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Thursday 30 September 2010

Early thoughts on the Qatar Prix de L'Abbaye de Longchamp

This Sunday sees one of the spectacles of the sprint season at Longchamp and at the moment there is every chance that it is going to be soft up the 5f course. Of course the layout of the track has never made this the easiest race to watch on TV and its probably the worst view for a sporting event known to man.
Swiss Diva (3/1) has struck up a good partnership with her jockey and has won her last 3 races in France showing improved form on the soft ground she has encountered and that is no surprise being by Pivotal out of an Indian Ridge mare. However although she has been winning well I'm not convined the times she has recorded are good enough to win this which is usually run at a very fast tempo, 54.40 secs in 2008.
Another of the home team that has done well on her foreign trips is Piccadilly Filly (33/1) and she has been showing decent speed albeit she has been run out of it close home a couple of times most recently in the Nunthorpe. Her conqueror at Chantilly on Soft in June was Planet Five (16/1)and he reopposes on 4lb better terms this time so should confirm form, albeit that was Piccadilly Filly's first start of the season so she may be thereabouts come the end.
Others that may well go well on a softer surface are Amico Fritz (20/1) and 2008 winner Marchand D'or (16/1).
The British usually have a good record in this but I dont think were going to continue that run this year unless the current 11/4 fav Lady of the Desert takes her chance and with the next 2 in the betting also being trained in the UK there are some decent prices for some of the others to be had. Total Gallery (8/1) last years winner hinted at a return to form last time out but he still appears to be below his best.
At this stage I would be looking at having an ew interest in Planet Five and then seeing if anything else develops over the next few days.

Going is Soft at Newmarket

The going is soft at Newmarket and Golden Destiny is a Non Runner.

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Rous Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday !

The next sprint of note on the calendar is the Listed Rous Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday over 5f. The going at the course is currently Good to Soft and there are 10 horses in the field. Slightly best in at the weights he would appear to be Golden Destiny and Ryan Moore has been booked for the 4yo who was 2nd beaten 1/2 length to Astrophysical Jet at Newbury last time out. Tax Free also finished 2nd behind Astrophysical Jet in Ireland although he was beaten 2 lengths, he then went on to dissapoint at Beverley behind 50/1 shot Tangerine Trees who also lines up for this. The reason that was dissapointing was because in a handicap Tangerine Trees would have been 26lb better off and the fact that he won by 2 1/4 lengths on levels left form students scratching their heads, although he appeared to win on merit on the day.
I think this track will be too testing and will not suit Hamish McGonagall and Quest for Success has had a few races in quick succession, so may struggle here. I dont think there is much else in the race and it probably wont take much to win. At this stage I would have to be looking at Golden Destiny but I will have a further look again tomorrow evening when the going is known for sure.

Its soon that are attentions will be switching from the flat to the jumps and a blog I have been looking at in respect of this is the excellent and analytical Wayward Lad whose blog can be accessed via a link at the top of my page.

Please remember when reading this "blog" that I am an not a professional tipster and I dont get paid for writing these posts, the blog is compiled in my spare time away from the usual demands of family life and it requires you the reader to do some work if you want to make the blog pay. You will see there is a horses to follow page that is made up from those I have selected from my weekly "Up a bit, down a bit" post and like with all formbooks or Racing newspapers that provide horses to follow you will have to keep your own record of the horses I mention so that you will be able to give consideration to backing them if and when they run. This method has been very successful this year with several big priced winners obliging and I hope to refine it as and when I am able. Thank you for taking time to read the blog and lets hope the winners keep coming in.

Monday 27 September 2010

Tueaday sprint action !

Firstly just to say that I have updated the "Horses to Follow" page. You should try and keep a note of the horses on it or enter them up into a horse alert system that are free on a number of betting sites and then you will not miss them when they are running. They wont win everytime they run but if you follow them closely they may pop up at 20/1 every now and then and hopefully it will put your betting balance in the black.

Tomorrow there is a Class 3 Handicap at 4.55 over 5f at Newbury on going currently described as Good (Good to Soft in places) or 6.7 on the going stick.
It looks a wide open affair with several in with chances and Sohraab at the top of the handicap looks to remain in good form and is still feasibly handicapped on 89 after running off 102 last autumn, although his last 4 wins have come on Good to Firm. Russian Spirit hasnt really gone on from last year but she could be open to further improvement and has winning form at 5f, however she was keen on her first run back this year and not having run since June she may be so again and therefore may run herself out. The booking of Ryan Moore for Caledonian Princess may see her return to the form of her 3 wins in July and August in which she beat a useful yardstick in Secret Witness who has been 2nd 5 times since, however she had every chance at Sandown last time but wasnt good enough and Piscean who finished in front of her there should do so again if he breaks quicker and he could collect on an ew bet at 20/1. The latter will certainly get a fast pace from the old timer Cape Royal who should take them along at a good pace for the first 4f or so as he did in that Sandown race. Equuleus Pictor is now 10lb lower than his last win which was on Good to Soft however he hasnt really shown us enough of late to be wading in with any cash.
As Ive said this is a wide open race but I will have a go at Piscean at 20/1 who should go well if showing the same form as when he was 4th at glorious Goodwood.

Please remember when reading this "blog" that I am an not a professional tipster and I dont get paid for writing these posts, the blog is compiled in my spare time away from the usual demands of family life and it requires you the reader to do some work if you want to make the blog pay. You will see there is a horses to follow page that is made up from those I have selected from my weekly "Up a bit, down a bit" post and like with all formbooks or Racing newspapers that provide horses to follow you will have to keep your own record of the horses I mention so that you will be able to give consideration to backing them if and when they run. This method has been very successful this year with several big priced winners obliging and I hope to refine it as and when I am able. Thank you for taking time to read the blog and lets hope the winners keep coming in.

Sunday 26 September 2010

French raider Dalghar can steal prize.

Dalghar can get the better of the other runners in todays Group 2 John Guest Diadem Stakes over 6f at Ascot. Kingsgate Native and Lady of the Desert should be the best of the rest but as in all sprints it doesnt take much to win or lose these races and they can easily be won by a decent handicapper.
Dalghar has been running over 7f and Ascot is a stiff track and that is further enhanced today by the ease in the ground, although his trainer would have preferred good ground for him. The race should be run to suit however and the grey can get the better of the 3yo Lady of the Desert who ran an admirable race in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.
Of the others Dever Dream has been very consistent all year, however this is a step up in class for her and it may be just place money she gets today.

For those of you who require spoon feeding with selections I highlighted Pepper lane in this weeks "Up a bit, down a bit" after her run in a decent race at Pontefract and she looks an improving sort. As we all know fillies can come into there own at this time of the year and she can go well in the 3.25 at Musselburgh with the much under rated Graham Gibbons doing the steering.

Later on in the 5.40 at Musselburgh Sharp Bullet can be a welcome first winner back for Bruce Hellier who has resumed his training career in the UK. Sharp Bullet was unlucky last time and he will be bidding to make all from stall 1.

Please remember when reading this "blog" that I am an not a professional tipster, the blog is compiled in my spare time away from the usual demands of family life and it requires you the reader to do some work if you want to make the blog pay. You will see there is a horses to follow page that is made up from those I have selected from my weekly "Up a bit, down a bit" post and like with all formbooks or Racing newspapers you will have to keep your own record of the horses I mention so that you will be able to give consideration to backing them if and when they run. This method has been very successful this year with several big priced winners obliging and I hope to refine it as and when I am able. Thank you for taking time to read the blog and lets hope the winners keep coming in.

Saturday 25 September 2010

Stick with the Soft Ground winners at Haydock

With Haydock up the straight being soft its probably best to stick with the form horses on Soft. In the 3.10 Class 2 Hcap over 6f I would be looking at Sonny Red who ran so well in finishing 2nd in the Silver Cup at Ayr being beaten by a progressive rival. They were both on the unfavoured far side and there shouldnt be any problem with that today and although he is higher in the Hcap he thrives on Soft going and he must be in the shake up if this doesnt come too soon. The other one to keep an eye on is Damika who won the Great St Wilfrid so well that he must go well in this. He too is a soft ground lover and ok he hasnt run well the last couple of times but he could bounce back here at 20/1.
The 3.45 sees Cheveton as fav at 11/2 and he always operates on Soft. We saw last week when he won at Ayr that he is at the top of his game at the moment and he probably would have preferred it even softer there but still won. He is still well in on old form from his revised rating and he too must be in with a shout.

Friday 24 September 2010

Little Garcon comes in at 20/1 !

A big win for fans of the blogs "Horses to watch out for" page when Little Garcon won today at Ascot off a rating of 90, here's what I wrote back in July in my regular handicap post "Up a bit, down a bit" :-
As expected Bated Breath went up 10lb for his facile win at Haydock in the 3yo Class 2 Handicap over 6f and he is now on 105. Afterwards Roger Charlton said we may see him in next years Sprint Cup here but later in the week he entered him for this years race. I thought Little Garcon was unlucky not to get closer and he remains on 88 which is a very fair mark that can be exploited on his next run. The race itself was run in a decent time only slightly slower than the Class 2 Conditions Stakes won by his stablemate Genki 30 minutes later. Charlton is now eyeing up a 0-105 Handicap at Newmarket in August however he has stressed that he wont run him on fast ground again this season.

This result followed up Captain Ramius who won at 18/1 at Chester on 10th September 2010.

Get involved in the big prices...keep in touch with Sprinterstogo !

Thursday 23 September 2010

Up a bit down a bit

After a few weeks off from this post we take a look back at Ayr Gold Cup week and try to make some sense of the handicappers ups and downs.
I have added a post below marked BHA Handicappers blog which has a good write up of the Ayr Gold Cup and the Group 3 Dubai Airport World Trophy at Newbury last Saturday.
The latter was a tight finish and only a few lengths covered the first 8 or 9 with Astrophysical Jet prevailing once again and building on her Curragh win over Tax Free who let the form down this week at Bevrley. This was Astrophysical Jet's last run of the season and she is reportedly to be brought back for the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket next spring. Golden Destiny in 2nd sort of lets the form down a little bit as although she was rated 99 she wasnt given much chance in the betting going off at 40/1 and as a result of her closeness to the winner she has been raised 6lb to 105.
Prohibit in 3rd continued his good run of form and if he can be brought back in the same vein next year you could see him winning a Group race.

Earlier in the week Esprit De Midas showed a smart turn of foot at Haydock to win the Class 4 6f Hcap by 1 1/4 lenths from Lochan Mor and it would be no suprise to see him follow up off his 5lb higher mark of 90.

At Ayr on the Thursday the Class 5 Hcap over 5f went to Richard Fahey's Mango Music by 2 1/4 legths from Argentine in a time of 59.69s. The stands side held sway here and continued to do so later in the week too, Dispol Kylie was the first of those home on the far side by about 3 lengths and as a result she has been left on 65 so is capable of winning off that mark although she hasnt won since 2008.

That same afternoon at Pontefract saw the Class 3 6f Fillies Hcap go to Who's Shirl who won by a nose from Pepper Lane. It was run at a good pace and the time was only 0.29s outside standard so the form should stand up, the winner has been raised 5lb to 83 and the 2nd 4lb to 74 and both look capable of further progress up the ladder.

Back at Ayr for the Class 2 Bronze Cup on Friday and this went to Cheveton who was well handicapped on his old form, he also had the assistance of 5lb talented claimer Dale Swift. He bagged the favoured stands rail from his high draw and he just about managed to prevail from Dandy Nicholls Courageous who had run well the time before. Cheveton would probably have preferred even more cut in the going than here and he may well build on this from his 8lb higher mark of 93. First home on the unfavoured far side was Ancient Cross, he was drawn in stall 1 and he beat home Eton Rifles and Beat the Bell, he has subsequently been left on the same mark of 84. Of those behind Oldjoesaid didnt build on his last run and finished well back on the far side but he has been dropped a further 2lb 81 and he remains of interest if turning out in a lower grade. The time of the race was 1m 11.41s (1.21 slower than standard).

Earlier in the day Class 4 Hcap over 5f went to Hazelrigg by 2 1/2 lengths in a time of 58.70s, a second faster than the Class 5 the previous day and it wouldnt be a suprise to see him continue his good run off his new mark.

Onto Saturday again for the Silver and Gold Cups and the first went to the 3yo Colonel Mak by 3/4 length from Sonny Red. I think this was a decent performace as they raced up the unfavoured far side and finished 2 lengths in front of Misplaced Fortune on the stands side. The winner was racing off 93 here and will be off a 100 in future but he is the hands of David Barron a trainer who knows how to get the best out of a sprinter. I'm sure there is more to come from Colonel Mak and this was very competitive for a consolation race and was run in a time of 1m 10.97 (0.77 slower than standard). Of those behind Bonnie Charlie was droppped 3lb to a mark of 92 and two that didnt get very good runs were Tiddliwinks and Able Master who have both been left on their same marks of 94 and 95 and can both figure in futrue races.

The Gold Cup was won by Redford who showed that he is up to Group class sprints on this showing as he won readily from Victoire De Lyphar by 2 1/4 lengths in a time of 1m 10.26s (0.06 slower than standard). It made it a 1-2 for Dandy Nicholls in a race he has now won 6 times in the last 11 years.
It was certainly a top class sprint that had all the major players from the season so far with Genki finishing well in 4th having run well in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup.

On a different note 2 other horses that caught my eye over the weekend were Cumulus Nimbus at Newbury and Oceans Minstrel at Newmarket and I think the latter could be a value bet in the Cesarewitch over 2m 2f.

Dont forget to look in over the weekend as there are some decent sprints taking place at my local track Haydock.

BHA Blogs: Handicapper's Blog

BHA Blogs: Handicapper's Blog

Monday 20 September 2010

Tax Free to continue Nicholls good run ?

