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Diary: July 4 2009

The main focus tomorrow will be at Sandown where Sea the Stars will be looking to add another Group 1 to his tally. Having won the 2,000 Guineas over a mile and the Derby over 12 furlongs tomorrow’s trip of a mile and a quarter looks to be ideal for him. He had Rip Van Winkle behind him at both Newmarket and Epsom while his other main rival Conduit will probably find this trip just a little too sharp for him. Sea the Stars does not have any obvious chinks in his armour and will take all the beating.

There have of course been many famous winners of the Eclipse. In 1984 the race went to Sadler’s Wells (pictured below) who went on to gain even greater fame and glory at stud.

Triple Aspect has won 4 of his 5 career starts with the sole defeat coming against subsequent winner Border Patrol. He will do for me in the Sandown 2.05. An added bonus is the current good form of his trainer William Haggas. The other runner from my list to follow in this race is Captain Gerrard who is yet to find his form this season.

The pair that head the weights in the 2.40 Smokey Oakey and Blythe Knight are both former winners of the Lincoln Handicap while Alfathaa, 5^th in the Royal Hunt Cup and We’ll Come the recent Salisbury winner are others to consider. The stats favour older horses such as this quartet as only one 3 year old has won this handicap in the last 10 years. For my selections I am going to live dangerously and ignore the trend as my two against the field are both 3 year olds, Mirrored and Roman Republic. Mirrored, twice a winner this season ran a cracker when 3^rd in the Britannia Stakes while Roman Republic, despite a a modest effort in the Britannia had a progressive profile prior to that run and his trainer is in good form.

The other runners from my list to follow in the later races at Sandown, Say No Now (3.45) and Wells Lyrical, who was runner up in the Northumberland Plate last week, (4.20).

Finally at Sandown I narrowed the 5.30 down to a short list of 3 consisting of Raaeidd, Tiger Flash and Nbhan. I have been impressed with Raaeidd who seems to have a nice balance between speed and stamina and I will just give him the edge over Nbhan.

Haydock next where the feature is the Lancashire Oaks at 2.55. Flame of Gibraltar and High Heeled will be the market leaders I would imagine so in search of a bit of value I will look elsewhere. Sir Michael Stoute won this race 3 years ago with Allegretto and saddles July Jasmine this time. Very lightly raced she was runner up to Midday in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and comes here with an each way chance.

Earlier, Brunstonn represents my list to follow in the 2.20. A winner twice this season it may well be that the handicapper now has his measure. He is a big strong type though and it is possible that tomorrow’s longer trip might bring out some further improvement. He is not a forlorn hope.

The Old Newton Cup at 3.30 has been won by a 4 year old in 7 of the last 10 renewals. I have gone for a couple in that age group with Falcativ and Hevelius. Falcativ looked a progressive sort until a poor run last time and he can pick up the thread here for a trainer with a good record in the race. Hevelius is unexposed after only 3 runs and does not look on a bad mark.

My list horse in the 4.35 is Dark Mischief who won off a mark of 86 at Newmarket at the start of the season. He has been beaten on his last two starts and is now racing off a mark of 92 so I am not too confident about his chance.

One day last season a friend of mine gave me an absolute certainty in a race at Kempton but sadly the horse went the way of so many ACs in the past. That horse was Tyrannosaurus Rex and although he failed to land a monster gamble that day he has struck form this year with 4 wins. The first two came at Wolverhampton and subsequently at Nottingham and Chester on fast ground. He runs in the 5.10 and although on an all time high mark he is progressive and in with a shout. Look out for a couple of veterans in this race trained by Milton Bradley, The Tatling aged 12 (pictured below) and the 9 year old course and distance winner Cape Royal.

Block Party represents my list to follow in the 5.45. A beaten favourite on his handicap bow he was not disgraced in 4^th that day and I fancy him to at least make the frame.

Next stop is Leicester and the fillies handicap at 3.35. Visite Royale is respected but I like the chances of the lightly raced Mrs Beeton who is a half sister to Stotsfold, also trained by Walter Swinburn.

