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TKF – Yes that was frustrating re the missed start at Lion D’Angers – I’m puzzled by how Joli Coup and Rickman both became detached yet made up the lost ground quite easily with no obvious let up in the pace. I agree regarding the winner’s style but she was getting a lot of weight from the second and third, it was hard not to be taken by that little surge of pace that effectively won the race in the blinking of an eye however.
I see our friend Feli Chop is entered at Fontainebleu on Friday, he helps tie up the form lines a bit if nothing else!
Really enjoying the analysis of the UK and Irish races you and Colin Phillips are providing – I don’t have to bother watching those races as it’s all taken care of by the pair of you.
Well yesterday’s event at Bath did turn out to be rather exciting. Blue Collar Lad, a son of FSS Ardad and his first winner, took the race. Racing just behind the pace got the better of Wonderful World and then just held off the late challenge of Muskateer Three. As the second and third had the benefit of their run in the Brocklesby it was a decent effort by the winner. The other Ardad newcomer showed plenty of speed until weakening close home to finish fourth.
Five flat meetings today and as far as these old eyes can see nary a 2-y-o race in sight?!
After two blank days 2-y-o racing resumes at Leicester 1.00. The bare eight runners at the moment but it looks quite tricky. Only one of the runners has racecourse experience, Muskateer One (her dam thought good enough to run in the 2007 1,000 Guineas finishing 9th. of 21) didn’t have the kindest introduction at Kempton on the last day of March, being generally hampered and messed about when the gates opened resulting in her trailing the field for the first furlong. From that unpromising position she showed enough ability to finish sixth of ten beaten about eight lengths. Shane Kelly takes over from Adam Kirby and 12/1 is available.
There are a number of interesting debutants and two of them head the early market. Favourite at 11/4 is Gubbass, a colt by Mehmas and trained by Richard Hannon (already had a 2-y-o winner), next is Crypto Quest by FSS Profitable, trained by Kevin Ryan who has also had a 2-y-o winner. Third in is probably the most interesting, Angel Bleu is Ralph Beckett’s first 2-y-o runner, he is by the prolific 2-y-o sire Dark Angel out of a Galileo mare, 7/2 at the moment.
Friday Leicester 1.00
Crypto Quest wouldn’t enter the stalls, down to seven runners and two places, who’d be a bookmaker? Muskateer One started well this time and showed speed to dispute the lead with the eventual second until disappointingly weakening two out and finished last. The winner, Gubbass, a Mehmas debutant, looked a touch outpaced early but soon became involved and put in a quite professional performance to contest the lead a furlong out, take the lead a half-furlong out and win comfortably. Tothenines, a Dandy Man debutant, showed bags of speed and was only headed half a furlong out, a decent performance. The third home, Angel Bleu, didn’t have the clearest of runs and although beaten five lengths was running on towards the finish to show some ability.
The only 2-y-o race today is the Dundalk 1.10.
This will be the third time that the A.P.O’Brien-trained No Nay Never colt, Cadamosto’s name has appeared on the race-card but he has yet to run, twice being taken out. First season sire Caravaggio has two runners, the Jessie Harrington-trained filly Black Pepper is making her debut and Silver Surfer a colt who has the benefit of a Curragh fourth place behind him. Silver Surfer is out of Riskit Fora Biskit who was a smart sprinter and may appreciate the Polytrack surface today rather than the heavy going last time. Cadamosto heads the market at 11/10 with Silver Surfer second in on 11/4.
Saturday Dundalk 1.10
Cadamosto actually ran on this occasion and despite opposition in the market(7/4 jf.) ran out a comfortable winner. A nice debut for this No Nay Never colt, smartly away and always prominent he found an extra yard of pace over a furlong out and cleared away from his market rival Silver Surfer. The latter, who had had a run, didn’t do himself or two of his rivals any favours when swerving right on leaving the stalls. The Caravaggio could was soon competitive however and had chances approaching the final furlong but couldn’t cope with the winner’s extra pace. One of the sufferers at the start was Threebagsfull, third in the betting, this Requinto colt was forced to race wide into the straight and never really got into contention but in the circumstances a fair effort.
