Re the pedigree comparison with Sea The Stars one needs to remember that his dam was the remarkable Urban Sea, Arc winner and dam of Galileo. So there is really no comparison as regards the stamina influence on the dam side
Yes, once you look at it the comparison it is that Sea the Stars had so much stamina on the dam's side that he'd stay, stamina which Golden Horn's bottom half doesn't have.
The Dante looked on the eye like an even pace that one horse quickened up really well on. My worry about the winner would be if it gets a little bit helter skelter at Epsom, will he hold out that final 2f? I personally can't go near him at 2/1 but if he wins it well then he adds some proper interest to the 3 Y O middle distance season. Another fascinating stamina question is the one around Zawraq. He looks very talented, although some people might question his form with Sir Isaac Newton beaten at long odds on and Endless Drama beaten in a listed race in Ireland, along with the fact he hasn't yet gone beyond 1m. I think his pedigree does give hope though.
Zawraq has not done anything wrong and his pedigree does not scream mile-and-a-half horse but he looked laid-lack enough last time that I think he will get the trip. I would not back Golden Horn ante post (unless it is non-runner no bet) because they do not have to supplement him until the week of the race. If the weather forecast turns up bad and suggests that it might be soft at Epsom, I think that they would reconsider and go to Chantilly. The owner never originally entered the horse in the Derby because the family have all been ten furlong horses or shorter. I hope that if he does show up on 6th June they ride him like he will stay. Too often we see horses with stamina doubts ridden like they will not stay: Dancing Brave anyone... Other than the Irish Guineas, the only other Classic trials left are at Goodwood this week. I see that John Gosden has Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jellicle Ball entered in the fillies’ race on Thursday and Godolphin have Newmarket Stakes winner Best Of Times entered in the colts’ race on Friday. The near mile-and-a-half should suit the filly but I wonder about Best Of Times as he is a Dubawi colt out of a Rahy mare. At 33/1, I might take a chance and have a little each-way on him for Epsom as the boys in blue have nothing else in the betting. As there is not a standout candidate from Ballydoyle this year, I have every expectation that they will run half a dozen as that is what recent history tells us they do – if you are not in it, you cannot win it. I note that Andre Fabre’s Grey Lion is still in the betting despite it already having been stated that he is a no show.
On the dam's side you have a dam by Sadler's Wells out of a half-sister to Nashwan/Unfuwain etc. called Sarayir who won over 10f. There's nothing on the dam's side to say he won't stay 12f: a classic Royal Stud bottom line. On the sires side although Sharmadal never ran over further than 10f it is reasonable to think he could get further from the way he ran, especially his performance in the Prix de Jockey Club. By an Eclipse winner out of a full-sister to Street Cry: classic Ballymacoll sire line. Is he good enough and even if he's good enough can he do a Shaamit/Lammtarra and win the Derby first time out? that's the question.
I don't think there will be an issue with the horses temperament. We seen in the Dante how well he was able to switch off at the back of the field, so hopefully he won't get lit up in the Derby. I think that is one big positive for the horses chances of staying, that he appears to have a good temperament. The only horse I ever recall winning a Derby after seemingly pulling his chances away was New Approach. But he had a difficult temperament throughout his whole racing career. Luckily for him he had so much ability, he could get away with it
Bustino, Zawraq has run this season – he won the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial easily by three and a half lengths on soft ground back in April. They had wanted to run in the Derrinstown but side-stepped that and the Irish 2000 Guineas so he will go straight to Epsom. I agree that all the strength in his pedigree comes on the dam’s side, which I think is usually more important, so having Shamardal as the sire is the weakest link.
Annoys me that does. I know its racing and business but its a shame that these guys can pluck them pre-big race and then claim them as their own (Jezki last year for example). I wonder if Jack Hobbs might run better at Epsom. Whatever the case what a gorgeous horse he is. BEST OF TIMES goes on trial im the Cocked Hat tomorrow so thay will decide if Godolphin have another runner in the Derby.
That's great news for me that Godolphin have bought Jack Hobbs, as it makes it far more likely that he'll run at Epsom now. I was beginning to think id lost my antepost bet on him at 16s, with them wanting to go to Ascot instead. But I think with Godolphin as owners I'm far more likely to get a run for my money now. Fingers crossed they go to Epsom anyways
Coolmore have bought up American Pharoah to stand at stud for them in America just before he attempts the Triple Crown and now Godolphin have bought a share in Jack Hobbs before the Derby so he will race in their blue (assuming that he lines up rather than heading to Royal Ascot!). Pleased that they announced this before Friday as I was going to have a little each-way on Best Of Times ante post for the Derby as he was their only conceivable runner at Epsom until this news broke. I hope they announce their plans now.
Does anyone else like the form of the Chester vase winner hans Holbein . Ryan Moore was quite positive after the race. You wouldn't want a Montjeu though
Interesting you say that as his form got a little boost tonight when Proposed won at Sandown, who was 15 lengths behind at Chester. Jack Hobbs form also got a boost with Dartmouth winning aswell.
There are two from the Chester Vase running in the Cocked Hat at Goodwood on Friday: runner-up Storm The Stars and third Medrano, although neither of them troubled the winner and the going was soft on the Roodee.
True the soft going is something to take into account, Proposed probably didn't run his race that day
Hans Holbein is Derby bound by default at the moment. I think he is miles short of the standard and won a poor Chester Vase. Storm The Stars tests the form further today but again, he is nowhere near Derby standard.
http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd?event_id=8636224&category=0 Frankie jocked off Jack Hobbs, with James Doyle likely to ride him from now on. Apparently the decision as to wether to run in the Derby will be down to Gosden, so I still fear there's a good chance he'll go to Ascot. I think ground could be key, I'm not sure JH would like it to quick
