Runners and Riders

Bet 365 Gold Cup Chase 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:12:00 +0000

The Bet 365 Gold Cup Chase, to us old timers the Whitbread, will be run tomorrow the 24th of April at Sandown over 3 miles 5 furlongs. It is a shame the race planners do not get together because I am sure the quality of the field is affected by having the Irish Grand National on the 5th of April, the John Smith's Grand National on the 10th of April and the Scottish Grand National on the 17th of April.
Air Force One (pictured) promised so much last season after an excellent run behind Madison du Berlais in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. He has had his training problems and his form figures do not look encouraging but if he can recapture his best form he could run a big race here.

Punchestown Festival 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:28:00 +0000

The Irish National Hunt season draws to a close with the five day Punchestown Festival that starts tomorrow Tuesday 20th April. For those going across the Irish Sea from England these five days are a marathon. The atmosphere at Punchestown is unique, very relaxed, great facilities and exceptionally good value for money. The admission charges are 30 euros and for senior citizens only 18 euros. The racecourses in England should take note if they want to attract more customers to go racing.

The feature race on Tuesday is the Boylesports.com Champion Steeplechase run over 2 miles. Twist Magic with Tony McCoy on board will probably be favourite for this, but I am hoping Sizing Europe (pictured) can take the step up to this class and become a fancy for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next March.

The feature race on Wednesday will be the Punchestown Guiness Gold Cup worth 225,000 euros and run over 3 miles 1 furlong. I wonder if Denman and Barbers Shop will turn up for this ? The going might be too quick for Denman. The same applies to the giant Joncol, whom I am sure will not be risked on good ground. With his frame he needs it soft or heavy.

Thursday has the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle run over 3 miles as the feature. Perhaps I will give Cousin Vinny another chance here.

Friday has the Rabobank Champion Hurdle as the feature. Hurricane Fly will reappear for this and Dunguib will be stepping up from novice class to take on the big boys.

The meeting draws to a close on Saturday with the Airshow 100 Champion 4 yo Hurdle as the feature.

All the news from the course can be found by clicking on Punchestown.

Aintree Grand National 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:49:00 +0000

The picture shows Snowy Morning in the yellow colours leading over the last in the Aintree Grand National of 2008. He went on to finish third to Comply or Die. In 2009 he finished ninth to Mon Mome. This year he is reunited with David Casey who rode him in 2008 and has been allotted less weight than in the last two years. He looks to have an outstanding chance this year based on his form of two years ago. Madison Du Berlais is a classy horse and although carrying top weight is well handicapped with all the other runners.
Niche Market won the Irish Grand National in 2009 and has shown good form this season. He is an out and out stayer and a safe jumper (famous last words).
Paddy Power are paying five places on the Aintree Grand National so there is a lot of each way value to be had. I hope to see Snowy Morning make it third time lucky. Madison Du Berlais and Niche Market could get into the places. Lets hope we see a great race and that all the horses and jockeys return safe and sound.

Aintree Grand National Meeting 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:32:00 +0000

The three day Aintree Grand National Meeting gets underway tomorrow (Thursday 8th) with seven races each day, the highlight of course will be the Grand National which will be run on Saturday.

The feature race on Thursday will be the Totesport Bowl Chase worth £150,000.00 run over 3 miles 1 furlong. Imperial Commander (pictured) will be a warm order for this but Nacarat with Tony McCoy on board could make Imperial Commander pull out all the stops. This was the race that Madison Du Berlais won last year after Denman's fall. Madison Du Berlais has been declared for the Grand National this year and will consequently carry top weight of 11-10 meaning Mon Mome will carry 11-7, 7 lbs more than last year when winning at 100/1.
Also on Thursday Big Bucks looks to have an excellent chance of taking the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle worth £100,000.00 run over 3 miles.

On Friday the feature race will be the John Smiths Melling Chase worth £175,000.00 run over 2 miles 4 furlongs. Forpadydeplasterer with Davy Russell on board and Albertas Run with Tony McCoy on board are both well fancied for this. Old Monet's Garden is a course and distance winner here and with Richard Johnson on board looks as though he could be the each way value.

We will know the 40 runners in the Grand National after the final declarations on Thursday.
Madison Du Berlais is a classy horse and although burdened with top weight he is "well in " with the other runners. He ran in the race two years ago when only seven and got no further than the Canal Turn on the first circuit. Provided he does not remember that experience he could run very well.

