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Unfortunately not Chaos! Next time though…
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Just watched the reply and there was a lot to like about both horses – Elwazir still looked as green as grass when he hit the front but seems to have done well from 2 to 3.
Marechal Ney will be a hell of a lot wiser for the run and considering how far back he was after falling out of the stalls and being out the back the whole way in a slowly run race, it was a run full of promise.
Anybody know if Monarchs Glen has got a problem ? No current entries and no show since a poor run in Dubai end of March.
Thought he was a nailed on Group 1 horse for this year.
Devonian – I’ve read some positive gallops reports about him recently so hopefully we’ll see him soon. Perhaps even one of the listed races at Royal Ascot…
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Crazy to realise that today marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of the great horse’s legendary trainer – wonder what Sir Henry would have made of the ongoing success he has made as a stallion.
I can’t believe it’s been 5 years. There’s been some lovely memories and tributes on twitter today. As usual Jess Samy has some really good stuff. There is also Alistair Down’s tribute on the RP website which I just re-read through tears. He was a great, great man. A reminder to me of childhood and of glory days and he is very sorely missed.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Joni – Even more so on the eve of one of his happiest hunting ground at Royal Ascot.
With you mentioning Alastair Down’s piece, have you read his book Cheltenham et Al: The Best of Alastair Down? Along with that same Racing Post piece there are also the pieces he wrote on Frankel’s victories in the Juddmonte & Champion Stakes that are just as moving.
LD73
I think Henry would have tilted his head to one side and said:
“He is doing it quite nicely. What do you think.”
As others have said it is hard to believe it is 5 years ago that we lost the legend. Much missed.
A Frankel gelding, Fashion Business (an ex-UK runner) finished fifth in the thirteen-runner Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes over ten furlongs on the Turf track at Belmont on Saturday. No real Frankel interest apart from the £30,000 overseas prize money. But the race was a true oddity in that the distances between the finishers was: Neck, Neck, Neck, Neck, Head, Neck, Neck, Neck, ¾ length, ¾ length, ¾ length, ¾ length. Distances more in line with the five furlong Epsom Dash handicap than a ten furlong Grade 1.
Sorry about the tenuous link to Frankel, but it was not worth a thread of its own.I saw the race MV – you could have thrown a blanket over them. FB ran very well for a 50-1 outsider. Thanks for the tip on Alistair Down’s book – LD!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Just an update on Monarchs Glen, he is entered for the Listed Wolferton Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot with Dettori booked to ride.
CUNCO has been retired to stud after he has not taken to racing on dirt in America, he is going to somewhere in South America to stand.
He was Frankels first ever runner and winner.
All comers, all ground, all beaten
When I started this thread over 4 years ago it was with weeks like this in mind. I will be at Royal Ascot Tuesday and Wednesday to hopefully witness some famous Frankel victories. Looking at the entries there could be as many as 18 Frankel’s running this week! I thought it might be fun to run through each of them with some of my thoughts as to how they might go.
Tuesday –
Without Parole – St James Palace Stakes – Probably the hype horse of the week and clearly very well thought of by connections. They wanted to run him in the Guineas but a bruised foot put paid to that but he had certainly showed plenty of promise in his maiden and novice races prior to the injury. His reappearance in the Heron Stakes was a little underwhelming but the ground had got quite soft for this son of Frankel whose relations all ran on dirt in the US. I think this is one of the few…possibly even the only…Frankel offspring that I have seen who has a turn of foot. Most of them are just strong gallopers. He could be special but he is a lousy price for one with plenty to prove running against several who have already proven their ability. I am hopeful but only cautiously so.
Mirage Dancer – Wolferton Have backed him on my thread at 10-1. I was convinced he would be running in the Hardwicke as I think he has the making of a Group 2 or even Group 1 horse eventually. But SMS had Crystal Ocean for that so I think that is why they are running in this race instead. Like most of the Frankel’s he needs a strong gallop so I hope James MacDonald has his wits about him because he will need to be sitting handy over this shorter trip. He has the class to go very close and I think he could win.
