Hello & welcome along to all my readers, the first Classics have been & gone with contrasting results a shock 40/1 win in the colts classic as Richard Hannon junior gained his Classic winner in his first season holding the licence, much has been said after the event but in truth if the horse had kept straight under a rejuvenated Kieran Fallon he would have won comfortably by at least 2 lengths.
I am disappointed that Night Of Thunder is now being aimed at the St James's Palace as for me on breeding a Derby trip could be within his compass.
Kingman as I expected did not truly stay in top company whether that's due to him going slightly too early after the split I would doubt, his stride was shortening in the last 50 so much so that Australia almost caught him for 2nd.
Australia obviously ran a storming Derby trial but we will see how he gets on at Epsom as I think there are potentially some really useful rivals to come out over the next few weeks.
I am disappointed that Night Of Thunder is now being aimed at the St James's Palace as for me on breeding a Derby trip could be within his compass.
Kingman as I expected did not truly stay in top company whether that's due to him going slightly too early after the split I would doubt, his stride was shortening in the last 50 so much so that Australia almost caught him for 2nd.
Australia obviously ran a storming Derby trial but we will see how he gets on at Epsom as I think there are potentially some really useful rivals to come out over the next few weeks.
The biggest story from the fall out of the 2000 Guineas was the old man of the weighing room Kieran Fallon gaining a 5th 2000 Guineas adding to his career resurgence mainly thanks to Saeed Bin Suroor & Godolphin, later on Sunday it emerged that Fallon was now an important factor in the operation so much so that he has been given the ride on Derby hopeful True Story in the Dante at York, social media was split with half happy for Fallon & half slagging off Godolphin for snubbing Silvestre De Sousa which to me I do not understand, for an operation it makes sense if a jockey with such pedigree in the Classic races comes available that they use him (his Derby record is the best of any current jockey riding)
since then it has widely been reported that SDS & KF will job share as Number 1 rider for Saeed but its not what has been announced on Godolphin's website on there the statement reads that 'both jockeys will ride for us as we hope to be represented in all the major races'
The idea that Silvestre has lost his #1 position is strange to me as he is retained on Saeed's side that does not mean he's #1 it just means he is the only retained rider that Saeed has, the debate was similar when both SDS & MB came on board ie who would be #1 in reality neither is as SDS works for SBS primarily & MB works primarily for Charlie Appleby's branch, both riders cannot ride all the horses that each trainer has which is why when available jockey's like Kieran, William Buick & Martin Lane ride for both stables, with such a huge operation it makes sense to have another world class rider on the books. It seems to me that the press are whipping up a storm in a tea cup.
In contrast the Fillies Classic was a much more satisfactory race as the classy Miss France won, she sat close to a slow pace & took it up with around 2 furlongs to go, she repelled old rival Lighting Thunder to win by half a length at the line. I had backed her last September & put her up in the blog on Sunday so it was a fantastic result personally, the other fillies look pretty average in behind so she didn't need to improve much but she should still be a force wherever she turns up next time.
Onwards to the first day of Chester's May Meeting & the traditional day one feature is the Chester Cup. A low draw helps in any race at the roodee & the main feature is no exception with just 4 horses in the last 10 years winning from a draw higher than 11.
6yo's have dominated recently with 4 wins from that age group in 10 years with a weight range between 8-11 - 9-2.
Dr Marwan Koukash adores this meeting & fields 5 runners in an attempt to gain back to back victories after Address Unknown last year.
Top weight Montaser gets a chance to run in a Chester Cup after not making it last year. He has run at the Roodee 3 times & shown very little at the course, but on the plus side he does have his ground & the plum draw.
Duke Of Clarence is now with Richard Fahey who only recently aquired Address Unknown before he won last year, he is 5lbs higher than his last winning mark & on breeding the 2 miles looks an issue but his running style gives him hope.
Sueigoo will stay fine but he looks to be very high in the handicap as does Gabrial's King. Angel Gabrial stayed on strongly on his first try at 2 miles at Ripon 2 weeks ago to collar Mubaraza who was giving him 6lbs, he is only getting 3lbs from that rival on Wednesday as a result of his win plus it was his 3rd start of 2014 where the Ripon race was Mubaraza's seasonal debut I cannot see him confirming form.