Countdown to Aintree Grand National 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:56:00 +0000

It is under two weeks now to the greatest race in the world, the John Smith's Grand National Steeplechase worth £925,000.00 run over 4 miles 4 furlongs at Aintree. Mon Mome (pictured) is the likely top weight and will carry 11 stone 12 lbs, 12 lbs more than he carried when winning last year by 12 lengths. The other placed horses last year, Comply or Die the 2008 winner, My Will and State of Play are all due to run again. Big Fella Thanks was sixth last year and will be ridden this year by Ruby Walsh for the owners of Denman. Ruby Walsh had the choice of Big Fella Thanks, Tricky Trickster or Snowy Morning. Snowy Morning was third in 2008 and ninth last year. He has been trained specifically for the race this year by Willie Mullins and will be on my short list. Tony McCoy will be riding Cant Buy Time for his boss J.P.McManus who will probably have four runners. Niche Market won the Irish Grand National last year and has shown good form this year. He was eliminated from the Grand National field last year as was Maljimar who could be another interesting runner this year and like Niche Market will also get in the final forty. There is another declaration stage next week.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:54:00 +0000

The picture shows Kauto Star leading Denman around the parade ring at Sandown on "Whitbread" Day back in April last year and I would imagine that is the order they will finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup tomorrow. Both are super Chasers and I hope we witness another great race between them. At 4/1 Denman represents an each way bet just in case there is any chink in Kauto Star's armoury. The Imperial Commander camp fancy their horse who, if he stays the 3 miles 2 furlongs, looks likely to fill third place. Lets hope all the horses and jockeys return safe and well.

Cheltenham Ladbrokes World Hurdle Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:02:00 +0000

The centre piece of the third day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Ladbrokes World Hurdle worth £260,000 run over 3 miles. Big Bucks will be a warm order to repeat his win of last year. His price will be prohibitive for the small punter but that means there should be some value about the other runners. Tidal Bay and Time for Rupert showed they stayed the trip when finishing first and second in the Cleeve Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials Day at the end of January. Karabak owned by J.P.McManus and to be ridden by Tony McCoy is another with a chance but the forgotten horse in the race is Cousin Vinny (pictured stumbling when cantering all over Pandorama at Leopardstown last season). He has not taken to chasing this season and did not set the world alight over hurdles last season as expected. He showed himself to be the outstanding bumper performer in 2007/8 season. Provided he stays the 3 miles he could be the each way value.

The race before the World Hurdle is the Ryanair Chase worth £220,000 run over 2 miles 5 furlongs. Nicky Henderson runs three in this namely Barbers Shop, Petit Robin and Jack the Giant. Poquelin from the Paul Nicholls yard has been antepost favourite for this for some time. Next in the betting is Tranquil Sea from the Edward O'Grady yard in Ireland. Tranquil Sea won the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase at Cheltenham back in November. A year previous Barbers Shop ran second to Imperial Commander in the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase giving him weight and has since run in the top chasers without getting his head in front. This could be his and Nicky Henderson's opportunity to give The Queen a Cheltenham winner.

Cheltenham Champion Chase Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:02:00 +0000

The centre piece on Wednesday is the Queen Mother Champion Chase run over 2 miles. Master Minded will be a warm favourite for this and connections will be looking to win this race for the third year in a row. Trainer Ferdie Murphy is pleased with the condition of his Kalahari King and is confident he will finish in the first three. Big Zeb (pictured) so nearly beat Master Minded at Punchestown last April. He and Twist Magic both fell in this race last year. Well Chief has not really sparkled this season and perhaps the years are catching up with him. I am prepared to give Big Zeb another chance and he could be the each way value.

The Royal and Sun Alliance Chase is run over 3 miles before the Queen Mother Champion Chase. It is a race for first season novice Chasers and looks particular competitive this year. Trainer Nicky Henderson has a strong hand with three runners, the likely favourite Long Run, Punchestowns and Burton Port. Diamond Harry and Weapons Amnesty also come into the reckoning but I am a big fan of Punchestowns and I hope to see him power up the Cheltenham hill the same as Cooldine did last year.

Cheltenham Champion Hurdlle Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:33:00 +0000

Well the wait is nearly over and the Cheltenham Festival will get underway on Tuesday 16th with the centre piece being the Champion Hurdle. This years race looks a very open affair. There is nothing of the calibre of a Night Nurse who is the best Hurdler that I have ever seen. Night Nurse (pictured on right leading Monksfield and Dramatist at the last in 1977) won the race in 1976 and 1977. This years race has Go Native attemping to win a £1 million bonus if he can add to his Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle wins. Nicky Henderson has a strong hand with his three runners. Punjabi won the race last year in a driving finish from Celestrial Halo and the 6/4 favourite Binocular who also runs again for Nicky Henderson. His third string is Zaynar who if you ignore his last run must have a great each way chance. Zaynar won last years Triumph Hurdle over course and distance and will be ridden on Tuesday by Andrew Tinkler.

