2014 Flat Edition 25 - Final weekend

Headlines

Champions Day Shoot Out

2 Bonus races the QE11 and Champion stakes, leave Tony with a chance of catching Lee

Report

Below are their Entries

1.45 Leading Light (Lee, Tony)

2.55 Chiquita (Tony)

15.30 Charm Spirit (Tony) Night Of Thunder (Lee)

4.05 Ruler of The World (Tony) Western Hymn (Lee)

Those in Green are single picks

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                October             Total

Lee                37.6            1210.1

Tony             82                1076.9

Cod               88.5               966    

Bob                58                 928.5

Steve               55.8              796.4

Neil                58                784.5

Peej              88.5               686.1

Cliff               58                 662.2

Martin            30.5             443.1

The Grey Gatsby has been ruled out of Saturday's QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot but will stay in training next year

Roger Varian's Hadaatha could bid to improve on her recent third place in the Prix de l'Opera in the QIPCO Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday

G Force has been supplemented for the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on Saturday  Free Eagle and Cirrus Des Aigles top 12 six-day acceptors for Saturday's QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot In the absence of the retired Australia, Aidan O'Brien is set to rely on last year's Investec Derby hero Ruler Of The World, Kingsbarns - who is also among the QEII acceptors - and Kingfisher.

Noble Mission, a full-brother to Frankel, is firmly on course for the contest, while Al Kazeem, Pether's Moon, Sheikhzayeroad, Aurad and Western Hymn complete the field

2014 Flat Edition 24 - all depends on Champions Day

Headlines

Treve Stars in Arc Romp

Olympic gets Longchamp Glory

Integral takes Sun Chariot

Al Thakira scores at Ascot

Report

We start at Newmarket on Saturday where in the 1m Fillies Group 1 Sun Chariot stakes Integral (Steve), went to post, soon led, dictated gallop, ridden and quickend 2 out, edging right but always in command final furlong, ran on well, winning by 1l. She gets 55.8 points.

At Ascot Al Thakira (Lee) took her chance in the 7f listed race for fillies and mares, held up in last, charmed run through rivals from 2 out, squeezed between leading pair to lead inside last, winning decisively by 3/4l. She gets 37.6 points.

At Longchamp on Sunday in the 1m 4f Group 1 Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe, Treve ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Neil, Peej, Tony) Flintshire (Tony), went to post. Treve, took keen hold, raced midfield on inner, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, soon shaken up and quickend to lead, ridden and stayed on strongly, winning easily by 2l. She gets 58 points.

Flintshire, raced in touch midfield, ridden and switched inside for clear run 2 out, stayed on and went 2^nd inside last, chased winner but no impression, 2^nd beaten 2l. He gets 24 points.

In the 7f Group 1 Pris De La Foret, Olympic Glory ( Cod, Martin, Peej) went to post, outpaced in rear last and pushed along 2 out, good head way under 2 out, ran on well final furlong, led 75 yards out, won going away by 2l. He gets 30.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                October             Total

Lee                37.6            1210.1

Tony             82                1076.9

Cod               88.5               966    

Bob                58                 928.5

Steve               55.8              796.4

Neil                58                784.5

Peej              88.5               686.1

Cliff               58                 662.2

Martin            30.5             443.1

News

"When Australia was born he was already a Group One winner," said trainer Corine Barande-Barbe when she was asked about Cirrus Des Aigles' potential rivals in next week's QIPCO Champion Stakes Such is the remarkable longevity of the eight-year-old gelding that he returns to the Ascot Group One yet again, having won it in 2011, the pre-Frankel era.

He had a fourth Prix Dollar taken away in the stewards' room on Saturday, and while Barande-Barbe remains frustrated with the strict French rules over interference, Cirrus does not appear disappointed as he crunches carrots in his stable

Dermot Weld's hugely-exciting colt Free Eagle remains on target for the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot later this month 

Roger Varian is not ruling out a possible tilt at the Qipco Champion Stakes for Kingston Hill following his tremendous effort in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.

2014 Flat Edition 23 - the final countdown

Headlines

Crucial Week End Looms

Report

No winners this week, but a massive week end looms , with many critical races at Longchamp, and some decent domestic action. It’s not all over yet and Cod and Tony have some powerful allies running for them, and we still have Champions day after this.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                September              Total

Lee                12                  1172.5

Tony             178.3               994.9

Cod               113.8              877.5    

Bob                156.9            870.5

Steve               98.8               740.6

Neil                97.8               726.5

Cliff               123                 604.2

Peej              85.6                  597.6

Martin            19.3                 412.6

Congratulations to Tony, Trainer of the Month

News

Cirrus Des Aigles heads a field of nine for Saturday's Prix Dollar at Longchamp. His potential opponents on Saturday include Andre Fabre's pair of Triple Threat and Pilote, Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained duo Narniyn and Shamkala and Joe Murphy's possible Irish challenger Euphrasia.

