King George 2012

Fascinating renewal of the King George today at Ascot. The market is finding it difficult to separate the leading three protagonists, which hopefully signals a tremendous contest. Nathaniel beat St. Nicholas Abbey in last year's race and with both horses improving since, it is highly likely that they will be in the mix. The ground will be highly influential with softer going favouring John Gosden's Eclipse winner. Nevertheless find it very hard to split them!! Sea Moon, whilst equally fancied, has to improve on the book to be involved and one is very interested to see if he can lift master trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, out of the doldrums. No better man to progress a talented four year old and while current odds look unattractive, it would be no surprise if he is the one to prevail. A tricast!? The impressive international contingent containing four Group 1 winners adds great depth to the race and should not be overlooked, for there within may lie the value. A race to savour!

No less riveting a contest, is the Irish Oaks on Sunday. At this stage, ground conditions favour Great  Heavens, but it would unwise to dismiss top class fillies, Princess Highway and Was.



enjoy...

Looking back?

After last week's equine excellence, this weekend's fare look pretty dull and uninspiring. Rather than muddling through a myriad of handicaps, one is going to take another peek at the action on the Downs. Camelot's smooth win in the Derby was undoubtedly the highlight. Plaudits to his young Jockey and hopefully his normally wise connections will eschew the Triple Crown nonsense and plot a route to Longchamp via Leopardstown, emulating Sea The Stars triumphant march in 2009.

St Nicholas Abbey also impressed and looks set for the King George, while Was completed Ballydoyle's trio of Group 1 wins at Epsom. Have to admit to a small wager here at long odds having been taken with her debut win in a Curragh maiden last summer. She should progress and will be of obvious interest in the Irish Oaks.

Golden summer for Aidan O'Brien and the Boys???

good luck...

Fillies Encore

The Yorkshire Oaks is the highlight of the second day of the Ebor meeting on the Knavesmire. The first four home in the Irish Oaks re oppose taking on older fillies including Crystal Capella. Little separated them at the Curragh but Laughing Lashes appeared to be travelling best when Fran Berry lost his whip. That offers a potential betting angle and she may be value in a competitive race. The 2 year old fillies put their credentials on the line in the Lowther. Could give at least five a chance in what should be an informative contest.

Can't resist a speculative wager on old friend Prime Exhibit in the big handicap. Off bottom weight in favoured conditions, Richard Fahey's inmate has the ability to spring a surprise.

good luck...

Oaks Reprise

The Irish Oaks at the Curragh sees the main players from Epsom re oppose this afternoon. Albeit, on this occasion the ground, following heavy rain showers, will ride softer and the fairer nature of the track should negate any clever tactical ploys. Nevertheless, it should be a cracking contest with little between the main protagonists; Epsom winner Dancing Rain taking on the big guns Wonder of Wonders (Coolmore) and Blue Bunting (Godolphin). It's a difficult one to call, but the Godolphin filly on breeding (Limamix) appears to be best equipped to handle the soft going and attendant stamina issues.

Looking forward to being on track to see the action unfold particularly with top jockeys, Dettori, Fallon, Moore and Murtagh engaged. The supporting card is competitve with the opening maiden on the card deserving close scrutiny as it's recent roll of honour includes Pathfork, Sea The Stars (unplaced) and the Bolger pair, New Approach and Teofilo. Wild Wind should finally land a decent prize and the progressive Celerina is of interest in the sprint handicap despite a poor draw.

enjoy.......

Super Sprint Shortlist

The uneven nature of the flat racing programme is very much in evidence today with little to entice, particularly when compared to last Saturday's abundant menu. However the Weatherby Super Sprint at Newbury is always interesting and this is where today's attention is focused. 25 Two year olds handicapped to the their sales price over a straight five certainly makes a puzzle, but it's worth noting that this race throws up many a decent horse and long priced winners. Best to start with the Hannon stable who generally feature. Eureka and Redact with Hughes and Moore in the saddle have to be respected but appear to be priced accordingly. Kevin Ryan's juveniles have shown good form so far this season, but none of his four entrants attract. Richard Fahey's contingent look somewhat exposed so going to look elsewhere for inspiration.