The meeting starts with the Supreme Novices Hurdle, won last year by Go Native from unlucky in running Medermit. As mentioned in an earlier blog this race should go to Dunguib but he is not a betting proposition for the small punter.

The 2 mile Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase was won last year by Forpadydeplasterer from Kalahari King. This year there is a lot of confidence behind Captain Cee Bee who will surely go off favourite. There is not much between him and Sizing Europe who might be the each way value.

The runners and riders for the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase are very sketchy at the moment. I am hoping Niche Market runs and puts in a good performance in preparation for the Grand National on April 10th.

Dunguib the Cheltenham banker

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Just five weeks to go now until the greatest race meeting in the world begins, the Cheltenham four day festival. At Leopardstown in Ireland on Sunday Dunguib was mighty impressive and for all the big "hitters" he will surely be the banker of the 2010 meeting. In 1978 the Irish trainer, Edward O'Grady, had a simlar horse to Dunguib in his care called Golden Cygnet. Golden Cygnet came over to Cheltenham undefeated in four races over hurdles. The Irish would not hear of defeat for Golden Cygnet and with odds of 5/4 laid on him he toyed with his seventeen rivals in the Supreme Novice Hurdle. As soon as he had passed the post he was being hailed as the 1979 Champion Hurdler. I can see Dunguib carrying all the same expectations as Golden Cygnet. Lets hope he gets to take his chance in the 2011 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. Tragically, a bad fall at the last flight in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 1978 left Golden Cygnet fatally injured and robbed hurdling of its most exciting recruit for years.

Cheltenham Festival Trials Day 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:20:00 +0000

It was good to finally get some top class racing back again last weekend after all the cancelled meetings due to the cold weather. C4 served up an exciting afternoon from Haydock where Diamond Harry was impressive for his first run over fences, and Ascot where Twist Magic won as he pleased and provides Paul Nicholls with a live second string for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. ATR covered the Leopardstown meeting in Ireland on Sunday and here Solwhit was a good winner and consequently promoted to favourite for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.

As always at this time of year all roads lead to the Cheltenham Festival and this Saturday (30th) Cheltenham stages their Festival Trials Day. I am sure they are hoping that Denman puts in an appearance. He will surely put a few extra thousand on the gate. He is engaged in the Argento (Cotswold Chase) worth £100,000 and run over 3 miles 1 furlong. Last years winner Joe Lively is also engaged along with Madison Du Berlais, Barbers Shop and Carruthers. Barbers Shop has a second option as he is also engaged in the Betfair Trophy Chase worth £50,000 run over 2 miles 5 furlongs.
The Betfair Cleeve Hurdle worth £50,000 and run over 3 miles looks as though it could be between Karabak and Fair Along.
Lets hope the cold weather stays away and the meeting can go ahead. For all the latest news from the course click on Cheltenham.

Arkle and Flyingbolt still the Greatest

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:25:00 +0000

With the abandonment of the Sandown card on Saturday C4 filled in with discussions comparing Kauto Star with Arkle. Kauto Star is a great Chaser who has the speed to win at two miles and the stamina to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup. Film footage of the sixties bought back many happy memories of my visits to the Cheltenham Festival in that era. Besides Arkle I was also privileged to see Flyingbolt and Mill House. After Mill House won the Gold Cup in 1963 a lot of us, apart from the Irish, thought he would win the 1964 Gold Cup. How wrong we were, Arkle cruised upto Mill House at the second last and stormed away to win by five lengths. The picture above by Lionel Edwards, which adorns a wall in my home, captures that moment wonderfully well. It was in 1964 that we saw Flyingbolt for the first time at Cheltenham when he won the Gloucester Hurdle. In 1965 he won the Cotswold Chase over two miles and Arkle won his second Gold Cup. In 1966 Flyingbolt won the Two Mile Champion Chase by fifteen lengths and ran the next day in the Champion Hurdle where he finished third to Salmon Spray. Flyingbolt was breathtaking over two miles but he did stay as well. He finished his season in 1966 by winning the Irish Grand National under 12-7 giving huge lumps of weight away to his rivals. He was still only a seven year old. Arkle won his third Gold Cup in 1966. Both Arkle and Flyingbolt contested the big handicaps having to give lumps of weight away to their rivals and this is something Kauto Star has not done. He has been kept to Grade 1 races competing at level weights. However in the box next to him at Paul Nicholls stable is a certain Denman. Denman has already won two Hennessy Gold Cups at Newbury carrying top weight and a Cheltenham Gold Cup. He reminds me very much of Mill House, a strong galloping stayer well suited by a galloping course such as Newbury and Cheltenham. He looked better than ever when winning his last Hennessy Gold Cup by three and a half lengths giving 22 lbs to his stable companion, What a Friend, who has since gone over to Ireland and won the Lexus Chase over three miles at Leopardstown. Both Denman and Kauto Star, who was brillant in the King George VI Chase, look better than ever this season. We could be in for another mouth watering Cheltenham Gold Cup. If Denman regains his crown he will surely be rated up there with Kauto Star, but in my opinion they are both behind Arkle and Flyingbolt.

