2024 Flat Issue 18 - Peej takes York Slam prize

Headlines

Fire Burns off Rivals At York

Stewards Give Chemistry lesson at Leopardstown

Peej Content with York Winner

Spies Caught at Deauville

Report

We start at Leopardstown on Thursday where in the 1m 6f listed race Chemistry (Peej), went to post, Soon led, ridden and faced challenge from 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied on inner inside final furlong, bumped inside final 110yds, just held, finished 2nd, placed 1st (jockey said colt suffered interference in closing stages and got a severe bump) .He gets 46 points.

At York in the 1m 4f group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, Content (Peej), took her chance, Pulled hard, in touch with leaders on inner, headway towards far side from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, winning by 3/4l. She gets 58 points.

On Friday in the 1m 1f group 3, See The Fire (Martin, Steve), took her chance, Held up in rear, ridden and headway from over 2f out, ran on well against far rail inside final furlong, led final 110yds, won going away by 1 ¾ l. She gets 19 points 

At Deauville on Sunday in the 6f group 3 Spycatcher (Martin, Steve) went to post, In touch, ridden 2f out, driven and kept on well from 1 1/2f out, challenged 100yds out, led 50yds out, driven out, winning by a short neck. He gets 20.7 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           August              Total

Neil     122.63              871.49

Cod   121.05                 605.11

Peej    277.85            593.59

Steve   91.95             537.64

Cliff    68.83               532.59

Bob      79.59            522.02

Martin      135.95          376.6

York Grand Slam

Peej        110.25

Martin  71.25

Steve       7125

Bob  52.25

Cliff  52.25

Cod  52.25

Neil       52.25

Congratulations to Peej who gets the 20 points.

News

Vandeek has retired from racing and will stand at Cheveley Park Stud after the Newmarket operation bought a share in the dual Group 1-winning juvenile. He will stand in partnership with racing owner Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa's KHK Racing. 

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Thirsk

4.15 Cool Legend

Saturday  

Beverley

2.05 Staincliff

Sandown

2.25 Orchid Bloom

3.00 Balmacara

Chester

3.15 Hamish

Curragh

3.25 Orchid Bloom, Azada

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

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

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

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

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

2024 Flat issue 17 - Winners at the big meetings

Headlines

Economics Pay off with France Trip

Continuous lands Royal Whip

Soul wins Friends in France

Jacket Whistles home a Deauville

Troy Rules at York

Report

We start a Deauville on Thursday where in the 1m 2f group 2 Economics ( Peej), took his chance, in final pair, asked to improve on outer 2 1/2f out, progress over 2f out, ridden to chase leader entering final furlong, led final 110yds, kept on strongly, winning by 2l He gets 44.2 points

On Saturday at the Curragh Continuous ( Cliff, Neil), went to post, Started quickly, briefly led, raced in second soon after start, joined leader 3f out, pushed along and led narrowly from 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final 110yds,winning  readily by ½ l. He gets 16.58 points.

On Sunday at Deauville in the 6f group 1Prix Morny for 2 year olds, Whistlejacket (Peej), took his chance, Made virtually all on stands' side rail, pushed along 2f out, ridden just inside final furlong, kept on strongly under pressure, winning by ¾ l. He gets 57.4 points.

In the 1m 2f group 2 for 3 year old fillies Friendly Soul (Martin), took her chance, Made all, quickened up 2 1/2f out, ridden just under 1 1/2f out, slightly reduced advantage closing stages but always in command, winning by 1l. She gets 44 points.

At Windsor on Monday Staincliff (Bob), went to post in the 5f novice stakes, Led early, headed and in touch with leaders after 1f, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, soon went clear, ran on well inside final furlong, winning impressively by 8 ½ l. He gets 22.34 points.