Top weight Montaser gets a chance to run in a Chester Cup after not making it last year. He has run at the Roodee 3 times & shown very little at the course, but on the plus side he does have his ground & the plum draw.
Duke Of Clarence is now with Richard Fahey who only recently aquired Address Unknown before he won last year, he is 5lbs higher than his last winning mark & on breeding the 2 miles looks an issue but his running style gives him hope.
Sueigoo will stay fine but he looks to be very high in the handicap as does Gabrial's King. Angel Gabrial stayed on strongly on his first try at 2 miles at Ripon 2 weeks ago to collar Mubaraza who was giving him 6lbs, he is only getting 3lbs from that rival on Wednesday as a result of his win plus it was his 3rd start of 2014 where the Ripon race was Mubaraza's seasonal debut I cannot see him confirming form.
Talking of Ed Dunlop's charge he has been a high class staying handicapper who travelled as well as I've ever seen him travel at Ripon before tiring late on, he should be cherry ripe for Wednesday & from an excellent draw he should be very tough to beat.
Clowance Estate looks to be harshly handicapped at present from a shocking draw he can be passed over. Golden Bowl brings minor French pattern form to the table admittedly often being well beaten, he has to prove the faster surfaces suits this son of mud loving Turtle Bowl. Open Eagle is another ex French horse who won on his 2nd UK start last season but has since struggled after rising in the weights.
Body Language excelled herself in the Cesarewitch Trial & a backend Listed race last season but has been judged harshly as a result by the handicapper.
Shwaiman should have much more to give as a 4yo after running well on his seasonal debut however he has been done no favours with the draw otherwise he would have been a selection.
Mawaqeet is now with Donald McCain & has long promised to win a decent staying handicap but his biggest problem is his consistency, if sweetened up by his masterful new trainer he would have a huge chance but as a result of this year's renewal being very much below par than normal his price is far too short to be getting involved.
Communicator is a useful handicapper but this long striding horse will struggle around Chester's tight turns. White Nile gives Ed Dunlop a decent 2nd string to fire but has suffered with a stiff looking draw. Waterclock ran the best race of his life in last year's Cesarewitch finishing 2nd, he has since left Roger Charlton & joined the in-form Jedd O'Keeffe, his draw has done him no favours & is passed over 1st time out.
Brockwell has been given a real chance by the handicapper & will no doubt be primed for this from local trainer Tom Dascombe, his draw is problematic for a horse who likes to be up there. Glenard has crept in at the bottom of the weights, he wouldn't be your typical staying animal & has an average draw, but he does hail from a stable that as a family have dominated the May meeting for years so he is respected for that reason alone.
Mawaqeet is now with Donald McCain & has long promised to win a decent staying handicap but his biggest problem is his consistency, if sweetened up by his masterful new trainer he would have a huge chance but as a result of this year's renewal being very much below par than normal his price is far too short to be getting involved.
Communicator is a useful handicapper but this long striding horse will struggle around Chester's tight turns. White Nile gives Ed Dunlop a decent 2nd string to fire but has suffered with a stiff looking draw. Waterclock ran the best race of his life in last year's Cesarewitch finishing 2nd, he has since left Roger Charlton & joined the in-form Jedd O'Keeffe, his draw has done him no favours & is passed over 1st time out.
Brockwell has been given a real chance by the handicapper & will no doubt be primed for this from local trainer Tom Dascombe, his draw is problematic for a horse who likes to be up there. Glenard has crept in at the bottom of the weights, he wouldn't be your typical staying animal & has an average draw, but he does hail from a stable that as a family have dominated the May meeting for years so he is respected for that reason alone.
Very keen on Mubaraza for this 13/2 BetVictor (4th)
Opening up the card & the meeting is the Lily Agnes over the sharp 5f, Michael Owen's stables sponsor the event & they supply another of the fancied runners this year looking to back up last year's win this time around with Roudee who won on debut at Ripon last month, the 2nd & 4th (re-opposes here) have both won since but the time was relatively slow. She will however have been primed for this.