There is no 2-y-o race at the only flat meeting of the day at Leopardstown.
Ahhh! Riches today with two 2-y-o races, both look very difficult.
Windsor 1.40
No previous form for any of these. Koda Legend (10/1) looks to me to the most interesting from the breeding point of view, by Kodiac and the first foal of an unraced Royal Applause mare.
First season sires are well represented with the first runner for The Grey Gatsby, two for Cotai Glory and one for Ardad.
Favourite for the race at 2/1 is Zoltan Star, another Kodiac colt and trained by Richard Hannon whose 2-y-os have been showing good form and are the “standing dish” at Windsor.
Redcar 1.50
Again no form to go on. Torshi (9/2) is by Muhaarar out of a useful mare, Pickle, who finished her racing career winning two races in the U.S.of A. She has already produced two black-type horses, Gusto, a sprinting colt by Oasis Dream and Beauly a 10f filly by Sea The Stars.
Two FSS represented, Highland Reel’s first runner, My Bonnie Lassie (11/1) and Profitable has Recline (16/1)
Neither race looks punter friendly and are probably best watched.
5th April – Kempton – Dukebox (Holy Roman Emperor) – Richard Hannon
Dukebox was an impressive winner of this contest. Graftonat was the only one with experience, representing the Brocklesby prominent racers I’d highlighted earlier. He was well dispatched, and I’m not sure the Brocklesby was anything above average this year. Meng Tian had every right to go past Dukebox, but didn’t have the battling qualities. Although he looks talented, I’d have reservations about Meng Tian for winning purposes although this was his first go, so it might come. The rest were pretty well beaten, you’d imagine Wild Mountain could step up in future.
5th April – Marseille – Lesslepasser (Penny’s Picnic) – Jerome Reynier
6 runners here, and the winner was Lesslepasser who is from a family that produced a black type earning 2 year-old in Tea Dance last year. Oulalah & Hollywood Africans both struggled in the early stages and finished 5th & 6th. Secret Feeling failed to get a clear passage and wasn’t easy to settle, but I’m not sure I’d be going ballistic about the form here. Although it was a maiden, rather than a claimer event.
6th April – Bath – Blue Collar Lad (Ardad) – Robyn Brisland
Brisland only had 1 2 year-old in my copy of Horses-In-Training but suspected the true number was greater and so it has proved. The price tags on offer here were nothing amazing and Blue Collar Lad was very cheap at 1k. Muskateer Three & Wonderful World both represented the Brocklesby formline, and did both place to their credit. Muskateer Three reversing Donny form. My eye was drawn towards a couple in behind, most notably Nordic Grey pulled very hard early on and didn’t look like he handled the track too well.
9th April – Fontainebleau – Lagoone Chope (Shamalgan) – Frederic Rossi (started with Jane Soubagne)
A lot of these had already run, and I fancied Jazzy Wood for this having raced too close to what I deemed a strong pace on debut, Lagoone Chope won this cosily however, representing those who I feared had been flattered coming off a strong pace. 1-2-3 for the Vanille Bleue form. La Mathilde ran well considering so many in this race had prior experience.
9th April – Leicester – Gubbass (Mehmas) – Richard Hannon
Most impressed I’ve been by any of the British winners so far. As Colin says, Tothenines did help set this race up for those just tracking the pace. On paper, this was a warm contest – Leicester novices often are despite the dross you’d usually associate with the track. Muskateer One was much sharper today and helped make the early pace. He’d enjoyed the benefit of a prior run, where he showed promise in a Kempton race you had to be prominent. He was smashed here, although I suspect he was done no favours by running by the rail. He could be of interest in nurseries if he was, indeed, on the slow part of the track here.