Countdown to King George VI Chase at Kempton 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Lets hope the weather relents and racing can take place on Boxing Day where the feature race will be the William Hill King George VI Chase worth £200,000 run over 3 miles. Kauto Star should win it for a fourth time but there will not be much between him and Imperial Commander judged on their Haydock Park form. Madison du Berlais was behind them that day but he has excellent form over course and distance and could well be in the shake up.

It was a shame to lose the Ascot cards to the weather. The highlight on Saturday would undoubtedly have been the Long Walk Hurdle where the top rated hurdler Big Bucks would have been taken on by Diamond Harry amongst others. Like a lot of racing folk I cannot understand why the racing authorities have added the race to Newburys card on the 29th December. Why not add it to Cheltenhams card on January 1st when so many more people would be be able to watch and enjoy it.
Horse racing is very much a minority sport and needs all the good publicity it can get. This was very evident with the time alloted to it on BBC's Sports Personality awards programme. Blink and you would have missed it.

Cheltenham Boylesports International 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:20:00 +0000

The Cheltenham Boylesports International Meeting gets underway today (Friday) with some great racing in prospect culminating with the International Hurdle worth £150,000 tomorrow. This race looks to be a rematch of last years Cheltenham Champion Hurdle where Punjabi just beat Celestrial Halo and Binocular.
Barry Geraghty rides Punjabi and come next March he might have a difficult choice to make between Punjabi and Zaynar (pictured) who was mighty impressive at Ascot. Zaynar runs tomorrow in the Relkeel Hurdle which is the last race on the card.
The big betting race is the Boylesports.com Gold Cup Handicap Chase worth £150,000 and run over 2 miles 5 furlongs. It looks a very open affair with a lot of old favourites running. There are some interesting runners coming over from Ireland and the pot might well go back across the Irish Sea with Sky's The Limit if he puts his best foot forward.

Countdown to Cheltenham Festival 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:49:00 +0000

For the third Saturday running Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls won the "big" race. Kauto Star just at Haydock, Denmans demolition job at Newbury and Twist Magics' pillar to post at Sandown. All three horses were superbly ridden by Ruby Walsh and of course brilliantly trained by the Paul Nicholls team.
Denmans (pictured left) performance under top weight in the Hennessy was a Cheltenham Gold Cup winning performance. Will Ruby Walsh pick Denman as his Gold Cup ride or will he stay loyal to Kauto Star. If both horses get to Cheltenham fit and well in March 2010 it promises to be another great race between the two stable companions. The excitement is already mounting and Denmans performance in the Hennessy has seen a rush for tickets for Gold Cup day. For tickets and all the latest news from Cheltenham click here.

Countdown to Hennessy Gold Cup 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:33:00 +0000

After last weekends exciting performances by Kauto Star, Imperial Commander, Diamond Harry and Zaynar we now have the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase to look forward to at Newbury on Saturday the 28th as well as the Wbx.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Denman (pictured) is a short priced favourite for the Hennessy.If he is in the same form of two years ago when he won this race he will take all the beating. He has to give weight to a lot of good horses namely Barbers Shop who will be wearing cheekpieces for the first time. They certainly worked for Madison du Berlais last season. Snowy Morning started favourite for this race two years ago only to fall early on. He had a disappointing season last season but you can never rule out one of Willie Mullins runners. War of Attrition also comes over from Ireland for the first time since his Cheltenham Gold Cup win of 2006. They all receive lots of weight from Denman. The one that interests me most though for an each way bet is Roll Along who finished sixth in last years Cheltenham Gold Cup when trained by Carl Llewellyn. Carl Llewellyn is now assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies who now trains Roll Along. His horses are in tremendous form. Roll Along will be ridden by the in form jockey Noel Fehily. The Hennessy Gold Cup is worth £200,000 and is always one of the highlights of the jumping season.

