Saturday's Meetings Hexham N/H 7 Races 1:18-4:43p.m. Curragh Flat 8 Races 1:25-5:30p.m. York Flat 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Chepstow N/H 7 Races 1:42-5:12p.m. Newmarket Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Fairyhouse N/H 7 Races 2:10-5:40p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 8 Races 4:53-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Has anyone seen this stat re the admirable, game and ultra-tough 7YO sprinter Mr Wagyu??? The old boy runs tomorrow at York (3.15). In career starts in June and July he has won 15 of his 30 races. At all other times of the year he has a record of 0/38!!! My calendar informs me that tomorrow's race is in the latter set of dates.
Sir Barney: my fancy for the Cesarewitch is your favourite trainer's Ahorsewithnoname (strange monicker, that). Very hopeful the mare can emulate last year's winner, Buzz, for Nicky Henderson. The mare has excellent form and a fine pedigree, even though sire Cacique was basically a miler, a closer examination shows he has some pretty sound stamina parents and grandparents down the line a bit? Dam sire of mare is Galileo, enough said there! Think the Lieutenant has the Cesarewitch planned for a while now? Ground on Saturday should be OK for her, i.e. not fast going. William Buick was booked to ride some time ago, so that's another good sign. Apologies for all this blah blah, realise I am not telling you anything you don't know already. Backed her Thursday, could not get 6/1 unfortunately, but managed 5/1. All the best!
Oh, strange business, I see Ryan Moore is on board, and not William Buick! The latter is on Baby Zeus! Previous info. I was looking at must have been false!
Yep, I like Ahorsewithnoname as well. Think she has really excelled In her last 3 races (2nd at the Cheltenham Festival and then winning a pair of 2 mile handicaps, on the level, at Newbury and York). And yes most deffo the 'Ces' has been the plan since that last race at York. Although it certainly wasn't the plan last March because the week after Cheltenham Ahorsewithnoname was booked in for...how do I put this diplomatically...an 'appointment' with old boy Golden Horn. After her amazing run at Cheltenham though (I really don't think it was expected - hence the SP of 50/1 and her expected retirement to the breeding shed) plans quickly changed. Re jockey bookings. Ryan Moore has ridden her in both Flat races in '22. However, because of possible Coolmore options in the race, earlier in the week, he couldn't commit at that time. W Buick was then subsequently 'provisionally' booked if he couldn't make it. When the Coolmore runners didn't get declared Ryan Moore was then, therefore, available and quickly snapped up again by The Lieutenant. That left W Buick free and he has since been jocked up by WP, I say WP, Mullins.
You ain’t seen me! Tenerife sunshine in the Zetland at hq ew. Game winner lto and the step up in trip no problem. Cheers.
Just the six facing the starter in the Autumn Stakes (2:25) at HQ and the betting resembles a greyhound race. In Trap 5, Dancing Magic looks a bit out of his depth having chased home Naval Power last time and still a maiden. In Trap 2 Killybegs Warrior won a three runner nursery here on his penultimate start before a well beaten seventh in a valuable race at The Curragh; and that form looks short at this level but he may guarantee a pace. Two of the runners here come from big yards having won their only starts. In Trap 4, Exoplanet was close to the pace at Newbury and the front two drew well clear and the son of Sea The Stars should have no problem stepping up to a mile; whilst in Trap 1 Epictetus won his only start in July, with favourite Flying Orders more than four lengths behind, comes from a good family and should also be fine with the mile. However, I prefer actual form in the book over potential at this stage so the winner is most likely to be one of Trap 6, Holloway Boy, a 40/1 surprise in the Chesham but a good second to Dewhurst favourite Nostrum in a four runner Tattersalls Stakes last time; or Trap 1 SILVER KNOTT, winner of the Solario in August but turned over at odds on in the three runner Champagne Stakes behind Chaldean last time, which I am going to forgive him given the yard’s tremendous juvenile record at HQ. It seems like a very rare year when the favourite for the Dewhurst (3:00) comes from neither Coolmore nor Godolphin: he does, however, carry the colours of Frankel. Royal Scotsman won the Richmond after a good third in the Coventry but he was never a factor in the Gimcrack and would be something of a surprise today with a couple of less exposed rivals. Isaac Shelby is one of those, successful in both starts but not seen since winning the Superlative Stakes on the July course three months ago; and a form line through runner-up Victory Dance gives him something to find in this company. Marbaan won the Vintage Stakes (so runner-up Holloway Boy could give the form a boost in the 2:25) and perhaps should be forgiven his last place in the National Stakes on soft ground; however, the favourite that day Aesop’s Fables finished two places in front and also is probably better judged on his previous Futurity win. Naval Power is unbeaten in four starts in similar sized fields to this, the last two of which have been at Listed level where he has won easily. He has to be a live contender here with the stable’s record this season even though he is stepping up to the top level. Also stepping up to the top level is Group 3 winner Nostrum in the Juddmonte colours. He beat Holloway Boy and Victory Dance in the four runner Tattersalls Stakes last time on only his second start, has been the subject of all the support this week (including for the 2000 Guineas) and could be favourite for the first Classic with a big win here. However, I prefer the other Juddmonte runner, CHALDEAN. Ian Balding’s charge won a novice on his second start (favourite Silver Knott fourth could boost the form in the 2:25), followed up in the Acomb at York and then made all in the three runner Champagne Stakes, increasing his winning margin over Indestructible from York. I particularly like the Acomb form as the ground was similar to today and the front two pulled clear of two or three fancied contenders and he showed battling qualities that he is going to need here.
