So we pretty much wind down the flat season this weekend, so it would be nice to wrap things up with a couple of good shouts. 1.20 Newbury: Forest Row 13/8 (NAP)- Backed into favouritism on debut and ran a cracking race, a strong run late on not quite enough to snatch the victory, finishing just over 2 lengths 5th. Obviously slightly concerning that it has been off since May, but that maiden has worked out exceptionally well, including winners St Barths 3rd in the Coventry, and Trumpet Major winning the Champagne stakes. 2.55 Newbury: Stencive 6/1- Really likeable pedigree, by Dansili and being a half brother to the very smart 2 Y O from Ballydoyle, Joshua Tree. Ryan Moore and William Haggas ave a great strike rate together of 33.68%, with Moore riding 32 wins and 17 places from just 95 starts for Haggas. Has a Derby entry, and pedigree and jockey bookings suggest a bold showing. 3.45 Doncaster: Iver Bridge Lad 25/1 e.w- Really admirable horse and this represents a fair old drop in class, running in Group 1 and general Group Company for most of the season. Yes he is top weight and could not manage it in this race last season off this mark, but I think he is a better horse now and at this price, has to be worth some small e/w interest. He is still only a 4 year old remember, so he is entitled to continue improving. O'Connell's 3lb claim is very handy and he has a good record on the horse, (36117), with the 7th being a 3 length defeat to the very smart Prohibit, in Group 1 company. 4.55 Doncaster Voodoo Prince 7/1(NB)- The first foal of the magnificent Ouija Board, was entered up higly at the beginning of this season. Confirmed debut promise on 2nd start when readily accounting for Roger Varian's Kawsajj (rated 84) and John Gosdens Robemaker, (who was a very close 2nd off 86). That form makes the mark round about right and Voodoo Prince should be better than most in this field, and off 9 stone 2 has few excuses. OIn his last start he was 3rd, and whilst initially disappointing, we should note that the first 3 that day were miles clear. Still unexposed in my book.
5.40 Fakenham – SHOWMANSHIP (9-1 BOG) An interesting if not spectacular bumper to end the card at Fakenham and I will be having a small dabble on SHOWMANSHIP. He is trained by John Ferguson who is (or used to be not sure) Sheik Mohammed’s bloodstock adviser. I have been following his horses closely and he seems to have made a bright start to his training career. Showmanship didn’t shape with too much promise on his sole start so far when well down the field in a similar contest to this at Market Rasen, however he was with Godolphin on the flat (unraced) and obviously had problems judging by the fact he is now a 4yo and has been gelded. I am willing to give him another chance today and he now has the visor on. Priced up at around 9-1 this morning. 1.30 Doncaster – PRINCELY SUM (12-1 E.W BOG) Some good maidens at Doncaster this afternoon and this is a nice race to start the card, Choisan sets the standard but I will be disappointed if there isn’t a horse that is capable of running up to a mark of around 80 first time out in this field. Gregorian is also well fancied in the market but he was last on debut and I wasn’t that impressed with his midfield finish in a sales race last time out, it was an obvious improvement from his debut run but at 11/4 he offers no value at all. I will take a chance on the Sir Michael Stoute newcomer PRINCELY SUM he is a half brother to the useful Cape Dollar and while he has no fancy entries the same has applied to a couple of Stoutes better 2yos this season e.g. Tales Of Grimm. The selection certainly has an interesting pedigree and hopefully he can run in to at least a place on debut. 2.20 Newbury – TRADER JACK (13-2 BOG) Another above average looking maiden for 2yos and picking the winner will not be easy, however I found TRADER JACK very interesting, he is closely related to the stables smart performer Al Kazeem (won this in 2010) and seems to be fancied judging by the market. Chalrton’s 2yo’s usually improve for the run but he is capable of readying a decent one and hopefully Trader Jack can run a big race this afternoon as Charlton seems to have targeted this race.
Not really looked at the racing today, I can't wait for the NH to start tomorrow!! One thing of note, the week after 9 jockeys get banned for not pulling their horses up after the race being abandoned we get a headline in an Irish paper of (Brennan) "We're not thick" Ok then, if you will.
Nass btw I see Fairley has quit the little cheating bastard And why is the Old Roan on a Saturday and on ch4 now not happy about all this change tbh
rv, have we got any spread betting on how many jocks get suspended in the latest round of race fixing allegations? I say 3 to 5 is a fair spread. They won't complain about the suspensions anyway, because they will already have massive whip bans in place
Morning all, hope everyone is well. Not alot catching the old eye today, a small fancy for Brian Meehan's Sir Bedivere in the 2.55 at Newbury but won't be playing at 7/4, especially as Toppy seems to have found a decent one in the race. AP should win again on Mush Mir for Nicky Henderson, but again it's a pretty short price. The 4.55 at Doncaster is interesting with Roger Charlton's Camberley Two looking for the 7-timer but surely the handicapper has him now and preference is for Mark Johnston's Tartan Gigha (NAP) who finally got back to winning ways off 75 last time and could very well follow up here under the penalty.
I normally access not606 through the phone app which is handy when you’re on the go, however last night I left my phone at Sainsburys whilst shopping and some tosser has stolen it, as when I phoned my number someone was answering and hanging up. I’ve stopped my contract but the point is who would do such a thing the phone has over a hundred pictures of my kids and family on it….I’m well p****** off to lose these…and my insurance needs a police report (your having a laugh) and proof of purchase…..anyway back to today’s action hope to be able to put a couple up later on today. And free night tonight so some serious studying for tomorrow…I think I’ll play the flat today and that’s it for me its NH season from tomorrow….
Morning, all. Why do all 3 of the flat cards today need 8 races?!? A bit over the top, methinks. Nothing really jumps out at me as a lot of the races are either full of unraced 2YO’s that we know next to nothing about or crammed packed with exposed handicappers who are probobly over the top. Being a sentimental fool though I have to flag up my old fave, Advanced, at Donny (3.45). His win last time out was one of the highlights of the flat term for me as the old boy rolled back the years with aplomb. Has been raised 4 pounds for that win but 22/1 for him today does seem a big price. Now incidentally owned by Mrs Ryan (wife of Kevin and mum to Amy).
Nass Ardent sorry to hear that espec as it has lots of family pics on - found lots of phones over the years and have always found a number in the phone and returned it- it is the right thing to do. As Nass says though its a sign of the times. During the riots when chavs were looting I will never forget those chavs trying to get that tv off the wall in ladbrokes and totally failing before running out. Bet the bloke who fitted it is well proud
Whip rule ammended - still stick to limits 7 and 8 but allowed to use any point during the race . Riding fee protected and earnings only lost for 7 day + bans
Who is going to pay for the bubbly at the BHA Christmas party now that they are giving the master French jockey his money back? Poor old BHA.
I just hope that a bitter and vengeful BHA don’t launch another of their ‘vendettas’ against another innocent party, as they have done in the past, in a bid to try to re-establish their authority. Meanwhile, Sir Michael’s Sea Moon being very well backed for the ‘Breeders cup Turf’ this morn.