Danehillsundance is on an 18 run losing sequence with the last success coming off a mark of 89. Now racing off a rating of 71 he is obviously well treated on his best form. If he could recapture that form in the 8.20 at Nottingham he would be a bit of a snip at a big price. Rather a large if though I suppose!

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.

Good luck

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Diary: July 3 2009

Mubrook , a half brother to Dubawi looked on a reasonable mark for his handicap debut last month but made no show. He has some form in maidens as a 2 year old and might be worth another chance in the Doncaster 2.30 tomorrow.

Musaalem has rather lost his way since rattling off a hat trick of wins at the start of his career. He has been dropped a few pounds by the weight demon and is well suited by fast ground but he will need to step up on recent efforts if he is to take a hand in the 4.10. Atlantic Story looks the one to beat in this race.

In the 5.15 I will be interested to see how Cactus Courtesy runs. She is nicely bred but did not run as a juvenile. James Fanshawe is not known for his first time out winners so a watching brief might be best tomorrow. One to keep tabs on though.

Another horse just starting out on his racing career is Logo Astra. Well regarded by connections and Jamie Spender booked to ride.

At the age of 10 Unshakable is by far the veteran of the party in the 4.35. He is no back number however with 6 career wins to his name including some prestigious handicaps. His last win came off a rating of 90 and I see that he is now down to 85. He could be worth a small each way interest at odds of 50/1.

In the 5.05 my list to follow is represented by Alanbrooke and All Guns Firing. I quite like both these but slight preference is for Alanbrooke who wears first time blinkers.

Other runners tomorrow from my list to follow are Ben’s Dream in the 4.20 at Warwick and Distant Memories who looks in with a chance in the 8.15 at Haydock.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sally Martin

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Diary: July 2 2009

There are only two runners from my lit to follow entered tomorrow, both at Newbury. Putra One goes in the 9.10, and before that Ithbaat in the 7.35. Ithbaat won a mile maiden at Yarmouth but has since been beaten twice in handicap company and has only been dropped 1 lb as a result. He runs over 12 furlongs here a trip that he is not sure to get on pedigree.

Putra One is more likely to benefit from a step up in trip and looks a likely winner although the odds will reflect that no doubt.

Plum Pudding is an interesting runner in the 8.10. Richard Hannon’s 6 year old has won 6 times from 12 appearances at Newmarket but has only won once from 27 runs anywhere else.

Given the name of my web site Mick Channon’s 3 year old Mykingdomforahorse has to be a bit of a favourite of mine. He runs in the 5.00 at Yarmouth tomorrow where he is in with a realistic chance.

Mudawin does not have a great strike rate – 5 from 33 starts. Following him blindly throughout his career would have seen you well in profit though as he has won twice at 20s and famously once at 100/1 in the 2006 Ebor. He is with James Moffatt these days who trains up near Cartmel I think. It is nearly 3 years since Mudawin has actually got his head in front and I see that none of the newspaper tipsters want to know him in the Haydock 4.40. Trip the Light was a horse that did well for me last season winning 3 times and he has added two more victories to his tally this season. He goes well on fast ground but all his wins have come when equipped with a visor and I see that it will be left off tomorrow. He also runs in the 4.40 at the Lancashire track.

Finally, I see that my article on unraced 2 year olds has started to produce winners with Virginia Hall and Exgray obliging this week. My list to follow has also supplied a few winners.

Today’s picture, of Hel’s Angel who won at Pontefract the other day is by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing.

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Afternoons

Summer is fading:
The leaves fall in ones and twos
From trees bordering
The new recreation ground.
In the hollows of afternoons
Young mothers assemble
At swing and sandpit
Setting free their children.

