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Friday 28 May 2010

Lets Look Busy !

Look Busy gets in well in the Coditions Stakes at Beverley over 5f. Had this been a handicap she would have been topweight but here she's getting at least 5lb off all the runners and 7/2 would appear to be good value. She ran well first time out at Chester and followed that up last weekend when 6th in the Temple Stakes. She's 2-2 at the course and hopefully she will be thereabouts at the business end and wont lose 2 shoes this time, any of the forecast rain will help her cause.

High Standing over at Haydock has his first run of the season in the Listed 5f sprint, the first race on the card. That shouldnt be a problem as he's won first time out for the last 2 seasons and he's 5-11 on turf. William Haggas's able sprinter Triple Aspect won first time out at Windsor on monday despite the trainer saying he needed the run, so we can expect more of the same here.

Up a bit, down a bit

The Totesoop6 Stakes (Handicap) Class 2 over 6f at Goodwood was won by Parisain Pyramid and as a result he was raised 3lb to 91. I had doubts if he was raised too much that he could win again but 3lb is reasonable in the circumstances. Johnny Mudball was left on the same mark of 89 so now he is getting his act together we should keep an eye on him as he would have gone close had he been able to start his run earlier. Rileyskeepingfaith also stayed on the same mark of 102, whilst Son of the Cat was dropped a 1lb to 92 and Run for the Hills 2lb to 98.

As a result of The Betfred Temple Stakes - Group 2 Borderlescott was dropped 2lb to 114, whereas Spin Cycle was raised 3lb to 110. Look Busy stays on 104 and can go well back in a handicap and Blue Jack remained on 110.

The Class 2 Sportingbet.com Sprint Handicap at York over 6f went Hamish McGonagall's way and he was raised 7lb to 99 for his 1 1/4 length win from Ziggy Lee who was also raised 3lb to 86. The latter looks well handicapped on this run as he came with a storming run down the stands side and looks capable of progressing further. Old stager Indian Trail was dropped a 1lb to 84 as was Taberet to 88, whislt one of the unlucky ones Rasaman remianed on the same mark of 81. Sohraab was dropped 2lb to 96 after showing up for a while in the first time visor and Rievaulx World with Tom Eaves up finished out the back again and was dropped a further 3lb to 82 as a result, surely he can run better off this sort of mark now, maybe he'll be dropped in grade. Cheveton went down 4lb to 92 for finishing a tailed off last.

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Leonid Glow to shine

Leonid Glow could go well at Newcastle tomorrow night over 6f on Good to Firm. SHe started this season well winning at Thirsk off a mark of 73 and then coming 2nd in a field of 18 at Doncaster off 76, at Thirsk she won from Lucky Dan who has since won quite cosily at Chester and at Doncaster she finished in front of Anne of Kiev (4th) who also won cosily at Windsor on monday night. In that race at Donny Leonid Glow was running on well at the end and tomorrow her jockey Patrick Donaghy will take off a valuable 5lb putting her on a mark of 73 with his claim.
There are others in the race with form to win but that is reflected in the selections price, it will be interesting to see how Ishetoo performs in first time blinkers having dropped a few pounds in the ratings. However its not a race to go overboard on as its one of those sprints were any of the runners could have their day.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Sirenuse can go well for Smart

Sirenuse is a real speedball and should go well at Ayr tomorrow, she won well at Thirsk last time in a good time, in fact it was faster than the Class 2 Handicap won by Fol Hollow on the same card. As a result she was put up 4lb but arguably she should have been put up by more. She was mentioned by her trainer as a horse to follow at the begining of the season and if she wins this she will have a chance of getting in the Dash at Epsom on Derby Day as her revised rating would help her cause. She has come out of the Thirsk race very well and she has the rail here to fall back on and she could have enough in her to dominate all the way to the line. City Dancer could be the one to give her the most problems as she has been dropped a bit in the ratings since last season and now with Dandy Nicholls she could find any amount of improvement and an apprentice takes off a further 3lb.

Monday 24 May 2010

Hamish looks to Scotland

Hamish Mcgonagall won as expected at York on Saturday, he was well handicapped on his best form and he was at the head of affairs throughout, he will now contest a race at Musselburgh in which he came 4th last season. One I liked the look of behind was Rasaman who I thought was unlucky, he was stopped in his run at a vital time and he could have finished closer for his canny tainer Jim Goldie. The other one to run well was Ziggy Lee, to be honest I didnt rate this one's chances much pre race but I was proved wrong as he came with a stong run up the near rail which isnt the best place to challenge in a sprint at York and provided the handicapper doesnt take a dim view you could see this one progressing further as the season goes on.

