Newbury Notes

Friday 17^th May

Buick seemed intent on giving GM Hopkins an easy intro but he ran well to finish beaten a length. A strong stocky type, he carried condition.

A fair field for the Listed Swettenham Stud Stakes. The Lark looked in need of the run despite going off @ 5/2 . She will thrive stepping up in trip.

They were screaming Oriel as Hannon’s Albany filly and a well made sort she was the pick. Hughes got no run and she is a deal better.

Ninjago looked ok but was a crazy priced favourite. I have seen Zanetto twice and enough to form a firm view but he seemed to have come on a ton in the intervening fortnight and there was heavy support for him in the markets. Unlike the fav he was in the perfect position on a day where it paid to be prominent on the rail. The two fillies - City Girl and Sound of Guns have trained on. Heavy Metal like so many Mark Johnston’s looked in fine trim but tailed off.

In the 11f handicap most were in good nick but a few finished well beat – a surprising feature in a number of races over the two days.

Saturday 18^th May

A very strong field for the 10f maiden. Remote was well touted for his Pontefract maiden. Turned out in prime nick he fairly flew away. I liked Dare To Achieve last term and he has developed into a Group contender. There were many to like and the Ed Dunlop filly Bantam could be one to go through the ranks.

Willing Foe was turned out very fit and well despite getting a little warm. Saeed Bin Suroor was obviously keen to get the Godolphin machine on the road. Saint Hillary is a filly to note if the Muir stable hits form.

Kitten On The Run is an imposing workmanlike colt from Italy and Luca should be able to map a programme – including overseas, for this likeable sort. Hillstar is a handy close coupled sort who should continue to thrive. Tarikhi tailed off despite looking a million dollars. Hopefully he will return. Spillway is another good sort who should go the right way.

Declaration Of War was made a short priced favourite and is a top class colt on looks though a bit dull in his coat. Farhh returned fit and well and confirmed his well being. Cityscape looked dreadful. Aljamaaheer has done well. Fencing was light and Gosden will always struggle to keep condition on him.

The two divisions of the 7f Maidens were modest. Tawtheeq, Czech It Out and Glanely looked good and will improve again.

Ascot 1^st May 2013

Some better weather for a change.

In the 2yo Condition heat the first two – Anticipated and Justice Day showed a good turn of foot. It will be worth sticking with Montaigne.

I liked Fencing last term and he has been gelded. It has been the making of him and he was a class above these.

Estimate looked a million dollars and justified support. Reported to have worked well she did not distance herself from the placed horses but will improve again.

Ninjago has done well and will come on again for the run. Ahern and Snow King were in prime condition but ran poorly and took the last two places.

Newmarket Saturday 4^th May 2013

A strong tail and ¾ across wind which favoured the front runners.

I did not watch the Jockey Club Stakes but Noble Mission failed to do it. Wigmore Hall gave 5lb to the principals and at 6 years of age has never looked stronger. Not one to write off. Universal and Dandino looked particularly fit and well.

A rainstorm developed before the 2,000 Guineas which made proper viewing impossible.

Toronado and Dawn Approach were available in the pre parade. Toronado was at peak pitch. Dawn Approach is clearly a Group One colt, but then we knew that after the Coventry. Bolger invariably has then trained to the minute but on this day the colt was likely to come on for the run.

I do not know what happened to Toronado but Richard Hughes said on the cover of the Racing Post that he was possibly the best he has ever ridden. Having banged on about the horse since last Summer I felt my judgement fully vindicated.

When the two horses came there travelling three furlongs out I felt we were in for a truly great race. One you remember in the years and decades to come. But just as the contest was starting to develop Toronado just fell way. If he had finished a decent second that would have been it but to finish out of the frame dead on his feet was profoundly disappointing. Nobody died I suppose but it did not stop me from feeling shell shocked.

Centurius must have been really backward when taking his maiden a couple of weeks earlier and still in need of it ran a very promising race. He will suit to stepping up in trip again.

Glean was reported to not have grown at Kempton but although small in stature has definitely trained on to my eye and is up to Listed class. There is a lot of Ravens Pass about him. Red Avenger was still short of a run and will come on again. Discernable is a useful filly for Mark Johnston.

Newmarket Sunday 5^th May 2013

A quality line up for the 12f Handicap. Stencive was noted last term and was in good shape. No Heretic and Silver Lime will improve for the race.