Tax Free should go close in the sprint at Beverley tomorrow. There isnt much between him and last years winner Captain Dunne but Tax Free in my view has the slightly better form with his second to Astrophysical Jet looking better now that she has gone in again and hopefully young Mr Nicholls can get him home.
Five Star Junior is the only other one in the race I can see getting involved but that would only be in 3rd place and I might even do a tricast on the 3, but its Tax Free for me.

Saturday 18 September 2010

The Hot Streak Continues !

Well it was another good day for followers of this blog which kicked off with Sonny Red finishing 2nd beaten 3/4 length in the Silver Cup at 25/1, 40/1 in the morning. The big prices have just flowed and flowed all summer and its not bad for a free service.....some of you must be well ahead of the bookies !

Next up was the Gold Cup itself and whilst I didnt pick the winner I did highlight all of the Nicholls runners earlier in the week and Redford beat his statblemate Victoire De Lyphar at odds of 14/1, with both having a high draw as I predicted the winner would come from. The exacta paid £87.40 and to complete the party Genki and Johnny Mudball finished 4th and 5th to collect on ew bets too.

Astrophysical Jet rounded up a great day, as I have highlighted him as a 3yo sprinter to follow since his win at Newmarket and he followed up his win in Ireland with a further win at Newbury. He is now to be put away for the season as he wont incur a penalty for the Palace House at Newamrket early next season and I couldnt unnderstand Pricewise deserting him today.

If you want big price winners you need to keep in touch with this blogs regular posts and if there is enough interest going into the winter I will be looking at writing a Sprinters to Follow booklet for next season, so keep alive to that one and let me know your thoughts if anyone is interested.

The Highs have it !

There has been no change to the going overnight save that it has got slightly faster right across the track and therefore the stands rail should once again be the place to be particularly as Johnny Mudball will give them all a lead. Yesterday it appeared that the stand side had several lengths advantage over the far side and in the last furlong the stands side pulled right away.
One that could benefit from the firming up of the going is Striking Spirit who is stiil reasonbly priced at 20/1, I'm not saying he is good enough to win, although he ran very well in the Wokingham when finishing 2nd, but he should be bang there.
I still think that Victoire De Lyphar will take all the beating and his stable have been saying he is a future Group horse and to win this lately that is what you have to be.

Friday 17 September 2010

Ayr Gold Cup

Well Cheveton won at the generous odds of 16/1 today and followers of this blog should have been on as he has been well mentioned in the past and he has also featured on the horses to follow page for sometime. He finally came good at a decent price to recoup previous losses and he put a few quid in the pot.
His victory, and the runs of the placed horses, showed that those drawn high should be in with a big shout tomorrow, as those numbers have dominated the races on the straight track so far this week.
A look at tomorrows draw tells us the following :
27 - Striking Spirit -25/1
26 - Flipando -40/1
25 - Johnny Mudball -10/1
24 - Victoire De Lyphar -7/1
23 - Quest for Success -33/1
22 - Signor Peltro -20/1
21 - Evens and Odds -20/1
20 - Noverre to Go -25/1
19 - Damien -33/1
18 - Tajneed -25/1
As you can see there is plenty of value to be had amongst those drawn high and our pick of Nicholls runners, Victoire De Lyphar, is now 7/1 from 10/1. Nicholls has had 5 winners of the race in the naughties, Bahamian Pirate 2000, Continent 2001, Funfair Wane 2002, Funfair Wane again in 2003 and Regal Parade in 2005 and Victoire looks sure to harden up even further overnight as the gamble begins to take shape and he is no doubt featured on the morning line.
The going has got faster as the week has gone on and although Cheveton(prefers give) won today Johnny Mudball and Striking Spirit could lead the field along at a good pace on the stand side tomorrow together with Victoire De Lyphar. However I could be wrong and the winner may come from anywhere on the track as there are plenty of top horses within the field notably the likes of Genki, Poet's Place and Hawkeyethenoo.
There are also a number of consistent performers in the race with the likes of Rileyskeepingfaith and Parisian Pyramid, however for me the winner must come from one of those six in the previous paragraph.

The Silver Cup takes place an hour earlier and that should give you the final clues on the draw, if you need any.
Those drawn high in this are ;
27 - Joseph Henry 14/1
26 - Kellys Eye -40/1
25 - Misplaced Fortune -16/1
24 - Tiddliwinks -10/1
23 - Pavershooz -40/1
22 - Able Master -50/1
21 - Lowther -16/1
20 - Irish Heartbeat -10/1
19 - Hotham -50/1
18 - Baby Strange -25/1
There are some tasty prices drawn high in this and this field wouldnt be out of place in the big one. It will probably be wise to stick with the Nicholls runners in this too and Joseph Henry and Sonny Red should both go well for a stable that peeks in the big handicap sprints.

