RaceCafe..#1...Tipsters Thread.... Share Your Fancies For Fun...Lets See Who The Best Tipsters Here Are.
stodge

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Day 2 at Goodwood took place in sunny conditions and on perfect ground.

The feature was the Sussex and if you've not seen it I'd take a look as there's a  huge amount of controversy and comment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw0z8TCjbxc

MOHAATHER won and in the end did it well and you'd have to upgrade the performance given the trouble he got into as VATICAN CITY weakened rapidly. Crowley was forced to switch wide and the horse's speed got him home and out of trouble (this seems to happen a lot at Goodwood). I don't know if they will go for the Marois (probably too soon) so that means the Moulin and then back for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

I backed CIRCUS MAXIMUS each way at 6s so made a few pennies. I thought Ryan Moore rode a superb race but had he broken better and not hard to do so much up the hill to take the lead, he might have had more left in the final 100m.

SISKIN got there and discovered how hard it is to pass CIRCUS MAXIMUS - I wondered if he really got a true 1600m and I did just think in the final 50m he wasn't going forward but it was a fine effort.

KAMEKO was unfortunate - Oisin Murphy came on and admitted it was jockey error but the problem at Goodwood is if you follow the leader you need a gap out and that doesn't always come on a downhill easy track. Again, the start didn't help - I suspect Oisin would have preferred a slower break to get a position but he was leading after 100m. 

A rematch with MOHAATHER at Longchamp or Ascot looks very likely and while the two runs since Newmarket haven't worked out for the 2000 Guineas winner, it's far too early to dismiss him.

The 3-y-o were beaten by the older horses but there wasn't much in it and with another month or two it might be different and indeed a horse like PALACE PIER would have been a fascinating contender and we'll see if the Marois provides further enlightenment.

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Tilsit done the business Stodge , once he learns what's it's all about he will be pretty handy, great odds for such a small field on back of 19 length maiden win but arguably lucky to keep race  , AL Salt went well day before , just needed to settle a bit .

Hope you getting the winners , Willie John went alright but doubt he will pay back the 1.9 million guineas they paid for him .

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On 7/27/2020 at 12:25 AM, stodge said:

SKYMAN was rated 79 on his last UK run so no world beater. Strangely he ran quite often on slow ground which he seemed to handle but won on quick ground at Sandown. He should get 2000m comfortably on breeding and there's plenty of stamina on the dam' s side.

ENABLE needs no praise from me and I presume the plan will be the Yorkshire Oaks and the Arc but the latter will be no cakewalk.

I have to confess I had a few quid on AWARD SCHEME yesterday - one of the first punting lessons I was taught by Grandpa Stodge was "follow a filly in form". She only won a neck at Salisbury but the front two were eight lengths clear so kicking her up 8 lbs was understandable but she was very impressive yesterday and could well be worth a tilt at Listed company - this will be significant for future breeding options - if she can get black type they'll have no problem finding her a top stallion.

AWARD SCHEME is by Siyoumi out of a Dansili prize - the dam won at two but only ran once at three and was last in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield before being moved to France where she never raced. AWARD SCHEME is the second foal - the first was nothing special.

The one filly I am looking forward to seeing is the horse just beaten by AWARD SCHEME at Salisbury - ARRIVISTE. She's been kicked up to 86 (which may be lenient) and she's by Sea The Moon out of an Archipenko mare so you'd think 2400m would be right up her street. She's in the notebook and I'd love to see her in a race like the Galtres at York (or even the Ebor but she'd need to be in the 90s to get in the latter).

While I'm here confirmation seven will go in Tuesday's Goodwood Cup over 3200m. STRADIVARIUS is 1/2, SANTIAGO is 9/4 and it's 16/1 bar which tells you all you need to know. Ryan Moore is sweating down to 8 st 8 to ride SANTIAGO and gets 15 lbs from STRADIVARIUS so this will be a fascinating contest.

As for the supporting Group 2 races, ten go in the Vintage for the juveniles over 1400m. The Chesham winner BATTLEGROUND is 5/4 favourite and boasts the obvious form. Thirteen stand in the Lennox over 1400m. SPACE BLUES, who won the Porte Maillot at Longchamp last time, is 3/1 favourite while PIERRE LAPIN has to bounce back from his Commonwealth Cup failure at 5/1. 

