Been absent for a while again but, in fairness, there ain't been a lot to enthuse about.
Made the effort to have a look at the Churchill Stakes a Listed event over ten furlongs. Hunter's Light for "The Boys in Blue" was well supported and duly collected under William Buick. However things didn't go without a few problems, the winner veered left inside the final furlong and Suits Me had to be near enough strangled by Micky Fenton or be brought down. There was an inquiry and the result was allowed to stand but again we had the classic conundrum, Circumvent finished second, meaning that if the winner had been disqualified he would have been the beneficiary rather than the horse the winner interfered with. I'm not really convinced that the stewards would have chucked the winner out, they seem very reluctant to do that these days.
I'm not sure if Buick had a ban but perhaps it would work better if he was given a fine equal to the amount Suits Me lost out on. That fine should then pass to the connections of the horse that was interfered with.
Just a thought!!
While, hopefully, everyone was watching the mayhem up front my eye was taken with SATWA PEARL given a quiet ride by Steve Drowne back in sixth. Having just won a Class 4 handicap in this country perhaps she was flying a little high. Her SP of 25/1 suggested that not a lot was expected from her on this occasion, her cause wasn't helped by a slow start after that she just coasted around at the back of the field with Drowne showing little urgency. She was still travelling quite well as they turned into the straight and ran on nicely without coming under a great deal of pressure.
It is to be expected that connections will be keen to get her some black type, she is nicely bred, but if she is put back into handicap class I think she will be picking up a race or two.
She has no near at hand entries.
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Saturday 29 October 2011
Lingfield October 27th.
Spotted two here, number one:
STEED's record on turf is two wins from 16 runs and on all-weather tracks five from seven. Think that speaks for itself and that is reflected in his official ratings, 68 when running at Leicester on Monday and 94 at Lingfield for this race. Based on this race that mark doesn't look too harsh, in touch but slightly outpaced one out, running on when taking a bump but kept on well.
His trainer, Richard Guest, is not the easiest to work out but the horse is in fine form and is capable of winning races off this mark. No near at hand engagements.
and number two:
NIBANI was bought by his present connections from the Ballymacoll Stud and Sir Michael Stoute in August of this year and is now beginning to show very good form. His penultimate effort at Kempton resulted in third place beaten 3/4 length and here he was beaten just a head. I didn't think he had a lot of help from Amy Scott (5) in the saddle here, she just wasn't strong enough. Trouble is, I know the owner is a strong supporter of Amy and he is likely to stay loyal to her.
Having said all that I now see that Fergus Sweeney takes the ride on Nibani at Wolverhampton this evening.
Good luck.
STEED's record on turf is two wins from 16 runs and on all-weather tracks five from seven. Think that speaks for itself and that is reflected in his official ratings, 68 when running at Leicester on Monday and 94 at Lingfield for this race. Based on this race that mark doesn't look too harsh, in touch but slightly outpaced one out, running on when taking a bump but kept on well.
His trainer, Richard Guest, is not the easiest to work out but the horse is in fine form and is capable of winning races off this mark. No near at hand engagements.
and number two:
NIBANI was bought by his present connections from the Ballymacoll Stud and Sir Michael Stoute in August of this year and is now beginning to show very good form. His penultimate effort at Kempton resulted in third place beaten 3/4 length and here he was beaten just a head. I didn't think he had a lot of help from Amy Scott (5) in the saddle here, she just wasn't strong enough. Trouble is, I know the owner is a strong supporter of Amy and he is likely to stay loyal to her.
Having said all that I now see that Fergus Sweeney takes the ride on Nibani at Wolverhampton this evening.
Good luck.
Thursday 27 October 2011
Kempton October 19th.
Perhaps being a touch optimistic about the quality of the five furlong nursery at Kempton last Wednesday to suppose that there were three future winners lurking among the placed horses but that is the conclusion I have come to. The race didn't seem to be run at a false pace and the first half-dozen or so were finishing strongly.
The first for the notebook is the charmingly-named WELEASE BWIAN (owner a Monty Python fan?). He looks a well-built gelding but this was his first sign of ability, that coinciding with his first run on an artificial surface. His trainer, Stuart Williams, has a much better winning percentage with his all-weather runners.
On this occasion Welease Bwian was always in touch and looked to have a chance one out but even though he kept on well he couldn't get to the winner, finishing second. Looks sure to win races over the winter, perhaps over a touch further. Doesn't have any engagements at the moment.
Just behind, in third, was the favourite, MOUNT McLEOD , not too exposed, this was her sixth run overall and only her second on an artificial surface. She was probably made favourite on the strength of a staying-on second to Guava, over six furlongs, at Nottingham on her previous outing. She was slowly away here and was always playing catch-up, she made significant headway up the rail over one out and finished well.
Five furlongs looks too sharp and when running over six or perhaps even seven furlongs handicaps should come her way. She has an entry in a five furlong handicap at Wolverhampton on Friday.
The last of my trio from the race is FINALIST,she was having only her fourth outing and her first in a handicap. Last seen out in a Class 2 race at Windsor in June, where she was out of her depth, she probably needed the run and almost certainly in need of a longer trip. She missed the break and was taken off her feet early on, she was still last with two to run, she then made rapid headway, was switched left and then right and stayed on very strongly. No near at hand engagements.