10th April – Dundalk – Cadamosto (No Nay Never) – Aidan O’Brien
Silver Surfer inconvenienced Threebagsfull & my (more optimistic than realistic) fancy Noturningthatcher. Hard not to be impressed by the winner, he knew his job better than the 2nd for me (who still looks green on his 2nd start). Nevertheless, the margin of victory was good. Black Pepper was described as a better prospect going forward by Fran Berry, and that certainly appeared the case during the race. She also ran on the inside which hasn’t tended to be the place to be at Dundalk over the winter (for all this being an afternoon meeting on a sunny day which makes me perfectly willing to suspend usual thoughts regarding track bias) I think this race will produce winners. The winner will naturally be well fancied next time and the Racing Post topspeed figure (I don’t have more sophisticated figures) was 77, joint-highest thus far with Diablotine.
12th April – Windsor – Arboy Will (Ardad) – John Bridger
What a fantastic story this is! John Bridger’s first 2 year-old debutant winner in a 55 year-training career (I wasn’t aware he’d held the licence that long, if anybody with access to old volumes of Horses-In-Training could verify that would be much appreciated – I find these kind of things fascinating). Looks good for near 80-odd too if the interview afterwards was anything to go by. As for his horse, well he was quickly away at Windsor. Wouldn’t have him down as the likely sort to progress too much. Looked a handful at the finish though, which I absolutely love in a sprinter (until they become such a handful they start refusing to deal with stalls). Going forward, I’d like to take Zoltan Star going forward, for all Hannon’s debutants look pretty forward thus far (almost as if Hannon Snr had returned). Dig Two never really got involved, but kept on alright. I’ve scarcely seen a juvenile grey as light as Bill Turner’s Major Gatsby. Although the sire doesn’t scream sprinter, the dam was speedy so I’m not inclined to suggest he’s going to magically improve when tackling a mile or anything. Nevertheless, it was an ok effort. Nothing more though.
12th April – Redcar – Instinction (Brazen Beau) – Bryan Smart
Classic Redcar race where they are all across the track and you are trying to work out who was disadvantaged. Front 2 – Instinction & Russellinthebushes were both fairly central. Possibly you’d want to upgrade those drawn at either extreme (Brazen Akoya showed early speed). I find Redcar races pretty hard to evaluate to be honest. The winner’s done it nicely, coming off the pace. Not got too much to say.
Not feeling great today, so just a brief look at the 2-y-o scene. With SPs of 28/1 and 150/1 I think it’s safe to say yesterday’s winners were rather difficult to find.
Windsor 1.40
Arboy Will(Ardad) the complete outsider just about made all seeing off challengers as they arrived. Mike Cattermole suggested that the Windsor Castle at Ascot could be a target, bit early for that sort of comment, shirley. Koda Legend, who I mentioned as being of interest in yesterday’s post, never got near the leaders.
Redcar 1.50
A close finish with Instinction (Brazen Beau) just getting the better of Russellinthebushes(Bungle Inthejungle). Torshi, mentioned yesterday, proved very disappointing as did the Highland Reel and Profitable debutants.
Newmarket 1.35
Craven meeting starts today and the 2-y-o race has plenty of interest, a number of first season sires represented but the one that caught my eye on breeding is Antiphon, by Kodiac out of a decent Galileo mare, ideally would prefer a longer trip.
Newmarket Tuesday !.35
The race went to Forca Brasil, the first winner for FSS Cotai Glory and a professional and comfortable victory it was. I had mentioned this one in my preview of the Brocklesby, from which he was withdrawn on the vets advice. Antiphon who I did mention yesterday made a promising debut and looks certain to win a race probably over a longer trip. Another to keep an eye open for is Ebro River (Galileo Gold) who finished sixth. He got upset in the stalls and missed the break, then was hampered when running on at the finish. The well-supported 6/4 favourite Caturra (Mehmas) was a disappointing fourth.
A busy day today with three fairly large fields, they should probably be steered well clear of but we won’t do that will we.
Newmarket 1.15
12 fillies all un-raced. Beautiful Sunshine, by Ardad and trained by Boughey is an uneasy favourite at the moment 5/2 from 6/4. One I’d like to mention is Reel Of Fortune, the complete outsider at 125/1, she’s a daughter of FSS Highland Reel out of an Oratorio mare. Probably won’t be speedy enough for this but perhaps one for the future. There are five FSS represented here; Aclaim, Ardad, Cotai Glory, Ribchester and the aforementioned Highland Reel.
