[Ghost of Rob V]

Honestly, I’m looking forward to this race more than anything else I’ve seen on the flat this year. It really does have, possibly, the greatest Dewhurst line up ever assembled. It’ll be a helluva spectacle.

Frankel is the one I’m going for. Absolutely oozes class and travels like a nuclear missile. Of course, Dream Ahead is the giant warrior with a sledgehammer finish to worry about but I feel that Frankel will spearhead (maybe three furlongs out) and show em what acceleration is all about.

Roll on next Saturday!

[Ghost of Rob V]

Personally I think that Dream Ahead has a round, soft ground action and can only beat Frankel in those conditions.
On decent ground I can see only one winner. Having said that, aren’t these a damn good bunch of two year olds this year ?

You never know, perhaps Dream Ahead could surprise us all and go on firm too …
What impressed me about Dream Ahead was the way he quickly put 8 lengths between himself and Strong Suit after going into the last furlong already a length up. Not many flat horses can do that over 6 furlongs and Dream Ahead is a real threat to Frankel.

Watching 2YOs progress through the season and seeing the best ones clash is one of my favourite things about the Flat. I keep calling this year’s Dewhurst ‘

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

‘ regarding Frankel, Dream Ahead and Saamidd.

[Ghost of Rob V]

I feel the ground could be the deciding factor should Frankel and Dream Ahead cross swords.

Frankel ticks the most boxes for me though and I think he’ll prevail.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Fourthed

Edited to add … Canford Cliffs is one who I’d definitely love to see kept in training!

[Ghost of Rob V]

unless Strong Suit does something spectacular tomorrow.

I believe Dream Ahead will slaughter Strong Suit

[Ghost of Rob V]

And to all you folks who think that Frankel might not improve as a 3YO … what if the other horses don’t improve and Frankel does?

[Ghost of Rob V]

I thought Frankel was exceptional and I already rate him as one of the best 2YOs I’ve ever seen.

OK, the opposition he beat weren’t great … but they’re still no slouches by any means. Klammer has finished behind King Torus and Strong Suit in previous races and Pleasure Beach got beat by Pirateer who has since won again.

I’m excited about Frankel more than I was about Canford Cliffs and Celtic Swing and I expect him to improve at three.

[Ghost of Rob V]

And now imagine Thommo commentating like that.

[Ghost of Rob V]

One ride I’ll never forget was Ridley Lamb’s on a horse called Run Over. Rounding the home turn, the horse was completely tailed off with about two flights to go. He then appeared out of nowhere to jump the last in the lead and ran away from the opposition like a horse possessed. How on earth Ridley conjured up such an amazing ride from a horse who looked ready to be pulled up, I’ll never know!

[Ghost of Rob V]

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080414075454/marvelmovies/images/thumb/9/99/Peter_Parker.jpg/284px-Peter_Parker.jpg

Aidan O’ Brien

http://images.sportinglife.com/10/07/330/Aidan-O-Brien-July-2010_2479045.jpg

Peter Parker

[Ghost of Rob V]

The 2,000 Guineas winner of 1971 would have laughed his head off at all subsequent winners of the race and would probably have smirked (albiet respectfully ) at El Gran Senor and Dancing Brave as he passed by them too.

Back in 1986, I once read about comparisons being made with Brigadier Gerard and Dancing Brave. It was mentioned that it took BG three strides to hit top gear and DB 45 yards. If you work out how many strides a horse can fit into 45 yards, then there wouldn’t be much between those two titans. I pretty much suspect that Dancing Brave would’ve given Brigadier Gerard a helluva scare if such a clash ever happened

[Ghost of Rob V]

Sure Blade

, the 5th horse in Dancing Brave’s 2000 Guineas, won the St James Palace Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in the same year.

[Ghost of Rob V]

GT – haven’t a lot of the ‘true greats’ been beaten at one time or another by a horse of lesser ability. So, I’d contend, it’s perfectly possible for true greats to be beaten by horses who are their inferiors without detracting from their ‘truly great’ status in any way.

Dancing Brave by Shahrastani
Nijinsky by Lorenzaccio
Mill Reef by My Swallow
The Brigadier by Roberto
Sea The Stars by Driving Snow

And not forgetting –

Sea Bird II by Grey Dawn

[Ghost of Rob V]

Every racing fan will know that Harbinger always had the kryptonite in his hooves to become a champion one day and eventually proved that when won the King George. His injury really is a massive blow to racing but I do agree that he should go to stud.

I put Harbinger’s King George victory in the top 5 of my all-time favourite races on the Flat. It was a superlative performance and the best KG win I’ve ever seen without a shadow of a doubt.

[Ghost of Rob V]

http://images.sportinglife.com/08/10/330/Derek-Thompson_1332479.jpg

Calibos from Clash Of The Titans

http://www.goozlepipe.com/wp-content/2008/03/clash_titans.jpg

Thommo

[Ghost of Rob V]

I fancied Zaidan to win the Coventry Stakes before he was taken out of it.

Zaidan is the best 2YO I’ve seen this season.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Is Canford Cliffs better than Sea The Stars? I actually think it’s a very close call. CC has already achieved more at a mile than what STS did.

Have to admit, Canford Cliffs excites me more than Sea The Stars. There’s something about CC’s style of running that reminds me of Dancing Brave … waiting for that tremendous turn of foot to ignite as the 2 furlong marker appears. And the fact that Richard Hughes can afford to give 4 or 5 lengths away in CC’s races (last two) just shows what kind of a beast he’s sitting on.

Goldikova

will

lose her crown to Canford Cliffs

[Author]

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