2023 Flat Issue 9 - Bob rules Royal Ascot

Headlines

Tahirya Crowned Ascot Queen

Emperor Rules over Newmarket

Report

We start at Ascot last Thursday where in the 2m 4f Group 1 Gold Cup, Coltrane ( Bob, Martin) went to post, Midfield, good headway from over 4f out, edged left home turn, led under 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, soon headed, kept on until no extra towards finish finishing 2nd beaten ¾ l. He gets 13.4 points.

At Ascot on Friday in the 6f Group 1 Commonwealth Cup Little Big Bear ( Cliff, Neil, Steve), went to post, Pressed leader, led 1f out, headed inside final 110yds, soon no extra and edged left, finishing 2nd beaten 1 ¼ l. He gets 13.01 points.

In the 1m group 1 Coronation stakes for fillies Tahiyra (Bob, Cliff, Neil), Remarquee ( Bob), took their chances.Tahiyra took keen hold, in touch with leaders, bit short of room and dropped to last 6f out, good headway on outer from over 2f out, drifted right and ridden over 1f out, soon led, kept on inside final furlong , winning by 1l. She gets 51.62 points. Remarquee, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway 2f out, intimidated by rivals then squeezed out over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well final 110yds, went second final strides, beaten 1l. She gets 30.5 points.

On Saturday at Newmarket Imperial Emperor ( Cliff), went to post in the 1m novice stakes, Made all, shaken up and went clear over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on well, winning comfortably by 2 ¾ l. He gets 22.68 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      June         Total

Neil    186.78        487.64

Cliff    196.01        397.33

Bob      259.92         380.32

Steve    149.01         281.26   

Peej      109.25         226.5       

Martin 149.5         201.6

Cod        89.5          116.96

Royal Ascot Grand Slam

Bob   149.17

Neil    131.28

Cliff   117.83

Martin   40.2

Steve      39.76

Peej        26.75

So Congratulations to Bob who picks up his first grand slam event, and 20 points.

News

Derby hero Auguste Rodin will be asked to once again carry the weight of expectation on Sunday when Aidan O'Brien sends him into battle for the Irish equivalent seeking an incredible 100th Classic win in Europe for the trainer."Everything has gone well with Auguste Rodin since Epsom," O'Brien said on Wednesday as he looked forward to the Epsom winner following up at prohibitive odds in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Desert Crown has been given the all-clear and is back cantering after a minor setback prevented him from running in last week's Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Yarmouth

3.30 Theoryofeverything

Newcastle 

6.35 Al Husn

Newmarket

8.10 First of May

8.45 Like A Tiger

Curragh

5.00 Gloucester

8.25 Saturn

Saturday 

Curragh

3.25 Emily Upjohn, Laurel, Rosscarberry, Mawj, Meditate, Savethelastdance, Tahiyra, Bluestocking

Newcastle 

12.55 Diligent Harry, Mount  Athos,

2.05 Rajinsky

Chester

3.07 Wiltshire

3.42 Wiltshire

Sunday 

Curragh

1.50 Bucanero Furete

3.40 Auguste Rodin, White Birch, Greenland, Hans Anderson, 

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 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

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

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

2023 Flat Issue 8 - Early Ascot Points

Headlines

Rosscarberry lands Munster Oaks

Paddington Steams to St James Palace Victory

Monsieur Kodi Lands Thirsk Handicap

Report

We start at Cork on Friday where in the 1m 4f group 3 for fillies and Mares Rosscarberry ( Bob), took her chance, Held up in midfield, headway and in touch with leaders halfway, led going easily 2f out, clear over 1f out, ridden and faced challenge inside final furlong, pushed out when edged left but kept on well towards finish (jockey said mare rolled around inside the final furlong, winning by ½ l. She gets 35.2 points.

At Ascot on Tuesday in the 1m Group 1 Queen Anne stakes Inspiral ( Bob, Martin), took her chance, Slowly into stride, in rear, headway on far side of group from 3f out, went second then pressed leader over 1f out, briefly disputed lead inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd beaten a neck. She gets 13.55 points.