The first for the notebook is the charmingly-named WELEASE BWIAN (owner a Monty Python fan?). He looks a well-built gelding but this was his first sign of ability, that coinciding with his first run on an artificial surface. His trainer, Stuart Williams, has a much better winning percentage with his all-weather runners.
On this occasion Welease Bwian was always in touch and looked to have a chance one out but even though he kept on well he couldn't get to the winner, finishing second. Looks sure to win races over the winter, perhaps over a touch further. Doesn't have any engagements at the moment.
Just behind, in third, was the favourite, MOUNT McLEOD , not too exposed, this was her sixth run overall and only her second on an artificial surface. She was probably made favourite on the strength of a staying-on second to Guava, over six furlongs, at Nottingham on her previous outing. She was slowly away here and was always playing catch-up, she made significant headway up the rail over one out and finished well.
Five furlongs looks too sharp and when running over six or perhaps even seven furlongs handicaps should come her way. She has an entry in a five furlong handicap at Wolverhampton on Friday.
The last of my trio from the race is FINALIST,she was having only her fourth outing and her first in a handicap. Last seen out in a Class 2 race at Windsor in June, where she was out of her depth, she probably needed the run and almost certainly in need of a longer trip. She missed the break and was taken off her feet early on, she was still last with two to run, she then made rapid headway, was switched left and then right and stayed on very strongly. No near at hand engagements.
Monday 24 October 2011
Lingfield October 18th. .....and a few more for our "All -Weather" team.
ROMAN STRAIT has only won one from 18 starts (placed on 12 occasions), that win was over seven furlongs on Lingfield's Polytrack. It was over six furlongs at that venue that he caught my eye last week. As he often does, he gave the rest of the field a start and then finished very strongly in the straight. One to have on your side every time over Lingfield's seven furlongs. No entries in the near future.
On the same afternoon, at the same venue, over the same trip, the relatively unexposed LIBY'S DREAM was made favourite for her second try in a handicap, beaten a nose in her first at Kempton. She didn't do herself any favours by missing the break and she had quite a bit to do entering the straight, however she put in a powerful finish which didn't quite get her into the frame but did suggest she will be winning handicaps, possibly over a little further. She has an entry at Wolverhampton on Friday over seven furlongs.
To close that Lingfield card we had a five furlong handicap; you don't get many sharper courses and the last thing you would want, is to miss the break, which is what GO NANI GO did. However his excellent claimer, John Fahy (3), didn't panic and held on to the gelding until the final furlong. When he let the horse go he had the misfortune to run into some interference, once clear the horse finished very strongly but went down by a neck and a nose. Looks well capable of winning more handicaps but has no near at hand engagements.
On the same afternoon, at the same venue, over the same trip, the relatively unexposed LIBY'S DREAM was made favourite for her second try in a handicap, beaten a nose in her first at Kempton. She didn't do herself any favours by missing the break and she had quite a bit to do entering the straight, however she put in a powerful finish which didn't quite get her into the frame but did suggest she will be winning handicaps, possibly over a little further. She has an entry at Wolverhampton on Friday over seven furlongs.
To close that Lingfield card we had a five furlong handicap; you don't get many sharper courses and the last thing you would want, is to miss the break, which is what GO NANI GO did. However his excellent claimer, John Fahy (3), didn't panic and held on to the gelding until the final furlong. When he let the horse go he had the misfortune to run into some interference, once clear the horse finished very strongly but went down by a neck and a nose. Looks well capable of winning more handicaps but has no near at hand engagements.
Sunday 16 October 2011
An improving 4-y-o.
Well, MICHAEL'S NOOK certainly looks to have improved since moving from Stuart Kittow's yard to David Barron's.
In fairness to Mr. Kittow he only had the two runs in the summer from the horse but he didn't show a lot; the break plus the change of stables seems to have worked wonders. In two runs this month he has won two competitive handicaps in pleasing fashion. Certainly on Friday at Wolverhampton he left the impression that he won with quite a bit in hand.
His new trainer David Barron has an excellent record on the artificial surfaces throughout the winter and it looks as if this horse has been bought with that sort of campaign in mind.
If all stays well with the horse there should be plenty of opportunities.
He has no entries at the moment.
In fairness to Mr. Kittow he only had the two runs in the summer from the horse but he didn't show a lot; the break plus the change of stables seems to have worked wonders. In two runs this month he has won two competitive handicaps in pleasing fashion. Certainly on Friday at Wolverhampton he left the impression that he won with quite a bit in hand.
His new trainer David Barron has an excellent record on the artificial surfaces throughout the winter and it looks as if this horse has been bought with that sort of campaign in mind.
If all stays well with the horse there should be plenty of opportunities.
He has no entries at the moment.
Saturday 15 October 2011
Two 2-y-os for Winter-Watching.
A couple spotted on Thursday evening..........it wasn't that difficult really!
