Irish 2000 Guineas Day

Happy Weekend to you all, I trust you didn't overdo it last night and are up bright and early on Saturday morning, ok maybe not. I hope everyone had a good 5 day week as I very much enjoyed my shorter 4 day week as Monday was Victoria Day which everyone has off work. Today is the Irish 2000 Guineas which Aidan O'Brien took last year with Power, this year he holds the favourite in Chester winner Magician amongst 4 Ballydoyle entries. He is opposed by the English 2000 Guineas third and also the Johnny Murtagh trained and ridden Fort Knox who steps up in class today. We also race at Haydock where they hold the annual Temple Stakes meeting which sees the reappearance of smart juvenile Reckless Abandon. They also go to post at Goodwood, Chester and York with jumping action from Ffos Las and also Cartmel. All I can say is I hope the Racing UK guys have their wit's about them today.

Many of you have asked on Twitter where it was I was dragged off to last weekend and in case you haven't seen my replies I shall reveal on here too. Early Saturday morning me and my Brother go into the car for a 9 hour drive across the Province of British Columbia. Where were we going though? To a place called Golden which is located in the Rockies, no not the Colorado ones. So we spent our weekend driving around National Park's trying to spot bears and other wildlife to no avail. However we did manage to see some pretty incredible views and it makes you appreciate just how big this country is. But enough of my holiday and back to the Racing.

Last week our day didn't get off to the best start with Zama Zama just getting edged out of a place at a nice enough price. All hope is not lost with him however and his run looked as if Evan Williams wanted to send him handicapping from the outset. Definitely one to watch out for as he took to chasing very nicely. Dundonnell then went in for us and in nice style as well, it looks for the world as if he will stay a mile on that run, time will tell though. Trumpet Major ran an absolute shocker in the Lockinge and one can only assume that something was wrong with him. The same can be said for Cityscape, but we almost nailed the forecast for the last two home, only to be foiled by Libranno separating the two. We ended the day on a high however with our NAP absolutely sauntering home under Aidan Coleman. Of course I speak of Toubeera who looks a lovely prospect for a fence and could still win a few more hurdles if persisting with that route. Not a bad week by all costs with our NAP and Nb winning, lets hope for another week like the last.

Before that I have set up another tipping challenge, but a triple threat challenge this week with George back again and one of my good friends Rob Cook. Don't worry he isn't just a random friend, we have been going racing together since we were 12 years old, he can sometimes land a bet as well. But on with the selections

Luke                                                        George                            Rob

2:20 York - Bite Of The Cherry           Address Unknown        Address Unknown
3:20 Curragh - Van Der Neer              Fort Knox                       Gale Force Ten
3:50 Haydock - Kingsgate Native       Reckless Abandon       Reckless Abandon
4:00 York - Roman Flight                    Ace Of Valhalla             Reflect

Lets hope for a few winners between us, and lets face it if at least one of us cant find a winner then we should just give up! If you would like to follow any of us on twitter, you can find George on @GeorgeFGorman, You can find Rob on @Robertcook_ alternatively you can follow me on @Lukeyboy1325, its all appreciated!

Onto the selections!

3:20 Curragh - Van Der Neer

Richard Hannon was doubly represented in the English equivalent of this race, but it was thought that Toronado was his best chance. That was foiled when Van Der Neer passed him in the final furlong to grab third in the dying strides for William Buick. Stable jockey Richard Hughes is back on board today and he is 3 out of 4 aboard Van Der Neer, beaten only by Kingsbarns. Despite winning on softer ground, I think that he is better on a faster surface and he won his Maiden on Good to Firm. The going description for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket is misleading, officially it says Good to Firm, but it definitely wasn't after a downpour before the race. The top was coming off the ground and it looked hard work so third for Van Der Neer was a very good effort. One last thing is that he was 7 and a quarter lengths behind Dawn Approach, thankfully there isn't any horse of that standard here today. The second horse is hard to place though as Glory Awaits was 150/1 but it looks as if those odds were very much an insult to his ability. Van Der Neer can take the Irish 2000 Guineas for Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes who took the race in 2010 with Canford Cliffs. (7/2)

3:50 Haydock - Kingsgate Native

Reckless Abandon will take some beating here if he has trained on from 2 to a 3 year old and is in receipt of 4 pounds from his elders. One who there is no doubt about is Robert Cowell's gelding Kingsgate Native who was second to the reopposing Sole Power last time out. That was his seasonal reappearance whereas Sole Power had the benefit of a run in Meydan to put him straight. The selection hasn't won since 2010 when landing this race but was off for a while with injury and has posted some useful performances since. With no doubt about retaining his ability and a now fully fit horse he could take some beating and reverse the form with Sole Power. It is worth noting that Kingsgate Native was a very unlucky loser at Newbury last year behind Swiss Spirit when not getting a run till late and flying home. With the ground in his favour, race fitness on his side and the horse seemingly in good heart, its Kingsgate Native that could take the beating in this years Temple Stakes. (10/1)

4:00 York - Roman Flight

Dave O'Meara's yard have been flying lately with 6 wins from their last 9 runners and 6 winners in the last three days. Roman Flight wasn't one of them winners but did visit the winners enclosure on his last outing at Thirsk when winning in nice style. That day he looked streets ahead of the handicapper and is raised 10 pounds for his win, though that wouldn't have stopped him then. He has been more well known for his hurdling since coming over from Charlie Swan's stable in Ireland and has run in some good races. However you couldn't not be impressed by his win last time out and he has the look of a horse that could improve into group company. Danny Tudhope also shuns a few rides at Haydock to come here and ride, but Roman Flight must be his best chance of the day. A very strong selection here and Roman Flight can improve again to land the spoils for a bang in form yard. (4/1)

6:55 Cartmel - Badgers Retreat

From one in form stable to another and a very much in form horse with the Ferdy Murphy trained Badgers Retreat. For two wins he has only been raised 9 pounds and the talented Catherine Walton takes off 7 pounds with her claim, meaning he carries 11 stone and 5 pounds today. In truth this possibly isn't the best race, however Badgers Retreat looks to have something in hand on the handicapper albeit not too much. To win this Badgers Retreat will need to post a career best but is definitely going in the right direction and wouldn't have to improve much to win this today. There isn't much else to say about him as he is still relatively new to the game but will take all the beating here today. (7/4)

7:30 Cartmel - Samson Collonges

The handsome Grey, Samson Collonges can complete a double for Ferdy Murphy in the hands of top lady rider Samantha Drake who was a revelation last season. When he came over from France he took a while to find his feet, but when finding them he recorded back to back wins at Hexham late last year. After that he took a heavy fall at Ayr but was none the worse for that experience but was pulled up in the race after that at Newcastle. Both of them runs have come on heavy ground and he started both races a grey horse and returned half grey half bay, today will pose no issues for whoever has to clean him on better ground. He posted an improved effort next time at Hexham but ran into two good types and was well beaten by them under Harry Challoner. It was a similar story at Hexham next time but he has been hinting at the signs of a big run in his locker and that could well be today. One last point that he is now 1 pound above his last winning rating and Sam Drake's claim puts him 4 pounds below that. Sneaking into the handicap off a low weight, Samson Collonges can complete a Ferdy Murphy double. (17/2)

NAP - Roman Flight
Nb - Samson Collonges

If you have a bet today good luck and hopefully you can find a couple of winners or more from this blog. May your fish and chip supper be paid for by the nice people at the local bookies!

Happy Punting!