Friday's Meetings Newmarket Flat 7 Races 1:35-4:50p.m. York Flat 7 Races 1:45-5:00p.m. Newton Abbot N/H 7 Races 1:55-5:15p.m. Dundalk(E) A/W 8 Races 5:30-9:00p.m. Newcastle(E) A/W 8 Races 5:40-9:10p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
First class racing tomorrow at Newmarket (could be argued the best, on a Friday, in recent times outside of a major Festival in fact) but if my regular readers will allow me I’ll instead take them ‘oooooooooooooooooooop’ to Newcastle. LUGANO (5.40 Newcastle) – one must say that this one absolutes reeks of a ‘Prescott plot’ and I wouldn’t be at all concerned that Lugano makes his seasonal bow here as the old rogue certainly knows how to get one ready without a ‘prep’. Was beaten 11.5, 11.25 and 12 lengths in 3 maiden events last term and that has earned the old boy a perch of just 60 which I would expect his trainer to exploit to the full. The eye catching thing is that on his handicap bow Lugano is stepped up to 12.5 furlongs and expect the son of Galileo to excel over this distance. Was a very expensive yearling purchase back in 2014 (just over a quarter of a million pounds) and is certainly a well bred type as his dam was a dual Listed scorer and his siblings include Swiss Diva (dual Group winner), Swiss Spirit (Group winner) and the Frankel 2YO Swiss Storm who created an enormous impression when winning over 7 furlongs at Newbury recently and is now quoted for both the 2017 2,000 Guineas and Derby. Lugano’s opponents look extremely exposed and this most deffo is not the greatest race ever run. Would therefore expect him to start his season with a win. No prices, at the time of writing, but Sporting Life are forecasting 7/2. Good luck, team.
Cosmeapolitan, who I’ve droned on and on and on, in the past re the ‘2017 Triumph Hurdle’ has what could be his last run on the level tomorrow, for a while, prior to go juvenile hurdling later in the year. Couldn’t recommend him at Newmarket (3.45) though as the race he is running in has to be one of the most competitive handicaps ever staged with many unexposed 3YO on extremely lenient looking marks and several potential Group horses also contained within. Cosmeapolitan should go well but it is going to be mega, mega, mega tough for him to figure in the race as it looks exceptional. You can’t blame connections for going for the heat though as it has a whopping £140k prize pot. And if a few underperform Cosmeapolitan could earn a bally fortune!
Big time finally runs again after chelsea tipped him up last time out 3rd to certificate although i thought big time was unlucky not to win. Any views ? 2.20 york
He’s in the ‘Horses in Training Sale’ at Tattersalls later in the month. Unquestionably, one of the most attractive lots. If connections do go through with the plan to sell him then tomorrow is likely to be Big Time’s last run for them. http://www.tattersalls.com/cat/autumnhit/2016/660.pdf
Old Guard makes his chase debut in the 2.30 at Newton Abbot. Last season's Greatwood Hurdle winner went on to land the International Hurdle from Sempre Medici and Hargam before finishing 12 lengths 4th to Faugheen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. That little lot saw him rated 157 over hurdles and he is certainly one of the more interesting recruits to the novice chase ranks this season.
In the bumper at Newton Abbot Warren Greatrex introduces a Yeats gelding The Caller who is out of the same dam as Cogry (won his bumper and is now rated 136 over fences). Ladcrooks still going 7/1 this evening, I fancy he will be much shorter tomorrow and there is none better than Greatrex at getting a bumper horse ready first time out.
