2021 Flat Issue 22 - One winner ahead of Arc weekend

Headline

Alpinista lands Prix Von Europa

Report

At Koln on Sunday in the 1m 4f group 1 Prix Von Europa Alpinista (Neil), took her chance, Chased leaders on outside, ridden along over 3f out, went 2nd 2 1/2f out, ran on and led entering final furlong, drew clear towards finish, winning by 1 ¼ l. She gets 54.2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                September       Total

Steve              87.8        731.6

Tony                 89.8    725.3

Cod                130.8     581.45

Cliff                 89.9      555.74

Neil            75.3         549.75

Bob                    90        544.1

Martin           00       501.15

Peej                25.8         217.75

News

Stradivarius moved closer to a long-awaited rematch with Trueshan after he was confirmed on target for the Qatar Prix du Cadran following a morning workout in Newmarket.

St Marks Basilica has been retired with an injury, Santa Barbra has sadly been put down.

Roger Varian is confident Teona is “peaking at the right time” ahead of her bid for glory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Richard Hannon believes Snow Lantern has a “golden opportunity” to follow in the hoofprints of her mother Sky Lantern and secure the second Group One of her career in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Weekend Entries

Friday

Ascot 

4.50 Marshall Dan

Saturday

Newmarket 

2.55 Alcohol Free

Ascot

2.05 Diligent Harry

2.55 Empress Josephine, Snow Lantern

3.15 Bielsa, Diligent Harry, Summerghand

3.50 Marshall Dan

Redcar

3.35 Vintage Clarets

4.10 Rhythm Master

Longchamp

1.35 Addeyyb, Cadillac, 

3.25 The Revenant

4.00 Stradivarius

Sunday 

1.55 Angel Bleu

3.05, Tarnawa, Hurricane Lane, Love, Teona, Alenquer, Broome

3.50 Zeyaadah

4.25 Glass Slippers, Dandalla

5.00 Space Blues, Thunder Moon, Rhythm Master

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

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

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

2021 Flat Issue 21 - Cod on the move

Headlines

Dandalla Sprints home at Ayr

Bielsa lifts Ayr Gold Cup

Report

We start at Ayr on Friday where in the 5 listed stakes Dandalla (Cod), went to post, midfield ridden 2 out, good headway 1 out, led inside last, edged left but went clear, pushed out, winning comfortably by 1 ¾ l. She gets 46.4 points.

On Saturday at Ayr in the 6f handicap, Bielsa (Cod) took his chance, raced alone on stands rail, in touch with leaders, headway and led over 1 out, ridden and kept on strongly inside last, winning by 2 ¼ l. He gets 38.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        September       Total

Steve              87.8        731.6

Tony                 89.8    725.3

Cod                130.8     581.45

Cliff                 89.9      555.74

Bob                    90        544.1

Martin           00       501.15

Neil            21.1        495.55

Peej                25.8         217.75

News

TAKE NOTE

Willie Mullins has announced that Monkfish, who had been vying for favouritism for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, will miss the 2021-22 season after suffering a tendon injury, while stablemate Min has been retired.

Dermot Weld has announced Christophe Soumillon will ride Tarnawa in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday week.

Weekend Entries

Today 

3.20 Newmarket - Sleeping Lion

Friday

6.45 Dundalk - Lough Derg

Saturday 

Newmarket - 3.00 New York City, 3.40 Uncle Bryn

Curragh - 4.10 Speak in Colours

Sunday 

Curragh - 1.25 New York City, 3.35 Amhran Na Bhifan

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

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

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

2021 Flat Issue 20 - Title scrap well and truly on

Headlines

Marshall in Charge at Sandown

Stradivarius lands Doncaster Cup

Hurricane rages over Doncaster

St Marks Basilica is Irish Champion

Teona rules at Longchamp

Discoveries lands Moyglare Stakes

Report

We start at Sandown on Friday where in the 7f handicap Marshall Dan (Cod), took his chance, Made all, soon went clear, 8 lengths ahead home turn, ridden over 1f out, reduced lead final furlong, always doing enough , winning by ¾ l. He gets 33.8 points.