SAFE VOYAGE was a close second to SPACE BLUES at Haydock and is in at 6/1. He won nicely at Epsom last time and that looks a big price each way.

The ground at Goodwood is currently Good to Soft after heavy rain yesterday but it's a fine day and I suspect the course will be delighted with conditions.

 

Arriviste in tonight Stodge,  at Deauville in early hours , I've had a few bucks on at 13s and 2.70 NZ Tab , big step up but English form strong in France this year .

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Slowly catching up with last week's action and I've now seen the third day at Goodwood by which time the hot sunshine had dried the ground to Good to Firm.

The feature Nassau Stakes over 2000m for the fillies and mares saw, in contrast to both the Goodwood Cup and the Sussex on the previous two days, the 3-y-o decisively defeat the older fillies. I'm not sure what Frankie Dettori thought he was doing on MAGIC WAND who usually comes from off the pace but FANCY BLUE was always in the perfect position and let's not forget she was second in the Irish 1000 Guineas and won the Diane beating ALPINE STAR who had won the Coronation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hERSvYzZRyE

ONE VOICE ran a huge race in second and was closing the winner down at the line. She had come out of a rough Group 2 at The Curragh so the question is whether she improved a lot or the winner didn't quite run  to her Diane form.

I thought the unlucky horse was NAZEEF who got into every dark corner going but finished well for third and you certainly couldn't say she didn't see out the trip. I'd love to see her in a race like the Juddmonte or the Irish Champion.

The Group 2 Richmond Stakes saw a convincing win for SUPREMACY who came home four lengths clear of YAZAMAN. The winner had won a Windsor maiden but his trainer Clive Cox is developing a real reputation as a fine handler of sprinting juveniles and 3-y-o and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see this year's winner emulate the 2019 winner, GOLDEN HORDE, from the same stable who went on to win the Commonwealth Cup.

The Gordon Stakes is a Group 3 these days but it was the first real test of the Epsom Derby form. However, ENGLISH KING ran badly and it was MOGUL who restored part of his tarnished reputation by beating HIGHLAND CHIEF. With Epsom second KHALIFA SAT held in fifth, the questions over the quality and value of SERPENTINE's win at Epsom remain.

I backed AL SALT each way in the 2000m handicap for the 3-y-o on the basis of his good win last time but you could have knocked me down with several feathers when 50/1 blowout JUNKANOO won. Okay, mine crawled into third and I got back a few pennies but it was another odd race as you get on the Sussex Downs.  

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2 hours ago, stodge said:

Slowly catching up with last week's action and I've now seen the third day at Goodwood by which time the hot sunshine had dried the ground to Good to Firm.

The feature Nassau Stakes over 2000m for the fillies and mares saw, in contrast to both the Goodwood Cup and the Sussex on the previous two days, the 3-y-o decisively defeat the older fillies. I'm not sure what Frankie Dettori thought he was doing on MAGIC WAND who usually comes from off the pace but FANCY BLUE was always in the perfect position and let's not forget she was second in the Irish 1000 Guineas and won the Diane beating ALPINE STAR who had won the Coronation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hERSvYzZRyE

ONE VOICE ran a huge race in second and was closing the winner down at the line. She had come out of a rough Group 2 at The Curragh so the question is whether she improved a lot or the winner didn't quite run  to her Diane form.

I thought the unlucky horse was NAZEEF who got into every dark corner going but finished well for third and you certainly couldn't say she didn't see out the trip. I'd love to see her in a race like the Juddmonte or the Irish Champion.

The Group 2 Richmond Stakes saw a convincing win for SUPREMACY who came home four lengths clear of YAZAMAN. The winner had won a Windsor maiden but his trainer Clive Cox is developing a real reputation as a fine handler of sprinting juveniles and 3-y-o and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see this year's winner emulate the 2019 winner, GOLDEN HORDE, from the same stable who went on to win the Commonwealth Cup.