Parisian Pyramid back on track

Parisian Pyramid who had a ggod race at Newmarket behind Hawkeyethenoo got back in the winning groove at Goodwood on Saturday when he beat Johnny Mudball. Personally I didnt think the race would take much winning and if he's put up too much for this he could struggle to win again for a little while. The second Johnny Mudball ran a solid race, he was keen behind the leaders but when he got a gap and hit top gear he was picking up ground fast and his turn doesnt look that far away and it will be interesting to see where he goes next and to see what view the handicapper has taken of the run. Rileyskeepingfaith ran respectably considering he had gone up in the weights for his win last week and he can win again in the right race.

Kingsgate Native could take some stopping !

Kingsgate Natives win in the Temple Stakes could be the curtain opener for a very good season for him. Having been gelded he looks as good or even better than he has done before and Royal Ascot a happy hunting ground for him in the past can be his next target. The fact that he is trained by Sir Michael Stoute puts the icing on the cake and to come out and win this race from race fit top sprinters in a fast time is a very good performance indeed. Equiano continued his good form but just found one better than him on the day here and he will have a better chance of winning again in the Kings Stand were his speed will come to good use and he wont meet this rival. Borderlescott keeps on pulling out the form even at 8 and he too will surely have his day at some point this season, but all in all a very good running of this race and if the winner can continue in this form he can remain unbeaten this summer.

Sunday 23 May 2010

Anne of Kiev to make amends ?

Hopefully Anne of Kiev can win tomorrow evening in the Class 4 6f Handiacp at Windsor, Luke Morris is back in the saddle and surely she can ger better luck than her last 2 runs were she suffered interfernce and poor runs through the field (take a look at the replay of her last run if you get a chance). If it all falls into place though she should go very close, but those runs have been flagged up by various pundits so what sort of price you can get is anyone's guess.

Friday 21 May 2010

Saturdays Sprints

Just as I thought the 3 sprints make up half of this weeks Scoop6 races.

2.15 Goodwood
Rileyskeepingfaith finally got his head in front last time but he doesnt have the assistance of Ryan Moore here, however I dont think this is going to take too much winning. A lot has been expected of Johhny Mudball by his stable this season but he hasnt fired so far although he had a poor draw at Newamrket last time, Hayley Turner is employed to coax out some improvement. Parisian Pyramid finished some way in front of Johnny Mudball at Newmarket but he had the best of the draw there and he could only finish 5th, he then ran too soon at Chester and Tom Queally is an interesting booking although he may have trouble coming down the hill with his action. Son of the Cat and Run for the Hills are others that can make their presence felt.

3.00 Haydock
Total Gallery won the Prix de L'Abbaye last season beating the useful Fleeting Spirit, however he is considerably worse off at the weights with Kingsgate Native on Goodwood form from last season. Kingsgate Native himself is having his first run this year and he may have his sights more set on Royal Ascot as he needed his first race last season. Equiano has won both The Abernant and the Palace House at Newamrket this year and he looks back to his best although last time he had a race fitness edge over Borderlescott when beating him into second and it wouldnt be hard to imagine the tables being turned this time. Blue Jack who was 3rd there was tucked in at the back and he ran on very well up the hill and he could could give the first two a bit more to think about this time, however they're all on the same weight again and there wont be a great deal between them but I can see Borderlescott coming out on top.

3.40 York
There are a few in with chances in this Johannes loves fast ground and won well at York after having the race set up for him by Jaconet, it was the first time he had won over 5f and he will not have the assistance of an out and out front runner this time. Taberet finished back in 3rd there and a 7lb claimer has been booked to offset Johannes rise in the weights since, Taberet ran again a few days later but you should ignore that as it came too soon. Sohraab wasnt well drawn at Chester but he ran ok, he has a first time visor here and on his best form he is reasonably handicapped. Hamish McGonagle ran well at Chester in finishing 2nd after being slowly away and he is well handicapped on his best form, however he may have preferred a bit of cut. Indian Trail seems to be running better than ever although he is stepping up in class here, he gets a useful 5lb off his back though and he should be finishing fast. Rievaulx World has dropped 10lb so far this season and Tom Eaves takes the ride, he didnt handle Epsom and is another who needs it fast.