In the 1m group 1 St James Palace Stakes Paddington ( Cliff, Neil), Chaldean (Martin, Peej, Steve), went to post. Paddington, In touch with leaders, headway from over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, winning comfortably by 3 ¾ l. He gets 53.2 points.

Chaldean, Led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong , finishing 2nd beaten 3 ¾ l. He gets 13.3 points.

In the 5f Group 1 King Stand Stakes Highfield Princess (Bob), took her chance, Raced far side, prominent, challenging when carried left and intimidated by rival inside final 110yds, just held, 2nd beaten 1l. She gets 26.7 points.

At Thirsk in the 6f handicap, Monsieur Kodi (Cod), went to post, in touch with leaders against near rail, ridden and edged left over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, led final 110yds, kept on well, winning by ½ l. He gets 34 points.

On Wednesday in the 1m 2f Group 1 Prince of Wales stakes Luxembourg ( Bob, Neil, Peej, Steve), took his chance, Led but pestered, headed under 2f out, kept on but no match for winner, finishing 2nd beaten 4l. He gets 13.45 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      June         Total

Neil    122.15        423.01

Cliff    108.7        310.02

Steve    136          268.25   

Bob      144.4         264.8

Peej      109.25         226.5       

Martin 136.1          188.2

Cod        89.5          116.96

Royal Ascot Grand Slam

Cliff   53.2

Neil    66.65

Bob   53.65

Martin   26.8

Peej        26.75

Steve      26.75

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Ascot

3.05 Circle Of Fire, Canberra Legend , Bertinelli

3.40 Honiton

4.20 Little Big Bear, Lezoo, Noble Style, The Antarctic, 

5.00 Tahirya, Mawj, Mamma’s Girl, Mediate, Remarquee

Redcar

2.20 Kodebreaker

Newmarket

6.30 Imperial Emperor

Saturday 

Ascot

3.05 The Antarctic, Noble Style. Mamma’s Girl

3.40 Highfield Princess

5.35 Bertinelli, Concorde, Like A Tiger

6.10 Trueshan, Rajinsky

Newmarket

2.42 Imperial Emperor

Lingfield

5.50 Kodiman

Haydock

8.10 Kodiman

Sunday 

Pontefract

6.15 Concorde

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 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

Ascot Grand Slam Picks

Cod - Yibir

Martin - Born To Rock

Cliff, Neil - Paddington

Bob - Collongatta

Steve - Bertinelli

Peej - Francesco Clemente

2023 Flat Issue 7 - Updates ahead of Ascot

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                      June         Total

Neil    55.5        356.36  

Cliff    55.5        256.82

Steve    109.25     241.5   

Peej      82.5         199.75       

Bob      55.5         175.9

Martin 109.25      161.35

Cod        55.5          82.96

Apologies to  Peej who has single pick rights on Emily Upjohn, totals now amended

News

Inspiral, a dazzling winner at Royal Ascot last season, is in the perfect spot as she prepares to take on the best milers in Europe in the opening race of this year's royal meeting on Tuesday week.

Desert Crown, who was a short-price favourite for this month's Prince of Wales's Stakes, was on Sunday ruled out of Royal Ascot after suffering a minor setback. Confirming the news, assistant trainer James Savage said: "Desert Crown trained well on Saturday but met with a minor setback. Royal Ascot is just going to come too soon to get it right."

Connections of emphatic 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean believe he will be "the one to beat" when he leads a formidable team from the all-conquering Juddmonte operation into battle at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday week.

With Haskoy a possible for the Ascot Gold Cup, Laurel taking aim at the Duke of Cambridge Stakes and Covey heading for the Jersey, Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon believes this could be the bloodstock behemoth's strongest team heading to Ascot for a number of years.

