2024 Flat Issue 5 - Neil hits top spot

Headlines

Angel Flies in at Curragh

Rosallion lands 2000 Guineas

Meydaan lands  Goodwood stakes

Birch Thrashes Rivals at Curragh

Report

We start at the Curragh on Saturday where in th2 1m 2000 guineas Rosallion ( Cod, Neil, Steve),   Took keen hold, midfield, headway on near side of group when ridden from over 1f out, ran on to lead and edged right towards finish, winning by a head. He gets 26.91 points.

At Goodwood in the 1m 3f listed stakes Meydaan (Cod), took his chance, Took keen hold, prominent, good headway to lead 2f out, ridden clear when edged right against far rail 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just held on , winning by a neck. He gets 33.4 points.

On Sunday at the Curragh in the 1m 2f group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup White Birch (Neil), wen to post, Travelled strongly, towards rear, good headway on near side of group from over 2f out, led when ridden 1f out, soon quickened clear, stayed on, winning  comfortably by 3l. He gets 55.76 points.

In the 1m group 1 1000 guineas Fallen Angel ( Bob, Cliff, Neil, Steve), took her chance, Made virtually all, travelled strongly, shaken up and clear under 2f out, ridden and ran on from over 1f out, pushed out , winning by 2 ¾ l. She gets 28.75 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        May           Total

Neil     247.62         247.62

Cod   229.95        229.95

Bob   173.75         173.75

Cliff    130.45         130.45

Steve   116.36           116.36

Peej    105.36         105.36

Martin    46       46

Apologies to Neil, I forgot to double his points for Charyn last week, now done.

News

Ghostwriter, God’s Window and Ramadan have French Derby Entries on Sunday at Chantilly.

It looks like being a big field Derby with doubts over City of Troy giving many more a hope. You can never discount another O’Brien miracle but I will play safe and go with Ambiente Friendly at around 6/1 ew.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Chepstow

1.50 Swindon

Epsom

3.10 Auguste Rodin, Continuous, Hamish, White Birch

4.30 Ylang Ylang

5.10 Balmacara

Saturday 

Epsom 

1.25 Cool Ledgend

4.30 Ancient Wisdom, City of Troy, Dancing Gemini, God’s Window

Doncaster

7.50 Danzart

Sunday 

Hamilton

4.10 Cool Legend

4.40 Capitol Theory

5.10 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

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 4 - Points keep flowing

Headlines

Stocking Gives Rivals The Blues at York

Economics tots up York Points

London takes over York

Kyprios scores at Leopardstown

Glasses Raised as Bucanero Fuerte wins at Naas

Report

We start at York on Thursday where in the 1m 2f group 2 fillies stakes Bluestocking (Steve), took her chance, Raced in third, went second over 2f out, soon challenging going easily, led over 1f out, clear when ridden inside final furlong, winning  easily by 6l . She gets 47 points.

In the 1m 2f group 2 Dante stakes Economics (Peej), took his chance, Took keen hold, held up in rear, good headway on outer from 3f out, soon pressed leaders going easily, led 2f out, soon ridden clear but hung left, eased towards finish, winning impressively by 6l. He gets 54 points.

In the 1m 4f handicap London City (Neil), went to post, Prominent, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, led again inside final furlong, stayed on, winning by 1l. He gets 33 points.

On Friday at Leopardstown in the 1m 6f group 3 Kyprios (Cliff, Neil), took his chance, Started quickly, soon prominent, nudged along from under 4f out, led going best on near side of group over 1f out, ridden briefly final 110yds, pushed out, always doing enough, winning by 1l. Cliff gets 32.2 points, Neil 16.1

At Newbury on Saturday in the 1m group 1 Lockinge Stakes Charyn (Neil), took his chance, in touch with leaders, went second and 5 lengths down over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on well, finishing 2nd beaten 1 ¾ l. He gets 13.7 points.

On Sunday at Naas, Bucanero Fuerte (Bob), went to post, Made virtually all, switched right towards near side halfway, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and faced challenge inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, just held on winning by a head. He gets 36 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        May           Total

Cod   169.64        169.64

Bob   145           145

Neil     122.5         122.5

Peej    105.36         105.36

Cliff    101.7         101.7

Steve   60.7           60.7

Martin    46       46

.

News

Leading Betfred Derby candidate Arabian Crown will miss the Epsom Classic on June 1 after suffering a setback. A post on the Godolphin X account revealed the three-year-old son of Dubawi will miss the race and be aimed at a late summer campaign.

An excited Richard Hannon said Rosallion "travelled like a genius" in a workout last weekend ahead of a crack at the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday, when his Newmarket runner-up could face a strong Ballydoyle battalion, which could even include Poule d'Essai des Poulains beaten favourite Henry Longfellow. 

