FLAT SEASON 2010
Here are my latest horses to follow…
Midday and Sariska
It’s great news that Breeders Cup winner Midday has been kept in training as a 4yo along with her Epsom conqueror Sariska. These two should ensure the older fillies are well represented in the big races and I can’t wait to see them do battle again. With both set to take in the Coronation Cup over the course and distance of their epic Oaks dual it could well be the early season highlight.
ASKAR TAU
With no Yeats this year the staying crown is up for grabs. Askar Tau has a bit to find to get to the top of the long distance division but on good ground or better he’s pretty decent on his day. He should be able to grab at least one Cup race this year.
LAAHEB
He’s another horse I saw run at the backend of last season when he won at Newmarket from Prince Seigfried. He did nothing but improve throughout last season and made a successful progression from maiden company to handicaps to Listed class. He is entered for the Coronation Cup and while that sort of step up may be beyond him it does at least show the regard in which he is held by his trainer (the very shrewd Michael Jarvis).
Emeebee (Form 41/733-)
He ran a fine third in a hot Newmarket handicap at the end of last season before running okay in an all weather race shortly afterwards. Off a rating of 74 I definitely think he could run up a sequence in handicaps (starting this Thursday at Leicester.)
Slugger O’Toole (/00000-)
Last year he ran 5 times and the best he managed was 15th so you’re probably thinking (not for the first time) that I’ve gone completely mad in putting him up as a horse to follow. But those 5 runs were in some of the best, and hardest, handicaps run last season. The good news for connections is that his rating has plumetted to just 75 and if they lower his sights a little they should get their rewards with him. Coincidentally he’s also declared for the same Leicester race as Emeebee on Thursday.
Albaqaa (Form 423-37)
Ran 7th in the mile Lincoln this year as a well fancied 6/1 shot but with his best form at 10 furlongs he as always going to struggle over that sort of trip. Richard Fahey knows what he’s doing and I think I know what he’s planning with this one. With his best form coming over 10 furlongs at York I’d be very surprised if they’re not laying this one out for a big handicap at the Dante meeting in May.
Timepeice (Form 211-)
A Henry Cecil 3yo filly who got beaten as favourite on her debut but then won at Lingfield on the All Weather and followed up in a Listed race back at Newmarket. I was at Newmarket that day and was really impressed with the way she stuck on in the final furlong to beat Nurture. With 4 1/2 lengths back to the third, in what looked a decent race, she must be very near the top of the female pecking order at Warren Place . Not surprisingly, she’s been well supported in the last couple of days for the Oaks.
Beyond Desire (Form 124-)
She won first time up at Goodwood in a race that hasn’t really worked out but then ran a fine second to Lady of The Desert in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York. Her next run looked a formality in a Group 3 up at Ayr but that meeting was plagued by dodgy results thanks to a very bad draw bias and although she won the race on the ‘unfavoured’ side she couldn’t do anything about the first three home. If anyone is in any doubt about the draw bias for that race they need look no further than the result of the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes run later in the season at Newmarket. In the Ayr race Music Show was the 5/1 second favourite, was drawn on the wrong side and finished 10th. She won the Rockfel at 25/1 beating the Ayr 1st and 3rd by over 8 lengths. A reversal in form of over 20 lengths.
Beyond Desire is my idea of an extremely good bet for the 1000 Guineas at 40/1.
St Nicholas Abbey (Form 111-)
Not very original but the way he won the Racing Post mile stamped him as a very exciting 2yo. Aiden O’Brien’s charge won by over 3 lengths from the previously unbeaten and highly regarded John Dunlop horse Ellusive Pimpernel. With another 2 and a bit lengths back to the third Al Zir (who was another unbeaten and highly regarded runner) from the Saeed Bin Suroor yard the form is rock solid. The Epsom Derby beckons.
Which leaves the 2000 Guineas…
Canford Cliffs (Form 113-)
The way in which he won the Coventry at Royal Ascot is still etched clearly in my mind and on that running he surely can’t be out of the first two in the 2000 Guineas. He slammed Xtension (3rd in the Dewhurt) by 6 lengths that day with a fine front running performance and never looked in trouble at any stage of the race. He then went to France for a Group 1 but got turned over at 4/9 in a small field by Arcano and Special Duty but there wasn’t really anything between the first three home. I’d expect a return to the front running tactics that worked so well at Ascot for the Guineas in May.
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FLAT SEASON 2009
25 horses in total giving 86 runs and SHOWING A PROFIT OF +8.58pts FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON
FLAPJACK - 7480 (-4pts)
WEBBOW - 493 (-3pts)
GLOWING PRAISE - 741 (+7pts)
MORES WELLS -
LANG SHINING 8 (-1pt)
JASER - 9 (-1pt)
KYLLACHY STORM - 06 (-2pts)
LATERLY - 379 (-3pts)
DANCE CLUB - 21 (+5.5PTS)
INDIAN TRAIL - 540 (-3pts)
AL DAFA - 7 (-1pt)
ANT MUSIC -
RED BADGE - 10 (+2.33pts)
REDFORD 0 (-1pt)
SANDS CROONER -
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