huntingdon,3 05: an interesting race,with some former high-class Performers returning from Long absences,but a narrow nod goes to the exciting TEA CLIPPER.hard to say,where the ceiling of his ability lies,but hes very much the progressive one in this line up,and this 3 lbr higher mark might underestimate him.so,with trip/track/Ground no issues,he can go Right to the top.
Shishkin won that very very nicely. Should they go Ballymore and take on Envoi??? i think hes got a great chance
It's the UAE 2000 at Meydan today and you could be forgiven for thinking it was a Handicap race rather than the Group 3 status it holds. The highest rated is on 105 with the official rankings. It's a race where nothing really appeals. Bin Suroor's Laser Show is joint fav in some books but he was beaten in a Class 4 in the UK before a flop on his Meydan debut. He won next time at Meydan but that race has not worked out thus far and Laser Show is officially rated just 97, so surely needs to improve even in a race lacking quality. Toyed with the 1 for 1 Emblem Storm at 10/1 simply because there is possible improvement but he needs at least a stone just to be competitive. Better races for a bet are the Sprint and the Maktoum Challenge. At The Races has the Timeform Guide awarding only ONE star to Roulston Scar despite the horse being 9/4 second Fav generally. That must be an error, as the Simon Crisford horse us closely tied with Favourite Ekhtiyaar through Dream Today on their latest runs. The Fav looks solid enough but is longer in the tooth at 6YO and he's up to a career high mark now. The interesting one is Angel Alexander, who improved by two stone last season, taking the Ayr Gold Cup from a mark of 101 before a decent effort on Heavy ground in France. Now rated 110 he gets 6 lbs from Ekhtiyaar and along with Roulston Star forms the possibilities for the race given further progress. Angel Alexander has the disadvantage of not running at the track before but at 7/1 appealed for am interest. I just went win only given he'll either act on the track or won't. In the Maktoum Challenge Benbatl seemed fair enough at 15/8. Gronkowski is a similar price but doesn't visit the winners enclosure often enough for me. Benbatl can be forgiven his hopeless run on Heavy when tailed off at Ascot and he seems sure to go close if handling the dirt. Benbatl has an excellent record at Meydan and I'll take a chance he will cope on a new surface. 4.15 Meydan Angel Alexander 7/1 4.50 Meydan Benbatl 15/8
Straight forward enough win for Whatsnotoknow as I felt might be the case, the market spoke volumes for him during the day and before the off as he went off 5/4 favourite. "Hooray", the forum all cheered with glee.
Henderson has confirmed Supreme on TV. I think Asterion Forlonge is a better animal over 2m than Shishkin. Will be interesting to see what Mullins does with him.
That Huntingdon bumper looks a toughen. I liked the fob horse also honey ball but went for saucy poem. On the drift so don’t hold much hope.
Well the bad favourite Ekhtiyaar got stuffed at 5/4, with a rank outsider prevailing at 33/1. Angel Alexander seemed well backed but was involved in some scrimmaging mid race and he weakened. It wasn't a bad effort at all though and he may well be worth another shot with this effort under his belt now. In the 2000 Guineas Emblem Storm ran quite well in 3rd place. Laser Show was well beaten off at a miserly looking 7/2. Slaves to the Ratings were well rewarded with Fore Left winning at 12/1 (or 14/1 depending which results page you look at). Fore Left was clear by 8 lbs on official ratings as the only horse rated over 100 on 105. Not often a horse with that much in hand on the figures goes off at such generous odds. First time with a tongue tie for the winner.
OK. Personally I would be inclined to back him ew for the Ballymore at 12/1 rather than back him to win at 4/11
Benbatl won cosily. Joint Favourite Gronkowski was well thumped back in third place. Winning on the dirt has surely broadened Benbatl's horizons and he may oick up a good race in Meydan this spring. He was 16/1 for the Saudi Cup this morning but is a best priced 6/1 now in a race where Maximum Security is 9/4 Fav. As a 3YO Benbatl ran in Wings Of Eagles' Derby where he was 5th but his record at Meydan now reads 112111 and he's been a good earner.
Haha. I posted that at 14:14 French time but the hot spot I was using went. Just got back on the internet and the post was still sitting there. Haven't looked at the results yet
Looks like he won easily, as I expected. Must look to see what his price is now for the Ballymore. I doubt he'll revert to 2 miles after that
Wings Of Eagles was better than people gave him credit for. He was still progressing and it's a pity he wasn't able to prove himself after the Derby
So what was the point in running him in a longer distance race (more suited to his pedigree and clearly he relished the step up in distance)? I just find that puzzling. Maybe he wanted to keep his options open in case the fav comes out. When is the next declaration stage?
