RACINGAHEAD JUNE 2021 ISSUE 198 £3.49
inside: Bolshoi Ballet heads the Epsom Derby betting odds
horse-byhorse guide to the derby ++++
trends and tips for the oaks ++++
robert cooper column ++++
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the classic encounters
06
paul jacobs each-way value bets
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CONTENTS
RACINGAHEAD JUNE 2021 ISSUE 198 £3.49
inside:
Bolshoi Ballet heads the Epsom Derby betting odds
horse-byhorse guide to the derby ++++
trends and tips for the oaks ++++
robert cooper column ++++
1743-551X ISSN
derby and oaks special issue
9 771743 551050
the classic encounters
06
paul jacobs each-way value bets
ed...speed figures all the big royal ascot races preview
welcome
IT DOESN’T get much better for Flat racing fans than England in June. First the Epsom Festival with the Oaks and Derby attracting the cream of three-year-olds from Europe and then a week of Royal Ascot which brings raiders from even further afield such as America’s Wesley Ward. The Derby looks to be at the mercy of Aidan O’Brien who is targetting an astonishing ninth win in the the great colts showdown. Home trainers will be out to stop him, none more so than Charlie Appleby and Roger Varian who have strong hands of their own. Another thriller looks likely. Inside this month’s magazine our experts have outlined their fancies for the big races and reasons why. And for those of you with some National Hunt withdrawal symptoms, Paul Ferguson has weighed in with some early prospects. FOR ALL ENQUIRIES/ORDERS
RACING AHEAD Tuition House, St George’s Road Wimbledon, SW19 4EU Tel: 0845 638 0704 Racing Ahead is published by The Racing Paper Ltd T/A Racing Ahead www.racingahead.net Subs enquiries: 0845 638 0704 Back issues: £4 each Publisher & Editor In Chief: David Emery Photos: Tracy Roberts Advertising enquiries: Graham Wright 0845 638 0704 / graham@racingahead.net EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Paul Ferguson, Robert Cooper, Nick Townsend, Paul Jacobs, Andrew Ayres, Graham Buddry, Jeremy Grayson, Ian Heitman, Andy Newton Distribution: Intermedia Printer: Mortons, Horncastle Opinions in Racing Ahead are those of the contributors and not necessarily the views of The Racing Paper Ltd. ISSN: 1743-551X
10
4 derby guide
32 AMATEUR punter
8 DERBY TRENDS
34 two-year-olds
Horse-by-horse review of the colts’ Epsom Classic Andy Newton with the leading trends to find Derby winner
Ben Morgan has hundreds of reasons to enjoy 1,000 Guineas
Ian Heitman on his hopes for the juveniles at Royal Ascot
10 oaks preview
39 QUESTION & ANSWER
12 OAKS Trends
42 Irish racing
14 paul jacobs
46 Northumberland
16 ASCOT PREVIEW
48 NEWMARKET
22 ROBERT COOPER
50 paddock picks
25 book review
53 Yesterday’s hero
26 FERGUSON
56 out in sticks
28 BIG INTERVIEW
59 form Guide
31 jessica-faY harding
60 speed figures
John Anthony looks at the great fillies race at Epsom Andy Newton has important clues to unlock the riddle Top tipster offers his value-formoney bets for June
Expert guide to the Royal meeting’s big races More wit and wisdom from our man at Sky Racing
Trainers talk openly about their two-year-olds
Paul offers his latest tips, with a couple of NH eyecatchers Nick Townsend spends time with top trainer Mark Johnston
How to use wind operations to your betting advantage
TV personality Mike Cattermole is put under the spotlight
Karl Hedley with his horses to watch out for from across the sea Andy Newton with the trends for Newcastle’s Northumberland Plate
Dave Youngman watches the future superstars on the gallops Andrew Ayres finds some striking individuals for his notebook Graham Buddry recalls Henry Cecil’s great stayers
Jeremy Grayson again takes his eagle eye to smaller tracks
Leading jockeys and trainers in June for past two seasos How they areshaping up in the new Flat season ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
3
DERBY HORSE-BY-HORSE GUIDE
third realm is value for money
John Anthony looks at the top 20 in the betting for the Derby BOLSHOI BALLET (Aidan O’Brien) This son of Galileo was so impressive when winning the Derrinstown Stud Trial at Leoparstown on May 9. He took that by nine lengths and didn’t get anywhere near full pelt in the process. He is bred to relish the extra quartermile and handle Epsom. He looks the clear Ballydoyle No1 and is a worthy favourite with the field having to improve considerably to beat him. HIGH DEFINITION (Aidan O’Brien) Won the Group 2 Beresford Stakes last season over a mile on soft ground and disappointed slightly when only third in the Dante at York on comeback. He may have needed that run and was staying on at the line so stepping up to 1m4f should help. Visually gives the impression that the St Leger may end up his Classic win this season. MOHAAFETH (William Haggas) This son of Frankel has won all three starts this season and stepped out of handicap company to win a Newmarket Listed race on May over 1m2f. Jim Crowley got an armchair ride as he strolled home by five lengths. He gives the impression that the extra trip will be fine but he has something to find on the clock with a couple of these, although there should be a lot more to come. 4
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
HURRICANE LANE (Charlie Appleby) Another Frankel colt, he kept his 100% winning record going with an impressive effort in the Dante ahead of High Definition. It was telling that he took a little while to get going so the longer Derby distance should be in his favour. He has won on good and soft ground and breeding suggests quicker conditions will be ideal too. He deserves his place near the head of the betting as his form is probably the strongest heading to Epsom. JOHN LEEPER (Ed Dunlop) Ed Dunlop is very excited about this
Mohaafeth
Frankel colt who looked green when winning the Listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket in mid-May. He ran about before William Buick got him organised and he ended up a cosy winner in the end. That rawness is a concern for Epsom’s notorious camber and he has something to find on the clock with lots of these. There is clearly more to come though and he is a solid eachway contender.
VAN GOGH (Aidan O’Brien) Landed a Group 1 in the mud at St Cloud last season over a mile and found things happening too quickly when eighth in the Newmarket Guineas. Will come on for that run and looks the type to see out a longer distance. Seems to need cut underfoot to show his best and could get that with the weather we’ve been having. THIRD REALM (Roger Varian) Improved massively to win the Lingfield Derby Trial in soft ground after kicking off the season with a Nottingham maiden win. He gave the impression there was more left in the tank in seeing off a hot favourite in Adayar who looks more of a stayer. Given the step forward he took here, he could progress markedly again and looks one of the better each-way prospects at the current 14-1.
Bolshoi Ballet
MAC SWINEY (Jim Bolger) Won the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster in October but was disappointing when only fourth in the Derrinstown on comeback. He may have needed that outing and is bred to stay this far so could give his true running next time. Jim Bolger won’t send him over without a chance.
YOUTH SPIRIT (Andrew Balding) Managed to win the Chester Vase comfortably despite getting the usual rough run around the Roodee. He enjoyed the give in the ground and handled the track really well, which bodes well for Epsom. This is clearly a
hotter contest but he’s proven at the distance and Andrew Balding is having an excellent season. Another with an each-way shout.
DERAB (John and Thady Gosden) We haven’t seen a lot from this son of Sea The Stars but he was impressive when getting off the mark at Newmarket in May. That was only a maiden but the time was decent and connections are respected. Should handle the step up from a mile but this is a big leap in terms of quality.
▲
SIR LAMORAK(Aidan O’Brien) He looked more than a handicapper when winning off a mark of just 85 at Leopardstown in April. It’s a big jump
from there to the Derby but he’s well bred by Camelot out of a Giant’s Causeway mare so should have a touch of class. A market move would be interesting but he looks a little short of this level.
ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
5
DERBY HORSE-BY-HORSE GUIDE
Third Realm
WORDSWORTH (Aidan O’Brien) Won a big-field maiden at The Curragh in April but failed to back that up when second in a Navan Listed contest when sent off 8-15 favourite. Needs to improve massively on that to figure. ADAYAR (Charlie Appleby) Won a maiden in the mud at two and ran a cracker when beaten half a length in the Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial on comeback. Had his bubble burst after than when going down in the Lingfield Derby Trial with no excuses. Maybe the Leger will suit better. GEAR UP (Mark Johnston) Finished last season on a high by winning a French Group 1 over 1m2f in bottomless ground. Was thrown in the Dante at York for his comeback run where he didn’t get the best of runs and looked in need of the outing. If it comes up really testing at Epsom he could be in the mix. 6
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
WEMBLEY (Aidan O’Brien) Went close in a couple of Group 1s as a two-year-old over 7f but disappointed when well beaten in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas on comeback. He’s better than that and may have needed it after seven months off. Others make more appeal now.
EL DRAMA (Roger Varian) Improved to win the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester in early May when seeing out the 1m2f trip well in tacky ground. Handling the Roodee means he should show similar form at Epsom but he may need some cut underfoot. Another for the shortlist if the heavens open.
ONE RULER (Charlie Appleby) Won a Group 3 as a juvenile before finishing a close second in the Futurity behind Mac Swiney when sent off favourite. Put in a fair effort when sixth in the Guineas on return when the mile looked on the sharp side. Is a big price on the back of one modest run so check jockey bookings on the day.
TAIPAN (Jessica Harrington) Maiden winner who hasn’t shown a lot when beaten in two Group 3s over 1m2f this season. Hard to imagine him improving enough to win a Derby.
SIR LUCAN (Aidan O’Brien) Stepped up to 1m5f when winning a Navan Listed race last time in what was a pretty ordinary time. Likes soft ground so could have a chance if this turned into a slog but should lack pace otherwise.
VERDICT: Bolshoi Ballet looks the most likely winner on what we’ve seen so far. The time of his Derrinstown Stud Trial is strong. He should improve but isn’t the most original of selections. At a bigger price, THIRD REALM is still 14-1 in a few places at the time of writing and has solid place claims especially if the ground comes up on the soft side. William Haggas thinks highly of Mohaafeth and he is another who should go close. RA
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EPSOM DERBY BETTING TRENDS
dante gives good guiDe to derby
T
Andy Newton assesses the famous Epsom Classic
he Derby, run this year on June 5, is a contest the 2,000 Guineas always gets linked with. However, in recent years only Sea The Stars (2009) and Camelot (2012) have taken both races in the same season – with Nijinsky (1970) the only horse before them to win both Classics. This season’s 2,000 Guineas was won by the Jim Bolger-trained Poetic Flare, but he’s not got an entry for the Derby at the time of writing. In recent times, five of the last 19 Epsom Derby winners contested the 2,000 Guineas the previous month, but, as we all know there is a step up in trip by half-a-mile from the Guineas to the Derby. Therefore, not only do horses need to prove they can stay the extra yardage, but there are also other key trial races, that are run over longer trips than the Guineas, that trainers prefer to use. In recent years, one of the best guides to the Derby has been the Dante Stakes - run at York on May 13 and won by Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane for Godolphin. In recent years we’ve seen the likes of Motivator, North Light, Authorised and Golden Horn winning the Dante Stakes before going onto take the Derby. In terms of other trial races, the Chester May Meeting (May5-7) has done a good job of producing the Derby winner in recent times too. The 2017 Derby winner – Wings Of Eagles
8
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
– was runner-up in the Chester Vase the following month, while Ruler Of The World – the 2013 Derby winner – won that same Chester race before glory on the Downs a month later. So, what are the main Derby trends? Favourite – The Derby has not been a bad race for the market leaders in recent times. Yes, last year’s jolly – Kameko – could manage only fourth and in the last three years we’ve seen 40/1, 25/1 and 16/1 winners – 12 months ago the first three home returned 25/1, 50/1 and 66/1! Having said that, with 6 of the last 19 (32%) favourites winning, and an even better 12 of the last 19 (63%) placed, that’s still not a bad return. It’s also worth pointing out that 16 of the last 19 winners returned 7/1 or shorter, with the average winning SP over that period 15/2. Recent Run – A massive 17 of the last 19 Derby winners had raced no more than 5 times before the big race – suggesting the Derby winners of late are still unexposed sorts that can improve rapidly between their early career runs – this goes some way to explaining the reason why it’s not unheard of to have a big-priced winner. With a massive 18 of the last 19 (95%) winners also having raced in the last 5 weeks then having had a recent outing is a ‘musthave’ too. Also look for horses that were placed first or second in their last race - with 17 of the last 19 winners ticking this particular trend - while 16 of the last 19 (84%) were previous
Group race winners. Draw Advantage - Similar to the Oaks, the draw has played its part in the Derby too. Okay, Masar (2018) came from stall 10, and last year’s winner – Serpentine – won from draw 12, but with 12 of the last 19 winners coming from a single-figure draw then this is still a trend to take into account with a 63% return. Top Trainers - This is yet another of the big English Classics a certain Aidan O’Brien loves to win. His tally todate stands at eight and he is now the most successful trainer in the race’s history. He recorded his most recent win 12 months ago with Serpentine, who was given an enterprising ride from the front by Emmet McNamara. We’ve also seen 10 of the last 19 winners being Irish-trained. On the domestic front, Sir Michael Stoute is flying the flag with five wins, with the last of those coming in 2010 with Workforce, while surprisingly the ‘boys in blue’ of Godolphin won the prize in 2018 for only the first time. This year looks like being another powerful one for the O’Brien camp – their Beresford Stakes winner – High Definition – has been popular at the head of the market. But, also be sure to check back on key trial races at Chester and the Dante Stakes at York.
Past Epsom Derby Winners 2020 – Serpentine (25/1) 2019 – Anthony Van Dyck (13/2) 2018 – Masar (16/1)
Serpentine wins last year
2017 – Wings of Eagles (40/1) 2016 – Harzand (13/2) 2015 – Golden Horn (13/8 fav) 2014 – Australia (11/8 fav) 2013 – Ruler Of The World (7/1) 2012 – Camelot (8/13 fav) 2011 – Pour Moi (4/1) 2010 – Workforce (6/1) 2009 – Sea The Stars (11/4) 2008 – New Approach (5/1) 2007 – Authorized (5/4 fav) 2006 – Sir Percy (6/1) 2005 – Motivator (3/1 fav) 2004 – North Light (7/2 j fav) 2003 – Kris Kin (6/1) 2002 – High Chaparral (7/2)
Epsom Derby Betting Trends 18/19 – Ran within the last 5 weeks 17/19 – Raced no more than 5 times
before 17/19 – Finished 1st or 2nd last time out 16/19 – Had won a Group race before 16/19 – Returned 7/1 or shorter 13/19 – Won last time out 13/19 – Had run over at least 1m2f before 12/19 – Favourites that were placed 12/19 – Won from a single-figure stall 11/19 – Had raced no more than 3 times before 10/19 – Irish-trained winners 8/19 – Had won a Group One before 7/19 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien (won 8 in all) 6/19 – Won by the favourite 5/19 – Ran in the 2,000 Guineas that season (2 winners) 4/19 – Won the Dante Stakes (York) last time out
3/19 – Trained by Sir Michael Stoute (won 5 in all) 4/19 – Winners from stall 12 or higher 2/19 – Won over 1m4f before 0/19 – Run at the course before 0/19 – Winners from stall 1 The average winning SP in the last 19 runnings is 15/2 10 Dante winners went on to win the Derby (Golden Horn, 2015 being the most-recent) Only 1 horse that was beaten in the Dante (Workforce) went onto win the Derby Epsom Derby Trainer Stats Sir Michael Stoute won the race in 2010, 2004, 2003, 1986 & 1981 Aidan O’Brien won the race in 2002, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2020 RA
ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
9
EPSOM OAKS PREVIEW
zeyAADAH can sparkle for varian
John Anthony looks at the contenders for the fillies’ Classic SANTA BARBARA (Aidan O’Brien) She came into this season with a big reputation on the back of winning a big-field Curragh maiden in September. Despite drifting in the market, she went off joint favourite for the 1,000 Guineas and put in a decent effort when finishing a close-up fourth. She looked green again and will come on massively for the experience. Staying looks likely to be her game and the longer trip at Epsom makes her a worthy favourite. Handling Epsom could be an issue but her sire Camelot coped well enough when winning the 2012 Derby. SNOWFALL (Aidan O’Brien) This Deep Impact filly took a huge step forward when beating a couple of nice prospects in Noon Star and Teona out of sight in the Musidora at York on May 12. Staying is clearly her game but things did go her way unchallenged in front and the winning time didn’t set pulses racing. Odds of around 4-1 look short enough and I’d clearly favour Santa Barbara of the Ballydoyle big two. ZEYAADAH (Roger Varian) It was kick the cat time at Chester as Jim Crowley was forced to sit and suffer when full of running in the Cheshire Oaks. Dubai Fountain had flown by the time she got in the clear but she stayed on well for second. She clearly likes some cut in the ground but, being boxed in aside, handled the 10
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
Roodee well enough so Epsom should be fine. She looks the type to improve again and, provided the ground isn’t rattling fast, prices around 8-1 could be a little generous.
TEONA (Roger Varian) She cruised to victory in a Newcastle all-weather maiden over 1m2f on comeback in April before a solid third in the Musidora at York behind Snowfall when still looking short on experience. It requires a leap of faith to think she can improve enough to win an Oaks but she is a Group winner in waiting. DUBAI FOUNTAIN (Mark Johnston) Mark Johnston’s game filly took full advantage of Zeyaadah’s traffic problems when winning the Cheshire Oaks with a length to spare. She keeps it simple from the front and deserves her place in the line-up but is unlikely to hold off the challengers this time — a clear run permitting for them. NOON STAR (Sir Michael Stoute) This daughter of Galileo went into the Musidora at York as a well-backed favourite after a fast-time maiden win at Wetherby. She ran no better than alright in third and had no excuses when failing to pick up in the closing stages. The extra distance of the Oaks should suit but she needs to improve markedly to land a Classic.
SAFFRON BEACH (Jane Chapple-Hyam) She showed promise at two when winning the Group 3 Oh So Sharp at Newmarket and underlined her potential with a length second in the 1,000 Guineas back on the Rowley Mile. Breeding suggests 1m2f may be her limit and connections are far from sure about running her at Epsom. SEA EMPRESS (William Haggas) This daughter of Sea The Stars created a big impression when winning on debut at Newcastle in October ahead of Teona who has franked the form. She was sent off favourite for the Newbury Trial in May where she was much too keen and green in the early stages. She is capable of much more than that and will be a lot closer at Epsom although that will be just her third run and the track won’t be easy to handle. SHALE (Donnacha O’Brien) She took the Group 1 Moyglare last season before not seeming to stay in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. Her comeback run in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown was only modest and this hike in distance needs to work wonders which doesn’t seem too likely. SHERBET LEMON (Archie Watson) Archie Watson’s filly caused an upset when taking the Lingfield Oaks Trial at 28-1 but the others had no excuses and she appears to have improved for her
Zeyaadah
modest comeback at Wetherby. The time of that Listed contest wasn’t great though so more is needed. Handling Lingfield bodes well for Epsom which enhances her place claims.
SNOW LANTERN (Richard Hannon) The bookies can’t make their mind up about Richard Hannon’s Frankel filly. She was impressive in winning a Newbury maiden in April but took a step backwards when five lengths off the pace in a York Listed contest. Prices range from 16 to 33-1 with the higher number probably the most accurate. TECHNIQUE (Martyn Meade) She has been beaten in a couple of Listed races but the plus side comes from her second to Wirko over 1m2f here in April. She handled the track well and soft ground could have been the excuse at Lingfield last time. The time of her Epsom run was decent and she is one of the more realistic big prices. OCEAN ROAD (Hugo Palmer) She clocked a big personal best when third in the Lingfield Oaks Trial last
time. She was less than two lengths off the pace and saw out the trip well. She looks short of Classic level but should be taking a group-class race soon.
WILLOW (Aidan O’Brien) Doesn’t look one of the leading lights at Ballydoyle and was well beaten in a Naas Group 3 last time when not getting home over 1m2f. Goes from the front so may be used as a pacemaker. LA JOCONDE (Aidan O’Brien) This Frankel filly is still a maiden after six starts and pulled when fourth in the Cheshire Oaks. The extended 1m3f around Chester seemed a bit too far but she was backed so must have been showing something at home. TWISTED REALITY (Ralph Beckett) She was impressive in winner a Nottingham maiden in November and was entitled to need her comeback when fourth in the Newbury trial. This sort of trip should be ideal and there is a lot more to come. This is a big gap to bridge but she’s worth watching for another day.
DIVINELY (Aidan O’Brien) This daughter of Galileo won a Group 3 over a mile in the mud last season and wasn’t beaten far in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on comeback. She will have needed that and has no stamina issues. She looks a fair bit short of this level though. A’SHAARI (Charlie Appleby) She won a Newmarket maiden in August but has been well beaten on both outings this season including when 20 lengths off the pace in the Newbury trial. Can’t be recommended on that form. VERDICT: ZEYAADAH showed enough when an unlucky second in the Cheshire Oaks to make her a real contender. There was lots left in the tank on the Roodee and improvement to come on just her fourth run. Santa Barbara is a worthy favourite after a good run in the 1,000 Guineas where the trip was too short. Sherbet Lemon took the Lingfield Oaks Trial in determined fashion and has a live each-way chance. RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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EPSOM OAKS BETTING TRENDS
It looks like no.9 for O’Brien
Andy Newton considers the key clues to find the Classic winner
W
e are now another month closer to things getting back to normal and hopefully it won’t be long until we see the crowds back in full force at the tracks. Unfortunately, that probably won’t be in time for this month’s two great meetings – the Epsom Derby festival and Royal Ascot. We can look forward to a bundle of top Group races at Ascot, but before the five-day Royal meeting we’ve got the third and fourth of the English Classics to take in and that’s where I’m going to focus my attention. Epsom Oaks – The fillies’ Classic this year will be held on Friday June 4 and the big question is: will it be another Aidan O’Brien masterclass? In 2020, we saw his talented Love win the race and that was O’Brien’s eighth success in this fillies Classic. However, despite that impressive tally – did you know he’s still some way off the haul of trainer Robert Robson, who won 13 Epsom Oaks prices in the 1800’s? So, what are the trends saying ahead of the 2021 Epsom Oaks? Top Trainers – I’ve already touched on the excellent record of Aidan O’Brien – he’ll be looking for his ninth success in the race so, it goes without saying, anything he runs should always be noted. The Ballydoyle maestro is often mob-handed, but whichever horse jockey Ryan Moore decides to ride is always given the most attention
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in the betting. Moore has ridden two of O’Brien’s last five Oaks winners, while last year O’Brien had three of the eight runners and a 1-2 in the race too. However, don’t always discount O’Brien’s bigger-priced runners – he’s had a 50/1 and 20/1 winners in the last nine years. Of the rest, with two wins in the last 13 runnings, the Ralph Beckett yard are also always worth a second look if they run anything, while the John Gosden camp have won three of the last seven runnings. Fitness First – One of the main stats to take into the race is that ALL of the last 19 winners had run in the last five weeks, so having a recent run is always something to look for. Plus, with 16 of the last 19 Epsom Oaks winners having finished in the top two last time out then not only having had a recent run, but a ‘good’ recent run is a must-have. Draw Advantage - With the Epsom Oaks run over 1m4f, many will feel the draw won’t be that important. However, if the stats are anything to go by, it’s still worth checking which stall your Derby fancy has. Why? Well, 12 of the last 19 winners came from stalls 5 or higher. Last year’s winner – Love – gave this trend another boost coming from stall 5. While 16 of the last 19 horses from stall 1 have also been unplaced. Mind you, don’t discount horses from stall 2 as seven of the last 19 (37%) have been placed. Other Trends To Note – Having winning form over at least 1m2f in the past
is something else to look for - 12 of the last 19 winners ticked this stat - while in terms of the market leaders it seems to be a race favourites have done well in and punters get right more often than not. 32% of the last 19 favourites have won – which is not a bad return, while 12 of the last 19 (63%) jollies have finished in the frame. Eleven of the last 19 (58%) Epsom Oaks winners won last time out, while even though many feel the 1,000 Guineas is a good guide, we’ve only seen Love (2020), Minding (2016) and Kazzia (2002) in recent times land both races – in fact, just five of the last 19 Oaks winners ran in that earlier Newmarket Classic. Plenty to get stuck into and hopefully these trends will help once we know the final runners – but with the O’Brien yard having already won the 1,000 Guineas, then Oaks win number nine looks very much on the cards this year.
