavin Henson was particularly harsh (in case you were tempted by 20/1); personally I thought Gavin bore a remarkable resemblance to Fireman Elvis Cridlington of Fireman Sam fame.
Finally, one of next Saturday's features is the Ayr Gold Cup; the Morning Line guest, advertised in advance, is the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP MP. Forget the politics, Alex Salmond rates an entertainment in his own right and ranks high on a list of people I'd care to have dinner with. I shall rise early in time for next Saturday's scheduled transmission.
Showing posts with label curragh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label curragh. Show all posts
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
St Leger day 2010
Two St Legers take place tomorrow with ten set to face the starter in the English version at 3.20 while eight go to post in the Irish equivalent twenty five minutes later.
Doncaster plays host to the 233rd running of the world's oldest Classic horse race; tradition has it that the first born child on the day of the race is granted life membership of the track on reaching the age of sixteen. Racing may well have tradition aplenty but, as today's Daily Telegraph reports, all is far from rosy in racing's garden. On paper Rewilding looks to have this renewal at his mercy and has been priced up accordingly - this evening the layers go 8/1 bar the Godolphin hotpot. A couple of quick stats - six favourites have obliged in the last decade while only six fillies have won the race since the war, the last to do so being User Friendly in 1992. Having said that the last six Oaks winners have finished in the places so Snow Fairy may make some appeal as an each-way wager (8/1) although connections admit they don't know whether she'll stay the trip and are unlikely to let their charge take her chance should heavy ran arrive before the off. James Given's Dandino is progressive but I'm not really inclined to get involved; if I relent I'll consider Sir Michael Stoute's Total Command each-way at 33/1. [How often do you seen one at that price for this trainer? Well, twice in the last month actually!] The Sadler's Wells colt didn't appear to stay the trip when third in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and is forgiven his ninth in the Voltigeur behind Rewilding as the trainer reported his charge had suffered from a skin and joint infection before York and as a consequence needed the outing.
The Irish St Leger at the Curragh looks a more competitive affair with several layers going 9/4 each of two Profound Beauty and Sans Frontieres. John Dunlop's bay gelding Tactic (8/1) beat the first-named over course and distance at the end of June but has since disappointed in the Goodwood Cup and current stable form is poor. Jeremy Noseda expects a big run from Sans Frontieres who looked good winning the Geoffrey Freer on soft ground at Newbury last time out; connections will consider a tilt at the Melbourne Cup if all goes well here. In a trappy-looking race, I side with Dermot Weld's Profound Beauty.
Doncaster plays host to the 233rd running of the world's oldest Classic horse race; tradition has it that the first born child on the day of the race is granted life membership of the track on reaching the age of sixteen. Racing may well have tradition aplenty but, as today's Daily Telegraph reports, all is far from rosy in racing's garden. On paper Rewilding looks to have this renewal at his mercy and has been priced up accordingly - this evening the layers go 8/1 bar the Godolphin hotpot. A couple of quick stats - six favourites have obliged in the last decade while only six fillies have won the race since the war, the last to do so being User Friendly in 1992. Having said that the last six Oaks winners have finished in the places so Snow Fairy may make some appeal as an each-way wager (8/1) although connections admit they don't know whether she'll stay the trip and are unlikely to let their charge take her chance should heavy ran arrive before the off. James Given's Dandino is progressive but I'm not really inclined to get involved; if I relent I'll consider Sir Michael Stoute's Total Command each-way at 33/1. [How often do you seen one at that price for this trainer? Well, twice in the last month actually!] The Sadler's Wells colt didn't appear to stay the trip when third in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and is forgiven his ninth in the Voltigeur behind Rewilding as the trainer reported his charge had suffered from a skin and joint infection before York and as a consequence needed the outing.
The Irish St Leger at the Curragh looks a more competitive affair with several layers going 9/4 each of two Profound Beauty and Sans Frontieres. John Dunlop's bay gelding Tactic (8/1) beat the first-named over course and distance at the end of June but has since disappointed in the Goodwood Cup and current stable form is poor. Jeremy Noseda expects a big run from Sans Frontieres who looked good winning the Geoffrey Freer on soft ground at Newbury last time out; connections will consider a tilt at the Melbourne Cup if all goes well here. In a trappy-looking race, I side with Dermot Weld's Profound Beauty.
Friday, September 11, 2009
St Leger day in England and Ireland
Only eight go to post for the St Leger at Doncaster; on paper the race appears to be between the first four in the betting - Kite Wood, Changingoftheguard, Monitor Closely and Father Time. Of that quartet, Henry Cecil's Father Time looks to offer best value as the horse is bang there with a chance provided you forgive his last effort in the Great Voltigeur. Kite Wood has a favourite's chance but I'm slightly put off by the fact he would prefer more cut. Changingoftheguard will not be inconvenienced by fast ground but there are reservations about the ability of Monitor Closely to last home. The winner has come from the first three in the betting on nine occasions in the last ten years, with the favourite obliging six times. I'll take a chance with Changingoftheguard.
