2023 Flat Issue 18 - Worst. Grand Slam. Ever.

Headlines

Coltrane lands Knock out blow in Lonsdale cup

Lezzo Sprints home at Newmarket

Passenger arrives on time at Windsor

Oceans Successful Quest at Naas

Report

We start at York on Friday where in the 2m group 2 Coltrane ( Bob, Martin), went to post, In touch with leaders, went third before halfway, led over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right final 110yds, kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 23.75 points.

In the 5f group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes Highfield Princess (Bob), took her chance, Prominent towards far side, went second 2f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd beaten 1l. She gets 26.6 points

At Newmarket on Saturday in the 6f listed stakes Lezoo (Cliff), went to post, Slowly away, towards rear, pushed along and steady headway on near side of group from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led final 110yds, ran on well, winning by a neck. She gets 29.5 points.

At Windsor in the 1m 2f group 3 Passenger (Cliff), took his chance, Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, just held on, winning by a short head . He gets 38 points.

On Sunday at Naas in the 6f group 3 for fillies and mares, Ocean Quest (Peej), took her chance, Started quickly, led narrowly towards far side early, disputed lead before halfway, led again when pushed along under 2f out, clear when reminder 1f out, eased towards finish, winning  comfortably by 3 ¾ l. She gets 33.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                     August       Total

Bob         270.13      793.95

Cliff        162.5           649.13

Neil         49.2          613.14

Steve       26.5         371   

Martin      57.55        322.45

Cod          29.66        311.36

Peej           33.2        283.7       

News

Auguste Rodin's work has been "brilliant" in preparation for his return in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, according to Aidan O'Brien, who said the nature of his dual Derby winner's tailed-off defeat at Ascot last month may prove a blessing.

The son of Deep Impact came home a tailed-off last of ten in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but O'Brien said the fact he was beaten so early may have spared him a tough race as he prepares for the Leopardstown Group 1 on September 9.

Grand Slam York

 

Bob  50.35

Martin  23.75

So Bob claims the 20points in a miserable grand slam

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Thirsk

3.50 Mount Athos, Gweedore

Saturday 

Sandown

2.25 Orchid Bloom

4.45 Doddie’s Impact

Chelmsford

5.15 Kodiman

Naas

2.50 Gloucester

Craon

4.52 Timelock

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 17 - Neil reduces the gap

Headlines

Gloucester Rules at Cork

Greek is Order of the Day at Newbury

Report

We start on Friday at Cork where in the 5f maiden Gloucester ( Neil), went to post, Raced centre, prominent, shaken up over 1f out, ridden and challenging when wandered around inside final furlong, led and ran on towards finish , winning by ¾ l. He gets 49 .2 points.

At Newbury on Saturday in the 1m 2f handicap Greek Order ( Steve), took his chance, Steadied start, held up in last, took keen hold early, smooth headway on near side of group 3f out, pushed along and led over 1f out, edged right and against near rail inside final furlong, soon went clear, comfortably, ran without hind shoe, winning by 4 ½ l. He gets 26.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                     August       Total

Bob         199.78      723.6

Neil         49.2          613.14

Cliff        95           581.63

Steve       26.5         371   

Cod          29.66        311.36

Martin      33.8        298.7

Peej           00        250.5       

News

Desert Crown is "not out of the woods yet" as he recovers from an operation on the fractured fetlock he sustained during exercise in Newmarket on Sunday morning. Last year’s Epsom Derby hero has endured a luckless run with injury over the past year but his  latest setback is the most serious. He suffered the fracture on the Al Bahathri Polytrack during his final piece of work before his intended run in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old was immediately taken to Newmarket Equine Hospital and underwent an operation on Monday. Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saaed Suhail, said on Tuesday: “Desert Crown is progressing well from an operation on his fractured off-fore fetlock but he’s not out of the woods yet. Newmarket Equine Hospital’s surgeon Matt Smith did a marvellous job and he couldn't be in better hands.

 

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Ffos Las

1.40 Captain Haddock

York

2.25 Coltrane, Eldar Eldarov, 

3.00 Johannes Brahms

3.35 Highfield Princess, Big Evs, The Antarctic

5.15 Finns Charm, 

Newmarket

4.25 Greek Order

Saturday 

Goodwood

2.40 Charyn, Nostrum

Newmarket

3.55 Diligent Harry, Garrus, Lezoo

York

1.50 Charyn, Nostrum, Passenger, 

Windsor

6.50 Passenger, 

Curragh

7.10 Dandy Lichious

Sunday 

Goodwood

2.25 Wiltshire

Yarmouth

3.45 Bauhinia Rhapsody

Naas

3.15 Ocean Quest

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

York Grand Slam picks

Bob - Johannes Brahms

Cliff, Neil - Big Evs

Steve Zain - Nights

Peej - Robert Johnson

Cod - Scampi

2023 Flat Issue 16 - Bob extends his lead

Headlines

Raise a Glass to Bucanero Fuerte

Gweedore strikes again

Inspiral lands Jacques Les Marois

Report

We start at the Curragh on Saturday where in the 6f group 1 Phoenix Stakes Bucanero Fuerte, (Bob)., took his chance Raced in second on far side of group, led up the centre halfway, ridden and edged left over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, winning readily by 4l. He gets 56.2 points.

At Newmarket in the 7f handicap Gweedore (Bob), went to post, Raced far side early, pressed leader early, switched to centre after 2f, ridden 2f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, winning by ½ l. He gets 33.2 points.