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Up a bit, down a bit

The Class2 Totepool Flexi Betting Handicap at York over 5f saw Johannes raised 6lb to 101 for the 1 length win from Jaconet who was in turn raised 3lb to 95, she will still be a force to be reckoned with in the Dash if this weeks exertions havent taken there toll. Of those behind Judge n Jury was dropped a 1lb to 98, The Nifty Fox 2lb to 84,Hamoody 2lb to 86, Ishetoo 2lb to 88 and Rievaulx World 4lb to 85.

The Class 2 Sporting Bet.Com Stakes Handicap at York over 6f went to Ingleby Lady who was raised 5lb to 97. She beat Baldemar who was raised 3lb (although his rider put up 1lb overweight for this) to 94 and Esoterica who was left on 92. Of those behind Oldjoesaid was dropped 1lb for his encouraging run to 92, Red Cape down 2lb to 84, he may prefer 5f, Sunrise Safari 1lb to 86 and Himalya 2lb to 100.

The Class 4 Replas Concrete Repair and Refurbishment Handicap at Doncaster over 6f went to Tubby Isaacs who was raised 6lb to 76, however the 2nd Leonid Glow up 2lb to 78 and 4th Anne of Kiev no change on 75 were both finishing best of all and can gain compensation.

The Class 2 Totesport Handicap at Newbury over 6f saw Rileyskeepingfaith raised 5lb to 102 for his 1/2 length win from Shifting Star who was in turn raised 3lb to 92. Wildcat Wizard was raised a further 2lb to 94 for another placed effort, whilst of those behind Striking Spirit, for whom there was money, was dropped 1lb to 94, Arthurs Edge was dropped 5lb to 95, Desert Phantom 4lb to 90 and Beaver Patrol 3lb to 86.

The Class 2 Scarborough Handicap at Thirsk over 5f saw Fol Hollow finally get his head in front and as a result he was raised 3lb to 96, Captain Dunne was raised a further 1lb for another placed run to 100. Jargelle was dropped 2lb 90, Tabaret 1lb to 89 and Pavershooz 2lb to 87. The latter is once again becoming well handicapped if he shows any improvement from last season.

The following Class 4 Filey Handicap over 5f went to the improving Sirenuse who has been raised 4lb to 83 and if she can get into the Dash at Epsom she would help force the pace even more, although there are so many front runners in that it may go to a hold up horse, so start having a look at the declared runners and check out the early prices. Indian Trail was left on the same mark of 85 as was the consistent Brierty who finished 2nd.

Tuesday 18 May 2010

3 Good Sprint races this weekend

Three good sprints at 3 different tracks this Saturday :
2.15 Goodwood Class 2 6f Totescoop6 Handicap sees Definightly, Jarrow, Jonny Mudball, Parisian Pyramid and Rileyskeepingfaith in opposition as well as others.

3.00 Haydock Group 2 5f Betfred.Com Temple Stakes has Total Gallery, Blue Jack, Borderlescott, Equiano, Kingsgate Native, Triple Aspect and Look Busy as the main contenders.

3.40 York Class 2 5f Sporting Bet.Com Sprint Handicap sees Archers Road, Avertor, Hamish McGonagall, Indian Trail, Johannes, Masamah, Sohraab, and Taberet as the main contenders.

All 3 races look very competitive and all 3 could form part of this weeks big Scoop 6 Pot on CH4 so scutiny of previous entries on this blog should be top of the list....if anyone wins you know where to find me !

Sunday 16 May 2010

Fol Hollow finally gets his head in front

Fol Hollow as I have previously said is a consistent sort and his followers were rewarded on Saturday when he won the Class 2 handicap at Thirsk over 5f in a time of 58.11s at odds of 8/1. The handicapper has had him on this sort of mark (93) for a while and although he is always thereabouts it has been a little while since he won and it is likely he will be raised a few pounds for this. He hadnt run too well earlier in the week at York behind some of his rivals in this race but that may have been a pipe opener for this, who knows ? His trainer now says that he will be aimed at the 6f handicap at Epsom on Derby Day as opposed to the Dash which he has run in for the last 2 seasons.
Captain Dunne who wore the first colours of the Middleham syndicate finished 2nd and his early season target is reportedly the Temple stakes next weekend at Haydock.
Jargelle finished 3rd after showing very quick speed to get to the rail from her outside draw wearing a first time tongue strap. If he showed this speed in the Dash you could see him going close in that.
Jaconet couldnt get to the front this time and for her this race may have come too soon after York.

Spencer makes a meal of it !