First up, TIGER'S TALE, having his second try on this course. He made a mess of the start, slightly slow and swerving, then made nice progress up the rail and when they met the junction of the tracks he made a dart forward and was closing at the finish. He is bred to get in the region of ten furlongs and though he didn't appear to get home over the mile in his previous effort here he was ridden more prominently on that occasion. If he turns up here in the near future over a bit further than this seven he could well be of interest. (he has no entries at the moment)
T'other one was GUAVA, one of the lesser lights of the Hannon 2-y-o battalions. Weak in the market (100/30 > 9/2), might have missed the break slightly and was soon racing at the back, made headway 2 out and ran on really well, claiming second close home but not able to get to the winner. I would think he would be well suited by Wolverhampton's tight seven furlong course, we shall see; in the mean time he has an entry for Thursday over seven at Brighton. The sharp seven sounds ideal but not every horse enjoys the switchbacks of Brighton.
First up, TIGER'S TALE, having his second try on this course. He made a mess of the start, slightly slow and swerving, then made nice progress up the rail and when they met the junction of the tracks he made a dart forward and was closing at the finish. He is bred to get in the region of ten furlongs and though he didn't appear to get home over the mile in his previous effort here he was ridden more prominently on that occasion. If he turns up here in the near future over a bit further than this seven he could well be of interest. (he has no entries at the moment)
T'other one was GUAVA, one of the lesser lights of the Hannon 2-y-o battalions. Weak in the market (100/30 > 9/2), might have missed the break slightly and was soon racing at the back, made headway 2 out and ran on really well, claiming second close home but not able to get to the winner. I would think he would be well suited by Wolverhampton's tight seven furlong course, we shall see; in the mean time he has an entry for Thursday over seven at Brighton. The sharp seven sounds ideal but not every horse enjoys the switchbacks of Brighton.
Friday 14 October 2011
Where have you been?
I haven't been well, well that's my excuse for not posting.............lack of energy and enthusiasm would be more honest.
The turf flat season winding down, I have given up watching National Hunt too demanding of a horse for my sensitive nature, so I will be keeping a distant eye on the racing on the artificial tracks.
One that caught my attention at Kempton on Wednesday evening was KAYAAN. Off the course since July, he was given a very gentle re-introduction to the race-course. Steadied at the start, he was held up out the back and was just given a couple of gentle taps in the home strait. He looked as if the night wasn't the night.
He has no immediate entries and it is quite likely that he was being readied for a hurdling campaign, he did run in two during the summer, winning one of them.
The turf flat season winding down, I have given up watching National Hunt too demanding of a horse for my sensitive nature, so I will be keeping a distant eye on the racing on the artificial tracks.
One that caught my attention at Kempton on Wednesday evening was KAYAAN. Off the course since July, he was given a very gentle re-introduction to the race-course. Steadied at the start, he was held up out the back and was just given a couple of gentle taps in the home strait. He looked as if the night wasn't the night.
He has no immediate entries and it is quite likely that he was being readied for a hurdling campaign, he did run in two during the summer, winning one of them.
Monday 29 August 2011
Bank Holiday Mondays........
............don't you just love them?........loads of mediocre races for mediocre horses, the course management confident that the coach parties will arrive whatever the standard of racing.
Yesterday Epsom and Ripon escaped this criticism with a couple of decent races at each course. One horse at each of those courses caught my eye and the fact that there was no terrestrial coverage might mean that they won't be over-bet in their upcoming races.
The first is SHAVANSKY in the Ripon Rowels Handicap at 3.35, a Class 2 over a mile. Having gone up to a mark of 94 for a win over a mile at Chepstow, he ran a decent sixth to Webbow in a Class 2 Classified race at the Glorious Goodwood meeting. He was off the same mark here and, in my opinion, didn't receive the best of rides from James Millman. Held up early his rider decided to go for a run up the inside, in such a big field, 17 runners, always the optimistic option. The inevitable happened and he didn't get the run when he wanted it and ended up a fast-finishing third.
He may need to drop a pound or two before he can win again and an extra furlong or two wouldn't go amiss.
He has an entry in the Cambridgeshire and even though the distance of nine furlongs would be fine it does seem to be aiming too high.
At Epsom I was taken with the run of RAMONA CHASE in the 4.50, a Class 3 handicap over ten furlongs. The six-year old gelding did himself no favours early by missing the break and then refusing to settle and pulling. Nevertheless he was making ground up the fence inside the last couple of furlongs when he suffered in a way that many have before him, tiring horses leaning towards the rail because of the camber of the course, he had to be pulled back and switched. He then ran on strongly to the line to finish third.
He doesn't have any immediate entries but I did notice that he won a race over this course and distance last September off a mark of 75, 5lbs. less than he ran off yesterday.
Colin
Yesterday Epsom and Ripon escaped this criticism with a couple of decent races at each course. One horse at each of those courses caught my eye and the fact that there was no terrestrial coverage might mean that they won't be over-bet in their upcoming races.
The first is SHAVANSKY in the Ripon Rowels Handicap at 3.35, a Class 2 over a mile. Having gone up to a mark of 94 for a win over a mile at Chepstow, he ran a decent sixth to Webbow in a Class 2 Classified race at the Glorious Goodwood meeting. He was off the same mark here and, in my opinion, didn't receive the best of rides from James Millman. Held up early his rider decided to go for a run up the inside, in such a big field, 17 runners, always the optimistic option. The inevitable happened and he didn't get the run when he wanted it and ended up a fast-finishing third.