Recent Epsom Oaks Winners 2020 – Love (11/10 fav) 2019 – Anapurna (8/1) 2018 – Forever Together (7/1) 2017 – Enable (6/1) 2016 – Minding (10/11 fav) 2015 – Qualify (50/1) 2014 – Taghrooda (5/1) 2013 – Talent (20/1) 2012 - Was (20/1) 2011 – Dancing Rain (20/1) 2010 – Snow Fairy (9/1) 2009 – Sariska (9/4 fav) 2008 – Look Here (33/1)
Love storms home last year
2007 – Light Shift (13/2) 2006 – Alexandrova (9/4 fav) 2005 – Eswarah (11/4 jfav) 2004 – Ouija Board (7/2) 2003 – Casual Look (10/1) 2002 – Kazzia (10/3 fav)
Epsom Oaks Betting Trends 19/19 – Ran within the last 5 weeks 16/19 – Horses from stall 1 that were unplaced 16/19 – Finished 1st or 2nd last time out 12/19 – Won over at least 1m2f previously
12/19 – Won from stall 5 or higher 12/19 – Favourites that were placed 11/19 – Won last time out 6/19 – Won by the favourite (one joint) 6/19 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien 6/19 – Irish-trained winners 5/19 – Returned a double-figure price 5/19 – Ran in the English 1,000 Guineas 3/19 – Trained by John Gosden 3/19 – Ridden by Ryan Moore 2/19 – Trained by Ralph Beckett 1/19 – Had run over 1m4f before 0/19 – Had run at the course before
Seven of the last 14 favourites were unplaced Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the race eight times Trainer John Gosden has won three of the last 7 runnings. The average winning SP in the last 19 runnings is 11/1 Love (2020), Kazzia (2002) and Minding (2016) were the last horses to win both the 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks The horse from stall 2 has been placed in 7 of the last 19 runnings RA
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PAUL JACOBS
ballydoyle may topple to teona A Paul Jacobs with his facies for the major events
s we all know the sixth month of the year is all about two meetings, Epsom and Royal Ascot, with the only bad taste left in the mouth being the admittance prices being charged for the latter event which means that the ordinary person in the street has little or no chance of visiting Berkshire later in the month. Of course Ascot has taken a big hit with the pandemic but this is going from the sublime to the bloody ridiculous and confirms that the sport, not from an ownership point of view, but merely from a spectator angle, has a huge class bias. When the hell are they going to learn!?! So far this year the Classic trials have been interesting, but not as informative as most punters and pundits would have liked, but that in turn makes both mile and a half contests very open and offers a bundle of each-way value. Let’s start with the Derby and as per usual Aidan O’Brien has a major part to play. Bolshoi Ballet has won both the big Irish trials at Leopardstown, the Ballysax and Derrinstown Stakes. On each occasion this beautifullybred son of Galileo has travelled very powerfully, quickened up well and seen out the mile and a quarter well. Based on breeding, he has every chance of getting home over this extra two furlongs especially when you consider that the dam (Anna Edes) has pro14
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Aidan O’Brien
duced the likes of Southern France, Palm Beach and Martin Chuzzlewit. Still, it is not a given, BUT if he gets a good slot from the start, that high cruising speed and turn of speed looks sure to see him heavily involved down the home stretch and I certainly prefer him to stable mate and Dante third High Definition. The last named took an eternity to get going at York and although he didn’t have the kitchen sink thrown at him he still looked very green. In his favour this tall colt looked as though he needed the run both physically and mentally and O’Brien was very complimentary following that opening salvo. Mind you, Aidan rarely says anything bad about his horses! Both of these regally bred colts have been found in the market place now and although the pair have the potential to take another big step forward
there are plenty of each-way alternatives in the betting book. We all know about the fairy story about John Leeper and I am lucky enough to be on him at 25/1. He has faultless blood lines, shaped with huge promise in winning the Listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket, despite everything conspiring against him, and has huge potential. I am just a bit worried that this may well come a couple of months too early for him. The one factor I haven’t mentioned yet, despite the fact that the course does dry up quickly, is the rain and if we do get some give in the ground I wouldn’t rule out Taipan closing the Leopardstown gap on Bolshoi Ballet. He has been crying out for 12 furlongs with dig and should the rain continue he looks a massive player. But on something like good to soft ground – the most likely scenario – the other bet I will be having to add to my ante-post portfolio is an each-way play on the Dee Stakes winner EL DRAMA. Roger Varian’s charge still looked in need of the experience when landing the Chester contest by a length from Maximal and has no question marks about seeing out the extra yardage here. What I liked about that performance was that he was fairly free early on, but really knuckled down when asked for his effort down the home straight to win readily. The one question mark is that his owner thinks he would be better suited
Teona
to the shorter trip of the French Derby because of his tendency to travel strongly which means I will be backing him for both events, Epsom and Chantilly, for the former when the bookmakers go non-runner, no bet. It also means we can have a second string to our outsiders bow in the form of Chester Vase runner-up SANDHURST. At this stage nobody knows how Aidan will split up his threeyear-old colts’ clan between Epsom and the Curragh, but if this strong staying son of yes you’ve guessed it, Galileo, turns up at the Surrey track, he will no doubt be ridden very positively, tactics that have worked well in recent renewals for the Ballydoyle yard. As far as the Oaks is concerned, Santa Barbara remains the talking filly from Ballydoyle and this extra half mile will suit her so much better than the Rowley Mile. However, she does have a tendency to throw her head to one side and at 15/8 I would be quite happy to see her win without a farthing on her. The wager for me has to be TEONA
despite her defeat in the Musidora Stakes at York. Everything went against her that day, the slow pace, seeing plenty of daylight and her lack of experience. However, it was the way she made up her ground from the three furlong pole that really caught my eye. She had every chance at the distance, but her early pulling antics not surprisingly caught up with her and Andrea Atzeni allowed her to coast home in her own time once it was apparent her chance of winning this famous trial had gone west. She was still only beaten a shade over four lengths by the more experienced Snowfall who raced in very relaxed fashion and totally had the run of the race and I strongly fancy our filly to reverse that form at Epsom. And so on to Royal Ascot, and my biggest play of the meeting is likely to come in the Commonwealth Cup with the likely favourite, the Wesley Ward trained Campanelle, making the betting list for the rest of the entry at around the 4/1 marker, sure to start much shorter on the day.
I have already had a meaty each-way investment on the hugely underrated DILIGENT HARRY. Yes, all of his career runs have come on the sand, but Ascot is a track that tends to suit all-weather horses, and there seems little reason why he wouldn’t be able to transfer that form to turf and remember this will be just his fifth career start. The way he mopped up the 103 rated Mighty Gurkha at Lingfield Park, merely pushed out, was an immense performance and this lovely physical specimen has enormous physical scope to take another big step forward here. My other likely bets at the Royal meeting will be ART POWER (eachway) in the Golden Jubilee Stakes as long as the ground isn’t fast, SAGAMIYRA (Duke of Cambridge Stakes) and ILARAB in the Hardwicke Stakes granted some give in the ground. The last named is progressing at a real rate of knots and could easily take the step up to group company in his stride as long as he gets his preferred dig in the ground. RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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ROYAL ASCOT PREVIEW
palace pier is the first day banker John Anthony gives his expert view on the big races
TUESDAY QUEEN ANNE STAKES You always try to get a short-priced favourite beaten but PALACE PIER surely only needs to turn up in one piece to take the Queen Anne. He took the St James’s Palace Stakes at last year’s Royal meeting and had just one blip in the QEII Stakes in October when the testing ground blunted his speed. His effort in taking the Lockinge at Newbury last time was excellent and there was a fair amount left up his sleeve. Alpine Star could go for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes over 1m2f instead but showed her best form when winning last year’s Coronation Stakes at this trip and would have strong place claims again if not scared off by the jolly. The Revenant beat Palace Pier in that QEII and looks a big price at around 201 if venturing across the Channel again. Order Of Australia is talented and showed his quality when taking the Breeders’ Cup Mile before a fair effort in Hong Kong before Christmas. He doesn’t have any other fancy entries so presumably will come straight here which would be some training feat, even for the great Aidan O’Brien. KING’S STAND STAKES The main question for the King’s Stand is can the brilliant Battaash deliver another superb performance at the age of seven. He showed no sign of decline last season as this notoriously skittish 16
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type enjoyed the lack of crowds to win this race and the Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood before finishing in style by taking another Nunthorpe at York. His best form would be good enough and he has relatively few miles on the clock for his age. Glass Slippers is as honest as they come and did superbly to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint after going close to taking a second L’Abbaye at Longchamp where the draw did for her. Her worst run of the past two seasons came in this race 12 months ago which is the concern. Oxted has been a bit flat on both his runs this season at Newmarket and York. Six furlongs suits him better as it does rising Starman. At a bigger price LIBERTY BEACH has to be considered. She ran a cracker to finish third in this as a three-year-old last season and signed off the campaign with a close third in the L’Abbaye. She wouldn’t want it too
Battaash
firm but should be capable of better in her four-year-old campaign. ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES ST MARK’S BASILICA landed his second Group 1 success in a row when taking the French 2,000 Guineas in good style at Longchamp. He may have the French Derby as his target rather than this race if Aidan O’Brien wants to up him in trip. But it could be wise to stay at the mile because he showed more than enough pace to strike again. The only doubt would be the ground as he’s not raced on anything quicker than good to soft. Newmarket 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare looked ready for a longer distance when running on strongly at Longchamp after not getting the clearest of runs. He would be respected if turning up here but I’d try him over 1m2f now. Lucky Vega ran a cracker in the opening Newmarket Classic when a neck away in third. He was gaining with every stride and rates a clear second choice with much more improvement to come. At an each-way price, Chindit didn’t get the breaks on the Rowley Mile and is another who came home with more to give. He won a Listed race here last season so Ascot may suit better.
WEDNESDAY DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES Lady Bowthorpe flew to the head of
Frankie Dettori makes a trademark flying dismount from Stradivarius
give her every chance. PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES Last year’s winner Lord North sets a high standard for Team Gosden and Frankie Dettori. He had almost four lengths in hand when taking this. He didn’t strike again last season but went close at the Breeders’ Cup. He took a Dubai Group 1 in late March so should be fit enough and will be right there again. LOVE just gets the nod with her 3lb fillies’ weight allowance coming in handy. It hardly seems fair given how impressive she was in winning three Group 1s in an unbeaten 2020. She excels at a mile and 1m4f so this in between distance should be fine. She goes on any ground and has more to offer as a four-year-old. Addeybb was second in this last season and would have to be taken
very seriously again. He went on to take the Champion Stakes over course and distance before venturing to Australia where he landed the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Soft ground would really bring him into the reckoning. At a bigger price, Audarya won at the Breeders’ Cup for James Fanshawe and handles any ground. She could easily run into the places.
THURSDAY ASCOT GOLD CUP STRADIVARIUS can land his fourth Ascot Gold Cup in an amazing career. He’s seven now and will be trained to the minute for this by John Gosden. That explains why he looked a way bit short of his peak when still winning over two miles here on comeback in late April. He had to work hard but was always doing enough to take that Sagaro
▲
the betting for this mile contest after chasing home Palace Pier in the Lockinge at Newbury. That was after her gutsy effort in winning the Dahlia ahead of Queen Power who is also in the mix for this. William Jarvis’s mare sees out this mile strongly and has winning form at Ascot so will be hard to beat. But she’s plenty short enough and you have to give an each-way chance to BOUNCE THE BLUES who is a Listed winner over seven furlongs. She clocked a personal best at Lingfield last time when beaten in a tight finish for the Chartwell Stakes. Soft ground would help and offers of 20-1 seem more than fair. Champers Elysees won a Group 1 at Leopardstown over this trip last season and wasn’t asked too many questions when fourth on comeback at The Curragh on May 3. Her best form would
ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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ROYAL ASCOT PREVIEW Stakes. Don’t forget he was beaten before last year’s Gold Cup win and everything revolves around this race for connections. Trueshan looks the main threat after signing off last season with a gutsy Long Distance Cup win over two miles
here. He had the solid Search For A Song in second that day and Dermot Weld’s stayer can hit the places. Trueshan would love some cut in the ground as he really acts on it and testing going would blunt his rivals. In that case, his current price of 9-1 is certain to
be much shorter so keep an eye on the weather forecast. Subjectivist and Sir Ron Priestley are a strong team for Mark Johnston. The latter blotted his copybook a little when beaten in the Yorkshire Cup and his front-running style will stretch his
ASCOT 5f SPRINTS DRAW STATS - ANY GOING SINCE 2000
ASCOT 5f SPRINTS DRAW STATS - GOOD SINCE 2000
Draw Runners Winners Win% £1 bet Win & Place Win & Plc% 1 201 23 11.44 -42.25 50 24.88 2 201 12 5.97 -122.88 48 23.88 3 201 18 8.96 -46.42 46 22.89 4 201 17 8.46 -75.13 47 23.38 5 195 13 6.67 -71.5 45 23.08 6 190 17 8.95 -26.31 37 19.47 7 182 12 6.59 -54.5 40 21.98 8 173 14 8.09 -71.5 48 27.75 9 166 11 6.63 -74.25 37 22.29 10 147 10 6.8 -39.67 41 27.89 11 120 8 6.67 -48.5 24 20 12 102 13 12.75 108.75 26 25.49 13 91 5 5.49 -50.5 9 9.89 14 82 4 4.88 39 16 19.51 15 74 2 2.7 -62.25 14 18.92 16 66 6 9.09 -5 14 21.21 17 58 4 6.9 -36.5 13 22.41 18 49 3 6.12 -27 10 20.41 19 36 2 5.56 -19.5 9 25 20 29 1 3.45 -23 7 24.14 21 25 2 8 -13.75 5 20 22 20 2 10 12 3 15 23 15 0 0 -15 2 13.33 24 11 2 18.18 10.5 3 27.27 25 7 0 0 -7 0 0 26 5 0 0 -5 0 0 27 4 0 0 -4 1 25 28 2 0 0 -2 0 0
Draw Runners Winners Win% £1 bet Win & Place Win & Plc% 1 127 15 11.81 -27.25 29 22.83 2 127 7 5.51 -77.75 33 25.98 3 127 11 8.66 -37.8 26 20.47 4 127 8 6.3 -54 25 19.69 5 125 6 4.8 -53 26 20.8 6 121 11 9.09 -38.69 20 16.53 7 117 6 5.13 -25 26 22.22 8 113 10 8.85 -36 33 29.2 9 110 7 6.36 -62.25 24 21.82 10 96 5 5.21 -40.17 27 28.13 11 82 5 6.1 -38.5 15 18.29 12 72 10 13.89 109.5 18 25 13 62 4 6.45 -27.5 7 11.29 14 57 3 5.26 61 14 24.56 15 52 1 1.92 -48.25 10 19.23 16 46 6 13.04 15 12 26.09 17 39 2 5.13 -28 9 23.08 18 37 3 8.11 -15 9 24.32 19 25 2 8 -8.5 7 28 20 18 1 5.56 -12 4 22.22 21 16 1 6.25 -12.75 3 18.75 22 14 1 7.14 -1 2 14.29 23 11 0 0 -11 2 18.18 24 8 2 25 13.5 3 37.5 25 4 0 0 -4 0 0 26 3 0 0 -3 0 0 27 3 0 0 -3 1 33.33 28 2 0 0 -2 0 0
ASCOT 5f SPRINTS DRAW STATS - SOFT AND GOOD TO SOFT SINCE 2000
ASCOT 5f SPRINTS DRAW STATS GOOD TO FIRM AND FIRM SINCE 2000
Draw Runners Winners Win% £1 bet Win & Place Win & Plc% 1 45 6 13.33 7.75 15 33.33 2 45 4 8.89 -27.13 11 24.44 3 45 4 8.89 5.63 11 24.44 4 45 5 11.11 -17 11 24.44 5 42 3 7.14 -27 11 26.19 6 41 2 4.88 -32.63 9 21.95 7 38 4 10.53 -17 7 18.42 8 33 3 9.09 -13.5 10 30.3 9 30 1 3.33 -19 5 16.67 10 28 4 14.29 6.5 10 35.71 11 20 2 10 -9 5 25 12 16 2 12.5 10 4 25 13 16 1 6.25 -10 2 12.5 14 13 1 7.69 -10 2 15.38 15 11 0 0 -11 3 27.27 16 10 0 0 -10 2 20 17 9 1 11.11 -3 1 11.11 18 3 0 0 -3 0 0 19 3 0 0 -3 1 33.33 20 3 0 0 -3 2 66.67 21 3 1 33.33 5 1 33.33 22 2 1 50 17 1 50 23 1 0 0 -1 0 0 24 1 0 0 -1 0 0 25 1 0 0 -1 0 0
Draw Runners Winners Win% £1 bet Win & Place Win & Plc% 1 29 2 6.9 -22.75 6 20.69 2 29 1 3.45 -18 4 13.79 3 29 3 10.34 -14.25 9 31.03 4 29 4 13.79 -4.13 11 37.93 5 28 4 14.29 8.5 8 28.57 6 28 4 14.29 45 8 28.57 7 27 2 7.41 -12.5 7 25.93 8 27 1 3.7 -22 5 18.52 9 26 3 11.54 7 8 30.77 10 23 1 4.35 -6 4 17.39 11 18 1 5.56 -1 4 22.22 12 14 1 7.14 -10.75 4 28.57 13 13 0 0 -13 0 0 14 12 0 0 -12 0 0 15 11 1 9.09 -3 1 9.09 16 10 0 0 -10 0 0 17 10 1 10 -5.5 3 30 18 9 0 0 -9 1 11.11 19 8 0 0 -8 1 12.5 20 8 0 0 -8 1 12.5 21 6 0 0 -6 1 16.67 22 4 0 0 -4 0 0 23 3 0 0 -3 0 0 24 2 0 0 -2 0 0 25 2 0 0 -2 0 0 26 2 0 0 -2 0 0 27 1 0 0 -1 0 0
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stamina over this trip. The former enjoyed two miles when winning the Dubai Gold Cup in March and was speedy enough to finish a close third in the King George V Stakes here last season. He needs to raise his game for a Gold Cup but has more to offer.
FRIDAY COMMONWEALTH CUP Keep an eye on the draw in the six-furlong contest. Since it was first run in 2015, ten is the highest stall to produce the winner and there have been three big fields. American trainer Wesley Ward has enjoyed plenty of Royal Ascot success with his sprinters and CAMPANELLE heads the market. He didn’t stay a mile when beaten in the Breeders’ Cup having tasted Group 1 glory in the Morny at Deauville last August. He has a Royal Ascot win on his CV thanks to a tight success in the Queen Mary Stakes over the minimum but he will have no issues getting home at this distance. That’s sharp form and he’ll take a lot of beating. Supremacy was impressive in winning the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket but he was a well-backed flop on comeback in the Pavilion Stakes over course and distance in April. Suesa boasts smart form in France where she has taken a couple of Group 3s at Chantilly. She has more to offer but is a fairly short price. Looking down the entries, it’s hard to find anything that can keep up with the American raider if he’s on song. And Ward’s track record of producing horses for this meeting only boosts confidence. CORONATION STAKES This isn’t the easiest race to weigh up at this stage with many of the leading contenders likely to run between this issue going to press and the big day. Mother Earth followed her 1,000 Guineas win at Newmarket with a good second in the French version when an outsider ran her down in the closing stages. It was a similar quality effort as on the Rowley Mile and she comes here with every chance. She handles any ground and took her
Dream of Dreams
racing well last season so it’s a not a massive worry that she’ll probably run in the Irish 1,000 before heading here. That race takes place after we go to press and will be a guide to her chances here. Pretty Gorgeous could make her seasonal return in that Curragh Classic and a lot will ride on how that clash goes to see if she heads here. Last season’s form was strong and she finished by winning the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket which is a good pointer to Classic glory. It’s a case of hold your bets at this stage. Mehnah is another who is likely to line up at the Curragh and she showed real potential when second in the 1,000 trial at Leopardstown on just her second run. Indigo Girl was only half a length behind in the Fillies’ Mile and has been given plenty of time by John Gosden. She wasn’t happy with the dip at Newmarket and this fairer track will be more suitable, as Doncaster was when she took the Group 2 May Hill there in September. She’s gone well on firm and soft ground. Fev Rover ran a belter in the 1,000 Guineas when outrunning her long odds. That was just her sixth run and she was only just over a length away at the line. She was fit to do herself justice but a repeat would see her challenge for a
podium place.
