The voice of racing men since 1998

Thursday, 26 September 2024

2024 Flat Issue 22 - Blank week

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy
           September            Total
Neil     39.65                      911.14
Peej    104.18                     697.77
Cod   42.25                     647.36
Cliff    102.2                       634,79
Steve   57.4                    595.04
Bob      31.2                     553.22
Martin      27.6                 404.2

News
Whistlejacket is the even-money favourite with Paddy Power for the Middle Park stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, has won three of his six starts and showed his durability when contesting the Prix Morny at Deauville eight days after finishing runner-up behind Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. He shrugged off the quick turnaround by coming home three-quarters of a length in front of Rashabar to land his first Group 1.

Juddmonte are yet to commit to supplementing Bluestocking for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with a decision to be made on their star filly's participation following a key weekend workout and consideration of the forecast.The Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old continued her terrific season with a second Group 1 triumph in the Prix Vermeille over the Arc's course and distance at Longchamp this month. 

She is a general 10-1 for Europe's Flat showpiece, which takes place a week on Sunday, behind 4-1 favourite Sosie. However, her connections would have to stump up €120,000 on October 2 to add her to the Arc field. While the powerful operation are eager for her to have a go, they are also waiting to see if there will be sufficient ease in the surface at Longchamp. Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon said: "She'll do a bit of work on Saturday and then if Ralph is happy with her wellbeing and the ground looks like it's coming up soft then there's every possibility she'll be supplemented. 


Weekend Entries

Friday  

Newmarket
3.35 Dancing Gemini

Saturday  

Newmarket
3.00 Whistlejacket
3.40 Roi De France, Balmacara, Theoryofeverything

Haydock
3.15 American Affair

Sunday  

Curragh
3.50 Spycatcher

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
Leg 19 Neil
Leg 20 Peej

Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

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

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

Thursday, 19 September 2024

2024 Flat Issue 21 - Points for all

Headlines

Bella in Meri form at Doncaster
Bob’s Goldie Affair goes on
Days comes alive at Doncaster
Al Quareem lands Chester Stakes
Economics takes Irish Champion Stakes
Stocking gives French the Blues
Kyprios lands Irish St Leger

Report

We start at Doncaster on Friday where in the 1m 4f fillies handicap Meribella (Cliff), took her chance, Midfield on inner, waiting for room over 2f out, headway and shaken up over 1f out, ridden final 110yds, led final stride , winning by a short head. She gets 49.4 points.

At Chester on Saturday in the 1m 4f listed stakes Al Quareem ( Martin), took his chance, Made virtually all, set steady pace, increased tempo over 3f out, going best 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, winning unchallenged by 2 ¾ l. He gets 27 .6 points.

Bob has done well with his Jim Goldie picks in the recent seasons and at Doncaster American Affair went to post in the 5f handicap, Steadied start, raced near side, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, soon switched right, ridden when edged left and good headway final 110yds, led final strides, winning by a nose. He gets 31.2 points

In the 1m 2f handicap, Daysofourlives (Peej), took his chance, In touch with leaders, headway and edged right over 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 110yds, kept on, winning by a neck. He gets 28.68 points.

In the 1m 2f Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes Economics (Peej), Auguste Rodin (Cod, Neil),  took their chances. Economics, Midfield on outer, disputing fourth halfway, pushed along over 2f out, challenging 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 110yds, kept on well towards finish, winning by a neck. He gets 75.5 points. Auguste Rodin, Towards rear, headway under 3f out, challenging 1f out, briefly disputed lead inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, 2nd beaten a neck. He gets 13.25 points.

On Sunday at the Curragh in the 1m 6f group 1 Irish St Leger Kyprios ( Cliff, Neil), went to post, Raced in second, pressed leader 6f out, pushed along and led under 3f out, pushed out and went clear inside final furlong winning , comfortably  by 2 ¾ l. Cliff gets 52.8 points, Neil 26.4

Prix Vermeille for fillies and mares, Bluestocking (Steve), took her chance, Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, driven when pressed 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, rallied and regained lead 100yds out, driven out, winning by ¾ l. She gets 57.4 poins.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy
           September            Total
Neil     39.65                      911.14
Peej    104.18                     697.77
Cod   42.25                     647.36
Cliff    102.2                       634,79
Steve   57.4                    595.04
Bob      31.2                     553.22
Martin      27.6                 404.2

News
Willie Mullins’ dual Ryanair Chase hero Allaho has been retired from racing by owners Cheveley Park Stud. A winner of 10 of his 20 starts, including four times at Grade One level, he is best remembered for his Cheltenham Festival winning heroics, romping to an unforgettable 12-length Ryanair success in the hands of Rachael Blackmore in 2021 before defending his crown under Paul Townend a year later.

