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Completely agree that last years renewal was a quality affair. It looks as if this year will be equally competitive, which is a shame for me as I had marked Ittirad down as a horse to follow after his York effort; hopefully the price will compensate. Whoever wins this on saturday will need to have plenty in hand over the handicapper,looks as if lots of unexposed horses will be running.
Richard Hoiles for me. A very accurate commentator and often gets a few witty lines in aswell. The fact that such a fuss was made when he momentarily called the wrong horse in the Victoria Cup speaks volumes about his usual level of accuracy. Also his attempts to apologise on course and online was a nice touch and way beyond what was necessary. Seems like a good bloke.
I would be very surprised if Jan Vermeer was targetted at this. Looked a non stayer to me last year. Has huge potential over ten furlongs though.
The National Stakes at Sandown on thursday looks like an interesting race as Bannock and Magic city clash again.
I know a lot of people felt that Magic City was given too much to do last time by Hughes, but Bannock seemed to win fairly cosily so it will be interesting to see how they get on this time.
It should by no means be regarded as purely a two horse race as there are other unexposed horses lining up and Magic City has already proven that he is by no means invincible. It looks a very tricky contest and I am open minded as to whether Magic City can reverse the form, however, I would imagine he will go off a short enough price again.
I think Sole Power is undoubtedly a top class horse when given his optimum conditions. I do not think that it is a coincidence that his two best performances have come from off a strong pace over an easy five furlongs. I would have reservations as to whether the slightly stiffer track at Ascot will play to his advantage, but he will certainly have a strong chance of winning the Nunthorpe again.
I think that Fame and Glory is being targetted at the Ascot Gold Cup, and that St Nicholas Abbey is likely to represent Ballydoyle in the Coronation Cup.
I would be keen to take on Blue Bunting at 2-1 as I feel you would have a lot of progressive unexposed fillies running for you. Wonder of Wonders and Beatrice Aurore look particularly exciting.
I think Midday will provide very stiff opposition for St Nicholas Abbey if she turns up. Her performance at York impressed me immensely as I felt Frankie Dettori was gifted an easy lead and Midday still managed to win despite also conceeding five pounds.
Midday has improved with age and appears to have a lovely temperament, she also has experience at the course which will surely stand her in good stead. The value of her form against fillies is of course open to question but she has proven to be consistant and reliable which are big positives for any racehorse.
I would give indian trail a decent chance in this. Although he is eleven years old now I thought he ran quite eyecatchingly at Haydock last weekend. I think he is at his best coming from off a rattling quick gallop over five furlongs, so I felt his effort racing relatively handily over six furlongs was noteworthy.
He has won this race before and has gained numerous placed efforts over the course and distance so the conditions of the race favour him. Obviously you would expect there to be something more unexposed in the field, however, Indian Trail has held his form well and should run up to his handicap mark. I would not be at all surprised to see him running on through horses as the fierce early pace takes its toll on the leaders.
The performance of Sole Power has probably been underestimated because of all the attention directed towards Overdose. He seems to be a top draw sprinter when given his ideal conditions of a strong pace over an easy five furlongs. He will probably get these conditions in the Nunthorpe again and may be underestimated in the market if he doesnt perhaps run so well over the stiffer track at Ascot.