SATURDAY DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES DREAM OF DREAMS has been beaten a head in this race for the past two seasons and can go close again. He went on to land the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup in the soft and he’s probably at his very best with some dig in the ground. He’s seven now so there’s a worry about him showing his best but the opposition doesn’t look right out of the top drawer this season. Another veteran — Glen Shiel — ended last season by winning the Champions Sprint over course and distance on soft ground. Being a son of Pivotal, some rain would really help his chances and he’s lightly raced for his age. Starman lived up to his name when winning the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes last time from Nahaarr who is another who would have every chance if coming here. They are the young guard coming through and they have the potential to outpoint the older sprinters — certainly as the season wears on. At hefty odds, Came From The Dark ran a cracker when beaten in a tight finish for the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in May. He is probably better over the minimum but clocked a good time at HQ and can’t be dismissed for place purposes at least. RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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ROYAL ASCOT PREVIEW
form guide
TRAINERS AT ROYAL ASCOT SINCE 2003 (min one winner, min five runners) Runs Wins Win% £1 bet Lynam, Edward 13 4 30.77 9.75 Elliott, Gordon 7 2 28.57 12.5 Fabre, A 20 5 25 -2.37 Cecil, Lady 9 2 22.22 5.5 Oughton, D 5 1 20 2 O'Neill, Jonjo 5 1 20 5 Sanchez, M Delcher 5 1 20 18 Johnson, J Howard 10 2 20 -1.75 Morgan, Ms Joanna 5 1 20 16 Head, F 10 2 20 -5.24 Marnane, David 11 2 18.18 40 Rouget, J-C 17 3 17.65 -2.5 Lellouche, E 6 1 16.67 -3.25 Hammond, J E 6 1 16.67 2 Janiak, J 6 1 16.67 2 Fanshawe, J R 63 10 15.87 39.88 Fellowes, Charlie 19 3 15.79 70 Mullins, W P 38 6 15.79 0.5 Ward, Wesley 70 11 15.71 39.5 Wachman, David 27 4 14.81 -5.67 O'Brien, A P 439 63 14.35 -45.43 Graffard, F-H 7 1 14.29 14 Poulton, Jamie 7 1 14.29 19 Stoute, Sir Michael 268 38 14.18 -14.42 Bolger, J S 38 5 13.16 -19.52 Cowell, R M H 31 4 12.9 18 Stevens, Olly 8 1 12.5 9 King, A 32 4 12.5 28.5 Lanigan, D R 8 1 12.5 3 Gosden, J H M 316 38 12.03 -69.43 Harrington, Mrs J 17 2 11.76 -7.75 O'Neill, E J 9 1 11.11 6 Martin, A J 9 1 11.11 1 Easterby, T D 38 4 10.53 9.5
Runs Wins Win% £1 bet Cox, C G 86 9 10.47 145 Weld, D K 50 5 10 -4.5 Chamings, P R 10 1 10 24 Quinn, J J 30 3 10 11 Bethell, J D 10 1 10 7 Pitt, T J 10 1 10 24 Charlton, R 63 6 9.52 -1.37 Smart, B 32 3 9.38 -16.75 Tate, T P 11 1 9.09 6 Webber, P R 11 1 9.09 10 Delzangles, M 11 1 9.09 -3 Crisford, Simon 22 2 9.09 -5 Morrison, H 82 7 8.54 11 Burrows, Owen 12 1 8.33 1 Johnston, M 384 32 8.33 -117.27 Portman, J G 12 1 8.33 0 Henderson, N J 36 3 8.33 -9.5 Varian, Roger 109 9 8.26 -40.75 Osborne, J A 63 5 7.94 -2.5 Palussiere, Matthieu 13 1 7.69 8 Stack, T 13 1 7.69 -1 Noseda, J 104 8 7.69 -54.25 Bell, M L W 96 7 7.29 -9 Appleby, Charlie 125 9 7.2 -48 Suroor, Saeed Bin 237 17 7.17 -110.55 Bradley, J M 14 1 7.14 -5 Brown, D H 14 1 7.14 -10.75 Pipe, D E 15 1 6.67 -5.5 Dunlop, E A L 93 6 6.45 -11 Hills, Charles 81 5 6.17 -23.17 Dascombe, Tom 70 4 5.71 -27.5 Ryan, K A 124 7 5.65 -11 Tregoning, M P 36 2 5.56 -26.5 Meade, M 18 1 5.56 -9
Runs Wins Win% £1 bet Best, J R 37 2 5.41 98 Chapple-Hyam, P W 57 3 5.26 -41.75 Littmoden, N P 19 1 5.26 -6 Knight, W J 19 1 5.26 -6 Spencer, Richard 19 1 5.26 -7 Moore, G L 20 1 5 -9 Brittain, C E 80 4 5 -37.5 Walker, Ed 20 1 5 -13.5 Elsworth, D R C 81 4 4.94 -10.5 Haggas, W J 164 8 4.88 -76 Channon, M R 231 11 4.76 -47 O'Meara, D 84 4 4.76 17 Halford, M 22 1 4.55 -11 Lyons, G M 22 1 4.55 -1 Burke, K R 46 2 4.35 -35.75 Cole, P F I 70 3 4.29 -28 Royer-Dupre, A De 24 1 4.17 -19 Houghton, Eve J 27 1 3.7 7 Hannon, Richard 169 6 3.55 -127.2 Fahey, R A 173 6 3.47 -54.4 Chapple-Hyam, J 30 1 3.33 -22.5 Baker, George 30 1 3.33 4 Botti, M 30 1 3.33 -24.5 Kirk, S 31 1 3.23 -10 Williams, Ian 32 1 3.13 -19 Candy, H 32 1 3.13 -27.5 Balding, A M 206 6 2.91 -143 Simcock, D M 73 2 2.74 -43 Margarson, G G 37 1 2.7 -8 Beckett, R M 76 2 2.63 -38 Meehan, B J 158 4 2.53 -90 Watson, Archie 42 1 2.38 -29 Muir, W R 42 1 2.38 -23 Palmer, Hugo 42 1 2.38 -35
JOCKEYS AT ROYAL ASCOT SINCE 2003 (min one winner, min five runners) Stott, Kevin Boudot, Pierre-C Demuro, Cristian Espinoza, Victor Hansen, Thore Guyon, Maxime Ford, Jay Benoist, Gregory Lee, W J Velazquez, J R Moore, Ryan Manning, K J Fahy, J P Rosario, J Dettori, L Supple, W J Buick, William Dalgleish, K Hamelin, A Whelan, R P Mackay, Nicky Tudhope, Daniel Peslier, O 20
Rides Wins Win% £1 bet 7 2 28.57 17 9 2 22.22 15 5 1 20 10 5 1 20 -0.5 5 1 20 12 12 2 16.67 -6.12 6 1 16.67 2 12 2 16.67 -1.5 12 2 16.67 26 21 3 14.29 25 444 62 13.96 -114 39 5 12.82 -20.52 8 1 12.5 9 16 2 12.5 -5 383 45 11.75 -68.49 36 4 11.11 17 244 25 10.25 -6.15 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 11 10 1 10 -3 21 2 9.52 -2 66 6 9.09 30 82 7 8.54 -18.87
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
Mongan, Ian Allan, David McDonogh, D P Spencer, Jamie Doyle, James Ahern, Eddie O'Donoghue, C Heffernan, J A Lordan, W M Shoemark, Kieran Kirby, Adam Kingscote, Richard Fanning, Joe Crowley, Jim Costello, Dougie Makin, Phillip Pasquier, S Lemaire, C-P Ajtebi, Ahmed Bishop, Charles O'Shea, T P Atzeni, Andrea Queally, T P
Rides Wins Win% £1 bet 24 2 8.33 16.5 12 1 8.33 14 12 1 8.33 9 306 25 8.17 -22.49 196 16 8.16 -59.02 89 7 7.87 -26.25 26 2 7.69 11.75 66 5 7.58 21.5 55 4 7.27 -29.17 14 1 7.14 -6 128 9 7.03 108 91 6 6.59 -23.5 123 8 6.5 -41.5 188 12 6.38 -33.84 16 1 6.25 -13.25 32 2 6.25 -10 16 1 6.25 -13.12 35 2 5.71 -22 18 1 5.56 8 18 1 5.56 16 19 1 5.26 -6 134 7 5.22 -79.25 135 7 5.19 -81.6
Rides Wins Win% £1 bet Egan, David 20 1 5 -15 Ffrench, Royston 20 1 5 -13.5 Doyle, Hollie 20 1 5 14 Egan, John 83 4 4.82 37 Curtis, B A 21 1 4.76 -13.5 Turner, Hayley 42 2 4.76 26 Harley, M 65 3 4.62 -12 Dwyer, Martin 134 6 4.48 -49.5 Durcan, Ted 97 4 4.12 -75.5 Sousa, Silvestre De 176 7 3.98 -102 Murphy, Oisin 127 5 3.94 -70 Callan, N 109 4 3.67 -39.37 Baker, George 55 2 3.64 -34 Hitchcott, Sam 28 1 3.57 -7 Gibbons, Graham 28 1 3.57 -19 Donohoe, Stephen 28 1 3.57 -16 Holland, Darryll 113 4 3.54 -66.9 McEvoy, Kerrin 86 3 3.49 -64.75 Mulrennan, Paul 30 1 3.33 -22 Sweeney, Fergus 30 1 3.33 -15 Soumillon, C 63 2 3.17 -54 Havlin, Robert 32 1 3.13 -11 Winston, Robert 64 2 3.13 -55.75
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Bolshoi Ballet heads the Epsom Derby
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Ferguson’s horses to follow
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horse-byhorse guide to the derby ++++ trends and tips for the oaks
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countdown to the classics ++++ paul jacobs’ four fab++++ the robert cooper column
Joseph O’Brien’s Santa Barbara is a short-priced favourite for the 1,000 Guineas
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robert cooper column ++++ paul jacobs each-way value bets
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ROBERT COOPER COLUMN
jeepers, leeper could do it for fraNkel Robert Cooper, Sky Sports Racing’s roving reporter, discusses Epsom and Ascot hopes along with Beatles’ bath mats and Madness
I
f you’re fortunate enough to attend either the Derby or Royal Ascot, June is the month to dust down your top hat, although as I remember during the Lockdown Summer of 2020 plenty of racing fans donned their party best while basking and betting in their gardens. Whatever takes your fancy - and post-Ascot it’s usually Panama hats all the way until autumn. Racing fans are the lucky ones in many ways; not only following this great sport but the added comfort of knowing the festivals and landmark events neatly divide the calendar, lending a sense of much needed structure to our lives. That configuration was all over the place last year when racing returned in early June; Royal Ascot took place as usual mid-month, but we had to wait until July 4th for the Derby and Oaks, with both Classics run on the same afternoon. The outcome, however, was a familiar one, with Aidan O’Brien bagging both races with Serpentine and Love. The genius O’Brien has won the Derby a record eight times; six of the last eight winners have stemmed from Ballydoyle and this time round BOLSHOI BALLET, is favourite to become the sixth colt sired by the 22
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
remarkable Galileo to win the Blue Riband. Unquestionably Galileo’s most gifted son was Frankel, winner of all his 14 races, ten of them at Group One level. Maybe now is the time for Frankel to make his mark on this most prestigious race on the planet. Derby victory for the Ed Dunlop trained JOHN LEEPER would not only be a feather in Frankel’s cap but this beautifully bred colt is the daughter of Snow Fairy, herself a champion at home and overseas, the globe-galloping queen won Group Ones in Japan, Hong Kong, Ireland and of course Epsom in the 2010 Oaks. However the name JOHN LEEPER would be a headline-hogging story on its own should he win the Derby. Yes, it’s all in the name. The potential winning trainer is Edward Alexander LEEPER Dunlop, his younger brother Harry James LEEPER Dunlop is also a trainer, and both are sons of JOHN LEEPER Dunlop, winning trainer of two Derbys with Shirley Heights (1978) and Erhaab (1994). In a fabulous tribute to the Dunlop family, JOHN LEEPER’s owner and breeder Cristina Patino, who also owned Snow Fairy, named him. Both horses carry the red and yellow silks of Mrs Patino’s company, Anemoine Ltd. She bought Snow Fairy at Tattersalls
Ireland in December 2008 for a bargain €1,800. And what a snip she was, winning over £4m in prize money. Time now for a Derby winner? JOHN LEEPER certainly possesses the ability to win but possibly his lack of racing experience could be a hindrance on such a high-octane occasion like the Derby. This will be only the fourth race of his life, and despite winning both his starts in 2021 he still races with the ‘L’ plates on. At Newmarket last month he beat Sir Mark Todd’s TASMAN BAY (a lively Derby long-shot) despite running with the choke out for most of the race. But quality racehorses are smart students and it is likely that the precocity we saw at Newmarket will be replaced by a more professional performance at Epsom. Sadly I missed the 100/1 on offer a couple of months back, and will probably wait until the day before plonking my fiver on his nose. A first Derby for Ed Dunlop beckons and probably a more colourful headline than maybe, ‘Number Nine For O’Brien’. I’ve earmarked a few horses for Royal Ascot. I’m probably aiming a bit high but I always like a crack at the two big handicaps, the Royal Hunt Cup and the Wokingham for a potentially lifechanging each way double. Michael
John Leeper
▲
Dod’s BRUNCH went agonisingly close in the Lincoln and ran to a similar level at York when again narrowly thwarted. Most consistent, he looks a major player in the Hunt Cup. And although plans have yet to be finalised I hope Eve Johnson Houghton’s sprinter JUMBY lines up for the Wokingham. I’ve been following his progress for a while and I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of him. He won a decent handicap at Newmarket last month, with I hope a few pounds hidden from the handicapper. Another headline grabber could be Newmarket trainer William Jarvis whose talented filly LADY BOWTHORPE looks worth a bet, probably in the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes. She ran the race of her life (so far) when emerging as the only challenger to the Gosden’s imperious miler PALACE PIER in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month. She finished over five lengths clear of the third and if it were possible to airbrush PALACE PIER from the picture, we’d be hailing a superstar. LADY BOWTHORPE has an impressive
ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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ROBERT COOPER COLUMN
turn of foot and with an Ascot victory already under her belt last summer, further success looks likely – as long as she steers clear of PALACE PIER. Us hard-nosed reporters for Sky Sports Racing are often at the mercy of the elements, in other words when it rains we get soaked. The other evening at Bath, the sky was slate grey and shelter was not forthcoming when the storm clouds loomed. The only dry spot my cameraman and I could find was behind the mobile toilets, nestling beside some unsavoury wheelie-bins; in an instant, most of life’s necessities were at my fingertips. Nevertheless, the show must go on – and every cloud, and all that – amid the gloom the few present witnessed an impressive victory by a first time out Clive Cox two year-old called INSTINCTIVE MOVE who looks Ascot-bound. Even his often poker-faced jockey Adam Kirby managed a smile when I spoke to him afterwards in the drizzle. He looks an exciting prospect. Cox seems to have an above average bunch of youngsters this year. Every aspect of training or owning racehorses in these Covid times must be deemed hazardous and insecure, and I was saddened to learn that Lambourn trainer Michael Blanshard has decided to call it a day after holding a licence for 41 years. The former assistant to Henry Cecil, Barry Hills and Henry Candy, says he just doesn’t have enough horses to make it pay. He’s trained some decent ones along the way and won some top-notch races too. Lemhill (won the John Porter Stakes) was one of Blanshard’s first Group winners, with further success from the very speedy The Trader, winner of three Group races in France and runner-up in the Prix de L’Abbaye, Welshman (Chester Cup), Rambling Bear (King George Stakes, Goodwood) and the marvellous mare Tea Pot, placed in two Cesarewitches. When Blanshard started training in 1980, profit margins were tight and penny pinching was essential. Back then I worked in a bookshop and was able to obtain a copy of the very pricy Timeform Racehorses Annual less the 24
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
Lady Bowthorpe
booksellers discount. Michael Blanshard was one of my happy customers. He was without doubt a talented trainer but he may have missed a lucrative money-making opportunity. When delivering the book (no charge) to Lethornes Stables, accompanied by the weighty volume, I couldn’t help noticing in Blanshard’s bathroom a Beatles bathmat, surely an heirloom worth thousands in today’s fickle memorabilia market. What would you pay to dry your feet on the loveable mop-tops? When asked the whereabouts of the Fab Four mat, he told me that he had given it away. More fool (on the hill) him. Changing direction, in career or lifestyle, can be hazardous and rewarding in equal proportions. David Macdonald had been executive director of Uttoxeter racecourse for 14 years when he decided to relinquish a “six figure salary” for a more fulfilling existence – buying and selling records. Now, under the banner Blue Sky Vinyl (always an Electric Light Orchestra fan) he unearths dusty record collections – buys them, shines them and sells them. There is no doubt his tenure at Uttoxeter was a thumping success; the
atmosphere at the Staffordshire track was always vibrant and positive. “Last summer,” Macdonald recalls, “Uttoxeter was a lonely place. From 21 staff we were down to just three. I saw myself as the conductor of an orchestra, but the orchestra was no longer there.” Nowadays Macdonald says, “I now wake up with a smile. I spent much of last summer thinking it over and after discussing it with my family I decided to give it a go.” Failure is not a word in Macdonald’s vocabulary. “I thrive on meeting people and I’ve had a passion for vinyl for most of my life. As a student at Edge Hill University I was in charge of entertainment and I booked the Smiths for £850 – that was in 1983, the year they sang This Charming Man on Top of the Pops.” And while conductor of the “Uttoxeter Symphony Orchestra” he booked the Kaiser Chiefs and Madness for the increasingly popular after racing concerts. As an avid vinyl collector myself – we never called it vinyl back in the day, they were just LPs or records – I am full of admiration for David’s new adventure. As for swapping the microphone for the stylus? Certainly food for thought! RA
BOOK REVIEW - TWO-YEAR-OLD GUIDE 2021
trainers’ open up
Reviewing Dan Briden’s latest book on two-year-olds
T
WO-YEAR-OLD races can be some of the toughest to crack, given that there is usually little to no form. That’s where books like the Two-Year-Old Guide 2021 by Dan Briden come in handy, especially when they cost a very reasonable £15. When you see that the foreword is written by William Haggas, it increases confidence that the contents have some authority and that’s borne out over almost 400 pages. After a successful first edition last year, Briden has put the work in again to speak to most of the country’s top trainers. From Andrew Balding to Sean Woods, it is really useful to know that the author has got his information straight from the horse’s mouth. With juveniles that is extra important because, of course, we haven’t seen them on the racecourse so you can only rely on what the trainers reveal. There is also a lengthy section with owners, breeders, syndicate managers and bloodstock agents to fill in gaps and back up what the trainers have said. It’s particularly good to see some Irish yards represented with Michael Halford and Jessica Harrington and the fact that Sir Mark Prescott has been interviewed speaks volumes. For a handler we associate with keeping his cards close to his chest, he has been open about the youngsters in his string. Given there are hundreds of horses covered, I am sure the author won’t mind us giving one example of the information offered about each juvenile…
Sir Mark Prescott in his yard
On Call, to Clinical. It is a marvellous, ANATOMIC (Sir Mark Prescott) tough family. I didn’t turn him away as I 10/4 gr c Ulysses - Diagnostic (Dutch tend to do with a lot of big, backward Art) two-year-olds as I felt he was coming Owner: Cheveley Park Stud Sales along nicely. He bowls along well and I price: n/a imagine he will debut over 7f.” First foal of a useful 6-7f winner who was a half-sister to useful dual 7f As you can see, there is a lot of winner Homeopathic out of an useful information from the author unraced sister to 6f Listed winner before a quote from the trainer. Prescription and half-sister to 7f 2yo There’s also a section about sires Group 3 winner Cupid’s Glory, smart and a selection from Marten Julian 7-8.5f winner (including at Group who publishes the book. 3/Listed level) Clinical (later dam of 7f We can’t recommend this 2yo winner/Mehl-Mulhens T THE book enough if you have the Rennen runner-up Lockheed) ol ye r - old TWO - yea slightest interest in two-yearand 8/10f Listed winner DE 2021 GUID GPS 3BDJOH "IFBE 3FWJFX DPQZ GP olds and it will prove a Courting (later dam of 1m valuable resourse as the Listed winner Fury). horses move through their “A big, strong horse from career. the first crop of Ulysses. William Haggas trained the ORDER DETAILS: mother with great success, BRIDEN DAN B www.martenjulian.com but I have trained most of this Tel: 01539 741 007 RA family, from Cupid’s Glory, to G, TS FROM ANDREW BALDING TURING INSIGHT AT FEA M TON, WILLIAM OGER CHARLLT T,, RO RALPH BECKETT OGER YAN, ROG RY RINGTON, KEVIN R HAGGAS, JESSICA HARR ARIAN & MANY OTHERS VA V
ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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PAUL FERGUSON
olly produces a couple of eye-catchers T
Paul Ferguson with some jumpers he likes – and Classic tips
he National Hunt season might be over, but I will start this month’s feature by highlighting a couple of eye-catchers in the early weeks of the new campaign. Olly Murphy has his horses in fine form and enjoyed a couple of bumper winners, notably Wolfspear, who won nicely at Huntingdon. Just two days earlier he went very close with a well-bred five-year-old called Bombs Away, who was beaten less than a length on debut at Southwell. A full-brother to the smart Ribble Valley, he carried the famous navy blue silks of John and Sue Magnier, and he ought to have learnt plenty for this initial racecourse experience, as he was extremely green throughout. Having refused to settle in the hands of Aidan Coleman, he did well to finish his race and he should be tough to beat in a similar event. Given his size and pedigree, I would have thought he will be given a break now, so he could be one for the long-term notebook, with September/October in mind. While talking about the Murphy stable, Copperless deserves a mention, following his demolition in the Swinton Hurdle. The lightly-raced six-year-old is clearly on a sharp upward curve, and this was deserved compensation, following his penultimate flight fall at Aintree (when travelling extremely well) the previous month. He was put up 15lbs by the handicapper for his 8½26
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
length victory at Haydock, but he could easily remain competitive and the Greatwood would appeal as the obvious target, should we not see him beforehand. When interviewed by Racing TV in the aftermath of the Swinton, the Galway Hurdle was mentioned, so it could be that he is kept on the go throughout the summer. Finally, in terms of the jumpers, Lock Down Luke remains a horse to keep tabs on, should he keep going through the summer. He was a faller on his hurdling debut at Perth recently, for which he was heavily supported throughout the day. He had run slightly better than the bare result might suggest on his return to action at Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting, and was a bumper winner at Perth last August, before splitting two useful horses under a penalty at Carlisle. The winner of that
Copperless
event finished runner-up in Aintree’s Grade 2, so his bumper form is more than useful, and given his liking for good ground it could be that he is campaigned through the summer months. Jackie Stephen reported her five-yearold to be none the worse after the fall three out, and while he will need to improve in the hurdling department,he clearly has the engine to win races in the months ahead. Switching codes and the opening contest of York’s Dante festival looked a typically competitive renewal of the Yorvik Stakes. It was won impressively by the rapidly-improving Ilaraab – who looks sure to be contesting Group races before long – but I was quite taken with the performance of Sam Cooke who eventually finished sixth. Forced to make the running (was keen upon breaking from the stalls and found himself in front on sufferance), he didn’t really settle in the early part of the race, yet still shaped well for a long way, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him land a decent handicap at some point. With that run under his belt, keep him in mind for something similar, although he is a horse who doesn’t want the ground on the quick side. The Dante itself saw pre-season Derby favourite High Definition make his return to action, following (what was reported to be) a far-from-ideal preparation. Beaten two lengths into third, the Galileo colt took a while to really get going up the straight, and
High Definition
already looks to be crying out for a mile-and-a-half. I did like how he picked up late on, however, and he is the colt who I would take from the race, although given that long stride, he might be more suited to a flatter track. He is obviously almost certain to take his chance at Epsom, but the Irish Derby might be the ideal race for him, and looking further ahead, I can understand why most firms have him as clear favourite for the St Leger. A couple of English-trained colts, who remain in the Derby and have impressed when shedding their maiden tags recently, are Stay Well and Dhushan. The former won at Windsor by eight lengths in late-April, reminiscent of the same stable’s (Hughie Morrison) Telecaster, who won a Windsor novice by a similar margin in the spring of 2019. The form of that maiden success doesn’t look particularly strong (has taken a couple of knocks) but the manner of victory suggests that the Iffraaj colt has a bright future, and given the stamina on the dam’s side (out of a Sea The Stars mare who won over 1m6f for the same connections) he could improve further for going up in trip
again. He also holds an entry in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, which is probably more realistic than the Derby, but I would be interested to see what mark he is given, with a valuable handicap in mind. The King George V Stakes might be an option, although he would have to run again beforehand to qualify. That could be the ideal race for Dhushan, however, following his stroll around Haydock recently. Runner-up on his sole start at two and also on his return at Doncaster, he justified short odds in a canter at the Merseyside track, seemingly appreciating the longer trip and quicker ground. William Haggas’ grey son of Sea The Stars has been handed an opening mark of 85, from which he would be of interest in any middle-distance handicap in the near future. He looks a bright prospect. Another who might be considered for the King George V is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Bay Bridge, who ran out a very impressive winner of the London Gold Cup at Newbury recently. That contest is usually a decent event and this year’s race certainly looked it beforehand, but the son of New Bay
