2017 Flat Issue 5 - quite a few points gained this week

Headlines

Kodimoor lands Catterick Handicap

George Slays Rivals at Leopardstown

2000 guinea Cigar for Churchill at Curragh

Knight Decorated with Irish Gold Cup

Report

We start at Catterick last Thursday where in the 5f handicap Kodimoor ( Cod), went to post, chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well winning by 2 ¾ l. He gets 35.4 points.

On Friday at Leopardstown Order of St George ( Bob, Cliff, Martin, Neil, Peej, Tony), took his chance in the 1m 6f listed stakes, waited with behind leaders, pushed along in 4^th in to straight, progress on outer to lead over 1 out, kept on well to assert under hands and heels, inside last, winning comfortably by 2 ¼ l. He gets 13.2 points.

On Saturday at the Curragh in the 1m group 1 Irish 2000 guineas, Churchill ( Cliff, Martin, Neil, Tony), went to post, waited with in 5^th, progress on outer in to 3^rd 2 out, and improved and going best over 1 out, soon led, ridden and edged right , winning by 2 ½ l. He gets 26.4 points

In the 1m 2f Tattersalls Group 1 Gold Cup, Decorated Knight ( Peej), took his chance, tracked leaders in 4^th, wnet 3^rd aftr 4f , travelled well in to 2^nd over 1 out, led 1 out, ran on well, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 57.8 points.

At Chantilly on Sunday in the 1m 7f group 2 Vazirabad, ( Cliff, Tony), went to post, raced keenly, led reluctantly headed after 1 ½ f, tracked leader, led again over 4 out, driven 2 out, headed over 1 out, rallied to regain lead inside last, stayed on and holding runner up close home winning by a short neck, he gets  21.2 points

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               May          Total

Tony               202.8             202.8

Cliff                149.4          149.4

Martin             130.5         130.5

Neil                 120.7            120.7

Peej                 99.4                99.4

Bob                92.9               92.9

Steve                 65.6           65.6

Cod                 51.8            51.8

Lee                  44.5              44.5

Congratulations to Tony who is May trainer of the month

News

John Gosden is under no illusions about the task facing Enable in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

The daughter of Nathaniel emerged as a leading contender for the mile-and-a-half Classic after she won the Cheshire Oaks a shade over three weeks ago, but faces a formidable opponent in Aidan O'Brien's 1000 Guineas runner-up Rhododendron.

Gosden, who won the Oaks for the first time with Taghrooda three years ago, has an interesting second string to his bow in Coronet, in a race that again forms part of the Qipco British Champions Series.

The Dubawi filly was doing her best work at the finish when third behind the reopposing Sobetsu in last month's Prix Saint-Alary at Deauville. The trainer said: "We're very happy with both of them and the other filly (Coronet) has done nothing wrong in her life.

"She came from a long way back in the Prix Saint-Alary to snatch third and has come on a lot for that race.

"She's been looking to run over a mile and a half. She's very much that type of filly and the trip will suit her very well.

Every good fairytale has a happy ending and trainer Martyn Meade hopes Eminent can produce exactly that in the Investec Derby.

Having gone through the sales ring at Tattersalls unsold as a yearling, the three-year-old will now bid to give the Newmarket handler a winner with his first runner in the Epsom Classic.

While victory in the premier Classic would be a milestone moment for Meade, it would also serve as a landmark occasion for the mighty Frankel in giving him a first British Classic in his role as a stallion.

"It's a big responsibility and a privilege having him, but that is what it is all about, that is what you work towards - having a horse that has got a chance in the Derby," said Meade.

Other Derby hopes, Best Solution
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor, Jockey: Pat Cosgrave

Stablemate of Benbatl who is much more exposed, having won Lingfield Derby Trial on ninth start last time. Group One second as a juvenile came on soft so forecast rain no issue and that's supported by breeding, which is unspectacular versus the opposition but does scream testing ground. Joint top on BHA ratings and looks a certain stayer so must be considered.

Capri
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien, Jockey: TBC

Backed earlier in the week despite defeats in both Ballysax and Derrinstown, two notable trials which suggest the Aidan O'Brien team might be much of a muchness. Third, one place behind Best Solution in October's Grand Criterium de Saint-Cloud, had previously won on heavy and looks a stayer. Challenging for St Leger favouritism.

Cliffs Of Moher
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien, Jockey: TBC

Sexiest profile of the Ballydoyle battalion, having won Dee Stakes at odds-on last time on first run of the year. Certainly caught the eye in both starts as a juvenile, given an educational ride on debut before dotting up (form solid) in Leopardstown maiden. Dam was a five-furlong winner but wouldn't be the first such Galileo colt to stay the trip well. Similar in profile to last year's runner-up for the yard and could go off favourite.

Cracksman
Trainer: John Gosden, Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Unbeaten Frankel colt who has course experience having won the Epsom Derby Trial last time out, getting up close home to beat subsequent Dante winner a head. Needs to improve again even to uphold that form, you'd think, and some stamina doubts, albeit dam got a mile and a quarter well and on testing ground, too. Vibes from the yard not as strong as expected but sure to be popular.

Venice Beach
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien, Jockey: TBC

Chester Vase winner who had earlier landed a maiden over this distance. Half-brother to Arc winner Danedream so no surprise he's improved with time and trip, and while there might be an issue around tactical pace he should be coming home strongly. In a wide-open Derby, one of the more interesting ones and should run well from close to the pace.

Al Wukair misses Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly due to a minor setback.

Wesley Ward was delighted with Lady Aurelia as the filly was one of several of her trainer's Royal Ascot contenders to work at Keeneland racecourse on Tuesday morning.

Last season's startling Queen Mary Stakes heroine was put through her paces over five furlongs alongside stablemate Bound For Nowhere.

Lady Aurelia is set to compete in the King's Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting,