2020 Flat Issue 9 - The winners keep coming

Headlines

Enable is King Georges Queen

More Magic at The Curragh

Blues puts Space between himself and Rivals at Goodwood

Frankie still master Fiddler on Stradivarius

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 1m 4f Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes Enable (Martin, Neil, Steve), went to post, Tracked leader, going best and led over 1f out, in the clear final furlong, winning easily by 5 ½ l. She gets 51.2 points.

At the Curragh on Sunday in the 1m 2f Group 1 Gold Cup Magical ( Bob), took her chance, Made all, going well over 2f out, pushed clear over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, winning comfortably by 2 ¼ l. She gets 51.1 points.

At Goodwood on Tuesday in the 7f group 2 Space Blues ( Steve, Tony), took his chance, Held up in rear, smooth headway on outer over 2f out, edged right and quickened to lead over 1f out, ridden out final furlong, winning readily by 2l. He gets 22.2 points.

In the 2m group 1 Goodwood Cup Stradivarius ( Bob, Cliff, Neil), took his chance, Close up on inner, not clear run over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, winning  readily by 1l. He gets 26.4 points.

Yesterday in the 1m group 1 Sussex Stakes, Circus Maximus ( Cliff, Tony), took his chance, Led soon after start, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well but headed towards finish , 2^nd beaten ¾ l. He gets 14.7 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                  July            Total

Cliff            161.55        661.6

Tony            92.75            429.1

Steve         246.35             426.25

Bob               119.35         425.15

Peej            107.05            324.65

Neil            143.95              320.65

Martin        159.75          271.65

Cod             78.05           198.85

Grand Slam Leg 1

Neil 

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

News

The Punter is sad to report that  top-class middle-distance performer Defoe was fatally injured on the gallops on Wednesday morning. His nine career victories included a Group One triumph in last year’s Coronation Cup at Epsom and success in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on his very next start.

2020 Flat Issue 8 - Another big week looms

Headlines

Royal has a successful Crusade at Deauville

King Rules over Prix D’isphan rivals

Giorgio Vasari scrapes home by a coat of paint at Limerick

Millisle stars at Naas

Report

We start at Deauville where in the 6f Group 3 Royal Crusade ( Martin), took his chance, Dwelt, waited with in final pair, driven and headway 1 1/2f out, challenged between horses approaching final furlong, led last 120yds, ran on, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 36.2 points.

At Chantilly on Sunday in the 1m 1f Group 1 Prix D’ispahan Persian King ( Cliff , Peej), took his chance, Raced in 2nd on outside, smooth headway to narrowly lead 2 1/2f out, pressed on outside 2f out and soon ridden, quickened clear, kept on, winning by 2l. He gets 26.8 points.

            

At Limerick on Friday in the 7f maiden Giorgio Vasari ( Tony), took his chance, Soon tracked leader, close 2nd at halfway, led going best under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged slightly right inside final furlong, joined under pressure towards finish, regained advantage final strides (jockey said colt rolled about when it hit the front, winning by a nose. He gets 27.4 points.

Yesterday at Naas in the 6f group 3 Millisle ( Cod), took her chance, Pressed leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, eased towards finish winning, readily by4l. She gets 36.2 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                  July            Total

Cliff            120.45          620.5

Tony            55.85       392.2

Steve         172.95             352.85

Bob               41.85        347.65

Peej            107.05            324.65

Neil            92.75              269.45

Martin        108.55           220.45

Cod             78.05           198.85

Grand Slam Leg 1

Neil 

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

News

Options for Earthlight’s next destination are open – with a step up to a mile for the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood not totally dismissed. With Pinatubo not in contention for what looks likely to be a red-hot Sussex Stakes, Earthlight would be a fascinating addition to the likes of Siskin, Kameko, Mohaather and Circus Maximus.

“We haven’t totally decided yet. He could go to Goodwood, but if not he will go for the Maurice de Gheest,” said Fabre.

“He’s very fast and looks a real sprinter, but I’m convinced that he can go further.

“I think it was a good decision to split him and Pinatubo up last time and it will be up to Sheikh Mohammed where he runs.”