Make sure to have a look at the blog again tomorrow, about lunchtime, as I will put on any late information that comes to light

Tuesday 14 September 2010

The Ayr Gold Cup early thoughts

Well this is probably the last big sprint handicap of the flat season and one in which Dandy Nicholls the sprint king has a great record in. This weekend he has several entered and we will run through all of his horses now to see who has the best chance of winning and who has the best chance chance of being placed in this cavalry charge. We will start at the top of the handicap and work are way down.
EVENS AND ODDS - 104, 9-9, Billy Cray 5lb - 16/1
2nd and then 1st in the last 2 Stewards Cups, he ran in this last year and finished 4th, he is pretty easy as far as the going is concerned and he should be reasonably fresh having not run since his win and he looks certain to be bang there.
TAJNEED - 104, 9-9 - 20/1
A standing dish at Ripon and 2nd in this in 2008, he will need some cut on the going to show his best.
STRIKING SPIRIT - 99, 9-4, Andrew Mullen - 33/1
2nd in this years Wokingham behind Laddies Poker Two and he will need fast ground to show his best. He hasnt run that much and could be open to further improvement on the right surface.
VICTOIRE DE LYPHAR - 101, 9-4 - 10/1
2nd in the Stewards Cup consolation race but you got the feeling that his trainer would have loved him to be in the big one. He is certainly the one open to most improvement. Trainer says he isnt ground dependent and he must have a great chance of being in the first 4 and maybe even win.
REDFORD - 97, 9-2 - 16/1
Hasnt been with the stable long having moved from Kevin Ryan after having been with Michael Bell last season, he has run in all the big handicaps in the past and is another who is easy as far as the ground is concerned although on the easy side might be best. He hasnt got many miles on the clock and this trainer could eek out some more improvement.
SOMETHING - 93, 8-12 - 40/1
He is probably too low in the handicap to get in and doesnt have the same big handicap form as the others.
The going at the track is currently good, good to soft in places and the last 3 winners have been drawn 15 or higher.

Monday 13 September 2010

Green Day !

Paul Green has been in top form this summer and he had another winner in Dubara Reef yesterday who was winning for the 3rd time this season. If you were ever thinking of having a share in a horse or even buying a horse in the North of England then Paul Green is your man. He is a trainer who really understands his horses and the welcome you get at the stables is second to none plus you can always be sure of a good breakfast on a Saturday morning.
At Haydock tomorrow I can pass on a good word for his Feeling Fresh who was just that when I managed to get down to the stables a couple of weeks ago and he can go well for Silvester De Sousa who has been in good form himself lately. Feeling Fresh is only 4lb above his last win, which was here at Haydock, on going described as Good to Soft. Also Lucky Numbers in the naxt gets the soft ground that he so needs to show his best and he will not be short of assistance in the saddle with one of the strongest jockeys around in Franny Norton. Lets hope its a red letter day for the stable and we can all go home winners !

Saturday 11 September 2010

Poet's Place Portland Pick ?

Not a great deal of rain overnight at Doncaster and the going remains the same so far. Poet's Place looks like being a warm order on the back of his cosy win a competitive handicap at Haydock and if the same horse turns up again he should win. However there are reasons for him not being at his best, he is a big horse and may not want to let himself down on this ground, he hasnt got the handicap experience of the others and of course there is a lot of luck needed in these races especially with 22 runners.
Highlighting a few down the bottom of the betting market I would have to be looking at Striking Spirit EW at 25/1 for handicap wizard Dandy Nicholls, Monsieur Joe at 28/1 and Judge N'Jury also at 28/1. All 3 of these have shown good form at some point this season, Striking Spirit was 2nd in the Wokingham off a 5lb lower mark but has that offset by a 5lb claimer and this trip of 5 1/2 f could be right up his street, Monsieur Joe has been running well of late and is an up and coming 3yo sprinter for Walter Swinburn, whilst Judge 'N Jury is an established sprinter that has been coming back into form of late. There is also Masamah who has won his last 2 in good style and he is available at 20/1, so there is plenty available if you want to oppose the fav.

Of course there isnt just the one race today and it would be great to see Dandino win the St Leger for the 12,000 Elite owners of which I am one !

Thursday 9 September 2010

It's Friday, its Donny !