Chigun has done really well and should have a good campaign. She was touched off by Dank who is an impressive type and still to get her summer coat. Thistle Bird and Bana Wu have trained on.

Gabriels Lad will come on for the run and ran a fine race in the circumstances in the sprint handicap.

The 1,000 Guineas was a quality renewal.

Sky Lantern was in great shape and confirmed Blog confidence. What A Name and Just The Judge looked well up to par. Hot Snap had done well since the Nell Gwyn but was not right in her coat. Hopefully she will be back when ready.

The 2yo maiden was a warm heat.

Windfast is as good a 2yo as you are likely to see at this stage of the campaign. He impressed me in the pre parade, main paddock, to post and on the way back. I dare say APOB and JB will send over decent juveniles from Ireland for the Coventry but Windfast must be included in calculations. Richard Hannon’s Anjaal was touted as Ascot material. He is a good sort along with Crowdmania. William Haggas has an obsession for leaving blankets on for as long as possible but Lady Nouf looked good before being touched off by the likeable Talent. Madame Defarge sweated up a deal late on but could be a likely outsider for the Oaks. She has plenty of scope for improvement.

Salutation has been gelded and it should be most helpful this season. Pure Excellence could frame in a Listed event for Fillies.

Handicap Horses I will be keeping an eye on – with their current Handicap Marks - Es Que Love 100 The Gatling Boy 82 Excellent Result 80 Dream Tune 92 Border Legend 86 Correspondent 92 Ribaat 99 Glenard 78 Amberley Heights 78 Professor 98 Mystical Sapphire 82

The only horse I have advised Ante Post is Toronado for the 2,000 Guineas. Visit my Blog and you will see that I have been with him from the very start when his price was 50/1, then 33/1 and all the way down to a current price of 9/4. But dont forget my very positive Blog note for Van Der Neer. At a present price of 33/1 he has be included each way. I could not support Toronado without Van Der Meer running for me also.

Craven and Greenham Paddock Notes

Newmarket Wed 17^th April

The weather was mild with a headwind that blew directly down the track and got progressively stronger as the afternoon drew on. The times of the later races are therefore that much better in comparison, especially Hot Snap. The going which had started as Good to Soft was quickly changed to Good.

As is usual the case, many horses wore the full light blanket making viewing difficult. This is unnecessary as all the relevant studies confirm that horses are perfectly comfortable down to an

ambient temperature of 5 degrees standing still as their natural coats offer them a considerable protection against the elements. As the horses are on the move the use of such blankets is futile. If wind chill were to drop the effective temperature below 5 degrees then a warmer half blanket to keep vital organs protected – might be warranted. Otherwise these full covers are just a pathetic fashion.

It should be borne in mind that not all the best horses appear at the Craven and that the Guineas Meeting is probably stronger in talent. But as the man said - you have to start somewhere.

Vodka Time probably did not handle the track at Kempton and put his best foot forward. He is the best of David Evans’ juveniles and talk of Ascot is not fanciful.

Not much in the Tattersalls Million Sprint. Amberley Heights would be interesting back in handicaps.

In the Free Handicap Anna’s Pearl looked well but placing could be an issue.

Hot Snap looked fit and well and fairly bolted up in the Nell Gwyn. Her handicap and speed figures cannot be faulted. A tall lengthy sort she did not knock me over and warrants a second inspection before I form a firm opinion. Richard Hannon had said that Sky Lantern had done really well and I would second the assertion. Backward in her coat and fractious and on her toes she is genuine Group One material. Naturally I want to see her calmer and blooming before I risk a wager but if things go well it would not surprise me if she turned the tables. She might be a price on the day. Nargys and Reyaadah have stepped up but ran below par.

Race and Status looked to have progressed but confirmed his trainers warning that he would need the run. The winner Intello has quality but may lack scope.

The 10 furlong maiden has thrown up some decent sorts down the years and the renewal is up to scratch. Easily the most impressive is Demonic who holds a Dante and could well make the line up if appearance counts. Others to follow include Improvisation who I noted last year and Morpheus – a half brother to Frankel. Samawi tailed off but was backward and worth another look.

I liked Professor last term and he is going the right way.

Newmarket Thursday 18^th April

Rizeena was the pick of the maiden 2yo fillies. In need of the run she blew the start and then ran green before finishing well.

