Flat Edition 8 - 27.6.13

Headline

Lantern lights Up Ascot

Report

We go back to Ascot on Friday where Sky Lantern ( Martin , Peej), went to post in the 1m Group 1 Coronation stakes, Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, quickened inside final furlong, kept on well, winning impressively by 4l.

Every now and then you get that wow moment, and I thought as she swung off the straight and closed a huge gap in a matter of strides was one of them. I really hope she takes on Dawn Approach and Toranado later in the season. She gets 55.7 points.

On Saturday in the 6f Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Society Rock (Cliff), went to post, Slowly away, raced centre and held up in rear, plenty to do 2f out, good headway near side over 1f out, strong run to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance of catching winner, finishing 2^nd beaten 2l. He gets 24 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       June     Total

Martin              172.8       384.3

Cliff                   158.9       373

Neil                  88.1           254

Tony                64.1         241.2 

Cod                  64.1          199

Peej                  67.7            191.5

Steve                65             169

Bob                  52.1           145.3

News

 

Elusive Kate is poised to take her chance in the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes following her fine return to the track at Royal Ascot

Ocovango remains on course for the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on July 13.

Testosterone will spend a little time on the sidelines after connections opted not to take up an assignment in Ireland this weekend  The Ed Dunlop-trained mare had been entered in the Curragh Cup on Sunday, but recent performances have been a shade dispiriting

Flat Edition 7 - 20.6.13

Headlines

Reality Is Magic at Salisbury
Dawn Breaks Over Ascot
Duntle Wins For Editor
Al Kazeem is Prince for a Day

Report

We start at Salisbury on Sunday where in the 1m maiden fillies stakes, Magic Of Reality (Cliff), took her chance, Made all, shaken up over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, winning  readily by 2 ¼ l, she gets 22.4 points. At Royal Ascot on Tuesday in the 1m group 1 St James Place Stakes, Dawn Approach ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Martin, Neil, Tony), Toranado ( Not Bob), took their chances. Dawn Approach, Keen in touch, ridden 2f out, headway when bumped and hampered over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon joined, ran on strongly, winning gamely by a short head. He gets 52.1 points. Toranado, In rear, headway on outer when bumped and hampered over 1f out, ridden to join winner inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2^nd a short head. He gets 12 points.

On Wednesday in the 1m group 2 fillies stakes, Duntle (Cliff), took her chance, Held up in touch, headway halfway to track leaders soon after, went 2nd over 2f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, soon strongly pressed, held on gamely to assert close home, all out, winning by ½ l. She gets 48.4 points.  In the 1m 2f Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes, Al Kazeem ( Martin, Steve), took his chance, Tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd approaching final 2f, 3 lengths to find 2f out, closed 1f out, upsides inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead final 50 yards , winning by a neck. He gets 53 points.

   On Thursday in the 2m 4f Group 1 Gold Cup, Simenon(Neil), took his chance, Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, chased winner and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, always just held, finishing 2^nd beaten a neck, he gets 24 points.

Looking ahead, tomorrow, I like Red Lady e/w in the first, Sky Lantern and Leading Light, and On Saturday, Mount Athos and Society Rock.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       June     Total

Cliff                   134.9        349

Martin              117.1       328.6

Neil                  88.1           254

Tony                64.1         241.2 

Cod                  64.1          199

Steve                65             169

Bob                  52.1           145.3

Peej                  12            135.8

 News

Sky Lantern and Just The Judge, first and second in the 1000 Guineas, meet once again in a mouthwatering renewal of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

Aidan O'Brien is hopeful Battle Of Marengo's Epsom exertions have not left their mark as he tries to get back on the winning trail in

Flat Edition 6 - 13.6.13

Punters Mourn Passing Of Sir Henry Cecil

Legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil died on Tuesday morning at the age of 70 following a long battle with stomach cancer. Champion trainer 10 times and responsible for 25 British Classic winners, the master of Warren Place in Newmarket was also the leading handler by some way at Royal Ascot with a record 75 successes. It will not be the same picking strings with out the great man’s horses to choose from.

 What's in a name?

With no winners this week we look at the name behind Theodore Gericault. Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault  (26 September 1791 – 26 January 1824) was a profoundly influential French artist, painter and lithographer, known for The Raft of the Medusa and other paintings. Although he died young, he became one of the pioneers of the Romantic movement.

The Editor's Royal Ascot preview

Looking forward to Royal Ascot, the Punter is Suprised that Shea Shea, one of the bankers of the weeks is trading at 5/2 Whilst Animal Kingdom is 4/5.

