The Al Zarooni horses I named have been in the last few seasons, were as your naming horses from 10+ years ago. That shows how dreadful SBS has been for near on a decade. Al Zarooni has without doubt been the better trainer since he got the job with Godolphin
Al Zarooni as clearly been getting the better horses sent to him, Even the ones whisked away from far superior trainers like Andre Fabre and Mark Johnson etc, SBS as gone rather stale like you've pointed out but at least hes never been caught drugging his horses up to the eyeballs in order to gain an unfair advantage...
I saw the man from Ladbrokes on the news saying that they would refund bets, so they are obviously all queuing up for some publicity. I am not sure why ante post bets should be refunded. If Certify were injured or sick, the bets would be lost (I lost my money on champion Warning when he missed the 2000 Guineas twenty five years ago). If you play the ante post market, you take your chance and get better odds.
1000 Guineas bet for me on the day is Just The Judge. I cant see past her at all. If the going had soft in it then I'd be on Maureen...
Just The Judge drifting on Betfair, out to 10.5. Sort of tempted to go in again, but also a little concerned.
I can't help thinking Sir Henry's horse is far too short a price based on her victory at HQ the other week and I think folk are getting carried away with her because of connections. The one I really like and am likely to back is the Mikel Delzangles filly What A Name. The trainer knows what is required to win a Guineas having sent Makfi over to win the 2000 a few years ago, and What A Name showed her class when finding only Olympic Glory too good when taking on the colts in the Grand Criterium last back end on heavy ground. Her reappearance run was workmanlike rather than dazzling (on soft ground) but I think the daughter of Mr Greeley will really come into her own tomorrow and at around the 5/1 mark she looks worth a decent dabble.
Evening, all. Those of you who remember my drizzling on the old BBC606 will recall that I was OCD obsessive about the effect of the draw in flat racing, and not just only in the obvious cases (Chester, Epsom 5f, Beverley 5f etc). Watching the 2000G today, I took the view that Spencer had correctly assessed that the ground was marginally quicker up the centre, and reaped the reward with Glory Awaits's well-earned effort in the frame. That said, the best horse won it and all Manning needed - as it turned out was -was not to do anything silly. Tomorrow, I think it may turn into a jockeys' race and the smartest tactician might get the money. Teasingly, the top four in the betting are drawn 11/12/13/14 of 15, and my guess is that Lemaire and Tom Q (neither of whom I rate as the sharpest pencils in the box) might stay over towards the stands rail. I reckon Jamie might drop out, move across to the middle, and come late and strong. (Joseph will do what his dad tells him, which I can't forecast). A useless bit of support for this theory (useless in the sense that it's pub gossip and I've no other evidence for it) is that Charlie Hills thinks that Just the Judge has overwintered extraordinarly well and is ultra-fit and forward. So JTJ's the bet, and good luck. My condolences to Watford, who seemed to get all the bad breaks and none of the good ones. I'll be rooting for Palace as always in the playoffs, but I do find Ian Holloway hard to love.
I like Agent Alison tomorrow. She ran a good race staying on nicely in the Fred Darling and I think she has a good chance of making the frame at rewarding odds.
I only had one ante post bet on the Classics this year and as Just The Judge went for home coming out of the dip in the 1000 Guineas, I was counting my winnings. Just as well I had not spent them... No complaints, I got a run for my money; and congratulations to Richard Hughes on finally managing to win a British Classic. Sky Lantern ran a terrific race and the others can have no excuses – the best filly won on the day. I was disappointed that Midday’s half-sister (the favourite) Hot Snap ran so poorly compared to the winner, whom she had previously beaten.
.... despite running green. One would have thought that Hot Snap had the more improvement in her. I got that one completely wrong, just proving the old adage about women and horses. please log in to view this image
Yip, was thinking that 20/1 for the Oaks might be worth taking, even though its probably unlikely she will make the race, Ascot for the Coronation is probably more likely. I think she wants 1m2+ and her Nell Gwynn form has been boosted, I underrated that performance a bit because things fell for her but you have to take notice now with Sky Lantern winning the Guineas. 20/1 will go once it comes out she burst a blood vessel I think as its a valid excuse, if that didnt happen she would clearly have went close to winning the Guineas and she would be no bigger than 5/1 for the Oaks.
I had her at 10's with Betfred so was gutted it went wrong and yes I could see her running big races over middle distances this year. I'd be happier with 20/1 and risk her not turning up than back Moth at current prices.