took care of his rivals in taking fashion, finishing strongly and suggesting that he could be even better over a bit further. His half-brother won handicaps over trips ranging from 1m5f – 2m, which again suggests that he will improve over further as the season progresses, and he certainly looked like a horse to keep on the right side of, with how he strode right away at Newbury. He does hold an entry in the aforementioned Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. The recent fillies’ trials haven’t really set the pulse racing, so by default Santa Barbara deserves to be favourite for the upcoming Oaks. I was hugely impressed with her on her sole start at two, and it is likely that the 1,000 Guineas was just too big an ask on her second ever racecourse start. I suspect she will take a big step forward from Newmarket and should relish going up in trip. If she handles the track at Epsom, she could be hard to beat, but there should certainly be a Group 1 in her somewhere over a middle-distance trip in the coming weeks/months. ■ Stay Well holds an entry in Goodwood’s Listed Cocked Hat Stakes while this feature goes to print. RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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Subjectivist wins the Dubai Gold Cup
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THE BIG INTERVIEW
£3k winners count same as superstars A Nick Townsend talks to star trainer Mark Johnston
Mark Johnston
career that a bold approach has secured a dividend for the Scot. That Beverley race offered winning prizemoney of just £3,349, and that filly may be no world-beater. Yet, in its own way, his satisfaction at that moment was as great as when he witnessed the Dubai Gold Cup triumph of his Subjectivist at Meydan at the end of March, with prizemoney nearly a hundred times greater. His four-year-old colt scorched home by over five lengths which had the commentator gushing: “The front runner Subjectivist has run them ragged.” It was a scintillating performance which earned his owner Dr Jim Walker over £328,000 and plaudits from pundits who excitably questioned his Ascot Gold Cup potential. Could this finally be the Johnston representa-
tive to lower the colours of the mighty Stradivarius? The John and Thady Gosden-trained Cup king must feel like a stone in the shoe of the Johnston team; one that’s seemingly impossible to dislodge. Five times, his horses have been beaten into second place by Stradivarius; Nayef Road twice (in last season’s Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup) and Dee Ex Bee (in 2019 in the Ascot Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and at York). Sir Ron Priestley, a half-brother of Subjectivist, who won the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup winner at Newmarket at the Guineas meeting, but only third to Andrew Balding’s Spanish Mission in the Yorkshire Cup, could have been an Ascot Gold Cup contender. But Johnston, who knows a thing or two about the event, having won it twice with Royal Rebel and once with Double Trigger, says: “I think we’ll be keeping him to 1m4f and 1m6f at the moment. We’ll probably go to the Ascot Gold Cup with Nayef Road and Subjectivist.” And with hope or expectation? “He’s got to weaken one day, hasn’t he?” is his wry reflection on the Gosdens’ star performer, now a seven-year-old, who accounted for third-placed Nayef Road by 1½ lengths in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in April. Johnston says of Subjectivist, who cost this master of astute, bargain acquisitions, 62,000gns – no more than loose change for some of racing’s big spenders who readily lavish over six
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quiet May Monday in the racing calendar, but for Mark Johnston, there’s no lull in his relentless search for winners. Seated in the dining room of Kingsley House, the Middleham base he has transformed from a down-at-heel yard in 1988 to the powerhouse it is today, we pause our conversation to watch on TV as Military Two Step, a three-year-old daughter of the stable’s 2011 Irish St Leger victor Jukebox Jury, makes her debut in a 1m2f fillies’ novice event at Beverley. Just four runners, but a John and Thady Gosden runner is clear favourite. Approaching half-way, jockey Ben Curtis chases the Johnston runner along. Her trainer mutters in a tone of resignation: “I don’t think we’re going to feature here.” Which only goes to show that horses can occasionally deceive even record-breaking trainers. Slowly, the filly gets the hang of the task in hand. “Go on!” Johnston exhorts before his charge scores readily, before adding: “This is home bred – one that we bred, but couldn’t sell. We were going to keep her, and run her in a bumper and sell her for jumping. Jukebox Jury is all the rage for the jumping people. But then he (Jukebox Jury) had a Group 1 winner last year on the Flat (Tony Mullins’ Princess Zoe in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp), and I thought ‘stuff this, I’m going to run her (on the Flat)!’” It is far from the first time in a 34-year
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THE BIG INTERVIEW
figures – “It’s purely subjective, but we would rate Subjectivist quite a bit higher than Nayef Road. We think he’s a lot more likely to trouble Stradivarius.” The bookmakers tend to concur. Subjectivist is 5-1 second favourite for the Royal Ascot feature and Nayef Road 161, with Stradivarius around 6-4 favourite. But Johnston insists of Subjectivist: “He has all the credentials. He’s a Group 1 winner over a mile and 6, a Group 2 winner over 2 miles, breaking the track record. He’s the right kind of horse to take him (Stradivarius) on with.” The Middleham handler, 61, who overtook Richard Hannon Snr’s total number of winners, when a Frankie Dettori-partnered Poet’s Society gave him his 4,194 winner at Goodwood in August 2018, was at Meydan to witness his four-year-old son of Teofilo’s triumph. It culminated in a lengthy absence from the yard, Johnston having arrived in Dubai three or four days before the race and, after it, stayed in the Maldives for 12 days. Back home, he had to selfisolate in the house for ten days because he had been in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid. The fact that the yard continued to despatch winners under the control of his elder son Charlie, like him a qualified vet and currently one of his assistant trainers, was no great surprise. Johnston and Charlie are to apply for a joint licence, probably this season, with a full handover of the yard planned in two or three years, “In all, for nearly four weeks, I was never out in the yard. During that time, Charlie did it all. From a horseracing point of view, I have absolutely no doubt he can run the whole show, and the number of winners will not alter,” says Johnston, who was also out of action for around three weeks last year after contracting Covid. It has been some year for both father and son, and the 125-strong team behind them. Barely had the crowdfree New Year’s Eve fireworks show in London fizzled out than the Johnston yard had responded with its own missiles of intent, recording the yard’s most successful January since he began training in 1987. 30
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Gear Up
At the time of writing, Johnston had sent out 83 winners from 382 runners, a 22% strike rate. Prizemoney was £942,113, and Johnston was No. 1 in the Flat trainers’ standings, ahead of John and Thady Gosden, on 34 wins from 160 runs 21% strike rate and prizemoney of £739,826 All that could change, of course, come The Derby meeting (Johnston’s Gear Up, fifth in the Dante at York, should not be discounted over the longer trip of the colts’ Classic, incidentally) and Royal Ascot, but for the moment, the operation shows every indication of producing a tenth year of a double century of winners. One beneficiary is likely to be jockey Curtis, who has already had 54 winners this year, of which 26 have been on Johnston runners. The Irishman is effectively the stable’s No.1, although there is no formal arrangement, according to Johnston. “We said to him ‘we’re not going to use somebody who keeps saying I’m not available to ride that one’. We said ‘We’ll put you first, if you put us first’.” The yard still plan to use stable stalwarts Joe Fanning and Franny Norton, but Johnston explains: “Joe’s 50, Franny’s 50. They’re riding, to my mind, as well as any time in their careers. You’ve seen Franny on Sir Ron Priestley,
and Joe on Subjectivist. But they can’t go on for ever. And we can’t have a situation where they just stop and we haven’t got anyone else.” The association with Curtis has led to the odds on him becoming champion jockey shortening significantly. “He could make it – absolutely,” says Johnston. “They’ve got him at third in the betting, and I think that’s where he should be. To be champion jockey, you need a yard that’s going to give you a big chunk of winners.” Curiously, the jockeys’ championship is based on winners while the trainers’ equivalent is decided by total prizemoney. In a 34-year-career, Johnston has never been champion trainer. Maybe he will succeed in his final season as a ‘sole-trader’ before forming a joint enterprise with Charlie? If not, it is not something he’ll dwell on. “How many times would I have been champion if based on numbers? Twelve, maybe, fourteen, I can’t remember. But I’m not crying over that.” Not when you can reflect on creating a record-breaking empire from nothing but a veterinary qualification and an allconsuming desire to succeed. RA Phenomenon: The Authorised Biography of Mark Johnston, by Nick Townsend, is published on 14 October (Welbeck)
JESSICA FAY HARDING
see how the wind blows O
Jessica Fay Harding analyses the effects of wind operations
ne must take notice of trainers with no wins following a wind operation. Some trainers are giving a horse a run to see their reaction during and after the race. With certain types of wind impairment, various noises can be heard. These are often accompanied by discomfort or even pain. Some of these trainers may be running the horse to check the discomfort signals. Trainer Michael Scudamore used to argue that such an outing can provide a vital confidence booster. He also stated that the horse may not give their all on this occasion but may do so on the second or third time. This is worth monitoring and I would certainly advise you follow the horse on their subsequent runs. Several trainers have strike-rates in excess of 40% with horses following their first wind operation. They are worth noting in the Racing Post’s “First-Time Wind Ops” item in “Signposts”. I have researched the performance levels of wind operation horses by gender. Below, you will find Gender Tables representing the 2018 and 2019 seasons and from January 1, 2020 till March 10, 2020 only due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.
2018 Gender Colt Filly Gelding Horse Mare TOTAL
Winners 11 8 121 2 17 159
Runners 66 93 1040 5 174 1378
S/R 16.70% 8.60% 11.60% 20.00% 9.80% 11.50%
The figures for fillies and mares first caught my eye. Their combined strikerate of 9.20% is just 0.80% short of my
10.00% benchmark. The combined male qualifiers stand at 16.10% which is a healthier strike-rate. The gelding figure surprised me. I anticipated that this category would have the highest figures. But the sample is on the small side and I believe that the gap will be closed considerably or even surpassed in future seasons when more data becomes available.
2019 Gender Colt Filly Gelding Horse Mare TOTAL
Winners 3 1 112 0 23 139
Runners 44 85 1034 2 157 1322
S/R 6.80% 1.10% 10.80% 0.00% 14.60% 10.50%
Fifty-six fewer runners were submitted to the track than in 2018 and there were 20 fewer winners compared to the previous season. However, the overall strike-rate decreased by only 1.00% which still adheres to my benchmark requirements and is encouraging from a consistency viewpoint. The performance levels of two categories, colts and fillies, changed quite dramatically in 2019. The strike-rate for colts dropped by 9.90% and only one filly, Nordican Bleue (FR) from the Dr Richard Newland stable, won this year out of a possible 85. The only category to improve on last season’s strike-rate were the mares by 4.80%. 2020 (From the 1st of January 2020 – 10th March 2020) Gender Winners Runners S/R Colt 0 0 0.00% Filly 0 1 0.00% Gelding 12 86 14.00% Horse 0 0 0.00% Mare 0 18 0.00% TOTAL 12 105 11.40%
Although the figures in this table represent three months, it is clear that geldings dominate both in terms of the number of winners and runners. They account for 81.90% of the total runners in this period and also all of the winners. The other two categories with any statistics from the January 1, 2020 till the March 10, 2020 are both female. Eighteen mares and one filly were submitted to the racecourse after having a wind operation and none were successful. This is a significant factor to consider in your selection process.
2018-2020 Gender Winners Colt 14 Filly 9 Gelding 245 Horse 2 Mare 40 TOTAL 310
Runners 110 179 2160 7 349 2805
S/R 12.70% 5.00% 11.30% 28.60% 11.50% 11.10%
Considering all of these statistics from 2018 to March 2020, it is apparent that male horses appear to win more consistently than their female counterparts. The females combined strike-rate was 9.30% whereas the males achieved a strike-rate of 11.50%. Mares are the only exception as their figures were 0.20% greater than the geldings during my initial research period. The worst statistics came in the filly category. Although they were the third biggest group in terms of runners, they had the worst overall strike-rate of just 5.00%. This is half of my recommended benchmark and suggests that fillies returning to the racecourse after a wind procedure should be carefully scrutinized and possibly avoided if any other factors are negative. RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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DIARY OF AN AMATEUR PUNTER
mother earth gives me her bounty I Ben Morgan hits form in the 1,000 Guineas
try not to get too involved with the Flat season until after Guineas weekend as I use the time between Aintree and Newmarket as a transition period. By then most of the early types have had a run and you’ve got a form line to go on rather than punt blind. I was keen to follow a certain Nottingham form line as I thought it was a hot race for the time of year. That race was the race Astro King won and Finest Sound and Nugget finished placed. Both placed horses had won before Astro King lined up at Thirsk in their version of the Hunt Cup. Coral priced him up at 5/1 second fav on the first show and I thought that was a very fair price and duly wagered £20 e/w at that price. That looked a good move as he got punted into 11/4 second fav behind the horse he beat at Nottingham, Nugget. Turning in for home at Thirsk I thought Richard Kingscote would just unleash him up the straight but it took him a while to really hit full stride and by the time he did he was always playing catch up. It was a similar story for the favourite and both were closing at the line but it came too soon and the race went the way of Storting who benefited from sitting prominently. I collected each way returns and looked forward to the 2,000 Guineas. I hadn’t laid down any money in the first Classic of the season as I had been using my free bets for the previous five 32
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weeks on Battleground. I rate this horse very highly but he never really looked comfortable at Newmarket and ended up well beaten. I wouldn’t be losing faith in him just yet though and I’d quite fancy him to reverse the form at Royal Ascot. The 1,000 Guineas was much kinder to me, however, as both my bets returned good profit. There had been too much talk about Santa Barbara for my liking and her price was just silly. I thought her stablemate, Mother Earth rated a sound each way bet given her two-year-old form and at around the 14/1 mark, I deemed her worthy of £10 each way and that obviously brought home a tidy profit. My other fancy against the favourite was Fev Rover who looked a smart horse last year and seemed the ideal
Best bets: Didtheyleaveuoutto
type to improve as a three-year-old. Again £10 each-way was struck but I managed to get 25/1 about Richard Fahey’s filly. She ran like a filly who is going to be pretty useful over 10f this year as she just lacked that finishing kick over the mile but still plugged on into a place and I certainly wasn’t complaining. It was a profitable weekend and going into Chester’s May meeting I felt in decent touch for the time of year. Chester has a way of grounding you however and a number of fancies blew their chance at the stalls which just emphasises the fact that a low draw is irrelevant if you don’t break well. There was the odd highlight and probably the most satisfying winner was Baryshnikov. An eye-catcher on return at Doncaster, I had noted him down as one to get on next time out and thankfully I backed and tipped him accordingly. You can’t be too confident at Chester for reasons listed above but once Connor Beasley negotiated the stalls I was pretty hopeful that this horse would at least hit the frame. He did the business, just, and more than made up for my losses. A more experienced ride from Thore Hammer Hansen and I think I would have had the winner of the Chester Cup as Coeur De Lion was boxed in by the eventual winner at a crucial point in the race. He stayed on to finish in the frame and is one to watch at Ascot if the ground comes up soft.
El Astronaute
BEN’S BEST BETS SIR BENEDICT - Made eyecatching progress last time at Chester and won’t be far away next time out over 7f. KONDO ISAMI - Mark Johnston’s 3 y-o middle distance handicappers are always worth following and I think this lad was worth more than the winning margin suggested at York. DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO - This horse is absolutely thrown in on the Flat. Connections clearly didn’t want him winning on handicap debut last time out and I’m amazed how Josie Gordon got away with the ride. He steamed home over 1m 2f and shouldn’t be missed when stepped up in trip.
Everyone needs a helping hand every now and then and Paddy Power gave me one on the final day of Chester’s May meeting. I made El Astronaute a 1/2 shot in the Conditions stakes but PP were offering 15/8 and I just had to lump £50 on the nose. I was taking a punt on his fitness but he was levels above his rivals on form and the sharp 5f around Chester suits him down to the ground. He broke from the stalls faster than I have ever seen a horse do and he immediately had a five-length lead. He didn’t see another rival until a few strides after the line and bought home what felt like easy profit. That only made up for the distress I felt with White Turf at Market Rasen. As some may know he is one of the horses in my syndicate, Only Fools Own Horses, and a few may know just some of the problems we have had with him. Which is why it is such a relief to see him running so well recently and
he was arguably unlucky not to win at Stratford and Uttoxeter. We really fancied him at Market Rasen and everything looked set for a big run. Held up off the pace, Alex Edwards made his move as they turned into the straight and he hit the front in a matter of strides. He looked full of running until he made an absolute mess of the second last and lost countless lengths. He rallied and was gaining all the way to the line but was ultimately beaten by the shortest of noses. A cruel blow for all of his owners but we will go again! Count D’Orsay was the first main fancy I had at York’s Dante meeting after he had stayed on powerfully from an unpromising position at Chester. He looked certain to go close at York on softish ground and I couldn’t have him out of the frame. Typically enough he was first beat and very nearly finished pulled up, and to rub salt into the wounds, the horse that won, Copper
Knight, had been beat comfortably by my selection just a week earlier. Work that one out, folks! Fishable was probably one of my strongest fancies of the Flat season to date. The race at Ripon he ran in previously had worked out very well and I expected him to improve fitness-wise for that run. £25 each-way at 9/1 was struck and he duly got backed into 6/1. He completely fluffed the start but I wasn’t too worried as I was that confident. As they turned in, David Allan began to make his move and he started to make inroads towards the leaders. Two furlongs from home a gap appeared and just as he was about to sneak through, the door was not only shut but locked and he was forced to snatch up for 50 yards or more which meant his chance had gone. I was gutted as I was sure I had the right horse. Time will tell but I urge readers to keep him on side. RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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TALKING TWO-YEAR-OLDS
can hannon repel o’brien raiders? R Ian Heitman assesses the known form for Royal Ascot
oyal Ascot has something for every Flat racing fan, two-year-old races, competitive handicaps and top-class Group action which attracts runners from all over the world. The meeting has been extended from 30 to 35 races with seven races on each of the five days. Due to late start of the 2020 Flat season, the two-year-old races were moved to the second half of the meeting to allow horses more time to recover from their first runs. The 2021 schedule has reverted to what it was previously with a two-year-old race on each day apart from day two when two of the six races are run.
COVENTRY STAKES The first two-year-old race is the Group 2 Coventry Stakes over 6f, and it is the second race on the opening day. 2020 saw the longest priced winner of any race at Royal Ascot when Nando Parrado won at 150/1 giving Clive Cox a first win in the race. Aidan O’Brien is the most successful trainer, winning with nine of his 37 runners, four of which have come since 2011. Eight of the 11 winners since 2010 have maintained unbeaten records in the Coventry, Calyx the most recent to successfully defend an unbeaten record in 2018. Aidan O’Brien will no doubt have at least one runner in the Coventry, with Glounthaune his only colt to win over 6f so far, that coming in the first 6f race in 34
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Ireland at the Curragh on April 17. King Of Bavaria made a winning debut over 5f at Naas on May 8, weak in the market, he raced prominently throughout, beating a trio who all had previous racecourse experience. He should be suited by the step up to 6f and this son of 2013 Norfolk Stakes winner, No Nay Never, should run well in the Coventry if he takes his chance or if he is kept to the 5f of the Norfolk Stakes.
YORK POINTERS The first UK 6f race was run at York on the second day of the Dante meeting on May 13. The field was reduced to 11 when Rizg refused to enter the stalls and Yaahobby played up in the stalls and had to be withdrawn. Four of the remaining 11 had had a previous run, however it was the Charlie Appleby trained newcomer Albahr who was the 5/2 favourite. Mattice, third on his debut at Beverley, went off in front and had all of his rivals under pressure with two furlongs to go, only Lusail emerged from the pack to challenge, getting on top inside the last 100 yards to win by three quarters of a length with Albahr in third. Lusail at 28/1 was the lesser fancied on Richard’s Hannon two runners – Secret Strength finished fourth – and he will no doubt be aimed at the Coventry, a race his sire Mehmas, also trained by Hannon, finished second in in 2016. The first 6f race to be run at Newmarket was also on May 13, two of the 11
runners, General Panic and Desert Dreamer had made winning debuts and it was Desert Dreamer, whose debut win had worked out very well, who was the well-supported favourite. She raced keenly in the early part of the race as she has done on her racecourse debut 29 days earlier. Sean Levey managed to get her to settle from halfway and she travelled strongly and picked up in good style when a gap appeared entering the final furlong. She was challenged by Dashing Rat but proved too strong inside the last 100 yards, winning by three quarters of length. If her trainer, Stuart Williams, can get her to settle, she could be a major contender for the Group 2 Albany Stakes.
NEWBURY NOTES Richard Hannon’s father won the Coventry Stakes in 2010 and 2011 with Canford Cliffs and Strong Suit respectively and they both won the 6f maiden which takes place at Newbury on the first day of the two-day Lockinge meeting. Hannon had the only runner with racecourse experience in this year’s 13 runner renewal, Gisburn, a colt by firstseason stallion Ribchester. He put his experience to good use. Travelling strongly, he drew clear of his 12 rivals in the final furlong and half, edging right to the stands rail inside the final furlong, winning by six and a half lengths from Kingmax and Codify. He will head to the Coventry with a leading chance based on that performance.