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Newbury
4.05 Pogo
4.40 Let Life Happen

Ayr
3.40 Azure Blue
4.15 Summerghand

Saturday  

Ayr
2.25 Summerghand
3.35 Mostabshir, American Affair, Summerghand

Newmarket
4.30 Lunar Eclipse

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
Leg 19 Neil
Leg 20 Peej

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

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

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

Thursday, 12 September 2024

2024 Flat Issue 20 - Cod's Theory works again

Headline

Theory Now Winning Everything

Report

We start at Ascot on Friday where in the 1m handicap Theoryofeverything (Cod), went to post, Towards rear, good headway on near side of group over 1f out, ridden and led 1f out, kept on well, winning by ¾ l. He gets 29 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy
           September            Total
Neil     00                         871.49
Cod   29                         634.11
Peej    00                        593.59
Steve   00                         537.64
Cliff    00                        532.59
Bob      00                      522.02
Martin      00                  376.6


News
Legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute has announced he will stop training at the end of the year, bringing to a close a glittering career spanning six decades.  Stoute, 78, has trained numerous champions, including the peerless Shergar, one of six Derby winners, as well as the likes of Shareef Dancer, Zilzal and Harbinger, an emphatic winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The trainer first scored at the highest level when Blue Cashmere won the 1974 Nunthorpe Stakes and his most recent Group 1 winner was Bay Bridge, who landed the 2022 Champion Stakes at Ascot. In a statement to the PA news agency, Stoute said: “I have decided to retire from training at the end of this season.

“I would like to thank all my owners and staff for the support they have given me over the years. It has been a great and enjoyable journey.”

Stoute has been champion trainer on ten occasions and between 1985 and 2022 there were only four seasons in which he did not send out a Group 1 winner.  Beginning with Etienne Gerard in the 1977 Jersey Stakes, Stoute has sent out 82 winners at Royal Ascot, second only to Aidan O'Brien, and he has been leading trainer at the meeting six times.


Weekend Entries

Friday  

Doncaster
3.35 Coltrane
4,10 Meribella

Chester
3.20 Danzart
4.30 Cool Legend

Salisbury
6.30 Al Quareem

Saturday  

Chester
2.05 Al Quareem

Leopardstown
2.15 Henry Longfellow, A lilac Rolla
2.50 Fallen Angel, Ylang Ylang, Nashwa, A Lilac Rolla, Content, Azada
3.25 Economics, Auguste Rodin, Ghostwriter, Continuous, Henry Longfellow, Haatem, Dancing Gemini, Ylang Ylang, City of Troy
4.00 Hamish
4.35 Chemistry

Doncaster
2.25 American Affair
3.00 Poet Master, Folgaria, Pogo. Popmaster,
4.15 Daysofourlives
5.25 Roi De France

Sunday  

Curragh
1.50 Summerghand
2.25 Content, Elizabeth Jane, 
3.00 Bucanero Fuerte
4.10 Whistlejacket
4.45 Al Quareem, Continuous, Hamish, Kyprios, London City

Doncaster
4.15 Summerghand

Longchamp
2.57 Bluestocking

Grand Slam 

Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

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
Leg 19 Neil
Leg 20 Peej

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

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

Thursday, 5 September 2024

2024 Flat Issue 19 - Winnerless week

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy
           August              Total
Neil     122.63              871.49
Cod   121.05                 605.11
Peej    277.85            593.59
Steve   91.95             537.64
Cliff    68.83               532.59
Bob      79.59            522.02
Martin      135.95          376.6

News
George Murphy has revealed White Birch will miss the remainder of the season after picking up an injury to his hock. The Tattersalls Gold Cup winner, unbeaten in three starts this year, was being aimed at next week's Irish Champion Stakes. "Unfortunately it looks like White Birch will miss the rest of the season," said Murphy, son of trainer John. He strained a near hock and the advice is he will be off for three to four weeks which won’t give us time to get back going for his plan for the rest of the season. We’re looking forward to him returning to the track next season."

Auguste Rodin delighted Aidan O'Brien with his latest piece of work at Ballydoyle and the trainer now believes his confidence is back before the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, the day one feature of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday week. Just like last year, Auguste Rodin is heading to Leopardstown on the back of a bitterly disappointing King George effort but that did not stop him from winning the race in 2023 and he is now 7-2 second favourite behind Economics to repeat the feat following the news Ryan Moore will ride him in preference to this year's Irish Derby hero Los Angeles.

Charyn is bang on course for his biggest challenge yet in Sunday's Prix Jacques Prix du Moulin, with Roger Varian and Silvestre de Sousa optimistic there could be even more to come from one of the stars of the season. The Queen Anne and Prix Jacques le Marois winner is gearing up for a titanic clash of the generations with 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes hero Notable Speech at Longchamp, while the Aidan O'Brien-trained Henry Longfellow is also entered.

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Ascot
4.45 Theoryofeverything

Saturday  

Haydock
3.00 American Affair
3.35 Bucanero Fuerte, Spycatcher, Azure Blue

Ascot 
3.20 Lautrec

Kempton
God’s Window, Hamish, 

Thirsk
5.35 Danielsflyer

Sunday  

York
4.00 Azure Blue, Night Raider

Longchamp
Prix Jacques Prix du Moulin
Charyn, Notable Speech, Henry Longfellow

Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

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
Leg 19 Neil
Leg 20 Peej

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

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

Friday, 30 August 2024

2024 Flat Issue 18 - Peej takes York Slam prize

Headlines

Fire Burns off Rivals At York
Stewards Give Chemistry lesson at Leopardstown
Peej Content with York Winner
Spies Caught at Deauville

Report

We start at Leopardstown on Thursday where in the 1m 6f listed race Chemistry (Peej), went to post, Soon led, ridden and faced challenge from 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied on inner inside final furlong, bumped inside final 110yds, just held, finished 2nd, placed 1st (jockey said colt suffered interference in closing stages and got a severe bump) .He gets 46 points.

