Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting Day 2: Shadwell Day

Hello all & welcome along to my blog, I am off just after 9am for my two day adventure up at Newmarket tomorrow hoping for a half decent journey via our countries various train operating companies (South West Trains, London Underground, First Capital Connect & Greater Anglia) for what is a quality card on both Friday & Saturday with so many good horses on show. Good that C4 are giving tomorrow's meeting terrestrial coverage for anyone that either can't afford or won't pay for RUK.

Newmarket's first race is The Oh So Sharp Stakes Group 3 featuring 15 length Lingfield maiden winner Radiator

who takes the step up in class she is from the incredible family her dam Heat Haze was a Grade 1 winner in the US (Matriarch & Beverly D) she herself is a half sister to Banks Hill, Intercontinental  Cacique, Champs Elysees & Dansili so Radiator has a lot to live up to, she faces a French raider in Andre Fabre's Miss France who is also bred to be pretty good out of Group 1 winning Miss Tahiti (Prix Marcel Boussac). Unbeaten Lightning Thunder takes a step up but only scrambled home at Donny perhaps more of a threat maybe Ascot maiden winner Stealth Missile who showed a good attitude that day. Sweet Acclaim won a Yarmouth maiden but this is a hot race the rest look outclassed. 

An older fillies & mares Listed race is up next over the mile it features the British debut of crack South African mare Igugu (winning J&B Met 2012 below)

who was very disappointing in Dubai, racing in this country will hopefully suit better & if anywhere near her best is miles better than the opposition. If she does fail then the Hamdan duo look most likely to pick up the pieces, Estiqaama who has racked up a hat trick in handicaps so far this season & Lanansaak who fairly bolted up in a good Ascot handicap.

The upgraded Nayef Joel Stakes Group 2 now part of The British Champions Series looks an exciting renewal with Soft Falling Rain (see below)

reappearing after his first career defeat in Newbury's Hungerford Stakes, in my eyes his stature grew after trying to make all in ground that was on the slow side of good after 5 months off, he had looked beat but did stay on again to only be 1.5 lengths & he will strip a lot fitter for tomorrow's assignment. Montiridge ran a rare stinker last time & he has had quite a hard season so maybe he just needs a rest. Penitent last year's winner who bounced back last time under a good ride, if allowed to dominate he will be hard to pass but he will face a rival for the lead tomorrow in Boom And Bust who has been very consistent in his last 4 starts I would have quite fancied him if Penitent hadn't been in the field. Premio Loco is a gem of a horse but you'd hope one or two of the others may have more to offer. Guest Of Honour in my opinion is not up to this & neither is Glory Awaits. 

The race of the day is the Shadwell Fillies Mile Group 1 which has been dominated by Godolphin for the last 3 years & they field 2 runners tomorrow in the excellent Ihtimal & the unexposed Sound Reflection both these two face an outstanding rival in Clive Brittain's wonderful 2yo 

Rizeena who I was lucky enough to see of her 2nd start (maiden win) she looked a classy filly that day & I have followed her since, she gained a deserved impressive first Group 1 win last time. Tomorrow's trip will hold no fears & she will take all the beating. 

Ihtimal (above) also won impressively in the May Hill last time she should not be underestimated I hope she runs well as another boost to the classy Berkshire's before he runs on Sat. I am looking forward to seeing Sound Reflection tomorrow as she is clearly very highly regarded by connections, this race may just be too much of ask as a 2yo but she is bred to be very smart next year. The other contenders include the 1st/2nd from The Flame of Tara Stakes at The Curragh last time Avenue Gabriel (met trouble but won on merit) & Ballybacka Queen who seemed to lose her balance causing interference so I doubt she will cope with Newmarket's dip tomorrow. Wonderfully for A.O'Brien was behind Rizeena last time but she met trouble & from what I've seen of her is quite a nice type so perhaps she will do better tomorrow. Uchenna a Goodwood maiden winner faces an uphill task while Chriselliam is outclassed. A cracking race in which I can't really desert Rizeena but I would fear Ihtimal. As for next year it will be interesting if Sound Reflection looks as good as she is fancied to be.

The obligatory big field maiden looks an interesting affair one for the Sky+ for those of you that do have RUK, the ones who have big race entries are Baarez (Racing Post Trophy / half brother to Mutashaded), Ganges (Irish 2000 Guineas), Gothic (Derby / half brother to Dordogne & Montrachet), Man Amongst Men (Redcar Two Year Old Trophy, Dewhurst & Racing Post Trophy), Salmon Sushi (half brother to Spicy Dal), Tall Ship (Derby) & Yuften (Racing Post Trophy & Irish 2000 Guineas). 

Of the ones that have run I am interested in seeing Man Amongst Men

as he ran 2nd in same maiden that Berkshire finished 3rd in at Newbury, I actually backed both that day as Man Amongst Men (see below)

really took my eye along with Berkshire, on the face of it he would have struggled to win his next race anyway when he was favourite favourite as the winner Kingman is next year's 2000 Guineas favourite. Man Amongst Men has been given plenty of time to strengthen up so I will be looking forward to see this young horse who I thought was all quality back in early summer. 

Another of tomorrow's opposition ran in that Newbury maiden was Iftaar (see below)

who looked like he could win next time but was beaten although dropping back to 5f would not of helped. Yuften was also 2nd at Newbury to Barley Mow in August normal improvement should see him in the shake up. Hopefully some of the newcomers will also look fairly smart in the paddock & you never know what may come out of these maidens.

I'll can't see past Gatewood in The Godolphin Stakes who looks to retain all of his ability after a fruitless spell down under. The penultimate race on tomorrow's card is The Consolation Silver Cambridgeshire which is three editions in & has been dominated by 3yo's. 

I have no strong view on this race although Silver Dixie impressed me when a battling 2nd to another of tomorrow's runners Frankel's half brother Morpheus 2 starts back. Of the older horses Spirit Of The Law has been in good form recently while former Cambridgeshire winner Credit Swap makes his seasonal debut, Stevie Thunder loves these big field handicaps as does Bancnuanaheireann. 

The closing race is the Newmarket Challenge Whip a pointless race which carries no prize money & is restricted to horses owned by members of the Jockey Club / the Jockey Club Rooms.

I doubt it will be much of a single betting day more one for interest & the future which is always a pleasant treat although I may well couple all the shorties together as they look to have really outstanding claims. 

My one confident single bet tomorrow will be at Haydock & that is a horse who I believe has been crying out for 1m6f, he finally gets it in tomorrow's 16:45 Vale UK Handicap; Eshtiaal is the horse in question those regular readers will remember he was on my horses to follow list when finishing 3rd at Ascot on his latest. I think he will win & win well tomorrow. Get on!! Smash up them bookie chappies!!

     

Newmarket Selections Friday 27th Sept 2013

Accumulator & Win Lucky 31

Radiator (13:40) / Igugu (14:10) / Soft Falling Rain (14:40) / Rizeena (15:15) & Gatewood (16:25) 

16:45 Haydock Vale UK Handicap

Eshtiaal WIN 

@fttfracing