Tuesday's Meetings Wolverhampton A/W 7 Races 1:50-5:05p.m. Brighton Flat 7 Races 2:00-5:15p.m. Nottingham Flat 7 Races 2:10-5:25p.m. Sligo(E) Flat 7 Races 5:30-8:30p.m. Huntingdon(E) N/H 7 Races 5:40-8:40p.m. Hexham(E) N/H 7 Races 5:50-8:50p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
My regular readers, God bless them and save them, were left downcast when INCLYNE just went down, by a neck, at Ascot on 11 May. However, I can happily report that they behaved stoically in the face of this disappointment. Anyhow, moderators sound the alarm, military men reach for your weapon and everyone else man the lifeboats as one is about to deliver a ‘racing cliché’. No, not ‘I’ve been told…’, ‘Group horse in a handicap’ or even ‘whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus’ but rather ‘losses are only lent’. Yes, that’s right as I expect Inclyne to follow that effort up with victory, of the morrow (4.20 Nottingham). She was raised just 2 lbs for that fine run in Royal Berkshire and I think that is highly exploitable judged on not just that performance but a couple of her earlier runs in maiden company. The old girls breeding also indicates that she should be far superior to this perch as she is a half-sister to both Elm Park (Group 1 ‘Racing Post Trophy’ winner, rated 117) and Brorocco (Group 2 runner-up , rated 103). How Inclyne fares tomorrow though is not, for me, the major event racing wise. That occurs earlier when Great Bear gets perched. As stated a few days ago the handicapper’s reaction will, I’m sure, determine how connections proceed from here on in. Great Bear has a promising debut run, a woeful second outing and then last week’s Bath romp for the assessor to base his figure on. Am intrigued to see what Great Bear is given. Good luck all.
The 3.45 Nottingham sees a typical Roger Varian hotpot in the form of Nearooz. She makes her handicap debut after winning her first two races and after winning a Newmarket maiden and a Wolverhampton Novice race she is on a mark of 85. She holds a Ribblesdale entry and if she is to be that class she needs to put this field to the sword off a moderate enough level at the moment. Obviously many will have her as a good thing but at 5/4 it's not my idea of a bet. John Gosden's Duneflower is not exciting me with her form and I prefer I Am Magical at odds of 4/1. I Am Magical is turned out quickly after winning at Newmarket last week and she shoulder's a 6 lbs penalty for her success. I thought she won with something in hand though because she seemed in trouble with difficulty in securing a clear run and she picked up well late to secure what had looked a rather unlikely win. Watching the race for the first time I thought I was looking at the wrong replay because Hayley Turner seemed to be in a hopeless position. Jamie Spencer takes over in the saddle from his former amour and having transferred from Hugo Palmer's yard I Am Magical seems to have improved for the move to Charlie Fellowes. Hopefully Spencer can deliver her to pick up the running and go on to win. No doubt the Varian filly will probably turn out to be a star thrown into a Handicap but I'll leave her for those reefing up the grands and betting in telephone number sums. 3.45 Nottingham I Am Magical 4/1
Morning 5.05 Wolverhampton-Viola Park Each Way @ 12-1 [Ladbrokes] Gets on well with jockey David Probert
I see Mark Johnston is banging on about overwatering. It’s About time more trainers did this. I have never seen as much kickback as I’ve seen over the last few years. As the great Noel Murless said the problem with artificial watering is that it makes grass grow up instead of growing down. Hence loose surfaces, hence false ground. Even Matt Chapman complained that there must be something wrong if we are breeding horses that can’t run on good to firm ground. I agree.
For flat racing I agree. I would stop summer jumps racing altogether. Jumps racing from mid-October to the end of April, flat racing from mid-April to late October.
You may recall that I said after Great Bear's latest race:- If the Handicapper is bullish I suppose he may award a mark of about 80 to Great Bear The figures are in and the Official Handicapper has rated him 81. The lowest rated runner in last season's King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot was ranked 87, so Great Bear probably needs to run again soon and get a higher mark if they want to aim him there.
Whoever drew 81 in the sweepstake please contact the moderators who will arrange for your prize (a lifesize statue of Princess Camilla) to be dispatched to you. To my eye 81 seems on the low side of low but is unlikely to get the old boy into the ‘King George V Handicap’ (another win between now and Royal Ascot though would, of course, change that scenario) as the bottom weights in the past 5 renewals have been 87-88-77-82-85. Still one to very much look out for though, methinks, and who knows maybe they will tilt at an old windmill in the next couple of weeks…
25% of the field are now non-runners in Inclyne’s heat so, unsurprisingly, the old girls odds have contracted as a result. However, as I’m wearing my punting punts will still be having a wager…
brighton,2 00: it doesnt get much worse than that,but someone has to win it,and COOL STRUTTER ticks a lot of boxes here.he is at least in any kind of form at present,including here,so.with adam kirby on board,surely has a big shout.
nottingham,2 45: in most cases,i d rather go with experience in these contests,but this time,i ll tkae a chance on the readyness of the haggas horse SLEEPDANCER.hes got an eyecatching pedigree,and james doyle riding means business first time up for connections.
nottingham,3 15: quite a few with chances here,but RAMBALDI looks poised to go well today.although he couldnt quite pick up,where he left off last season so far this year,his last win is working out well,and he wasnt beaten far at all in two trys this season.so,can run a big race,at least e w..
I Am Magical was out of the race quickly because she pulled like a train and totally refused to settle. She's capable of better if learning to race properly. Nearooz was backed as if she was the second coming but she got thumped. You can lose a lot less money at 4/1 than 5/4 for the same winnings. Disappointing effort from the selection but the poor value favourite was avoided.
Great Bear was not one of the 18 left in the Derby but John Gosden left 92 rated handicap winner Private Secretary in the race. Aidan has 8 of the 18 runners and he suggested Sir Dragonet was much more likely to be supplemented for Epsom than the French equivalent. Sounded like O'Brien will send a posse to Epsom and Persian King hardened to a general 5/4 Fav for the French Derby.
Pilot got it beat Barney, bottled staying on the rail. Pulled out wide but lost to much ground and line came 50 yards soon.
Just came back on. Has been down for a while. Mrs Coates will be having the tech folks in her office tomorrow morning.
yes , chan , no doubt some gremlins at work , just got back on , this isn’t the first time this has occurred though .......