Mukhmal won well on debut at Musselburgh in a pretty useful time showing good speed which he will need on Wednesday from his car park draw.
Casterbridge was 5th to Mukhmal on debut, he should be more streetwise today but has been done no favours by the draw. Magical Memory was well punted on debut in what is usually warm Newbury maiden, he showed speed before dropping quite tamely, he will be better for it but will need to be quick away from his draw in 7 with so many aiming for that magic rail. What A Squirtle is making his debut & will need to be cherry ripe for this first time, out of a mare who ran 65 times & won up to 2 miles, he will be taken of his feet in this. Elizabeth Flynn has just over 6 lengths to find with Roudeee on debut running when in receipt of 5lbs, she has since come out to win at Wolverhampton & is from a stable in excellent form at present. Agadoo belied her odds on debut to stay on past a wound up favourite to grab 3rd, she will be sharper this time but will still struggle in this. Charlie's Star has run 3 times winning her most recent at Yarmouth, she was a way ahead of Magical Memory at Newbury & finished behind Tiggy Wiggy on debut, good draw for her but does she have the speed to use it to her advantage.
Cheerio Sweetie is a stablemate of Charlie's Star, she won an average Lingfield maiden but was then readily outpointed by Muhkmal next time, she has the better draw here however which counts for a lot. Lastly is another debutant in who was an extremely cheap purchase & will struggle to take advantage of her plum draw.
Non betting event for me
The Cheshire Oaks follows next, 2 horses in the races history have gone onto win The Oaks itself after triumphing at Chester they were Lupe in 1970 & Light Shift in 2007.
As a whole the race has only produced a handful of decent fillies including Dance A Dream 1995 who was 2nd at Epsom but never won after Chester & Bolas Won both the Ribblesdale Group 2 & Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks Group 1.
Aidan O'Brien has won 3 out of the last 6 while the Hills family have won 6 renewals since 1980. Both stables are represented this year with Aidan O'Brien sending over Terrific who was a staying on 2nd to stablemate Dazzling on her seasonal debut, last year she won 2 races in quite nice style, she is not actually entered in the Oaks.
Charlie Hills sends the maiden Brown Diamond (see photo below) into Listed company after an excellent first run in a Newbury maiden against the boys finishing well to suggest a step up is what she needs, she is quite a sizable filly with some quality, she is still in the Oaks & I think she will go well.
Anipa has won both her starts this season at Wolverhampton & Windsor, in form gives her a chance but she should lack the class.
Bright Approach is another decent looking filly who won at Newbury on her debut beating subsequent Listed winner Be My Gal comfortably, she looks a staying filly who may not handle Chester's tight turns plus I do wonder whether John Gosden's horses are firing as much as they were a month ago.
Full Moon Fever must improve on what she has shown so far which is possible but a place looks her best bet, Groovejet is also looking for black type as her form is well below the required standard.
Lady Tyne was an easy winner of her maiden on bad ground at the end of last season, she is entered in all the right races & will stay forever. I do wonder if Chester will suit & she must show that faster ground suits her.
Psychometry won on her 3rd start after showing good form in maidens when fancied on both occasions, she looked to be caught over trips shorter than what she is bred for so when she was stepped up to the mile it suited her much better. She has a turn of foot & is bred to be smart, the step up will be to her liking, player.
Secret Pursuit is on a hat trick after winning as she liked from a lowly handicap mar at Nottingham on her 3rd start of the year, this is a different ball game & she would be a doubt to stay as well.
I will be with Brown Diamond 11/1 William Hill who impressed me at Newbury. (Unplaced)
The 5f handicap is all about the draw so recent Epsom scorer who was only just beaten at Wolverhampton a few days later Caspian Prince is respected from stall 1,
Go Nani Go is in 3 but sometimes starts slowly so could easily lose his advantage. A horse that has been on my tracker since last August is back out finally.