He may need to drop a pound or two before he can win again and an extra furlong or two wouldn't go amiss.
He has an entry in the Cambridgeshire and even though the distance of nine furlongs would be fine it does seem to be aiming too high.
At Epsom I was taken with the run of RAMONA CHASE in the 4.50, a Class 3 handicap over ten furlongs. The six-year old gelding did himself no favours early by missing the break and then refusing to settle and pulling. Nevertheless he was making ground up the fence inside the last couple of furlongs when he suffered in a way that many have before him, tiring horses leaning towards the rail because of the camber of the course, he had to be pulled back and switched. He then ran on strongly to the line to finish third.
He doesn't have any immediate entries but I did notice that he won a race over this course and distance last September off a mark of 75, 5lbs. less than he ran off yesterday.
Colin
Saturday 27 August 2011
I'm back............
..............from being a guest of the National Health Service, just the month this time.
Just had a look at yesterday's racing at Newmarket and one that gave me the impression that she is about to win was SASKIA'S DREAM in the 4.35, a Class 3 handicap over seven furlongs. She travelled well throughout the race and was making her run on the near-side of the field when she received a nudge that pushed her a couple of yards wider but more importantly she just missed a stride or two. She then ran on well to finish third making ground on the front two close home.
Her only win so far was over seven on Lingfield's Polytrack but her dam, Swynford Pleasure, was a winner of nine races from 8 - 12 furlongs. That and the way she was running on here suggests to me that she might appreciate a bit further.
She has no entries at the moment.
Colin
Just had a look at yesterday's racing at Newmarket and one that gave me the impression that she is about to win was SASKIA'S DREAM in the 4.35, a Class 3 handicap over seven furlongs. She travelled well throughout the race and was making her run on the near-side of the field when she received a nudge that pushed her a couple of yards wider but more importantly she just missed a stride or two. She then ran on well to finish third making ground on the front two close home.
Her only win so far was over seven on Lingfield's Polytrack but her dam, Swynford Pleasure, was a winner of nine races from 8 - 12 furlongs. That and the way she was running on here suggests to me that she might appreciate a bit further.
She has no entries at the moment.
Colin
Friday 22 July 2011
Friday July 15th.
A fairly quiet week on the 'interesting run' front but I did notice a couple at Newmarket at the Friday evening meeting.
It is a touch difficult to describe the run of KALENDAR GIRL who went off joint-favourite for this event, a ten furlong Class 5 (0-70) handicap, she travelled very well until meeting minor interference about two out and then she dropped away a little, as if not getting the trip, but by the time they got to the uphill finish she was running on again. The trainer/jockey combination of Musson and Ahern suggests that there may be more to come.
She has two entries next Wednesday both over stiff miles (Sandown and Leicester) and she runs off the same mark. I'm not convinced she didn't get home over the July course but she will be worth looking out for in midweek.
The other to take my eye was AMOYA in the lucky last, a seven furlong Class 5 (0-75) handicap. Completely un-fancied at 40/1 and ridden by a 5lb. claimer, Ashley Morgan, she was denied a clear run approaching two out and had to be switched left to see some daylight, any chance she had was gone but she kept on well to the line without a lot of effort from the saddle. She is still a maiden after 12 runs but showed enough here to suggest a small race, possibly over further on softer ground, is within her capabilities.
She has been dropped a pound and has two entries next week, one over 7f. at Yarmouth on Monday and the other over 9f. at Sandown on Wednesday. Worth a look I feel.
It is a touch difficult to describe the run of KALENDAR GIRL who went off joint-favourite for this event, a ten furlong Class 5 (0-70) handicap, she travelled very well until meeting minor interference about two out and then she dropped away a little, as if not getting the trip, but by the time they got to the uphill finish she was running on again. The trainer/jockey combination of Musson and Ahern suggests that there may be more to come.
She has two entries next Wednesday both over stiff miles (Sandown and Leicester) and she runs off the same mark. I'm not convinced she didn't get home over the July course but she will be worth looking out for in midweek.
The other to take my eye was AMOYA in the lucky last, a seven furlong Class 5 (0-75) handicap. Completely un-fancied at 40/1 and ridden by a 5lb. claimer, Ashley Morgan, she was denied a clear run approaching two out and had to be switched left to see some daylight, any chance she had was gone but she kept on well to the line without a lot of effort from the saddle. She is still a maiden after 12 runs but showed enough here to suggest a small race, possibly over further on softer ground, is within her capabilities.
She has been dropped a pound and has two entries next week, one over 7f. at Yarmouth on Monday and the other over 9f. at Sandown on Wednesday. Worth a look I feel.
Friday 15 July 2011
Saturday July 9th.
Can you have too much good racing?
I would have said............NO!................but this day's racing put some doubt in my mind.
Ascot, Chester, Newmarket and York in the afternoon and if your appetite hadn't been sated by the time (6.05) the Saltmarsh Partnership Handicap at Ascot well Hamilton had already started at 6.00 and Salisbury was to follow at 6.15.............Burp!!