York’s Juddmonte International remains a “remote possibility” for Andre Fabre’s Persian King.Last year’s French 2000 Guineas winner claimed another Group One success in the Prix d’Ispahan at Chantilly on Sunday.Having missed the second half of last season, the Kingman colt has gradually returned to peak form and Fabre is eyeing a possible crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with York and the Prix Jacques le Marois a couple of possible options along the way. “He was very impressive. He has improved with each race, but don’t forget the horse who beat him first time out (Magny Cours) has since won at Sandown against Group horses,” Fabre told the Punter.

“So, his form has worked out and he won well on Sunday. He always looked comfortable and he quickened well. “York is a remote possibility, that’s all, because the Marois is very tempting as a very prestigious race – not that the York race isn’t. “The difference is the timing because if we go to York, then you have no other options before the Arc or the Champion Stakes. Thankfully the travelling is getting better for us, so that would not put us off. “The Arc has always been in the back of my mind for him because of his family (dam’s sire is Dylan Thomas), so because of that the York race might suit him better, going up in trip gradually, but we have other options as well.”

Ryan Moore will ride Japan in the Qipco King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, where he will be joined by last year's English and Irish Derby winners Anthony Van Dyck and Sovereign as Aidan O'Brien launches a three-pronged attack on Enable. 

Magical will instead wait to defend her Tattersalls Gold Cup crown at the Curragh on Sunday. She will also have company from her own yard as O'Brien plans to run Magic Wand and Sir Dragonet in the Group 1 contest over a mile and a quarter. 

Stradivarius will face a maximum of six rivals - including Irish Derby hero Santiago - when he bids for an historic fourth victory in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on Tuesday.

In the 7f Group 2, Arizona, Pierre Lapin and Space Blues have entries.

Lord Glitters has an entry in the 1m 2f group 2 at York on Saturday

2020 Flat Issue 7 - Everyone a winner

Headlines

Thunderous Storms Home at Newmarket

Earth Lights up Deauville

Pinatubo lands Prix Jean Prat

Report

We start at York last Thursday where in the 1m 2f Group 2 Thunderous (Steve), took his chance, Chased leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, made strong challenge final 110yds, kept on well, led towards finish, winning by a neck. He gets 49.2 points.

At Deauville on Sunday, in the 6f listed stakes Earthlight ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Martin, Tony), took his chance, Prominent on outside, headway to go 2nd over 2f out and soon led, shaken up entering final furlong, drew clear, winning by 2 ½ l. He gets  13.4 points.

In the 7f Group 1 Prix Jean Prat Pinatubo (All), went to post, Waited with towards rear, took closer order over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on under pressure, winning by ¾ l. He gets 26.6 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                  July            Total

Cliff            93.65          593.7

Tony            28.45       364.8

Steve         172.95             352.85

Bob               41.85        347.65

Peej            80.25            297.85

Neil            92.75              269.45

Martin        72.35          184.25

Cod             41.85           162.65

Apologies, Neil has pointed out I have forgotten to add tote points for Pinatubo at Ascot and Enable at Sandown , now done

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil 

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

News

John Quinn is to look at all the big sprints for Liberty Beach following another fine effort from the three-year-old filly at Sandown. Quinn told the Punter  she could go for one or both of the Qatar King George Stakes at Goodwood or the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York this summer.

"Goodwood is definitely on the agenda, and there's York for the Nunthorpe. We'll put her in everything that she should be in,".

Barry Geraghty's retirement represents a true changing of the guard in the National Hunt weighing room Although the jockey may not have ever lifted jumping’s two most glittering prizes in the same season, both appear on a CV bursting with talented equine collaborators and outstanding winning content – so much of it acquired at successive Cheltenham Festivals – and one notable too for the sheer longevity of its listings.. He did it on Kicking King and Bobs Worth in the Gold Cup; Monty’s Pass in the Grand National; Moscow Flyer, Big Zeb, Finian’s Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother Champion Chase; there were a record-equalling four Champion Hurdle wins; also, lucrative links to trainers Jessie Harrington and Nicky Henderson and, latterly, the plum job replacing McCoy in the green and gold hooped silks on runners owned by JP McManus.