Betfair Chase at Haydock 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the return of jump racing star, Kauto Star (pictured), in the £200,000 Betfair Chase (the Lancashire Chase) at Haydock over 3 miles.
The going forecast is heavy which is ground Kauto Star has not won on before but he is a class act and great horses "go" on any ground. The mud loving Notre Pere and Halcon Genelardais, if he is the right frame of mind, might be the ones to make a race of it if it comes to a slog. Madison du Berlais had a terrific season last season but did not encounter heavy ground. He proved he stays beyond three miles by winning last years Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury over 3 miles 2 furlongs. If he acts on the ground he could be the each way value. It promises to be an interesting race.

Cheltenham Open Meeting 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:46:00 +0000

The 3 Day Cheltenham Open Meeting got underway today (Friday 13th) and certainly whetted our appetites for the months ahead. Tomorrow sees the feature race of the three days the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase worth £150,000 and run over 2 miles 4 furlongs. It does look a very tricky affair and with the anticipated heavy rain forecast the ability to act on the going and stay beyond the race distance will be a major factor. According to Pete might well fit the bill. He did all his racing over 3 miles last season winning four times. He has to be kept to left-handed courses, likes to make the running and has a good racing weight tomorrow.
Maljimar (pictured) ran well in this race last year and eventually finished seventh. Next time out he very nearly won at the Festival in the William Hill Trophy where he lost by a neck to Wichita Lineman who was given a fantastic ride by Tony McCoy. This year Maljimar runs in the Servo Trophy Handicap Chase worth £55,000 and run over 3 miles 3 furlongs. He has already had a run over the Cheltenham course this season which should have put him spot on for tomorrow. He has to be patiently ridden which should help him stay the distance of this race which is unknown territory for him.

Review of Breeders' Cup Classic Race 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:35:00 +0000

What an extraordinary race the American mare

Zenyatta ran in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday evening. She looked virtually tailed off early on and then showed a tremendous turn of foot to catch and pass the entire field and win with her ears pricked as pictured.

Rip Van Winkle was hugely disappointing. Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh were very bullish beforehand but Rip Van Winkle folded very tamely as though he had had enough for the season. He had been on the go as long as Sea the Stars but run one race less.

Twice Over ran great to be third but he was probably only about two lengths behind Zenyatta. In my opinion an in form Sea the Stars would have won this race, but obviously connections did not want to take the chance that he would have been over the top for the season. Zenyatta was sensational and is America's version of Sea the Stars.

Countdown to Cheltenham Open Meeting 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:42:00 +0000

I always associate the Charlie Hall Chase Meeting at Wetherby as the start of the National Hunt season "proper". Last Saturday's race had a poor turn out for a £100,000 race, trainers no doubt concerned about the safety of the ground. As it happened the race provided a super finish between Deep Purple, Tamarinbleu and Ollie Magern, Deep Purple just getting up on the line.

Fair Along (pictured) won the John Smith's West Yorkshire long distance hurdle rather easily. He goes very well for young jockey Rhys Flint, who, according to the essay in Timeforms' Chasers & Hurdlers has been associated with the horse since he was thirteen. Fair Along disappointed in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket so denying the blogger of a 1-2-3 ! The trainers wife, Sarah Hobbs, stated that he had lost ground at the start and consequently sulked.

The Cheltenham 3 day Open Meeting on the 13th, 14th,and 15th November whets our appetites for the Festival next year. The main race will be the Paddy Power Gold Cup Steeplechase which takes place on the Saturday. A two and a half miles handicap, the race will be worth £150,000. The weights are yet to be published but I am hoping last years second, Barbers Shop, puts in an appearance.

On the Sunday the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, worth £100,000 will be the feature race.

For all the up to date news from the course click on Cheltenham.