Perhaps Sunday should be used more.
Lots of competitive handicaps and there were two or three interesting runs.
The first of these was in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. LOVELACE, trained by David Nicholls and ridden by his boy, Adrian, missed the break and then raced very keenly, he was taken over to the far rail where he didn't have the clearest of runs, he was then switched and finished with a flourish up the hill. It was a run that suggested that the horse is in good form, if a little fresh after a two-month break. He has won over seven furlongs and a mile and he has entries in two heritage handicaps in the coming weeks, a seven furlong event at Ascot and one over a mile at Goodwood. Probably worth looking at if he takes up either or both entries.
The John Smith's at York was won in impressive style by Green Destiny and there was one particular performance that caught most people's eye, that was by Saptadi, and to listen to some all he has to do is to turn up at York next month to take the Ebor. I'm looking further back in the field to two Richard Fahey runners. DEMOLITION was making his seasonal debut and he was making ground from the back of the field shortly after they entered the straight but he ran into a wall of horses and wasn't persevered with afterwards. He is running off a mark in the low nineties at the moment, approximately 10lbs. higher than his best winning effort. He hasn't any early closing entries at the moment but if the handicapper cuts him a bit of slack I'm sure his trainer can place him to win. PLEASANT DAY who finished one place behind his stable companion, and ran a very similar race to him, was carrying a 5lbs. penalty for a win at Ripon. He has an entry for a mile heritage handicap at Goodwood but there is a possibility he won't get into that, but again this run can be forgotten and an eye should be kept on this one's entries.
Another horse that has an entry in that Goodwood heritage handicap is CAPTAIN BERTIE, who was made favourite for the Class 3 8f. handicap at York 3.55.,brought wide on to the stand rail he was making a nice run when hampered, he lost all chance and Eddie Ahern just accepted the situation. He has been in good form of late but he will probably have to win a race in the next week or two if he is to get into that Goodwood race.
The last eye-catcher for this posting and guess what? She has an entry in that Goodwood Mile, but is unlikely to get in. BONNIE BRAE is the filly and she ran in the Ascot 4.55, a Class 3 0-90 handicap over seven furlongs. Adam Kirby had her held up at the back of the field, going well, but when he made his move he just caught the heels of SONG OF THE SIREN, almost bringing that horse down, and lost a lot of momentum, he still finished strongly but the chance had gone. Definitely unlucky but I'm not certain she would have won. She certainly looks capable of winning a race off this mark (86).
Bye for now.
I would have said............NO!................but this day's racing put some doubt in my mind.
Ascot, Chester, Newmarket and York in the afternoon and if your appetite hadn't been sated by the time (6.05) the Saltmarsh Partnership Handicap at Ascot well Hamilton had already started at 6.00 and Salisbury was to follow at 6.15.............Burp!!
Perhaps Sunday should be used more.
Lots of competitive handicaps and there were two or three interesting runs.
The first of these was in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. LOVELACE, trained by David Nicholls and ridden by his boy, Adrian, missed the break and then raced very keenly, he was taken over to the far rail where he didn't have the clearest of runs, he was then switched and finished with a flourish up the hill. It was a run that suggested that the horse is in good form, if a little fresh after a two-month break. He has won over seven furlongs and a mile and he has entries in two heritage handicaps in the coming weeks, a seven furlong event at Ascot and one over a mile at Goodwood. Probably worth looking at if he takes up either or both entries.
The John Smith's at York was won in impressive style by Green Destiny and there was one particular performance that caught most people's eye, that was by Saptadi, and to listen to some all he has to do is to turn up at York next month to take the Ebor. I'm looking further back in the field to two Richard Fahey runners. DEMOLITION was making his seasonal debut and he was making ground from the back of the field shortly after they entered the straight but he ran into a wall of horses and wasn't persevered with afterwards. He is running off a mark in the low nineties at the moment, approximately 10lbs. higher than his best winning effort. He hasn't any early closing entries at the moment but if the handicapper cuts him a bit of slack I'm sure his trainer can place him to win. PLEASANT DAY who finished one place behind his stable companion, and ran a very similar race to him, was carrying a 5lbs. penalty for a win at Ripon. He has an entry for a mile heritage handicap at Goodwood but there is a possibility he won't get into that, but again this run can be forgotten and an eye should be kept on this one's entries.
Another horse that has an entry in that Goodwood heritage handicap is CAPTAIN BERTIE, who was made favourite for the Class 3 8f. handicap at York 3.55.,brought wide on to the stand rail he was making a nice run when hampered, he lost all chance and Eddie Ahern just accepted the situation. He has been in good form of late but he will probably have to win a race in the next week or two if he is to get into that Goodwood race.
The last eye-catcher for this posting and guess what? She has an entry in that Goodwood Mile, but is unlikely to get in. BONNIE BRAE is the filly and she ran in the Ascot 4.55, a Class 3 0-90 handicap over seven furlongs. Adam Kirby had her held up at the back of the field, going well, but when he made his move he just caught the heels of SONG OF THE SIREN, almost bringing that horse down, and lost a lot of momentum, he still finished strongly but the chance had gone. Definitely unlucky but I'm not certain she would have won. She certainly looks capable of winning a race off this mark (86).