At Doncaster in the 2m 2f group 2 Stradivarius ( Cliff, Neil), went to post, Travelled strongly, prominent early, midfield after 1f, towards rear after 5f, headway from 4f out, in touch with leaders going easily 3f out, close up 2f out, pushed along and led over 1f out, went clear final furlong, winning comfortably by 2 ½ l. He gets 21.1 points.

At Haydock on Saturday in the 1m 6f group 1 St Leger Stakes Hurricane Lane ( Bob), took his chance, Held up in midfield, nudged along and headway going best over 3f out, pushed along to lead under 2f out, ridden clear when drifted left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, winning comfortably by 2 ¾ l. He gets 78 points.

At Leopardstown in the 1m 2f group 1 Irish Champion Stakes St Marks Basilica (Tony), Tarnawa  (Bob, Cod, Tony)went to post. St Marks Basilica , Tracked leaders, 5 lengths third halfway, close up when pushed along from 2f out, went second and made challenge over 1f out, soon ridden and drifted right, led towards near side inside final 110yds, kept on well, winning by ¾ l. He gets 77.8 points.

Tarnawa, Held up in rear, 6 lengths fourth halfway, close up when pushed along 2f out, went third when ridden over 1f out, carried right towards near side inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, went second final stride , she gets 12 points.

On Sunday at the Curragh in the 7f group 1 Moyglare stud stakes for fillies, Discoveries (Cliff), took her chance, Soon tracked leader, close up when nudged along over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right and kept on well inside final 110yds, winning by ¾ l. She gets 68.8 points.

At Longchamp in the 1m 4f group 1 Prix Vermille for fillies and mares Teona (Steve), took her chance, Raced freely, chased leader, dropped to 3rd after 4f, ridden over 2f out, chased leader inside final 2f, led 1f out, kept on strongly, pushed out, winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 87.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        August        Total

Steve              220.7        731.6

Tony                 115.9    725.3

Cliff                 182.64       555.74

Bob                    90        544.1

Martin           56.9       501.15

Cod                107.6      496.45

Neil                  128.3     495.55

Peej                25.8         217.75

News

Altior was retired on Monday after a career spanning seven years, 26 races and countless memorable performances. We recall some of his best.

2016 Supreme Novices' Hurdle

This was the moment Altior went from being a promising individual to one who only had the sky as his limit. Showing superb pace, he quickened decisively away from favourite Min and Buveur D'Air to win by seven lengths. It was a sign of things to come.

2017 Game Spirit Chase

Switched to fences, Altior soared even higher than he had over hurdles.

He demonstrated his precocious ability as a chaser by taking on more experienced rivals Fox Norton, Dodging Bullets and Traffic Fluide and slamming them. For context, Fox Norton had won the Shloer Chase the time before and subsequently won at the Aintree and Punchestown festivals, as well as finishing second in the Champion Chase.

2018 Champion Chase

Off the track between his Celebration Chase success and the Game Spirit Chase (which he won, of course), Altior faced his biggest challenge in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Not helped by an injury scare close to the race itself, Altior was alongside Min at the last but engaged his famed overdrive to surge clear up the hill to take the big prize.

2018 Tingle Creek Chase

Altior was establishing himself as an equine legend by this point, a position already held by Un De Sceaux. So when the pair clashed at Sandown in wretched conditions it appeared we were in for a classic, and that is what we got. Altior looked to have bested his rivals running to the last only to be headed again. However, that turbo kicked in and he was not to be caught.

The classy Alenquer is on course for a possible Longchamp rematch with last weekend's St Leger hero Hurricane Lane in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 3, connections have confirmed.

