Here are the horses still entered in Sundayâs race at the first forfeit stage: PRIX DE LA FORET, 1400 metres (7 furlongs) MARCHAND D'OR (8yo, 58kg) M. DELZANGLES WORTHADD IRE (4yo, 58kg) V. CARUSO ALIANTHUS GER (6yo, 58kg) J. HIRSCHBERGER DREAM AHEAD USA (3yo, 57kg) DMI. SIMCOCK SURFRIDER IRE (3yo, 57kg) E. LIBAUD (S) STARK DANON (3yo, 57kg) W. HICKST BEWITCHED (IRE) (4yo, 56,5kg) C. O'BRIEN DEVER DREAM GB (4yo, 56,5kg) WJ. HAGGAS FLASH DANCE (IRE) (5yo, 56,5kg) F. HEAD (S) GOLDIKOVA (IRE) (6yo, 56,5kg) F. HEAD (S)
The class horse in the race is Dream Ahead, if he gets the extra furlong, and behaves himself then I feel he wins. His problem is that he's abit of a monkey, he almost threw away the Sprint Cup , by idling and hanging infront. Goldikova is obviously the most consistent, but I've always felt Shes vulnerable to the very best. I can see DA stalking her Like CC did, and then powering past in the final furlong
The following have dropped out at the second forfeit stage: Stark Danon. No supplementary entries were added so nine remain for Friday’s final declarations.
Surely the ground might be a bit quick for Dream Ahead? I know he's run well on better ground this season but I still reckon he's better with give. This race has Goldikova written all over it.
Final declarations, jockeys and draw for Sunday’s race: PRIX DE LA FORÃT, 1400 metres (7 furlongs) MARCHAND D'OR (8yo, 58kg) M. DELZANGLES, D. BONILLA (8) WORTHADD IRE (4yo, 58kg) V. CARUSO, L. DETTORI (5) DREAM AHEAD USA (3yo, 57kg) DMI. SIMCOCK, W. BUICK (6) SURFRIDER IRE (3yo, 57kg) E. LIBAUD (S), C. LEMAIRE (7) BEWITCHED IRE (4yo, 56,5kg) C. O'BRIEN, J. MURTAGH (4) DEVER DREAM GB (4yo, 56,5kg) WJ. HAGGAS, R. HUGHES (3) FLASH DANCE IRE (5yo, 56,5kg) F. HEAD (S), M. BARZALONA (1) GOLDIKOVA IRE (6yo, 56,5kg) F. HEAD (S), O. PESLIER (2)
I agree with shergs is the class horse-!Just seen an interview on ATR with his trainer David Simcock but he is delighted with him abit worried about the bigger horses in the race but they say the track will be watered alot on the sunday for the big race so the safe ground should be perfect for him! So my choice will probly be Dream Ahead
Alot of people claim Dream Ahead is a soft ground horse, mainly because of his middle park win, but this season he has won the July and Sprint Cup on good to firm, yet he flopped in France on soft ground. So I don't see that the ground will be an issue, if anything the ground should help him stay the extra furlong
I dont know how Dream Ahead is the class horse in the race,but there you go. The only was Goldy can get beat is if O.Peslier goes a bit easy on her in preparation for the BC...but saying that she looks a cut above her rivals at this distance anyway.
DBF.....Now do you realise why Dream Ahead was the class horse in the race? Dream Ahead raced akwardly in the final furlong, but he was still to classy for Goldikova, who once again ran well, but just came up short against a horse of real quality, as she always does
Shergy I have to say, you are easily the harshest critic of top class racers I know. She's beat a lot of quality horses, but has lost to some wonderul ones too. i.e Canford Cliffs. Give the girl a break.
Its not about being a harsh critic TC, it's about giving an objective opinion. When Goldikova's career is analysed we can all say she won 14 G1s, but that is somewhat misleading, when assessing her actual ability. The races she has won have been mickey mouse G1s, against very average opponents. Everytime she takes on a horse of real quality she gets beat. Zarkava, Makfi, Canford Cliffs and now Dream Ahead have delt with her comfortably. She will go to the BC Mile now and probably hack up, and everyone will be hailing her the greatest, but anyone with any knowledge of racing knows the BC Mile is a mickey mouse contest, and on form it's the equivalent to Goldikova winning a G2 over here in Europe. All of the turf races in America are dreadful, that's why the likes of Dangerous Midge, Debussy, Redwood and Joshua Tree have won G1s out there. They are meaningless races, and have nothing on the G1s in Europe. My opinion of Goldikova is that she is extremely consistent, and she runs to around 128 everytime she runs. Does that make her a great horse? Not in a million years
Why would you not want to squabble DBF? You were quick to question my opinion before the race. Taking the easy way out now, as you cannot argue about Dream Ahead being the classier of the 2, just like I said he was
I'd hardly describe Dream Ahead's win as 'comfortable'. I think 'all out' might be more appropriate as the head margin would suggest. RIP Dever Dream and condolences to connections.
I wasnt going to squabble because at that moment and time a horse had died during the race. You really need to start switching on mate and put your immense ego to one side.
Zenyatta......Dream Ahead cruised up to Goldikova and looked to be flying past to win by 2-3 lengths. He got to the front and started idling as he did in the sprint cup. He has bags of ability, but he is a monkey. So despite the small margin he had loads left in the tank, and it was only his poor attitude that allowed Goldikova to get close. DBF......Obviously it is very sad that a horse died. Though don't start playing on that to wriggle out of this one
Probably worth mentioning Dream Ahead is a 3YO whereas Goldikova is 6. She is probably past her peak but has been a wonderful race horse. There is absolutely no shame in being beaten by Zarkava (one of the bext fillies of all time) and Canford Cliffs (one of the best miles of the last 20 years) but she is clearly not the force of old.
