Saturday's Meetings Thirsk Flat 7 Races 1:00-4:35p.m. Newmarket Flat 8 Races 1:15-5:25p.m. Goodwood Flat 7 Races 1:35-4:55p.m. Uttoxeter N/H 7 Races 1:43-5:09p.m. Punchestown Festival(E) N/H 8 Races 2:35-6:35p.m. Doncaster(E) Flat 7 Races 4:45-8:05p.m. Hexham(E) N/H 7 Races 5:15-8:20p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Some horses I have a very small flutter on today for no other reason than I like the names Thirsk 2.05 Dubai Love Goodwood 2.10 Frantanck and 4.20 Sir Henry Cotton Newmarket 1.50 Tactical and 4.15 Tritonic Good luck to everyone who plays
Newmarket 15,40 Checkandchallenge 25/1 e/w bet365 three places, 22/1 PP and betfair four places Punchestown 15,10 Anibale Fly 9/1 e/w PPand betfair four places, 17/2 sky five places 15,50 Shewearsitwell 10/1 e/w three places Good luck all.
Friday’s card at HQ was a big disappointment with the opening maiden the biggest field with just 8 and my Derby horse of last year, Yibir, long odds on for the Jockey Club Stakes and getting turned over. Elegant Verse went in the notebook after her debut second to an experienced rival. Results were punter friendly though. Today’s card features more runners, especially the handicaps, but the first Classic looks like a no bet. Native Trail proved to be the best two year old, beating seven rivals in the Dewhurst, including Dubawi Legend (two lengths second) and Berkshire Shadow (fourth), after beating Ballydoyle hotpot Point Lonsdale convincingly in the National Stakes. There is no reason to see any of them reversing the running as the favourite proved his wellbeing with effortless victory in the Craven against moderate opposition. His stablemate Coroebus won the Autumn Stakes over course and distance but his trainer did not want to travel to Newbury for the Greenham so he had a racecourse gallop. He looks a lot like his father but he will have to leave Newmarket some time! His second to Royal Patronage in the Royal Lodge, when caught in the final strides, was done no favours when that one was last (on soft ground) to Luxembourg in the Futurity at Doncaster. Luxembourg also lines up unbeaten like the favourite but the form of his two Irish races is moderate and a line through Bayside Boy (third in the Dewhurst and the Futurity) makes Native Trail the one to be on. The most interesting horse here is Greenham winner Perfect Power, winner of the Middle Park and Prix Morny as a juvenile. His stamina is the big issue but at Newbury, Soumillon was patient with him and waited just off the lead before pouncing to beat market rival Angel Bleu, who was headed for second by Lusail on the line. I expect Soumillon to employ the same tactics, so does Richard Fahey’s charge have the stamina up the hill to cause the upset? In the Suffolk Handicap (2:25) many of the principals are making their seasonal bow and Charlie Appleby’s Dhahabi has not been seen since he was a juvenile, but the yard is very hot so he could be a group horse thrown in here. Gelding Movin Time has only seen a racetrack five times but won first time up last term whilst Notre Belle Bete has won three of his last four but has never won on turf. A couple of others have also been running on artificial surfaces but the two with just one run are of most interest. Forest Falcon comfortably won a couple of small events to close out 2021, warmed up for this at Chelmsford a couple of weeks ago and is only 4lb higher than his last win at Yarmouth. He might try to make all here. Down near the bottom, FAST MEDICINE carries a 5lb penalty for winning easily at Nottingham and receives 19lb from the Appleby runner. That may have been a weak race at Colwick Park but fitting the hood clearly made a difference so it is retained here.
In the 2000 Guineas, it’s interesting that Coroebus is priced at 5/1, whilst his Royal Lodge conqueror, Royal Patronage, can be backed at 40/1. It’s worth noting that Royal Patronage was struck into in his last race at Doncaster, so his poor display may be forgiven. Also, he was foaled the latest in this Classic (April 13th), and therefore may have the most scope for development and improvement. There seems to be a lot of excitement about the prospects of Coroebus and his chances as second string to his stablemate, Native Trail. However, Royal Patronage fought back to beat him fair and square at Newmarket last year, so 40/1 appeals to me as a sporting each way punt.