At York in the 1m 4f group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, Content (Peej), took her chance, Pulled hard, in touch with leaders on inner, headway towards far side from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, winning by 3/4l. She gets 58 points.

On Friday in the 1m 1f group 3, See The Fire (Martin, Steve), took her chance, Held up in rear, ridden and headway from over 2f out, ran on well against far rail inside final furlong, led final 110yds, won going away by 1 ¾ l. She gets 19 points 

At Deauville on Sunday in the 6f group 3 Spycatcher (Martin, Steve) went to post, In touch, ridden 2f out, driven and kept on well from 1 1/2f out, challenged 100yds out, led 50yds out, driven out, winning by a short neck. He gets 20.7 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy
           August              Total
Neil     122.63              871.49
Cod   121.05                 605.11
Peej    277.85            593.59
Steve   91.95             537.64
Cliff    68.83               532.59
Bob      79.59            522.02
Martin      135.95          376.6

York Grand Slam
Peej        110.25
Martin  71.25
Steve       7125
Bob  52.25
Cliff  52.25
Cod  52.25
Neil       52.25

Congratulations to Peej who gets the 20 points.

News
Vandeek has retired from racing and will stand at Cheveley Park Stud after the Newmarket operation bought a share in the dual Group 1-winning juvenile. He will stand in partnership with racing owner Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa's KHK Racing. 

Weekend Entries

Friday  

Thirsk
4.15 Cool Legend

Saturday  

Beverley
2.05 Staincliff

Sandown
2.25 Orchid Bloom
3.00 Balmacara

Chester
3.15 Hamish

Curragh
3.25 Orchid Bloom, Azada


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
Leg 19 Neil
Leg 20 Peej
First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, , Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan
Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

Thursday, 22 August 2024

2024 Flat issue 17 - Winners at the big meetings

Headlines

Economics Pay off with France Trip
Continuous lands Royal Whip
Soul wins Friends in France
Jacket Whistles home a Deauville
Troy Rules at York

Report

We start a Deauville on Thursday where in the 1m 2f group 2 Economics ( Peej), took his chance, in final pair, asked to improve on outer 2 1/2f out, progress over 2f out, ridden to chase leader entering final furlong, led final 110yds, kept on strongly, winning by 2l He gets 44.2 points

On Saturday at the Curragh Continuous ( Cliff, Neil), went to post, Started quickly, briefly led, raced in second soon after start, joined leader 3f out, pushed along and led narrowly from 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final 110yds,winning  readily by ½ l. He gets 16.58 points.

On Sunday at Deauville in the 6f group 1Prix Morny for 2 year olds, Whistlejacket (Peej), took his chance, Made virtually all on stands' side rail, pushed along 2f out, ridden just inside final furlong, kept on strongly under pressure, winning by ¾ l. He gets 57.4 points.

In the 1m 2f group 2 for 3 year old fillies Friendly Soul (Martin), took her chance, Made all, quickened up 2 1/2f out, ridden just under 1 1/2f out, slightly reduced advantage closing stages but always in command, winning by 1l. She gets 44 points.

At Windsor on Monday Staincliff (Bob), went to post in the 5f novice stakes, Led early, headed and in touch with leaders after 1f, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, soon went clear, ran on well inside final furlong, winning impressively by 8 ½ l. He gets 22.34 points.

At York yesterday in the 1m 2f group1 Juddmonte International stakes City of Troy (All), went to post  took keen hold, made all, hung right and pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, winning by 1l. He gets 52.25 points.

John  Torpey Memorial Trophy
           August              Total
Neil     122.63              871.49
Cod   121.05                 605.11
Cliff    68.83               532.59
Bob      79.59            522.02
Steve   52.25          497.76
Peej    153.85            469.59
Martin      96.25          336.9

York Grand Slam
Bob  52.25
Cliff  52.25
Cod  52.25
Martin  52.25
Neil    52.25
Peej     52.25
Steve  52.25

Weekend Entries

Friday  

York
3.35 Azure Blue

Hamilton
7.05 Capital Theory

Saturday  

York
1.50 See The Fire
3.00 Spycatcher
4.10 Summerghand

Newmarket
3.55 Nigh Raider, Staincliff

Sunday  

Naas
3.42 Staincliff


Grand Slam Extra picks must return sp of 2/1 or more to score points

Grand Slam 
Leg 1Neil  
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
Leg 19 Neil

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

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

Tuesday, 20 August 2024

York Grand Slam picks

Godwinson    Bob

Queenstown    Neil

Los Angeles    Cliff

Divine Comedy      Peej

Teumessias Fox      Cod