Lusail wins at York
The second day of Newbury’s Lockinge meeting began with a 6f conditions race. Three of six runners, The Gatekeeper, Dairerin and Dukebox had all made winning debuts with The Gatekeeper running well in second on his only other start. Despite half of the field having won a race it was newcomer Al Shibli from the Richard Hannon yard who was the 7/4 favourite. The Gatekeeper set the pace until he was headed a furlong and half from the finish by outsider War Of Courage. Dairerin, making a quick reappearance having won at Ripon eight days earlier, took the lead with 150 yards to go but was strongly pressed by Dukebox who took the lead in the final strides and put his down on the line to win by a nose with Al Shibli running well only a length and a half away in third. This was the fourth time Richard Hannon has won this conditions race and Dukebox will no doubt be added to the Hannon team for the Coventry.
the 13 runners had won one race with two, Crazyland and Instinction, winning their only start and it was Crazyland who headed the market at 7/2. She had finished ahead of Sienna Bonnie and Fabiosa at Windsor and both of those fillies won their subsequent starts and reopposed in this Listed race. Desert Dreamer, who had won at Newmarket the previous evening had her form represented by four of the runners, subsequent winners, Bellarena Lady, Canonized and Devious Angel, while Nymphadora was having her first run since she finished sixth in that 5f fillies maiden. Devious Angel and Sienna Bonnie had good pace and disputed the lead, with Crazyland also having good pace early on. Nymphadora took the lead with less than two furlongs to go and was strongly pressed inside the final furlong by Canonized who made progress from the rear, but Nymphadora responded well to Jason Watson’s riding and they went on to record a length and a quarter success from Canonized with Crazyland in third and newcomer Mas Poder running really well to be fourth. Instinction ran well
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DAY TWO ROYAL ASCOT The Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes over 5f is one of two two-year-old races on day two, the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes,
also over 5f, is the other. These two races should see the first two-year-old runners from the US stable of Wesley Ward, an 11-time Royal Ascot winner, eight of which have come in two-yearold races. The Queen Mary has been a race Ward has had plenty of success in, winning it four times, including in 2020 with Campanelle who is due to run in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup. Ruthin is Ward’s intended runner in the Queen Mary, and she made an impressive debut at Keeneland in April, leading all the way and drawing clear in the straight to win by six lengths. Like Campanelle, she has a European turf pedigree, by first-season stallion Ribchester out of a Sandown Listed winner. Ruthin was sold for 350,000 guineas as a yearling at Tattersalls in October and she will no doubt be prominent in the betting for the Queen Mary. Ward has had the favourite for this race on four occasions, two were successful, one finished second and the most recent in 2018 finished 11th. The first Listed race for two-year-olds in the UK was the Marygate Stakes for fillies over 5f at York on the final day of the Dante meeting on May 14. Nine of
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having every chance entering the final furlong. Nymphadora’s trainer, Andrew Balding has had only one Royal Ascot two-year-old winner, Tactical in the 2020 Windsor Castle, Nymphadora could easily be his second. Three previous winners of the Marygate Stakes have gone on to win the Queen Mary, Signora Cabello the most recent in 2018. Other fillies who could progress into contenders for the Queen Mary include Silver Bullet Lady, winner of a 5f fillies conditions race at Salisbury on May 2nd when she finished well from the rear to beat pace-setting Out On Yorkshire by a length. Silver Bullet Lady almost unseated Hollie Doyle leaving the stalls, jinking left and she was green in the rear but the longer the race went on the more she learnt what was required and was nicely on top at the finish. A step up to 6f will no doubt be in favour for this daughter of first-season stallion Decorated Knight, this his first runner in the UK, and it was a rare early season debut winner for trainer Roger Charlton, just the third in May since 2011. The only juvenile winner Charlton has had from six two-year-old runners at Royal Ascot was Three Valleys in the 2003 Coventry and Silent Bullet Lady would be the yard’s first runner in a two-yearold race since 2010. George Boughey has made an excellent start to 2021 with his two-yearolds, training the most number of winners at the time of writing. Thunder Love has accounted for two of the winners, both coming at Kempton in weak races but by wide margins. It is hard to know how good Thunder Love is, but she deserves a place in the Queen Mary. Another Boughey trained winner, Beautiful Sunshine, rewarded those who had supported her into 4/6 favouritism at Windsor on May 11, getting up inside the last half a furlong to deny Tippy Toes who finished second for the third successive race. El Hadeeyah finished third behind Desert Dreamer at Newmarket and she was the only runner with racecourse experience in a 5f maiden fillies contest at Ascot on May 7. She ran well from the front but was headed with 75 yards to go by Get Ahead who drew clear to win 36
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Thunder Love
by a length and a half and provided Clive Cox with a second win in the last three renewals of the race. Get Ahead cost 200,000 guineas as a yearling and is a half-sister to Alkumait who won the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes last year. She runs in the same colours as Heartache who Cox trained to win the 2017 Queen Mary, the second of three two-year-old winners for Cox at Royal Ascot. There should be plenty of winners from the Ascot race, Eve Lodge travelled well in the rear and stayed on well to be third, while favourite Wild Beauty found the 5f too sharp and could be one for the Albany Stakes over 6f at the Royal meeting. James Tate looked to have found a good opportunity for El Hadeeyah to get off the mark at Thirsk on May 15, but she proved a major disappointment, beating only two of her 11 rivals. Choux landed a big gamble for David Evans having been backed in from 40/1 to 100/30, she led all the way and was never in any danger, only having to be pushed out by Shane Kelly. She had clearly been going well at home and it will be interesting if she is pitched into the Queen Mary on her next start.
Evans had had only one two-year-old place from 36 juvenile runners at Royal Ascot.
WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES The Listed Windsor Castle Stakes over 5f often attracts big fields, the 18 who ran in last year’s race was the lowest number since 2010. This was the first Royal Ascot race Wesley Ward won, in 2009 with a 33/1 shot, the yard also successful in 2014 with a favourite. Their representative this year looks like being Twilight Gleaming who got off the mark on her second start at Belmont Park in the US on May 9, leading all the way and drawing clear in the final furlong to beat her stable companion Poppy Flower by seven and a half lengths. She will no doubt run well in the Windsor Castle in what is often the weaker of the six two-year-old races at the meeting. One of the leading contenders trained in the UK is likely to be Chipotle who followed up his win in the opening two-year-old race of the season in the UK, the Brocklesby, with a win over 5f at Ascot on April 28 when he got the better of long-time leader, The Gate-
Nymphadora
stands rail, running on strongly inside the last furlong, beating Fall Of Rome who stayed on but was no danger to the winner. Go Bears Go will have the option of the Windsor Castle, the Coventry or the Norfolk Stakes. Navello became the first two-yearold to win three races in 2021 when he won the Lily Agnes conditions race at Chester on May 5. He stayed on strongly to beat Devious Angel by six lengths and looks capable of running well in the Listed company, he is due to run in the National Stakes at Sandown on May 27.
NORFOLK STAKES The Group 2 Norfolk Stakes over 5f is run on day three and has been won twice in the last ten years by both Aidan O’Brien and Wesley Ward. O’Brien will no doubt have a number of possible runners for this race and has had a few winners recently that could be contenders. Cadamosto made a winning debut at Dundalk in April and was due to have his second start at Naas on May 15 in a 5f conditions race, but for the third time since the debut win, and fifth in all, he was withdrawn. He is a smart prospect and should run well in whichever race he runs in. In Cadamosto’s absence, Andreas
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keeper inside the last furlong. His trainer, Eve Johnson Houghton, has said his main target is the Super Sprint at Newbury in July, but he should run well in the Windsor Castle. Another horse with experience over the 5f at Ascot is Go Bears Go, who provided David Loughnane with a first two-year-old winner of 2021 and became just the third juvenile from the yard to make a winning debut. One of the other two, Santosha, went on to win in Group 3 company. Go Bears Go knew his job and led all the way against the
Clive Cox continued his excellent record with newcomers at Bath when Instinctive Move won on May 12, beating Poderoso, who had the benefit of a previous run, by two and a quarter lengths in a pretty good time. The yard sent out Heartache to make a winning debut at Bath in 2017 before going on to win the Queen Mary on her next start. No doubt Instinctive Move will be given the option of the Norfolk Stakes like many of the colts who have won over 5f. Other recent winners who have impressed that could take their chance in the Windsor Castle are the Tom Dascombe-trained pair Flaming Rib, an easy winner at Nottingham, and Mercurial who won at Chester. Aleezdancer overcame the widest draw at Beverley to run out a six and a half length winner in what looked to be a fair novice on May 11.
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Vesalius led all the way and won comfortably on his third start. The previous day at Navan, The Entertainer overcame trouble in running to make a winning debut over five and a half furlongs, beating Albion Square who ran much better than he had done on debut when ninth at the Curragh behind Glounthaune. Ward’s intended runner, Lucci, made a winning debut at Belmont Park on May 9, leading all the way and havingonly to be pushed out inside the final furlong to easily beat his three rivals, one of which was his stablemate who was sent off odds-on favourite. If the ground is quick Lucci should run well; if it is on the slow side he may struggle. Project Dante proved to be well named as he made a winning debut on the first day of York’s Dante meeting for Bryan Smart, the third debut winner from four runners for the yard. Well supported from 10/1 the night before the race to 7/2, he led inside the final 100 yards and beat Korker, who started slowly but finished strongly, by a head, with favourite Jadhlaan running well a further head away in third. Smart has saddled three two-year-old Royal Ascot winners, 2007 the most recent and he hasn’t trained a Group winning two-year-old since 2016.
ALBANY STAKES The Group 2 Albany Stakes on day four is for fillies only. Mick Channon has sent out three winners of this race including a 50/1 shot in 2007, but he hasn’t had a two-year-old win a domestic Group race since 2014. Roger Varian is next on the list with two winners from six runners. He has sent only a few runners so far and it will be interesting to see what he runs in the next few weeks. Wesley Ward hasn’t had too much success in this race, his previous 11 runners have all been beaten, a second place in 2014 his best result. He has Golden Bell for this year’s renewal, a filly who won a four-runner race on the dirt at Keeneland, leading all the way. When looking at the Ward runners, his record in the 5f races is eight winners from 35 runners compared to 0 wins from 18 runners in the 38
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Golden Bell
6f races. Yet Golden Bell is from the family of Giant’s Causeway and she made a winning debut for Aidan O’Brien over 5f at Dundalk but shaped as if an extra furlong would suit, just getting the better of well-supported favourite Orinoco River by a neck, the pair pulling seven lengths clear of the third horse. George Boughey’s fantastic start continued at Newmarket on May 15 when Cachet made an impressive winning debut over 6f in the first race for fillies over that trip. Always prominent, she drew clear inside the final furlong winning by five and a half lengths from Before Dawn and provided her firstseason sire, Aclaim, with a first winner. The first Group race to be staged in Ireland, the Fillies Sprint Stakes over 6f took place at Naas on May 16 and there was a surprise result. The only newcomer in the sevenrunner line-up, Hermana Estrella, finished strongly to beat pace-setting Quick Suzy by a length and continued the good run of Fozzy Stack’s twoyear-old fillies. Disappointment of the race was Contarelli Chapel who was sent off the 2/7 favourite but failed to act on the soft ground. She had won well on her debut over course and distance 20 days earlier and is worth another chance on faster ground. At the time of writing there had been only two races over 7f, the distance of
the final Royal Ascot race, the Listed Chesham Stakes. Both races took place in Ireland and both were won by Jim Bolger-trained horses. Cool And Clever had to work hard to get off the mark at Roscommon. Having the run of the race in the lead, he was headed with less than two furlongs to go by Sunset Shiraz but kept on well inside the final 100 yards to regain the lead close to the finish. Celtic Times, third behind King Of Bavaria only six days before, got off the mark at the third attempt. He led all the way and just held off the late challenge of newcomer Moony Beams by a neck.
CHESHAM STAKES Aidan O’Brien has won the Chesham five times since his first runner in the race in 1997, most notably with Churchill in 2016. He has a good record with fillies in the race, two winners from four runners and one finishing second and will no doubt have a smart horse running this year. John Gosden hasn’t had a runner in the race since 2017 but has won with three horses from nine runners going back to 1990. He and his son, Thady, hadn’t had any runners at the time of writing. Mark Johnston won this three times in four years from 2000 but hasn’t won it since, a couple have finished second in recent years, 2017 and 2020. RA
QUESTION AND ANSWER
vertigo gave me a panic attack T
Martin Jenkins talks to TV commentator and presenter Mike Cattermole
his month I speak with a familiar face to racing fans, Mike Cattermole, who has for many years combined presenting racing with commentating on the sport. Mike has called at every UK racecourse including many of the big meetings such as Cheltenham, Ascot and York.
Ebor Festival at York. They are my favourites. The Leger Festival has got better and better, too.
Mike Cattermole
Date of Birth: 30/10/61 Birthplace: Elgin, Scotland Twitter: @Catters61 What is your career background and how did you get into racing? I started at Timeform as a comment writer for the older Flat horses. I got the job after answering an advert in the Sporting Life and was interviewed by Reg Griffin. Fifty questions to answer. I moved on to The Sporting Life Weekender and Life itself afterwards until it closed in 1998. I was jockey agent 1989-1993 for Willie Carson, over 700 winners in five seasons, and then briefly for Lester Piggott which included a winner in a seller and a 2,000 Guineas ride. I have been commentating since 1992, presenting since 1995 for The Racing Channel, C4 Racing, At The Races and now Sky Sports Racing.
When and where was your first call on course under rules? Fontwell in 1992 I think. Clerk of the course Cliff Griggs said to me: “Don’t cock it up!” What races/festivals have been your highlights to call over the years? I love calling at Cheltenham and the
How and when do you prepare to learn the colours as well as other research of statistics you may use during your calls? I tend to focus on the colours in the run-up to each race and in the minutes before as they head down to post. Sometimes they can go in easily and sometimes they don’t! It depends on where your head is, I guess. I would make a note of stats on my racecard. What are your strengths and weaknesses behind the microphone? Strengths: Calmness maybe. I am my own worst critic so that is a strength too in a way. Weaknesses: I could do with being a bit quicker and project more energy. What is the best advice you have been given and by whom? Aussie Jim McGrath told me to always know where the favourite is and
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Who or what inspired you to get into racing and when did you first realise you wanted to be a commentator? My late father got me into racing by watching the Grand National. I was
captivated. I think the first one I watched was Specify in 1971. Red Rum came shortly afterwards and I remember the tears welling up when he won his third in ‘77. It wasn't so much that I wanted to be a commentator but I wanted to write and have a crack at being a journalist. I had to get it out of my system after spending my first year after education working for the government’s audit office. Not for me!
What would be your average kind of working day when going to the races? I would do my prep the night before, form etc, and check for any changes in the morning such as going, betting moves and then hit the road. I try to arrive about 90 minutes before the first race, maybe earlier sometimes.
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QUESTION AND ANSWER who is the front-runner. Who were your racing idols you looked up to or maybe based yourself on? I was late to commentating (aged 31 when I did my first call) and I never based myself on any caller but did admire many. The aforementioned Jim, Sir Peter O’Sullevan of course and Simon Holt. When presenting, I was influenced by Des Lynam’s laid back approach. Des was a terrific presenter and a cool guy to chat to. Which would you regard as your biggest and/or best race commentary so far? I don’t think about this much as I am rarely satisfied with any call. However, some of my old Cheltenham races have been appearing recently on social media, such as Wichita Lineman and Faugheen winning the Champion, HUrdle, for example, and I thought they weren’t too bad at least. Which UK racecourses do you like /dislike from a commentary perspec-
tive? I love calling at York although the angle is an odd one and I have been caught out by it more than once. It’s very much the same at Doncaster. The view from the box at Cheltenham is spectacular. I like Lingfield as a track but it is a nightmare when the sun is in your eyes. The Ffos Las box is at a strange angle to the track. What are the best and worst parts of being a race commentator? Best part doing something I love. Each challenge is different and anything could happen. You're on your own, which I love. Worst parts are probably the travelling, dirty commentary boxes and the odd bit of abuse on social media, although that is rare. Have you had any embarrassing moments? Several! Calling the wrong horse is the worst. I was also caught short once at Windsor when racing had been delayed and I thought I had time to chat to a pretty girl outside the weighing room. But unbeknown to me, they
had made up the time and started the race while I was racing up the stairs to get into position. I thought I was going to have a heart attack! I only picked up the action with two furlongs to go and blamed the kit! What is your preference Flat or Jumps? I love the Flat and jumps equally. They are so very different and require different approaches to commentate on. You have more time over the jumps but you need it! Where are your favourite racecourses to visit at home or abroad? York and Goodwood are special, Cheltenham too. I also love Longchamp on Arc day. It never disappoints. A lovely location and atmosphere, brilliant racing and full of Parisian chic. I understand you were taken ill when due to be calling earlier in the year at Lingfield, what happened? I got struck down by vertigo in November. Many think vertigo is a fear of
Primo Bacio is Mike’s tip to follow
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heights but it is not that at all and is a violent spinning sensation caused by a problem with your inner ear. It is awful and it was worse for me when I lay down so I couldn’t sleep for weeks and meant that I was padding around the house in the early hours in despair. You try and soldier on but lack of sleep does some strange things to you and really does your head in. I was feeling weird and it then led to a panic attack in the box at Lingfield - totally out of the blue. I was shocked. Never had one before. Anyway, they sorted out the dizziness and both sleep and medication got me back on track. I took a month off work in January to get better and get my overall equilibrium back! What other hobbies or sports do you like/ I love playing golf but I am a Timeform double squiggle! Great fun and love the social side. I have also started to play a bit of tennis again and try and keep fit as I have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 20 years now. Love watching football. I have followed Derby County for over 50 years. I am
also an Arsenal fan as I was seduced by Arsene Wenger’s teams when he first came over. I watch cricket and boxing and all the big rugby. games. I just love sport. Are there any other sports you have commentated on or would like to? I have presented sports bulletins on Sky News and many years ago, Sky Sports News. I enjoyed that. Wouldn't mind a crack at commentating on football. Favourite food and drink? Love Indian food and Italian. A good Provence chilled rose takes some beating. Malt whisky is a treat. Favourite TV and Film & Music? I love Ozark and hope that there will be another series out soon. 2001, A Space Odyssey is an outstanding movie and one I never tire of. The music in it is brilliant too. My music taste varies a lot. I have for years been a huge fan of the late film composer John Barry – a genius. Springsteen, Genesis, Santana also get played a lot in the car, too.
Which courses would you like to call at that you have not yet been to and which race or race meeting would be in your ambitions? I have called at all the UK tracks now but I would love to call a Guineas or a Derby. Think that ship has sailed, though. If you were put in charge of racing for one week what areas of change would you like to make? I would have a look at the programme as we have too much racing. We also need to think about staging races when people can watch and bet. Maybe start a few meetings at lunchtime? I also believe that we are producing way too many foals. The wastage of those that don’t make it to the track is frightening. Can you give readers a horse or two to follow for 2021? Ed Walker's PRIMO BACIO was brilliant at York recently and showed the turn of foot of a Group One performer. She has clearly improved massively recently and I look forward to her next start, maybe at Ascot? RA
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IRISH RACING
it’s thirdtime lucky for fozzy T
Karl Hedley brings his latest review from across the sea
he Flat season is now in full swing here and while there are still National Hunt meetings taking place, I shall be concentrating on horses who look as though they may have major seasons ahead of them on the level. I shall be reviewing some of the performances that have already caught the eye over the last month in Ireland and examine those horses who look to have decent prospects going forward. Castle Star caught the eye of many when finally getting off the mark at the third time of asking for Fozzy Stack and Chris Hayes to win the listed GAIN Flier Stakes over five furlongs at the Curragh. Held up towards the rear of the seven strong field, the son of Starspangledbanner was ridden confidently by his jockey. They came through with a telling late run to deny the front-running Loveday and Missing Matron. He had clearly learned plenty from his first two outings of the year at Cork and again here and went down only by the narrowest of margins in both cases. He was subject of a monumental gamble having been backed in from 14/1 right down to 5/2 at the off and duly rewarded his supporters. His trainer said afterwards: “He did it well and he deserved it. He was a bit unlucky to run into a good horse in a maiden here the last day. That’s com-
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pensation today. I don’t think the five or six matters to him, I wouldn’t say it was staying that was his problem last day, he probably just met a better colt. I suppose we could maybe look at the Norfolk Stakes for him now. Its six weeks to Ascot and he has plenty of experience now.” Pretty Rebel got off to a slow start later on in the card in what was an ultra-competitive handicap. When the stalls opened the four-year-old daughter of Gutaifan managed to gift her rivals a not-so-helpful eight length start. They must have gone a decent clip out in front as the likes of Ottawa Fire and Wee Pablo took up prominent positions early on. Pretty Rebel had made significant
Chirs Hayes on Castle Star
headway though and had cut through half the field with three furlongs to run. As her rivals paid the price for their speedy getaways, she sauntered into contention and readily asserted coming into the closing stages, despite drifting to the right. Adrian Joyce, assistant to trainer Ger O’Leary, said: “It was a great performance. It was nervous stuff at the start and I thought she had blown it at the gates. She’s a progressive filly and was unlucky the last day when she got nailed late on at Gowran Park. “She’s going to progress through the ranks this year, I’d say she is a nice filly. We’ll look for something similar again. Her half-sister Newgirlintown progressed all of last year and it’s a good staying family, so she should get a bit further as well. The ground is key to her, she needs a little cut and we were delighted to see the rain all morning.” Another huge gamble was landed in the finale on the card as Zephron, a four-year-old son of Ivawood, got the better of Majeski Man and Roxette in a six-furlong handicap. High drawn horses seemed to have the advantage here, so perhaps that played a part in the significant price collapse and he came in from 20/1 in the morning to 11/2jf at the off. As the race progressed and he drew into contention, his task was made all the easier by a late drift to the right by his market rival, Roxette. That allowed a gap to appear and he was driven out
King Of Bavaria is driven out by Wayne Lordan
sort of race having dwelt at the start under jockey Niall McCullagh leaving his supporters frustrated. It was the opposite for the winner who broke smartly and was soon prominent even though they were drawn out in the car park. Despite being closed in on by the Andrew Slattery trained Sunwalk, the pair had enough in had to win by a head. Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “It was a good performance and he had to be brave. He had a terrible draw, but it helped that the favourite got stuck in the stalls. Fair play to Colin and the horse, they took advantage of that. “He’s still a green horse and will improve from it. He was in front a long way from home and it was a fair performance. He wouldn’t ideally like that ground, it went a bit slow, and we were a bit nervous before the race with the heavy showers yesterday and today. He’s a good ground horse but because
it was his first race, we said we would take our chance and we got away with it.” Gerard O’Leary may have had no luck in the opening maiden, but he didn’t have to hang around too long before he had another winner. Princess Sela made the most of her stand side draw to power home on what was her handicap debut in the next race. Having been held up in the mid division, Shane Foley switched his mount to grab that rail run. The pair stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to beat market leader Aingeal Dorcha by a neck with their stablemate Knocknakilla back in third place. O’ Leary said: “They are going very well. We were a bit disappointed in the first when yer man didn’t pop. We’ve just needed juice in the ground for a week or ten days. We’ve plenty of entries and they’ve been running so well so it worked out. This filly is a half-sister to my sprinter Primo Uomo and she’s
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to score by his young jockey Annalise Cullen. A winner of a maiden at Tipperary last season, Zephron came into this race with two solid efforts in seven-furlong handicaps behind him having run well at both Naas and Leopardstown. He really seemed to appreciate the rainfall as that allowed him to dig his hooves into the ground. All of his best efforts have come with a bit of cut in the going and he looks one to stay on the right side of. Denis Cullen said afterwards: “I’m delighted. He’s run two good races already this year and Annalise, in fairness, has been giving him a good old cheery ride. We’re delighted with that.” The following day at Gowran Park the opening maiden was won by Bellagio Man for Colin Keane and Ger Lyons. Despite a drift in the betting market, he was usurped for favouritism by the Ger O’Learytrained True Artist. The latter ran no
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IRISH RACING
Holly Golightly approaches the winning post
just been a slow burner. Hopefully she’ll improve from here. I think seven furlongs is her trip. We’ll look for something similar, but we definitely need yielding or soft ground. It’s great to be on the scoreboard with two of them in the last two days.” Holly Golightly seemed to appreciate the switch to turf following two recent efforts on the all-weather surface at Dundalk. The three-year-old filly, who is a daughter of Gleneagles, made all to give Ger Lyons a quick-fire double from the opening three races on the card. Ridden by Gary Carroll, the pair got away smartly from stall 13 to grab an early lead. She was stalked throughout by market leader New York Angel. The duo looked vulnerable in the closing stages but found plenty for pressure as they secured a near two length win over the staying-on Friendly and the aforementioned New York Angel. Shane Lyons was on hand to say:
“That’s a great result. She’ll get further and Gary said she she’s still very green and there is improvement to come from her mentally. At the top there, where its always the deepest, she flattened out on him, so she’ll improve for better ground as well. She’s very green and baulked at the road past the winning post.” The following evening also at Gowran Park, Texas Moon was making only his second start for Willie McCreery. He was a solid third over a mile on debut at the same track finishing six-and-a-half-lengths behind his half-brother Stylistic Approach. He seems a bargain buy at just €4,000 and set about making all here under Billy Lee. They seem to have found a strip of fresh ground near the running rail and took full advantage. There was a length-and-a-quarter back to Eaglefold and Metaphorical was third. “He ran well here the first day. You always like to advance but
Phillip p
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sometimes it doesn’t work that way,” said the winning trainer. “He broke very well out of the stalls and Billy got across well into a nice position. The fresh ground is the place to be here. “I had a nice walk with Billy and we thought that was the best place to be. He got there and dictated. He quickened up well, but idled just a little in the last 100 yards. We’ll take baby steps with him, he’s still raw and I didn’t run him purposely as he’s till maturing into himself. He’s from a very good family as his dam is a half-sister to a champion in America.” A few runs over hurdles seem to have done Mighty Blue no harm and she lined up to contest the listed Vintage Tipple Stakes later on the card over a-mile-and-six-furlongs. The daughter of Authorized tracked the leaders before coming with her effort early in the home straight under young Dylan Brown McMonagle. The pair pulled some seven lengths clear of rank outsider Lismore and the likeable Princess Zoe. The winner was successful in France before coming to Ireland where she won in handicap company last season at The Curragh. She had finished behind several of today’s rivals when sixth at Cork last month, including the disappointing favourite in Flor De La Luna. Brendan Powell, assistant trainer to Joseph O’ Brien, said: “It was a good performance, she’s a good tough filly. She’s been on the go all year, she ran well at Cheltenham and ran a nice race at Cork, where the ground was possibly a bit quick for her. Dylan said she travelled away, got a lovely lead and the further she went the better she won. “She has plenty of size to her and is still a novice next year over hurdles, which is amazing really. She jumped okay at Cheltenham, it wouldn’t have been great, but she stayed on well there. She never really took a break between last season and the jumping season, but she looks well in herself. I think the ground is key to her. I’d say Joseph will give her a holiday when she needs it, but she is not showing any signs of it at the moment, definitely not today anyway.” A few days later Naas hosted a
Benaud (Shane Crosse)
decent looking card and it wasn’t long before the team at Ballydoyle got off to winning ways. King Of Bavaria was making his debut for Aiden O’Brien and Wayne Lordan had been booked for the ride. Despite dwelling ever so slightly in the stalls, the duo closed on their rivals to lead at the two-furlong marker. Lordan asked for more from his everwilling partner and the pair recorded a three-quarters-of-a-length win over Silver Surfer and Celtic Times. The winner cost a hefty $300,000 as a yearling at Keeneland but he paid some of that back with a hard fought win here. His jockey said: “He jumped a tad slow, but got into a quick stride and showed plenty of pace. He showed a little bit of greenness in the last furlong, but I thought he got to the line well. He’s a nice big colt.”
