2016 Flat Issue 13 - the big races and winners at the big meetings continue to elude us

Headlines

Time Passes York Test
Zest nips in at Nottingham

Report

We start at York last Saturday where in the 1m 2f group 2, Time Test ( Bob, Lee, Steve), went to post, tracked leaders, smooth headway from 3 out, close up 2 out, slight lead and ridden over 1 out, driven inside last, kept on well last 100 yards winning by ¾ l. He gets 21.4 points.

Today at Nottingham in the 1m 2f handicap, Zest (Lee), took her chance, Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon switched right, chased leader entering final furlong, kept on to lead close home, winning by a short head. She gets 29.8 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      July               Total

Bob                    36.4              465.6

Tony                  22.1            432.8

Cliff                   83.3             395.9

Neil                   37.1               375.1

Cod                    15                350.8

Peej                   18.5              337.3

Lee                     84.7                333.5

Martin                00                293.6

Steve                  105.3               248.9

News

Minding faces just four rivals as she goes in search of a sixth Group One victory in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday

Charlie Appleby feels the time is right to step Group One winner Charming Thought up in trip

From what I've seen he now needs that step up in trip. We will look at all the options over seven furlongs and a mile.

"He could go for something like the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury. He will be very easy to place now as he no longer has his penalty.

"There is an array of seven-furlong and mile Group Three races. He will be entered in whatever we feel suits."

2016 Flat Issue 12 - Three more winners

Headlines

The Tin Man squeaks home at Newbury

Angel wings home

Fort Del Oro

Report

We start at Newbury last Saturday where inthe 6f group 3 The Tin Man ( Lee, Peej), took his chance, steadied start, held up in touch at rear, closed and not clear run over 1 out, headway entering final furlong, nudged along and quickend to lead inside last, always doing enough under tender ride, winning comfortably by a head. He gets 18.5 points.

At The Curragh in the 5f group 2, Mecca’s Angel ( Neil, Tony), took her chance, soon close up in 2^nd, led narrowly over 2 out, ridden entering final furlong, and soon went clear, ran on strongly close home winning by 3l. She gets 22.1 points.

Wednesday at Naas in the 6f listed fillies stakes Fort Del Oro (Cliff), went to post, Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, winning by ¾ l . She gets 27.4 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      July               Total

Bob                    15                444.2

Tony                  22.1            432.8

Cliff                   83.3             395.9

Neil                   37.1               375.1

Cod                    15                350.8

Peej                   18.5              337.3

Martin                00                293.6

Lee                     33.5                282.3

Steve                  83.9               227.5

News

Roger Varian says the "heartbreaking" decision to withdraw Postponed from the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes was made in the long-term interests of the horse.

The Prix Rothschild at Deauville is a possible alternative to the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood for Mark Johnston's exciting filly Lumiere

Time Test is the star turn in a five-strong field for the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday

Erupt could raise the roof at Ascot if he wins the King George on Saturday where he takes On Dartmouth and Western Hymn

2016 Flat Issue 11 - Latest edition

Headlines

Vazirabad scores at Saint - Cloud

Lumiere Lights Up Newmarket

Limato lands July Cup

Report

My trawl through the horses has thrown up another missed winner. Vazirabad (Bob), went to post in a 1m 7f group 2 at Saint – Cloud , winning by ¾ l. He gets 42.8 points.

Last Thursday at Newmarket, Luniere ( Bob, Cod, Lee, Neil), took her chance in the 1m listed stakes, travelled strongly, tracked leaders till closed to lead 2 out, shaken up and asserted entering final furlong, ran on strongly and drew clear, winning impressively by 6l. She gets 15 points.

On Saturday in the 6f group 1 July Cup, Limato ( Cliff, Steve),went to post, held up but well in touch mid field, closed to track leaders 2 out, ridden to lead over 1 out, quickend clear , drifted right inside last, ran on well winning by 2l. He gets 55.9 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      July               Total

Bob                    15                444.2

Tony                  00               410.7

Cliff                   55.9              368.5

Neil                   15                353

Cod                    15              350.8

Peej                   00                318.8

Martin                00                293.6

Lee                     15                263.8

Steve                  83.9               227.5

News

Luca Cumani has mapped out a three-race programme for Ascot Gold Cup runner up Mizzou starting with an outing in next month's Lonsdale Cup at York.