Behind them, at intervals,
Stand husbands in skilled trades,
An estateful of washing,
And the albums, lettered
Our Wedding, lying
Near the television:
Before them, the wind
Is ruining their courting-places

That are still courting-places
(But the lovers are all in school),
And their children, so intent on
Finding more unripe acorns,
Expect to be taken home.
Their beauty has thickened.
Something is pushing them
To the side of their own lives.

    — By Philip Larkin

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Diary: July 1 2009

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in action tomorrow; At Catterick, Woodsley House (3.30) and Cape Vale (4.00) while at Kempton I have Emirates Sports in the 7.50.

Of the rest Cordoba catches the eye on pedigree in the Kempton 7.20 while on the same card Billberry looks to be on a winning mark in the 9.20.

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Diary: June 29 & 30 2009

At least I got something right today with Fame and Glory justifying the market support to land yet another Group 1 for Aiden O’Brien. The real hero at The Curragh for me though was the evergreen sprinter Benbaun who now has form figures at the Irish track that read – 211221111231.

I will cover both Monday and Tuesday in tonight’s preview although to be honest there is not a great deal to comment on.

Sioux Rising won a Pontefract maiden on only her second outing and makes her handicap bow over course and distance in the 3.45 tomorrow off a mark of 80. The horses she beat have had mixed fortunes since so it is difficult to evaluate the form. She won well though and must be respected.

Moving on the Windsor Maverin represents my list to follow in the 7.40. Form figures of 434323 tell their own story really and although he has a strong chance on official ratings he has been expensive to follow and could not be supported with any great confidence although the booking of Ryan Moore to ride him for the first time will not harm his chance.

At Wolverhampton Carleton could go well in the 5.00. He is on a decent mark if he handles the surface OK. The lightly raced Fleeting Star is another worth considering.

On Tuesday at Hamilton Exgray should have come on for her promising debut when 2^nd at Musselburgh – she runs in the Hamilton 2.15. Northside Prince has shown some signs of promise in his races and is one I have been keeping tabs on. He runs in the 3.15 and I see he is dropped in trip to a mile despite having a stamina laden pedigree.

My list horse at Thirsk is Cape Vale in the 9.00. He has been a frustrating horse to follow and I can’t help thinking that he needs easier ground and some help from the handicapper.

Lastly, my list to follow is also is represented by Halfway House in the Brighton 4.00.

My thanks to David Hebb for his photograph of Pontefract racecourse.

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Diary: June 28 2009

With Sea the Stars missing from the Irish Derby I don’t have a strong view on the outcome. Fame and Glory would seem the obvious choice and so often the obvious choice is the right one!

The Group 3 sprint at 2.10 could go the way of Inxile who seems to enjoy his trips across the Irish Sea. A revitalised Captain Gerrard and course specialist Benbaun (pictured below) are the likely dangers.

As a member of the Elite Racing Club I will be hoping for a win from the club 2 year old State Fair tomorrow in the 2.00 at Salisbury. He has the best form of those that have run so I am reasonably optimistic.

Surprise Pension has already done me a favour this season when winning at Leicester. The runner up that day has franked the form and Surprise Pension may well be hard to beat in the 2.35.

Over in France Curtain Call is my selection for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Today’s picture is by the artist Karen Davies.

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Diary: June 27 2009

Tomorrow sees Newcastle stage there big day, at least on the flat, with the Northumberland Plate. The two that I looked at for this were Wells Lyrical and Electrolyser. The former has not been out of the first 3 in his last 8 starts and won 3 times on the bounce last season. He gets this trip only going down by half a length over this trip at Doncaster on his latest start. His career wins have all come on ground officially classed as good and it is possible he might not want conditions to be too quick. Electrolyser has only had 6 career starts having not raced as a juvenile. He looks a late maturing sort and although untried at this trip he shapes as though a test of stamina could play to his strengths. Clive Cox has had his team in tremendous form and in Electrolyser he has a live contender here.

The Osteopath won at Newcastle on Thursday and Osteopathic Remedy, in the same ownership looks quite well weighted to score in the 3.45. He handles any ground and comes into this race in good heart having finished runner up at Redcar last week.