Bookmakers reacted favourably to this win and introduced him as a 12/1 shot for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Another intended Royal meeting runner ran in the trials rated race on the same card. Benaud had been gelded over the winter having won on his final start at Leopardstown last year. He kept on well to defeat Baton Rouge by almost two lengths. Brendan Powell said: “He’s a big horse and last year early on, he was getting lost everywhere. He won on his final start and stepped up to a mile-and-a-quarter here. Shane said they went fast and he travelled away well. He kept picking up and I’m sure he’ll improve from that run. He may go to Ascot. He was off 89 today and seems to cope with most types of ground. This step up in trip probably improved him again.” RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE BETTING TRENDS
Younger horse with stamina is the key Andy Newton reviews the great Newcastle race
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owards the end of this month, and after all the hustle and bustle of the Derby and then Royal Ascot, it’s off to Newcastle racecourse as they stage one of their biggest race days of the season, with the Northumberland Plate the feature race. Run over two miles, the Northumberland Plate is one of the richest staying handicaps in the world and to the older readers will still be known as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’. First first run in 1833, there is plenty of history attached to the race and being run over 2 miles can often attract horses trained by National Hunt stables – backed up Alan King (2019), Jonjo O’Neill (2013) and Donald McCain (2010 and 2012) winning the prize in recent years. Last year we saw the Hugo Palmertrained Caravan Of Hope win the race – this 4 year-old became the fourth winning favourite since 2012 to reward punters – while, don’t forget, this race is now run on Newcastle’s AW track. Let’s take a look back at past winners and highlight the key trends and statistics to look out for when going through the race– this year run on Saturday June 26. WEIGHT – 11 of the last 19 winners have carried 8-12 or less, while since 1985 we’ve only seen four horses carry 9-6 or more to victory. The 2021 winner, Caravan Of Hope, won with just 8-5, but 4 of the last six winners have
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carried between 9st 1lbs and 9st 5lbs. FORM – A massive 18 of the last 19 winners finished fifth or better last time out, while if you want to take this trend a bit further then 15 of the last 19 successful horses were placed in the top three in their most recent race. TRIP – With this race being run over 2m, then proven stamina is key. 18 of the last 19 winners had previously won over at least 1m4f, but it goes without saying, look for winning form over 1m6f to 2m too and even better if they’ve performed well on the AW track at Newcastle too. 15 of the last 19 winners had won over at least 1m6f on the flat. AGE – 16 of the last 19 winners were aged 6 or younger and no horse older than 8 has won the race since 1985! During that time, we’ve had just three winners aged 3 and three aged 8; the bulk of winners have been aged between 4 and 7. DRAW – 16 of the last 19 winners came from stall 14 or lower, Yes, that still leaves us with 14 horses, but that is quite a significant trend and there is likely to be a big field so it will help us knock a few out. PRICE – Up until recently the favourites didn’t have a great record in the race. However, this trend is turning now with four winning market leaders since 2012. With that we’ve now had 10 of the last 19 winners return at doublefigure odds and the average winning SP in the last 19 runnings is 12.5/1. STABLES – The Roger Charlton yard
have won two of the last six renewals so anything they run should be noted, while Donald McCain has been responsible for winners in 2010 and 2012. Away from those yards it’s been an array of stables to land the prize in recent years, including Hugo Palmer, Alan King, James Fanshawe, Good Luck!
Past Northumberland Plate Winners 2020 – Caravan Of Hope (9/2 fav) 2019 – Who Dares Wins (12/1) 2018 – Withhold (5/1 fav) 2017 - Higher Power (11/2) 2016 – Antiquarium (16/1) 2015 – Quest For More (15/2) 2014 – Angel Gabrial (4/1 fav) 2013 – Tominator (8/1) 2012 – Ile de Re (5/2 fav) 2011 – Tominator (25/1) 2010 – Overturn (14/1) 2009 – Som Tala (16/1) 2008 – Arc Bleu (14/1) 2007 – Juniper Girl (5/1 fav) 2006 – Toldo (33/1) 2005 – Sergeant Cecil (14/1) 2004 – Mirjan (33/1) 2003 – Unleash (10/1) 2002 – Bangalore (8/1) Key Northumberland Plate Trends 18/19 - Had won over at least 1m4f before on the flat 18/19 – Finished fifth or better last time 16/19 – Came from stall 14 or lower 16/19 – Aged 6 or younger
Caravan of Hope wins in 2020
15/19 – Had won over at least 1m6f before on the flat 15/19 – Finished in the top three in their previous race 11/19 – Carried 8-12 or less 10/19 – Returned a double-figure price 8/19 – Had at least 2 turf Flat runs already that season 7/19 – Won by a National Hunt yard 5/19 – Won their previous race 5/19 – Winning favourites 3/19 – Ran at Haydock last time out
(inc 3 of the last 13 winners) 3/19 – Had won on the Flat at Newcastle before 2/19 – Trained by Donald McCain 2/19 – Trained by Roger Charlton (2 of last 6) 1/19 – Won by a previous winner of the race The average winning SP in the last 19 years is 12.5/1 Note: From 2016 the Northumberland Plate has been staged on the All
Weather track at Newcastle
Other Northumberland Plate Facts No horse older than 8 has won the race since 1985 Five of the last 15 winners ran at either Ascot or Haydock last time out Ten winning favourites (1 joint) since 1985, including 4 of the last 9 Paul Cole trained the winner in 1997, 1998 & 2001 RA
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NEWMARKET REPORT
we’re seeing superstars of the future Dave Youngman with his latest news letter from HQ
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OW we are in full swing with this new Flat season, GODOLPHIN have very large numbers of horses going out early in the mornings here at Newmarket as I am sure you all can well imagine. I hope you like my photo of the horses making their way out onto the gallops. What a joy it is for me to watch these superbly bred horses, I really enjoy watching the progress of the inmates from trainer Charlie Appleby’s yard before they have ever been on the racecourse. UNRACED Godolphin fillies WITH THE MOONLIGHT and LIFE OF DREAMS are really blossoming now and I have been really impressed by the work they have done. Another unraced juvenile in this string going well is a Kingman colt named KING OF TIME out of the mare Lambattna, this was bred by Bjorn Neilsen. Unraced three year old son of Sea The Stars NEPTUNE SEAS has really come to hand in the last couple of weeks and is not far off a first run for Godolphin. Sadly unraced three-year-old son of Sea The Stars, MASTER OF THE SEAS, was found to have injured a joint in his leg and will miss the St James Palace stakes at Royal Ascot. Charlie Appleby is now looking to get him to Goodwood for the Sussex Stakes. JOHN Gosden has his string in fine 48
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fettle at present and as yet unraced juvenile SPECIAL ENVOY continues to impress me. This son of Frankel is out of Marlinka and was bred by Elite Racing. It was sold to Juddmonte Farms for 850,000 guineas. From what I have seen of his work he will have no trouble repaying that purchase price, he is a colt that lengthens and extends just like his sire used to on the gallops here at HQ.
Cooling off
HARRY Herbert and Jake Warren bought a lovely son of Mehmas at the Craven Breeze Up sales and this colt has now been named HEBRIDIES. It has gone into training with William and Mo Haggas at Somerville Lodge for the Oak Tree Syndicate and hopefully will be having his first race within the next month or two. He is a well topped type and lovely stamp of horse, he should have no trouble winning a nice race or two for his loyal Syndicate members. AL AASY is impressing in the Haggas string in his work and the son of Sea The Stars will be heading to Royal Ascot next with a big chance of success there. SIR Michael Stoute’s trusty assistant trainer James Horton is leaving Freemason Lodge at the end of this season to start training himself in Yorkshire for owner John Dance. James has had a great mentor in Sir Michael and he is sure to do well in his new venture, with the support of such a good loyal owner he is bound to ease gently into the role and we can all look forward to seeing him succeed next season with some very nice winners. SIMON and Ed Crisford have some nice unraced juveniles in their string at Gainsborough Stables on the Hamilton Road. One that has taken my eye recently doing some impressive work is CROUPIER a lovely bay colt by Invincible Spirit out of a Street Cry mare. This colt cost 100,000 guineas
Godolphin string
and looks worth every penny judged on the way he has been burning up the HQ gallops. PROFIT GIVEN, another unraced youngster in this string by Profitable, is also going especially well at present. AFTER the horses have worked out on the Limekilns gallops at Newmarket trainers like the horses to cool down by walking gently among the trees just as you see this horse doing in my photo. It helps them relax and enjoy the work and general training routine. What great horses and wonderful jockeys I have been lucky enough to see on these famous gallops over the years and God willing I hope to do so for many years to come. WITH the recent death of former top rider Joe Mercer it served to remind me of the exciting times we had here when he was stable jockey to Henry Cecil. I saw a lot of him then and was able to watch him close up on such Cecil greats as LIGHT CAVALRY, ONE IN A MILLION, KRIS, BUCKSKIN and many, many more. He first joined the Warren Place team in 1977 and was always a most stylish rider and wonderfully reliable person.
LIGHT CAVALRY was sired by Brigadier Gerard, who he had such great success on and won the 1980 St Leger for owner Jim Joel. KRIS was a wonderful miler by Sharpen Up owned by Lord Howard De Walden that the CecilMercer combination did so well with.
KINGMAN OFFSPRING TO FOLLOW IN our Newmarket stables we have some very impressive as yet unraced progeny by top Juddmonte sire KINGMAN. Here are a few for your notebooks: SIR Michael Stoute houses three very nice types by this sire in AL BAAHY, a bay colt out of the New Approach mare Secret Keeper and who is already pointing his toe in very nice fashion out on the gallops in his work for the Freemason Lodge handler. CAPSTAN, out of Arizona Jewel, has not done any serious work but is an impressive looking individual of substance. ASSESMENT, out of the mare Clinical owned by Cheveley Park Stud, is a colt catching my eye with some stylish work and I know Sir Michael is very keen on him.
ROGER Varian has also got some nice Kingman juveniles including KINGMAX, a very attractive bay coly out of Baino Hope, that is moving well and looks full of promise for the Carlburg handler. AKHU NAJLA is a lovely moving colt by this sire out of the Galileo mare Galicuix. He will need time to fully furnish but will be a more than nice type for next year. SAKHEER is a lovely bay colt out of the Dubawi mare Deuce again and has really filled the eye in some excellent work. JOHN Gosden, who trained Kingman so brilliantly, has some beautiful offspring of this sire. SUPER CHIEF is a strong forward colt out of Eastern Belle and should do well later in the season for the Clarehaven yard. CRENELLE is a grey filly owned by Juddmonte that is already breezing along in eye catching fashion. SAMBURA, a colt out of the Dansili mare Tempera, is also showing himself very forward and doing strong impressive work already. I look forward to meeting up with you all once again on the racecourse in the not too distant future. daveyoungman@btinternet.com RA ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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PICKS FROM THE PADDOCK
horse with muscles on eyebrows!
Andrew Ayres with this month’s list of eye-catchers NEWMARKET April 13 (good, good-firm) 5f two-year-old novice (Class 4) RACE THAT WILL PRODUCE WINNERS FORCA BRASIL (George Boughey) looks a racy individual and had this won from the moment he quickened in the dip. He should be slicker out of the gates next time and will take some stopping in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. ANTIPHON (Andrew Balding) is a good-looking colt and guaranteed to improve as he moves up in trip (dam won over 1m4f). He was tapped for toe when the pace lifted but kept on well to nick third spot and will be hard to beat next time. 1m1f three-year-old Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) IMPRESSIVE WINNER HIGHLAND AVENUE (Charlie Appleby) has got muscles on his eyebrows and stepped-up on his all-weather form to win this with something to spare. He should stay 1m2f but has bags of pace and will be equally effective over shorter trips. There is a big race in this fella.
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7f three-year-old handicap (Class 2) CLASSY CONTEST MITHRAS (John & Thady Gosden) has improved physically over the winter and was bet like a good thing. Mind you, he gave his supporters palpitations before getting on top inside the final furlong. He’ll improve significantly for a step-up in trip and looks a Listed/Group horse in the making.
NEWBURY April 18 (good) 1m handicap (Class 2) RED-HOT EVENT MATTHEW FLINDERS (Ed Walker) reportedly met with a slight setback in the build-up to this so ran a blinder to finish third. He was mullered by a desperate draw at York in mid-May and remains one to bear in mind for a top class handicap this summer. SALISBURY April 25 (good-firm) 7f three-year-old novice (Class 5) FAIR FORM GEORGE MORLAND (Henry Candy) looks the part and lost nothing in defeat under his winners’ penalty. This trip is ideal, and he should do some damage off a generous mark of 82 in handicaps.
1m4f handicap (Class 4) COMPETITIVE EVENT DREAMWEAVER (Ed Walker) needed the run on his reappearance last term and looked a shade burly here. Bearing that in mind, he did well to run the useful Brasca close and it would be no surprise if he went one spot better next time.
WINDSOR April 26 (good-firm) 1m3f110y handicap (Class 4) RUN-OF-THE-MILL RACE GOLDIE HAWK (Chris Wall) has strengthened up over the winter and looked a shade unlucky to get chinned close home. A galloping track will show him in a better light and compensation awaits. LINGFIELD April 29 (standard) 1m three-year-old handicap (Class 5) MESSY RACE LIGHTENING SHORE (Richard Hughes) looked in good nick and would have won this but for being forced five-wide off the home bend. He seems to have improved for a gelding operation and will win a race or two this summer. GOODWOOD May 1 (good-firm) 5f handicap (Class 2) SMALL BUT COMPETITIVE FIELD STONE OF DESTINY (Andrew Balding) caught the eye at Newmarket on his reappearance and was well
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NEWBURY April 16 (good) RACE THAT WILL PRODUCE WINNERS OBJECT (Martyn Meade) looked the part but was undone by his tricky draw
and could never get competitive. Still, he’s from a tough family – half-brother to four useful winners – and will be a different proposition next time.
Dreamweaver
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ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
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PICKS FROM THE PADDOCK Stone Of Destiny
backed here. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find much cover in this small field and was touched off in a nip-andtuck finish. This fella is made for the big summer sprint handicaps and will pop up at a decent price somewhere soon. 1m2f three-year-old handicap (Class 5) FAIR FORM WINK OF AN EYE (William Haggas) showed plenty in a trio of starts last autumn and finished best of all to nab second spot here. He would have gone close granted a sharper ride from Cieren Fallon and looks on a handy mark.
NEWMARKET May 2 (good-firm) 1,000 Guineas 1m three-year-old fillies (Group 1) (Class 1) BUNCH FINISH TO OUR FIRST CLASSIC SANTA BARBARA (Aidan O’Brien) oozes class and was a massive eyecatcher in fourth. She’s crying out for a longer trip – most of her relatives stayed middle-distances – and will be a different proposition in the Oaks. She is a top-class prospect. LINGFIELD May 4 (standard) 5f two-year-old novice (Class 5) FAIR RACE FOR THE GRADE GIFT HORSE (James Tate) looked greener than Kermit on her debut at Beverley and would have won this by clear water but for being forced wide after a slow start. She’s a half-sister to the classy speedster Krypton Factor and could develop into a decent sprinter. KEMPTON May 5 (standard to slow) 1m4f fillies novice (Class 5) ABOVE AVERAGE RACE THOUSAND OAKS (John & Thady Gosden) attracted some support on this belated debut (14s to 10-1) and shaped with bags of promise to finish third. She’s from a smart family – dam was a 1m4f Listed winner – and is nailed-on to pick up a race or two. 52
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ASCOT May 8 (soft) 1m fillies handicap (Class 2) FRONT TWO PULLED CLEAR DREAMLOPER (Ed Walker) has always looked the sort who would thrive as a four-year-old and was a shade unlucky here. She travels like a decent filly, has bags of scope and will nick a decent pot when everything clicks into place. 7f handicap (Class 2) RED-HOT EVENT HISTORY WRITER (David Menuisier) is
A-Z OF PADDOCK POSITIVES AL SHIBLI (Richard Hannon) ANTIPHON (Andrew Balding) BAY BRIDGE (Sir Michael Stoute) DREAMLOPER (Ed Walker) DREAMWEAVER (Ed Walker) FORCA BRASIL (George Boughey)) GEORGE MORLAND (Henry Candy) GIFT HORSE (James Tate) GOLDIE HAWK (Chris Wall) HIGHLAND AVENUE (Charlie Appleby) HISTORY WRITER (David Menuisier) KINGMAX (Roger Varian) LIGHTENING SHORE (Richard Hughes) MATTHEW FLINDERS (Ed Walker) MITHRAS (John & Thady Gosden) OBJECT (Martyn Meade) SANTA BARBARA (Aidan O’Brien) STONE OF DESTINY (Andrew Balding) THOUSAND OAKS (John & Thady Gosden) WINK OF AN EYE (William Haggas)
edging back to form and ran much better than his finishing position suggests. He’s dangerously well treated on the pick of his efforts and will be placed to advantage by Monsieur Menuisier.
NEWBURY May 14 (good-soft, soft in places) 6f two-year-old novice (Class 4) RACE THAT WILL PRODUCE WINNERS KINGMAX (Roger Varian) cost £120,000 and looked pretty straight for this debut. Unfortunately, he got upset in the stalls and was stuck in a pocket when the pace lifted. That considered, the colt ran a blinder to finish second and it will take something sharp to trump him next time. NEWBURY May 15 (good-soft) 1m2f three-year-old handicap (Class 2) IMPRESSIVE WINNER BAY BRIDGE (Sir Michael Stoute) has improved with every start and looked in fine shape. He was always travelling best and sealed the deal after slipping through a gap half-way up the straight. He’s entered in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and will make his presence felt in Group company. 6f two-year-old stakes (Class 2) ABOVE AVERAGE FORM AL SHIBLI (Richard Hannon) was well bet on this debut (11-4 to 7-4) but ran green under pressure and left the distinct impression that he was learning on the job. This will have knocked off a few rough edges and he looks above average. RA
YESTERDAY’S HEROES
cecil dynasty began with buckskin I Graham Buddry remembers Henry Cecil’s great stayers ing the Prix Cadran twice when trained in France, and rarely raced on anything other. Cecil’s own vet upon seeing Buckskin intoned, “You will never train that,” but Cecil was an eccentric genius. To start with Cecil discovered that Buckskin was a happy horse when left to his own devices so very soon he had a free run of the yard around which he enjoyed chasing the chickens. Next Cecil considered that Buckskin was happiest with his own ailments on soft ground and therefore tried too hard, so reasoned that on a firmer surface he would be more careful and look after himself. The gasps of surprise were audible amid the sagely shaken heads when the heavily bandaged Buckskin lined up on good ground for the Doncaster Gold Cup and then firmer still at Newmarket. At Doncaster Buckskin thrashed Shangamuzo with the incomparable Sea Pigeon also among his victims. Both races proved vindication for Cecil as Buckskin won both events with ease, going away. His jockey, Joe Mercer, had confided that he also had speed to burn, citing an instance on the Limekiln gallops over a mile where good milers like Gunner B couldn’t get near him. In 1979 Buckskin, now considered the best stayer in Europe as well as Cecil’s personal favourite, took the Henry II Stakes at Sandown by a
hugely impressive 15 lengths. Next up would be the Ascot Gold Cup where he would start favourite for the third time in a race the six-year-old had been kept specially in training for. Cecil would go into the race with the second favourite as well in the shape of Le Moss. This full brother to the 1969 Ascot Gold Cup and Arc de Triomphe winner, Levmoss, was backward as a two-year-old, having just one run in October, but as a threeyear-old he had proved an admirable performer winning all four races, including the Queen’s Vase before the St Leger. Here he was very upset at the start and ran no real race at all yet still finished second. Le Moss, too, was a character which only the exceptional mind of Cecil could cope with. To say he was lazy at home was an understatement. One time on the gallops he was beaten senseless by a bunch of maidens but more often than not he would simply refuse to participate, pulling himself up after barely 50 yards. Cecil gave him his own way but still determined to get him fit so a heavier than usual lad would walk or canter him for hours around the heath and then he would make daily use of the equine swimming pool. Le Moss was happy thinking he was getting special treatment yet was canny enough to realise that two racecourse gallops were not real races so downed tools both times.
