Final Paddock Notes

This is the last Paddock Blog I will do. I hope it has have been of interest and some help to you. Perhaps it has highlighted that the Paddock can be used as much for future winners as for winners on the day.

York Thurs 17^th May 2012

Sea of Heartbreak had a good year in 2011 and looks to have progressed again. She will be suited by a step back up to 12 furlongs. I'm a Dreamer continues to do well.

Ektihaam held the call for the Dante and he gave his best showing to date to finish second. Bonfire has a reputation at home for bad behaviour and drifted on course as a result. He was just bested on looks being a lighter made sort but still athletic and nicely put together. Fencing was hard trained and this was his Derby but seemed to lack stamina. He was up there in terms of presence and should be noted when reverting in distance. Dream Tune had come on since Newbury and will do better dropped in grade.

I retired to the bar.

Newbury Friday 18^th May 2012

The warnings I sounded for Mysterial at HQ were again in abeyance and he was poor to post. I laid him in turn.

Shirocco Star was well touted and she had done well since last autumn. Again inclined to sweat up and a bit edgy, she ran a fine trial for Epsom. Starscope had run up a bit light since the Guineas and was in a cow of a mood. Planting herself at the furlong pole and mareish at the start she could do with a break to freshen up her attitude. The Queen's Momentary was a match on looks and conformation for Starscope and there was no fluke about this. She is a live contender for the Ribblesdale being by Nayef out of Fleeting Memory.

Lady Phil did well to win the juvenile conditions event giving 6lb to the favourite. She has a pair of quarters on her.

Commitment kicked out and caught the rail in the paddock but was allowed to run despite appearing lame when trotting up and down. He has made up into a fair middle distance 3yo and should progress in handicaps. Waterclock is progressive but needed the run.

I was distraught to see Burwaaz beaten having marked him after Kempton as a potential top sprinter. Ed Dunlop mentioned in the Weekender that he had injured his back coming out of the stalls and I will be interested in him next time, hopefully at a big price – perhaps at Ascot.

Swiss Spirit was produced in A1 condition. I was thinking this was a nearly horse but David Elsworth loves to win at Newbury and although he scrambled home he might go on again from here. Inetrobil was second in the Albany Stakes last year and has done well from her juvenile days.

Newbury Saturday 18^th May 2012

Bishop Roko is a gelding and still to fully get his summer coat. He bolted up and can go straight into handicaps and could thrive again. Viewpoint did not get home and will be one for handicaps. Sun Central is a good sort who will improve for the run and ran green.

Hawaafez is such a robust barrel of a horse that I found it hard to remind myself that she is a filly. She has not stopped improving. Ibicenco was noticeably backward and had to be laid despite being favourite.

Palace Moon and Pabusar were best for the sprint and the second being only a 4yo should do best.

The London Gold Cup is always a strong heat and the pick – Expense Claim won well.

Border Legend was a disappointment and still some way from full fitness he ran green and hung left. A watching brief for the time being.

Cathedral is a good sort and was not wound up. Keep tabs. Bute Hall is a good sort and easily the most backward in the race must improve a deal.

One horse I forgot to mention from the Craven Stakes was Beaufort Twelve. I was about to blow my trumpet after his Goodwood win but was aghast to see I had forgotten to write him up. He was the most backward at HQ having had cracked heels like many horses this spring. He will improve again. Apologies for the omission.

Finally the mighty Frankel.

Having missed fast work for a couple of weeks due his overreach injury I would have been happy for him to win by a comfortable couple of lengths but he gave a career best and fairly blew away his opponents. I mentioned in my October blog that hopefully he had done all the growing he was going to do and thankfully that is the case. After the race the usual clichés were invariably trotted out i.e. “he has not grown but he has strengthened” or “he has strengthened in all the right places.” I bet if the saddle numbers with Bullet Train had been swapped that very few would have known the difference. Having said that he has to my eye, grown stronger in key muscle sets but I am not going to tell you what those are - in a free blog.

That sets the scene for some scintillating performances this summer, hopefully over a longer trip. Until he proves himself over 10 and perhaps 12 furlongs Frankel can only be said to be the best miler in the world – not the best horse in the world.

Dubawi Gold and Excelebration were in fine nick and gave their runnings. Windsor Palace is not finished with yet and was in superb shape. He will appreciate a return to 10 furlongs.

Pre Derby Synopsis

Camelot looks a class act on looks and should take the Derby tomorrow but at this stage he is not that far ahead of his opponents on the figures to warrant such a short price. He beat a modest field for the Racing Post and did not put a lot of distance between him and the placed runners. He looked plenty fit enough before the 2,000 Guineas and still only won by a head with several of the contenders running below par on the worst ground for the Guineas in a generation. His breeding should get him the trip.

One colt in the field who knocked me over last year was Astrology. Entered in the Autumn Stakes run at HQ for the first time having been transferred from Ascot, he was Group One material beforehand but finished only third despite heavy support in the markets. I was keen to see how he came out of it this year and was delighted to see him win the Dee Stakes in facile fashion. There was not enough opposition to warrant going overboard but he went clear to confirm that he has indeed trained on. He could well be the pick tomorrow in the prelims and at 10/1 he is massive value. His breeding is superb being by Galileo out of the Group One Prix St Alary winner – Ask For The Moon. He can always be backed Each way or Win only and save with a csf on Camelot. He could not have a better pilot than Ryan Moore and I am looking forward with relish to a great contest.

I was at York to see Bonfire. Reports of his lousy attitude at home swept the Knavesmire and that was the reason for the drift in the betting. On looks he is not a big sort but well put together and very athletic. The more you look at him the more he grows on you. Main Sequence won well at Lingfield to beat the progressive Shantaram and they pulled clear. He could be in the mix but does not appeal as a winner.