Well yesterday didn't go to plan at all, Chachamaidee being the most positive result just being beat into second by Joviality. You cant help but feel that she would have won had she not missed the break as badly as she did.
One last thing before we begin day three. Curlin had his first runner as a sire tonight at Kempton, Savanna La Mar. I was very impressed by how she handled all the preliminaries and didn't bat an eyelid to going in the stalls. Throughout the race she travelled powerfully and got into top gear a bit too late just being denied. She will be winning next time out over further.
On we go.
2:30 Ascot - Norfolk Stakes - Cay Verde - This one has already won for the blog when successful last time out at The Curragh in Ireland. In truth I have followed Mick Channon's colt since his first run when an encouraging fifth at Newbury, following up by routing a good field over course and distance. Windsor Castle winner Hototo was soundly behind in second that day. After winning pretty comfortably last time out, in my opinion all he needs to do is turn up to win this race today. Notable that Mick Channon has booked Craig Williams (jockey of Ortensia) to ride this afternoon. (NAP)
3:05 Ascot - Ribblesdale Stakes - Vow - Possibly a strange one in some people's opinions. But I have no doubt in my mind that if the Oaks was run on a flat course (like today) she would have come out on top. It was clear that she absolutely hated the track at Epsom when hanging down the camber all the way down the straight. The Fugue didn't get a clear run in her own right but handled the course a lot better than the selection today. William Haggas' filly is worth another try on this flat track. Princess Highway could be the biggest danger.
3:45 Ascot - Gold Cup - Saddler's Rock - One that I have fancied for some time now ever since beating Opinion Poll pretty easily in the Doncaster Cup last year. He has ran once since then and John Oxx had made it no secret that it was only to be a prep run for a crack at this race. That day he beat Unaccompanied by a length which was marginally longer than Fame and Glory beat her before that. He will be much more straight for that run and should take all the beating today.
4:25 Ascot - Britannia Stakes - Prince Alzain - A much improved performance last time at Epsom when 3rd to Laffan in a Handicap. He was staying on in very taking style over the 7 furlongs to be beaten just under 2 lengths, that was his first time in a handicap and the step up in trip will be in his favour. Before that he had been outclassed by Thought Worthy and Noble Mission, but handicapping looks where his near future lies. A real chance in a competitive race.
Trader Jack - One that isn't much of a price, but there is a perfectly good reason for that in a sense that he ran Grandeur (next race) to 2 and a quarter lengths from level weights. He is up 3 pounds from that day to a mark of 91 but that shouldn't be enough to prevent a good run today. Roger Charlton and James Doyle have got off to a flyer this season and it would be no surprise if this one were to pop up today.
5:00 Ascot - Tercentenary Stakes - Grandeur - One that I am still adamant will make up into a group performer, he ran very well last time at Epsom when not really handling the course. He was still an unlucky loser that day behind Wrotham Heath, who he should reverse placings with today. Usually William Buick rides this one for Jeremy Noseda, he is retained by John Gosden today but I suppose Frankie Dettori isn't the worst replacement in the world. 7/1 is available in a few places tonight, which is far too big a price, wont be out of the places and should win. (NB)
5:35 Ascot - King George V Stakes - Prussian - She won a strong handicap last time out at Redcar, She is raised 3 pounds for that effort which shouldn't take too much of a toll on her. She was the first one off the bridle that day and didn't get going for a while, she took every yard of the trip to really get going in to full stride. She steps up in trip as a result of that today and despite not being the first string for Sheikh Hamdan she should go close.
Uriah Heep - Disappointing at Chester last time out but he didn't handle the track, before that he was a head behind Minimise Risk who went on to run a decent enough race in the Derby. His last two runs have been on softer ground, this may not be ideal for him and the return to good ground will see further improvement in him this afternoon. First time in a handicap today should see him go close.
Usually I just write about single bets, but there is a Lucky 15 that I am confident of, these 4 are Cay Verde, Vow, Saddler's Rock and Grandeur.
Happy Punting
Showing posts with label vow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vow. Show all posts
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
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.
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.
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