Sole Power is a strong favourite for the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp after Cheveley Park winner Tiggy Wiggy and Muthmir were ruled out.

Connections of Tapestry forked out 120,000 euros to add the filly to the field despite the fact she put up no kind of show when only ninth in the one-mile Matron Stakes on her most recent outing.Ryan Moore is set to ride and Hanagan thinks it is worth the O'Brien team taking a chance.

He added: "It was a lot of money (to supplement Tapestry) but I think she would have to go and have a run there - she's a very good filly."Tapestry was the sole supplementary entry, with Chicquita and Ruler Of The World, the likely mounts of Joseph O'Brien and Frankie Dettori respectively, also representing Ballydoyle

2014 Flat Edition 22 - much quieter week

Headlines

Pallasator Lifts Rose Bowl at Newmarket

Report

Today at newmarket in the 2m listed stakes Pallasator (Neil), went to post,

Ponied to start, set steady pace, quickened 3f out, ridden and headed narrowly approaching 2f out, rallied to lead again approaching final furlong, stayed on gamely , winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 29 points. 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                September              Total

Lee                12                  1172.5

Tony             178.3               994.9

Cod               113.8              877.5    

Bob                156.9            870.5

Steve               98.8               740.6

Neil                97.8               726.5

Cliff               123                 604.2

Peej              85.6                  597.6

Martin            19.3                 412.6

Apologies to Neil and Peej for messing up the Grey Gatsbys points last week, and to Neil for pointing out the error ! The table is amended. 

News

Gregory Benoist has elected to ride Ectot over Avenir Certain in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday week

The Retirement of Kingman opens the last big mile races, and leaves the door open for some one to have a late charge at the leader.

2014 Flat Edition 21 - big shake-up in table

Headlines

Estimate lifts Cup at Doncaster

Eagle Swoops at Leopardstown

Kingston Hill Lands St Leger

The Grey Gatsby – Champion in Ireland

Croquembouche wins at Bath

Ruler Conquers French

Charm Has Spirit to Land Moulin

Haddatha wins at Yarmouth

Report

We start at Doncaster last Friday where in the 2m 2f Group 2 Estimate (Cod), went to post, tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged well over 1 out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, driven and kept on well close home, winning by 1 ¾ l. She gets 45 points.

On Saturday in the 1m 6f Group 1 St Leger Stakes, Kingston Hill ( Cliff, Steve, Tony), went  to post, held up in rear, headway on wide outside 2 out, challenged over 1 out, ridden to lead and hung left inside last, driven and ran on strongly, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 53.2 points.

At Leopardstown in the 1m 2f group 3, Free Eagle ( Steve), went to post, held up , travelled well, took closer order over 2 out, soon led and quickend clear approaching final furlong, winning impressively by 7l. He gets 33.6 points.

In the 1m 2f group 1 Irish Champion stakes, The Grey Gatsby ( Neil), Australia ( Bob, Cod, Lee, Neil, Steve, Tony), took their chances. The Grey Gatsby held up in rear, pushed along in 6^th 2 out, stayed on well to chase leader in 2^nd 1 out, kept on strongly to lead closing strides, wining by a neck. He gets 113.6 points.

Australia, held up till god headway on outside off home turn, led over 1 out, strongly pressed inside last, and headed closing strides, 2^nd beaten a neck. He gets 12 points.

On Sunday at Bath in the 1m 2f handicap, Croquembouche ( Peej), went to post, made all, ridden 2 out, kept on very gamely, winning by 1l . He gets 28.8 points.

At Longchamp, in the 1m 4f group 2, Ectot (Cliff), went to post, took keen hold, held up in last, smooth headway on outer, 2 out, quickend smartly to lead going strongly over 1 out, ridden final furlong, idling close, winning cosily by a neck. He gets 45.8 points.

In the 1m 4f group 2, Ruler of the World (Tony), took his chance, made all ridden and kicked clear over 1 out, stayed on strongly final furlong, reduced advantage close home but always in control winning by 1 ½ l . He gets 49 points.   