Very disappointing to see Chepstow's £35,000 Listed Novice Chase now reduced to just 2 runners. Was really looking forward to seeing McFabulous (peak rated 158 over hurdles) make his, belated, fencing bow but that will now have to wait for another day.
Newmarket 15,00 Aesop's Fables 7/1 e/w three places with bet365, others 13/2 three places 15,40 Bascule 28/1 e/w seven places with sky, others six York 17,00 Faylaq 12/1 e/w five places, 11/1 six places with sky Chesptow 16,37 Bagheera Ginge 5/1 bet365, others 9/2
According to Timeform, eight of the last nine winners of the York 3:15 have come from single figure draws. Unfortunately their man writing on SportingLife.com went for non runner Dusky Lord but following through on the draw logic, of the remaining runners in single figure stalls, the most interesting is Lucky Man, fourth in the Ayr Gold Cup three weeks ago following on from a course and distance win; and he had already posted two good York performances as runner-up. He is up 5lb from the Ayr mark, so can PJ McDonald galvanise the Kodi Bear three year old to a career best win? If I have winnings from earlier races, I might lumber him with the weight of some of them. The numbers in the 4:50 Boadicea Stakes at HQ make it look deceptively hard but at least six of them can be easily eliminated because they are out of their depth; however, there is prize money down to sixth and the chance of a place in a Listed race to enhance their paddock value. There are a lot of mixed form lines amongst the main contenders that indicate why the betting is so open. Current favourite Chil Chil is taking a drop in class but has not won since last year’s Group 3 Chipchase Stakes on the Newcastle kitty litter, but she is 3lb better off with Gale Force Maya for a head in a Pontefract Listed race. The lightly raced three year old Manaafith has done all her winning on the kitty litter and over seven furlongs, so I will pass her over dropping a furlong back on turf. Three year old Another Romance just failed in a Pontefract handicap last time and needs to find a few pounds for soon-to-be champion William Buick whilst the other three year olds with live chances are Michael Dods’ Azure Blue (winner of a course and distance handicap off 89 last time, Cuban Breeze behind) and the William Haggas contender Pink Crystal, who chased home Gale Force Maya over five-and-a-half furlongs at Ayr but was behind Azure Blue in a York handicap over six. Primo Bacio has plied his trade over a mile or seven furlongs most of the season but chased home Gale Force Maya over six at York last time but the 3lb she receives today should not be enough to turn it around. GALE FORCE MAYA ran poorly for Paul Mulrennan last time at Ascot in a Group 3 race but back at this level with regular pilot Connor Beasley on, I think she can give this field 3lb to go one better than last year. I note the money is going on her stablemate Azure Blue...
More likely that the Nicholls’ horse – now a non runner – had scared them all off and the going was reported as Good to Firm not so long ago (now Good) so that probably also resulted in a few non acceptors at declaration time. Why pick up a Listed race penalty in October when there will be plenty of similar opportunities as there are too many races of this type that allow the slow old plodders to avoid racing against each other until Cheltenham in March?
In the Group-1 Darley Dewhurst Stales at Newmarket (15:00)) over 7f, fancy Naval Power to continue his winning ways. Will be ultra-tough competition from the two colts favoured in the betting, Nostrum and Chaldean. William Buick rides for the Charlie Appleby yard. 4/1 is generally the best price at time of writing. In the penultimate race at Newmarket (16:50), a Class-1 Listed Stakes for Fillies' and Mares' over 6f, will take a chance with the Exceed and Excel mare Chil Chil. She has shown a recent return to form after having the tongue-tie applied. However, this is a very tricky 15-runner sprint, and so only a modest punt. David Probert on board for the Andrew Balding stable. 5/1 is generally the best price at time of writing. Win on each and e/w double. Best of luck today, folks!