Monarch’s Glen – Wolferton Probably has the class to win this but how can you forgive him that last run. It wasn’t so much the run itself but the state he got himself into beforehand. Royal Ascot can bring out the worst in even the most well-behaved horse so I worry that he will boil over again. IF his master trainer has got him back to the form he showed at the backend of last year then he will go close but it is a big “if” and he won’t be carrying my money.Wednesday
Nelson – Queens Vase I’ve back him at 13-2 because I think he has been crying out for this trip. He has a lot of class this horse and ran Roaring Lion to a head in last years Royal Lodge. He was disappointing last time on quicker ground over 10f but I am hopeful that it was more the trip than the ground. Don’t be put off by jockey bookings as Donnocha always rides him. He’ll be fresher than Kew Gardens and he will take some beating I think.
Cracksman – Prince Of Wales – A bit to prove after scraping home last time and we have all heard the excuses (there were plenty of them!) He is not a bankable price for me but I am confident that he will be back to his best and win well. My only concern would be the much quicker ground over the shorter trip but with Eminent and Hawkbill in the field they should go a decent clip. I hope that he shows us how good he is once more.
Eminent – Prince Of Wales Has become a bit of an enigma hasn’t he? Very capable on his day as we saw in France but throws in too many poor runs to have much confidence in him. If he was even half as good as his trainer maintains then he would be a Group 1 winner but it is hard to forgive that Chester run. If that was just a one-off then he has a live each way chance but it will be a watching race for me.Thursday
Wadilsifa – Hampton Court Hard to know what to make of the form of his win last time as Herculean didn’t seem to handle Newmarket but he certainly looks a nice horse who could go well. Will probably appreciate the step up in trip as well.
Silver Quartz – Hampton Court – ran in the Heron Stakes behind Without Parole and didn’t get beat too far. Looked good at Windsor before then and could run a nice race at a big price. It looks a very competitive race though…
Sun Maiden – Ribblesdale Super impressive in her maiden but it was JUST a maiden. How she is joint favourite with Wild Illusion is beyond me. She is in the “could be anything” category and I obviously hope she is a superstar but I won’t be backing her at that price.
First Eleven – King George V He could be seriously well handicapped. Had become frustrating to follow but absolutely ROMPED home when stepped up in trip last time starting to look like he merited his illustrious pedigree (half brother to Kingman). Could just be far too good for his rivals.
Bagdad – King George V Another who looks well handicapped as he and his stablemate pulled miles clear of the rest last time out. I have a special affection for this horse as Bagdad is what my kids call their Grandad! (when they were little they couldn’t pronounce Grandad. We felt Bagdad was appropriate for my father and the name has stuck!) The problem with this race is there are probably 10 well handicapped horses that have all been laid out for this race. We shall see.Friday
Rostropovic – King Edward VII Could run a big race if allowed to run. Wasn’t quite good enough for the French Derby but showed very useful form last year and at Chester.
Gidu – Commonwealth Cup Fascinating contender from America. He is a massive, grey horse who has won some nice races in the States. Is normally ridden very aggressively and will be suited by the stiff six furlongs. Is a very big price and might find the straight track a bit strange but I am assuming they haven’t sent him over just for fun so definitely one to watch.
Veracious – Coronation Stakes Wouldn’t it be amazing if she could win this first time out! The vibes had been good for her going into the Guineas but then she had a setback. I can’t believe that she will be ready to win this Group 1 but I will watch with a lot of interest and hope she shows us that she belongs in that class.
Qazyna – Sandringham I really liked the look of her when she won her maiden and she didn’t seem to stay behind Lah Ti Dah in the Pretty Polly. That probably wasn’t bad form anyway and I think she could win this.
Betty F – Sandringham Highly regarded by her trainer and ran in the Cheveley Park last year. But she was disappointing on her seasonal reappearance and seems high enough in the weights for what she has achieved.
Ganayem – Sandringham Looks well weighted as I think she will be better on the likely quicker ground. Has done well to win her last two and could go close.
Extra Mile – Duke Of Edinburgh – unlikely to make the cut and would have her work cut out if she did. She is a bit quirky this one but has won three out of her last four.Saturday
Count Octave – Queen Alexandra Has been frustrating to follow this year but has been tried at a high level. This is probably more like his class and, if he stays, he will surely go close.So there you have it. So many to look forward to. If I had to pick a banker it would probably be First Eleven at the prices but I am obviously hopeful that we will get at least one Group 1 as well. I’m salivating at the thought of it all!!!!!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
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