The Gordon Stakes is a Group 3 these days but it was the first real test of the Epsom Derby form. However, ENGLISH KING ran badly and it was MOGUL who restored part of his tarnished reputation by beating HIGHLAND CHIEF. With Epsom second KHALIFA SAT held in fifth, the questions over the quality and value of SERPENTINE's win at Epsom remain.

I backed AL SALT each way in the 2000m handicap for the 3-y-o on the basis of his good win last time but you could have knocked me down with several feathers when 50/1 blowout JUNKANOO won. Okay, mine crawled into third and I got back a few pennies but it was another odd race as you get on the Sussex Downs.  

I noticed last week that plenty of OZ shuttlers , or imported stallions to UK and Ireland were getting the winners home . First 3 races one day at Galway ironically on day sponsored by Dublin based company called Caulfield . Might miss some but Epaulette,  Elzaam, Sepoy, Redoute's Choice ,  Fastnet Rock , Hallowed Crown and Brazen Beau I think I saw too.

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Day 4 of the Goodwood Festival took place on a scorching hot day in southern England (the third hottest on record at Heathrow) and, despite overnight watering, the ground had quickened despite still being called Good to Firm.

The feature was the Group 2 King George Stakes over 1000m and BATTAASH duly collected his fourth renewal of the race and in the process smashed his own track record lowering it from 56.20 to 55.62 which was mightily impressive. To be fair, BATTAASH had every right to win this and Crowley had to give him a couple of taps as GLASS SLIPPERS closed with menace 250m down but those who had taken the 2/7 odds never had a moment's worry.

Next stop is the Nunthorpe followed by the Abbaye. Trainer Charlie Hills isn't keen on the Breeders Cup Sprint which would be 1200m round a bend. To be honest, with only 22 races under his belt and he's a gelding so BATTAASH could easily do a couple of seasons yet at the top.

A strong supporting card of Group 3 races worth a quick mention - ONE MASTER won the Foret last year and won the Oak Tree despite hating the ground and some traffic trouble. She's a class act and if it comes up soft on Arc day, she'll take a lot of beating. The Bonhams Stakes was a really rough race - TILSIT prevailed but it looked horrendous as he cannoned into MY OBERON on the rail. In many other jurisdictions, TILSIT would have lost the race and Ryan Moore would have banned for weeks but in the UK it's a more lenient environment - TILSIT kept the race and Moore got five days for careless riding. If you can find the race, have a look.

The Glorious Stakes over 2400m looked a trappy contest for the older horses and to be honest it was simply PABLO ESCOBARR's turn to continue a fantastic run for trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand. DESERT ENCOUNTER finished second and I'm sure they will be looking to another tilt at the Canadian International.

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The big news over here has been the media deal which will keep racing on free-to-air for the next three years. ITV Racing, which has been widely praised for its output, will continue providing regular Saturday and midweek slots until 2023. 

I'm not always convinced by the coverage which tends to shy away from anything too negative or controversial (which is a shame because the specialist channels are completely in the pocket of the racing establishment). The problem is if you criticise the jockeys they will refuse to talk to you and that's seen as a big part of the coverage.

The almost unpronounceable AMHRANN NA BHAFAINN, who finished third behind his stable companion SERPENTINE in the English Derby, has been ruled out for the rest of the season following surgery on a leg fracture discovered after he was unexpectedly beaten at 8/15 in a maiden at Naas on Monday evening.

It would have been Shergar Cup day at Ascot this coming weekend but even with that pointless exercise not taking place, it's still, a very quiet weekend up here.

In Ireland, it's the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes for the juveniles over 1200m on Sunday and 15 have been entered. The Molecomb winner STEEL BULL has been entered as have VENTURA TORMENTA and THE LIR JET, who were first and second in the Papin three weeks ago. Aidan O'Brien has entered six so we'll see how the race shapes up later in the week.

In France, the Deauville meeting continues this weekend - Saturday sees the rescheduled Hocquart for the 3-y-o over 2500m while Sunday sees the Maurice de Gheest over 1300m. 27 have been entered with first forfeit tomorrow (UK). SPACE BLUES is a confirmed runner but this is often a very classy race. 

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16 hours ago, Tauhei Notts said:

Stodge, any comments on that Belardo colt that won at Goodwood.  i thought he looked like something quite good.

