Fox Trotter 4th by a nose Cracking win by Ivawood, but I wouldn't be taking that 8-1 about next season's 2000 guineas
Apparently the next race will have a short delay because Estimate is having a late test for the morphine that was found in the horse's system last time. This test is not very hi tech but simply consists of a someone going into her box and asking if she gives a f**k. As anyone who has ever had morphine will tell you however it's a sure fire way of telling.
Estimate ran no sort of race at all in the Goodwood Cup! As for last year's winner Brown Panther, he'll be seen to better effect with some cut but not good enough on the day. I doubt he'll win the Irish St. Leger.
4.55 Galway Fergall 33/1 Seamus Mullins' English raider Fergall is a horse I've always been a fan of and having got what I feel are his ideal conditions I quite strongly fancy this progressive 7 year old to run a huge race. Having shown promise in 2 bumpers and having finished runner up twice over hurdles in his first 7 starts, Fergall really kicked on from his earlier form to win 3 of his next 5 starts over timber. Having made all to comfortably beat Vibrato Valtat over 2m3f at Newton Abott in May last year, Fergall made a successful handicap debut off a mark of 124 at Huntingdon in December last year on the back of a 7 month absence giving 19lb to the 3 year Keltus who has since run two blinders in the Fred Winter and the big Juvenile handicap hurdle at Sandown off 5lb & 8lb higher marks respectively. You can put a line through Fergall's next run at Sandown when he hated the soft ground and he ran an absolute blinder on his next start upped to a Grade 2 contest at Kelso. Over 2m2f and again on ground softer than ideal, Fergall attempted to make all but was brushed aside by the very talented Clever Cookie and there is no shame in that defeat. Fergall was given a hike by the handicapper to a mark of 136 for that 2nd and he showed himself more than capable off that mark as he comfortably landed the Sussex Champion Hurdle back in April. Racing wide throughout and a bit keenly, Fergall travelled well throughout and took up the running well before 2 out. Victory was never in doubt from the moment Wayne Kavanagh sent Fergall on and he only had to be kept up to his work to score comfortably by about 5L. That form hasn't really been tested thus far but given that it was a valuable prize worth £20k to the winner you've got to expect it was a good performance and it's clear this 7 year old is very much on the upgrade. The handicapper has hit Fergall with a 7lb rise for that victory and although he will need to significantly up his game today I see no reason why he can't. It's a very rare trip back across the Irish Sea for Seamus Mullins and I definitely feel he brings over a horse that has a very live chance. I expect that Fergall will be prominent throughout the contest (may even lead) and despite being the 3rd highest race in the field he only has to carry 11-0 and I'm actually quite sweet on his chances and think he's going to run a huge race.
Two thoughts come to mind London; the first that a slower pace over 2miles does not suit her undoubted stamina and the less likely but possible that she just does not stand her racing very well, and that the huge exertion of Royal Ascot may have left a mark. The horse has always looked to have been handled as if they know she cannot take too much racing. My thoughts are that the pacemaker won the race for the winner as off that pace Caverlyman was always going to have the best kick.
John Gosden must really rate this Stella baliisima as this race would be miles from where I would take a once raced maiden winner. The horse was entered also for a listed event at Newbury on Sunday which looks so much more appropriate for a horse with this profile, at this stage of it's career. That JG does not see it like this must indicate this horse has been doing some serious work and he feels can take this.
Going to have a Max Each/Way punt today on HISAABAAT 4.55 Galway @ 12/1 E/W 1/4 the Odds 1st 5 Places (Bet365/SkyBet/Ladd's/Paddy's/Boyle/Coral) Trained by "King Weld of Ballybrit", lurking at the bottom of the weights, 5th in last years renewal, running off the same rating of 134, has claimer JJ Burke taking off a further -5lbs, has been kept fit on the flat, unexposed over hurdles. I believe this race today has been the long range plan & @ 12/1 1st 5 placed paid @ 1/4 the odds represents excellent value! I'm going to have a saver E/W on The Man ShorTALL riding PURPLE CASTLE @ 20/1 (Paddy's) and a Win Saver on THOMAS EDISON, can lightening strike thrice in a week or will he go out like the proverbial light up the Ballybrit hill Good Luck
16:55 Galway - Rawnaq e/w (Had a wee e/w on this one at 12/1. Very tough race but probably has as good a chance as any. Had a pipe-opener on the Flat about 19-days ago. Nicely bred for fast ground too, being by Azamour).
So lightening does strike thrice at Ballybrit, what a superb trainer Tony Martin is! 4th place @ 12/1 for my Max Pony E/W selection so I now have 4 "imaginary Ponies" in my betting bank ! Good Luck!
A rarity, a winner! Proof that if you keep throwing the darts often enough you should get lucky at some point
BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM STICKWISE lands a knockout punch to the bookies again. Dog of a horse but brings home the bacon!!!!