At the Curragh I can't oppose the legendary Yeats. Whatever happens, we have to bear in mind that, with the advancing years, this could be the last time we'll see him on a racecourse.
Others I'll take a closer look at before the off include Cat Junior in the DFS Park Stakes at Doncaster, Mac Love in a tight-looking Group 3 at Goodwood (2.40) and Cloudy Start in the 3.55 at Chester.
At the Curragh I can't oppose the legendary Yeats. Whatever happens, we have to bear in mind that, with the advancing years, this could be the last time we'll see him on a racecourse.
Others I'll take a closer look at before the off include Cat Junior in the DFS Park Stakes at Doncaster, Mac Love in a tight-looking Group 3 at Goodwood (2.40) and Cloudy Start in the 3.55 at Chester.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Northumberland Plate
Twenty go to post tomorrow for the Northumberland Plate run over a trip of two miles at Newcastle. This evening bookmakers go 8/1 the field for this competitive handicap which is also known as the 'Pitmen's Derby'. Over the last ten years the winner has come from stalls numbered 1-9 on eight occasions; Judgethemoment is strongly fancied but has two negative pointers - he has been drawn wide and happens to have won the Ascot Stakes less than a fortnight ago. Big weight-carrying performances are something of a rarity; that doesn't augur well for Friston Forest allocated nine stones ten pounds, but the next horse in the handicap, The Betchworth Kid, has just nine stones two to carry. I always look for something that is set to carry under nine stones in this. Speed Ticket and Keenes Day have the right profile and are bound to have their supporters but for me Wells Lyrical looks as though this has been his target and is worth a small each-way interest at around 10/1; note that recent stable form isn't convincing.
Over in Ireland Look Here is a horse I like, is top-rated for the ten furlong Pretty Polly Stakes, and ran a blinder last time out to be pipped in a three-way photo in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. I'm not certain whether the step back in trip will suit and there's a possibility she may 'bounce' on her second run after a long layoff, so I'll watch from the sidelines.
Saturday's Scoop 6 races (27 June 2009) are:
2.10 Newcastle
2.20 Newmarket
2.35 Newcastle
3.10 Newcastle
3.25 Newmarket
3.45 Newcastle
Over in Ireland Look Here is a horse I like, is top-rated for the ten furlong Pretty Polly Stakes, and ran a blinder last time out to be pipped in a three-way photo in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. I'm not certain whether the step back in trip will suit and there's a possibility she may 'bounce' on her second run after a long layoff, so I'll watch from the sidelines.
Saturday's Scoop 6 races (27 June 2009) are:
2.10 Newcastle
2.20 Newmarket
2.35 Newcastle
3.10 Newcastle
3.25 Newmarket
3.45 Newcastle
Friday, May 22, 2009
Irish 2000 Guineas and Newmarket
With the going at the Curragh likely to be heavy, it's no surprise this evening to see Mastercraftsman take over from Delegator at the head of the Irish 2000 Guineas market. Brian Meehan's charge finished second behind See The Stars in the Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago but isn't certain to appreciate the underfoot conditions whereas Aidan O'Brien's inmate, fifth at Newmarket, won the seven furlong National Stakes here last September on heavy ground. On official ratings Mastercraftsman is the top-rated animal - he has three pounds in hand over his English rival - and so gets the vote.
Newmarket's opener has only the six runners but looks intriguing, with Big Bound likely to make the running. Your Old Pal beat Palavicini a head last time out over course and distance but the runner-up looks weighted to reverse placings here. Henry Cecil's Father Time was third behind Age Of Aquarius in the Lingfield Derby trial a fortnight ago; that day I thought Father Time's head carriage looked a little awkward in the closing stages and the form book states 'pressed leaders over 1f out, not run on'; the shorter trip here may help but I'll go with Palavicini.
In the 2.50 Alyarf should offer some value against likely hotpot Donativum while a quick look at the 2-y-o maiden would seem to point to Mark Johnston's Step In Time. These days however, before I get involved in any two year old race, I check out the details on Jason Coote's excellent H.C.E. Horse Racing Tips blog and I recommend you do the same. The notes for this race conclude 'This may not be a straightforward race.' With that in mind, I'll watch from the sidelines.
Newmarket's opener has only the six runners but looks intriguing, with Big Bound likely to make the running. Your Old Pal beat Palavicini a head last time out over course and distance but the runner-up looks weighted to reverse placings here. Henry Cecil's Father Time was third behind Age Of Aquarius in the Lingfield Derby trial a fortnight ago; that day I thought Father Time's head carriage looked a little awkward in the closing stages and the form book states 'pressed leaders over 1f out, not run on'; the shorter trip here may help but I'll go with Palavicini.