Yes, TITAN ROCK won in spite of everything. He ran with the choke almost out but got home but it was a bunch finish - first four were separated by barely a length and a couple of outsiders in second and fourth.

He obviously preferred the quick ground to the soft ground he encountered on debut despite being out of a Pivotal mare. Strangely, Belardo won on fast ground on debut as a juvenile but generally raced on slow ground so you might think that was his preference but I'm less convinced,

This was his first colt winner - the other six have been from five fillies with two from ISABELLA GILES who ran a decent fourth in the Princess Margaret.

TITAN ROCK is in the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales race next month. 

The new sire attracting all the headlines is MEHMAS who had a couple of juvenile winners at Goodwood last week.

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Just a few bits and pieces from up here this evening where it is again going to be very hot in the south but poor Hamilton in Scotland have lost tomorrow's meeting due to heavy rain.

As I've said, not much happening in the UK this weekend but busier elsewhere. 

Just six go in Saturday's Hocquart at Deauville - over 2500m, it's usually run much earlier in the season at Longchamp but now it looks like a trial for the Grand Prix de Paris in September. Raiders from Italy and England take on the locals. TUSCAN GAZE won the Italian Derby while Charlie Appleby brings over VOLKAN STAR, a horse I like a lot. He was well beaten by future French Derby winner MISHRIFF on seasonal debut but then beat subsequent Dante winner THUNDEROUS at Newmarket before coming to Longchamp and winning a Group 3 beating KETIL who re-opposes. PAO ALTO was sixth in the Jockey Club and I don't quite see why he should be closer on this occasion.

Eight run in the Travers at Saratoga on Saturday evening (UK). The Travers is normally the midsummer championship race run after the Triple Crown and often puts those who won or ran well in the three Triple Crown races against the later-developing but fast improving types. This year, of course, we've only had one leg of the Triple Crown so perhaps this is really the second leg of a Quadruple Crown. TIS THE LAW was a convincing winner of the Belmont and it's hard to see why he shouldn't follow up. UNCLE CHUCK sauntered away with the Los Alamitos Derby last time and while that's respectable I can't see him bothering TIS THE LAW.

12 have been entered for Sunday's Maurice de Gheest over 1300m at Deauville. This looks a decent renewal with the top French juvenile of last year, EARTHLIGHT, heading the market. He re-opposes with GOLDEN HORDE having beaten the Clive Cox-trained runner a neck in last year's Middle Park. GOLDEN HORDE won the Commonwealth Cup before finishing third in the July Cup. EARTHLIGHT swerved the classics but looked perfectly good on his re-appearance winning a Listed race.

It's not just a two-horse race by any means. SPACE BLUES won the Lennox at Goodwood last week and while this is 100m shorter, it shouldn't be an issue and he has obvious claims though he's never won in Group 1 company. WICHITA and LOPE Y FERNANDEZ represent Aidan O'Brien and both have been placed in classics so both command respect. I though WICHITA slightly disappointing in the Sussex last week while LOPE Y FERNANDEZ was well behind GOLDEN HORDE at Ascot but was a close second to PINATUBO in the Jean Prat and that puts him right in this.

Up to now, with the exception of the staying fillies, the older horses have dominated but time is on the side of the 3-y-o but they only get 4 lbs from the likes of SPACE BLUES who is at the top of his form. He's 11/2 and I might have a play at those odds.

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I've got the afternoon off and I'm sitting with a long cold drink as London grills quietly. Currently 33c here.

Final fields are through for Sunday's big races in Ireland and France.

10 go for the Phoenix Stakes over 1200m at The Curragh.  STEEL BULL won the Molecomb at Goodwood over 1000m while VENTURA TORMENTA and THE LIR JET were first and second in the Papin over 1200m and that form looks more solid. ST MARK'S BASILICA is by Siyouni out of a Galileo mare and was sent off 6/4 favourite on debut but finished second over this course and distance nearly a fortnight ago. 

I think VENTURA TORMENTA is the one to follow up the Papin success.

No changes for the Maurice de Gheest after today's final forfeit.

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I should also take the opportunity to round off the review of last weekend's racing.