I will not oppose Shea Shea, but feel Animal Kingdom is worth opposing. He has not won at a mile and does not have great turf form, so is no value. Take him on with e/w bets on Aljamaheer 12/1 and Elusive Kate 10/1.

I like Estimate at 8/1 e/w in the Gold Cup, Duntle in the Duke Of Cambridge styakes and Al Kazeem in the Prince of Wales.

 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       May      Total

Cliff                   214.1       214.1

Martin              210.5       210.5

Tony                177.1         177.1 

Neil                  165.9        165.9

Cod                  134.9       134.9

Peej                  123.8       123.8

Steve                104         104

Bob                    93.2         93.2

News

Dawn Approach appears all set to take his chance in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next week after pleasing trainer Jim Bolger in a piece of work on Thursday morning.

Animal Kingdom will become the first Kentucky Derby winner to line up at Royal Ascot since the 1930s when he bids to justify odds-on favouritism in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday. A brilliant winner of the Dubai World Cup on his most recent competitive start, connections could have chosen to stay at a mile and a quarter in Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes.

But largely due to the foresight of owners Barry Irwin and John Messara, Animal Kingdom would considerably boost his stallion value if he can gain a first career victory over a mile on turf and set the seal on an astonishing career.

Mike de Kock has unveiled a plan for King's Stand Stakes favourite Shea Shea to step up in trip for next month's Darley July Cup.

The multiple South African champion trainer has been training the six-year-old uphill in an attempt

to familiarise the Al Quoz Sprint winner with Ascot's stiff finish.

Looking further ahead, though, De Kock has no fears of Shea Shea stepping up to six furlongs at Newmarket on July 13.

Speaking in front of a gathering of international media at his Abington Place stables, he said: "I'm very happy with what's happened so far. He'll have been here five weeks by next Tuesday and has done well at hill work

Flat Edition 5 - 6.6.13

Headlines

St Nicholas Delivers at Epsom

Report

A rather disappointing weekend as the big races in England and France passed us by, we start at Epsom on Friday in the 1m 4f group 1 Oaks, where Secret Gesture ( Tony), took her chance, Close up, effort to lead 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, finishing 2^nd, beaten 3 ¾ l, she gets 24 points.

On Saturday in the 1m4 f Group 1 Coronation Cup, St Nicholas Abbey ( Cod, Neil, Peej), went to post, Held up in 4th, closed 3f out, quickened smartly to lead over 2f out, shaken up and clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly ,winning  impressively by 3 ¾ l. He gets 26.3 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       May      Total

Cliff                   214.1       214.1

Martin              210.5       210.5

Tony                177.1         177.1 

Neil                  165.9        165.9

Cod                  134.9       134.9

Peej                  123.8       123.8

Steve                104         104

Bob                    93.2         93.2

News

Cityscape will miss the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot after suffering a setback in the Lockinge Stakes The Roger Charlton-trained seven-year-old struggled in the quick conditions when tailed off in the Newbury Group One over a mile last month."Cityscape sadly will not be running in the Queen Anne Stakes as he was slightly jarred up after the Lockinge and we will wait a little longer with him," the Beckhampton trainer told the punter.

. Royal Ascot may yet be on the agenda for stablemate Mince following her third-placed effort behind Boomerang Bob in the Leisure Stakes at Windsor on Monday.

"Mince has come out of Monday's Leisure Stakes with no apparent problems and she was fresh cantering this morning. Subsequent blood and endoscope results have all been good," said Charlton.

Richard Hannon has revealed that Sky Lantern is on track to run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Flat Edition 4 - 30.5.13

Headlines

Derby is Sad Reflection on British Stables

Al Kazeem Rules over Camelot

Judge Delivers Winning Verdict at Curragh

Report

I am going to start this week with the sorry state of the British entries in the derby, 3 from stables that if we had sat in the gluey and listed 30 English trainers, none would have been mentioned. Of the 3, only Libertarian looks to have a reasonable chance, and if Cool more were not running 5, we could have ended with 7 runners. The best race in the world ? I find it amazing that in the stables of Cecil, Stoute,  Gosden, Fanshawe, Hills, Johnston, Haggas, Hannon, Cumani, to name a few, there is not one 3 year old colt considered good enough to try and win £18,000 for finishing 6^th.

On to the action, last Sunday at the Curragh where in the 1m 2f Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup Al Kazeem (Martin, Steve), went to post, Settled in 4th, headway on outer early straight and travelled best to challenge over 1f out, led 150 yards out and kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 29.1 points.

