2021 Flat Issue 8 - It was a busy Ascot

Headlines

Mohaafeth lands Hampton Court

Alenquer  lands King Edward V11 Stakes

Campanelle wins in Stewards Room

Alcohol runs Free at Ascot

Tonight is Wonderful in Hardwicke Stakes

Report

We start at Ascot last Thursday in the 1m 2f group 3, where Mohaafeth (Bob), took his chance, Towards rear of midfield, raced wide and smooth headway on turn over 2f out, pushed along to lead over 1f out, ridden and drifted right inside final furlong, kept on strongly against far rail final 110yds, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 33.7 points.

On Friday in the 1m 4f group 2 Alenquer ( Steve), went to post, Held up in rear, headway from over 2f out, pushed along and led over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 44.2 points

In the 6f Group 1 Commonwealth Cup Campanelle (Martin), Dragon Symbol (Neil) took their chances. 

Dragon Symbol Prominent on near side of group, going easily over 2f out, shaken up and led narrowly over 1f out, soon hung right and bumped rival, ridden when edged right and bumped rival inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, finished 1st, placed 2nd, He gets 24 points.

Campanelle, Ponied to start, took keen hold, led on near side of group, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon carried right and bumped, disputing lead when carried right and bumped inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, finished 2nd, placed 1st. She gets 87.5 points.

In the 1m Group 1 Coronation Fillies stakes Alcohol Free (Martin, Steve) Snow Lantern ( (Cliff, Neil, Steve), took their chances. Alcohol Free , Ducked left start, midfield, headway from 2f out, pushed along and led inside final furlong, kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 55.85 points.

Snow Lantern Took keen hold, towards rear of midfield, shaken up and headway from over 1f out, ridden and not clear run inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 2nd beaten 1 ½ l, She gets 16.75 points.

On Saturday in the 1m 4f group2 Wonderful Tonight (Bob) took her chance, Took keen hold, prominent, smooth headway on outer and led over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden when edged right and quickened clear over 1f out, reduced lead inside final 110yds, pushed out, winning  comfortably by 1 ½ l. She gets 50.7 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        June        Total

Tony                 184.55          373.85

Steve              252.1          347.4

Cliff                 213.2        313.8

Martin           197.6          305.45

Neil                  176.05       258.75

Cod                51.75          179.95

Bob                    84.4       179.8

Peej                51.75         155.55

Ascot Grand Slam

Steve   235.35

 Martin 194.55

Cliff   184.85

Tony   126.95  

Neil      126.95

Bob  84.4

Cod  51.75

Peej      51.75

So Steve gets the 20 point bonus

News 

David Menuisier will be working back from Wonderful Tonight's date with destiny in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 3 for her next targets following her brilliant return to action at Royal Ascot last week.

Bolshoi Ballet has been ruled out of Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby but connections hope he'll be back in action soon. The colt suffered a cut to his hind leg at an early point in the Cazoo Derby when a disappointing favourite and has not recovered in time to have another crack at Classic glory.

Trainer O’Brien said: “He’s back cantering again. Obviously this weekend will come too quick, but he is cantering now. I was thinking if we get through next week without a hiccup, then maybe we can start looking for a race for him after that.

High Definition is on course for Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, although Aidan O’Brien has yet to finalise his full squad for the Curragh Classic.

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2021 Flat Issue 7 - Things start picking up

Headlines

Love De Vega wins at Nottingham

Palace Pier Takes Queen Anne Stakes

Rivals left in Berkshire’s Shadow

A Love In At Ascot

Kerami lands

Report

We start at Nottingham last Thursday where in the 6f novice stakes, Love De Vega ( Martin), took his chance, Made all, ridden 2f out, ran on well and went clear final 110yds, winning  comfortably by 3l He gets 23.2 points.

At Ascot on Tuesday in the 1m group 1 Queen Anne Stakes Palace Pier ( Cliff, Martin, Neil, Steve, Tony), Lope Y Fernandez went to post. Palace Pier In touch with leaders, niggled along 3f out, close up 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, winning by 1 ½ l. Cliff gets 77.4 points, Martin, Neil Steve, Tony 51.2

Lope Y Fernandes, Prominent early, midfield after 2f, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and chased winner over 1f out, went second inside final furlong, kept on but always held, 2nd beaten 1 ½ l He gets 24 points.

In the 6f group 2 Berkshire Shadow ( Neil , Steve) took his chance, Held up in rear on near side of group, ridden and headway over 1f out, led against near rail final 110yds, edged right towards finish, kept on strongly, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 32.35 points.

On Wednesday at Ascot in the 1m 6f group 2 Kerami (Cliff), took his chance, Tracked leaders, led going easily 2f out, edged left when ridden over 1f out, clear when edged left inside final furlong, kept on strongly final 110yds, winning comfortably by1 ½ l. He gets 55.7 points.