Of the many headline horses, the partnership with the Harrington-trained Moscow Flyer, a charismatic star of the fast and furious two mile chasing division – though he did win over further – stands out.

Stradivarius will head to Glorious Goodwood but not with stablemate Palace Pier, whose trainer John Gosden has resisted the temptation of a Sussex Stakes showdown with Siskin and will send his Royal Ascot winner to France instead. 

The St James's Palace Stakes winner was introduced as the general 2-1 market leader for the Goodwood Group 1 but will seek to emulate his sire Kingman and win the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville next month

Connections of multiple Group race-winning sprinter Magical Memory will make a decision later this month regarding his potential retirement.

The gelded son of Zebedee had been on course to make his first start of the season at last month's Guineas Festival at Newmarket until aggravating an old leg injury.

With an initial scan showing the leg had yet to heal, the Charlie Hills-trained eight-year-old could have time called on his career should there continue to be no signs of improvement.

2020 Flat Issue 6 - The action flows thick and fast

Headlines

Ghaiyyath Eclipe’s Rivals at Sandown

A Love- ly Oaks winner for Peej and Editor

Colours Speaks up at Fairyhouse

Art Brushes aside Rivals at Naas

Report

We start at Epsom on Saturday where in the 1m 4f group 1 Oaks Stakes Love ( Cliff, Peej), took her chance, Towards rear, pushed along and good headway over 3f out, ridden and led over 2f out, drifted left against far rail but clear over 1f out, nudged out and went further clear inside final furlong, wining impressively by 9l. She gets 51.8 points.

At Naas in the 6f group 3 Art Power ( Martin, Neil), went to post, Prominent near side, pushed along in 2nd under 2f out, ridden briefly to lead inside final furlong and stayed on well to assert under hands and heels, winning comfortably by 2 ½ l. He gets 16.6 points.

At Sandown on Sunday in the 1m Group 1 Eclipse stakes, Ghaiyyath ( Steve), Enable ( Martin, Neil, Steve), went to post.

Ghaiyyath, Made all, quickened 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on strongly final furlong, winning  comfortably by 2 ¼ l. He gets 81.4 points.

Enable, Midfield, nudged along over 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, went second final 110yds, no match for winner, 2^nd beaten 2 ¼ l. She gets 12 points.

At Fairyhouse in the 7f group 3 Speak in Colours ( Neil), took his chance, Held up, 8th halfway, headway 2f out going well, improved between horses into 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead far side inside final furlong and stayed on strongly to assert towards finish, winning easily by 2 ¼ l. He gets 33.8 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                  July            Total

Cliff            51.8          551.85

Tony            00               336.35

Bob               00              305.8

Steve         93.4              273.3

Peej            51.8             269.4

Neil            62.4            239.1

Martin        28.6             140.5

Cod             00             120.8

Grand Slam Leg 1

Neil 

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

News

Last year's St Leger winner Logician has recently resumed cantering in Newmarket with an autumn campaign planned, trainer John Gosden has confirmed.

The unbeaten son of Frankel is returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines having spent part of last winter at Newmarket Equine Hospital, where he was treated for the potentially life-threatening condition peritonitis.

The four-year-old is thought to have fully recovered from the condition, which affects the intestines, but has taken longer than anticipated to get back into full training.

Gosden said: "Logician is now back cantering on Warren Hill and hopefully he'll be out in the autumn. He seems to be recovered from his peritonitis problem and hopefully he can make up for lost time later this year."

Roger Charlton is no rush to decide on the next plan of attack for Quadrilateral after a sinus problem was found following her latest appearance at Royal Ascot. Speaking to the Punter, Roger said,: "She had a small sinus issue in her nose, which was not ideal. We have got that cleared up and whether that affected her at Royal Ascot, nobody knows.

"There are no firm plans for her at the moment. When she does run next, I'm not sure if we will stay at a mile or change her trip."

Earthlight will make his anticipated return to action in the Listed Prix Kistena at Deauville on Sunday, rather than take on fellow Godolphin star Pinatubo in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat on the same card

In the Prix Jean Prat, Pinatubo, Arizona, Malotru, Tropbeau have entries.

At Leopradstown in the 1m 1f group 3 Albigna is entered.

