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Showing posts with label o'brien. Show all posts
Showing posts with label o'brien. Show all posts

Friday, 1 June 2012

Epsom Derby Day

'Was' won the Oaks yesterday for Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan, but I have no doubt on that if the race was re-run on a flat track she wouldnt have won. That said she did win the oaks and must be respected for it. Vow, The Fugue and Maybe all hated the track and William Buick's mount was luckless in running when caught on heels numerous times. Vow hung down the camber the whole time down the home straight and should be better next time out.

As for the selections yesterday, it was nice to get a good priced double 42/1 in with Side Glance and Highland Knight. Personally for me it was great to see Side Glance winning as it is one I have been following for some time now. Highland Knight ran exactly the race I expected him to and looks one to stick with for the season after being so game in the finish.

Onto today and some strong selections for Derby Day.

1:35 - Epsom - Grandeur - He won at Goodwood last week in very good style going away to win by 2 and a quarter lengths. A slight step up in trip today but that will be no bother at all and the 4/1 price right now seems very overpriced. He has shown a love for fast ground and more importantly a distinct love for undulating tracks, he has won at Goodwood and at Brighton. The latter being one of the most demanding tracks in the world, let alone in England. He has been raised 8 pounds for his win last time out, but that shouldn't be too much of a burden after the style of his last win. One final point is that you must take note whenever William Buick rides for Jeremy Noseda, Mr Buick is in particularly good form as of late also.

2:05 - Epsom - Chilworth Icon - One thing is for sure in this 6 furlong race, that there will be a lot of pace on the cards today. Mick Channon's Colt just gets the vote here in a very hot contest. His one race on the turf resulted in a win, in good style at that. He ran a blinder last time out on the fibresand at Kempton behind Lyric Ace who is expected to rise to the very top level. The selection is also entered into a listed contest at Naas on Monday. The order of the day yesterday seemed to be front runners (except gatewood), in his only win he did it from the front but will need to be better out of the stalls today. Like I say this is a very tight race and Chilworth Icon was only just the selection ahead of liber. Mick Channon's yard are in fine form just now and Martin Harley is on a high after riding his first classic winner aboard Samitar.

2:40 - Epsom - Masked Marvel - He clearly needed the run first time up on very unfavourable ground at Newmarket. This will be more of a stamina test today which will be firmly in the John Gosden trained colts favour after last time it turned into a bit of a dash. Since his victory in the St. Leger last year he has been defeated twice but his entry in the Arc was never a good idea and he finished dead last. Robin Hood will be cutting out the early pace in an attempt to set it up for St. Nicholas Abbey who comes with his troubles. If he has an off day I fully expect the selection to take advantage of that. Just a silly thought that I am willing to be jeered for is the suggestion that Robin Hood could stick around long enough for a place, and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world to see him steal it and win from the front. Worth a speculative 50p each way, most probably a better horse than his rating suggests of 97. (line up to laugh at me)

3:15 - Epsom - Judge 'N Jury - He won for me last time out at York when doing it all from the front and holding off stable mate Secret Witness. He seemed to have a lot in hand over the rest of the field as nothing but the runner up was really closing on him. I have already stressed the importance of a front runner on this course from yesterday's form. He would have a 4 pound penalty to carry but the very talented Darren Edward Egan takes off that penalty and an extra pound. He has ridden this horse twice and is yet to be unplaced aboard him finishing 2nd and 1st. His first run this year was completely against him in a sense that the ground was bottomless and his fitness gave out. He only has one run to his name at this course and he showed a liking for it when finishing 4th (denied third on the line). Should be thereabouts again.

