1:35 Hollybush Henry - been waiting for this one to go chasing. He ran in the Supreme Hurdle, and whilst outclassed it shows how highly thought of he is. To me he should improve further for fences and this field isn't the best. Double W's is obviously to be feared, but he isn't as classy as the selection and can be beaten here. 1:55 Master Dee - been on the go over the summer and very fortunate that he has his ground here. I think he is open to more improvement and a better field might help him show further improvement. Tight race and all have chances. 2:45 Ballyoptic - loved his performance at Chepstow. The thing that got me was NTD reaction when he won, it was like he thought he was top class and that had proved it to him. Weak renewal and be very disappointed if he isn't good enough here. 3:35 A Good Skin - eye catching at Chepstow and will be spot on for this.
This year's Supreme threw up a novice chase winner yesterday Nass, Charbal obliging at Uttoxeter after finishing 5th in the Supreme. I make that 5 future winners in the race already.
He was impressive for me yesterday, jumping won that race and he beat two very useful sorts. The Supreme form looks very good to me, and anything that showed up in that race is interesting over fences in Novice heats for me.
Could it be that, that last years Supreme is as strong or even stronger than Al Ferof, sprinter sacre and co
Cue card to get turned over today? Just watching the morning line, Sam twisters say blaklion is in fine fettle. A couple of mares for me Miss crick an miss tenacious Cheers.
All jokes aside....The Supreme of 2011 does remind me of this years race actually, where you had 4 obvious good ones and a decent 5th (Recession Proof). Time will tell- I don't know if they were all future chasers in the making though this year. On breeding id have thought Altior would stay over hurdles but they're having a go with him over fences, and the same with Buveur D'air. Henderson said they may even have to go for the same races but mentioned BD could get 2 and a half miles. I like the latter more for an Arkle based on the way they ran last year and would not be surprised to see Altior drop back down and go close in the Champion Hurdle, he did look a mighty good hurdle prospect last year. Tombstone I'm unsure on, Charbel just looks a proper horse and a great form yardstick- he was excellent yesterday in a hot enough chase debut. It's one of those Supremes where we might get a nice form line that we are able to read and have a genuine angle on. We will see! MIN is interesting, I never warmed to him last year whereas Vautour and Faugheen you sort of knew were monsters. He goes chasing but didn't strike me as one.
The 2.55 at Newmarket (Fillies Listed race) is worth paying attention to. It's been a very good stepping stone for Classic/high class fillies in the past having been won by the likes of Blue Bunting, Rizeena, Timepiece and Passage of Time. Additionally Midday and Ouija Board are just two fillies who have placed in the race so it's probably worth getting the notebook out and keeping a watchful eye on future prospects.
Double W's 1.35 Wetherby If In Doubt 2.45 Wetherby Virak 3.20 Wetherby Crimson Ark 1.55 Ascot Saphir Du Rheu 3.35 Ascot
Two interesting maidens to start at HQ. John Gosden thanked Frankie for making the running in the opener, won by Cashla Bay, but Hannon's Ashwaq will have gone in plenty of notebooks to recover some of her owners' €200,000 next time. Both favourite Curlew River and Frankel filly Ambrosia disappointed in the second, won a shade cosily by Yellowhammer, where newcomer Luqyaa caught my eye.
hope it's okay to jump in. have a passing interest in horse racing, a really good friend of mine has a lot more than this. he really fancies killala quay (spelling?) ew in the 335 at ascot. what do you guys reckon?