Beverley 1.40
The draw can be really influential over 5f. at Beverley, to the result and to the market. Tippy Toes, trained by Mark Johnston is strongly favoured in the market (13/8), by Havana Gold and out of a very good Oasis Dream mare, Mullein, who has already produced two black-type milers.
Only one of these has had a run, Noble Albert(Aclaim), made a decent debut at Kempton, a 6 length fourth despite a tendency to hang left throughout, the rather attractive 9/1 is probably down to his poor outside draw. The other one I need to mention is Gofreeze, he is by Goken a second season sire who did exceptionally well with his 2-y-os in France last year and the dam, DamdamFreeze has already produced two black-type animals one at 7f.and the other at a mile. A decent draw and the 9/1 looks tempting. Wealth warning, I never get Johnston’s horses right, if I go against them they inevitably win.Beverley 2.15
The 7/5 favourite, Vintage Clarets, seems to have a lot going for him here. A previous run (4th. in the Brocklesby), well drawn (2) and has the right sort of pedigree. His sire, Ardad, has already had two winners and his dam has produced two black-types, both over 7f. Latin Lover is an alternative if you don’t fancy the short price. He is by Starspangledbanner out of a Shamardal mare, drawn in five and available at 18/1. A bit worrying that he is blinkered for his first run.
Wednesday April 14th.
Newmarket 1.15
On first viewing this race looked a bit of a mess but closer inspection suggests the winner may be useful. Desert Dreamer, a rare first-time 2-y-o winner for Stuart Williams, is by Oasis Dream out of a Montjeu mare, she missed the break slightly and raced freely. Finding a nice turn of foot two out to get into contention she seemed to quicken again close home. The least said about the Highland Reel filly, Reel Of Fortune, the better.
Beverley 1.40
Mark Johnston’s Tippy Toes was smartly away and showed plenty of speed, Noble Albert, the one with previous experience, tried to match strides but ‘cried enough’ 2 out and it was Boonie (Brazen Beau) who challenged 2 out , led 1 out and ran on well to win quite nicely. Gofreeze, the well-supported 11/4f., was slowly away, didn’t have the clearest of runs but was nevertheless disappointing.
Beverley 2.15
Vintage Clarets (15/8f.) overcame an untidy start (he reared as the stalls opened) to race along the favoured rail, looked one-paced at one point but ran on really well to go clear final half-furlong. Latin Lover (Starspangledbanner) did OK, outpaced but running on late to take fifth.The eye-catcher, for me, was the un-fancied 20/1 shot, Aleezdancer (Fast Company), slowly away and running green was at the back with 2 to run made rapid headway to finish fourth, another 100 yards and he could well have been second.
Just one race today -Ripon 2.15
Highland Premier, a Highland Reel colt, trained by Mark Johnston is the early favourite for this at 5/2. Early evidence suggests Highland Reel offspring may need time and experience – sure to win now. Second favourite is the Kodiac filly, Mytilda, who has the benefit of a run when a 3.5 length fifth at Newcastle. Rectifiable, a Kodiac filly out of a Gallieo mare, appeals on pedigree but her trainer Paul Midgley doesn’t have a great record with first time 2-y-os.
Thursday Ripon 2.15
There was very little market support for the early morning favourite, Highland Premiere, as he drifted from 5/2 to an SP of 9/2. What support there was, was for Mytilda who had the benefit of a previous, rather moderate, run at Newcastle. It looked as if favourite backers were about to collect as Mytilda dominated the race but she was unable to repel the strong challenge of the Twilight Son colt, Khunan, also the beneficiary of a previous run and the eventual second favourite.
Rectifiable, the Kodiac filly that I mentioned yesterday, ran so poorly that I thought she had gone wrong, always struggling she drooped out very quickly from 2 out and finished tailed-off.
Today we have two races.