4:00 - Epsom - Cavaleiro - Admittedly a bit of a speculative shout but really the others are only playing for place claims behind Camelot in my opinion. Marcus Tregoning's colt is one of the most experienced in the race but is still the lowest rated in the field as well. Hayley Turner also has her first ride in the Derby and is only the 2nd female rider in the Derby ever. He stayed on pretty well in the Derby trial at Lingfield but Main Sequence and Shantaram had already flown and he was looked after from then on in. He won a competitive race at Newbury in very game fashion at Newbury last year and he will come on a bundle for the run at Lingfield. Putting my neck on the line a bit with this next remark. Bonfire and Main Sequence will not place. A simple reason for the first mentioned in that he is a live wire and the atmosphere will most probably get to him tomorrow. As for the latter, he is unbeaten and has beaten the selection already today, but id have doubts about him handling the course too well.

4:50 - Epsom - Oceanway - A horse that never seems to stop running and is as tough as they come. He has been waiting for the faster ground this year which he finally gets today, one bonus from the fact he has been on unfavourable going is he is now at a winable mark. His last run was off a mark of 93 and today runs off of 91 which puts him right into the mix. Silvestre De Sousa is a notable jockey booking for his ex boss and Oceanway is taken to return to winning ways today.

lets hope to carry on the good form into today with some more winners. Happy Punting

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Epsom Oaks Day 2012

Last Saturday wasnt a bad day by any stretch of the imagination with Cay Verde and Grandeur going in for us. Unfortunately it went downhill from then on but Fiorente and Qahriman finished second with only Shahzan being unplaced on the day.

I must stress that it is a very disappointing turn out for the Derby this year with my fancy Imperial Monarch opting to go for the French Derby on Sunday. It would seem that Camelot has scared away most of the worthwhile competitors. Bonfire and Main Sequence remain in the mix up. Onto today.

1:40 - Epsom - Barefoot Lady - She bounced right back to form with a good fourth behind Izzi Top at York.  This is a much weaker race than her last outing and I fully expect her to take all the beating today. Tony Hamilton has been riding out of his skin since being given the chance to fill in Paul Hanagan's shoes as Richard Fahey's number one. The stable has just started to hit some form in the last few days. This fast ground should bring out even more improvement in Barefoot Lady who had some very strong 3 year old form. That includes a victory in the Nell Gwyn and a good fifth in the 1000 Guineas, a return to that will see her win this and she looks the value here.

2:15 - Epsom - Ramona Chase - I like to call this horse Mr consistent as he never fails to run a bad race. A return to faster ground last time ended up in a win at Windsor, before that he ran a good fifth in very testing ground at this course. He effectively runs off a one pound higher mark today with Mark Coumbe taking 5 pounds off his back, that all but cancels out his 6 pound penalty. He is a course and distance winner which is crucial at a course like Epsom, at 16/1 he is a fantastic each way bet who will be rattling down the outside late on.

2:50 - Epsom - Side Glance - Won a listed race at Ascot 2 years ago and looked to be a horse very much on the up. Since then he has disappointed a little. Worthadd admittedly will be a very tough rival to beat but upped slightly in trip if he handles the course then he could upset the favourite. Jimmy Fortune gets on particularly well with the horse and he could just steal it coming out of Tattenham Corner today. Tentative selection.

3:25 - Epsom - Highland Knight -  Lowered two pounds since his last run when he failed to land a blow, excuses can be made for that, the most important one being that he doesn't enjoy softer ground. He also couldn't get to the front end of the field which is where he enjoys to run. This return to faster ground will see him improve no end. He has been tried at the top level, most notably when being beat 5 3/4 lengths by Dick Turpin. He should be able to boss the race tomorrow and they may not be able to pass him, a very strong each way bet.

4:05 - Epsom - Vow - She was oddly impressive whilst being very green when winning the Oaks trial at Lingfield. She showed a devastating turn of foot at the top of the straight and despite hanging towards the stand side rail still won well. There is little chance of her hanging today as to be quite frank no horses hang up the hill at Epsom. She should be able to show her turn of foot turning out of Tattenham Corner and it would take a very good horse to catch her.

4:05 - Epsom - BetterBetterBetter - An outside chance here today after getting bogged down at Chester, She was caught on the line last time when kicking on early doors. She should have no problem in getting home on this ground at this course and there would be no surprises were she to run into a place. Generally being backed in (night before) as first shows of 16/1 are coming through. She is now a best priced 20/1.

