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There were plenty of surprises throughout the Newmarket card yesterday, not to mention a few reputations that require a dose of TLC!
The Palace House Stakes suggested the ground was consistent. I did notice a few efforts flattening out on the near side between the cutaway and the furlong marker, only for them to run on again once meeting the rising ground. I wouldn’t attribute this to the undulations, rather there were patches of dead ground.
Tom Queally (Zhui Feng) made it quite clear that he preferred to be near the centre of the track when the field initially split, and it was from this isolated group that both Galileo Gold and Ribchester emerged to finish first and third, respectively. They gravitated towards the near side as the race progressed where they joined fellow frame fillers, Massaat and Air Vice Marshal.
It’s difficult to question Galileo Gold. He was a progressive juvenile who finished his campaign at the top table in the Jean-Luc Lagardere. Interesting to note that Galileo Gold, First Selection and Herald The Dawn emulated their efforts in that race to finish in the same sequence yesterday. With regards the Derby, there is every chance that he will stay ten furlongs but I think twelve furlongs will prove beyond him on both breeding and my visual impression. His full sister, Choucmicha, is also in-training with Hugo Palmer.
I haven’t seen Massaat in the flesh, but he looks a big boy who can only get better. The disparity in size between himself and Galileo Gold was quite evident when they crossed he line. He is certainly open to improvement on both a physical and experience scale – more so than the rest of the field – and it wouldn’t surprise me if he finished the year as the best of these. Unlike the first, third and fifth, he was racing near the stands side rail throughout the contest.
Ribchester looked as though improvement was necessary after his DQ second in the Prix Djebel. He won an average renewal of the Mill Reef last season, but he was sent off favourite as a maiden after two placed efforts in as many outings. He still looks a big baby to me – physically and mentally, and is another who can only get better. It wouldn’t surprise me if connections dropped back to seven furlongs and he looks an ideal type for the Jersey Stakes.
Air Vice Marshal ran admirably to finish fourth. Sadly, I don’t think connections have ever held him in the highest regard and Mike de Kock is surely preparing a box for him and outlining a plan for the Dubai Carnival next year!
Buratino did not appear to stay. He came there with every chance but fell away at the two furlong marker. He is perhaps another contender for the Jersey Stakes, although he is well worth another crack at eight furlongs on faster ground during the summer.
I wouldn’t be in a hurry to dismiss Air Force Blue just yet. The vibes coming out of Ballydoyle were strong and if there was any inclination he hadn’t trained on I doubt connections would have been quite so bullish. Ryan Moore never looked comfortable, so I guess any questions regarding ability and stamina will be answered another day…hopefully!
His performance, along with that of Stormy Antarctic (11th) and Marcel (last) dampen the enthusiasm for the overall form slightly. I doubt the respective winners of the Craven, Dewhurst and Racing Post Trophy were the three worst colts in the field. Stormy Antarctic made smooth progress until his run petered out as soon as it got started and I’m sure something will come to light.
Hard to gauge the relevance of rank outsider Kentuckyconnection finishing fifth. This race has a habit of rags outrunning their odds, so it shouldn’t be considered an anomaly. He travelled well and looked comfortable throughout, and had already demonstrated a degree of ability. Well done to connections for taking their chance and picking up £13,000 for being bold.
It was great to see Hugo Palmer continue his rise up the training rank and he’s a thoroughly likeable guy. Likewise, Owen Burrows laying down his marker for the remainder of the campaign after an impressive start. These young trainers, under both codes, certainly know what they have and how to place their horses.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
I backed Bateel and, be to be honest, she was given every chance. She was close enough, if good enough, at the business end but made little impression once in the clear. The winner has an equally progressive profile, also holds a Group 1 entry and had the benefit of course experience.
Carnachy and Bateel are two fillies going places.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
It’s stating the obvious, but Air Force Blue is going to take some beating. I think the only straw his opposition can clutch is that he may not stay the mile, but that is a mighty thin straw! Of course, these colts aren’t machines and they can have an off-day or, at this stage of their careers, improvement can certainly vary. The vibes from Ballydoyle have always been strong and they continue to be confident about their chances.
My pre-race opinion is that this renewal will prove stronger than last year, and I expect plenty of winners to emerge from the contest. We have the respective winners of the Mill Reef, Vintage Stakes, Coventry Stakes, Futurity, Racing Post Trophy and Craven, not to mention Air Force Blue’s collection of the Dewhurst, National Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. The only notable absentee is Champagne Stakes winner, Emotionless.
Of those in-opposition, Buratino has proven himself more than capable of locking horns at this level. His blistering turn of foot was evident on more than one occasion last season and, having already claimed the scalp of Air Force Blue at Royal Ascot, he gave another two year old superstar, Shalaa, something to think about in the Middle Park.
Many are of the opinion that he was a precocious juvenile, but Buratino maintained his form through a busy campaign and I see no reason why he shouldn’t train on. The trip is another worry, but it should be noted that his two defeats in the first half of the campaign were over five furlongs, the second half over six furlongs. I believe that he possessed the class to be effective over those sprint distances at certain stages of the season, but was crying our for a step-up in trip as the campaign progressed. He is a full brother to the modest Tayma, but she was successful over and an extended mile and Buratino has given the impression that eight furlongs should be within his compass.
I was very impressed with Marcel in the Racing Post Trophy. He wasn’t given due credit for that success because of the ‘unlucky’ loser that was Foundation, but he showed plenty of class and I’m of the opinion that, unlike many winners of that race, this chap is more speed than stamina. His trainer can certainly ready one for their big day in the sun, but dark clouds will not go amiss and any rain should help his cause (at the detriment of Buratino!!).
