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Interesting to see these two dropping back to 9 furlongs tomorrow to lock horns at Goodwood.
I think that it was Maxillon 5 in a previous thread who said that this was a typical Cecil confidence booster, and I agree with him that this is exactly what Mr Cecil is trying.
I must admit that I am surprised to see them both over 9 furlongs though, but what is the betting that Cecil has got it spot on and Godolphin ( no doubt having paid a fortune for Holberg) are merely clutching at straws.
How Sheikh Mohammed must wish that he could roll back the years, unravel the Godolphin operation, and have put all that investment into horses with Mr Cecil and Mr Stoute
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The Goodwood race is over nearer a mile and a quarter than nine furlongs, in actual fact.
As for Godolphin’s success (or lack thereof), I agree that results wouldn’t been better had Sheikh Mohammed left his horses with Cecil and Stoute; however it’s all mere conjecture.
It’s a strange one dropping Holberg in trip, (not so much with Bullet Train) considering his run over 12f at Kempton where he was doing his best work at the end.
By the way, I doubt Godolphin paid anything for Holberg let alone a fortune, as he is a Darley home bred and was previously registered in the ownership of one of Sheikh Mohammed’s offspring.
Holburg is a stayer who’s had training problems, don’t write him off until getting the chance at 2 miles again.
Found this race impossible to work out.
Three of the five probably better over further, Heliodor, Holburg and Bullet Train. One (possibly two) probably better on softer, Hot Prospect and (possibly) Bullet Train. The other out of form, Pink Symphony.
Impossible to make a book.Value Is EverythingHolberg will be coming to Melbourne if he runs well here – and up to two miles will be perfect for him.
There is not a "winner in the race".
The favourite comes from a poor Winter Hill stakes and was undone by a handicapper, Holburg has had a mid season break, the trip is all wrong and the target is surely something else. Bullet train has been going well at the distance and is failing to see out 12 maybee Danehill has a bit of a speed influence on Saddlers Wells. Heliodor looks totally outclassed on the surface although the course will bring some improvement. Pink Symphony goes best fresh.The only horse at the races is Bullet Train.
13/8 Hot Prospect
2/1 Holberg
9/2 Bullet Train
14/1 Helidor
25/1 Pink SymphonyThat was my book, firmly sat on the fence with my cash though.
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Although it pains me to say it, Richard Hills rode Dettori to sleep at Kempton and I would suggest that today’s race affords Holberg an ideal opportunity to attempt to make all, just as he did when so impressive on his reappearance.
He handles the course, shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the trip if setting the pace and ran well enough in a red-hot Group 2 at Newmarket in July (the winner has won a Group 3 and Group 1 since, the runner-up has won a Group 3 and Grade 1 since, and the third has been placed in a Grade 1 since).
Hot Prospect was beaten by a lesser animal last time and would also prefer softer ground; Heliodor and Pink Symphony are completely out of their depth; and Bullet Train won a dire Derby Trial and has failed to run particularly well in any of his subsequent three outings.
Holberg looks banker material to me.
Bullet Train was dire today, the first beaten. Just how bad are the middle distance three year olds this year?
However, I’m not convinced the Cecil horses are on fire at the moment and I’m kicking myself a bit here for getting involved. The exaggerated drift in the last three minutes of betting enabled me to halve my stake though, so heaven can be thanked for its small mercies.
Sand specialist Chris Catlin was, er, "enthusiastic", shall we say, on Cole’s Pink Symphony today so I won’t be backing her to confirm this form next time out. Maybe it was job done and that’s the last we’ll see of her.
Couldn’t have had Holberg over that trip, but well done AJ.
"They" absoloutley mullered the price on Holberg the last 5 minutes. Frankie trying for his life. Very brave performance from the front I thought.
Liked the look of the Johnston newcomer as well.
I’m not really his greatest fan but I thought that it was a top notch ride from Dettori, and Holberg was very brave too.
I am a big follower of Mr Cecil but won’t be touching Bullet Train again. I was not too impressed with his head carriage and the fact that he kept hanging in behind other horses – a worrying sign in my view.
I agree that this seasons middle distance 3 year olds appear to be decidedly modest (unless Workforce proves his King George running to be all wrong)Agreed on the Braveheart winner. The Johnston-Fallon combo is becoming lethal. Did you see the size of Namibian in the first? Huge beast. Triumph Hurdle 2012? You heard it here first…
Nice to see Tregoning have a winner at his favourite track – a good one too. Well in command without being subjected to any pressure whatsoever.
Coggy, love to see WF hack up in the Arc. But that Derby form would worry you, wouldn’t it?
I’d say both Workforce and Cape Blanco are above average Group 1 quality. Possibly Rewilding too on Voltigeur form.
Value Is EverythingHolburg did not have to be anywhere near his best to win today. Gutsy though it was (unlike the runner-up). Hot Prospect is better on softer (like half bro Regal Parade), Bullet Train runs as if something is hurting. Heliodor out of form. Pink Symphony ran to form, but should not be good enough in this grade anyway. Exciting race, but disappointing quality-wise.
Holburg could yet step up though when upped in trip.Value Is Everything
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