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n the late 1970’s there were fewer horses to challenge the masters of the Cup races, but yet again they were exemplary champions who many simply dared not confront as the results seemed a foregone conclusion. First there was François Boutin’s great Sagaro, triple winner of the Ascot Gold Cup and then from 1979 to 1982 Henry Cecil began a period of sublime dominance. Boutin won his third Ascot Gold Cup in 1977 with Sagaro ahead of upand-coming stayer Buckskin, who was favourite the following year when the race was won by Shangamuzo. After the race Buckskin’s owner, Daniel Wildenstein, blamed Champion Jockey Pat Eddery for his defeat, claiming he was “too much of a boy” for the horse and declaring that “with Piggott or Saint-Martin he would have won”. Trainer, Pater Walwyn stormed back that if someone else is to ride Buckskin it will not be from my yard!” And so Buckskin eventually found his way to Warren Place and the care of Henry Cecil along with all the other Wildenstein horses. Walwyn warned Cecil that Buckskin had dropped soles that required special shoes with leather inserts and an off fore suspensory ligament that would require hours of daily hosing down with cold water to limit the inflammation. As a result Buckskin had only ever won on soft ground, includ-
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YESTERDAY’S HEROES As such he went to Ascot without a prep run and with Cecil dreading what he would do. In the event Le Moss knew this was the real thing and with Piggott on board, Mercer having opted for Buckskin, they tracked the favourite into the home straight. Here Le Moss drew level before eventually forcing his head in front and Mercer reluctantly accepted defeat. In the winner’s enclosure with the first and second Cecil stated, “I feel like Judas Iscariot,” and later confirmed; “This was the unhappiest victory of my career.” Buckskin was immediately retired and never did win the Ascot Gold Cup although of his favourite horse Cecil confided that, “with better legs Buckskin could have won a King George and Arc.” Le Moss continued his incredible run
of success by landing the Goodwood and Doncaster Cups as well, becoming the first horse to win the stayers triple crown outright. (In 1953 Soupi deadheated at Doncaster after winning the other two) In 1980 Le Moss would have another serious rival to replace Buckskin in the form of the Prendegast-trained Ardross, a seriously good horse over 1½ miles who was now to be campaigned with the stayers cups in mind. As with everything about Le Moss, nothing was simple. Having pulled a muscle in the spring, the horse was confined to his box for six weeks so went straight to Ascot with Cecil fearing for his fitness. He shouldn’t have worried as the 3/1 favourite led from the start in a frenetically run race. The French raider, Croque Monsieur, tried valiantly to get
on terms with the leader for the first half of the race but Le Moss kept on pulling out more, going just a little faster each time. When Croque Monsieur was beaten off another challenger appeared, only to suffer the same fate until in the home straight only Ardross was left. He tried hard but couldn’t bridge the final gap as Le Moss crossed the line with a ¾ length advantage. The pair met again in more classic confrontations, first at Goodwood and then at Doncaster where Ardross had a two pound weight advantage on each occasion. On the South Downs Ardross narrowed the gap to a neck at the line while in Yorkshire Le Moss led in his customary style until Ardross closed fast late on, looking certain to go past but Le Moss’ will to win was supreme and he fought with an over-
Sagaro, with Lester Piggott up, win the 1977 Ascot Gold Cup ahead of Buckskin
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whelming tenacity to take the photo finish. Mercer proudly saying of his partner, “He always picks up when challenged.” These titanic battles lit up the season as Le Moss landed the stayers triple crown for the second time. (Only Stradivarius has since won these three races in the same season and that on only one occasion). Le Moss would be retired at the end of the season so Cecil went to Ireland to have a closer look at Ardross. Liking what he saw it wasn’t long before he crossed the Irish sea to take up residence at Warren Place. His first run for Cecil was the Yorkshire Cup in May of 1981, scooting home easily with Piggott barely moving a muscle. It was much the same in the Ascot Gold Cup, his next race, with Ardross just cantering while the opposition were hard at work in the closing stages, Piggott smiling across at Willie Carson and the others as his mount cruised past to take the prize.
Ardross won the Goodwood Cup and several other races before contesting the Arc de Triomphe where he finished a creditable fifth behind Gold River. Three weeks later they met again in the Prix Royal Oak where Ardross trounced the filly. Another season and Ardross reigned supreme again. He landed his second Ascot Gold Cup, Piggott’s record eleventh win in the race and Cecil’s fourth consecutive victory. Other races fell equally easy, including the Doncaster Cup until he faced his last ever race, the one Henry had been aiming at all season, the Arc de Triomphe. Into the straight at Longchamp and Piggott wound Ardross up for his devastating late surge only to be impeded by tiring horses dropping back. Pushed back two lengths Piggott switched his mount and the charge began, picking off those in front until only three remained. Ardross was flying as he scorched past first one then a second of those
ahead with only Akiyda remaining. The gap was closing fast but the line came a few strides too soon, the filly hanging on by a fast closing head to deny a fairytale final race. All three of the Cecil inmates were acclaimed Champion Stayer while Ardross was also named Champion Racehorse of 1982. The trio all went to stud before a long and peaceful retirement, Ardross living to an age of 18, Buckskin 22 and Le Moss 25. Their other racing legacy rests firmly in the National Hunt record books for, among others, Buckskin was the sire of Amberleigh House, Ardross the sire of Alderbrook and the dam sire of Coneygree while Le Moss was the dam sire of Imperial Commander. At their peaks Timeform could barely split the trio and, at their best, it would take a brave man to put his money on the likely outcome but what wonderful days these three champions gave us. RA
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OUT IN THE STICKS
tom cat can keep us purring
Getthepot, Only Money, An Tailliur (twice) and Zuba have already given Jeremy Grayson next-time jumps winners from last month’s selections. Here are the latest horses tasked with following suit PERTH, 12 May (Soft) 2m7f207yds (+35yds) 0-115 Handicap Hurdle (class 4) Disregard one blowout at this venue last September, and WAKOOL’s story has been one of steady improvement for Nick Alexander with every single race since arrival in Britain in autumn 2019. That trajectory was maintained on this first step up to 3m, and with enough about the late chivvying he required to keep on a true line to suppose he was winning whilst keeping as much for himself as possible. That could make the former Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Motivator grey tricky for the handicapper to nail down in the short term, and the keeping-on Kelso second which preceded this effort serves as a reminder that sounder surfaces are just as comfortable a fit. Chasing too, remains an untried option, if not one for which he’s obviously bred. PERTH, 13 May (Soft) 2m7f180yds (+43yds) Novices’ Chase (class 4) Ballymoy has proven pretty much uncontainable in staying chases this spring, so there was no shame in FITZROY’s failing to run him to closer than 5l on this chasing debut, even allowing for the receipt of 12lb from that doubly penalised rival. Olly 56
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Murphy’s son of Fame And Glory couldn’t dominate proceedings half as much as when making all in a Market Rasen maiden hurdle on rather drier ground just a month prior (2m4f), but there ought to be plenty of opportunities in (usually) smallfield staying novice and beginners’ chases this summer where this wellappointed gelding from the wider family of Presenting Percy and War Of Attrition can do just that. Should the new vocation not go entirely to plan, the novice status over hurdles can be exploited until the autumn. 2m4f35yds (+30yds) 0-130 Handicap Hurdle (class 3) The first attempt beyond 2m asked a brand new question of SAINT ARVANS, and although beaten 5l into third the issue looked more one of class on just this second foray into class 3 than one of stamina. A full brother to former Tom Lacey stablemate Via Delle Volte, a Grade 3 handicap hurdle second at best, the seven-year-old gelding has looked well bought at just £1,000 from the same yard by owner (and former permit-holder David Carr) eighteen months ago and seems no less agreeable to good ground as to softer. Maurice Barnes’s four winners in the first half of May have already brought
him to within one success of an extremely troubled 2020-21 campaign, devastating house fire and all, and this son of Motivator can be taken as the one to equal or better that tally in the coming weeks at anywhere up to and including 2m4f, and perhaps back down in 0-120 class.
AINTREE, 14 May (Good) 2m3f200yds (+12yds) 0-135 Handicap Chase (class 3) Six-year-olds have taken Market Rasen’s showcase Summer Plate on four occasions in its now quarter-century history, including Really Super last year. Thoughts surely turn to that event with the similarly aged CAPTAIN TOM CAT now, having taken apart this fair handicap with a jumping display which utterly belied his previous lack of chasing experience. Although making all here it’s important to underline the son of Dylan Thomas isn’t wedded to such a tactic, having chased the speed for his Cheltenham hurdle win last autumn. That score at HQ was additionally significant in having been gained in a 19-runner race, suggesting the rough and tumble of large-field handicaps doesn’t bother him. Given his record of 211131 on good ground, it’s a case of the drier the summer, the better for Dr Richard Newland’s exciting chaser.
Black Mischief
son and nephew of 2m5f-plus chase winners than the 2m of his sole previous chasing start in a Uttoxeter match.
UTTOXETER, 15 May (Good to soft) 3m (+70yds) 0-130 Mares’ Handicap Chase (class 3) At first glance a 38l last of five on this chasing debut doesn’t offer significant fresh confidence in REDBRIDGE GOLD, but Jamie Snowden’s now eight-year-old entered the contest on a mark which still looked harsh despite a 3lb ease, and it wouldn’t take much more of a drop for this effort to render her eligible for the appreciably easier waters of 0-105. An Irish point win in winter 2018 had likely been gained in spite of the pre-
vailing soft going rather than because of it, an assertion given further credence by her best win and place form in this country since then (notably a Doncaster bumper score) coming on a sound surface. Not for the first time, Snowden has started a new jumps season well among the winners (May 2019’s tally of nine remains his best in a single calendar month ever), and a good-ground handicap chase of a realistic level, perhaps back down at 2m4f for the time being, can see this Gold Well mare bolstering the figures further still. 2m7f70yds (+30yds) 0-105 Handicap Hurdle (class 5) Rated as high as the low-110s prior to going wrong at Worcester in
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2m4f (+2yds) 0-145 Handicap Hurdle (class 2) Cold legs in the morning will have been Harry Fry’s first priority with BLACK MISCHIEF on this first outing for over two years, so the fact he ran the winner to under 4l in a pretty up to scratch class 2 rates a very nice bonus. Hurdling successes at Kempton and Haydock during 2018 (the latter off 3lb above his current mark) were gained at 2m3f-2m5f on good ground, and this heartening comeback suggests those may still constitute his optimum requirements all this time (but not many runs) later. The temptation must be to return the Black Sam Bellamy nine-year-old to fences as soon as possible, however, with tests over this evening’s sort of trip surely more appropriate for this
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OUT IN THE STICKS
Cheers Delboy
autumn 2018 and missing over 800 days, it looks as if CHEER’S DELBOY has finally been eased to the sort of mark commensurate with his present level of attainment. Hence this effort, a 2l second – his first podium finish of any description – which might have been better still but for rapping the last, if still not quite a victory. Robin Dickin has endured a couple of lean seasons, with no obvious successor to the likes of Thomas Crapper and fewer than half the number of runners sent out in 2020-21 than just four years prior, but this eight-year-old son of Golan may yet be able to get him on the scoresheet for the current campaign in an equally modest summer staying handicap, assuming extremes of going are avoided.
STRATFORD, 16 May (Soft) 3m2f83yds 0-120 Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (class 4) The feeling endures that there’s one last handicap hurdle to be won off her 58
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current sort of mark with MY LADY GREY, and whilst an overall return of 2-20 over the smaller obstacles doesn’t inspire unconditional confidence, a record of 2114232 over a sharp 3m2f3m3f leaves no doubt as to what sort of test paints Colin Tizzard’s mare in the best light. This near-2l second to a far better handicapped individual (pair over 8l clear) was all the more meritworthy considering they went hard at it from a long way out on ground probably slower than she’d prefer (as a Presenting), and it augurs well for any return hereafter to her happiest hunting ground of Newton Abbot, assuming she’s given sufficient time to recover. Chasing may alternatively not be far off for this niece of Bob Bob Bobbin, a chasing winner for the same trainer from seven – My Lady Grey’s age now. 2m6f125yds (-40yds) 0-120 Handicap Chase (class 4) All of 18lb lower than when last seen
in a handicap chase only five months prior, despite having made the frame in three out of four hurdling starts in the interim, LIES ABOUT MILAN enters the summer a potentially dangerously handicapped individual and with his novice status over both sorts of obstacle fully intact. The brother to Tales Of Milan (London National) and nephew of Dunbrody Millar (Topham Trophy) shaped with renewed purpose in debuted blinkers this time, but was perhaps unfortunate to run into a chasing debutant trained to the minute despite a 600-day absence. Presumably a gelding with issues, having only made his debut (albeit a winning one) in an Irish point in November 2019, two months shy of his official ninth birthday, expect the excellent Fergal O’Brien to keep him going to make up for lost time, over this trip and further on most going. RA
FORM GUIDE
ones to follow TOP JOCKEYS IN JUNE (PAST 2 SEASONS) Jockey
Rides Wins Places Win% Place% £1bet
Jockey
Rides Wins Places Win% Place% £1bet
Madden, N P Sheehan, Gavin Townend, P Heskin, A P Hamilton, Mr T Dettori, L Cobden, Harry Boinville, Nico Coleman, A Cherchi, Stefano Buick, William Morgan, Hugh Willmott, Thomas Johnson, Richard Kennedy, W T McGrath, Jeremiah Hughes, Brian Hutchinson, Wayne Hayes, Brian Cannon, Tom J Twiston-Davies, Sam Foley, Shane McEvoy, Kerrin Crowley, Jim Ryan, Rossa Frost, Bryony Blackmore, Rachael Wedge, Adam Houlihan, Sean M O'Neill, Ms Lisa
11 15 22 16 13 98 18 18 40 11 90 13 13 53 14 14 57 10 20 25 45 227 42 163 149 27 49 11 11 11
Malune, Gabriele Coltherd, Sam W McLernon, R P Curtis, B A Heffernan, J A O'Brien, Donnacha Winston, Robert Doyle, James Bass, George Edwards, Lee Moore, Jamie Fuller, Page Moore, Ryan Skelton, Harry Patrick, Richard Scudamore, Tom Murphy, Oisin Russell, D N Dobie, Georgia Steward, Louis Poste, Ben J Coughlan, Laura Keane, C T Tudhope, Daniel Sousa, Silvestre De McNamara, E J Bryan, Joshua Marquand, Tom Atzeni, Andrea Mitchell, Jack
50 17 23 262 146 82 41 197 12 12 18 12 198 36 12 36 353 49 31 31 19 19 216 224 265 13 59 276 172 153
Trainer
Runs Wins Places Win% Place% £1bet
4 5 7 5 4 28 5 5 11 3 22 3 3 12 3 3 12 2 4 5 9 45 8 31 28 5 9 2 2 2
4 8 11 8 5 50 8 11 20 4 39 5 5 22 4 5 24 5 5 9 18 95 15 60 55 11 20 3 5 3
36% 33% 32% 31% 31% 29% 28% 28% 28% 27% 24% 23% 23% 23% 21% 21% 21% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 19% 19% 19% 19% 18% 18% 18% 18%
36% 53% 50% 50% 38% 51% 44% 61% 50% 36% 43% 38% 38% 42% 29% 36% 42% 50% 25% 36% 40% 42% 36% 37% 37% 41% 41% 27% 45% 27%
31 20 4 13 -1 22 24 -1 19 21 14 11 3 -10 12 3 12 -6 6 7 -8 67 -13 36 69 -2 23 5 22 -5
9 3 4 45 25 14 7 33 2 2 3 2 33 6 2 6 58 8 5 5 3 3 34 35 41 2 9 42 26 23
19 5 8 111 44 31 11 83 9 3 3 4 83 19 3 11 158 19 12 12 5 4 77 94 88 4 19 90 63 60
18% 18% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 16% 16% 16% 16% 16% 16% 16% 16% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15%
38% 29% 35% 42% 30% 38% 27% 42% 75% 25% 17% 33% 42% 53% 25% 31% 45% 39% 39% 39% 26% 21% 36% 42% 33% 31% 32% 33% 37% 39%
33 34 8 -20 -13 -31 22 -13 2 8 1 3 -58 -19 -2 -3 -59 2 -11 -11 68 15 -61 -28 -80 -7 11 276 -55 -43
TOP TRAINERS IN JUNE (PAST 2 SEASONS) Trainer Thornton, Karl Newland, Dr R D P Gollings, S Herrington,M Snowden, Jamie Whittington, H Brown, D H Mullins, W P Appleby, Charlie Gosden, J H M Haggas, W J Henderson, N J Twomey, P Menuisier, David Stone, W B McCain Jnr, D Longsdon, C E Boughey, George Wigham, M Ferguson, James O'Brien, Charles Meade, M Prescott, Sir Mark Knight, W J Stoute, Sir Michael Sly, Mrs P Vaughan, Tim Nolan, Paul
Runs Wins Places Win% Place% £1bet 17 32 13 17 14 11 11 45 114 224 225 32 20 37 25 64 13 13 13 13 23 37 52 52 143 24 34 15
6 11 4 5 4 3 3 12 30 58 58 8 5 9 6 15 3 3 3 3 5 8 11 11 30 5 7 3
8 20 5 8 5 5 5 23 53 118 123 19 8 14 13 26 4 6 4 5 6 17 24 20 66 5 11 7
35% 34% 31% 29% 29% 27% 27% 27% 26% 26% 26% 25% 25% 24% 24% 23% 23% 23% 23% 23% 22% 22% 21% 21% 21% 21% 21% 20%
47% 63% 38% 47% 36% 45% 45% 51% 46% 53% 55% 59% 40% 38% 52% 41% 31% 46% 31% 38% 26% 46% 46% 38% 46% 21% 32% 47%
44 10 9 16 0 28 6 -13 -8 -3 -5 -3 -1 24 43 37 17 26 3 -4 28 4 -13 120 -21 22 -5 -8
Chapple-Hyam, P W Tizzard, C L McNally, Ronan M P Varian, Roger Guest, Rae Byrnes, C Lyons, G M Kubler, Daniel Collins, Tracey Clover, Tom Fellowes, Charlie Carroll, D Hawke, N J Todhunter, M Murphy, Olly Bowe, Colin Jeffreys, D J Charlton, R Storey, W Vaughan, E F Johnston, M Moubarak, Mohamed Tregoning, M P Beckett, R M Pipe, D E Keniry, Stef Littmoden, N P Dennis, David
10 15 10 209 36 26 147 21 21 58 86 65 33 11 44 11 11 89 17 34 442 23 35 164 36 24 12 12
2 3 2 41 7 5 28 4 4 11 16 12 6 2 8 2 2 16 3 6 77 4 6 28 6 4 2 2
4 5 3 107 14 8 57 7 7 24 31 20 12 3 22 6 5 28 6 17 169 13 11 56 15 6 2 4
20% 20% 20% 20% 19% 19% 19% 19% 19% 19% 19% 18% 18% 18% 18% 18% 18% 18% 18% 18% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17%
40% 33% 30% 51% 39% 31% 39% 33% 33% 41% 36% 31% 36% 27% 50% 55% 45% 31% 35% 50% 38% 57% 31% 34% 42% 25% 17% 33%
-2 11 -5 -59 5 -11 -36 14 8 78 114 14 1 28 -12 19 7 -7 17 9 -52 14 -13 -13 -1 -4 4 1
ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
59
SPEED FIGURES
mutasaabeq has more to ome Mike Francis records the latest speedsters
T
HE clock would suggest that it’s too soon to write off MUTASAABEQ (109) despite his midfield performance in the 2,000 Guineas. The time of his maiden at Newmarket in April is the biggest figure since the season started and implies that there is more to come. His lack of experience proved costly in the rough and tumble of the Guineas and he looks capable of landing a Group contest this season. He has an entry in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot which may be a little optimistic but Charlie Hills is more than capable of improving this kind of horse quickly and a slightly more modest target could pay dividends. Frankie Dettori gave FALCON EIGHT (105) a peach to win the Chester Cup after sweeping around the field to win with lots left in the tank. Despite being six, he is relatively lightly raced and Dermot Weld is a master with stayers. The Ascot Stakes or Queen Alexandra at the Royal meeting would seem an obvious next target given how well he saw out the extended 2m2f around the Roodee. GROVE FERRY (100) could be the other horse to take out of Chester’s May meeting. He was value for much more than the three-quarter length winning margin in taking a hot handicap over an extend60
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
Mutasaabeq
ed seven furlongs. He had the usual barging match around the tight track and enjoyed coming off a strong pace after missing the kick — something that’s usually fatal around here. The handicapper has been quite fair with a 4lb rise in the weights and it would be no surprise to see him strike in a big field this season. STARMAN (97) is a horse to follow after winning the Duke Of York Stakes in good fashion. He was coming back from seven months off and travelled smoothly before having enough left to hold off NAHAARR (96) who had a run under his belt. Ed Walker’s winner will clearly improve fitness-wise for this and both horses should be enjoying success in
what looks a fairly weak sprinting division this season. Looking at the early two-year-old skirmishes, a novice contest at York on May 12 looks a race to watch. PROJECT DANTE (102) just got the better of KORKER (101) and JADHLAAN (100) in a tight finish. All three showed willing in the closing stages and each of them can take a major step forward from this first run. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Jadhlaan turned out to be the pick given that he was extremely green after showing a lot of early pace. CHIPOTLE (102) is another top prospect who followed a debut win at Doncaster in March with an impressive success at Ascot at the end of April.