Massaat, Stormy Antarctic, Herald The Dawn, Ribchester and Galileo Gold all bring solid form to the table, adding plenty of depth to the field, and will certainly be on the premises in top races over a variety of trips this season.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Is Road To Riches ok? I think it’s fair to say that Don Cossack would have moonwalked to victory!
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
I’m at that stage of life when my pre-teenage favourites are departing for greener pastures all too often :( He does appear to have enjoyed a wonderful, long life :)
Opera House won a fantastic renewal of the King George in 1993, beating White Muzzle, Commander-In-Chief and User Friendly. Remember when top class middle distance horses took each other on…and stayed in-training??
R.I.P, Opera House, and thanks for the memories. Here is your final win and finest hour :
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Well, I had Rule The World in my Grand National 1-2-3 challenge, but nowt to go with him (not to mention an ew Spring double with Lord of the Land@12s and Rule The World@50s) !!
Anyway, back on track, here goes…
1 Ballydoyle
2 Lumiere
3 MindingGood luck!!
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Such a shame that ‘The Don of the Staying Division’ can’t make the scoreline 4 – 1 against Cue Card this evening, but I’m sure the Colin Tizzard-trained superstar will try his utmost to bolster the Gold Cup form ;)
I’ve always been of the opinion that Cue Card is slightly better on a left-handed track. If you look at his overall career, the way he travelled at Haydock, Cheltenham and Aintree this season, and compare them to his narrow Kempton success then you can certainly argue that he is better counter clockwise. He has also had a long season, so a combination of these factors are enough to look elsewhere for a little value.
Road To Riches has not been out of the frame for over two years, competing over a variety of trips, tracks and conditions. He has not had as hard a campaign as others and was placed in this race last year. The drying ground and assistance of Davy Russell are further positives. Djakadam looked flat at Aintree, the ground has gone against both Don Poli and Carlingford Lough, while Foxrock doesn’t look good enough.
Cue Card will be hard to beat, but 10/1 Road To Riches is worth a small wager.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
What to make of the weather forecast this week? With the exception of Tuesday, rain is expected everyday at Newmarket.
Lumiere, Ballydoyle and Illuminate have all impressed on faster ground, while Minding and Nathra have given the impression a little bit of juice in the ground is preferable. I agree that Ballydoyle looks the type to handle most conditions, but it should be noted that Minding reversed Debutante form when beating her next time out in the Moyglare on a slower surface.
With the forecast rain, surely John Gosden is tempted by Newmarket instead of France for his proven course winner, Nathra. French classics can be a minefield of hard luck stories, so a filly with her class and credentials should stay on home soil at this time of year, in my opinion…especially if you’re on @ 16/1
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
The Don is out of Punchestown.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Turrent Rocks did extremely well for a middle distance bred filly last term, winning a Group 2 and placed in top company on her final start. She looks a no-nonsense, straight-forward type, and attractively priced at 25/1.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Us Army Ranger now a best priced 5/1 :)
Derby entries scheduled to make their respective debuts this week. Epsom bound, perhaps unlikely, but a couple for future reference:
Ezanak – D Weld – H H Aga Khan
Sea The Stars – Ebaza (Sinndar)
24th April – Gowran Park
Derby price 100/1Monarch – A P O’Brien – Tabor, Smith, Magnier
Galileo – Secret Garden (Danehill)
23rd April – Limerick // 24th April – Gowran Park x2
Derby price 66/1This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Whether it’s home grown talent or expensive acquisitions, Godolphin have a far from enviable record of improving promising juveniles into classic contenders. Saamidd, like Emotionless, was a very impressive winner of the Champagne Stakes in 2010 before flopping in the Dewhurst. After fairly negative reviews in the build-up to Newmarket he finished last of sixteen and achieved very little since.
White Moonstone, so impressive and unbeaten during the same season, never seen another racecourse after her juvenile campaign. Dubai Prince and Casamento did next to nothing on the level after promising so much at two in recent years…the list is becoming significant and, more alarmingly, showing little signs of stopping.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Willie Mullins believes Douvan to be a Gold Cup horse. Will connections really contest the Champion Chase in 2017, followed by the Gold Cup in 2018? With such a large string of talented individuals, they see little disparity between the primary historical events and the recent intermediate additions to the top grade category. As far as Mullins and Ricci are concerned, a Festival Grade One is a Festival Grade One, regardless of tradition.
Vautour – arguably his most talented performer – did not contest an Arkle or RSA, likewise a Champion Chase or Gold Cup during his sophomore campaign.
With Douvan considered a Gold Cup horse, I think there’s every chance they could run in the Ryanair Chase next year with a view to the Gold Cup the following year.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
The Prix de la Grotte has produced some very talented performers in recent years, and this renewal appears to be full of potential.
I’m hoping the well related Gherdaiya performs with credit this afternoon. She would prefer better ground, but looks the type to make a lovely 3YO, and she is the most beautiful looking filly.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Foundation looks a live contender for the Winter Hill Stakes after that :D
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Cue Card was wonderful, and paid a massive compliment to ‘The Don of the Division’ Don Cossack
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Us Army Ranger is entered to make his debut at The Curragh this Sunday. Aiden O’Brien used this race to launch the career of Ruler Of The World, who would win the Derby two months later.
By Galileo, out of Irish Oaks winner Moonshine, Us Army Ranger is the most prominent market representative from Ballydoyle.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