With the proposed crowd "trial" aborted at the last moment, it was a subdued afternoon for the final day of the Goodwood meeting. The ground remained Good to Firm and the weather remained fantastic. On quite a low-key final day (in terms of quality), the Group 2 Lillie Langtry was a disappointing affair with just three fillies going to post for the 2800m race. ENBIHAAR was expected to win and she did so without too much fuss. The seasonal debut on unsuitably slow ground at Newmarket had clearly blown away the cobwebs and she did this very nicely. Future plans seem  to vary between the Park Hill at Doncaster and a possible tilt at the Irish Leger.

At Deauville on Saturday, the top horse in my note book, ARRIVISTE, was pitched into a Group 3 from a Class 4 handicap and not surprisingly found it a bit much. She finished fourth, five lengths behind RAABIHAH who had herself finished a close fourth, beaten less than a length, in the Diane behind Nassau winner FANCY BLUE, Coronation winner ALPINE STAR and Irish 1000 Guineas winner PEACEFUL so that looks solid.

Off to Saratoga and MIDNIGHT BISOU was unexpectedly turned over in the Personal Ensign. She raced a little lazily and never looked like getting past VERACIOUS who battled gamely. In the Whitney, favourite TOM'S D'ETAT completely blew the start which is so important in the American races. He did well to finish third but this handed the race to IMPROBABLE who came home without too much problem. It will be interesting to see if there is a rematch in the Breeders Cup Classic.

Sunday at Deauville saw the Group 1 Rothschild and while WATCH ME won it, she made heavy weather of it. Both the placed horses, HALF LIGHT and in particular the Irish 3-y-o filly KNOW IT ALL, ran above their previous efforts and I just have the sense this wasn't a strong renewal. 

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First part of the weekend review covers the Saturday action. 

At Deauville, the local PORT GUILLAUME was a convincing winner of the Hocquart and looks a key player for the Grand Prix de Paris. He was fifth in the Jockey Club and the step up in trip was just what he wanted. The British raider VOLKAN STAR was disappointing.

We may be still trying to establish the pecking order among the 3-y-o in Europe but in North America, there are no such problems. TIS THE LAW was a majestic winner of the Travers and you'll go a long way to see an easier winner of a top event. He won by five and a half lengths on the bridle and I can't see one to stop him in the rescheduled Preakness or Kentucky Derby and perhaps from there to the Breeders Cup Classic before the big winter prizes in the Middle East.

As for the fillies, there's a new superstar in the shape of GAMINE who obliterated the field in the Test winning by seven lengths in a jaw-dropping 1:20.84 for the 1400m. She won the Acorn by 19 lengths on her previous outing so she is a real machine and I hope we'll see plenty of her in the autumn.

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2 hours ago, stodge said:

First part of the weekend review covers the Saturday action. 

At Deauville, the local PORT GUILLAUME was a convincing winner of the Hocquart and looks a key player for the Grand Prix de Paris. He was fifth in the Jockey Club and the step up in trip was just what he wanted. The British raider VOLKAN STAR was disappointing.

We may be still trying to establish the pecking order among the 3-y-o in Europe but in North America, there are no such problems. TIS THE LAW was a majestic winner of the Travers and you'll go a long way to see an easier winner of a top event. He won by five and a half lengths on the bridle and I can't see one to stop him in the rescheduled Preakness or Kentucky Derby and perhaps from there to the Breeders Cup Classic before the big winter prizes in the Middle East.

As for the fillies, there's a new superstar in the shape of GAMINE who obliterated the field in the Test winning by seven lengths in a jaw-dropping 1:20.84 for the 1400m. She won the Acorn by 19 lengths on her previous outing so she is a real machine and I hope we'll see plenty of her in the autumn.

A few more of those Aussie stallions got home winners last few days . Helmet, Pride of Dubai  got on the scoresheet to go with the others past 10 days .

The Redoubts Choice mix with Aga Khan mares produced some diverse results this weekend , Vadavar (2015 )  ex French bolted up Te Rapa and Ashqar (2015) almost identical page to The Autumn Sun won at attempt 30 in 2 mile hurdle at Killarney , he's in again at Ballinarobe overnight I think over 3 miles on backup . Not sure how many Aga Khan mares Redoubts Choice was bred to in that period of time but has got some diverse winning  results , from top tracks to little old Killarney .

