2017 Flat Issue 9 - Ascot is over

Headlines

Caravaggio Lands Commonwealth Cup

The Tin Man rattles home in Diamond Jubilee

Report

We start at Royal Ascot last Friday where in the 6f Group 1 Commonwealth Cup Caravaggio ( Bob, Cod, Neil, Peej, Tony), took his chance, raced midfield, headway over 1 out, soon edged right, good run to lead final 100 yards, winning by ¾ l. He gets 26.8 points.

On Saturday in the 6f group 1 Diamond Jubilee stakes The Tin Man ( Peej), took his chance, not much room at start, waited with, in midfield, not clear run and headway 2 out, switched right over 1 out, strong run to lead inside last, hung left, winning by a neck. He gets 110.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 June          Total

Peej                 259.5         356.9

Martin             193.2          323.7

Cliff                161.5            310.9

Tony               78.4               308

Bob                179.1             272

Steve              182.2          245.8

Neil                 81.2           201.9

Lee                  98.8           143.3

Cod                 53               104.8

News

Atty Persse will put his William Hill St Leger credentials on the line in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket next month

Aidan O'Brien will wait until just before final declaration time on Thursday morning before finalising his team for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle trainer is currently responsible for eight of the 12 horses left in the Classic, with his squad headed by Investec Derby winner Wings Of Eagles.

Also in the reckoning are Epsom also-rans Capri (sixth), Douglas Macarthur (seventh), Venice Beach (12th) and The Anvil (17th). Cracksman and Waldgeist also hold entries

Martyn Meade believes the course at Sandown will be tailor-made for Eminent when he goes for glory in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes on July 8.

The Frankel colt showed his well-being in a seven-furlong workout at Newmarket on Wednesday with regular work companion Solo Hunter, when he was reported to have clocked a speed in excess of 40mph.

"He worked very well his morning and he's on course to go to Sandown at week on Saturday. That's the plan," Meade.told the punter

The plan with Cliffs Of Moher is to go for the Eclipse," Aiden O’Brien has told the punter. .

2017 Flat Issue 8 - not a great Ascot for Punters so far

Headlines

Senga storms to Chantilly Victory

Aurelia is a Real Ascot Lady

Atty Perse grabs

Roy causes a Barney at Ascot

Coronet Lands Ribblesdale stake

Report

We start at Chantilly last Sunday where in the 1m 2f group 1 Prix De Diane, Senga (Cliff), took her chance, reluctant to enter stalls, waited with in 2^nd half of field, 10^th 3 out, driven and began to close 2 out, strong run to lead approaching 1 out, soon ridden, stayed on well , edged right, winning by 1l. She gets 95.6 points.

On Tuesday at Royal Ascot in the 5f Group 1 King Stand Stakes, Lady Aurelia ( Bob), went to post, Ponied to start, tracked leaders, went 2nd and moving right halfway, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, quickened and ran on strongly final furlong, winning  impressively by 3l. She gets 56 points.

In the 1m Group 1 St James Palace stakes, Barney Roy ( Bob, Cliff, Martin, Peej, Steve), Lancaster Bomber ( Tony), went to post.,

Barney Roy Raced keenly, in touch, effort over 2f out, edged left soon after, ran on to lead entering final furlong, in control near finish , winning by 1l. He gets 53.9 points.

Lancaster Bomber Led for nearly 2f, tracked leader after, regained lead just over 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, ran on under pressure, held near finish, 2^nd beaten 1 l. He gets 24 points.

On Wednesday in the 1m 2f Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes, Decorated Knight ( Peej), took his chance, Tracked leaders, effort entering final 2f, driven and strong challenge over 1f out until unable to match pace of winner 100yds out, went 2nd and kept on same pace final 50yds finishing 2^nd beaten 1 ¼ l. He gets 24 points.

Today, in the 1m 4f group2 fillies stakes, Coronet ( Bob, Lee, Neil, Peej, Steve, Tony), went to post, Held up off the pace in midfield, effort over 2f out, headway to chase leaders when not clear run and switched left over 1f out, chased leading pair 150yds out, ran on strongly under pressure to lead close home, winning by neck, she gets 30.4 points.