The Claas 2 Brakes Fresh Ideas Handicap over 6f and 110 yards has 18 runners set to do battle up the straight. There has been little to go on draw wise so far this week at the track so there is no need to get bogged down with that, however there is rain due overnight and maybe some tomorrow as well so keep an eye on the going report.
This is another competitive sprint and I'm not going to select a single runner but a group from which I hope the winner will come and they are Damika, Medicean Man, Hoof It and Pastoral Player. Damika has been in top form this summer and his last run resulted in a win in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon from the course specialist Tajneed and prior to that he was 3rd to Poets Place and Harry Patch who are now joint favs for the Ayr Gold Cup. If the rain takes it back to Good to Soft he wont be inconvenienced from a 4lb higher mark.
Medicean Man has been threatening to win a big handicap this summer and he has the first time visor on to spark him into life.
Hoof It got into plenty of trouble last time under Fallon, however it looked as though if he'd got a clear passage there he would have won and he deserves another chance here under Paul Mulrennan off the same mark.
Pastoral Player's form is up and down but on his good days he's not bad, he was 2nd to Mister Hughie earlier in the year and he was 4th behind Victoire De Lyphar in the Reg Griffin at York where he finished in front of Astrophysical Jet amongst others.
If I had to go for one it would probably be Hoof It who may not have finished improving.

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Was Spencer too Frank in the last at Donny ?

Jamie Spencer, you either love him or hate him, he is brilliant or just ordinary and its probably his come from behind style of racing that Ooften leaves us in exasperation. Today we saw him at his best on Prohibit and at his worst on Oldjoesaid, on Prohibit he sat waiting for his moment and was able to produce his mount late on to win. On Oldjoesaid he opted to fall in at the back as the stalls opened, he then stayed there before he made his move with less than 2 furlongs to go, however at this point he was a bit undecided about which way to go and eventually chose the stands side. Oldjoesaid then picked up in eyecatching fashion but it was all too late and Spencer must have known he wasnt going to get there and eased him up to finish out of the frame. The time of the race was only slightly slower than the Listed race earlier in the day and maybe this caught Spencer out. It reminded me of the ride he gave Anne of Kiev earlier in the year and that one won next time out.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Is Oldjoesaid worth another go ?

Oldjoesaid used to ply his trade in Class 2 Hcaps when he was rated in the 100's, he's now down to 83 after a lack lustre season for Kevin Ryan who had high hopes for him after purchasing him out of Henry Candy's yard at the backend of last year for a tidy sum. He runs in the last at Doncaster on Wednesday a 5f Hcap with 20 runners and he is partnered by Jamie Spencer. He wore first time blinkers last time out at Epsom which sparked some interest albeit he finished 6th and they are left off this time. Instead he has a first time tongue strap to freshen him up and no doubt Jamie Spencer will adopt his customary hold up ride. Three of Oldjoesaid's four wins have come when the word soft has been in the going and having only had 30 career runs to date he could bounce back to form for Spencer, who has a 24% strike rate for the stable over the last 5 years and is 12 from 65 this season. All 4 of his wins have come over 5f or thereabouts and 2 of them have come in September and 1 in October so this is his time of the year, although on the downside he has run twice at Doncaster without being placed. He is drawn in the middle of the track which is a good place to be as on the softer going they are all likely to come down the middle.
It is as competitive a sprint as you will get for this grade and there are several in with chances, Frankie Dettori has a good record on Canadian Danehill and he last won on him at Newmarket last year when he was rated 91 but he is down to 78 now and it will Dettori's first time on him this season . But if Oldjoesaid is chalked up at a decent price he could be worth a small ew to finish in the first 4 now that he is dropped into this grade.

Are you going to Scarbrough Fair ?

The Scarbrough Stakes over 5f at Doncaster could well be decided by the weather as the going on tuesday afternoon was Good to Soft and there are some heavy bursts of rain about. A look at the previous form of the field shows there is nothing that has excelled on a softish surface in the past.
I think the ones to concentrate on though are Group Therapy, Tax Free, Captain Dunne and Rose Blossom.
If the latter goes off like a scalded cat again she will find it difficult to get home, especially if the going gets any softer. She was lit up by a first time visor at York in the Nunthorpe and she has first time cheek pieces here, so its likely she will be tanking along again, her sire Pastoral Pursuits did win the July Cup on Good to Soft.
Geoup Therapy has improved for Noseda and he has campaigned him well this summer but he too may have going issues being by Chosir. He is a class act though and he may still have improvement to come with his 1/2 length 2nd to Borderlescott last time out being the best of his form to date.
The yielding ground could play into the hands of Tax Free as he does have form in those conditions. He posted a better effort last time out in Ireland when 2 lengths behind the improving Astrophysical Jet and Nicholls should have him ready to do himself justice.
Captain Dunne by Captain Rio who was out of Pivotal should not be inconvenienced by the going but he may be striving a bit too far and a place is the best he can do at 8/1.
Im not taken by any of the others although I will probably be mugged by one of them on the line.
Overall its a difficult race to call, particularly with the going begining to change and if I were to get involved I would stick with the 2 at the head of the market Tax Free and Group Therapy and also throw in a reverse exacta.

