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...

New Departure?

The more things change, the more they stay the same!! Good card, decent prize, one true equine star, top track! Today's much vaunted new meeting at Ascot should herald an upsurge in Flat racing's fortunes and profile. But unsurprisingly the ill timed and cack-handed introduction of the new whip regulations with it's ensuing media coverage has undone all the good work. Cock-up or conspiracy?

Nevertheless we have an interesting card and the return of Frankel to ponder. Henry Cecil's superstar on all known evidence should prevail, but at 3s on looks too short against a decent field, including 3 Group 1 winners.

Ballydoyle's Australian import So You Think has not really lived up to the hype. Have seen him up close in the paddock and he looks a magnificent specimen. However I am not sure his powerful physique is suited to European racing where a ready turn of foot is vital at the top level. He battled in great style at Sandown, ran on well at Longchamp, but failed to find an extra here at the Royal Meeting. Expect him to run well again this afternoon in the relocated Champion Stakes, but reckon he is vulnerable to a late finisher. Obvious candidates include Cirrus Des Aigles and Dubai Prince but reckon the latter's stablemate Casamento (Group 1 winner) under the boy wonder (Mikael Barzalona) has a chance and looks under priced at 33/1.

The card also sees a cracking sprint. The quickish ground looks as if it will undermine the leading contenders and along with Ascot's penchant for sprint surprises, it might well pay to look for an outsider. Both Dafeef and Night Carnation have nice bits of form, are relatively unexposed and at current odds fit the bill.

enjoy

Splitting the Hannon Duo

After a busy week, today's action appears rather limited excepting the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. This definitely looks to be between Richard Hannon's star milers Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin. The latter has the benefit of a run but it is very hard to oppose Canford following his spectacular trio of successes last season and one looks forward to seeing him up against Frankel later in the summer. Elsewhere on the card Dominant should go well, while in the sprint handicap, Novellen Lad is worth a look on good to firm with Kieron Fallon on board. Across the shires at Newmarket, it's worth noting that Johnny Murtagh travels over for one ride, Regal Park in the Eddie Stobart Stakes (2.50).

The Classic circus moves to Longchamp on Sunday. One personal golden rule (often broken alas) is to avoid having a bet here as the draw and track conformation regularly lead to hard luck stories. However, I will be rooting for Wootton Bassett in the 2,000 to give Richard Fahey a well earned win at this level and give Maqaasid a sporting chance in the fillies version.

good luck...

Frankel; Fast or Furious?

Today's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket sees another in a long line of hotpots putting their reputation on the line. There can be no doubting Frankel's credentials but following an interesting article in the Guardian this week, one might be tempted to question his temperament. Gallop watchers described him as a ball of fire and there must be a possibility of him boiling over and not performing.

The market however, appears to suffer no doubts about his chance, but many similar types have previously succumbed to the pressure. Under the care of the legendary and masterful Henry Cecil, I think he will prevail but not without a struggle. He is up against three Group 1 winners of which, Pathfork looks best suited to the conditions and it is Mrs Harrington's charge who may provide him with the sternest test. From a betting perspective, I have already backed Pathfork, but at this stage, Saamid (if forgiving him his Dewhurst flop) looks the best value.

Otherwise on a good card, one of last season's friends, Astrophysical Jet returns and looking forward to following her throughout the season. Finally, perhaps the most informative race of the day will be the Ganay at Longchamp where Cape Blanco, Sarafina and Planteur do battle.

enjoy....

Duncan to do the slaying this time ????

The highlight of the European flat season, the Prix de l'Arc augmented by a super supporting card takes place at Longchamp today. This year's renewal sees all the big guns represented in an open looking contest. Local reconnaissance reported heavy rain yesterday and suggests that the testing conditions will be the most salient factor.

Workforce is perhaps the horse with the greatest ability but one has to take his well being on trust. Currently little value but worth a bet at 10s or better. Ballydoyle send three, but hard to fancy Fame and Glory (not seen recently) and Cape Blanco (best at 10f), while Midas Touch (should be suited) is not good enough. Godolphin, in good form lately, run last year's third, Cavalryman (disappointing this season), who has solid place claims and looks as he if will benefit from the softer ground.

The Aga Khan has favourite, Behkabad who heads market, but offers little value and the promising Sarafina who may not get home. The other home contenders include Lope de Vega (stamina doubts) and Planteur, who is likely to be a popular selection but does not look good enough either.

In conclusion, the heavy going combined with lack of an outright favourite, and negatives over all the main players, we may have a surprise result and to that end, I expect a big run from Prix Foy winner, Duncan. By Dalakhani, who won this on holding conditions and trained by the shrewd John Gosden, he handled the track well last time and could give his connections due recompense for last year's injustice.

The supporting card is equally compelling with hopefully informative group 1 two year old contests (particularly the fillies races), the Foret which sees Goldikova and Paco Boy re oppose over 7f and the Opera where the unexposed Field Day is of interest.

enjoy and bonne chance....

Cambridgeshire Puzzle

I had planned to devote my punting energies to Longchamp on Sunday this weekend, but despite my best intentions, finding it difficult to resist a  look at one of flat racing's most competitive handicaps, the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket today. One could give the majority of runners a chance but going to put my faith in a shortlist of three; Taqleed, Proponent and Speed Dating. All three should handle the conditions and give us a run for our money. The 2 year old sales races should be informative and will be interested to see how Seta fares on on the soft going in the Sun Chariot.

good luck and Arc thoughts to follow.....

The Breeders Cup

The advent of dedicated racing channels over the past few years with access to top class US racing has greatly augmented the Breeder's Cup appeal. Both RUK and ATR provide great coverage and have made Breeders Cup night an unmissable event in the calendar, offering high quality fare, thrilling contests and enticing wagering opportunities. Betfair's link with the American PMU pool is a further boost and should afford us greater value on European runners, who have much better chances than normal on the surface at Santa Anita.

The Classic is the feature race and I have long fancied Rip Van Winkle for this. His collateral form with Sea The Stars makes him top rated in this field and it seems to this eye at least that Ballydoyle have for quite a while, targetted him at this much yearned for prize. However it's a strong field with Zenyatta the main challenger. She looks exceptional and her chance has been greatly enhanced by her stablemate's win last night. Summer Bird, Quality Road, Gio Ponti and indeed Twice Over cannot be discounted either, so it perhaps wise to tread warily. However reckon that Rip Van Winkle will be hard to beat and is a definite play at odds of 3/1 or bigger.

Sir Michael Stoute should have a good night also with the late developing Zacinto (good second to RVW last time) in the turf mile as Goldikova's chances appear to have scuppered by the draw. Conduit and Spanish Moon look strong in the turf but not great value. Mastercraftsman had a nice spin at Dundalk and looks to have the Dirt Mile at his mercy. A note of caution necessary though as he had a long season.

The juvenile races look very interesting with Pounced who ran well at Longchamp worth a look. The Ballydoyle pair of group 1 winners, Beethhoven and Alfred Nobel take on a Baffert hotpot with the former who did well at Newmarket looking a nice price currently on the tissue.

The sprints are anybody's guess but would not dismiss Fleeting Spirit's chances.

happy viewing and good luck with any bets......