In the 2m 4f Group 1 Gold Cup, Order of St George, ( Bob, Cliff, Martin, Neil, Peej, Tony)took his chance, Held up, headway on outer with work to do over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out where over 2 lengths down, edged right inside final furlong, strong challenge final 100yds, ran on under pressure, just held, finishing 2^nd beaten short head. He gets 12 points.

In the 1m 4f handicap Atty Perse, ( Martin, Steve), took his chance, Prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, ran on well and in command final 100yd, winning by 3l  He gets 17.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 June          Total

Martin             193.2          323.7

Cliff                161.5            310.9

Tony               78.4               281.2

Steve              182.2          245.8

Bob                152.3         245.2

Peej                 122.3          219.7

Neil                 54.4           175.1

Lee                  98.8           143.3

Cod                 26.2            78

News

Tommorrow, the Coronation Cup, Caravaggio brings an unbeaten record and a huge reputation to what many regard as the race of the week. An impressive winner of the Coventry Stakes a year ago, the son of Scat Daddy went on to land the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, although it was unquestionably a below standard renewal of that Group 1 event.

        Aiden O'Brien told the punter : "Caravaggio has tremendous speed and is probably the fastest horse we've had. We've been very happy with him since his Naas win and he's very well. This will be a step up for him in terms of class, but the ground will be ideal for him and the trip will suit.

Limato and The Tin Man star in a 19-strong field declared for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

Trainer Henry Candy won the Group One prize with Twilight Son 12 months ago and this year sends Limato into battle from a high draw in stall 15.

The five-year-old struck at the highest level in the July Cup and the Prix de la Foret last season and is strongly fancied to bounce back from a disappointing run in Dubai.

James Fanshawe also knows what it takes to win the race, having struck gold in 2011 with Society Rock, and The Tin Man is a major contender for the trainer this year.

The Equiano gelding won the British Champions Sprint over the course and distance last October and can be expected to improve from his comeback run when fifth in the Duke of York Stakes.

He is drawn on the other side of the track in stall three.

Other leading hopes for the home team include the Charlie Hills-trained Magical Memory

Punters on Film!

I interrupt the usual messages to bring you a still from 'Being AP'.

Spot the Punters!

2017 Flat Issue 7 - exclusive Ascot preview interviews

Headlines

Highway Man hijacks Hamilton Points

Tribute is class Act at Kempton

Report

We start at Kempton yesterday where in the 7f fillies handicap, Tribute Act ( Martin) took her chance, Dwelt, held up in last pair, progress and threaded between rivals from 2f out, burst through to lead 1f out, pushed clear, winning impressively by 1 ¾ l. She gets 27.6 points.

At Hamilton in the 6f handicap, Dandy Highwayman ( Cod), went to post, Prominent on near side of group, headway to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, drifted left well inside final furlong, ran on strongly winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 26.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 June          Total

Tony               12            214.8

Martin             109.8          240.3

Cliff                00             149.4

Steve              80.4           144

Neil                 12             132.7

Lee                  684           112.9

Peej                 00              99.4

Bob                00               92.9

Cod                 26.2            78

News

Once again the punter has seeking out trainers views on their hopes at Royal Ascot next week, Wesley Ward told me about Lady Aurelia, Ward says: “I have a guy who rides for me called Julio Garcia, who was a world-class jockey. He has magical hands and he just gets her to melt in his hands. She has learnt to settle and that was the most satisfying thing about her win at Keeneland. Even this week, I was expecting her to be a bit anxious when she came back to Ascot, but I think she’s like a horse for a course, you know? Ryan said he was amazed – like me, I think he thought she might be a bit off the bridle and fractious, but once they got to the six-furlong start, she just pricked her ears, kicked off and sailed away. I believe that over five-eights (five furlong) she is a world-class sprinter. We didn’t know how she would come back after that bleed at Newmarket and obviously you don’t know if they will train on from two to three either, but I thought she was impressive at Keeneland. The speed figure was impressive, she was visually impressive, it was a good performance. I imagine she’ll need a lifetime-best to win the King’s Stand, but I think she can do it.”

Charlie Hills on Magical Memory in the Diamond Jubilee, He had a racecourse gallop at Newmarket before he went to York and I was very pleased with his comeback run there. I was a bit worried about the ground there, but he travelled well in the race and didn't have a great draw. I feel that he is a bigger and stronger horse this year and I have been happy with him since York. He goes there with a big chance"

Dubai Sheema Classic winner Jack Hobbs is among 17 horses left in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday following the confirmation stage.

