O'Brien can hardly complain. Stalls 7-10 are widely regarded as "where you want to be" and that puts Anthony Van Dyke, Broome and Norway in prime real estate. I wouldnt be at all surprised to see Anthony Van Dyke go off somewhere close to favourite, I think it could be his "mover". I cant have Sir Dragonet at the price although I am tempted to have a bit on him at 20-1 for the Arc just in case he truly is the next Pegasus. I know Aiden likes Chester for a classic warm up but you never know if a horse is going to handle the helter skelter until it tries.
A well-bred lot in the Oaks, I like Anapurna, but then I like Meon Valley ( www.not606.com/threads/with-it-being-a-bit-quiet-take-three-girls.244368/ ). Comes from a wonderful family and maybe this is the one to break the Frankel classic barrier. If she's not my 2nd choice on breeding is Frankellina, who is from the hot Classic family of Golden Horn and the very useful Cracksman. Wouldn't put anyone off any filly, but I'll find it surprising if Siyouni sires an Epsom Classic winner.
If the Aga Khan runs anything in an Epsom Classic I have to back it so Tarnawa for me - sometimes it really is that simple. Have s great afternoon one and all
It often pays to keep it simple. Which is why I’ll go with Dante form tomorrow. Plus Joe Strummer, Keef Richards and Bruce Springsteen all favoured the fender Telecaster
Pleased with that. Maqsad (by Siyouni) was the winner with 3 furlongs to go, yet faded away tamely. Epsom and the stamina needed is a strange thing.Frankellina didn't quite get home either. Lavenders Blue led under sufferance and wasn't handling the hill. I think that was a fair performance by the winner under race conditions that didn't suit her, she'd have liked more pace
Derby I'm against Anthony Van Dyck as although he's won at Lingfield he may find Epsom a bit tougher, and I can't see Broome having the necessary stamina. I can't quite accept the Madhmoon hype, even though 4th in the Guineas 1st in the Derby was always the saying. But is his pedigree classy enough for a Derby winner? Today's winner was inbred 3X3 to Sadler's Wells as is Sir Dragonet. There is absolutely no reason why Sir Dragonet should not have the pedigree for a Derby winner, but he is such a big colt with quite a pronounced knee action who may find Tattenham Hill tough to tackle. I think the best pedigree in the race is Telecaster's. I was impressed by his Dante win and he strikes me as a horse who could win from upfront or coming from behind. I'm sure Murphy will hope to ride the classic Piggott ride as Dettori did today and to also get a fast pace. So that's my choice with Circus Maximus as an E-W bet. No problem with Bangkok's pedigree and I'd love Balding to train a winner but just can't quite see it.
Are you writing in invisible ink?[/QUOTE] I don't know how some manage to screw that up, it really is very easy. Hit reply and start typing at the bottom. Maybe JH Stands on his head sometimes?
I backed Maqsad, however my fears were realised when the race developed in earnest. Like her half sister Laurens she is essentially a miler. Contrary to belief Epsom is a stiff track and is no place for doubtful stayers. I was tempted to go for MADHMOON tomorrow,however I remember his sire's antics in the Derby won by ruler of the world - stone last - and Dawn approach never raced beyond a mile again. If I have a bet -doubtful - but it would be ANTHONY VAN DYCK, a proven stayer who should handle the track and conditions.
Dawn Approach started his racing life over 5F in March. He then went over 6F on his next three starts. In contrast Madhmoon did not kick off his career until August and he began at a mile, a full three furlongs further than the sire. It seems strange to try to compare them directly as racehorses. Right from the off it was clear Madhmoon did not have his father's speed and he has more stamina on the Dam's side than his sire, even though questionable as being sufficient for a Derby. Madhmoon settles better than his sire as well. I commented going into the Derby Dawn Approach ran in that I felt he was a horse who ran with the choke out for most of his races. He was never really a hold up/turn of foot colt. To me he seemed to have largely a one pace in his races but a good pace that generally saw him shed challengers in the closing stages. Other commentators at the time described it as him hitting a flat spot in his races but I saw it as him sustaining the one pace to the line whereas others couldn't go with it, or could not quicken off that sustained pace in order to go past him. The trip is a worry for me with Madhmoon but not in any way similar to his sire in his year. I felt he was a horse with a shout at 16/1 and it is disappointing for me that the Newmarket Guineas has panned out pretty poorly since I had my bet on the Prendergast colt. I don't have a strong feeling for anything really and from a long way out I said that I felt an unraced at 2YO colt might emerge to win this year's Derby. There seems a feeling that I am against Telecaster for some reason but he is one of two colts who could fulfil the notion that a colt whom we did not see until this year, went on to win the Derby. Of course the other colt is Sir Dragonet. They are 1st and 2nd Favs in the betting, so there must be a chance one will do it?
Maybe its because you have crabbed the Bangkok/Telecaster form at every possible moment for the past two months. Come the day you now want a foot in his camp too? All bases covered?
No, I am not backing Telecaster, Madhmoon is my sole selection. Sometimes I will have multiple selections. I may do five selections at 25/1 as better overall value than one shortie on the day. Horse Racing is about the long game and a big priced winner allows you to be wrong several times. I give an honest appraisal of the form from my perspective. Other people have concluded that Bangkok's form has not been working out and he is tied in with Telecaster to some extent at least. Maybe Madhmoon won't stay but I felt there were some slow horses in this year's Derby and took Madhmoon at 16/1. He's generally 8/1 now and as long as he runs well I'll be happy enough with my bet. If he does win it I won't feel the need to start a fan club for him.
Whether it's a good or bad thing, every horse in the Derby is a son, grandson or great grandson of Galileo. I'm pretty sure this has never happened before.
