Do we think the best horse won the Oaks going away or do we think the others went off to quick and didn't get the trip?
Congrats anyone on Talent today, i was tempted to have a small flutter on her as i thought she was completely unexposed however i opted for the other Beckett horse in second On to this evening and i expect Athenian 7.45 Goodwood to atone for her head defeat on reappearance last time out. Gets to race off the same mark and will like the ground i will be surprised if she gets beat and 9/4 seems a very generous price indeed
I've just watched back the replay of the Oaks and I must say that was a staggering performance from Talent and I think the race will prove to have been a very good one when the runners reappear. I think Secret Gesture and Moth have probably improved a couple of pounds for their previous runs and would have them fairly closely matched around the 118 and 115 mark respectively. The Lark came into this unexposed and has shown definite improvement on her previous rating of 93 and you'd have to put her somewhere around the 115 mark as well. But I think Talent is a way above-average Oaks winner. At the highest point of the course she is joint-last with Madame Defarge, and fighting for her head just like her dad did around this course. She is going so well and wanting to go faster that Richard Hughes makes 2 or 3 attempts to force his way out past Madame Defarge but has to sit and suffer down the hill as he is boxed in. Coming round Tattenham Corner she is still fighting for her head and wanting to go faster, and then the first gap appears as they straighten up. Hughes tried to go between Moth and Banoffee but just had the door slammed right in his face. Then Moth quickens away and Hughes tries to follow her but is again checked by Gertrude Versed. Approaching the furlong marker Talent finally gets a clear run and showed a staggering turn of foot to sweep past the principals and put the race to bed within about 50 yards. Truly sensational and a performance I would rate somewhere around 124p. She met so much trouble in running that she must surely have been value for several more lengths. I think this is a serious contender for the top middle distance honours this season and (unless Dawn Approach wins the Derby in a hack canter tomorrow) she will surely be taking on the colts during the summer, maybe already in the Irish Derby????
Robert Winston definitely didn't look like he was under instruction to go all out on Decent Fella there. The plot thickens.
Paddy power going 11/8 at the minute. need it and SNA for a very tasty accum placed 3 weeks ago with Just the Judge and Magician from last week!
RETRIEVE THE STICK. ....what a great name for a bumper horse! Talking bumpers. The talented but enigmatic OSCAR TANNER has been sold out of Jo Hughes' yard and will next race for Martin Todhunter. Coming to a novice hurdle near you in the North some time soon. You have been told ;-)
Decent analysis Oddy and an eyecatching performance..I think she just outstayed them ultimately but did show a smart turn of foot under a smashing ride from a jockey who one could argue is the best currently operating. I was actually surprised how well the Ballymacoll filly travelled but she wasn't good enough and not entirely sure she acted on the course.Moth most certainly didn't and looked all at sea on the camber.She too wasn't good enough. In short the best filly won.No hard luck story given the margin and manner of her victory. Interesting point about taking on the boys Oddy.I remember Salsabil winning the Irish Derby but the pattern race calendar is significantly different now,the Nassau is now a G1 for example and wasn't then.
Is it just me or does anyone else think Ruby Walsh must be getting paid to not win races these days??? some shocking shocking rides this past few weeks!
Very true Blue. Hughes said he rode the winner mid week and was disappointed so no surprise he chose the favourite on form and seemingly on homework as well.
Agreed but you've got the remember, Irish Racing is 1. Corrupt. 2. **** and 3. Harder than the lottery to predict.