In the 1m 2f group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes, Love ( Cliff, Cod, Neil, Peej, Steve, Tony), took her chance, Made all, led narrowly when pushed along over 2f out, faced strong challenge when ridden over 1f out, led clearly inside final furlong, kept on well, winning gamely by3/4 l. She gets 51.75 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        June        Total

Tony                 184.55          373.85

Cliff                     196.45        297.05

Neil                  135.3           218

Steve              135.3          210.6

Cod                51.75          179.95

Martin                86          162.7

Peej                51.75         155.55

Bob                       00       95.4

Ascot Grand Slam

Cliff   184.85

Tony   126.95  

Martin 102.95

Neil      102.95

Steve   102.95

Peej      51.75

Cod  51.75

News 

Just ten days ago Mohaafeth was being talked about as a live Cazoo Derby contender at Epsom. Bookmakers had him as 9-2 second favourite behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained Bolshoi Ballet after bloodless victories at Lingfield and Newmarket (twice). Then the skies opened, the ground cut up and the dream was over. William Haggas decided to do best by the horse and take him out  due to unsuitable ground. His disappointment was visible and although we will never know if it was the right call, Mohaafeth now enters the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes with a favourite's chance.

Entries away from Ascot

Friday Limerick 6.00 Lough Derg

Saturday 3.25 Down Royal Baton Rouge

Sunday Pontefract 3.55   Law Of One

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

Ascot Grand Slam Picks

Cod  - Double or Bubble

Neil  - Dragon Symbol

Tony - Kaufymaker

Cliff - Kemari

Bob - Mohaafeth

Peej - Starman

Steve - Gubbass

Martin - Campanelle

2021 Flat Issue 6 - Two winners as Royal Ascot looms

Headlines

Empress cuts rivals adrift at Chelmsford

Basilica gets top Marks at Chantilly

Report

We start at Chelmsford last Thursday where in the 1m 2f fillies novice stakes, Sea Empress ( Cliff Martin), took her chance, Made all, shaken up over 2f out, kept on well, always doing enough , winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 11.6 points.

On Sunday at Chantilly in the 1m 2f group 1 Prix Du Jockey Club St Marks Basilica (Tony), went to post, In touch, tracked leaders going well 2 1/2f out, ridden inside final 2f, led 1 1/2f out, driven clear inside final furlong, kept on well, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 57.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        June        Total

Tony                 57.6          246.9   

Cod                   00              128.2

Cliff                     11.6        112.2

Peej                     00           103.8

Bob                       00       95.4

Martin                11.6          88.3

Neil                     00             82.7

Steve                  75.3          75.3

Congratulations to Tony who was May Trainer of the month

News 

Michael Bell will choose between the Commonwealth Cup and Jersey Stakes as The Lir Jet bids to win at Royal Ascot for the second successive year.

With our 3 year olds having been desperately disappointing so far we have to hope the older brigade will liven up the competition next week at Ascot. Battash, Stradivarius, Love , Palace Pier, Lope Y Fernandes, Lord Glitters, Liberty Beach, Addeyyeb, Lord North, Mogul, Broome, Japan, Amhran Na Bhifan, Santiago, Logician, Wonderful Tonight, Summerghand, Speak In Colours, Bielsa, Pierre Lapin, Grandmaster Flash, Faisal, Sleeping Lion, all have entries. 

The younger brigade still trying to make a name for themselves are Battleground, Chindit, Wembley, Thunder Moon, Tactical , Van Gogh, Rhythm Master, Haqeeqy, Danyah, Noon Star, Teona, Sea Karats, Technique, Queens Speech, Alenquer, High Definition, Lone Eagle, Baton RougeLough Derg, Gloucestershire , Diligent Harry, Supremacy, Miss Amulet ,Dandalla, The Lir Jet, Alchol Free, Pretty Gorgeous, Snow Lantern, 

2 year olds, Angel Bleu, Berkshire Shadow, Vintage Clarets, 

 

Other Entries

Today Speak in Colours 5.50 Leopardstown, 

Friday Danielsflyer York 4.35

Saturday Chester 2.10 Fizzy Feet, Limerick 4.45 Koybig,  York 2.35 Queens Sargeant, 4.15 Love De Vega

Sunday 1.45 Doncaster Malvern, Gowran Park 5.00 Baton Rouge

Mehnah will be given plenty of time to recover from the setback which prevented her from running in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The Kevin Prendergast-trained filly tweaked a muscle – ruling her out of the Curragh Classic – and she has since also been taken out of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The half-sister to 2016 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Awtaad is back in work, but is not yet ready to return to action.Prendergast said: “She’s coming on well. She tweaked a muscle before the Irish Guineas, and we just had to ease her off, but she’s back in work again. “We’ll play it by ear. We’ll get her straight first, then we’ll make a plan.”