In the 2.50 Alyarf should offer some value against likely hotpot Donativum while a quick look at the 2-y-o maiden would seem to point to Mark Johnston's Step In Time. These days however, before I get involved in any two year old race, I check out the details on Jason Coote's excellent H.C.E. Horse Racing Tips blog and I recommend you do the same. The notes for this race conclude 'This may not be a straightforward race.' With that in mind, I'll watch from the sidelines.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Saturday's St Legers
Two St Legers for the price of one tomorrow, with Doncaster hosting the English version at 3.10 and the Curragh the Irish version at 3.35.
On official ratings Look Here looks the one for the English contest; her performance last time out in the Oaks was impressive. She has been backed during the week and is currently a 4/1 shot which is just about right. If I have a reservation, it's the fact that she has been off the track for ninety nine days. Over the years Sir Michael Stoute's failure to win this race has generated plenty of column inches. His Patkai was ante-post favourite for a long time but the horse was not declared, presumably on account of the soft going. Nonetheless the trainer still fields three of the fourteen runners - Doctor Fremantle, Conduit and Warringah. Ryan Moore had the choice, eventually selecting Doctor Fremantle, fourth in this year's Derby, over Conduit, but you suspect it was a close call. Moore has been quoted as saying he's gone with the Doctor on account of the ground; Frankie Dettori picks up the plum spare on Conduit. Ballydoyle field four, including 2/1 favourite Frozen Fire; Aidan O'Brien has expressed some doubts about his charge's ability to last the trip. I can't help but feel the value has gone about the horses I particularly like - Doctor Fremantle and Look Here. Doctor Fremantle is now generally a 7/1 shot; he was 10/1 earlier in the week when he made some appeal as an each-way wager. That being the case, on grounds of value, I'll support Look Here to collect the spoils.
At the Curragh Ballydoyle's Septimus will start long odds on; Yellowstone each way at around 12/1 is the selection. The horse's intended appointment at York was washed away; he took his chance in the rearranged Ebor, the Newburgh Heritage Handicap at Newbury, which was far from ideal. He ran well enough there to finish third carrying nine stones ten pounds and has reasonable prospects of making a place here.
Back at Doncaster seven furlongs and easy going are right up Major Cadeaux's street and he gets the vote in the 3.45.
On official ratings Look Here looks the one for the English contest; her performance last time out in the Oaks was impressive. She has been backed during the week and is currently a 4/1 shot which is just about right. If I have a reservation, it's the fact that she has been off the track for ninety nine days. Over the years Sir Michael Stoute's failure to win this race has generated plenty of column inches. His Patkai was ante-post favourite for a long time but the horse was not declared, presumably on account of the soft going. Nonetheless the trainer still fields three of the fourteen runners - Doctor Fremantle, Conduit and Warringah. Ryan Moore had the choice, eventually selecting Doctor Fremantle, fourth in this year's Derby, over Conduit, but you suspect it was a close call. Moore has been quoted as saying he's gone with the Doctor on account of the ground; Frankie Dettori picks up the plum spare on Conduit. Ballydoyle field four, including 2/1 favourite Frozen Fire; Aidan O'Brien has expressed some doubts about his charge's ability to last the trip. I can't help but feel the value has gone about the horses I particularly like - Doctor Fremantle and Look Here. Doctor Fremantle is now generally a 7/1 shot; he was 10/1 earlier in the week when he made some appeal as an each-way wager. That being the case, on grounds of value, I'll support Look Here to collect the spoils.
At the Curragh Ballydoyle's Septimus will start long odds on; Yellowstone each way at around 12/1 is the selection. The horse's intended appointment at York was washed away; he took his chance in the rearranged Ebor, the Newburgh Heritage Handicap at Newbury, which was far from ideal. He ran well enough there to finish third carrying nine stones ten pounds and has reasonable prospects of making a place here.
Back at Doncaster seven furlongs and easy going are right up Major Cadeaux's street and he gets the vote in the 3.45.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Irish Guineas meeting
The Irish Guineas meeting takes place at the Curragh this weekend. Cockney Rebel is likely to start a short priced favourite in the 2,000 Guineas after his popular victory in the English version at Newmarket three weeks ago.
On Sunday Finsceal Beo will start favourite but looks somewhat vulnerable in the 1,000 Guineas; this will be the filly's third Group 1 race in as many weeks. Provided the rain doesn't arrive, the favourite could be worth opposing with Arch Swing trained by John Oxx. Mark 'The Couch' Winstanley has made a convincing case for this horse in The Weekender; I'll be hoping she does the business.
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