I hope that this brings some winners to everyone today and that we can do over the bookies on day one of Epsom. As always Happy Punting.

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

ATR Tracker updates

I have just received a notification email about two horses running from my ATR Tracker today and I will throw in the Dante for good measure. The first day of York saw The Fugue make his step in trip a very successful one when laughing at her opponents in the Musidora and is now a leading light for the Oaks at Epsom. Hoof It was possibly the highest profile running on the first day of the Dante meeting but he looked outpaced the whole way in the 6 furlong group 2 event. There is talk of a step up to a mile for him in time but for the moment a clash with Black Caviar looks on the cards at Ascot.

York - 2:30 - Betfred Dante Stakes
We saw one horse from a Guineas win yesterday in The Fugue, FENCING takes a step up in trip today after staying on well in the 2000 Guineas behind Camelot. Only one win on his CV but he has been very highly tried including some very smart 2 year old form, he is improving the whole time and is one of five in the race with a Derby entry. BONFIRE is the choice of poor tipster Matthew Wynn and he won a very smart maiden before being unlucky at Saint Cloud in France when finishing third behind French Fifteen in the Criterium. He has been the favourite for this race for a while and should be thereabouts. EKTIHAAM has won 3 out of his 4 starts but in his only loss he was the last of 9 to finish, that was his only step up to a Group 1 but this is a lower grade today. He may just be outclassed a little today with 4 of his opponents expected to make it at the top level. MANADEAN is having his first run for Godolphin and must overcome a 187 day break as well as proving his love for faster ground at the top level after winning his last run on testing going. That said he won very easily that day and looks to be going in the right direction and looks a very promising young horse. I'm siding with Aidan O'Brien's classy maiden winner ERNEST HEMINGWAY who hardly broke sweat when winning at Dundalk by 10 lengths. He is thrown in at the deep end today but Ballydoyle have been making some good noises about him and is a very strong understudy to Camelot for the Derby. He will have to prove he is as effective on turf but that really shouldnt be any problem for him and a confident vote goes his way.

5:55 - Newmarket 
BURKE'S ROCK has been a winner for the blog already but more is expected of her and she wont be running off a mark of 73 for much longer. She had a very unlucky debut when getting murdered on the turn for home at Lingfield when making progress. Hayley Turner rode hands and heels for the remainder of the race and she picked up again in good fashion to get fourth. Since that She has won on a saturday at Lingfield when seemingly having much more left in the tank at the line. Ryan Moore gets the leg up today and that is in no way a negative thing. She also has an entry in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, that is over further and it would be expected that she will stay very well over the trip today and should be very hard to beat.

8:15 - Ludlow
CORONEA LILLY won at the first time of asking under rules at the Galway Festival in a flat race. She then wasnt seen for 607 days before returning at Hereford for Neil Mulholland when getting a very tender ride from Dougie Costello. She stayed on very takingly in third and should build on that hurdling debut today. The form isnt the strongest from the race but there have been a few placed efforts from the others. She will strip all the fitter for that run and could turn out to be a useful performer over hurdles. It would be no surprise were she to win today and is open to a lot of improvement on this occasion.

NAP - Burke's Rock
NB - Ernest Hemingway

I would be surprised if at least one of them didnt win and for one I will be putting all three in a treble.
Happy Punting

Friday, 4 May 2012

2000 Guineas day

Well the day is finally here, the first classic of the year, to think that this time last year we were having doubts about how good Frankel was. This year the hype is about Aiden O'Brien's Camelot. A great support card and supporting meetings at Goodwood and Thirsk to look forward to. Also a big well done to Graham Lee who rode two winners this week, his first since switching to the flat. Without further ado onto today's racing.