Adayar delighted Charlie Appleby in a gallop on Newmarket’s July course on Wednesday and the trainer hopes patience will be rewarded when the Derby winner finally gets a chance to show what he can do at Royal Ascot. The 2021 Epsom victor is general 2-1 joint-favourite with Luxembourg for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes next Wednesday, a status Appleby thinks the son of Frankel deserves.

Adayar is a rarity as a Derby winner still in training at five, and he headlined a mini Royal Ascot gallops morning from the Moulton Paddocks team on Wednesday, finishing with his ears pricked in a seven-furlong exercise under William Buick. Appleby said of the general 8-1 chance: “Native Trail has come forward for his first run at Newmarket and we were pleased with him. He had wind surgery over the winter, but I was very pleased with that. Like many of these older horses he needs a bit of work and you could see the improvement from that run."

Trueshan is reported to be back in strong work and on course for the Ascot Gold Cup by trainer Alan King, who revealed the top-class stayer has had a wind operation. After a disappointing start to the season, King hopes Trueshan can bounce back to form if the ground finally allows the seven-year-old to take his chance in the traditional highlight of next week's meeting.

Royal Ascot Grand Slam

A reminder that Royal Ascot is a grand slam event and you can add 1 horse not currently in any string , to run at Ascot. Closing date for entries, Sunday 18 June

Weekend Entries

Friday 

York

3.00 First Of May

Cork

7.10 Rosscarbery, Time Lock, Savethelastdance

Saturday 

Sandown

3.25 Harry Magnus

York

2.35 Gweedore

Sunday 

Chantilly

3.05 Pensee Du Jour

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 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

2023 Flat Issue 6 - Italy and Epsom winners

Headlines

Skalletti Wins in Italy

Emily Crowned Queen at Epsom

Auguste Rodin takes Derby Glory

Report

We start at Capannelle just over a week ago, where in the 1m 1f group 2 Skalleti (Neil), went to post, Held up in last, urged along to improve 3f out, driven and headway into contention from 2f out, stayed on gamely to lead final 75yds, pressed again close to line, always just doing enough, winning by a head. He gets 43.66 points.

At Epsom on Friday in the 1m 4f group 1 Coronation Cup, Emily Upjohn (Martin, Peej, Steve), took her chance, Held up in last, headway on outer 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon drifted left, clear over 1f out, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough, winning by 1` ¾ l. She gets 53.75 points.

On Saturday at Epsom in the 1m 4f group 1 Derby Stakes Auguste Rodin ( Not Peej), went to post, Midfield, switched right and headway from 3f out, ridden and went second under 2f out, led inside final 110yds, kept on well , winning by ½ l. He gets 55.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                May       June         Total

Neil    300.86   55.5        356.36  

Cliff    201.32   55.5        256.82

Steve     132.25  109.25     241.5   

Bob      120.44    55.5         175.9

Peej      117.25   53.75    171        

Martin 105.85   109.25      161.35

Cod        27.46    55.5           82.96

Congratulations to Neil who is May Trainer of the month

News

The sequel to a thrilling 1,000 Guineas is all set for Royal Ascot later this month after Dermot Weld reported Tahiyra to be heading for a rematch with Mawj in the Coronation Stakes.  

A scintillating gallop on Wednesday morning from last year's Derby winner Desert Crown has resulted in bookmakers running for cover from what they described as "the start of a significant Royal Ascot gamble", slashing his price for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. A best-priced 6-1 before the gallop, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old is now as short as 3-1 for a potential blockbuster clash with Ballydoyle star Luxembourg and fellow Derby winner Adayar.

Royal Ascot Grand Slam

A reminder that Royal Ascot is a grand slam event and you can add 1 horse not currently in any string , to run at Ascot. Closing date for entries, Sunday 18 June

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Haydock

6.10 Captain Haddock

Saturday 

Haydock

3.00 Time Lock

Sunday 

Belmont Park

12.02 Forte

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 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

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

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

2023 Flat issue 5 - Big Punter action this weekend

Headlines

Greek Order Rules at Sandown

Little Bear puts up Big Performance at Haydock

Luxembourg lands Gold Cup

Tahirya stars in 1000 Guineas

Anmaat scores in Paris

Report

We start at Sandown last Thursday where in the 1m handicap Greek Order ( Steve), went to post, Dwelt start, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, switched left from under 3f out, soon pushed along when up the centre, prominent but edged right from under 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on winning by ½ l. He gets 26 points.

