Thursday's Meetings York Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Stratford N/H 7 Races 1:30-5:00p. Chepstow Flat 6 Races 1:40-4:30p.m. Killarney(E) Flat 8 Races 4:20-8:10p.m. Leopardstown(E) Flat 7 Races 4:35-7:55p.m. Fontwell(E) N/H 6 Races 5:52-8:52p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 6 Races 5:55-8:35p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
I don't know what the weather is like over there but I'm hearing a lot of grumbling noises coming from the sky. It sounds angry. Just wondering if there is any chance of a change of going at York
After the Classic generation came home last and second last in the big race on Wednesday behind their two elders, does anyone fancy the rematch of the Irish Oaks first two home in the Yorkshire Oaks? Bluestocking has not actually won a race this term, chasing home Savethelastdance at The Curragh on soft ground after finishing third in the Ribblesdale that was won by Warm Heart. Warm Heart was only fifth at The Curragh, so I see this convoluted form as a real negative. The only other three year old in the field is Novakai, who has a couple of pattern race seconds to her credit but has only won a Listed race, albeit with something to spare against her elders. Rosscarbery is probably out of her depth here as she has yet to run a place at Group 1 level beyond ten furlongs. Poptronic held off Sea Silk Road in the Lancashire Oaks last time but she was last in this event in 2022 and only third to Free Wind in the Middleton at this track in May. In that Middleton, Stay Alert was fifth and Sea Silk Road was sixth. Free Wind has disappointed since, failing to get into contention in the Hardwicke and similarly making no show on bottomless ground at Goodwood, so will the real Free Wind show up today? The one that interests me is Nassau winner AL HUSN. Roger Varian’s filly is unproven at the trip but the form of her Goodwood win (on soft ground) was done some favours by third home Nashwa in the Juddmonte. Her style of running is usually to be up with the leaders so if her stamina gives we will know by the two furlong marker.
Good chance I will end-up with egg on my face (again) after the (16:45) at York has been run, as the trainer has three going in the race, which is a Class-2 Nursery over 7f. on the anticipated good-to-firm ground. However, reading the trainer's comments on his section of the Sporting Life site, I think the Dutch Art colt, Ajwadi, has the best chance. Improving all the time, albeit slowly. Cam Hardie takes the ride for the Richard Fahey stable, 11/1 (BetVictor/Coral) top price at time of writing. E/W best option at these odds. ** (Prices from Oddschecker) **Bustino: Didn't forget this time!
I've just got back in because all of a sudden it turned into a lovely sunny day and I've been out with the horses. The threatened storm passed over quickly and it's been sunbathing weather
I suppose Savethelastdance would have won on soft ground but I'm not sure that was good enough form for the Arc, unless it really soft
Well done, Ron, nice one! (Afraid Richard Fahey's three runners in the Nursery ran like drains, my pick of the three being the worst of all. I bet the trainer is as disappointed as hell, as he obviously thought he was in with a chance with at least one of them. Back to the drawing-board)
Well done on picking the right one from the Classic generation but yet again those three fillies have conjured up a different result that makes none of them look like a great Arc candidate. From O’Brien’s comments, Savethelastdance looks the most likely for Longchamp because Warm Heart wants it quick. I found out at the two pole that Al Husn was a non stayer as her run petered out in the last two furlongs but they obviously decided to ride her like a non stayer, holding her up at the back whereas she has previously been up near the pace. I am not a fan of that tactic – if you do not think they will stay then do not run; otherwise, ride them like they will stay. I was stood at the start and next to me there was a young lady watching the race on her mobile phone and cheering on Free Wind. She gave a slight groan when Frankie just failed to beat Warm Heart. So I asked her if she had had a bet on her but it transpired that she was a worker from Brian Smart’s yard having an afternoon at the races on her afternoon off from the yard. She told me that when she was six she learned to ride horses and when asked what she wanted to do by the instructor at the riding school she said she wanted to be like Frankie Dettori. She left school at sixteen and has been to the Northern Racing School where she is doing her Level 2 course and working in a racing yard. It was wonderful to hear that somebody had been inspired into the game by Frankie, so who is going to take over that mantel of the sport’s personality for the next generation when he has hung up his breeches?