Newbury 1.10
This looks competitive. Highclere, who sponsor the race, are trying to win back their own money with Tyson. She is the 5/2 favourite, by Starspangledbanner and a half-sister to a 7f. black-type horse. The second favourite, Poderoso, is a colt by Kodiac and a half-brother to two black-types, both 6f. horses. First season sires are well represented; Gisburn (a stable companion to the favourite) is a Ribchester colt out of a Dansili mare who was a Listed winner over 6f. herself, Object (Aclaim) a half-brother to 6 and 7f. black-types and finally Sir Randolph, Churchill’s first runner, out of a Nayef mare he probably will need a longer trip than this.
Bath 5.10
Favourite at the moment is Blue Collar Lad (3/1) already a course and distance winner. He only won a short-head and has a penalty, somewhat off-set by his 5lb. claimer. He is by FSS Ardad who has another runner with Vaunted. Other FSS runners are Papas Queen (Galileo Gold) and Hollow Steel (Cotai Glory), the latter has had a run a 5 length 5th. to Thunder Love at Kempton.
Fingers crossed for Vaunted at Bath this evening, first runner for Keep Kicking Racing. Ardad’s two-year-olds seem to be doing the business so far, this filly is the oldest of the newcomers with nothing particularly scary from the previous form of those that have run.
I searched the dam Vallila’s record in Spain (not on the RP database) and she won two and placed in her other three runs, including winning the Spanish 1,000 Guineas, though I fancy her 2yo Wolverhampton win might have been worth more!
Well that as a nice performance, how do I break it to Jane that things don’t always go that smoothly?
Friday
Newbury 1.10
A good performance by the Dark Angel colt, Berkshire Shadow, to win this. Gave the field start, in rear until making ground over 1 out and running on strongly at the line. Gisburn was, perhaps, the eye-catcher running on well for fourth beaten 1.5 lengths.
Bath 5.10
Another winner for first season sire(FSS) Ardad, that’s his fourth. Vaunted was a straightforward winner, racing nicely just off the pace, led 1 out and kept on to win by 1.75 lengths. The well-backed favourite made a right mess of his debut, fluffed the start, at the rear, had to be brought wide then hanging well right when hitting the front, he did keep on well for fourth.
A busy day with 5 2-y-o races, notes will be briefer than they have been.
Thirsk 11.15 (can’t think why kick-off is so early!)
There are 3 FSS runners; Mondaliste has his first runner Greta Bridge (20/1), Aclaim has Claim To Fame (10/3) and Profitable provides the 2/1 fav. Liv Lucky who was 4th. of 7 at Newcastle on debut.
Curragh 1.30 (a much more sensible start time)
The first 6f. race of the season. FSS Caravaggio has two runners; Geodesic (40/1) and Shinkansen (14/1) both trained by Donnacha O’Brien. I thought Shinkansen made a promising debut but he did finish 5 lengths behind the second that day, Castle Star (Starspangledbanner), who is the 2/1 favourite here. The much better ground today could have a bearing.
Curragh 2.00
Only 6 runners but it could be quite informative as two previous winners are contesting favouritism. Cadamosto (No Nay Never) quite impressive at Dundalk last week is Evens and Missing Matron (Vocalised) who won the opening 2-y-o race of the season over this course is 5/4. Both will be encountering a change of underfoot conditions.
Brighton 4.55
I don’t like 2-y-o races at Brighton, especially if firm appears in the going description……..and to make matters worse there are 12 runners.
Two FSS entries here but it must be doubtful that Hollow Steel (Cotai Glory) a runner at Bath yesterday will take her chance. Hildaandtony (Galileo Gold) doesn’t seem to be fancied at 22/1. Muskateer Three is the 7/4 favourite following a narrow defeat at Bath last time. His conqueror that day, Blue Collar Lad, didn’t frank the form when third at Bath yesterday.
Nottingham 4.40
Bit of a quandary here?! Is Peace Envoy a FSS? There is no record of any of his progeny in their database yet he’s not tagged as a FSS.”Any way up” he has Devon Envoy here and at 28/1 is the ‘rag’. Cotai Glory has Adeb (7/1) and Aclaim has Groom (7/2) and they are definitely FSS. The strong 4/6 fav. is Meng Tan (Territories) following a head defeat at Kempton on debut.
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