At York yesterday in the 1m 2f group1 Juddmonte International stakes City of Troy (All), went to post  took keen hold, made all, hung right and pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, winning by 1l. He gets 52.25 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           August              Total

Neil     122.63              871.49

Cod   121.05                 605.11

Cliff    68.83               532.59

Bob      79.59            522.02

Steve   52.25          497.76

Peej    153.85            469.59

Martin      96.25          336.9

York Grand Slam

Bob  52.25

Cliff  52.25

Cod  52.25

Martin  52.25

Neil    52.25

Peej     52.25

Steve  52.25

Weekend Entries

Friday  

York

3.35 Azure Blue

Hamilton

7.05 Capital Theory

Saturday  

York

1.50 See The Fire

3.00 Spycatcher

4.10 Summerghand

Newmarket

3.55 Nigh Raider, Staincliff

Sunday  

Naas

3.42 Staincliff

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

Grand Slam 

Leg 1Neil  

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

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

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

Godwinson    Bob

Queenstown    Neil

Los Angeles    Cliff

Divine Comedy      Peej

Teumessias Fox      Cod

2024 Flat Issue 16 - Points for the top two

Headlines

Charyn scores in France

Everything finds winning Theory

Report

On Sunday at Deauville in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (Group 1) (3yo+ Charyn (Neil), went to post, Prominent, joined leader over 2f out, shaken up and quickened to lead 1 1/2f out, ran on well final furlong, winning impressively by 3l. He gets 53.8 points.

On Tuesday at Hamilton in he 1m 1f handicap Theoryofeverything ( Cod), took his chance, Midfield, headway then switched left over 2f out, headway from over 1f out, led towards finish winning by a short head. He gets 31 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           August              Total

Neil     53.8              802.66

Cod   68.8                 552.86

Cliff    00                463.76

Bob      00            447.43

Steve   00             445.51

Peej    00            315.74

Martin      00            240.65

Apologies again to Bob, Peej has pointed out that American Affairs previous points had been awarded, so total amended again !

News

YORK  Grand slam

Entries by close of play Monday 19 August

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Wolverhampon

3.00 Danzart

Newbury

4.55 Carp Kid

Cork

5.22 Yosemite Valley

Saturday  

Ripon

3.20 Summeghand

Newbury

1.50 Al Quareem

3.35 Poet Master, Kikkuli, Folgaria, Popmaster

Curragh

4.00 Continuous

4.35 Kyprios, Tower Of London, Continuous, 

Sunday  

Pontefract

6.15 American Affair

Grand Slam 

Leg 1Neil  

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

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

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

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

2024 Flat Issue 15 - Cod firm in second

Headline

Ramadan feasts on Deauville Points

Report

At Deauville on Sunday in the 1m group 3 Ramadan (Cod), wen to post, Chased leader, ridden and pressed leader 2 1/2f out, driven and led narrowly 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, asserted closing stages, driven out, winning by a neck. He gets 37.8 points

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           August              Total

Neil     00              748.86

Cod   37.8                 521.86

Bob      00            482.83

Cliff    00                463.76

Steve   00             445.51

Peej    00            315.74

Martin      00            240.65

News

Owners Cheveley Park Stud and joint-trainers John and Thady Gosden are considering a jockey switch for Inspiral in the hope it will revitalise the classy miler when she bids for a Prix Jacques le Marois hat-trick at Deauville on Sunday. Ryan Moore is now confirmed.

Dual Gold Cup winner Kyprios is edging towards Yeats territory and Aidan O'Brien already has his eyes firmly fixed on a third Royal Ascot triumph for his superstar stayer, who might be seen only once more this year – and that is highly unlikely to be in the Arc. Kyprios is halfway towards emulating the greatest stayer of all time, but his Goodwood Cup success last week was so emphatic that it generated plenty of Arc chat. According to Racing Post Ratings, the four-length defeat of Sweet William was the joint second-best performance of his entire career and O'Brien hailed his relentless stamina as "very rare".

Juddmonte believe more improvement is to come from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes second Bluestocking, with the powerful team aiming her at a big autumn target in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp (3.00). Bluestocking posted a joint career-best effort on Racing Post Ratings in the Ascot midsummer highlight last month, equalling the 120 figure she recorded when gaining a breakthrough Group 1 win in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June.

Superstar miler Rosallion will be aimed at the Prix du Moulin next month after missing out on a Sussex Stakes showdown with Notable Speech, but is not guaranteed to run at the Breeders' Cup this year according to trainer Richard Hannon. The trainer is unsure of where the St James's Palace Stakes winner could line up after his Longchamp date on September 9, but suggested the Blue Point colt would remain in training as a four-year-old.