On Saturday at Haydock in the 6f group 2 Little Big Bear, ( Cliff, Neil, Steve),went to post, Raced near side, prominent, led over 1f out, soon shaken up, drifted left final furlong, winning comfortably by 1 ¼ l. He gets 22 points.

On Sunday at the Curragh Luxembourg ( Bob, Neil, Peej, Steve), went to post in the 1m 2f group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, Made all, nudged along 3f out, quickened and 2 lengths ahead over 1f out, reduced lead but kept on well towards finish, always doing enough, winning by ½ l. He gets 28.3 points.

In the 1m grade1 1000 Guineas Tahiyra (Bob, Cliff, Neil), took her chance, Prominent against far rail, waiting for room going easily over 2f out, went second over 1f out, pushed along to lead 1f out, pushed out and went clear inside final 110yds, winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 26.2 points.

On Monday at Longchamp in the 1m 1f group 1 Prix D’Ispahan, Anmaat (Neil), went to post, In final pair, pushed along and effort on outer 2f out, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, kept on strongly, led closing stages, winning by a short neck. He gets 54.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                May          Total

Neil      257.2        257.2

Cliff       201.32       201.32

Steve     132.25       132.25

Bob        120.44    120.44

Peej      117.25         117.25

Martin 105.85        105.85

Cod        27.46      27.46

News

Royal Ascot will be the next port of call for Bluestocking after she was taken out of the Betfred Oaks at Saturday's confirmation stage. All is well with Bluestocking but it was just happening a little bit too quickly for her with the timescale before the Oaks," Beckett said. "She'll most likely head to Royal Ascot now. I was delighted with her effort at Newbury, but I just felt she wasn't quite ready for the test at Epsom so soon."

The Aga Khan's team and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget will take their time in assessing Vadeni after last season's European champion three-year-old ran well below expectations to finish a poor fifth in Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.Last season's Prix du Jockey Club and Coral-Eclipse hero had been expected to take a marked step forward on his comeback fourth in the Prix Ganay but finished nine and a half lengths adrift of Luxembourg, a performance the Aga Khan's racing manager Georges Rimaud described as "too bad to draw any concrete conclusions"

Aidan O'Brien thought Savethelastdance's eye-popping 22-length Chester romp might have been an optical illusion before sectional times revealed it was anything but, and now the master trainer cannot wait to see what she can do in the Betfred Oaks (4.30). A field of 11 have been declared for Friday's Classic and Savethelastdance is a best price 11-8 with Sky Bet to hand O'Brien his seventh Oaks in nine years and 11th overall as she takes on the John and Thady Gosden-trained pair Soul Sister and Running Lion.

Reflecting on her stunning Cheshire Oaks victory, a performance which saw her complete the final two furlongs in a quicker time than any of the field in the Lily Agnes over 5f earlier on the card, or the later sprint handicap for three-year-olds, the Ballydoyle maestro concluded what she did there was very rare indeed.

O'Brien said: "Usually when you see those things happening it's a bit of an illusion to your eye and it looks like the rest are stopping. People often say a horse quickened up very well, but often they are not quickening at all but, in fact, getting slower. But the times said she was quickening which was very unusual for a strongly run race like that. It was unusual when the times came out and we saw what she had done, but Ryan did say on the day that she absolutely galloped through the line. It was great to see it. She was very impressive."

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Epsom

3.10 Emily Upjohn

3.45 Honiton

4.30 Savethelastdance

5.45 Wiltshire

Saturday 

Epsom

1.30 Auguste Rodin, Passenger, White Birch

Doncaster 

5.10 Bauhinia Rhapsody

Listowel

2.35 Dandy Lichious

4.10 Perseids

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 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

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

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