4.39 Meydan Educate 40/1 I think everyone on here knows how much I love this fella and although he's got to take a big step forward to land this contest I think he is primed to run a massive, massive race. Improving all the time, this 5 year old went from an opening mark of 88 last year to land the Cambridgeshire off a mark of 104 (form reads incredibly well) under a huge weight of 9-9 despite hanging badly and there has certainly been encouragement in his 2 starts at Meydan this year. The first of which came on the back of 124 day absence in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya over this C+D at the end of January when finishing a promising 6th beaten less than 4L (pulled quite hard) and I was very surprised and delighted with his last run 3 weeks ago in the Group 1 3rd round of the Al Maktoum challenge. Over 10f on Tapeta (a surface I thought he'd hate given former yard profiler Terry Norman said he didn't sparkle at all on the AW in England during last years pre-season training), I thought Educate ran a blinder under tomorrow's pilot Maxime Guyon to be beaten 2.5L in 5th despite having his run interrupted on a couple of occasions (he's a horse who likes to come with long, withering runs) and I think both runs will have put him spot on for this extremely valuable contest. With a lovely draw in stall 5 and having gained very valuable track experience, Educate represents the 2007 Carnival leading trainer in Ismail Mohammed who bagged 16 winners that year including the UAE Oaks and 1,000 Guineas and I'm sure Educate will be primed to perfection for this Group 1 contest. Returned to turf and over 9f, I'm hoping Guyon positions Educate in the midfield as Meydan isn't a place you want to get too far back and although this is unquestionably his toughest test to date there is no doubt in my mind that there is still improvement left in this son of Echo Of Light. With doubts surrounding The Fugue (never ran at course, lack of a recent run and trip), Just A Way (no course experience and first time abroad) and Dank (lack of a recent run and no course experience), I am utterly astounded to see 40/1 freely available about Educate as I would have gladly backed him at half that price. Still on the upgrade, tomorrow we find out if Educate has the class to cut it at the top level but I firmly believe he is going to run an absolute monster and I will be absolutely over the moon if he can land this contest worth over £1.8m to the winner.
For a fair few reasons. Won me loads being a major one! I spotted him as a 3 year old on his 3rd and 4th starts where I knew he had a massive engine but was an utter psychopath (well worth watching how much of a mad yoke he was) and knew when he was gelded he would be a serious horse. Nothing pleases me more than spotting a horse at the start of their career, believing in their ability and following the horse on the up and up. It's the same with Maarek, Mossey Joe and the now deceased Murura who landed me my biggest bet ever at 12s and who would have been a Group 1 sprinter had he not died on the gallops.
Thanks for the reply. I looked up the races you mentioned. If anyone else is interested... http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video/20120714/2012965/13843873 http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video/20120721/2016002/13843781 I like how they put blinkers on him to no effect in his fourth race. Have followed the horse since you first put it up, so will continue to do so. Hope he runs well.
Evening all - hooray the flat is back tomorrow and less and less of the plodders over 3 miles at Plumpton (waiting for the abuse back from the NH fans) - only kidding - Wooly mate and PWISE yet ?
VULCANITE 3.40 Stratford 10-1 has put in some very lack lustre performances this season and that has seen his mark drop to 129. In December 2012 he was hosing up off a mark of 134 so if right again he must go close off this mark. Interesting that Fehily comes here to take the ride. When I was at the yard before Cheltenham he was said to be off with a spurious problem but my belief is that they have been laying him out for a touch.
Whilst studying the form tonight I was looking up Hymenios in the Maiden at Doncaster 4.25 only to find the woefully poor comment under him of 'Having his first run for new stable, previously with Richard Hannon'. The horse is of course now trained by Richard Hannon Jnr. I wonder how many runners will pass before someone points out the error. I have no idea why I am even attempting to study the form anyhow as it's the first meeting of a new flat season, half will not be fit to win and the form book will likely mean nothing.
I believe they've given him a wind op Stick, hopefully he will recapture some of his better form. Big chance if doing so!!
Nothing wrong with plodders at plumpton (my local track- wouldnt change it for anywhere else ) Pricewise for tomorrow- Doncaster 2.40 Heaven's Guest, 3.15 Farlow + Amaze, 3.50 Gabrial's Kaka Kempton 2.55 Bishop's Castle.
2.40 Doncaster- Jack Dexter- 2/1 (NAP) Cannot believe this chap is the price he is- Surely the classiest horse by far in the field. Will need to come off the pace which there will be alot of early pace tomorrow and wont mind the ground but the softer the better! He won this race last year and has won a group 3 not to mention very good 2nd to Slade Power at Champions Day back in october and rounded off with a win. Fully expect him to be wound up to win this again 15.03 Meydan- Shea Shea- 6/4 18.05 Meydan- Military Attack- 13/2
Dance and Dance 9/1 3:15 Donny ought to go well off a fair mark and a decent spin LTO on the AW will hopefully have him match fit for the competitive Spring Mile. I am cautiously optimistic!
Sir john Hawkins ew if anything like his sire and mother he will improve loads for fast ground and also from 2-3 ! I really fancy ruler of the world and magician! Think the fugue can win also . How can toast of New York be shorter than sir john Hawkins on all form a Coventry 3rd behind a Wolverhampton claimer !! Wow
Absolutely delighted for Tom Hogan with Gordon Lord Byron winning over in Australia. Great ride by Craig Williams.
He ran an absolute cracking race Roto. The G1 1500m George Ryder Stakes was run on heavy ground and he made the best of it, adding to his multiple G1 wins. His main target though is the $2,500,000 T.J. Smith Stakes run over the 1200m in a couple of weeks. He'll run into some really hot opposition there. It will be one hell of a race. His win today is linked below. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UPslLYJEtU
I reckon you will need a high draw in sprints at Donny and Mountain Man looks a likely sort in the Brocklesby.
Very interesting always seems to be the bridesmaid but runs wel and if I'm not mistaken he has Oisin Murphy taking off 3 lbs too with tht in mind have just talked myself in to backing him and have done two singles and a e/w double with his ride in the Lincoln -Tullius
I've looked at Meydan. To be frank I couldn't give two shiny ****s so won't be wasting time on it. Best of luck to all of you who have a bet and watch it. Can anyone help me out please? I would like to take a goosey gander at the Auteuil card. Specifically the 2.40. Does anyone have a link?