Sir Maximilian who is now with Tim Pitt, he usually sits n behind so I hope he has been schooled well to jump & get on Caspian Prince's tail as he is dangerous to rule out first time out. Old Ballista showed much more sparkle last time on Finals day at Lingfield & back down in trip on a course he goes well at you can expect him to be involved for his local stable. A handful of old favourites are also in the race but have tough draws & will be better for the runs.
I have been waiting for Sir Maximilian 9/1 BETVICTOR (WON 7/1) for a long time so he will do in this.
The 1m2f maiden should be between Computer (7th) & Prince Of Stars (5th) who both showed enough in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket to suggest they could be competitive next time, I would just hand the edge to Computer who was up with the pace for a long way before tiring late on. The newcomer Special Fighter is by the excellent mare Susu who started her career in the UAE before winning a Challenge Stakes in the UK.
Computer showed enough on debut for me to with him this time. (Unplaced)
Old Borderlescott must have a live chance in the 5f conditions race after an almost fairytale win in his own race at Musselburgh on Good Friday. As long as the old boy can maintain that form he should be hard to beat. Trinityelitedotcom & Masmah last year's winner can give him most to do
In the closing handicap the Charlie Hills trained Lovelocks should appreciate the step up in distance after staying on on her handicap debut at Beverley last time, on a line through recent Newcastle scorer Lady Yeats she has a very favourable mark.
Lady Yeats herself won on her seasonal handicap debut off a low mark is now up 5lbs she should still be competitive but her draw is not helpful. Anglo Irish has gone up markedly after his 2 AWT wins this will be harder. Captain Morley is running for Dr Marwan Koukash, he won a weakish AWT maiden at Wolverhampton last time, his handicap mark is a little high for my liking. Storm Force Ten made light work of his opening handicap mark winning comfortably at Kempton, a big horse he should be able to cope with his rise.
Nam Hai has a decent looking mark after winning over the distance on the AWT at Wolverhampton.
The others look either not quite good enough or on stiff marks.
Another no betting race for me on a decent looking opening card.
Opening up the card & the meeting is the Lily Agnes over the sharp 5f, Michael Owen's stables sponsor the event & they supply another of the fancied runners this year looking to back up last year's win this time around with Roudee who won on debut at Ripon last month, the 2nd & 4th (re-opposes here) have both won since but the time was relatively slow. She will however have been primed for this.
Mukhmal won well on debut at Musselburgh in a pretty useful time showing good speed which he will need on Wednesday from his car park draw.
Casterbridge was 5th to Mukhmal on debut, he should be more streetwise today but has been done no favours by the draw. Magical Memory was well punted on debut in what is usually warm Newbury maiden, he showed speed before dropping quite tamely, he will be better for it but will need to be quick away from his draw in 7 with so many aiming for that magic rail. What A Squirtle is making his debut & will need to be cherry ripe for this first time, out of a mare who ran 65 times & won up to 2 miles, he will be taken of his feet in this. Elizabeth Flynn has just over 6 lengths to find with Roudeee on debut running when in receipt of 5lbs, she has since come out to win at Wolverhampton & is from a stable in excellent form at present. Agadoo belied her odds on debut to stay on past a wound up favourite to grab 3rd, she will be sharper this time but will still struggle in this. Charlie's Star has run 3 times winning her most recent at Yarmouth, she was a way ahead of Magical Memory at Newbury & finished behind Tiggy Wiggy on debut, good draw for her but does she have the speed to use it to her advantage.
Cheerio Sweetie is a stablemate of Charlie's Star, she won an average Lingfield maiden but was then readily outpointed by Muhkmal next time, she has the better draw here however which counts for a lot. Lastly is another debutant in who was an extremely cheap purchase & will struggle to take advantage of her plum draw.
Non betting event for me
The Cheshire Oaks follows next, 2 horses in the races history have gone onto win The Oaks itself after triumphing at Chester they were Lupe in 1970 & Light Shift in 2007.