Anne of Kiev who I highlighted on this blog a few weeks ago as having been denied a clear at Windsor was given another nightmare passage this time from Jamie Spencer at Doncaster on Saturday night. Spencer met every possible traffic problem in his efforts to get to the front, weaving from one side of the course to the other. Anne of Kiev was running all over the others, and she eventually got through to fly but could only manage 4th behind Tubby Isaacs in the Class 4 handicap over 6f on Good to firm off 75. She looks sure to win soon on the basis of her last 2 runs and she is currently for sale to stay in the stable at £20,000.00 if anyone's interested in making an investment.
The time of the race 1m 11.35s and was fast by 0.05s.

Saturday 15 May 2010

Sirenuse is on the up !

Bryan Smarts Sirenuse showed very good speed to win the 5f C4 Handicap at Thirsk today on going described as Good to Firm, she clocked a time of 57.98 secs in doing so which was slightly faster than the C2 won by Fol Hollow on the same card. She managed to bag the rail and was able to stay to win by 1 1/4 lengths from the fast finishing pair of Brierty and Indian Trail. Said to have got even faster this year, she is a pure 5f horse that requires fast ground to show her best. She looks sure to go on from this.

Ingleby Lady denies Baldemar at York

Ingleby Lady continued her rise up the handicap ladder to win a Class 2 handicap at York over 6f off a rating of 92, beating Baldemar in the process by 3/4 length on ground described as Good to Firm. The time was slow by 0.49s and she was always travelling well throughout and although drifting right once hitting the front she stayed on well.
Last time out at Pontefract Baldemar ran below form but the trainer put that down to having run him to soon and he was much better here and can surely win again. Esoterica stayed on well from the rear and Oldjoesaid ran his best race for Kevin Ryan so far in finishing 4th off a mark of 93.
Only 2 1/2 lengths covered the first 4 but there was 3 lengths back to the 5th.

Thursday 13 May 2010

Johannes continues his progress.

Johannes went up 23lbs in 2009 and he has begun 2010 in the same vein by winning the Class 2 Totepool Flexi Betting Handicap at York over 5f on ground described as Good to Firm. He had previously only won over 6f and he sat off the fast pace here and picked them off at the end. He was winning this off a rating of 95 and will probably go up to 102 as a result which will make things difficult for him in the Stewards Cup which is probably his main aim.
Jaconet blitzed along in front and hung on for second but she had them all at work for a long way and she looks a definite bet in the Dash at Epsom, she had previously shown her best form on the All Weather but on this showing it looks like she has bridged the gap now, she is declared for Thirsk on Saturday.
River Falcon ran on under Fallon pressure as is his want and there were some dissapointing efforts from those out the back such as Fol Hollow, Rievaulx World and Russian Spirit.

Monday 10 May 2010

Just what the Dr ordered !

Prescription a 5 year old Pivotal mare ran on in good fashion to take the 6f Listed Race for fillies at Nottingham on Saturday beating Serious Attitude and Tropical Treat. The time was fast by 0.16s and the first 4 pulled 2 3/4 lengths away from the others. The winner was hampered early on but when she got going down by the rail she fairly flew along to be well on top come the finish. Having only had 11 starts previously she is still open to improvement and being by Pivotal she will improve with age. She is currently rated 95 but the 2nd here was rated 109 so an increase looks likely, however the 3rd and 4th were only rated 87 and 80 so the handicapper may be lenient this time.

Of those behind R. M. Beckett's 3yo Tropical Treat in 3rd was having only his 3rd run and if he isnt raised too much for this effort then he would surely command respect in a 3YO 6f handicap if his connections were to take that route.
Serious Attitude hadnt run for 9 months and ran a promising race in 2nd after having been impeded at a crucial stage of the race and this Cheveley Park winner looks likely to taste victory again soon.

Thursday 6 May 2010

Up a bit, down a bit

This week saw Buachill Dona win the Class 2 IPS Security Hcap at Newcastle over 5f off a mark of 98 and as a result he was raised 4lb, Captain Dunne in 2nd was the unlucky one in the race and he was raised 3lb to 99 and Quest for Success who was 3rd went up 2lb to 101.
The Stan James.COM Palace House Stakes, Group 3 over 5f went to the improved Equiano who may now run in the Temple Stakes at Haydock, of those behind Blue Jack went up a further 5lb to 110 and looks set to continue in this grade now.