Mark Johnston has an interesting newcomer in the 4.20. Lowdown is a half brother to several winners including Al Khaleej. My regulars will know I have been plugging the chances of a horse called Danehillsundance over the last few weeks – with a notable lack of success. I suppose I will have to desert him now so he will most likely bolt up at a big price in the 4.50. He is well handicapped.

Dream Eater has only won once in 14 starts but he has some good form in the book nonetheless. He has been eased in class tomorrow in the 3.25 at Newmarket and also dropped back to 7 furlongs and I would hope for a big run from him. Court Masterpiece would be a big danger at his best.

The lightly raced Wintercast is my selection in the 4.00 where he looks less exposed than some of his rivals.

Spirit of Dubai was 4^th behind Midday in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and if reproducing that form would take some beating in the Chester 3.50.

Hawk Mountain rarely runs a bad race and looks the likely winner in the Doncaster 8.10 where he is a course and distance winner.

There are two runners from my list to follow in action at Windsor. Judge ‘N Jury in the 3.35 has come down a little in the weights and has a 7 lbs claimer on board but really quick ground is probably not ideal for him. In the 4.05 I am hopeful of a good run from Warringah although the 2/1 quoted about him in the RP looks too short.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.

Good luck

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Diary: June 26 2009

At Folkestone tomorrow I am quiet interested in a couple of horses that are looking to complete hat tricks. Our old friend Caribbean Coral has won sellers at Bath and Brighton this month and while the 3.05 tomorrow is probably a harder race than either of those he is certainly in form.

At the tail end of the jumps season Callisto Moon put up a really good performance over hurdles when runner up to Sangfroid at Sandown. Back on the level I quite fancied him back at the Esher track for a staying handicap but I didn’t quite have the courage of my convictions. He duly came in at 20/1 and has won since at Musselburgh. He runs in the 3.40 tomorrow when he will be ridden by a jockey in excellent form, Daryl Holland.

Kattar was last of 6 on his handicap debut but there may have been excuses for him and 14/1 looks a big price in the 5.15. Before leaving Folkestone I have to point out that George Baker looks to have a good chance in the opener at 2.30. That is George Baker the horse, trained by George Baker and ridden by another George Baker!

Hitchens hasn’t done much since winning a conditions event at Thirsk but he has come down the weights a few pounds as a result. He could be given a small each way chance in the Newcastle 7.25. The 7.55 looks to be between Silk Trail and Kammann. Silk Trail is preferred. Charles Parnell is on a handy mark compared to his all weather form and I can see him going close in the 8.55.

The only runner from my list to follow at Newmarket is Dark Lane in the 9.10. He is not without a chance and the drop back to 5 furlongs may well help him.

At Doncaster Wigan Lane has an each way chance in the 2.20.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Ruth Buchanan.

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Diary: June 25 2009

This evening I will concentrate on the chances of the runners from my list to follow.

Starting at Kempton in the 3.40 we are represented by Cloudy Start, a winner at Epsom last time out over 7 furlongs. He looks a progressive sort and the extra furlong tomorrow should help him but he has a fair bit to find on official ratings in this conditions event. He has an each way chance.

Hillside Las has only won once from 8 starts and that was a Lingfield maiden. He has generally run his race though and with a first time visor and conditions largely in his favour he comes into the 4.10 with a sound chance.

Like Hillside Lad, Penang Princess is trained by Ralph Beckett and is probably my best chance of a winner tomorrow. She goes in the 4.40 and comes into the race on the 00back of a win at Sandown last month where she beat today’s Salisbury victor King Of Wands.

Free Falling runs in the 5.40 but has been largely disappointing and is best watched at present.

At Warwick Ralph Beckett saddles Bennelong in the 3.20. He has been fairly consistent and should finish in the first 3.

My other runners at Warwick are Honest Quality (3.50) and Choral Service (4.20). The latter, making his handicap debut is perhaps the more interesting of the pair.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

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