2000 Guineas Fascinating and high-class renewal of the season's first classic at Newmarket (15:40). Favourite Native Trail has done absolutely nothing wrong and has a near-side draw in Stall-15. Price at a shade over evens is not very attractive so will look elsewhere. Coroebus is my first choice, and is drawn in Stall-1 on the far-side. Second runner for Charlie Appleby. If James Doyle can keep him covered-up and gets a decent run at the finish of the race I think the colt has a good chance. 11/2 not such a wonderful price but what the heck. Tamerlo's above comments on Royal Patronage shocked me a bit, but I must stick with original fancies. Good luck with RP Tamerlo, a very interesting observation! I am loathe to swerve Perfect Power as my first choice, but I just cannot be absolutely sure he'll see-out the mile, although he gives every indication that he will. Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon is a great favourite of mine, the 'smoothest-of-smooth' riders. Nice bloke too, wish he would ride more often in the UK. Christophe will ensure he gets the very best out of Richard Fahey's top-class entry. Perfect Power also has a far-side draw in Stall-3. At a possible SP of around 20/1, an e/w bet is probably very worthwhile? Anyway, can't wait for the race, as I said, a fascinating renewal! Good luck with your wagers today, folks. Enjoy the afternoon!
Good to see QM back I think the draw is going to play a big part in this. To my eye low seems better: so far today 1, 4, 7 and 1. The other important factor of the draw is where the pace is going to come from. My thoughts are that it is likely to be Royal Patronage who steps out, and he's drwan 6. I think the high numbers have it against them. Of course if Native Trail is really 7lb better than any other horse then those deficiencies may not stop him. My money is on Perfect Power. He'd probably prefer it softer but so would Native Trail. An intriguing race.
Ran a fine race, Oddy, for the podium finish. Must say Coroebus ran a great race and was brilliantly and calmly ridden by James Doyle. Thought he could win this for Charlie Appleby, but had to have everything fall right for him in the race. It did, with no small thanks to the colt's rider. As for Perfect Power, he really did not stay this tough straight mile, and his SP of 16/1 in the end reflected this. Christophe Soumillon did his best for Richard Fahey's charge, but to no avail. The colt ran a good race, though, to finish where he did. A bit 'crook' today, so saw none of the racing as was in the 'Uncle Ned' trying to shake it all off! Never mind, did manage to do the one comment on the racing thread. Have a good weekend!
Yes it certainly is. Used to like sitting outside a café in Erding's 'town square' in the Summer, with a coffee and croissant! Probably a bit noisier nowadays since the opening of the international airport? Seems so long ago, but good memories. Gosh, I'm hungry, must be feeling better!
Very sad to read that MAGIC OF LIGHT suffered a haemorrhage and died giving birth yesterday. She was such a wonderful mare. The foal by Crystal Ocean survived.
No rudey. I thought you would know by now that I usually disappear at the end of the flat season until the start of the next, unless I receive some information about a slow old plodder that I wish to impart to those of you that follow them during the winter months. I did not post during the Guineas trials simply because there was nothing running that I fancied at the prices. I thought that pattern race penalties used to apply in the Craven so I could not understand how dual Group 1 winner Native Trail got in there at levels with a bunch of horses 14lb inferior to him on the ratings. Nowadays most of the contenders for the first two Classics go straight to the race.
Having not had a bet on the 2000 Guineas, I was delighted that the best looking horse won – Coroebus – beating his stablemate Native Trail fair and square. I was not surprised that Dettori made a lot of use of Ballydoyle second string Point Lonsdale but it was disconcerting to see before the race that the horse had not physically improved over the winter, so there has to be a concern that he has not trained on. No excuses for Perfect Power as he had the run of the race and travelled well but he probably just did not get home. Although the top three on the ratings filled the first three places, I was unimpressed with Luxembourg who appeared to be one of the first of the principals off the bridle. Whilst a Guineas place has often proved a good Derby trial, I would not be rushing to back him for Epsom. Perhaps he did not like the Dip and the run up the hill, which would be worrying with the vagaries of Epsom. Was the ground too quick for him? Should I be looking at the St Leger? I did not think that this looked like a vintage Guineas beforehand with only four of the field at single figure prices; however, the first two look like a smart pair of milers and I expect that Coroebus might get tried at ten furlongs later in the season with a view to his stallion value as a son of Dubawi. Unlucky for James Doyle that yesterday was probably his last ride on the horse unless William Buick is sidelined. As it was my sole bet on Saturday stunk in the betting and finished stone last, so it looks like I have started this season like I finished last – although I did have seconditis for about two months in 2021!
I think the last time I posted on the Horse Racing Forum was probably the Breeders’ Cup meeting – when I ended the season with a load more seconds and thirds. I do watch the slow old plodders but I stopped betting on them 30 years ago when I found out how crooked most of the trainers were and was only able to turn a profit on the flat; and I tend to just have a couple of small bets at Cheltenham for an interest while sat watching them in the boozer. I did win my mate’s tipping competition on the Friday with two winners while no-one else managed more than one but we only put a fiver each in the pot so winning it hardly covered the beer!