Wednesday 5 May 2010

Masamah wins on first run for Ryan

MASAMAH opened his account for the season on his first run for Kevin Ryan having been bought out of Ed Dunlop's yard at the end of last season. He was always at the head of affairs having bagged the rail from his number 3 draw and he was never really in any danger in a decent field. The time was a good one compared to other sprints that have taken place at Chester in the past and I can see this horse progressing further. Rated 90 pre race he will go up 7lbs or more for the win, however we could see him racing in Listed company before too long.
Of the others behind Fol Hollow put in his usual solid race, Sohraab last years winner got going all too late as his draw had pushed him out wide on the bend, Look Busy ran well considering it was her first run back and she was runing off 105 and missed the break and Hamish McGonagall has started the season in fine form and should be able to pick up something soon.

Sunday 2 May 2010

Hawkeythenoo !!

What a rate of improvement HAWKEYETHENOO has shown since last July and after his win in a competitive Class 2 Handicap at Newmarket over 6f on rain softened ground it looks as though his improvement has not come to an end. He won a Class 4 previous to this and as a result was raised 9lb but there was no stopping his storming run up the rail today. He had the best of the draw with low numbers enjoying a distinct advantage on the day. The trainer thinks the horse is tremendously talented and nominated him to run in the Ayr Gold Cup before his first run this year so he must have known he was a good un !
It will be interesting to see were the 2nd from his previous race at Thirsk goes next GREEN PARK, he had no sort of run next time out and he too is well handicapped on old form and was running on in that race so is entitled to go close at some stage.
The 4th GENKI ran a great race considering he was drawn 25 and had to come right over to the stands side, he was last for best part of the race and was brought with his challenge down the middle of the track, he was rated 103 today and on this performance all roads will lead to the big handicaps once again and The Stewards Cup.
ENACT in 2nd was said to have grown over the winter, however pre race Sir Michael Stoute said the horse preferred top of the ground and wouldnt want any rain which is exactly what she did get and it was a big performance from this Kyllachy filly who went off the 15/2 fav in the circumstances, currently rated 95 it will be interesting to see where she goes next with the winner and 3rd having had a race fitness edge over her today.
ANGUS NEWS always seems to run well here and although she was another to have a good draw it was good performance from her as she was on the pace throughout and was also carrying 1lb overweight.
PARISIAN PYRAMID ran another solid race and had every chance but just lost out for 4th on the line. SECRET ASSET ran well to finish 6th for her inexperienced jockey (1-11)and MO MHUIRNIN and FLIPANDO ran on from rhe rear when the race was all but over.
The time reflected the going and was slow by 2.30s.

Saturday 1 May 2010

Horses to follow

Blue Jack - 3rd next time in Palace House Stakes 8/1
Castles in the Air -
Indian Trail - Dash, Epsom Derby Day
Holbeck Ghyll -
Internationaldebut -
Anne of Kiev -
Captain Dunne - Temple Stakes
Lenny Bee -

Equiano back to his best

Equiano followed up his last win by taking the Group 3 Palace house Stakes at Newmarket after setting a fast pace throughout. The operation undertaken, whatever it was, seems to have done the trick and it now looks as though he will aim to regain his crown in the Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Of those behind Blue Jack ran well following his win at Newbury last time.He had to be switched early by Richard Kingscote as he obviously wanted covering up before making eyecatching headway through the field to be closest at the finish.

The time of the race was a respectable 58.40s.

Up a bit, down a bit.

This week the Riu Palce Meloneras Handicap at Pontefract saw CASTLES IN THE AIR raised 8lb to 102 as a result of his win. INTERNATIONALDEBUT was left on the same mark so will surely go close off 89 soon, THEBES in 4th was dropped a 1lb and has since won over 7f on the AW. off the others behind BALDEMAR down 1lb to 90, HOTHAM down 1lb to 88 and MARINE BOY down 2lb to 96.

The Investec Capital Markets Handicap at Epsom saw FATHOM FIVE win his 2nd race at the course having won the same race last year off a 2lb higher mark as a result he was raised 3lb to 94. Those that ran well behind were INDIAN TRAIL and HOLBECK GHYLL who have both been left on the same marks. RIEVAULX WORLD was dropped 3lb to 89 and HOH HOH HOH 2lb to 90 and both of those are capable of showing better from in due course. HOH HOH HOH was running off 104 last season and finished 3rd to Borderlescott and Captain Gerard in the 5f City Wall Stakes at Chester in July off level weights being beaten 1 1/2 lengths on going described as Good to Firm.

STONEACRE LAD has been dropped a further 4lb to 69, having been rated 100 at the begining of 2009, although the stable remains in dire form.