Plenty of fair sorts for the Wood Ditton but nothing in particular. The one to take away is Gerrards Cross who wobbled like a Chivers jelly in the prelims but surprisingly raced in contention till the distance before blowing up. The winner Ajraam was still a bit backward and will come on.

Despite negative trainer comments Ghurair was the pick and disappointed. The Gatling Boy needed the run. Off a mark of 82 he might drop a couple and will be worth noting in handicaps. A Star in My Eye can take a maiden up North.

Followers of my Blog will know of my enduring support for Toronado since his first outing. He has made up into a fine sort and looked the proverbial million dollars. More than that his temperament is a joy to behold. While the winds howled and the rains lashed down he took it all in his stride and barely turned a hair. He raced keenly with ears pricked and revealed a real willing to go and take his race. In the winners enclosure he was cool and calm just intelligently taking it all in. He is still the one for me.

Dundonnell was the subject of negative trainer reports. He has trained on though not as fit as the winner. More disconcertingly he was led around the pre parade by a stable hack and then ponied to start early. He will come on but still has some way to go.

Bonfire has had his nuts removed. Apparently both of them had not dropped, hence his discomfort. He still looks a screw. On his toes throughout in the paddock he pulled to post. Never put in the race effectively, he is still a good sort and hopefully he will begin to settle as time goes by but a watching brief is still needed. All of the contestants for the Sefton were geldings including Stipulate who I still like but ridden with far too much use – again!! Will somebody please give him a jockey –Please!!! He was in need of a run, by the way.

In the Fillies Maiden Call Ahead will come on for the run and ran green. Saucy Minx will progress.

In the handicap Glenard was fancied but I thought he was still short of a run.

Newbury Friday 19^th April

Before the Bridget Maiden At a Clip was reported to have worked well and was backed. The pick - she ran short. Second in was the winner Pavlovsk. She appeared stuffy and blew hard afterwards.

I liked Contributor a lot last season and he has gone the right way. He will progress. Cap O Rushes has made up but he pulled to post and in the race. He may need gelding.

The 7furlong handicap often throws up some good horses. Ribaat and Baltic Knight should prove worth following. The former ran free and will suit better ground.

Steventon Star was the pick of the 2yo colts.

Banoffee was easily the preferred for the 10f Fillies Maiden but was still short of peak fitness. She will improve again. Just One Kiss and Toast of the Town should not be forgotten.

Newbury Saturday 20^th April

Speaking to some of the other paddock lads I think I was the only one who thought Noble Mission short of a gallop. Despite hacking for most of the straight I felt it was only a matter of time till he blew up. Inside the final furlong all the indications started to sprout and he failed to get home.

Everyone said he had spewed it. I feel he blew up and that was that. Noble Mission has done well in the interim and I will rate him accordingly. In no way was the filly Quiz Mistress outshone by the colts.

Es Que Love has won over a mile on the Polytrack but ran short here. Perhaps one of those fat juicy Ascot handicaps over 7f could be a clue. I noted Border Legend last year. He has been gelded and might be worth an interest if showing something. Dream Tune has gone the right way.

I have always been a fan of Rosdhu Queen and she has strengthened again this Spring. Maureen has improved but I prefer Sky Lantern from the yard.

Olympic Glory has made up into a Group One 3yo and carried condition. He will progress. Moohaajim has not grown much but is still ok. He seemed the fittest but blew the hardest as they walked back in. Correspondent has done well.

I think all of Newmarket was on Kyllachy Rise and his defeat engendered groans echoing all the way back to HQ. A quality sort he will prove the best of these. I liked Princes Trust who was not tuned up and Bold Sniper. Otherwise plenty of backward types with scope but I would prefer to have another look once the puppy fat has come off and we can really see what is left.

Excellent Result looked in superb trim but once again dropped away on the soft ground. He should not get more than a mark of 80 and I will form a queue on better going. Feel Like Dancing and Dragon City have plenty of scope for improvement. So too Squire Osbaldeston who was in need of the run and a lay at the price.

After 4 days running up and down stairs trying to catch this lot I felt I deserved a beer. A gallon if Toronado takes the Guineas!!

Toronado has developed into a Prince of a horse with the most wonderful temperament to match. I will do a Craven /Greenham Blog on Monday.

Van Der Neer impressed yesterday. Expected to need the run, he will improve a stone for the outing and will also benefit from moving back up in trip. The stats also suggest he will be better suited to a faster turf track rather than the AW. He is progressive.