Flat Edition 12 - 25.7.13

Headline

Sad End of St Nicholas

No winners this week but King George week end then Glorious Goodwood next week should see the score board on the move again

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       July     Total

Martin              52           474.1

Cliff                   65.7         438.7

Steve                119.9        321.3

Neil                  36.4          290.4

Peej                  11.3          296

Tony                11.3            252.5 

Cod                  16.9            215.9

Bob                  11.3            156.6

News

St Nicholas Abbey will undergo surgery on a fractured pastern on Wednesday morningThe six-times Group One winner suffered the injury during a routine gallop at Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable on Tuesday morning as he continued his preparations for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.

Sir Michael Stoute's Telescope is likely to be aimed at the top races over 10 furlongs after his impressive comeback at Leicester last week

French ace Cirrus Des Aigles heads a field of eight declared for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Dawn Approach and Toronado are on track to clash in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday following the latest entry stage.

Flat Edition 11 - 18.7.13

Headlines

Kate Dulls Lantern’s Light at Newmarket

Real Magic at Salisbury

Rivals need Telescope to spot winner

Report

We start at Newmarket last Friday where in the 1m group 1 for fillies and mares, Elusive Kate (Steve), took her chance, Made most, set steady pace, increased pace from 3f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out when pressed, ran on and always looked to hold rival, winning by a neck. She gets 56.6 points.

On Saturday at Newmarket in the 6f Group 1 July Cup Society Rock ( Cliff ) took his chance, Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, unable to challenge winner, finishing 2^nd beaten 1 ½ l. He gets 24 points.

At Salisbury in the 1m fillies handicap Magic of Reality (Cliff), took her chance, Took keen hold, held up in 3rd, headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, winning cosily by a head. She gets 24.8 points.

Today at Leicester, Telescope ( Bob, Peej, Steve, Tony), took his chance in the 1m 1f conditions stakes, Tracked leader, joined leader over 3f out, soon led, pushed out, winning easily by 24l. He gets 11.3 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       July     Total

Martin              52           474.1

Cliff                   65.7         438.7

Steve                119.9        321.3

Neil                  36.4          290.4

Peej                  11.3          296

Tony                11.3            252.5 

Cod                  16.9            215.9

Bob                  11.3            156.6

 
News

Investec Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture will not run in the Darley-sponsored equivalent at the Curragh on Saturday after suffering a setback.

Flat Edition 10 - 11.7.13

Headlines

Kazeem Eclipse’s Rivals At Sandown

Moonlight Shines Bright In France

Pink Tickles Punters at Sandown

Report

On we go and we start at Sandown last Saturday where in the 5f group 3, Tickled Pink ( Neil), took her chance, Smartly away, led on rail until narrowly headed over 2f out, pressed leader, rallied gamely to lead again inside final furlong, soon edged left, ran on strongly, winning by 1l. She gets 36.4 points.

In the 1m 2f Group 1 Eclipse stakes, Al Kazeem ( Martin, Steve), went to post, Tracked leader for 1f, settled 3rd on rail, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, hung badly right 110 yards out, soon clear, stayed on well, winning by 2l. He gets 52 points.

At Longchamp, Moonlight Cloud (Cliff, Cod), ttook her chance in the 7f group 3, held up towards rear, raced on outer, smooth headway 2 out, shaken up and quickend clear inside last, winning impressively by 2 ½ l. She gets 16.9 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       July     Total

Martin              52           474.1

Cliff                   16.9          389.9

Neil                  36.4          290.4

Peej                  00           284.7

Steve                52              253.4

Tony                00              241.2 

Cod                  16.9            215.9

Bob                  00              145.3

 

Flat Edition 9 - 4.7.13

Headlines

Winning Express lives up to name

Havana strikes Gold, at Chantilly

Dexter is Jack The Lad at Newcastle

Producer creates a winner

Report

A lull in the glut of group 1 races gave some of the lesser lights a chance to take centre stage and 4 winners saw them take the chance. We start at Warwick last Thursday where Winning Express (Peej), went to post in the 7f listed race for fillies, tracked leaders, challenged approaching final furlong, soon led, shaken up and stayed on well, in command close, home winning comfortably by 1 ½ l. She gets 27.8 points.          On Saturday at Newcastle, Jack Dexter ( Peej), took his chance in the 6f group 3, in touch , headway 2 out, ridden and led inside last, held on well close home, winning by a head. He gets 33 points.

At Newmarket in the 7f group 3 Producer ( Martin|), went to post, chased leading trio, ridden and effort when switched left 2 out headway under pressure to chase leader 1 out, driven to lead well inside last, winning by ¾ l. He gets 37.8 points.

At Chantilly in the 1m group 1 Prix Jean Prat, Havana Gold ( Peej, Steve), took his chance, dwelt and pushed along to recover, held up towards rear on inner, ridden and headway 3 out, switched left for clear run over 1 out, challenged inside last, driven to lead close home, winning by a neck. He gets 32. 4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       June     Total

Martin              210.6       422.1

Cliff                   158.9       373

Peej                  160.9        284.7

Neil                  88.1           254

Tony                64.1           241.2 

Steve                97.4            201.4

Cod                  64.1          199

Bob                  52.1           145.3

News

Van Der Neer can record a deserved success in what looks an interesting running of the Ambant Gala Stakes at Sandown.  The Richard Hannon-trained colt was a smart juvenile and has carried on his progression this season, most notably when running a screamer to be third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Not many expected him to be ahead of much-vaunted stablemate Toronado that day at HQ but he stayed on strongly to nick a place. The form of the Guineas is open to interpretation but Dawn Approach is top class and when all said and done Toronado's next run did see him push Jim Bolger's star to the limit at Ascot. Van Deer Neer's next run was on the face of it disappointing in the Irish Guineas in what was a messy race, albeit with some very smart horses contesting the finish, including the Irish Derby winner.  He bounced back to run really well at the Royal meeting when a close third to a potentially very good one in Remote over 10 furlongs.

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