1.40 Hamilton Mandalay King 12/1 If ready to do himself justice after a 197 day absence, then I think Marjorie Fife's 8 year old could go very well at a double figure price. Mandalay King looks a very well handicapped animal off a mark of 64 having put up a career best when winning off a mark of 74 at Ripon last April and although his form was patchy towards the end of last season he very much looks a summer horse with 8 wins occurring between April-July and I'm hoping his winter break has revitalised him. He did, however, prove that his Ripon victory was no fluke on his 2nd last start at Redcar back in October when a never nearer 1.5L beaten 5th off a 4lb higher mark and I am definitely buoyed to see him make a nearly 8 hour round trip to a course where he goes really well at for his seasonal reappearance. A C+D winner, Mandalay King has a very good record reading 1-7-2-3-1-7 at the course and it looks significant that he is Fife's sole runner of the day for what is an infrequent visit to the track and I'm definitely hopeful its a sign he is ready to do himself justice. Although he was poor on his reappearance last year, he ran really well on his seasonal reappearance in 2010-2011 and can definitely run well fresh so I'm very hopeful that he'll be fully wound up for this engagement. Philip Makin looks a significant booking and he has a good record for the yard and again I'm hoping this is a pointer of his race readiness. Drawn in the middle of the field, this hold up performer looks like he'll have a race run to suit with Legal Bond and Rise To Glory likely to set a decent pace and he shouldn't have any issue with the soft ground either. Although his trainer isn't in tremendous form, some of her horses have been running well and she isn't a prolific winner and it isn't a grave concern. Given that he a lot going in his favour today, if fully wound up then I foresee him running a really big race and 12/1 looks a very nice price for him to do so. However, if he is unsuccessful in this contest I'd definitely advise keeping a close eye on him as he's far too well handicapped off a mark of 64 (lowest since 2009) and I'd be surprised if he doesn't win very soon. 3.50 Newmarket What A Name 5/1 Although I backed Hot Snap on her last start and she hasn't done anything wrong winning both her starts, I'm not convinced the form of either victory is especially strong and I'd much rather side with French raider What A Name who has, in my opinion, by far the strongest form in the book. Mikel Delzangles's filly built on her very promising debut 3rd with a very comfortable 7L success in a Maiden at Deauville last August and made the transition to Group Company comfortably with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Prix La Rochette at Longchamp over 7f last September as she dispatched with a field made up of colts. She again took on the boys when stepped up to Group 1 company at Longchamp in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and although she had to settle for 2nd behind Olympic Glory a replication of that form would probably be good enough to land the 1,000 Guineas. Settled towards the rear under Christophe Lemaire, What A Name travelled like the best horse in the race and was last off the bridle but the eventual winner got first run on her as she finished very strongly late on to be defied by 1.5L. She lost absolutely nothing in defeat that day given that the victor has won 5 of his 6 starts with his only defeat coming at the hands of yesterday's extremely impressive 2,000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach and it was an absolutely excellent effort - especially as she will find it a lot easier coming up against her own sex today. That was her last start as a 2 year old but she has come out this season and shown that she has trained on with a win at Maisons-Lafitte in Group 3 Company where she overcame a bit of interference and a leisurely gallop to score by a comfortable neck and I'm sure she'll be a fitter horse as a result. A horse who looks to have a very high cruising speed, I think What A Name will relish the step up to a mile and the frenetic pace of a Guineas and by the form book she is the one they all have to beat in my eyes. Trainer Mikel Delzangles knows exactly what it takes to win a Guineas having done so with Makfi back in 2010 and Christophe Lemaire was also on board that day. Although Hot Snap has looked a very talented filly winning both her starts and her breeding suggest she is the real deal, I don't really think Sky Lantern is as good a horse as her Group 1 victory at The Curragh would suggest and there is definitely a doubt in my mind that Hot Snap's form isn't as good as it reads. Moreover, there is no question in my mind that What A Name would be a shorter price if trained in the UK or Ireland and I honestly will be very surprised if she isn't bang there at the finish. Clearly a very classy filly with superb form to her name, I just can't see What A Name out of the first 3 and at 5/1 she rates a great each way bet in my eyes. However, I'm quietly confident of the win and think Hot Snap needs to be taken on as I feel she's too short at 11/4.
What A Name for me too ROTO - I really liked her attitude last time and her run against the boys in the Grand Criterium was most impressive.
Morning all exellent write up as usual Roto I kept looking at the 140 last night I was tempted to side with windygoul lad who I think beat legal bond on similar terms also pelmanism looks a tempting each way good luck all
2 for me at sunny sails my man Glee assures me that Castilo Del Diablo (named after Oddy and Dexters bolt hole) and Swing Easy (named after RV apparently !!!) are good things so im on (not brown envelope) enjoy all and as ever S T A Y F R O S T Y
Shirrocco Star NAP (9/4) - doesn't get ideal trip or ground but she should be a class apart from these Just The Judge - lumpy bet at 8s just after Cheltenham Magic Of Reality - classy filly who should come on a ton for her debut
Just the Judge for me and also a small e/w on Ollie Olga at 40/1 who if you can forgive 1 bad run is a nice price! Other 2 at Newmarket for me Crowdmania and Soviet Rock (Nap) Good Luck today everyone
Morning all. Today's lucky 15. 2-05,Newmarket=Opinion. 2-20,Salisbury=Mawaqeet. 2-35,Newmarket=Dank. 3-10,Newmarket=Ladyship. Nap=What A Name. Good luck to all.
Have got Dawn Approach & Hot Snap in a double- did have Dawn Approach and Certify but we all know what happend there
Huge drift for the class horse Shirroco Star in the 2.35. Out to 5/2 now. Slightly worried by the negative market vibes even considering trip (too short) and ground concerns (too lively) surely she shouldn't be 5-2 against that opposition? I've had a dabble at 5-2, that seems a slightly insulting price for her now.
Hello lads. More top action today. I really like Hot Snap in the 1000 and backed her at 6's e/w with PP shorthly after the Nell Gwynn..bound to be in the three imo.The second and third that day had solid G1 form and whilst the winner of this will post a lifetime best I think Hot Snap can improve again Not keen on Moth...too short on what she has achieved and don't see the Hannon filly reversing the form with the fav.His horses are pretty spot on first time up and probobly improve less than most.The vibes from JTJ are most positive so she cannot easily be dismissed and the French Filly arrives from shrewd connections and has solid form in the book against the boys as 2-y-o. The Weld filly also has to be considered on better ground and may cover my bet with a little on her e/w at 12/1..what a weekend for New Approach that would complete!
There certianly would be a new approach to racing if Rasmeyaa won! I crack myself up at times! (sorry too much coffee this morning, getting ready for a huge nite) lol
Chiltern Hills 3/1 4.40 Sligo is a major fancy. Ruby goes all the way to Sligo for one ride and this one looks feasibily weighted off 108 in her first h'cap.Has raced prominently in the past and if Ruby can get her off in front she could take some pegging back around the tight Sligo turns.I expect this to be go off shorter. GL all.
