Different Strokes

An eclectic mix of racing on offer today; Jumps, the Flat finale in Britain and the annual Breeders Cup bonanza at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Although there are four National Hunt meetings, the cards look pretty medicore with only the Champion Chase at Down Royal eliciting any interest. One of this corner's favourites, Sizing Europe makes his seasonal bow but the notebook will be focussed on last season's top novices, Bostons Angel and Quito de la Roque (will also be monitoring his connection's First Lieutenant at Cork on Sunday).

The Flat season culminates at Doncaster with a very tricky card. I generally like to have a bet in the November Handicap but this year's renewal look well nigh impossible to call.

On a busy day, The Breeders Cup will command most attention. The traditional dirt track does not favour the European horses, although So You Think must have a chance in a moderate year. However Aidan O'Brien's record is not great and one is always somewhat bemused by his runner's inability to break smartly from the starting gate (reason enough to avoid them). Undoubtedly, the main highlight will be Goldikova's attempt to land a four timer in the Mile. I had the privelege of seeing her duel with Dream Ahead in the Foret and based on that, she will be hard to beat. However, the lightly raced Byword also caught the eye that weekend (form franked by Cirrus des Aigles subsequently) and at attractive odds, he will be the night's nap.

enjoy.....

Fame or Glory?

Neither methinks for Ballydoyle's latest putative successor to four time Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats. Very doubtful in my eyes, that he will stay the extreme distance and at 2/1 is an obvious lay. The remainder of the card is rather uninspiring, but Michael Owen's, Brown Panther, who won recently at Haydock, showing bundles of potential, is worth monitoring in the last. Ditto Marksmanship (won decent Curragh maiden) in the Tercentenary Stakes.

The temporary lull offers an opportunity to reflect on the talking points so far. Yesterday saw Canford Cliffs beat Goldikova in an excellent Queen Anne. An accomplished effort by horse and rider who appeared to win with a bit in hand. Will he get his chance to tackle St. James Palace Stakes victor Frankel? Did we learn anything from his somewhat strange showing. Initial reaction was that Tom Queally's tactical manoeuvring caused his alarming deceleration but it was later reported that he reached Swinley Bottom before pulling up (hardly the actions of a weary horse). Sir Henry looked perplexed afterwards and we will have to wait and see how goes next time. An interesting analysis can found here (http://www.theirishfield.ie/site/article.php?id=318&cid=1). Where ever he shows up, he won't be winning if he does not settle and race normally.

Poorly excecuted tactics were also partly responsible for So You Think's demise, when he was caught late by Rewilding, who benefited from a determined Dettori drive. It was good to see that Godolphin's competitiveness seems to have been reawakened with Sheikh Mohammed looking particularly pleased during the post race interviews (credit to Racing Post race reader for spotting Debussy's role). Despite all, my pocket is still peeved following Aidan O'Brien's admission that he did not have him fully tuned for a Group 1 race at Royal Ascot!!!!. Nevertheless, SYT ought to improve and it sets up a very interesting middle-distance season.

cheers....

Super Milers

Royal Ascot starts powerfully today with the clash in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr.1) of the super milers, Goldikova and Canford Cliffs. While one ought to be mindful of the conditions due to the recent rain, Ascot generally handles precipitation well and an exciting clash is expected. Goldikova has a superb record but the vote goes to Canford on the basis of his younger legs.

Day One's undoubted attraction is 2,000 Guineas winner, Frankel, in the St James Palace Stakes (Gr.1). Can he improve on that mind blowing run? One expects so, as he handled the track well when winning the Royal Lodge last season. There a few interesting other runners, but he can't be seriously opposed.

The third Group 1 of the afternoon is the Kings Stand over 5f. The international dimension makes it very difficult to assess but one of this corner's favourites, Astrophysical Jet, should have a squeak and if there is further rainfall, long shot Arctic might be worth a small interest.