KEY: D = Distance, G = Going, C = Class, A = Age, Pl = Place, B/W = Btn/won by Date
Name
SF Track
A
D
G
C
Pl B/W
G GF G G G GF GF GF G G G S G G G GF G GF GF G G GF G G G G G S G G G GF G S G G S S G F GS G GF GF S G GF GF GF GF GS G S S G G F S G GF G GS G
3 2 3 3 1 4 2 5 4 1 4 5 3 1 4 4 1 4 4 1 4 5 4 4 3 4 3 4 4 1 1 5 3 4 5 3 5 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 4 5 5 4 4 5 3 4 4 5 4 5 3 4 5 3 3 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 4 3 3 2 4 3 2 5 1 1 4 1 2 2 1 1 2 6 7 1 5 1 1 3 2 1 3 1 1 5 5 1 3 4 2 1 4 6 1 6 2 2 2 5 2 1 6 3 5 1 8
-0.15 -1 0.15 0.65 -1.25 -1.25 1 -4 -0.5 1.25 0.5 -1.5 2.4 1.75 0.65 1.25 2.05 1.55 0.15 2.55 -0.75 -1.25 1.4 -0.75 1 0.75 -1 -2.5 0.75 3.8 3.95 -1 5.15 -1.5 -1.25 1.75 1.5 -1 1.75 -1 -6.5 3.9 4.3 -0.15 2.25 2.5 1.25 -2.25 3.05 4.8 -3.75 6.4 1.5 2.5 1.25 3 1 -1.5 5.15 1.75 4.15 -1 6.45
TOP SPEED FIGURES THREE-YEAR-OLD AND OVER THIS SEASON 13/04/2021 MUTASAABEQ 109 Newmarket 7 G 3 3 1 13/04/2021 HIGHLAND AVENUE 106 Newmarket 9 G 1 3 1 07/05/2021 FALCON EIGHT 105 Chester 18.6 GS 2 6 1
-6 -1.25 -2
TOP TWO-YEAR-OLD SPEED FIGURES THIS SEASON 12/05/2021 PROJECT DANTE 102 York 5 28/04/2021 CHIPOTLE 101 Ascot 5 12/05/2021 KORKER 101 York 5 12/05/2021 JADHLAAN 100 York 5 14/05/2021 NYMPHADORA 100 York 5 25/04/2021 ANGEL BLEU 98 Salisbury 5 28/04/2021 THE GATEKEEPER 98 Ascot 5 27/04/2021 NAVELLO 97 Brighton 5.3 16/04/2021 BERKSHIRE SHADOW 96 Newbury 5.2 14/05/2021 CANONIZED 96 York 5 16/04/2021 AMAZONIAN DREAM 94 Newbury 5.2 10/05/2021 LITTLE EARL 94 Catterick 5 12/05/2021 RED POWER 94 York 5 14/05/2021 CRAZYLAND 94 York 5 16/04/2021 PODEROSO 93 Newbury 5.2 25/04/2021 RAGING 93 Salisbury 5 14/05/2021 MAS PODER 93 York 5 25/04/2021 HAYMAKER 92 Salisbury 5 28/04/2021 KHUNAN 92 Pontefract 5 14/05/2021 INSTINCTION 92 York 5 13/04/2021 FORCA BRASIL 91 Newmarket 5 15/04/2021 KHUNAN 91 Ripon 5 16/04/2021 GISBURN 91 Newbury 5.2 30/04/2021 BOND CHAIRMAN 91 Musselburgh 5 02/05/2021 OUT IN YORKSHIRE 90 Salisbury 5 30/04/2021 BIG BOY HARLEY 89 Musselburgh 5 02/05/2021 SILVER BULLET LADY 89 Salisbury 5 17/05/2021 EL CABALLO 89 Carlisle 5 13/04/2021 LOVE DE VEGA 88 Newmarket 5 14/05/2021 FABIOSA 88 York 5 14/05/2021 SIENNA BONNIE 88 York 5 28/04/2021 ROBJON 86 Brighton 5.3 12/05/2021 MAGIC WARRIOR 86 York 5 13/05/2021 SUPERIOR FORCE 86 Salisbury 5 12/04/2021 ARBOY WILL 85 Windsor 5.1 02/05/2021 CASHEW 85 Salisbury 5 10/05/2021 POPPY PETAL 85 Catterick 5 15/05/2021 EBRO RIVER 85 Doncaster 5 13/04/2021 ANTIPHON 84 Newmarket 5 24/04/2021 ARMOR 84 Doncaster 5 14/05/2021 GISBURN 84 Newbury 6 16/04/2021 TYSON 83 Newbury 5.2 25/04/2021 MR PROFESSOR 83 Salisbury 5 28/04/2021 MAY BLOSSOM 83 Pontefract 5 10/05/2021 PROVINCE 83 Catterick 5 13/04/2021 CATURRA 82 Newmarket 5 15/04/2021 MYTILDA 82 Ripon 5 17/04/2021 DUSKY PRINCE 82 Brighton 5.3 25/04/2021 BANANA 82 Salisbury 5 25/04/2021 MOHI 82 Salisbury 5 07/05/2021 FLAMING RIB 82 Nottingham 5 12/05/2021 CATCH CUNNINGHAM 82 York 5 13/05/2021 SHOWDIEMLAD 82 Salisbury 5 17/05/2021 BOND POWER 82 Carlisle 5 12/04/2021 ZOLTAN STAR 81 Windsor 5.1 13/04/2021 MAGIC WARRIOR 81 Newmarket 5 24/04/2021 EL CABALLO 81 Doncaster 5 08/05/2021 GO BEARS GO 81 Ascot 5 16/04/2021 SO SMART 80 Newbury 5.2 28/04/2021 GENERAL TOM THUMB 80 Brighton 5.3 02/05/2021 VAUNTED 80 Salisbury 5 10/05/2021 BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE 80 Windsor 5.1 14/05/2021 ALASKAN JEWEL 80 York 5
Date 13/04/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 13/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 12/05/2021 07/05/2021 12/05/2021 07/05/2021 12/05/2021 13/04/2021 16/04/2021 08/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 03/04/2021 07/05/2021 10/05/2021 13/04/2021 13/04/2021 13/05/2021 14/05/2021 16/04/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 08/05/2021 13/04/2021 18/04/2021 18/04/2021 18/04/2021 14/05/2021 18/04/2021 18/04/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 06/04/2021 13/04/2021 15/04/2021 02/05/2021 08/05/2021 13/05/2021 13/05/2021 14/05/2021 18/04/2021 07/05/2021 08/05/2021 13/04/2021 28/03/2021 03/04/2021 06/04/2021 06/04/2021 06/04/2021 16/04/2021 25/04/2021 08/05/2021 18/04/2021 08/05/2021 03/04/2021 13/04/2021 18/04/2021 20/04/2021 07/05/2021 12/05/2021 07/05/2021
Name
SF Track
SECRET PROTECTOR 103 THE GRAND VISIR 102 GROVE FERRY 100 WINTER POWER 99 HOCHFELD 98 NOT SO SLEEPY 98 WHO DARES WINS 98 TRUMPET MAN 97 STARMAN 97 KYNREN 97 NAHAARR 96 EL ASTRONAUTE 95 MR LUPTON 95 NOBLE DYNASTY 93 SAINT LAWRENCE 93 ISABELLA GILES 93 REVICH 93 GLENCADAM GLORY 93 RESHOUN 93 COEUR DE LION 93 CAME FROM THE DARK 92 FUTURE INVESTMENT 92 SOLID STONE 92 ROYAL CHAMPION 91 YOUTH SPIRIT 91 HURRICANE LANE 91 NOMADIC EMPIRE 91 ALMIGHWAR 91 ROCHESTER HOUSE 91 NATE THE GREAT 91 AXANA 91 FANCY MAN 90 SNOW LANTERN 90 DERAB 90 FANTASTIC FOX 90 BEDFORD FLYER 90 DANYAH 90 RAAEQ 90 KING'S LYNN 90 HIROSHIMA 90 INTERNATIONALDREAM 89 DUKE OF MANTUA 89 EMPEROR SPIRIT 89 OMAN 89 MEU AMOR 89 MEGALLAN 89 ATALIS BAY 89 DERAB 89 JOHAN 89 AINSDALE 89 BOUNCE THE BLUES 89 ARECIBO 89 TAMBORRADA 88 NAAMOOS 88 BICKERSTAFFE 88 UNCLE JUMBO 88 TRAWLERMAN 88 MITHRAS 88 NOON STAR 88 THIRD REALM 88 MATTHEW FLINDERS 88 PARENT'S PRAYER 88 JABBAROCKIE 88 GENTLEMAN JOE 87 NUGGET 87 RECON MISSION 87 EJTILAAB 87 OXTED 87 CLONGOWES 87
A
Newmarket Chester Chester York Chester Chester Chester Chester York Chester York Chester York Newmarket Newbury Lingfield Chester Chester Chester Chester Musselburgh Chester Windsor Newmarket Newmarket York York Newbury Chester Chester Lingfield Newmarket Newbury Newbury Newbury York Newbury Newbury Chester Ascot Pontefract Newmarket Ripon Salisbury Lingfield York York Newmarket Newbury Chester Lingfield Newmarket Doncaster Musselburgh Pontefract Pontefract Pontefract Newbury Wetherby Lingfield Newbury Lingfield Musselburgh Newmarket Newbury Epsom Chester York Ascot
9 18.6 7.6 5 18.6 18.6 18.6 18.6 6 7.6 6 5.1 6 7 7 7 7.6 18.6 18.6 18.6 5 18.6 8.1 9 9 10.3 5 16.5 18.6 18.6 7 9 8 8 8 5 8 8 5.1 16 6 7 8 12 7 10.3 5 8 8 5.1 7 5 10.2 8 6 6 12 7 10 11.6 8 7 5 9 8 5 7.6 6 16
D G GS GS G GS GS GS GS GS GS GS GS GS G G S GS GS GS GS G GS GS G G G G G GS GS S G G G G G G G GS GS GF G G G S G G GS G GS S G G GF GF GF GF G G S G S G G G G GS GS GS
G 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 3 2 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 1 4 4 4 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 1 1 1 4 2 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 4 2 5 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 3
C 3 7 4 3 7 9 9 4 4 7 5 8 8 3 3 3 5 7 7 8 5 5 5 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 8 3 4 5 5 5 7
Pl B/W 2 2 1 1 3 7 12 5 1 3 2 1 1 2 2 3 4 6 11 4 3 9 1 3 4 1 2 2 8 10 1 5 1 2 3 1 2 6 2 1 3 3 2 1 4 2 2 1 5 3 2 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 3 5 1 6 1 1 5 3 4
ISSUE 198 RACING AHEAD
1.25 2 -0.75 -3 2.5 3.9 7.57 3.3 -0.3 1.5 0.3 -0.75 -1 6 0.3 0.82 2.25 3.6 7.27 2.8 0.14 5.97 -2.5 7.25 7.4 -0.75 1 0.3 5.9 6.97 -0.75 9.4 -1.75 1.75 1.82 -1 1 4.57 0.75 -2 1.3 8 0.75 -1.25 0.82 0.75 3 -6.5 4.5 1.05 0.75 -1.75 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 1.8 -8 -0.3 -2.5 -1.25 1.5 1.12 -0.07 9.55 -1 -0.5 3.75 3.55 3.5
61
SPEED FIGURES Date 10/05/2021 15/04/2021 07/05/2021 08/05/2021 13/05/2021 15/04/2021 16/04/2021 12/05/2021 03/04/2021 06/04/2021 13/04/2021 13/04/2021 15/04/2021 18/04/2021 23/04/2021 07/05/2021 08/05/2021 15/04/2021 16/04/2021 12/05/2021 06/04/2021 18/04/2021 07/05/2021 03/04/2021 01/05/2021 07/05/2021 18/04/2021 12/05/2021 15/04/2021 18/04/2021 25/04/2021 10/05/2021 15/05/2021 15/04/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 08/05/2021 12/05/2021 03/04/2021 16/04/2021 07/05/2021 14/05/2021 07/05/2021 27/03/2021 23/04/2021 25/04/2021 02/05/2021 02/05/2021 02/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 10/05/2021 12/05/2021 13/05/2021 14/05/2021 15/05/2021 28/03/2021 12/04/2021 18/04/2021 07/05/2021 12/05/2021 12/05/2021 12/05/2021 16/04/2021 12/05/2021 07/05/2021 13/04/2021 14/04/2021
62
Name STORMY ANTARCTIC HARMONY LIL STOWELL ADAYAR HIGH DEFINITION MARK'S CHOICE ELYSIAN FLAME ZARGUN TARBOOSH POPMASTER CAROLUS MAGNUS NEW TREASURE STAY SMART CHINDIT SIDE SHOT TEODOLINA ALBAFLORA MID WINSTER GARRUS SUMMERGHAND DEXTER BELLE MEHMENTO MYSTICAL DAWN ZARZYNI NUGGET POSTILEO REVICH BIELSA LOST MY SOCK THE LIR JET GEORGE MORLAND A PINT OF BEAR BEAU JARDINE ZABEEL CHAMPION DULAS ARMORY JOUSKA VENTURA REBEL THEMAXWECAN CAME FROM THE DARK ELYSIAN FLAME BOARDMAN ANOTHER BATT TOO FRIENDLY TARAVARA LOVING DREAM MELLOW MAGIC GUSTAV HOLST NO RECOLLECTION NAGANO GOING GONE GEREMIA YEAR OF THE DRAGON EHRMANN WOBWOBWOB ROMAN EMPIRE KONDO ISAMI ISLA KAI THRONE HALL HEAVEN FORFEND AL AASY DANCING HARRY ART POWER WOVEN EMARAATY ANA LUCKY DEAL GULLIVER BYRON FLYER MAGICAL LAND TACTICAL
RACING AHEAD ISSUE 198
SF
Track
87 86 86 86 86 86 86 86 86 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 84 84 84 84 84 84 84 84 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 81 81
Windsor Ripon Ascot Lingfield York Ripon Newbury York Musselburgh Pontefract Newmarket Newmarket Ripon Newbury Doncaster Ascot Ascot Ripon Newbury York Pontefract Newbury Nottingham Musselburgh Thirsk Chester Newbury York Ripon Newbury Salisbury Catterick Doncaster Ripon Chester Chester Lingfield York Musselburgh Newbury Chester York Chester Doncaster Doncaster Wetherby Salisbury Salisbury Salisbury Nottingham Ascot Ascot Ascot Catterick York York York Doncaster Doncaster Windsor Newbury Ascot York York York Newbury York Chester Newmarket Newmarket
8.1 6 12 11.6 10.3 6 16.5 6 5 6 7 9 6 7 10.2 8 12 6 5.2 6 6 7 10.2 5 8 18.6 8 6 6 7 7 5 8 9.8 7.6 10.3 7 6 14 5.2 18.6 7 7.6 10.2 10.2 10 12 12 9.9 10.2 12 12 8 5 7 10.3 11.9 8 10.2 8.1 12 16 6 6 6 16.5 6 18.6 7 7
D
G
C
Pl B/W
GS G GS S G G G GS G GF G G G G GF GS S G G GS GF G GS G GF GS G GS G G GF S S G GS GS S GS G G GS G GS G GF G G G G GS GS GS GS S G G G S G G G GS GS GS GS G GS GS G G
1 5 4 1 1 4 2 2 2 3 4 1 5 1 4 4 1 4 2 1 5 1 5 2 2 2 2 2 5 1 5 4 3 3 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 4 2 5 4 5 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 3 1 4 3 3 5 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 4 1
8 3 3 3 3 5 5 6 8 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 7 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 10 3 3
2 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 6 2 1 7 4 1 1 1 1 4 2 4 1 2 2 2 2 2 4 5 3 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 6 5 1 1 5 1 6 1 2 2 2 3 1 1 2 3 2 2 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 6 4 7 6 6 6 2 1
2.5 0.75 -2.25 1.25 2 -0.15 -0.3 1 4.44 0.3 -1.75 10.3 1.25 -0.3 -0.75 -0.15 -7 1.05 0.3 4.55 -5 0.3 2.25 0.07 0.3 4 2.75 2.4 1.25 0.6 0.5 -0.07 4 -0.75 0.75 -3 3.37 5.05 -0.3 -0.3 6.5 -3.5 5.5 -1.5 0.75 2.5 1.25 4.5 0 -2.25 2.25 3 0.15 0.07 -3.25 4.25 -0.07 -4 -1.75 -5 -4 2.5 5.35 1.15 5.5 11.45 4.65 7 1.75 -0.3
Date 14/04/2021 15/04/2021 15/04/2021 18/04/2021 25/04/2021 28/04/2021 01/05/2021 15/05/2021 01/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 03/04/2021 12/04/2021 16/04/2021 06/05/2021 03/04/2021 13/04/2021 16/04/2021 18/04/2021 28/04/2021 01/05/2021 01/05/2021 07/05/2021 08/05/2021 12/05/2021 13/05/2021 06/04/2021 17/04/2021 03/05/2021 12/05/2021 14/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 10/05/2021 18/04/2021 03/04/2021 14/04/2021 15/04/2021 17/04/2021 18/04/2021 30/04/2021 13/05/2021 10/05/2021 12/05/2021 06/05/2021 07/05/2021 13/05/2021 12/05/2021 13/05/2021 07/05/2021 20/04/2021 27/03/2021 12/04/2021 12/04/2021 13/04/2021 15/04/2021 16/04/2021 18/04/2021 30/04/2021 15/05/2021 28/03/2021 14/05/2021 07/05/2021 10/05/2021 02/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 07/05/2021 14/05/2021
Name
SF
81 NAVAL CROWN 81 IMPULSIVE ONE 81 TWO COP BOP 81 FOXES TALES 81 GREAT NEWS 81 KING FRANKEL 81 POETIC FLARE 81 BAY BRIDGE 81 ASTRO KING SUMMERONSEVENHILLS 81 81 FRESH 81 CARDANO 81 EDRAAK 81 ROCHESTER HOUSE 81 JABBAROCKIE 81 CASPIAN PRINCE 80 LEXINGTON KNIGHT 80 YAZAMAN 80 COUNSEL 80 EXCEL POWER MASTER OF THE SEAS 80 80 LUCKY VEGA INVINCIBLE SWAGGER 80 80 SCOPE 80 RIFLEMAN 80 GEAR UP 80 WALDKONIG 80 TORO STRIKE 80 GREY FOX 80 ILARAAB 80 GOLDEN RULES 80 TOTAL COMMITMENT 80 LUCKY DEAL 80 QAYSAR 80 OH THIS IS US 79 FOREST FALCON 79 MOHAAFETH 79 TEES SPIRIT 79 PEERLESS 79 ALCOHOL FREE KODIAC BROWN BEAR 79 79 PYTHAGORAS 79 FASHION ADVICE 79 ABERAMA GOLD 79 COUNT D'ORSAY 79 PENDLETON 79 QUEEN POWER 79 DANZAN 79 MULZIM 79 CLEONTE 79 DUKE OF FIRENZE 78 DHUSHAN 78 BINT AL ANOOD 78 FIORDLAND 78 HAMOUDI 78 GRANTLEY 78 DINGLE 78 STATEMENT 78 GRAND SCHEME 78 INVITE 78 TAQAREER 78 A STAR ABOVE 78 SANGARIUS 78 OH THIS IS US 77 FARHAN 77 TIGER BEETLE SOMETHING ENTICING 77 77 DEJAME PASO 77 MY SWALLOW 77 PRIMO BACIO
Track Newmarket Ripon Ripon Newbury Salisbury Pontefract Newmarket Newbury Thirsk Ascot Ascot Musselburgh Windsor Newbury Chester Musselburgh Newmarket Newbury Newbury Brighton Newmarket Newmarket Ascot Lingfield York York Pontefract Thirsk Windsor York Newmarket Ascot Chester Windsor Newbury Musselburgh Newmarket Ripon Nottingham Newbury Musselburgh York Catterick York Chester Ascot York York York Chester Epsom Doncaster Windsor Windsor Newmarket Ripon Newbury Newbury Chepstow Doncaster Doncaster Newmarket Chester Windsor Salisbury Nottingham Nottingham Ascot Ascot York
D 7 8 6 8 7 10 8 10 8 16 6 14 6.1 16.5 5.1 5 7 7 8 6 8 8 8 11.6 7 10.3 10 7 10 11.9 14 6 18.6 8.1 8 8 10 6 5 7 7.2 10.3 5 6 5.1 6 10.3 6 5 18.6 5 10.2 8.1 8.1 7 8 7 7 8.1 10.2 10.2 14 10.3 8.1 9.9 10.2 10.2 8 8 7.9
G G G G GF GF GF GS GF GS GS G G G GS G G G G GF GF GF GS S G G GF GF G GS GS GS GS GS G GF G G GF G G G S GS GS GS G GS G GS G G G G G G G G GS S G GS GS GS G GS GS GS GS G
G 1 3 5 4 5 5 1 2 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 4 2 4 5 1 1 4 1 3 1 2 3 5 2 3 3 2 1 2 2 3 5 5 1 6 1 4 2 2 3 1 2 2 2 3 5 5 5 4 3 2 1 5 3 3 3 1 1 4 5 5 4 4 1
C 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 8 12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 8 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 8 12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 8 3 3 3 3 3 3
Pl B/W 2 3 5 1 1 1 1 1 3 5 1 2 1 3 1 5 3 4 2 1 2 3 4 3 3 5 1 1 1 1 4 3 13 3 9 2 1 1 1 1 1 6 3 8 2 2 1 2 2 7 3 2 1 3 4 1 3 2 1 1 2 1 2 4 2 3 1 3 5 1
0.3 2.25 2.25 -0.3 -0.5 -32 -0.07 -4 0.8 8.5 0 0.3 -3 6.3 -1.25 4.14 1.9 4.05 0.3 -5 0.07 0.37 3.9 6.25 6.25 5.5 -3.25 -2.25 -4 -3 6.05 1.25 29.57 7.25 7.27 0.5 -1.5 -0.75 -1.75 -0.07 -0.5 6.25 2.07 6.55 1.25 0 -8 1 0.5 7.3 0.8 1.5 -1 1.5 2.9 -0.75 2.3 0.07 -3 -10 1.75 -1.75 3 8.25 0 3 -4 0.65 4.05 -3
GET ALL THE 2020-221 JUMPS SPEED FIGURES IN ONE BUMPER BOOOK! 6SHHG ´JXUHV H[SHUW 0LNH )UDQFLV KDV compiled his ratings for the whole 2020-21 jumps season into one book — for just £22
O400 pages with EVERY completed start in the UK and Ireland last jumps season covered in depth.
ODiscover the season n’s top clockers over jumps.
EXAMPLE ENTRY Y
OMore than 12,000 horses covered in detail! OEntries feature track, distance, going and official ratings information.
Date
Hcp/ Lenggths Speed Disst Stks Class bt/w won figure Track Going Chase/ Result Official hurdle r rating
Get a real edge! Order online for fasstest delivery at www.editors--choice.co.uk .uk SEND ME JUMPS SPEED FIGURES 2020--21 — POST FREE EE I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to Racing Ahea ad Ltd for £22. Send to Racing Ahead, Office 113, Imperial Court, Exchange St Eas E t, Liverpool, L3 2AB. Name ............................................................................................................................ ............. Address inc postcode................................................................................................ ....................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................