Weekend Entries

Friday Ayr

2.10 Vintage Clarets

2.45 Dandalla

Dundalk 

4.40 New York City

Saturday  Ayr

1.55 Addeybb

2.30 Bielsa

3,40 Bielsa, Summerghand

Newbury 

2.15 Dandalla

2.50 Addeybb

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

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

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

2021 Flat issue 19 - Peej ends barren run

Headlines

Uncle Bryn lands Ascot 

Report

At Ascot last Friday in the 1m handicap Uncle Bryn (Peej), took his chance, Made all, ridden and quickened over 2f out, 2 lengths ahead when edged right inside final furlong, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough, winning by ¾ l. He gets 25.8 points. 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        August        Total

Steve              132.9        643.8

Tony                 26.1     635.5

Martin           56.9       501.15

Neil                  107.2     474.45

Cliff                 92.74       465.84

Bob                    00     454.1

Cod                61.8      450.65

Peej                25.8         217.75

Weekend Entries

Sandown Friday

3.00 Marshall Dan

Doncaster Friday

2.40 Stradivarius

3.40 Bielsa

Doncaster Saturday

3.00 Danyah , Rhythm Master

3.35 High Definition, Hurricane Lane, 

Leopardstown

1.40 Empress Joesephine, Pretty Gorgeous

2.10 Thunder Moon

2.45 St Marks Basilica, Tarnawa, Love, Bolshoi Ballet

3.15 Amhran Na Bhifan

4.20 Pierre Lapin

Curragh Sunday 

2.20 Love, Teona

2.55 Glass Slippers

3.30 Discoveries

4.40 Amhran Na Bhifan

5.45 Lough Derg

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

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

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

2021 Flat Issue 18 - Limited but significant action

Headlines

Summerghand  lands Hopeful stakes

Teona takes August Stakes

Report

We start at Newmarket on Saturday where in the 6f listed stakes Summerghand (Cod), took his chance, In rear, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, went second 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won going away by 2 ½ l. He gets 61.8 points.

At Windsor in the 1m 3f listed stakes, Teona (Steve), took her chance, took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2 out, shaken up to lead 1 out, hung right, ridden and ran on well, winning comfortably by 3 ¾ l. She gets 36.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        August        Total

Steve              132.9        643.8

Tony                 26.1     635.5

Martin           56.9       501.15

Neil                  107.2     474.45

Cliff                 92.74       465.84

Bob                    00     454.1

Cod                61.8      450.65

Peej                00          191.95

So congratulations to Steve who is August trainer of the month

Weekend Entries

Thursday 

Haydock - 4.55 Al Zaraqaan

Dundalk - 3.30 Koybig

Friday

Haydock - 2.55 Bielsa 

Ascot - 3.40 Uncle Bryn

Saturday

Ascot - 4.55 Bielsa

Haydock - 1.45 Cadillac, Lord Glitters, 3.30 Summerghand, Supremacy

Sunday

York - 3.15 Summerghand

News

Lone Eagle’s career is in doubt after the classy colt suffered an injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Aidan O'Brien says St Mark's Basilica's ability to relax in a race combined with his explosive turn of foot is a "weapon that is seriously hard to find in any horse" and reports him to be bang on course for a crack at Tarnawa in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday week.

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

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

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

Barren runs

More dishonour than honour but it's worth noting seeing as I've done it.

Longest runs without a winner...

116 days - Cod - 26 Jul 2018 Rabdan (Maison-Laffite) to 18 Nov 2018 Malone Road (Punchestown)

89 days - Bob - 17 Jun 2025 French Master (Ascot) to 13 Sep 2025 (Woodbine)

87 days - Peej - 2 Jun 2023 Emily Upjohn (Epsom) to 27 Aug 2023 Ocean Quest (Naas)

83 days - Neil - 17 Jun 2025 Field of Gold (Ascot) to 7 Sep 2025 Aventure (Longchamp)

72 days - Peej - 10 Sep 2020 Logician (Doncaster) to 20 Nov 2020 Chantry House (Ascot)

71 days - Peej - 6 Aug 2016 Royal Artillery (Haydock) to 15 Oct 2016 The Tin Man (Ascot)

70 days - Peej - 26 Jun 2021 Cadillac (Curragh) to 3 Sep 2021 Uncle Bryn (Ascot)