Saturday 4 September 2010

Markab bounces back

On Thursday I wrote "The only 3 I can see putting up any resistance to the fav are the admirable Borderlescott, Markab and Regal Parade", this turned out to be the case as far as Markab was concerned. He was always in command and led the stands side group before drifting across the track at the end to be comfortably on top in a course record time. Nothing else was near him on the stands side and it was a top performance for this 7yo and you cannot knock it. He is improving in what has been his best season and whose to say he wont go on and win in Paris.
Starspangledbanner looked burly before the race and the lack of work was there to be seen and O'Brien who is usually so meticulous with his preparation had slipped up here and we didnt see the horse that has been talked up by the stable as the best sprinter they have had. I dont think we will be seeing him on the racecourse again and that is a shame as he could have gone out on a far better note.
Lady of the Desert ran a promising race and she will be in the thick of it next year when trying to win the sprint crown and Genki who has always promised to make the transition from Handicapper to Group horse came home in 3rd.

Stars and stripes !

Well Starspangledbanner looks set to make it another Group 1 win today, the weather has held up and he looks a solid bet. Borderlescott is cracking value at 12/1 cosidering the form he has shown this year and everyone must be thinking back to the injury scare and leaving him alone in the betting because of it, but he must have an ew chance.

The Be Friendly Hcap has cut up because of the going and possibly the scramble for Group 1 day badges and there are 5 non runners which gets rid of the 4 places for ew purposes. I would be keen to stick with both Medici Time and Lucky Numbers ew.

Friday 3 September 2010

What a day !

A great win for Secret Millionaire at Musselburgh today, the blogs only selection won at the generous odds of 12/1.

We have summed up tomorrows Sprint Cup at Haydock already in previous posts and Starspangledbanner has hardened up a bit more in the betting and is now as low as 6/4. Borderlescott chances have been given a plug by his trainer and probably has the best chance of following the fav home.

In the earlier Be Friendly Hcap over 5f at the same track Jamie Spencer bids to make his record on Paul Greens runners 6 wins from 11 rides when he partners Lucky Numbers who would normally need some cut to show his best. However Spencer may be able to comjure something up to get him in the shake up. I hope to have some further news on his chance after 12 noon tomorrow. At this stage Medici Time looks a value ew bet on his run behind Astrophysical Jet at Newmarket who has gone on to boost the form since. The owner of Angelzarke lives in the area and although this might be a bit easier than the Listed race she contested at Beverley last weekend we have to wonder whetehr she has recovered. Its going to be too Firm for Cheveton and Strike up the Band, even though the latter is well handicapped. Its unlikely that Secret Millionaire will run after his win yesterday and Haajes and Favourite Girl make up the best of the rest.

Thursday 2 September 2010

Up a bit, down a bit

Looking at last weeks action we begin with the Class 3 5f Hcap at Musselburgh won by Rasaman (runs Friday) by 2 1/2 lengths from Titus Andronicus. The winner goes up 6lb to 91 whilst the 2nd goes up 2lb to 82, the latter had a bit of a troubled passage so he may do better next time. Jargelle who is now in the care of Dandy Nicholls finished 6th and has been dropped 2lb to 87 and when her trainer finds the key to her she will be well handicapped.

Harry Patch followed up his 2nd behind Poet's Place at Haydock with a win at Yarmouth and he has been raised 5lb as a result. He has been all the rage for the Ayr Gold Cup since his run at Haydock and having only had a handful of runs looks open to further improvement. Although rated 92 now he is not certain to get into the big sprint at Ayr.

Mr Wolf is in the form of his life at the moment and managed to land the spoils in the Class 5 at Catterick over 5f. He made all, as is his want, and he never looked in danger for his 2 3/4 length win. Retirement was being mooted earlier in the year but it must be the last thing on the owners minds now and even a further 7lb rise might not stop him in this form.

I remember Cayman Fox showing blistering speed at Wolverhampton for his previous trainer and had I had the money I would have been tempted to claim her at some stage, but alas she has gone to Linda Perratt who has been in the form of her life lately. Cayman Fox was able to win the Class 5 5f Hcap at Hamilton by 1 3/4 lengths and has been raised 5lb to 59, but she is showing all her old dash for her new trainer and this was only her 2nd start for her and she can be expected to put up a bold show whenever the emphasis is on speed.

Paul Green's battling Legal Eagle managed to chalk up another win for the year, this time at Hamilton over the stiff 6f in a Class 4 Hcap. He has gone up 4lbs for this and is now on 80 and although he had the assistance of a 7lb weight allowance from the apprentice Da Silva he is tenacious enough to continue in good form for this up and coming stable.

R Woody could develop into a good sprinter for Ivory after having won a Class 4 at Newmarket by 2 1/4 lengths from Avertor. The 3yo has been raised 7lb as a result but is only on 89 and can therefore figure from this mark whether it be this year or next. Some may say he was helped by the draw but he won convincingly and was well in command come the finish on the rain softened ground.