30% first time out strike rate 34% strike rate in bumpers when Gav Sheehan rides 100% strike rate in bumpers at Newton Abbot 3/3
Astonished to find the going reported as Good to Firm at HQ in the second week of October. Even more astonished to see it reported at York as it is virtually always soft at the Rockingham meeting. Trouble is that there is hardly any fast ground form to go on... In the opening Cornwallis Stakes, Mrs Danvers is unbeaten and John Portman’s grey filly won the Super Sprint and a Listed race at Newbury, receives 6lb or more from the top three and may have most to fear from Ballydoyle visitor Courage Under Fire. She ought to win just for the name – Mrs Danvers out of Rebecca de Winter? The Oh So Sharp Stakes appears to be a choice between the unexposed types or the previous pattern race form. Miss Infinity and Glitter Girl were both close up in the Rockfel Stakes over course and distance; and Grecian Light was a respectable third in a Group 3 at The Curragh but Andre Fabre has not brought Double Lady here just for the scenery. The Fillies’ Mile threw up a Classic winner last year but the main question is going to surround Sobetsu: is she as good as her ten length course and distance win last time? She was previously beaten by Spatial, whilst the strongest form lines appear to belong to Moyglare second and third Hydrangea and Rhododendron (of which Ryan Moore has chosen the latter) and May Hill winner Rich Legacy. This may well come down to the potential battle for the lead between the two known front-runners, Hydrangea and Spatial. For that reason I will give it a miss. The handicap at 3:45 looks very competitive and the obvious one to catch the eye is Saunter, facile winner of an ordinary maiden race and subsequent winner of a valuable handicap from the front, so he is clearly progressing rapidly and steps up in trip here. Can SCARLET DRAGON and Hollie Doyle beat him in receipt of just 1lb? Danehill Kodiac now finds himself 4lbs better off with New Caledonia for his Ascot defeat and they should be evenly matched. Lower down the handicap, Banish and Josephine Gordon have a penalty for winning a polytrack handicap whilst Kaatskill Nap won a four-runner affair at Yarmouth. If they have figured out why Sixties Groove hung left at Goodwood last time (track?), Silvestre De Sousa’s mount looks on a handy mark if not too race rusty.
On the flip side the chubby one is eight from nine in bumpers here in the last ten years....and his has a fair reputation. Could be a very hot race.
A Lucky 15 for me... SPATIAL 4/1 - already beaten the fav and form is solid. SAUNTER 7/1 - here's hoping the step up in trip unlocks more improvement. YOUNG DILLON 8/1 - won well last week and STD keeps the ride although Nicholls saddles the fav. THE CALLER 13/2 - swayed by the enthusiasm on here!! Good luck to all!!
Drifted this morn out to 7/2. In comparison the fav, Taopix, is ‘blue’ across the board on Oddschecker and seems to be being extremely well backed. Similarly, Ajman Prince 14/1 into as low as 7/1.
Totally agree looks an outstanding recruit and you certainly wouldn’t want to be against Old Guard today. One to watch for next time out, or further down the line, is Bladoun who is barned in the county. Has moved to Michael Blake and has his first run for him today. Previously was with the Pipe’s and hasn’t run since March (its taken that long, evidently, to get the contents of the ‘magic fridge’ out of his system. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more…). I’d expect…how do I say this diplomatically…a very gentle introduction to the big ‘uns for Bladoun in order to allow him to learn about that sphere. Once he goes handicapping it should be a different story though.
Put a line on the first 4 races at Newmarket today. Yalta Grecian Light Certificate Hydrangea Looking forward to the jumps tomorrow!
135 NM Mrs Danvers 145 York Battered 300NA Alcala 310 NM Sobetsu 325 Guns of Leros 335 NA Brother Tedd 3 singles 3 doubles and a treble 220 Big Time 250 Her Terms 2 singles and a double Belgium, Estonia, France, Holland, Latvia, Sweden & Portugal footy acca Happy punting!
Yalta at 7.50 in the 13:35 at Newmarket Battered at 4.33 in the 13:45 at York Black Corton at 1.36 in the 13:55 at Newton Abbot Old Guard at 1.25 in the 14:30 at Newton Abbot Richard Pankhurst at 7.00 in the 14:40 at Newmarket
First decent flat card since Ascot? Looks nice. I just have a speculative one off bottom weight in the 3:45 handicap- Fleeting Visit 33/1 e.w has young Josephine Gordon claiming an extremely useful 7lb. This horse is screaming to go up in trip and gets its wish today off bottom weight off a strong pace in a big field. Has been staying on well at the likes of Sandown which is a stiff finish and hopefully the horse gets switched off towards the rear before a late rattle to go close. I honestly couldn't call the big fillies race but it looks a nice one. Godolphin seem confident in theirs it seems. Strange drift on the Stoute one.