2:35 - Qatar Bloodstock Jockey Club Stakes
MASKED MARVEL attracts the eye first up here after breaking the course record when winning the St. Leger last year at Doncaster. He went on to disappoint in the Arc when it was most likely too short for him in distance. His participation today relies heavily on the ground drying out which it shouldn't do over night. AL KAZEEM is a bit of a bridesmaid at the top level, however the only time he has encountered soft ground he was disappointing. But that was in his first run and can be forgiven. His best hope looks to be for a place today though. BLUE BAJAN won at Sandown last year but this will be much to short for him and he will have a bigger target down the line. FIORENTE is another that looks a bit short in the top class category and today looks tougher than he has experienced before. He is open to improvement and will need to show it if he is going to land the spoils today. MEANDRE ventures outside of France for the first time today and is good enough if he handles the ground but 2/1 is plenty short enough for a horse who isnt proven on going like this. If he handles it then he could win easily though. QUEST FOR PEACE beat Arctic Cosmos last year but all his best form is on faster ground than today and is easily opposed as is SADEEK'S SONG who is yet to encounter ground like this. That leaves us with confirmed mudlark DUNADEN who won the Melbourne cup back in November and went on to win the Hong Kong Vase the next month. His early form in France is all on soft and heavy but is in very useful races which is why he is fancied to make his first visit to England a winning one.

3:10 - Qipco 2000 Guineas
BORN TO SEA is closely related to Sea The Stars through Urban Sea, and his half brother needs no introduction at all. He lost his second race by one and a half lengths but it was revealed after the race that he had tore a muscle and did well to finish so close to Nephrite. BRONTERRE is a very buzzy sort and the preliminaries wont help him tomorrow and neither will the step up in distance. If he can remain calm before the race and throughout he will have a huge chance, but its more likely that the ground will be good to firm. POWER wont have any worries with the ground and the distance should be no problem at all, Ryan Moore gets on well with him and has to be one of the leading chances today. His stable mate is the hot favourite for this race and has been for some time. Of course I talk about CAMELOT who won the Racing Post trophy easily, compared to some others in the field he is relatively inexperienced and there are major doubts about the ground for him. FRENCH FIFTEEN beat ABTAAL last time out by a neck but in all you have to question how strong the French form is. The most I can say Olivier Peslier's mount is that he ticks the ground box. CASPAR NETSCHER was a top two year old last year but there are major doubts about him staying the mile here, especially in testing ground, even though he has won in similar conditions. FENCING is inexperienced but is probably better than he has shown thus far, if he handles the ground he could well be the surprise package in the race this year. TOP OFFER has only had his single run but was very impressive when winning it, if he can handle everything today he shouldn't be too far away from the principles. TRUMPET MAJOR comes here race fit after destroying the Craven field here last month when giving weight all round. There is a doubt that he will handle really testing ground but last time out he looked a very much improved horse. If he progresses again then he could well be the winner. TALWAR won a Listed race well at Lingfield first time out so is another that comes here race fit, he has won on soft ground at Sandown so the going shouldnt really be too much of a problem. Connections supplemented him into the race for £30,000 and its clear that you dont do that for a day out. He could well come up with a shock today and is today's selection at a juicy price.

4:55 - Qatar Racing Newmarket Stakes
Frankel will have a racecourse gallop today at 12:30 and his full brother races later in this race. NOBLE MISSION won nicely on very testing ground at Newbury last time out, the time before that he lost on his debut at Yarmouth to a very smart horse in SWEDISH SAILOR who unfortunately wont be going to post today. STENCIVE looks a bit outclassed today unless he improves markedly on his debut. PRINCE ALZAIN is experienced but has pretty much all his form on the fibresand, if he transfers his form to the turf then he could go close but looks one to avoid today and MISTER MUSIC looks exposed now. MICHELANGELO is thrown in here and the son of Galileo may be better good enough to win first time up but looks very much up against it. MARINERS CROSS won the Wood Ditton here last month and looks like the step up in trip will be ideal. The ground also shouldn't be a problem which is why he is today's selection.

Nap - Mariners cross
NB - Dunaden

I shall try and put more races up later, but as for now i'm off to bed, I hope everyone has a successful day and you find a winner or two through my guidance. Happy Punting