Weekend Entries

Saturday  

Ascot

3.55 Cool Legend

Haydock

4.45 Orchid Bloom

Curragh

4.35 Whislejacket

Sunday  

Ripon

3.40 Cool Legend

Deauville

3.04 Charyn, Inspiral, Haatem

YORK  Grand slam

Entries by close of play Monday 19 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

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

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

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

2024 Flat Issue 14 - Points shared and Istabraq tribute

Headlines

Soul is Punters Friend at Ascot

Kyprios Takes Goodwood Gold

Speech makes a Notable Impression 

Report

We start a Ascot on Saturday where in the 1m group 3 for fillies and mares Friendly Soul (Martin), took her chance, Made all, ridden over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, winning readily by 3l. She gets 38.9 points.

In the 1m 4f group 1 King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Bluestocking ( Steve), took her chance, Held up in last, headway from over 4f out, bit short of room over 3f out, hung right but in touch with leaders 2f out, went second over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, finishing 2nd beaten 2 ¼ l. She gets 27.5 points.

Apologies to Bob, one I missed, at Thirsk on 20 June, American Affair went to post in the 5f handicap, Prominent in centre of group, going easily 2f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, pushed out inside final furlong, ridden briefly final 110yds,winning  comfortably by 1l. He gets 35.4 points.

On Tuesday at Goodwood in the 2m group 1 Goodwood Cup, Kyprios (Cliff, Neil), took his chance, Cajoled along and pressed leader early, raced in third after 3f, pushed along to lead 2f out, ridden clear from over 1f out, ran on well, winning by 4l. Cliff gets 53.24 points. Neil 26.62

On Wednesday in he 1m group 1 Sussex Stakes Notable Speech (Bob), went to post, Raced in third, waiting for room 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon ran on, led inside final furlong, jockey dropped whip inside final 110yds, winning comfortably by 1 ½ l. He gets 83 points.

Remembering A Legend

Aidan O'Brien has described Istabraq as an "almost mystical character" for the legacy he left after one of modern jump racing's most iconic equine superstars died at JP McManus's Martinstown home at 32 years of age.

I think that the word legend is over used in sport, and my personal definition is that it when some one or horse in this case draws new people in to their sport. My neighbour Alan joined us on the bus for Chelenham on the eve of Istabraq’s historic third win, he had never been racing before, and wanted to be there, and Istabraq did not disappoint.

Under a vintage ride from Charlie Swan, this great horse put ‘the night of doubt and sorrow’ behind him and jumped the last to a lion’s-mouth roar from the assembled faithful, thrilled to be in the congregation on the day Istabraq married immortality.

Never under-call the extraordinary feat of O’Brien in bringing this very highly strung animal to the bear-pit of Cheltenham for a fourth triumph. This is a horse with a short touch-paper, and there is little time between lighting it and ignition. O’Brien memorably described him as ‘just on the right side of toppling over on to the wrong side’, but the high-wire act is the trainer’s more than anyone’s.

Having won 2 starts on the flat for John Gosden from 11 starts his record over hurdles read, with rider Charlie Swan, 14 Grade 1 successes and won 23 of their 29 outings together over hurdles, with Istabraq indisputably becoming that rare thing for racehorses these days – a household name. Retired after being pulled up early in the 2002 Champion Hurdle, he had spent his remaining days at Martinstown.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy

           July              Total

Neil     135.5              748.86

Cod   91.25               484.06

Bob      156.88            482.83

Cliff    128.31                463.76

Steve   113.75             445.51

Peej    142.5          315.74

Martin      114.65           240.65

So Congratulations to Bob who is July trainer of the month

News

Vandeek will miss next weekend's Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest after suffering a setback in training.

The talented sprinter, who has won four of his six starts, had been due to run at Deauville over six and a half furlongs next Sunday but will not run, with no timeframe put on when he will return to work.

Ed Crisford, who trains alongside his father Simon, said in a statement posted on X: "Unfortunately Vandeek has met with a setback. It is too early to say how much time he will need before resuming full training. It is very frustrating for everyone concerned as he had looked as good as ever in his recent work."

Passenger is likely to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury in the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old finished third behind Alflaila in the Group 2 but was felt to be lame by jockey Richard Kingscote afterwards and was pulled up quickly after the winning post. Racecourse vets found that the Ulysses colt had fractured the cannon bone of his right foreleg, which is likely to see the colt sidelined for a number of months.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Ascot

2.25 Dancing Gemini

Saturday  

Goodwood

1.50 Continuous, Hamish

3.35 Mostabashir, Summerghand

Newmarket

4.25 Cool Legend

Sunday 

Chester

5.05 Cool Legend

Haydock

6.15 American Affair

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

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

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

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