In the 1m Group 1 , 1000 guineas, Just The Judge ( Cod, Neil, Steve, Tony), took her chance, Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge over 1f out, soon ridden and led 150 yards out, kept on well, winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 27.9 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       May      Total

Cliff                   214.1       214.1

Martin              210.5       210.5

Tony                153.1         153.1 

Neil                  139.6        139.6

Cod                  108.6        108.6

Steve                104         104

Peej                  97.5         97.5

Bob                    93.2         93.2

Flat Edition 3 - 23.5.13

Headlines

Farhh to Good for his Rivals

Dundonnell Wins at Newmarket

Report

A fairly quiet week, we start at Newbury last Saturday where Farhh ( Martin), took his chance in the 1m, group 1 Lockinge stakes, Tracked leaders, keen early, led over 1f out, ran on well, winning impressively by 4l.

He gets 57.2 points.

At Newmarket Dundonell (Steve), went to post in the 7f listed stakes, In touch on outer, ridden and headway to chase leader over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 35 points.

Table

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       May      Total

Cliff                   214.1       214.1

Martin              181.4      181.4

Tony                125.2         125.2 

Neil                  111.7        111.7

Peej                  97.5         97.5

Bob                    93.2         93.2

Cod                  80.7        80.7

Steve                47             47      

News

Encke has been banned for 6 months having tested positive as part of the ongoing Godolphin investigation, a blow to Neil and the Editor

French Investec Derby hope Ocovango enjoyed a nice breeze at Epsom as part of the yearly 'Breakfast With The Stars' morning at the Surrey circuit. The Andre Fabre-trained inmate engaged in some pleasing work over the Derby trip and drew readily clear of his lead horse.Fabre said: "They went quite quietly, the idea was to just show him the bend and the downhill trip. It was not a serious workout but he was moving well and it was useful.

Telescope has a sore left shin and "won't be running" in the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1, said trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

Royal Ascot's Prince of Wales's Stakes may come just too soon for Cirrus Des Aigles, according to his trainer Corine Barande-Barbe. Barande-Barbe has not given up all hope of a return to Berkshire just yet for the 16-times winner, who missed the Hong Kong Cup in December with an injury.

 

Flat Edition 2 - 16.5.13

Report

This is a rare competition, I had thought Toranado was a pick for all, but he is not so we don’t have any horse in all the strings, I can’t remember when that last happened.

The action continues at a pace, we start at Lingfield on Saturday where Secret Gesture ( Tony), went to post in the 1m 3f listed stakes, In touch, headway over 3f out, led on bit over 2f out, forged clear final furlong, winning impressively by 10l. She is a live Oaks chance and gets 28.2 points here.

At Leopardstown on Sunday, Duntle (Cliff), took her chance in the 1m group 3, Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, winning by ¾ l. She gets 32.6 points.

 In the 1m 2f group 2 Battle of Marengo ( Cliff, Peej), took his chance, Tracked leader in 2nd, led after 4f, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, winning comfortably by 1 ¾ l. He now heads for the Derby and looks the Ballydoyle number one. He gets 21.3 points.

On Wednesday at York, in the 1m 2f group 3, Liber Nauticus ( Bob, Cliff, Tony), took her chance, Keen early held up in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, soon switched right, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly towards finish, winning by 1 ½ l, she is now Oaks bound and gets 16.5 points here.

 In the 6f group 2 , Society Rock (Cliff), took his chance,  Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, winning by a head , he gets 66.4 points.

Points

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       May      Total

Cliff                   214.1       214.1

Martin              128.7      128.7

Tony                125.2         125.2 

Neil                  111.7        111.7

Peej                  97.5         97.5

Bob                    93.2         93.2

Cod                  80.7        80.7

Steve                12             12      

Apologies to Neil, I forgot to double his single pick win last week, now amended..

News

Telescope is on course to take part in a racecourse gallop next week in a last-ditch bid to enable him to make the Investec Derby field.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt was denied a run in the Dante Stakes at York this week after grazing on his legs became infected.

The only chance Telescope has of lining up in the Derby on June 1 is if he recovers in time to have a gallop next week

"I spoke to Sir Michael yesterday and it was good news, and I spoke to him this morning and that news continues to be really good," Harry Herbert, racing manager for the owners, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, told the Punter

Mince has two possible options to get back on the winning trail before she heads to Royal Ascot.

"Mince got tired at York yesterday and perhaps raced too freely in front into a head wind, I am sure she will be better suited when the ground is riding faster," "She was over her racing weight and the race will bring her on in leaps and bounds. The only two options for her to run again before Royal Ascot, both over five furlongs.

"The Temple Stakes at Haydock on May 25 or the Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly on June 2, a race Avonbridge won.