I'm not too sure what I'm doing here. But this race seems to be pointing me towards a 40-1 shot who I think is outstanding value. The horse in question is City Style, who last time finished five lengths behind So You Think in the Prince of Wales. The link below shows that as he was just starting to unwind, he ran into a wall of horses and was severely impeded. At the same time as his stablemate Farhh was making ground along the fence, City Style had to be dragged to the middle of the course to get a run. Once fully wound up, the bird had flown. Farhh as we know went to the line full of running, but so to did City Style. With both of them in full flight, and City Style still some lengths off Farhh, the former didn't lose an inch in the run to the post. Farhh didn't bolt away from him. My problem is that Frankie obviously gets the pick of the rides and has gone for Farhh, Barzalona who rode the horse last time has been put on Monterosso, leaving Ajtebi on what would then seem as the stables third choice. I would have thought the PoW run would have been enough to have Baza retain the sit. Maybe I've got things all arse about. Am I imagining things or does City Style have a reasonable place chance? http://www.attheraces.com/VideoConsole/?va=ASC_2012_06_20_03_1545&vaff=10
Well he shouldn't be approaching 20 times the odds, that's for sure Cyc. Maybe he should be snapped up at 40/1 with view to (hopefully) laying him off at 25s. Problem is though there are so many with chances that he might not even attract sufficient place money to bring the price down.
At Ascot, Farhh was unruly in the stalls and missed the kick, which will not have helped his chances. Obviously punters giving him a second chance at Sandown take the risk that he repeats the antics and loses the race at the gate. Mickael Barzalona presumably could have chosen City Style but instead opted for Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso. That does not seem to have been a difficult decision although tapeta form does not equate to grass form. Given the large number of other each-way options in the race that may fill the places, Godolphin’s outsider is fairly priced based on the task at hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IuFMYumkdQ (THE COMMENTARY pure genius) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdRAuX6WQBc&feature=related Remember this beast - never the same after his great wins at Meydan. Couldn't be having Monterosso
I think the weight allowance will give the two 3 year olds a massive advantage - obviously - and they have a good record in the race. On that basis i have backed Bonfire who I believe to be a true 10 furlong horse - he didn't stay at Epsom.
Just saw that about Cogito - I must admit Cityscape looks v. interesting but I can't get away from the WFA allowance - especially on this ground and Jimmy Fortune's ability to ride a horse with all the vigour and enthusiasm with which he rode Sir henry's missus .
No hard luck stories in the Eclipse – everybody had their chance if they were good enough. Farhh coming to Nathaniel really helped the winner out as he looked to be idling with no-one to race. Must be the King George next for John Gosden’s colt. I cannot ever remember a brother and sister winning on the same afternoon: Great Heavens in the Lancashire Oaks throwing down the gauntlet to older brother Nathaniel. I must go and trawl through my photo inventory because I must have some pictures of their mother, Magnificent Style, somewhere as she won the Musidora Stakes at York for Henry Cecil. I have only been to the King George three times previously. On the first two occasions, 1997 and 1998, Swain won both times. Last year, Nathaniel won and I already have a ticket for 21 July. Given the abysmal showing of Bonfire, there looks to be no fire in the three-year-olds. Camelot is the best of a poor bunch.
I was saying the same thing to a mate in the pub last night. I can't remember such a bad year. The weather has not helped of course but even so.......
A few thoughts on the Eclipse - http://tommarch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/eclipse-evaluation.html I suspect, and hope, that Nathaniel will continue to be underrated by many. I really like him, and always have, but for some reason some seem certain that he isn't a top class performer. I think he definitely is.
So does Shergar. He has to be a decent horse. He won the KG fair and square and he ran exceptionally well Saturday. He's stronger than last year and I hope he is aimed at the Arc along with Sea Moon.
It's a pity SYT didn't run but it was a good race and the manner of Nathaniel's victory says a lot about his honesty and courage. He must now become a very valuable stallion proposition. I hope he turns out for the King George in two weeks, despite all the comments about the race being possibly too near to the Eclipse. This has happened before, and Nathaniel should be up to it. One slight doubt about Nathaniel is his ability to act on firmer going. He seems a good-actioned colt with not too much of a knee-action. I'd be surprised if he can't act on good to firm. So let's hope it's the KG on good/good to firm with Nathaniel taking on whatever O'Brien throws at him.
