A competitive Group 2 to start off with on Saturday. There are plenty in with a shout of winning this. First up Major Cadeaux. The Hannon/Hughes partnership can do no wrong at the minute. This fellow has run some good races but also been found wanting like last time out, although I don’t feel the ride by Moore was one of his best. The mile seems just too far, so running over 7f will suit. The ground shouldn’t be a problem either. Il Warrd won in Listed company last time over 7f and on good ground. He has been beaten by Paco Boy on a couple of occasions who has since tasted Group 1 glory. Godolphin are doing better than earlier in the year and should be in the final shake up here. The forecast favourite is Stimulation who finished ahead of Il Warrd in one of the races won by Paco Boy. A course and distance winner, although he hasn’t won since, the ground won’t hinder his live chance. Laa Rayb from the Mark Johnston stable is well bred. A half brother to Kheleyf, he has victories over this distance and further. His last two runs were on soft and I’m hoping that the better ground brings a change of fortune. Of the others Al Qasi has been a consistent performer at this level, although others hold stronger chances - VE.
Selection: Laa Rayb
Danger 1: Major Cadeaux
Danger 2: Stimulation
Cheltenham 2.20 Royal Gloucestershire Hussars "Help For Heroes" Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+)
A tough race for the punter with many runners holding chances. The race somewhat revolves around Fair Along who is a classy individual who has pace to burn and has some nice runs over hurdles and fences in his form. He finished 2nd to Detroit City in the Triumph Hurdle of 2006 and beat My Way De Solzen by 10 lengths over the fences. He however is weighted to the hilt, running off a mark of 140 and has not been seen over hurdles since March 2007. Others look to be better handicapped, including Thunder Rock, Mirage Dore and Bantry Bere. I think the race revolves around these three, the former Thunder Rock from the stable of Jonjo O’Neil has beaten Bantry Bere already this year and whilst held off this mark since he looks one to improve further. Bantry Bere is well held by Thunder Rock on form and has to be taken on whilst Mirage Dore won last time out. That run was a nice effort and whilst up 7lbs for that win he is still open to plenty of improvement. The other notable runners are Pacha D’Oudairies from the Nicholls yard and Timpo from the Daly yard.
Pacha D’Oudaires is the selection, he is a very nice sort who proved his worth well a good 4th in a listed handicap hurdle at Aintree. He was not straight forward last season as he hung left on occasions, he is now 5 years of age and we can trust that he has trained on. He would not need to be the yards best horse to win this and is put forward as the nomination - JB.
Selection: Pacha D’Oudaires
Danger 1: Thunder Rock
Danger 2: Mirage Dore
Newmarket 2:35 Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) (Entire Colts & Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo)
Where to start? This race has been won by some excellent horses in recent years, most notably Rock of Gibralter and New Approach. Jim Bolger also won it the year before with the ill fated Teofilo and sends out Intense Focus here, that horse is not of the same quality and, although consistent, will find a few too good.
Rip Van Winkle, head of the Guineas ante post market, will be a worthy favourite although there are some holes in the form. Delegator has good form behind Wingwalker but Ashram devastated him in a fantastic time in the course and distance G3 contest last time out. Huntdown should find the step up in trip more suitable but this is a more classy affair and he could find it a struggle.
Richard Hannon's amazing 2yo season continues and he sends out the well travelled Soul City here. I think it has a great chance but the less exposed types make more interest - AR.
Selection: Ashram
Danger 1: Rip Van Winkle
Danger 2: Soul City
Cheltenham 3:25 Dick Francis "Silks" Handicap Chase (Class 2) (4yo+)
Another tough handicap from Cheltenham this time over the big fences. The race for me revolves around the handicap form of Celestial Gold, who is the class horse in the race. He however is better over further than this 2 miles 4 furlongs, and whilst the uphill finish will see him put his stamina to the fore I think he will have too much to find. Those well handicapped also include Yes Sir and Calatagan who have little to find on previous handicap form. The former was well held on his last run off this mark whilst the latter had a terrible season last year. Therefore I will side with the unexposed Sou’Wester who looks in need of this step up in distance, should he fail to get home I would expect Fier Normand and Private Bee to closer to first than last.
The selection in this very tough handicap is Sou’Wester - JB.
Selection: Sou’Wester
Danger 1: Fier Normand
Danger 2: Private Bee
Catterick 3:35 totescoop6 Catterick Dash (Handicap Stakes) (Class 3) (3yo+)
Hotham and Fol Follow have form from last time out, Hotham winning nicely and receiving weight in this instance. Should have no problem in holding that form here. Hotham also represented himself well earlier on in the season in the Glenigan Sprint Handicap. Judge N Jury won that race and Hotham's 8th was barely half a length back. The weight difference is even more pronounced here giving Hotham his best chance to reverse that form.
Captain Dunne, JB's selection last week, is back to form after trailing in last behind Judge N Jury earlier on in the season. The handicapper has got hold of him now and I expect he will fade again in the last furlong as the weight takes it's toll.
Secret Asset and Misaro are two others who will be there or thereabout. The former showing consistency after a break, the latter showing well but nothing that sticks out. The last one of interest is Total Impact who has had a break and Fahey does have a way with handicaps, if he can recapture early season form he will be right in there - AR.
Selection: Hotham
Danger 1: Captain Dunne
Danger 2: Total Impact
Newmarket 3:50 Totesport.com Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) 2m2f
Right, let’s get the pin out shall we? It looks an impossible puzzle to solve with 35 due to line up, although trends may give us a clue about where to start. It’s hard to imagine that the draw has that much of a bearing on things considering the distance involved. However in the last 10 runnings the winner has been in stall 17 or higher. Not good news for favourite backers as Askar Tau is drawn in 14. He comes into this on a run of 5 victories but none over this mamouth trip. Last years winner, Leg Spinner, is next to Askar Tau in stall 15. Carrying top weight will be a big burden, although the jockey takes off a handy 3lbs. Could make the places. Gee Dee Nen is the mount of Frankie Dettori. Drawn in the higher numbers this one has been consistant over 2 miles in Class 2 handicaps, should go close. Arc Bleu has won over a greater distance and his last run on the AW was just a pipe opener. Not a great weight to carry either, with a top jock on board, so one to watch. Others who have won over the race distance are Missoula, Four Miracles, Kasthari and Mighty Moon. The latter would have the best chance of those 4. Liberate has stamina on his side although the was beaten by Missoula at Ascot. I could mention every horse but I feel the winner will come from those already stated. Good luck people, and the pin lands on……. - VE.
Selection: Arc Bleu
Danger 1: Gee Dee Nen
Danger 2: Askar Tau
- Laa Rayb
- Pacha D’Oudaires
- Ashram
- Sou’Wester
- Hotham
- Arc Bleu
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