Bye for now.
Thursday 14 July 2011
Thursday July 11th.
It has been very quiet on here of late purely down to the fact I haven't seen anything that wasn't obvious to everyone.
However at Warwick last Thursday afternoon I saw an interesting 2-y-o debut by NICEOFYOUTOTELLME. By Hernando out of a Swain mare he is likely to be suited by further than this sharp seven furlongs and he didn't have the best of luck in running as the stalls opened the horse on his outside barged into him and he lost at least a length and a certain amount of momentum. This left him at the rear of the field and with the associated problems of getting through the scrum, he made smooth progress as they made the turn into the straight and ran on so well that he almost justified favouritism only going down half a length to yet another Hannon-trained 2-y-o winner. A maiden looks certain probably over more of a stamina test.
On to the evening meeting at Doncaster and the six-furlong 2-y-o maiden at 7.00. MAGIC BOUNTY, trained by Tim Easterby and ridden by Lance Betts was having his second run and surprisingly, he ran well enough on debut, was allowed to go off virtually unbacked at 25/1. The horse was hampered at the start and the rider didn't seem to bothered about making the ground up quickly and was still some way behind the leaders entering the final two furlongs. Magic Bounty then ran on nicely without undue effort from the saddle to finish a running-on sixth beaten six lengths. I fancy this one may well be nursery bound.
However at Warwick last Thursday afternoon I saw an interesting 2-y-o debut by NICEOFYOUTOTELLME. By Hernando out of a Swain mare he is likely to be suited by further than this sharp seven furlongs and he didn't have the best of luck in running as the stalls opened the horse on his outside barged into him and he lost at least a length and a certain amount of momentum. This left him at the rear of the field and with the associated problems of getting through the scrum, he made smooth progress as they made the turn into the straight and ran on so well that he almost justified favouritism only going down half a length to yet another Hannon-trained 2-y-o winner. A maiden looks certain probably over more of a stamina test.
On to the evening meeting at Doncaster and the six-furlong 2-y-o maiden at 7.00. MAGIC BOUNTY, trained by Tim Easterby and ridden by Lance Betts was having his second run and surprisingly, he ran well enough on debut, was allowed to go off virtually unbacked at 25/1. The horse was hampered at the start and the rider didn't seem to bothered about making the ground up quickly and was still some way behind the leaders entering the final two furlongs. Magic Bounty then ran on nicely without undue effort from the saddle to finish a running-on sixth beaten six lengths. I fancy this one may well be nursery bound.
Sunday 3 July 2011
Saturday June 25th.
As I said in my introductory posts I will be concentrating on the races that the majority of punters are likely to have missed; so with Channel 4, Racing UK and At The Races in attendance for the most pop,ular punting day of the week, I'm giving most of the races a miss.
So on the basis that fatigue will have set in by now I'm starting off with the last at Newcastle, a Class 4 mile handicap for 3-y-os rated 0-85.
The race was won by Weapon of Choice, another winner for Silvestre de Sousa (could he possibly be the champ at the end of the season), but the placed horses are the ones that interest me. MY FREEDOM, trained by Bin Suroor, was making his seasonal debut and he was a touch rusty and lost ground as the stalls opened, he then ran into trouble and didn't get a clear run just inside the final two, he was running on well at the death and went down by just 3/4 of a length.
Third place was filled by YOJIMBO, who has been busier than the second horse, he also ran into traffic problems two out and had to be switched wide to get his challenge in. He put in a very strong finishing effort but couldn't quite get there. He might well appreciate a furlong or two further.
I appreciate that the 1.45 at Newmarket was covered by Channel 4 and Racing UK but the horse that caught my eye finished far enough back that his run might have been missed by some. The race was a Class 5 seven furlong maiden for 2-y-os and the horse, ACER DIAMONDS. He is a nice big sort and looks to have plenty of scope, he was sluggish, here, when the stalls opened but raced with the body of the field, when he tried to make a move on the near-side of the field he was consistently baulked by a number of his opponents (not deliberately, of course) and when he eventually got the necessary space the race was practically over. This was his second run and after his next outing he will probably be qualified for nurseries and it would not be difficult to imagine him winning at least one of those over seven or eight furlongs.
The next one of note also finished in the ruck. This time a Class 2 six-furlong handicap at Windsor. Norville won the race quite nicely but there was mayhem going on in behind, and in fact two horses fell when one of them clipped heels and brought the other one down, thankfully no great damage was done to horse or rider. FATHSTA, wasn't involved in that scrimmage on the rails but he ran into a different traffic jam when starting his run two out, he was hampered so badly that he almost came to a dead-stop and his rider didn't persevere after. The horse is fully exposed but he seems to be in fine form and could well land a nice race soon, possibly over a furlong further.
That's all for the horses in this post but I'd like to mention a couple of young claimers Lucy K. Barry and Charles Bishop. They both claim seven pounds at the moment but that won't last long, but even claiming just the five they will still be great value. Both show composure, confidence and are prepared to use their initiative.
Colin
So on the basis that fatigue will have set in by now I'm starting off with the last at Newcastle, a Class 4 mile handicap for 3-y-os rated 0-85.