The Beverley Bullet Listed Race over 5f went to Mister Hughie by a short head from the consistent Prohibit with Captain Dunne 3rd. The winner had run well behind Borderlescott, Group Therapy and Astrophysical Jet at Goodwood in the King George Stakes and he was able to show that was no fluke when taking this. He looks set to be contesting all the big sprints next year and with the likes of Starspangledbanner and Equiano dissapearing off to stud he will be vying for the sprint crown.
Finally the following 5f Class 5 Hcap went to Caranbola whose Beverley course form now reads 22111, she won by a short head here from Select Committee with Hazelrigg in 3rd and she has been raised just 2lb to 71 so could well be up to winning again at her favourite track.

So thats it for this weeks run down, if you have been impressed with a sprinter and you think I may have missed something out of the ordinary feel free to make a comment below and I will have a look at the race.

Friday at Musselburgh

There is a decent Class 3 sprint at Musselburgh tomorrow over 5f and Rasaman could add to his already good form at the course this season (39111). His come from behind style fits in well with the track according to his trainer as all the runners tend to go off fast to get a good position at the bend and therefore they ensure he has the fast pace he needs to come off to win. However it wont all be plain sailing and with 13 other runners to contend with as he will have to weave his way through, so you may be on tenterhooks if you side with him. He started his winning run on a mark of 80 and he will be off 91 tomorrow so will need a personal best to get home this time. He wore a visor for his first 2 wins at this course but he didnt last time purely because it was an oversight by the trainer in not declaring it and they've decided to leave it off again here anyway. There are several renewing rivalry from his last race, notably Titus Andronicus who chased him home there after having a troubled passage throughout and he could get closer this time being 3lb better off. Linda Perratts The Bear missed the break there and finished 4th, so if he gets away on terms he should be there or thereabouts too. Secret Millionaire ran a cracker at Ascot when 3rd behind Masamah in a Class 2 over 5f on Good to Firm and having had a break he may be able to do better as he had several subsequent winners behind and he can race off just 1lb higher here and 11/1 looks a good ew bet. He has also been declared for the Class 2 Hcap at Haydock on Saturday but this is an easier opportunity for him and if he runs here we should take note. I would therefor have an ew bet on him at 11/1 and maybe do a perm exacta and tricast on him, Rasaman, Titus Andronicus and The Bear.

Latest News re Sprint Cup

Equiano was the suprise absentee today from the declared runners for the Sprint Cup on Saturday and it was just a coincidence that I didnt mention his chances in my previous post.
It sort of opens the door slightly wide for Starspangledbanner to win and he can only be his own enemy now, 7/4 looks a good price to me in the circumstances, given the standard of opposition, the 6f trip and the forecast going. There has been no let up in the glorious weather in the north and it looks like being Good to Firm on Saturday. There should be no draw bias and Starspangledbanner, who we know is not short of pace, should get the run of the race under his deputy jockey from stall 5.
The only 3 I can see putting up any resistance to the fav are the admirable Borderlescott, Markab and Regal Parade. Although the latter wont have his going reqirements he is a Group winner after all and he should be tuned to the minute by his astute trainer to try and make it back to back wins in this.
It wont be a vintage renewal of the race with several of the runners looking out of their depth, but if we see Starspangledbanner perform as well as weve heard he does at home then that will do for me.

Wednesday 1 September 2010

The Haydock Sprint Cup

Having been away for a few days over the weekend its good to be back at the Sprinterstogo blog helm.

Starspangledbanner looks set to contest the Sprint Cup on Saturday afternoon at Haydock after coming through his warm up gallop without any problem and Aidan O'Brien was happy enough with it, he looks like being ridden by Colm O'Donoghue and the 6f trip on the forecast fast ground should be ideal for him to continue his good run. He will of course come up against a competitive field and will face his old enemies Equiano, Kingsgate Native and Borderlescott as well as last years winner Regal Parade, however the latter looks very unlikely to get any cut upon which he relies.
Kingsgate Native has not cut the mustard since his win here in the Temple Stakes earlier in the year and its difficult to get exited about his chance. Borderlescott had a bit of an interrupted prep prior to the July Cup after suffering an injury at Goodwood and maybe he will be capable of a better show in this.
Paco Boy has been confirmed as unlikely to run and High Standing is another who would really prefer cut to show his best. Other than that there is not a great deal of depth to the race, however as we witnessed in the Nunthorpe literally anything can happen in these sprints and you can never write anyone off fully.
I will be back with a further look at the race when we know the final line up later in the week and I will doing the usual look at the ups and downs of the handicapper tomorrow evening.