The French 2,000 Guineas proved a tale of woe for Henry Longfellow, who was never close enough to land a proper blow at Longchamp, but his name featured among a list of 11 for the first Irish Classic of the season at Tuesday's five-day forfeit stage so a quick return is not out of the question, although trainer Aidan O'Brien admitted the race is plan B for the son of Dubawi.

Roger Teal took Dancing Gemini to Epsom on Tuesday morning to find out if his stable star would handle the track's unique contours, and after seeing how well he cruised around Tattenham Corner the trainer was convinced to head for the Betfred Derby on June 1.

Ed Crisford believes unbeaten stable star Vandeek should take all the beating when he makes his eagerly anticipated reappearance at Haydock on Saturday, the first stop in an exciting campaign geared around the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next month. The three-year-old is expected to be sent off an odds-on favourite for the Group 2 Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Sandy Lane Stakes (2.25) following an unbeaten juvenile campaign, which began when he justified favouritism in a Nottingham maiden under Andrea Atzeni.

William Haggas has revealed impressive Dante winner Economics will not run in the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday week. Economics will not contest the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on the same weekend either, with connections keen to give him more time after his six-length victory on the Knavesmire. Haggas said: "After discussions with his owner His Highness Sheikh Isa, we have decided that Economics will not run in either the English or the French Derby next weekend. We think that the turnaround is very tight for both races and feel he is still maturing. As such, we will give him more time and prepare him for an exciting summer campaign over ten furlongs."

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Haydock

4.20 Azure Blue

Saturday 

Haydock

1.15 Balmacara

2.25 Vandeek

Goodwood

1.30 Balmacra

2.05 Lunar Eclipse

3.45 Meydaan

Curragh

2.30 Popmaster, Yosemite Valley

3.40 Ancient Wisdom, Bucanero Fuerte, City of Troy, Ghostwriter, God’s Window, Henry Longfellow, Night Raider, Rosallion

Sunday 

Curragh

2.35 Orchid Bloom

3.10 Auguste Rodin, Elegant Man, White Birch, Bluestocking, Nashwa, Okeechobee

3.45 A Lilac Rolla, Azada, Fallen Angel, Start Style, Ylang Ylang

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

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 3 - All off the mark

Headlines

Miss Rascal behaves at Ascot

Passenger travels to Chester victory

Delius scores at Chantilly

Report

We start at Ascot on Friday where in the restricted fillies maiden stakes Miss Rascal (Peej), went to post, Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, edged left but kept on well inside final furlong, winning readily b by 3l. She gets 23.68 points.

At Chester in the 1m 2f group 2 Passenger (Cliff), took his chance, Slowly into stride, in touch with leaders, waiting for room on inner 2f out, switched right and ran on over 1f out, ridden to lead final 110yds, winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 45.5 points.

At Chantilly in the 1m 4f conditions stakes Delius (Cliff), went to post, Raced little keenly, held up in fourth, switched out and ridden along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, pressed leaders 110yds out, led final 50yds, winning by ½ l. He gets 24 points.

John Torpey Memorial Trophy

        May           Total

Cod   169.64        169.64

Bob   109           109

Cliff    69.5         69.5

Neil     59.7         59.7

Peej    51.36         51.36

Martin    46       46

Steve   13.7           13.7

News

Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan will have his sights set on landing the iconic Triple Crown after pleasing trainer Kenny McPeek on the gallops. The three-year-old, who edged out Sierra Leone at Churchill Downs, will tackle the $2 million Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday, the middle leg of the Triple Crown, which concludes with next month's Belmont Stakes.

Henry Longfellow ran an underwhelming race in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains because of a tactical error according to his trainer Aidan O'Brien, who will now target the three-year-old at Royal Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes. The Dubawi colt went into last Sunday's French 2,000 Guineas unbeaten in three starts, having ended his juvenile campaign with an authoritative five-length success in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes. The Group 1 winner was a well-backed 13-10 favourite in the French Classic but endured a difficult trip under Ryan Moore, eventually coming home eighth of the 13 runners.

O'Brien felt that the patient tactics employed at Longchamp backfired. He said: "It was a tactical error on my behalf. I said to Ryan to take his time on him because it was his first run and he hadn't run on that type of track before. Then Ryan couldn't get out and as he kept coming back to get out, they kept coming by him and then he was too far back in a slowly run race. 