Master Of The Seas is back in work after suffering a setback which ruled him out of Royal Ascot. The Prix du Moulin is seen as a likely target for the 2000 Guineas runner-up, before a possible tilt at the Breeders’ Cup.

Ascot Grand Slam, next leg of the slams , closing date for your pick is Sunday 13 June

Grand Slam Leg 1

Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej

Leg 7 Tony

2021 Flat Issue 5 - Three more winners

Headlines

Angel Gives Rivals the Bleu’s at Pontefract

Skalletti Scoots home at Longchamp

Faisal scores at Windsor

Report

We start at Pontefract on Friday where in the 6f conditions stakes Angel Bleu (Martin), went to post, held up in behind leaders, pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, winning by 1 ¾ l . He gets 25.4 points.

At Longchamp on Sunday in the 1m group Pix D Ispahan, Skalletti ( Cod), took his chance, Held up in rear, headway on outside 2 1/2f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly inside final furlong, led narrowly close home, winning by a head. He gets 53.4 points.

At Windsor on Monday in the1m 2f handicap Faisal ( Peej), took his chance, Reared start and slowly away, took keen hold, in rear, headway and tracked leader after 1f, pushed along to challenge 2f out, carried left but ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed out and kept on inside final furlong, always doing enough, winning by ½ l. He gets 24.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        May         Total

Tony                 189.3       189.3   

Cod                   128.2        128.2

Peej                     103.8        103.8

Cliff                   100.6          100.6   

Bob                       95.4        95.4

Neil                     82.7      82.7

Martin                76.7        76.7

Steve                  75.3          75.3

News 

Cazoo Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet shortened at the head of the market on Sunday as his trainer Aidan O'Brien hinted that stable jockey Ryan Moore may find it hard to jump off the Derrinstown Derby Trial winner. O'Brien was speaking on Luck on Sunday and said that it would be "very hard" for Moore to ride one of his other stars in the race, with jockey bookings to be decided early this week.

Bolshoi Ballet has been the strong favourite for the Derby since his demolition job at Leopardstown earlier this month and he heads the betting at 6-4 (from 15-8) with Coral to give his trainer a record-extending ninth win in the race. Coral's David Stevens said: "Bolshoi Ballet is certain to start favourite for the Cazoo Derby following his two wins this season."

High Definition is set to sidestep the Cazoo Derby at Epsom on Saturday and instead run in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on June 26.

Roger Varian-trained Teona has been cut to 6-1 (from 7) for Classic glory on Friday. Out of Group 1-winning mare Ambivalent, Teona was a striking winner at Newcastle last November and lost little in defeat when third in the Musidora Stakes, in which she raced too freely. She will be one of three representatives for Varian in the Oaks, with the Shadwell-owned Zeyaadah also bound for Epsom having finished second in the Cheshire Oaks on her latest start as well Lingfield .

The Cazoo Oaks betting was shaken up on Tuesday after the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Noon Star, who had been as short as 10-1 for the fillies' Classic, was scratched from the Group 1 contest. Juddmonte racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: "The filly has had a temporary setback so will not run in the Cazoo Oaks on Friday. All being well she could head to the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Supremacy, Britain's best juvenile last year and the highest-rated two-year-old Clive Cox has ever had, remains on course for Royal Ascot and the Commonwealth Cup despite his disappointing performance at the Berkshire track in April. Cox said: "Supremacy was just coming to himself before Ascot and then there was some rain on the day, but for whatever reason he was below par. He came home with a raised white cell figure, so there was something amiss without a doubt.

Hugo Palmer’s Ocean Road is poised to take her chance in the Group One Cazoo Oaks at Epsom on Friday. The three-year-old daughter of Australia was last seen finishing third behind Sherbet Lemon in the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial in early May. The Qatar Racing-owned bay was hindered by a slow start on that occasion and has subsequently undertaken some stalls practice with big-race rider Oisin Murphy.

“We’re all systems go for Epsom on Friday,” Palmer said. “Oisin sat on her this morning and did a little bit of stalls work with her. “She was too slowly away at Lingfield and ended up sitting last, it was all a bit of a mess on ground that was too soft for her.”

Entries

Thursday Leopardstown    Discoveries, 

Friday Epsom,  Broome, Japan, Mogul, Alpinista, Love, Santa Barbara, Teona, Zeyaadah, Ocean Road, Technique, Statement

Goodwood  Love De Vega

Saturday Epsom, Bolshoi Ballet, , Huurricane Lane, Van Gogh, One Ruler, Lone Eagle

Mussleburgh Statement

Ascot Grand Slam, next leg of the slams , closing date for your pick is Sunday 13 June