The day rounds off with a pair of very competitive 2 year old contests. The Hannon and O'Brien yards are usually to the fore in this sphere, but Jeremy Noseda has a nice sort in Roman Soldier (Coventry). The Windsor Castle is best watched.

enjoy and good luck...

Great St. Wilfrid 2010

Sprint Handicaps, despite my best intentions seem to be occupying more of my time than usual this year. It's probably a reflection on a rather lack lustre flat season (hopefully things will change at York this week), although the competitiveness of this sector always attracts a curious eye. Today's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon is the latest in the summer series. Everything points in the direction of Tajneed who was successful in 2008 (with this corner's support). Track form, solid recent run, going suitability, similar rating to 2008, being sprint meister Dandy Nicholls only runner and last but not least a high draw, combine to make him favourite and while currently available at 4/1, one would expect him to shorten. All this makes him difficult to oppose but these races are hard to win as market leader and for that reason I am going to look elsewhere. As mentioned the draw is crucial and with the impending rain, I am going to plump for Damika (drawn 15 + form with cut in the ground) who ran a nice race last week at Haydock.

Perhaps the most interesting runner of the day is Bated Breadth at Newmarket (3.20). Running off 105 in a handicap, he should confirm his potential before moving on to a higher grade (Sprint Cup???)

And for the purists don't forget Goldi versus Paco at Deauville (Sunday)!!

good luck....

Ascot Sprints

Happy to be back in action today after gently easing myself back into racing matters whilst keeping an eye on the thrilling action from Ascot during the week. Canford Cliffs and Goldikova were the obvious highlights with plenty of the remaining races requiring further scrutiny. The track seems to be riding fairer this year and appears to be finally settling down. Nevertheless high draws have been dominating races run on the straight track, although one would not necessarily be put off a low draw on the last day.

This afternoon sees two of my favourite races and looking forward to reacquainting myself with Couch, TV and Laptop. First up is the Golden Jubliee which is remarkably open for a Group 1 contest. I pencilled in Showcasing for this in May (good run at York) and despite ground not being absolutely suitable, expect a big run. As ever, it's always wise to have an outsider and one could worse with the unexposed but capable Serious Attitude. The Haggas pair, High Standing and Triple Aspect also look interesting.

The Wokingham is ever competitive and hard to call. Genki put in an eyecatching run last time and has a solid chance from a favourable berth. However enthusiasm is somewhat tempered by the going. Others in the shortlist include, Palace Moon and Striking Spirit.

Finally, Harbinger looks a good thing in the Hardwicke but have a sneaking regard for South Easter who might be an interesting each way punt.

best of luck and good to be back in harness.......

July Meeting Day 2

Two runners of interest on Day 2, Arcano in the July Stakes and progessive 3yo colt Alwaary in the Princess of Wales Stakes. Neither are strong betting possibilties but worth a close look for the future. Arcano won a good maiden last time and from a stable that likes to target their 2yos, he should go close. Alwaary won at Goodwood last time finishing out race in good style. This is much tougher but he showed enough to suggest he is worth following and might be each way value. The Stoute yard have another unexposed horse, Class is Class, likely to go off favourite in a tight handicap but the race looks extremely competitive and best watched.

Day 1 saw Goldikova win the Falmouth nicely and she looks that she will be very competitive in all the top mile races this season. Misheer also impressed in the Cherry Hinton.

enjoy.....

Falmouth Stakes

Rainbow View makes another attempt to land a group 1 in the Falmouth on the opening day of the July meeting. Although showing a glimpse of her 2yo form running on in the Coronation, she may have to wait until ground softens a bit more as she is up against impressive Breeders cup winner Goldikova and aspirant Cheveley Park pair Heaven Sent and Spacious. Habaayib should continue her winning ways in the Cherry Hinton confirming the good impression made at Ascot.

The July meeting inevitably offers tight handicaps but Last Three Minutes was the most obvious eye catcher of the season at York and it will interesting to see if he clicks tomorrow after Acrostic boosted form on Saturday. A likely outsider to keep an eye on is Dark Lane in the 6 furlong handicap and may be worth a small wager.

good luck...