Roger Varian said he is "gutted" about losing stable star King Of Steel for the core part of the 2024 Flat season after he was found to be lame following work on Tuesday. Varian said: "I'm gutted about the injury to King Of Steel. I'm gutted for Amo Racing and all of the staff at Carlburg, but I'm also gutted for the public who were looking forward to seeing him run through the summer. Varian added: "These things happen in racing and we've been here before but hopefully he can make a full recovery and come back in the autumn

Weekend Entries

Friday 

York

2.45 Theoryofeverything

3.45 Tower Of London. Al Qareem, Hamish, Kyprios, 

Hamilton

7.15 Capital Theory

Leopardstown

7.05 Kyprios

8.15 Razdan

Saturday

Newbury

1.50 Bluestocking, Hamish

3.00 Cool Legend, London City

3.35 Charyn, Inspiral

5.15 Ejaabiyah, Meribella

Newmarket

2.40 Summerghand

Doncaster 

8.20 Cool Dividend

Sunday

Newmarket 

4.45 Daysofourlives

Pimlico

12.01 Mystik Dan

Naas

3.20 Yosemite Valley

3.55 Bucanero Fuerte

5.00 Razdan

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

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 - The Points Scorers

The ill-fated Highfield Princess took the honours last year.

313.3 - Kyprios (32.2 + 79.2 + 53.24 + 52.8 + 52.4 + 43.46)

274.1 - Bluestocking (47 + 54.2 + 27.5 + 57.4 + 88)

245.34- Charyn (27.4 + 83.68 + 53.8 + 80.26)

198.7 - Friendly Soul (46 + 38.9 + 44 + 69.8)

192.0 - Notable Speech (109 + 83)

173.7 - Economics (54 + 44.2 +75.5)

157.5 - City of Troy (54 + 51.25 + 52.25)

129.28- Whistlejacket (27.68 + 44.2 + 57.4)

128.44 - Mystik Dan

107.0 - Ramadan (37.8 + 69.2)

101.76 - White Birch (46 + 55.76)

94.21 - Rosallion (13.7 + 26.91 +53.6)

68.6 - Cinderella's Dream

68.51 - Auguste Rodin (55.26 + 13.25)

66.6 - American Affair (35.4 + 31.2)

61.8 - Al Qareem (27.6 + 34.2)

60.0 - Theoryofeverything (31 + 29)

59.2 - Delius (24 +35.2)

58.0 - Content

49.4 - Meribella

46.0 - Chemistry

45.5 - Passenger

41.0 - Azada

40.0 - Carp Kid

39.0 - Haatem

36.0 - Bucanero Fuerte

35.0 - Ancient Wisdom

35.0 - Swindon

33.5 - Azure Blue

33.4 - Meydaan

33.0 - London City

28.75 - Fallen Angel

28.68 - Daysofourlives

27.5 - Capital Theory

27.4 - Hamish

26.0 - Cool Dividend

24.5 - Poet Master

23.82 - Roi De France

23.68 - Miss Rascal

22.8 - Ejaaybiyah

22.63 - Tower of London

22.34 - Staincliff

20.7 - Spycatcher

19.0 - See The Fire

16.58 - Continuous

13.8 - Trawlerman

13.6 - Henry Longfellow

2024 Flat Profile - Okeechobee

5 y bg Time Test – Scuttle  (Steve)

Great name and a high class colt, unraced at 2,  he made his debut at Wolverhampton in April 2022, in a 1m 1f restricted novice stakes, finishing 2nd beaten 1l by Maktoob, then at Kempton in August won a 1m 3y novice stakes by 4 ½ l from Moon Watch (gave 6LB). 3 weeks later at Wolverhampton he won a 1m1f restricted 3y novice stakes by 3l from Dubai Immo (received 10 lb), then in September at Salisbury won a 1m 2f  3y handicap by 4 ½ l from Educator. 

He reappeared at Kempton in April, finishing 2nd in a 1m 2f listed stakes, beaten 3l by Dubai Honour, then at Sandown 3 weeks later won the 1m 2f group 3 by a head from Desert Hero. 

He will be winning again

Trainer H.Charlton

2024 Flat Profile - Star Style

3 y bf Zoustar – Sweet Ceicily   (Steve)

Lightly raced filly who made a winning debut at Newbury in April, taking a 3 year old confined fillies maiden by 5 ½ l from Bella Taslina. She was 3/1 jf on her debut so is obviously well thought of, but it was a big ask to throw her in to the 1000 guineas and she finished 15th beaten 18 ¾ l behind Elmaka. 

A line can be through that and she should win again when put in a more realistic level

Trainer R.Hannon

2024 Flat Profile - Ebden Shaddad

3 y bc Calyx – Galileo’s Lady (Steve)

Useful colt who made his debut at Newmarket in July taking a 6f Novice stakes by 3 ¾ l from Give It Up, then at Newmarket in September in a 7f group 3. Was 3rd beaten 2 ¼ l behind Alyanaabi. He then in October was 3rd again in the 7f group 1 Dewhurst  stakes at Newmarket, beaten 4 ½ l behind City Of Troy, and reappeared at Newmarket in April, finishing 2nd in a 1m group 3 beaten 3 ½ l by Haatem. 

He is another who is going to be difficult to place to win.

Trainer J&T Gosden