Why did Coolmore buy Most Improved is a better question The St James Palace he won was a weak Group 3 at best and has been beaten out of sight by anything bordering on Group 1 class.
You know me - never said a bad word about him Back on topic i can't help thinking that 9/4 is a nice price for Camelot in the prince of Wales. He's still a very classy animal.
I know this is probably controversial, but I can see Camelot turning the form around in the POW. Gutted Snow Fairy is not there, but I reckon Cammy will come on from the Tatts GC. Having said that, I wonder if the 10f route is really in his best interest. Montjeu's rarely win at G1 level over that distance, even though he managed to win a weak Guineas last year over a mile. On a side note, has anybody heard anything about Kingsbarns or is he another to disappear into the Coolmore machinery?
According the Racing Post, ownership only transferred on April 3rd. They must have seen something in him that none of us can see.
I think the worry with Camelot is 2 fold a) Is he as good as he we thought he is given that last years crop look weak b) Is he the same horse as last year?
They've bought him to run over a mile so presumably they've come to the same conclusion the rest of the country has come to about Declaration of War - he's a group 3 horse. Bloody weak division this year.
I can't see any reason why Camelot should reverse form with Al Kazeem in the POW, I wouldn't touch 9/4 with counterfeit. Why should he reverse form would be the question? I'd have been more intrested in Snow Fairy had she lined up as Ed Dunlop can usually get her firing first time out big loss to the race that shes missing aswell as Farhh as I reckon he'd have tackled this instead of Animal Kingdom, But at this moment in time I can't see any reason why Al Kazeem shouldn't claim another Gr1 unless Maxios can step up on his group form over 10f, He won a Gr1 last time out over 9f so hes clearly a worthy contender. I personally wouldn't even consider Camelot in all honesty I can see him back over a trip after Ascot...
Neither could I immediately after watching the race. If anything, I would have thought that Al Kazeem, who looks to be an improver and who won that race with something in hand, would increase his superiority. However, AOB said today that Camelot's main target this year has always been Royal Ascot so the question is, how many lengths better than that performance is Camelot. Only AOB knows the answer to that one. I do know that Camelot has a lovely action on a sound surface, he's by a super 12f horse out of the daughter of a super miler so 10f should be his optimum distance. If it's fast going it would not surprise me to see him sparkle.
Like you say only Aidan O'Brien knows how much improvement there is to come, Although initially after the Tattersalls Gold Cup defeat he based it solely around Camelot's colic operation as to why he underperformed or did he underperform? Is Aidan blinkered by his own love of the horse? I mean Im no vetinary expert but how long does it take for a horse to run to its true form after such an operation? I mean I know Colic is a serious condition for a horse but surely Coolmore being the shrewd businessmen they are would have surely retired him if he wasn't showing his old sparkle on the gallops. I don't know, Personally I think he's a good horse but not a great horse and I think He'll be left wanting at the highest level this year especially over 10 furlongs. In the final furlong at the Curragh last time out he looked really one paced...
Can't fathom the campaign Mars as been given... One start as a 2 year old in a Mickey Mouse maiden, Tucked away as the favourite for the antepost favourite for the Derby and then returns in the 2000 Guineas staying on but never threatening after that run clearly looked like a horse who'd thrive over further. To My untrained eye he looked unlucky at Epsom checked twice at crucial stages and would surely have been in with a shout of placing with a better trip so surely the next logical step is the Irish Derby or the King Edward at Ascot, Even the Tercentenary yet he's been entered for the St James Palace re-opposing Dawn Approach. I know initially he was a reserve for Magician should he not make Ascot but it looks likely that both will take there chance. Doesnt make sense to me, Im sure the horse as ability but hes no miler
I'm not one of AOB's greatest fans and I often can't work out what he's doing, mainly due to his (seemingly) strange decisions and his own public admissions. I keep listening to him but, however good a trainer he is, I wouldn't put my money where his moth is. Sorry, it was originally a mistype (honestly). I'll get my coat.
I agree with some of what you ve said here Istabraq. It is a little strange with Mars and I do believe he was unlucky in the Derby and in my view (not shared by some forum members) was given a poor ride by Hughes. He does have speed though in his pedigree although I was hoping he was gonna go for the Tercentenary as he would have had an outstanding chance. Im not convinced Magician will show though in the St James Palace (never like to hear about little niggles before a big race) and with Ryan Moore up top we've seen it before with him to go and win on the so called 2nd string for O'Brien. Im expecting Dawn approach to win but Im also expecting Mars to run a big race in this and push him all the way. At present Betvictor have him priced up at 16/1. That is very tempting but I as forum regulars will know ,do not do ante post so I'll wait until the day and depending on ground etc - if all looks to Mars's desires I'll be having a large each way wager .
I've never really been one of Richard Hughes biggest fans, I think he looks worldclass in small fields with his exaggerated hold up tactics and coming late but in a big field he more than likely gets it wrong and espcially when a bend is involved. When he was declared to ride Mars in the Derby I was scratching My head espcially when you had the likes of Kieren Fallon available who's record around Epsom speaks for itself. But I guess Richard Hughes did win the Oaks on Talent so its not like he can't get one around Epsom. Watching the race back Mars ran into trouble coming late, The gaps were minimal and he was checked twice when his momentum was just getting going he'd have hit the frame for Me with a better run but thats the Derby. He'd have been worth a crack at the Irish Derby I reckon but not the St James Palace. He'll do well to place for me even with Ryan Moore booked...
My early Ascot fancy is THUNDER STRIKE for the Coventry and I am delighted that Hannon has got in early and booked Dettori for to ride. Hughes obviously prefers yhe stablemate but I am not put off. With juveniles there is usually fractions keeping them apart and it wouldn't be the first the stable jockey was on the wrong un.
I managed to get 7/1 on Estimate to win the Gold Cup last week which is looking a good bet now that 4/1 is being quoted. On the day I can see this going off 3/1 favourite. I just had a big bet on Ryan Moore to be top jockey at 9/4. I reckon this is one of the best bets of the summer.