The race was won by Weapon of Choice, another winner for Silvestre de Sousa (could he possibly be the champ at the end of the season), but the placed horses are the ones that interest me. MY FREEDOM, trained by Bin Suroor, was making his seasonal debut and he was a touch rusty and lost ground as the stalls opened, he then ran into trouble and didn't get a clear run just inside the final two, he was running on well at the death and went down by just 3/4 of a length.
Third place was filled by YOJIMBO, who has been busier than the second horse, he also ran into traffic problems two out and had to be switched wide to get his challenge in. He put in a very strong finishing effort but couldn't quite get there. He might well appreciate a furlong or two further.
I appreciate that the 1.45 at Newmarket was covered by Channel 4 and Racing UK but the horse that caught my eye finished far enough back that his run might have been missed by some. The race was a Class 5 seven furlong maiden for 2-y-os and the horse, ACER DIAMONDS. He is a nice big sort and looks to have plenty of scope, he was sluggish, here, when the stalls opened but raced with the body of the field, when he tried to make a move on the near-side of the field he was consistently baulked by a number of his opponents (not deliberately, of course) and when he eventually got the necessary space the race was practically over. This was his second run and after his next outing he will probably be qualified for nurseries and it would not be difficult to imagine him winning at least one of those over seven or eight furlongs.
The next one of note also finished in the ruck. This time a Class 2 six-furlong handicap at Windsor. Norville won the race quite nicely but there was mayhem going on in behind, and in fact two horses fell when one of them clipped heels and brought the other one down, thankfully no great damage was done to horse or rider. FATHSTA, wasn't involved in that scrimmage on the rails but he ran into a different traffic jam when starting his run two out, he was hampered so badly that he almost came to a dead-stop and his rider didn't persevere after. The horse is fully exposed but he seems to be in fine form and could well land a nice race soon, possibly over a furlong further.
That's all for the horses in this post but I'd like to mention a couple of young claimers Lucy K. Barry and Charles Bishop. They both claim seven pounds at the moment but that won't last long, but even claiming just the five they will still be great value. Both show composure, confidence and are prepared to use their initiative.
Colin
Friday 1 July 2011
Friday June 24th.
Lots of racing, far too much in my opinion, but not a lot caught my eye.
In the 2-y-o fillies race that opened the card at Doncaster, Colorful Notion won well enough but the one that it might be worth making a note of is, AL MAHMEYA, who was making her debut. Her SP of 3/1 suggested she had been showing something on the gallops but in the race she proved to be much too green. She missed the break and gave them all a start, she then made some headway but Dane O'Neill didn't persevere once it was obvious she wasn't going to trouble the leaders. She will be much better prepared next time.
The Friday evening of Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting always has the Gosforth Cup, a very competitive six-furlong handicap, as its highlight. Like many races these days the prize-money has at least stood still perhaps even fallen. Mick Easterby continued his excellent run of form in this type of race this season and took the race with Ancient Cross.
My only thought after watching the race several times is that Adrian Nicholls should have received a ban for his ride on Silaah, who incidentally finished last, the horse constantly wanted to hang left and 'Trotter' didn't seem to make that much effort to keep the horse straight. He interfered with both Jamesway and Racy and it could have resulted in a much worse fashion than it did.
The evening meeting on the July Course at Newmarket got under way with a Class 5 handicap which could possibly throw up a winner or two in the future. The winner, MASTER MYLO, hasn't got the greatest of strike-rates, just three wins from 24 runs but he won in nice style here. Racing with lots of enthusiasm early on and finding a nice finishing effort. Two that finished just out of the places could be interesting; RIO TINTO fourth at 66/1 missed the break and then raced too freely, he made late headway without being thrashed, MARVO ran much the same sort of race and finished fifth at 20/1.
On to the lucky last but not very lucky for RYAN STYLE. Missed the break and almost brought to his knees in a traffic jam approaching the final furlong, he ran on to take third at 20/1. Not a lot of use to anyone reading this now but RYAN STYLE won at Haydock yesterday, SP 12/1.
Colin
In the 2-y-o fillies race that opened the card at Doncaster, Colorful Notion won well enough but the one that it might be worth making a note of is, AL MAHMEYA, who was making her debut. Her SP of 3/1 suggested she had been showing something on the gallops but in the race she proved to be much too green. She missed the break and gave them all a start, she then made some headway but Dane O'Neill didn't persevere once it was obvious she wasn't going to trouble the leaders. She will be much better prepared next time.
The Friday evening of Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting always has the Gosforth Cup, a very competitive six-furlong handicap, as its highlight. Like many races these days the prize-money has at least stood still perhaps even fallen. Mick Easterby continued his excellent run of form in this type of race this season and took the race with Ancient Cross.
My only thought after watching the race several times is that Adrian Nicholls should have received a ban for his ride on Silaah, who incidentally finished last, the horse constantly wanted to hang left and 'Trotter' didn't seem to make that much effort to keep the horse straight. He interfered with both Jamesway and Racy and it could have resulted in a much worse fashion than it did.