In the 1m Group 1 prix Du Moulin, Charm Spirit ( Tony), took his chance, prominent on inner pushed along and challenged on rail over 1 out, soon led and strongly pressed through out final furlong, but ran on well and always doing enough, winning by a head. He gets 64.1 points.

On Wednesday at Yarmouth in the 1m 2f listed fillies stakes Haddatha ( Bob, Martin), took her chance, Held up, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on , winning by ¾ l. She gets 19.3 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                September              Total

Lee                12                  1172.5

Tony             178.3               994.9

Cod               113.8              877.5    

Bob                156.9            870.5

Neil                125.6               754.3

Steve               98.8               740.6

Cliff               123                 604.2

Peej              28.8                  540.1

Martin            19.3                 412.6

News

Champions Day at Ascot or a trip to Canada are two possible options for Encke following his creditable run when third in the Irish St Leger

Kevin Ryan has warned again that The Grey Gatsby will miss Ascot's QIPCO Champion Stakes and a possible re-match with Australia if going conditions are softSky Lantern pleased connections in a workout on Tuesday morning as she builds up to her defence of the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on October 4.

2014 Flat Edition 20 - can anyone catch Lee?

Headlines

G  has the Force at Haydock

Kiyoshi is Queen at Doncaster

Report

We start at Haydock last Saturday where in the 6f Group 1 sprint cup, G Force (Bob), Gordon Lord Byron (Cliff), took their chances.

G Force held up, headway when not clear run under 2 out, burst through gap over 1 out, ran on, edged right inside final 50 yards, led close home winning by ¾ l. He gets 125.6 points.

Gordon Lord Byron tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed close home kept on, 2^nd ¾ l. He  gets 24 points.

Today at Doncaster in the 7f fillies group 3 Kiyoshi (Cod), took her chance, Held up towards rear, headway going well over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, burst through to lead final 150 yards, ran on well, winning by 1 ¼ l. She gets 56.8 points.

 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                September              Total

Lee                00                 1160.5

Bob                125.6             839.2

Cod               56.8                820.5    

Tony             00                   816.6

Steve               00                 641.8

Neil                00                   628.7

Peej              00                     511.3

Cliff               24                    505.2

Martin            00                  393.3

Lee was trainer of the Month for August (yawn)

News

ESTIMATE, a battling second to Pale Mimosa in the Lonsdale Cup at York last month, looks the clear form pick to take the Socialites Electric Cigarettes Doncaster Cup on Friday.

Her Majesty The Queen's stayer, winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in famous fashion two years ago and second to Leading Light this season (pending likely disqualification after subsequently testing positive for morphine), looked right back to her best on the Knavesmire and holds Times Up and Angel Gabrial on that effort

Australia faces no more than six rivals as he goes for his fourth successive Group One win of the season in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday, Aidan O'Brien's top-class three-year-old will be taken on again by The Grey Gatsby, who chased him home two lengths down in second place on the Knavesmire. The William Haggas-trained Mukhadram could only finish fourth behind Australia at York .

Gordon Lord Byron steps back up to a mile for the Clipper Boomerang Mile at Leopardstown on Saturday

 

2014 Flat Edition 19 - little change

Headlines

Tested gets full marks at Tipperary

Pearl Secret Takes Beverley Bullet

Bianca wins again in Ireland

Report

We start at Tipperary, where Tested (Bob), went to post in the 7f Group 3 for fillies and mares, tracked leader, closer in 2^nd ½ way, travelling well into straight, and led from 2 out, driven clear entering final furlong, stayed on well winning easily by 4l. She gets 34.6 points.

At Beverley on Saturday Pearl Secret (Bob), went to post in the 5f listed stakes, made all, quickend just over 1 out, ridden inside last, kept on well, winning by a neck. He gets 28.4 points.

At the Curragh on Sunday, Carla Bianca took her chance in the 1m 1f group 3, chased leaders, 5^th ½ way, improved on outer 3 out, ridden in to 2^nd over 1 out, kept on well under pressure to lead close home, winning by  1 l. She gets 34.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                August               Total

Lee                145              1160.5

Tony             131.8              816.6

Cod               123.1               763.7    

Bob                132.6            713.6

Steve               135               641.8

Neil                81.6               628.7

Peej              75.6                 511.3

Cliff               105.9              481.2

Martin            102.2             393.3

News

Brilliant sprinter Sole Power and defending champion Gordon Lord Byron star among a maximum field of 17 runners in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday

Other contenders include, David Barron's Beverley Bullet winner Pearl Secret , Michael Appleby's highly regarded three-year-old Danzeno is first reserve.