As a whole the race has only produced a handful of decent fillies including Dance A Dream 1995 who was 2nd at Epsom but never won after Chester & Bolas Won both the Ribblesdale Group 2 & Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks Group 1.
Aidan O'Brien has won 3 out of the last 6 while the Hills family have won 6 renewals since 1980. Both stables are represented this year with Aidan O'Brien sending over Terrific who was a staying on 2nd to stablemate Dazzling on her seasonal debut, last year she won 2 races in quite nice style, she is not actually entered in the Oaks.
Charlie Hills sends the maiden Brown Diamond (see photo below) into Listed company after an excellent first run in a Newbury maiden against the boys finishing well to suggest a step up is what she needs, she is quite a sizable filly with some quality, she is still in the Oaks & I think she will go well.
Anipa has won both her starts this season at Wolverhampton & Windsor, in form gives her a chance but she should lack the class.
Bright Approach is another decent looking filly who won at Newbury on her debut beating subsequent Listed winner Be My Gal comfortably, she looks a staying filly who may not handle Chester's tight turns plus I do wonder whether John Gosden's horses are firing as much as they were a month ago.
Full Moon Fever must improve on what she has shown so far which is possible but a place looks her best bet, Groovejet is also looking for black type as her form is well below the required standard.
Lady Tyne was an easy winner of her maiden on bad ground at the end of last season, she is entered in all the right races & will stay forever. I do wonder if Chester will suit & she must show that faster ground suits her.
Psychometry won on her 3rd start after showing good form in maidens when fancied on both occasions, she looked to be caught over trips shorter than what she is bred for so when she was stepped up to the mile it suited her much better. She has a turn of foot & is bred to be smart, the step up will be to her liking, player.
Secret Pursuit is on a hat trick after winning as she liked from a lowly handicap mar at Nottingham on her 3rd start of the year, this is a different ball game & she would be a doubt to stay as well.
I will be with Brown Diamond 11/1 William Hill who impressed me at Newbury. (Unplaced)
The 5f handicap is all about the draw so recent Epsom scorer who was only just beaten at Wolverhampton a few days later Caspian Prince is respected from stall 1,
Go Nani Go is in 3 but sometimes starts slowly so could easily lose his advantage. A horse that has been on my tracker since last August is back out finally.
Sir Maximilian who is now with Tim Pitt, he usually sits n behind so I hope he has been schooled well to jump & get on Caspian Prince's tail as he is dangerous to rule out first time out. Old Ballista showed much more sparkle last time on Finals day at Lingfield & back down in trip on a course he goes well at you can expect him to be involved for his local stable. A handful of old favourites are also in the race but have tough draws & will be better for the runs.
I have been waiting for Sir Maximilian 9/1 BETVICTOR (WON 7/1) for a long time so he will do in this.
The 1m2f maiden should be between Computer (7th) & Prince Of Stars (5th) who both showed enough in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket to suggest they could be competitive next time, I would just hand the edge to Computer who was up with the pace for a long way before tiring late on. The newcomer Special Fighter is by the excellent mare Susu who started her career in the UAE before winning a Challenge Stakes in the UK.
Computer showed enough on debut for me to with him this time. (Unplaced)
Old Borderlescott must have a live chance in the 5f conditions race after an almost fairytale win in his own race at Musselburgh on Good Friday. As long as the old boy can maintain that form he should be hard to beat. Trinityelitedotcom & Masmah last year's winner can give him most to do
No bet race for me.
Lady Yeats herself won on her seasonal handicap debut off a low mark is now up 5lbs she should still be competitive but her draw is not helpful. Anglo Irish has gone up markedly after his 2 AWT wins this will be harder. Captain Morley is running for Dr Marwan Koukash, he won a weakish AWT maiden at Wolverhampton last time, his handicap mark is a little high for my liking. Storm Force Ten made light work of his opening handicap mark winning comfortably at Kempton, a big horse he should be able to cope with his rise.
Nam Hai has a decent looking mark after winning over the distance on the AWT at Wolverhampton.
The others look either not quite good enough or on stiff marks.
Another no betting race for me on a decent looking opening card.
@fttfracing
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