At Newmarket on Saturday in the 6f Group 1 July Cup, Khaadem, Shine So Bright and Threat hold entries.

 Tomorrow at Newmarket in the 1m Group 1 Falmouth stakes, Magic Wand is entered

2020 Flat Issue 5 - A big weekend of races to look forward to

Headlines

Boccaccio writes off rivals at Newmarket

Mayfair still has winning Spirit,

Colours Speaks Up at Curragh

Persian is Crowned King at Saint -Cloud

Magical lands Pretty Polly Stakes

Cognac raises Martins Spirits

Report

Last Monday at Kempton in the 1m handicap Cognac (Martin), went to post, Chased leader, shaken up to challenge over 2f out, ridden and led 1f out, ran on well, winning by 2l. He gets 25 points.

At Newmarket on Saturday where in the 7f handicap Boccaccio ( Martin, Steve), took his chance, Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and edged right under 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on well towards finish, led post , winning by a short head. He gets 12 points.

On Sunday at Saint-Cloud in the 1m group 2 Persian King ( Cliff, Peej), went to post, Broke well and soon led, shaken up 2f out, joined 1 1/2f out, ran on to regain lead entering final furlong, asserted close home, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 21.6 points.

At Windsor in the 1m 3f handicap Mayfair Spirit ( Peej), went to post, Midfield, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, ridden out , winning by 1 ¼ l . He gets 45.4 points.

At the Curragh in the 6f group2 Speak In Colours ( Neil), took his chance, Led and disputed far side, still going well 2f out and soon led narrowly, ridden and went 1 length clear inside final furlong, reduced lead close home, held on, winning by a head. He gets 49.4 points.

In the 1m 2f Group 1 Pretty Polly stakes Magical ( Bob), took her chance, Made all, over 1 length clear at halfway, extended advantage still going well 3f out, pushed further clear 2f out, in command 1f out, winning easily by 4 ½ l. She gets 52.4 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                  June            Total

Cliff             500.05          500.05

Tony            336.35         336.35

Bob               305.8          305.8

Peej            217.6              217.6

Steve         181.3            179.9

Neil            176.7             176.7

Cod             120.8             120.8

Martin        111.9          111.9

Steve and Tony have 1.5 tote points added For Space Blues win in France last week

Grand Slam Leg 1

Neil 

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

News

Aidan O’Brien’s classy stayer Kew Gardens has been retired to stud and will stand under Coolmore’s National Hunt banner next season.

Winner of the 2018 St Leger at Doncaster, the Galileo five-year-old memorably got the better of Stradivarius in a thrilling finish to the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day last season, his final outing.

Investec Derby third favourite Military March was on Thursday ruled out of the Flat season’s premier Classic after Saeed bin Suroor’s big hope suffered a setback. Military March has had a setback but it's not a major problem. He'll miss the Derby and we'll give him a bit of a break now. He's going to come back at the end of September for an autumn campaign.

 Punter interest in the Derby is quite limited this year, Kameko, Max Vega and Mogul being our only entries. In the Oaks, Love is our only entry

 Sunday’s Eclipse stakes at Sandown promises to be one of the best races of the season, Punter entries are  Enable, Ghaiyyath, Lord North, Magic Wand, Deirdre, Japan.

In France on Sunday in the Prix Du Jockey Club, Victor Ludorum, Pao Alto, hold entries, Alpine Star is entered in Prix Diane

Ger Lyons has his fingers crossed travel restrictions are lifted in time to allow Colin Keane to ride Siskin in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 29.

The First Defence colt maintained his unbeaten record when overcoming a troubled passage to win the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas in fine style.

Lyons immediately nominated Goodwood as his next port of call - but he is hoping the quarantine rules currently in place due to Covid-19 are eased sufficiently to enable his stable jockey to travel.

The Punters view on the Derby is that English King, having won impressively round Lingfileld is a big player but far to short at 9/4. Ballydoyle throw 7 in, which normally mean they are hoping to nick it by messing a lot of the others up, and probably don’t really know what will win for them, so Pyledriver who finished in front of 2 Ballydoyle runners at Ascot at 14/1 is a great each way bet.

In the Oaks I will stick with Love as she is in my string but I fear Frankly Darling