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Cetainly a big boost for Zarkava.
Assuming, of course, that Zarkava has made the same progression (around a stone, imo) as Goldikova since their two encounters?
Personally I would never back a horse just because their price is bigger.
Darjina is a very good mare. No doubting that. She has got a case of severe seconditis though. I would only back her to place.
New Approach won the Dewhurst, the Phoenix and the National Stakes as a 2yo so is clearly quick so to label him a 12f horse is unfair. To subsequently decry his form further, by using his Derby win to suggest he is poor, I would say is also a little unfair. Today’s was a poor race though and I don’t think New Approach is a great horse. He is definitely a very good G1 horse though. Very much like Darjina.
I still think Henry is the best miler in Europe; him or Tamayuz. I hope they line up in the QEII.
Very true about Darjina. She hasn’t won now in twelve months.
She is a very good filly, but when you compare their respective seasonal records prior to today, she had finished second on every occassion, Henry had won on every occassion. Both competing in Group 1 company everytime.
Perhaps brendanr has a point. He defeated a horse who clearly operates better over further to win both Guineas, but you’re also right to point out that New Approach is no slouch. His 2YO and Classic form prove this.
Although I think Saoirse Abu won the Phoenix Stakes.
Tamayuz is potentially a superstar. He, along with Paco Boy, have shown that perhaps a few good horses didn’t run to form in the French Guineas. They have both won since, whilst the winner that day, Falco, has disappointed on both occassions since landing the prize.
Tamayuz was also very badly drawn that day.
Official ground is often a talking point on this forum, so I’ll just say that Henry has only tasted defeat on ‘slow’ ground (as opposed to cut, soft, heavy etc!!). He’s beaten Group winners. He’s beaten Classic winners.
If quick ground graces Ascot for the QEII, then he’ll be very, very difficult to beat.
Henry is typical Coolmore – he never loses fair and square. There are always excuses, from connections and supporters alike.
For me this was the best mile race of the season, and the fact Zarkava’s bridesmaid won cosily tells its own story. If Henry had missed the race and Ravens Pass had won i can imagine the headlines.
Select the winner but 2nd-4th were nowhere.
I’ll review later. I expect the Moulin trend to continue: backmarkers are disadvantaged!
Natagora – tired.
The track appeared to be good with some give, but any rating with soft probably was incorrect.
Sageburg ran a personal best IMO and so did Paco Boy, however we won’t know exactly what the end result would be for him. Hughes may have worried that causing any interference would get the French authorities breathing hot fire down his neck.
Pace seemed genuine for Henry – too much and it would have run the sprint out of him in the opening half mile. He was too far back and that’s that.
Darjina’s will to win is waning. If the connections knew any better, she won this race by dominating the front and not giving Ramonti an inch. Three front-runners jostling for position and pace probably weren’t to her liking.
Bring on the Foret for Paco Boy.
Surprised AOB let HTN run on this ground and no real surprise to see him beaten. Lets hope it is not soft for the QE2 and we can see him up against Tamayuz and Goldikova, who is obviously an improving filly, to decide who is the European champion miler.
="thebrigadier"Surprised AOB let HTN run on this ground and no real surprise to see him beaten.
Ditto. Hence the reason I decided not to back the horse. I think it was a case of, we’re here now, so we may as well run.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Surprised AOB let HTN run on this ground and no real surprise to see him beaten. Lets hope it is not soft for the QE2 and we can see him up against Tamayuz and Goldikova, who is obviously an improving filly, to decide who is the European champion miler.
Dont think Goldikova will be going to Ascot mate. Freddie Head has always said Tamayuz will be his horse for the QE2.
All in all Tamayuz, HTN, Ravens Pass and Paco Boy (who RHJnr said will go to the QE2 next in the RP) all battling out for the Ascot showpiece is pretty mouthwatering!
="thebrigadier"Surprised AOB let HTN run on this ground and no real surprise to see him beaten.
Ditto. Hence the reason I decided not to back the horse. I think it was a case of, we’re here now, so we may as well run.
