Morning troops Highlight of the day is the 1000 guineas, which seems to be either a closed shop (Hot Snap) or wide open, depending on how you interpret the Cecil filly's form. My hopes are riding on AOB's genius and Moth (what a lovely name for a filly ) but I'm very wary of Hot Snap. Impressed with her run LTO, tremendous run from last to first despite showing slight signs of greeness, she can only improve. I've got Hot Snap in doubles with yesterday's 2000 winner, but not in singles, where I am going for the better value of the O'Brien horse. You can make a case for most of these - Just The Judge, What A Name, Rasmeyaa and Sky Lantern to name just four. In the 3-10 Newmarket sprint I think Gabriel's Lad looks dangerous, but with Pricewise naming him ew value has gone and I prefer the chances of Hitchens, 8-1 ew and guaranteed to be in the first four. (Paddy Power - and possibly others - are paying out the first four)
MOTH looked incredibly smart over 7f on reappearance and Ballydoyle have been suitably impressed with her work as a 3 year old. She looked proper Group1 class (most impressive Irish performance I have seen for a long time) and will be better over the mile as she did all her best work at the finish. We know she has trained k so she looks the sensible bet for me today, although there are a whole host with potential.
Decided to wave the "no bet" banner today after yesterday's bonanza - "always leave summat for t'next bloke" as my uncle Bob always says. I do like the French filly in the 1000GNS but can't bring myself to back her with conviction as it looks a very competitive renewal. Best of luck to those of you having a dabble
Stencive (5/2) and Thistle Bird (7/2) in the first two at Newmarket for me. Can't oppose Hot Snap but won't be investing at that price.. Enjoy the bank holiday
Newmarket 5.00 Magic of reality 10-3 This is for me the best bet of the day, I feel the horse was not suited by soft ground on it's debut but still put up a reasonable show. With that run under it's belt I think it will win well today and go onto better things. There are others I fancy such as Ladyship earlier on the card and Thistle bird but like Duke of Firenze yesterday this one is the one I can be most excited about.
There are a few outsiders that appear to have a fair chance, none more so than Maureen and Roz. But the more I look at this the more I think it's between the top 2, Hot Snap and What a Name. I think Hughsie has made a mistake as there is no way his filly can turn the tables with Hot Snap who will confirm her superiority convincingly. What a Name is clearly smart, well bred and will go on the ground; big danger. Fascinating Race.
Attention oldies: Willie Wagtail runs in the first at Newmarket - I'm sure there was a horse of this name running in the 60's or 70's, but can find no trace of him. Anyone with knowledge of this or am I having a senior moment? Wouldn't be the first time
I have sided with What A Name at 5/1 in this Ron. I was edging towards Hot Snap but I feel WAN is the more battle hardened and the form of the her 2nd to Olympic Glory which ties in with Dawn Approach is especially strong when viewed in the context of this race.
I've ignored that form Drever as it was on terrible ground, although it does show how tough she is. She has gone well on better ground, winning "comfortably" and "impressively" and, by Mr Greely out of a Dayjur mare, she looks bred for the job.
Not getting confused with My Swallow are you Reebok? I'll dig out some old Timeform Racehorses to see if they have him included.
Afternoon chaps,rough night last nite,hanging today.across the card treble for me today.hold the line/frasers hill & totally dominant to win.
Don't know that one Ron! I remember the office girls getting quite giggly about the name, so he may have been in an office sweep at some time!
Sure you don't know that one Reebok? Beat Mill Reef as a 2yo. "In a crop of outstanding two-year-olds, Mill Reef was rated 1 lb below his French conqueror My Swallow, who went on to remain unbeaten in 7 races including all of France's top two-year-old races, and 1 lb ahead of the unbeaten Middle Park Stakes winner Brigadier Gerard." Some year that was.