2016 Flat Issue 10 - Some winners in a quiet week

Headlines

Mr Right at The Double

Ayrad Lands Gala Stakes

Report

Firstly we start with an apology to Cod as I missed a quick fire double from Mr Right. So we start back at Naas on the 22^nd June, in the 7f handicap, held up, progress on outer 2 out, led approaching final furlong, strongly pressed inside last, kept on close home winning by a neck. He gets 27 points.

The following day at Leopardstown in a 1m handicap he followed up, settled towards rear, 7^th ½ way, going well in to straight, and headway to lead last 100 yards, ran on well winning by ½ l. He gets 30.2 points.

On Friday at Sandown in the 1m 2f listed stakes Ayrad (Steve), went tl post, made virtually all, set modest pace till kicked for home 2 out, joined well over 1 out, driven and asserted again last 100 yards, winning by ¾ l. He gets 28 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      July               Total

Tony                  00               410.7

Bob                    00               387.1

Neil                   00                338

Cod                    00               335.8

Peej                   00                318.8

Cliff                   00                312.6

Martin                00                293.6

Lee                     00                248.8

Steve                  28                171.6

News

Time Test will head for the Sky Bet York Stakes before a second crack at the Juddmonte International

Martin Harley rides Twilight Son in Saturday's Darley July Cup, for which a high-class field of 18 has been declared.

With Ryan Moore partnering Air Force Blue for Aidan O'Brien, the path appeared to be open for Fergus Sweeney to renew his association with the four-year-old, but connections have instead opted for Harley.

Trainer Henry Candy also saddles Limato, who drops back to six furlongs for the first time since finishing second to last year's July Cup hero Muhaarar in the Commonwealth Cup at the 2015 Royal meeting

2016 Flat Issue 9 - Tony is Trainer of the Month

Headlines

Harzand lands Irish Derby

Minding wins Pretty Polly Stakes

Report

We start at the Curragh last Saturday where in the 1m 4f Group 1 Irish Derby Harzand (Tony, Lee), Idaho (Tony), took their chances.

Harzand , settled behind leaders in 3^rd, going well in to straight, and improved on outer to lead 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed from 1 out, kept on well under pressure inside last, asserted close home, winning by ½ l. He gets 51.9 points.

Idaho , sweating, chased leaders, 4^th ½ way, took closer order behind leaders and went 2^nd going well from 2 out, soon ridden and almost on terms inside last, kept on well without matching winner, 2^nd beaten ½ l. He gets 24 points.

On Sunday in the 1m 2f group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes Minding (Bob, Cliff, Cod, Peej, Neil, Tony), took her chance. Close up in 2^nd early till settled behind leaders, moderate 3^rd at ½ way, pushed along in to 2^nd under 2 out, , stayed on well to lead inside last, driven clear , winning comfortably by 4 ½ l. She gets 26.1 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      June               Total

Tony                  308.1              410.7

Bob                    278               387.1

Neil                   221.2             338

Peej                   135.7              318.8

Cliff                   210.2            312.6

Martin                122.5             293.6

Cod                    210.2            278.6

Lee                     142.9            248.8

Steve                  67.6             143.6

Congratulations to Tony who is trainer of the month

News

Time Test heads for Eclipse, With regular partner Ryan Moore set to ride The Gurkha, Pat Smullen will get the leg up on Time Test.

Smullen rode the four-year-old once last season when he finished fourth in the Juddmonte International at York.

Western Hymn also stands his ground

Aidan O'Brien's brilliant filly Minding heads 37 entries for the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes on the first day of Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown on September 10

Group One winner Charming Thought could step up to seven furlongs in next month's Qatar Lennox Stakes at Goodwood

Richard Fahey is eyeing a crack at the Darley July Cup on Saturday week with his classy sprinter Don't Touch