Sir Michael Stoute is double-handed with Ulysses and Queen's Trust, while Roger Charlton has Decorated Knight, who took the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month.

Dermot Weld is responsible for The Grey Gatsby, who was second in 2015 when trained by Kevin Ryan.

Also Jockey Jim Crowley spoke to the punter about one he sees as a live chance he has, KHAIRAAT (Sir Michael Stoute/Wolferton Stakes)

"He was impressive at Chester and he seems to be a really nice horse. He would probably be my standout ride for the week. He did win well at Chester, but he only had 8st 7lb on his back and got it easy up front. Nonetheless, I still quite like the horse. He is the sort of horse that Sir Michael Stoute does well with and hopefully he will keep on progressing."

John Gosden's Shutter Speed will face 15 rivals in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly on Sunday.

My gallop scout was at Newmarket and reports that Michael Stoute’s MIRAGE DANCER skipped away from his lead horse and looks to be coming good at exactly the right time. The King Edward VII Stakes his likely Ascot target.

Also  ULYSSES, who looks at the top of his game for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Jocley Luke Morris told the punter he is looking forward to riding Marsha in the King Stand stakes, "She's an exciting ride and I'm looking forward to it. She put up a good performance to win at Newmarket and hopefully she will have stepped

forward from that," Morris told At The Races.

"Realistically, Lady Aurelia sets the standard form and she's not far behind hopefully. It's a cracking race."

And Finally 2the punter fancies next week, Nebo of Charlie Hills, Alpha Centauri of Jessica Harringtons

2017 Flat Issue 6 - points proving hard to come by

Headlines

En is more Able than Oaksa Rivals

El Vip Wins At Newcastle

Report

We start at Newcastle last Thursday evening where in the 1m handicap El Vip (Martin), took his chance, steadied start , held up in rear switched right to stands rail ½ way, quickend through gap to lead just inside last, pushed clear to win easily by 2 ¼ l. He gets 25.8 points.

On Friday at Epsom in the 1m 4f group 1 fillies Oaks Stakes, Enable, (Lee, Martin Steve,) Rhododendron ( Lee, Neil, Tony), took their chances.

Enable, chased leading pair, 3^rd straight, ridden and closed to lead over 2 out, soon went clear with runner up, forged clear entering final furlong, to win by 5l. She gets 56.4 points.

Rhododendron, held up in 4^th, closed to join leaders 2 out, soon went clear with winner, ridden 1 out, no extra, ,kept on finishing 2^nd beaten 5l. She gets 12 points.

On Saturday in the 1m 4f group 1 Derby, Cliffs of Moher  ( Steve), took his chance, held up towards rear, 14 th in to straight, , headway on outer, over 2 out, strong run to lead 1 out, kept on under pressure, caught close home, finishing 2^nd, beaten ¾ l. He gets 24 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 June          Total

Tony               12            214.8

Martin             82.2           212.7

Cliff                00             149.4

Steve              80.4           144

Neil                 12             132.7

Lee                  684           112.9

Peej                 00              99.4

Bob                00               92.9

Cod                 00            51.8

News

Martyn Meade is contemplating dropping Eminent back in trip for a tilt at next month's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown after ruling him out of an appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

The 10-furlong Group One prize on July 8 is one of two races being considered by the Newmarket handler for the Frankel colt, who finished fourth in Saturday's Derby at Epsom.

Meade said: "First of all, the most important thing is he has come out of the race okay and he lives to fight another day.

"No doubt a race like that will take its toll on any three-year-old and he has lost a little bit of weight. He does look great, but as he is a big horse he will need a bit of time.

"He is not actually in the Irish Derby and I don't think he will go for that. He might go for the Eclipse and we will consider the Grand Prix de Paris (July 14) as he is in both of them.

Wesley Ward's Royal Ascot plans took shape after a workout for his team, including last year's amazing winner Lady Aurelia, at Keeneland racecourse on Monday

In front of some 30 owners, breeders and interested onlookers who gathered on Monday morning in the grandstand at Keeneland racecourse, Lady Aurelia and a number of other horses trained by Wesley Ward worked on the turf course in preparation for Royal Ascot.

Lady Aurelia, the blistering winner of the Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal meeting 12 months ago, is the 7/2 favourite with Sky Bet to win the King's Stand Stakes.