The Brian Meehan/July factor leads us to Mention (nice profile being a winner already and notable jockey booking) while off bottom weight, Sweet Chilli (capable trainer) should also be thereabouts. Orders From Rome (unexposed) from the other side of the draw completes the shortlist.

While Saturday disappoints, heading to the Curragh on Sunday for the Irish Oaks, where the main protagonists from Epsom re oppose. Further thoughts on what should be a strong contest anon.

good luck....

Sweet on Snow Fairy in Yorkshire Oaks

Perhaps the single most visually impressive performance of the season so far was that of Snow Fairy demolishing the field in the Irish Oaks. Prior to that race, I had my doubts but subsequently vowed to keep on the right side. Today at York, she takes on two very able 4 year old fillies in the Yorkshire Oaks, but with her age allowance, scope for improvement, and finishing thrust, she must have every chance. Sariska ran well again at Epsom behind Fame and Glory but she looked a tad uncomfortable on quickish going in this race last year, while Midday (good winner of Nassau) always appears vulnerable to a good closer. Hibayeeb and Meeznah also merit consideration but in hot race, Snow Fairy is the selection, especially with 3/1 available.

The younger fillies run earlier in an interesting Lowther. Very hard to oppose Maqaasid in this, following her win at Royal Ascot, but at prohibitive odds she is best watched.

Finally another filly to watch out for is John Oxx's Zarebiya in the Galtres. This is a race which the stable repeatedly targets and while this year's entrant is very inexperienced and poor value, she is worthwhile monitoring. Furthermore there is a rather curious jockey booking as I cannot recall Jamie Spencer riding in these colours previously!!

good luck...

Super Sprint

Despite the obvious difficulties picking the winner, 25 precocious 2 year olds flying down the Newbury straight always makes the Super Sprint a thrilling and exciting race. The season's leading trainer and traditionally the master of 2yo sales races, Richard Hannon runs six in attempt to land this for the eight time in 17 runnings. He is joined in the mob handed department by two hot trainers in Ricahrd Fahey and Kevin Ryan, making matters harder to assess than normal. The stats direct one to a filly off a low weight with a draw on the flank - Dress Up fits that bill and I will include her in shortlist of 3 with Ballista (impressive first time out) and Jaahiz who I was impressed with last Saturday (Kieron Fallon on board at his minimum weight and off course comes from the Hannon yard).

The Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Sunday looks equally competitive with the leading protagonists from Epsom re opposing. It is notable that Rosanara is making the trip from France. Her level of form appears markedly superior to the others and she could be value on the day, particularly with any further rain.

good luck..and enjoy...

Epsom Trials

Trials for the Espsom Classics continue today at Lingfield, following rather uninformative results at Chester during the week. Timepiece caught the eye at Newmarket and should confirm her position at the head of the Oaks market. The Derby trial looks more open but doubtful if any of the contenders will be winning in June. However, Desert Myth showed some promise while winning a maiden at Newmarket and looks the likely winner. The Derrinstown at Leopardstown only has four runners but a strong recent tradition of producing a good horse.

The main betting race is the Victoria Cup at Ascot. This is always worth watching as it establishes form lines for the big handicaps to be run here in the next few months. Marbait was very impressive last time but is very short in a big field. Initially liked Prime Exhibit but draw and going are against him. I fruitlessly followed Signor Peltro last season, but while he has chance, I will leave him go as he is a bit high in the handicap. Since the track redevelopment, one noticeable trend is the relevance of AW form. To test that theory, going to proffer Street Power as a sporting bet from a favourable draw and Brave Echo also worth monitoring from the other side.

good luck...

Irish Oaks 09

The change in going at the Curragh advances Sariska's cause over Midday and makes it hard to oppose her in the Irish Oaks. However at odds on, it might be worthwhile to look to the home contingent for a bit of value. Beauty O'Gwaun looks a nice type but poor value, Roman Empress does not look good enough, Oh Goodness Me would be very much of interest if Jim Bolger's string were in better form, which leaves us with Grace O'Malley who won a competitive race at Cork last time in nice fashion. She is a decent price (16's on betfair) and should run a good race if improving again.

good luck.......