Champions Day at Newmarket 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:33:00 +0000

Champions Day at Newmarket on Saturday 17th October provides a terrific days racing again with the centre piece being the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes worth £350,000.00. The race is for 3 year olds and above and will be run over 1 mile 2 furlongs. Fame and Glory is the favourite but he disappointed in the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe two weeks ago and might well be past his best after a long season. Sariska (pictured) comes here a fresh horse. Her last three runs have all been over 12 furlongs. She was just beaten last time by Dar Re Mi in the Yorkshire Oaks. Kieren Fallon comes in for the ride as Jamie Spencer is on "forced holiday". Never on Sunday comes over from France and has smart form over 10 furlongs. The trainer and jockey won this race two years ago with Literato. If Fame and Glory is not at his best Sariska could be the one to topple him and she looks the each way value.
The Totesport Cesarewitch worth £160,000.00 is a thorough stamina test run over 2 miles 2 furlongs. Trainers of predominately National Hunt horses have won this race four times over the last six runnings. With a maximum field of 34 runners a draw higher than 18 is an advantage, although old Caracciola came from draw 11 last season. Kieren Fallon comes in for the ride on Fair Along who seems to have been around for ages but is still only seven. He was placed in the race two years ago and Mamlook from the David Pipe yard was placed last year. Those two together with the handicap good thing, Darley Sun, make up my short list.

Sea the Stars is a real Star

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:06:00 +0000

The BBC2's coverage last Sunday from Longchamp of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was terrific for the armchair viewer. Of course the star of the show was Sea the Stars. His performance in the race was staggering. He pulled very hard in the early stages of the race which was reminiscent of New Approach in the English Derby last year. However when asked to go by his jockey Mick Kinane he showed a fantastic turn of foot to cut through the field and win as he wanted. I know Timeform and the official handicapper Phil Smith can only rate him on his winning margin over Youmzain, but for me this horse has acheived more than Sea Bird II and should be rated right up there with him. He has won six Group 1 races in a season which has included the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Arc de Triomphe. His win on Sunday was emotional for those of us that love racing and was also good for racing in general. It even got a mention on the National news ! I guess that will be the last we will see of him on the racecourse as I doubt whether he will be sent to America for the Breeders Cup.

Countdown to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:08:00 +0000

The clock is running down to this Sunday (4th October) when the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be run over 12 furlongs at Longchamp. This is the greatest flat race in Europe and is always won by a very good horse. We are all hoping that Sea the Stars will be able to run and win and prove what a great horse he is. The comparisons are already being made with Dancing Brave, Mill Reef and Sea Bird II (pictured at the start of the 1965 English Derby).
For us old timers Sea Bird II's performances in the Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe were breathtaking. He won the Derby without coming off the bit. I can still see him striding up the Epsom straight with his head in his chest. In the Arc de Triomphe he made a high class field look very ordinary and won by six lengths showing a tremendous turn of foot. The margin would have been more had he not drifted across the course in the last furlong.
Sea the Stars is already a great horse, having won over 8 furlongs, 10 furlongs and 12 furlongs. Like Sea Bird II he has got physically stronger as the season has progressed and I am sure we will be talking of him in the same breath as the great Sea Bird II after the Arc de Triomphe.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:20:00 +0000

The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes will be run over 1 mile at Ascot on Saturday. This race for three year olds and above has been won by some great horses over the years, none more so than Brigadier Gerard and Dubai Millennium. This years race worth £250,000.00 looks to be set up for Rip Van Winkle. There are likely to be only four runners and Delegator from the Godolphin team will be the biggest danger. Rip Van Winkle (pictured) was very impressive in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. He stays beyond a mile and I expect he will make all the running and stretch Delegator's stamina to the limit.
I should be able to hear a commentary of the race as I drive to Ipswich for the game against Newcastle. It will be an emotional afternoon as the North Stand will be renamed the Sir Bobby Robson Stand in a ceremony at half time.

Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes at Doncaster 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Wade) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:19:00 +0000

We are at Day 4 of the Doncaster St.Leger meeting already and I must confess that I have had to make do with watching recordings of racing in the evenings as I have been on "grandfather" duties. The Ladbrokes St.Leger is the oldest classic in the world and this years race does look a fairly open affair. The race is worth £500,000.00 and is for 3 year olds only and run over 1 mile 7 furlongs. Changingoftheguard was an unlucky loser of the the Ebor where he took on the older horses. Two years ago Honolulu,when a three year old, ran a great race to be second in the Ebor to Purple Moon but subsequently disappointed in the St.Leger when favourite. Johnny Murtagh had originally chosen Age of Aquarius as his mount before that horse was withdrawn. Godolphin purchased Kite Wood at the end of last season. He is a big strong powerhouse of a horse and a resolute galloper. Connections have some concern about the ground but there is only one St Leger and I hope Frankie Dettori will be riding yet another St Leger winner.