Pre 2013 the records are part missing and also different due to us having a) fewer picks in some seasons and b) the jumps season ending after Aintree in some years. But here are some notable efforts…

92 days - Steve - 18 Aug 2000 Kookaburra (Newbury) to 17 Nov 2000 Behrajan (Exeter)

81 days - Steve - 20 May 2001 Observatory (Longchamp) to 8 August 2001 Welcome Friend (York) - Steve had gone 67 days without one before Observatory won making this two wins in 158 days!*

73 days - Bob/Tony - 22 Feb 2001 Ross Moff (Thurles) to 5 May 2001 Golan (Newmarket) * 

73 days - Lee - 22 Feb 2001 Marlborough (Wincanton) to 5 May 2001 Golan (Newmarket) * 

72 days - Martin - 7 Sep 2002 Grandera (Leopardstown) to 17 Nov 2002 Limestone Lad (Navan)

Cliff, if you’re wondering, your worst is 64 days - 16 Sep 2001 Golan (Longchamp) to 18 Nov 2001 The Bajan Bandit (Ayr). John’s was one day shorter with it being 63 days from that Golan win to Moscow Flyer at Punchestown.

I have not included the Covid suspension year in these records.

* a bit unfair as this was Foot and Mouth year

2021 Flat Issue 17 - Torrid York for Punters

Headlines

Finely Tuned Stradivarius lands Doncaster Cup

Space Gives Rivals the Blues at York

Lafan wins at Chelmsford

Report

We start at York on Wednesday where in the 1m 2 f group 1 Juddmonte International stakes Alenquer (Steve), went to post, Close up, raced in second, outpaced and ridden 3f out, stayed on and went second again inside final furlong, no match for winner, 2nd beaten 6l. He gets 29.2 points.

On Friday in the 2m group2 , Stradivarius ( Cliff, Neil) went to post, Raced in second, nudged along and chased clear leader 3f out, disputed lead and sustained duel with runner-up when ridden from 2f out, pressed runner-up final 110yds, led towards finish, all out, winning gamely by a head. He gets 21.5 points.

At York on Saturday in the 7f group 2 Space Blues (Steve), took his chance, towards rear, good headway on far side from 3 out, close up and pushed along 2 out, led over 1 out, ridden and ran on strongly to win by 1 ½ l. He gets 44 points.

At Chelmsford on Saturday in the 1m handicap Lafan ( Martin), went to post, switched left soon after start, in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, chased leaders and not clear run 1 out, switched right and challenged inside last, led close home, ran on strongly, won going away by ½ l. He gets 30.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy 

                        August        Total

Tony                 26.1     635.5

Steve              99.3        610.2

Martin           56.9       501.15

Neil                  107.2     474.45

Cliff                 92.74       465.84

Bob                    00     454.1

Cod                00      388.85

Peej                00          191.95

 

York Grand Slam

Steve 73.2

Cliff  21.5

Neil  21.5

So a desperate York for punters as this torrid season drags on, Steve gets 20 point bonus

News

Owen Burrows is eyeing a Park Stakes comeback for the Shadwell-owned gelding Danyah.

The four-year-old was last seen winning the valuable Moet & Chandon International Stakes at Ascot on King George day, after which a step up to Grade Two level was planned in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. 

Unfortunately injury scuppered that plan as the horse was withdrawn on the morning of the race, having pulled out of his box lame on his left hind leg.The gelding has since recovered and has the Cazoo-sponsored Park Stakes on the final day of Doncaster’s St Leger meeting pencilled in for his return to action

Weekend Entries 

Friday 

Curragh - 6.45 Pierre Lapin

Thirsk - 3.15 Danielsflyer

Saturday

Goodwood - 3.35 Chindit, Mutasaabeq

Newmarket - 2.45 Summerghand

Beverley - 4.25 Danielsflyer

Sunday

Goodwood - 4.00 Chindit

York - 2.05 Uncle Bryn

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

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

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