This is the Coolmore operation we’re talking about, not a 2nd or 3rd tier Newmarket stable or similar. I don’t agree on that one bit.
This is the Coolmore operation we’re talking about, not a 2nd or 3rd tier Newmarket stable or similar. I don’t agree on that one bit.
In that case, don’t you find it slightly odd that such a well oiled, professional set-up, would choose to run their top miler in ground that clearly hindered his and their chances of winning?
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Dont think Goldikova will be going to Ascot mate. Freddie Head has always said Tamayuz will be his horse for the QE2.
All in all Tamayuz, HTN, Ravens Pass and Paco Boy (who RHJnr said will go to the QE2 next in the RP) all battling out for the Ascot showpiece is pretty mouthwatering!
Pity if she doesn’t and perhaps he rates her inferior to Tamayuz and the Sun Chariot will be easier if she goes there. I hope the owner will want to run her in the QE2 which I agree it is a mouth watering clash.
This is the Coolmore operation we’re talking about, not a 2nd or 3rd tier Newmarket stable or similar. I don’t agree on that one bit.
In that case, don’t you find it slightly odd that such a well oiled, professional set-up, would choose to run their top miler in ground that clearly hindered his and their chances of winning?
No – and that’s only due to my observation that the ground was moist, but not at any disadvantage to Henrythenavigator. The front-runners held their mark from barrier to box and yet the time was 0.7 seconds faster than standard!
It was a poorly positioned ride by Murtagh, considering the trend of previous Prix du Moulin instalments, where backmarkers find much difficulty winning off the pace. He may have been better positioned if not for the draw.
Today he was asked too much from a long way out, Fallon stopped riding him when beaten against New Approach about a furlong out once the race was over, and he was beaten only a length by Saoirise Abu.
What’s the worry about Henry in the wet? Punters are getting stubborn here.
In that case, don’t you find it slightly odd that such a well oiled, professional set-up, would choose to run their top miler in ground that clearly hindered his and their chances of winning?
They did so at two. Twice. Even after evidence that he couldnt handle heavy going. Its a very odd though
But Mdeerings point may be right about the ground although i cannot blame the jockey here. The horse was simply never going well enough to be ideally positioned and the draw alone couldnt surely account for how far out the picture he drifted. Although Murtagh has blamed the ground i still wonder if this lovely animal is simply past his best for this season
This is the Coolmore operation we’re talking about, not a 2nd or 3rd tier Newmarket stable or similar. I don’t agree on that one bit.
In that case, don’t you find it slightly odd that such a well oiled, professional set-up, would choose to run their top miler in ground that clearly hindered his and their chances of winning?
No – and that’s only due to my observation that the ground was moist, but not at any disadvantage to Henrythenavigator. The front-runners held their mark from barrier to box and yet the time was 0.7 seconds faster than standard!
It was a poorly positioned ride by Murtagh, considering the trend of previous Prix du Moulin instalments, where backmarkers find much difficulty winning off the pace. He may have been better positioned if not for the draw.
Today he was asked too much from a long way out, Fallon stopped riding him when beaten against New Approach about a furlong out once the race was over, and he was beaten only a length by Saoirise Abu.
What’s the worry about Henry in the wet? Punters are getting stubborn here.
Myles, the worry is he keeps getting beat!!!! Although Betfair makes that a playable option.
Ockham’s Razor.
No doubting Henrythenavigator cannot reach his full potential in a race on good-to-soft or worse, but is it so detrimental that he becomes a hopeless entity, I disagree entirely.
That he was able to cope and win the 2,000 Guineas on ground softer than firm indicates some versatility. I wouldn’t put Henry on a bottomless track and expect him to win, but with the example of the Prix du Moulin in mind where the track appeared not too soft, the wet is not the be-all-and-end-all.
He would beat G3 animals on that surface but he is G1 horse and on that ground he’s going to get beaten…
The form book is literally screaming that at you.. Save him for america now unless september is warm and dry then I would imagine we would get the clash between Henry and Tamayuz..
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