The evening meeting on the July Course at Newmarket got under way with a Class 5 handicap which could possibly throw up a winner or two in the future. The winner, MASTER MYLO, hasn't got the greatest of strike-rates, just three wins from 24 runs but he won in nice style here. Racing with lots of enthusiasm early on and finding a nice finishing effort. Two that finished just out of the places could be interesting; RIO TINTO fourth at 66/1 missed the break and then raced too freely, he made late headway without being thrashed, MARVO ran much the same sort of race and finished fifth at 20/1.
On to the lucky last but not very lucky for RYAN STYLE. Missed the break and almost brought to his knees in a traffic jam approaching the final furlong, he ran on to take third at 20/1. Not a lot of use to anyone reading this now but RYAN STYLE won at Haydock yesterday, SP 12/1.
Colin
Wednesday 29 June 2011
June 22nd. and 23rd.
Just a Class 5 six-furlong fillies handicap on the afternoon of the 22nd. but remarkable in the sense that the winner, second and fourth all lost ground at the start in one way or another.
On that basis it could be said that the third horse WHOATEALLTHEPIUS ran a good race against a pace bias. She did lead at quite a strong pace and kept on well when the fast finishers came after her. On to the evening meeting at Bath for a Class 6 3-y-o handicap over just shy of a mile-and-a half and it was a case of "after you, Sir, no after you, Sir, I insist". The winner TANJUN AGAS ( trained by Roger Varian) and the second SEA THE FLAMES (Marcus Tregoning) both showed a reluctance to win but the latter's superior reluctance won. SEA THE FLAMES probably has the ability to win races, he made up a lot of ground in the last two furlongs, but the question is whether that potential will ever be realised. He raelly should have won this. Over to Kempton for a seven furlong 2-y-o maiden, for which, PEARL MIX, was favourite at a shade of odds-on. This was the grey colt's second run, his first had been a very promising second to John Gosden's Main Focus over six furlongs of this same course a fortnight earlier. PEARL MIX justified the confidence and won by seven lengths after being well eased. He is in the right hands (Ralph Beckett) to follow up this win. The following evening at Hamilton DOC HAY put in an impressive performance in the Class 5 handicap over five furlongs. The 4-y-o trained by Paul Cole until May of this year is now with the emerging talent of young Keith Dalgleish. His record since changing yards is two wins from three runs and with the turn of foot he exhibited year it would be surprising if there weren't more victories to come. That's all for now folks. Colin | |||||||||
Tuesday 28 June 2011
An introspective retrospective on horse-racing
Hi! All.
The first post in what is, in all honesty, a therapeutic exercise for me.
I haven't been at all well for the last eighteen months, or so, and for twelve of those months I watched hardly any racing. This, after following the sport closely for half a century.
From the time of my retirement from full time employment I was a regular race-goer and for two years did a regular article for the monthly magazine RACING AHEAD.
Over the years I have been a regular visitor to various racing forums but I'm sorry to say these forums seem to be struggling to survive the challenge provided by sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
So I intend using this blog as an outlet for my thoughts, mainly racing orientated but other subjects might creep in, but definitely no religion or politics.
Recently I have struck up a friendship with an avid time-fiend and try to help him in his efforts to make a profit by watching recordings of races and assessing what sort of run (or trip for those America-orientated) a horse gets.
My thoughts are to post on here when I have noticed something worth remarking on.
As far as I am concerned it will not be a list of horses that should be supported in future races, one could, of course, if one wanted to, but my intention is to bring your attention to something that might not be obvious from reading the form book.
Most people who watch racing on terrestrial will have their own thoughts, so I will tend to concentrate on the lesser meetings, weekdays, evenings, you know the races I mean.
You'll probably find that I make comments about the rides the jockeys give a horse, I'll try not to make them all negative but even the negative comments might help in finding future winners.
I think that's enough for a first post don't want boredom to kick in too soon.
Colin
The first post in what is, in all honesty, a therapeutic exercise for me.
I haven't been at all well for the last eighteen months, or so, and for twelve of those months I watched hardly any racing. This, after following the sport closely for half a century.
From the time of my retirement from full time employment I was a regular race-goer and for two years did a regular article for the monthly magazine RACING AHEAD.
Over the years I have been a regular visitor to various racing forums but I'm sorry to say these forums seem to be struggling to survive the challenge provided by sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
So I intend using this blog as an outlet for my thoughts, mainly racing orientated but other subjects might creep in, but definitely no religion or politics.
Recently I have struck up a friendship with an avid time-fiend and try to help him in his efforts to make a profit by watching recordings of races and assessing what sort of run (or trip for those America-orientated) a horse gets.
My thoughts are to post on here when I have noticed something worth remarking on.
As far as I am concerned it will not be a list of horses that should be supported in future races, one could, of course, if one wanted to, but my intention is to bring your attention to something that might not be obvious from reading the form book.
Most people who watch racing on terrestrial will have their own thoughts, so I will tend to concentrate on the lesser meetings, weekdays, evenings, you know the races I mean.
You'll probably find that I make comments about the rides the jockeys give a horse, I'll try not to make them all negative but even the negative comments might help in finding future winners.
I think that's enough for a first post don't want boredom to kick in too soon.
Colin
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