On Sunday at Deauville in the 1m group 1 Jacquues Les Marois stakes  Inspiral (Bob, Martin), took her chance, Slightly slow into stride, in rear, progress on far side 3f out, ridden just under 2f out, challenged leader over 1f out, soon led, kept on strongly inside final furlong, winning by 1 ¼ l. She gets 33.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                     August       Total

Bob         199.78      723.6

Cliff        95           581.63

Neil         00          563.94

Steve       00          344.56   

Cod          29.66        311.36

Martin      33.8        298.7

Peej           00        250.5       

News

Grand Slam York

Reminder that York is the next Grand slam event, closing date for selections Monday 21 August

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Newbury

4.55 Bauhinia Rhapsody 

Newmarket

8.05 Finns Charm

Cork

4.50 Gloucester

6.27 Rosscarberry

7.02 Saturn

Saturday 

Ripon

3.15 Monsieur Kodi

Newbury

3.35 Mostabshir, Mamma’s Girl

5.15 Greek Order, Imperial Emperor

Newmarket

4.20 Bauhinia Rhapsody

Curragh

3.27 Bicanero Fuerte

Bath

8.10 Bauhinina Rhapsody

Sunday 

Sandown

5.45 Greek Order

Curragh

4.05 White Birch

4.35 Eldar Eldarov, Rosscarberry

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 15 - Al Husn puts the Ed in contention

Headlines

Al Husn lands Nassau Stakes

Highfield Princess lands King George Stakes

Hamish takes Kings Plate

Kodi is the Man at Goodwood

Report

We start at Goodwood last Thursday where in the 1m 2f Group 1 Nassau Stakes Al Husn (Cliff), took her chance, Raced in second, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, winning by ½ l. She gets 95 points.

On Friday in the 5f group 2 Highfield Princess (Bob), took her chance, Started quickly, travelled strongly, raced in second, led going easily over 2f out, went clear 1f out, soon edged left, soon pushed out and kept on well, winning readily by 3l. She gets 42.9 points.

In the 1m 4f group 3 Hamish (Bob), went to post, Dwelt start, towards rear, headway from over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well and went clear final 110yds, winning readily by 4l. He gets 33. 68 points.

At Goodwood on Saturday in the 6f handicap, Monsieur Kodi (Cod), took his chance, Raced centre early, in touch with leaders, switched to far side after 1f, ridden to lead under 2f out, soon drifted right and went clear against far rail, reduced lead final 110yds, kept on, winning by ½ l. He gets 29.66 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                     August       Total

Bob         76.58         600.4

Cliff        95           581.63

Neil         00          563.94

Steve       00          344.56   

Cod          29.66        311.36

Martin      00        264.9

Peej           00        250.5       

News

Aidan O'Brien may have 17 wins in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes but will have to overcome a rival daring to dream of what would be a "brilliant" debut win in the sport's top tier on Saturday.

Veteran trainer Adrian Murray has enjoyed a phenomenal campaign with his two-year-olds so far in 2023 and has set his sights on taking on the might of Ballydoyle in the first Group 1 of the year for juveniles with Group 2 Railway Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte at the Curragh.

Last year's champion juvenile Little Big Bear has been retired by Coolmore due to a condylar fracture on the right front fetlock with Aidan O'Brien hailing him an "unbelievable juvenile who just didn't get the rub of the green this year".

Frankie Dettori is set to team up again with high-class filly Inspiral and bid for a final success in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Prix Jacques le Marois this Sunday just 11 days after being beaten by Paddington at Goodwood.

Weekend Entries

Friday

Haydock

6.50 First Of May

Saturday

Ascot

3.55 Like A Tiger

Newmarket

4.15 Gweedore

4.50 Naxos

Curragh

3.25 The Antarctic, Little Big Bear, 

4.35 Bucanero Fuerte, Noche Magica

Sunday

Leicester

2.58 Veer

Grand Slam York

Early reminder that York is the next Grand slam event, closing date for selections Monday 21 August

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 14 - Punters blank is good news for Cod

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                     July       Total

Neil         76.3    563.94

Bob         154.5    532.82

Cliff        51.3    486.63

Steve       63.3    344.56   

Cod          165.7   281.7

Martin      63.3    264.9

Peej           24       250.5       

So congratulations to Cod who is July trainer of the month

News

Adayar has been retired to stud.

The post-mortem into Auguste Rodin's dismal display in the King George continues after he scoped perfectly and had no irregular heartbeat in the aftermath of the Ascot event, and Aidan O'Brien is now wondering whether the Derby hero has an aversion to flying.

O'Brien remains baffled by the subdued showing in which he was the first horse beaten and trailed in last of the ten runners behind Hukum, but revealed the only times Auguste Rodin has flown before a race was for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and the King George. He ran shockers in both. 

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Goodwood

2.25 Mamma’s Girl, Mostabshir, Nostrum

3.00 Finns Charm

3.35 Highfield Princess

4.10 Hamish

Galway

8.40 Theonewedreamof

Saturday

Goodwood 

1.50 Monsieur Kodi

3.00 Timelock

Galway 

4.15 Dandy Lichiuos

Newmarket

2.40 Timelock

Doncaster

3.55 First of May

Sunday 

Chester

3.38 Noble Style, Lezoo

Haydock

5.45 Doddie’s Impact

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