 

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3 minutes ago, Red Rum said:

A few more of those Aussie stallions got home winners last few days . Helmet, Pride of Dubai  got on the scoresheet to go with the others past 10 days .

The Redoubts Choice mix with Aga Khan mares produced some diverse results this weekend , Vadavar (2015 )  ex French bolted up Te Rapa and Ashqar (2015) almost identical page to The Autumn Sun won at attempt 30 in 2 mile hurdle at Killarney , he's in again at Ballinarobe overnight I think over 3 miles on backup . Not sure how many Aga Khan mares Redoubts Choice was bred to in that period of time but has got some diverse winning  results , from top tracks to little old Killarney .

 

ASHQAR won at KIlbeggan and he's first reserve for the handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe on Monday evening (UK). Whether he gets a run remains to be seen - the Irish trainers often put their horses in with multiple entries. I think the rule is if you are reserve and you don't get a run, the entry fees are returned.

VADAVAR won a couple as a 3-y-o but looked to love really soft or heavy ground so a Heavy 10 at Te Rapa would have been ideal.

I have to go and pick up my winnings on SPACE BLUES in the morning - backed him at 11/2 but he went off 22/5 so that was fine.

 

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44 minutes ago, stodge said:

ASHQAR won at KIlbeggan and he's first reserve for the handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe on Monday evening (UK). Whether he gets a run remains to be seen - the Irish trainers often put their horses in with multiple entries. I think the rule is if you are reserve and you don't get a run, the entry fees are returned.

VADAVAR won a couple as a 3-y-o but looked to love really soft or heavy ground so a Heavy 10 at Te Rapa would have been ideal.

I have to go and pick up my winnings on SPACE BLUES in the morning - backed him at 11/2 but he went off 22/5 so that was fine.

 

Good job I weren't heading off to races after a few guiness night before and put Killarney into satnav rather than Kilbeggan , that would end in tears . I had a very dodgy pint of guiness once at Leopardstown after watching the legend that is Istabraq smoke home in Irish Champion Hurdle  , gave the bogs at airport a decent workout the next morning . 

Good work on Space Blues Stodge , shame we won't get to see Godolphin team coming down this springtime , the French will be barring Appleby the way he mops up their races regularly .

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9 hours ago, stodge said:

ASHQAR won at KIlbeggan and he's first reserve for the handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe on Monday evening (UK). Whether he gets a run remains to be seen - the Irish trainers often put their horses in with multiple entries. I think the rule is if you are reserve and you don't get a run, the entry fees are returned.

VADAVAR won a couple as a 3-y-o but looked to love really soft or heavy ground so a Heavy 10 at Te Rapa would have been ideal.

I have to go and pick up my winnings on SPACE BLUES in the morning - backed him at 11/2 but he went off 22/5 so that was fine.

 

Just had a look at one of Malone Roads bumper wins , impressive , if his legs hold up he looks another  serious jumper for Cheveley Park , seems to have knee issues but should hose up tonight at Ballinrobe if even half as good as he was. 

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20 hours ago, Red Rum said:

Good job I weren't heading off to races after a few guiness night before and put Killarney into satnav rather than Kilbeggan , that would end in tears . I had a very dodgy pint of guiness once at Leopardstown after watching the legend that is Istabraq smoke home in Irish Champion Hurdle  , gave the bogs at airport a decent workout the next morning . 

Good work on Space Blues Stodge , shame we won't get to see Godolphin team coming down this springtime , the French will be barring Appleby the way he mops up their races regularly .

You could well be right, my friend. Godolphin are good sports but I suspect they preferred EARTHLIGHT. 

I can't speak for Ballydoyle but I suspect any British challenge is going to be muted this year - I gather only one quarantine flight is going this year rather than two which suggests a smaller group going. I've no idea whether it will be possible to send horses to America for the Breeders Cup.

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On then to last Sunday and first stop a sun-drenched Deauville for the Maurice de Gheest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtDDQw9Tc84

SPACE BLUES was given an excellent ride by William Buick in my view. 1300m is a strange trip and while you'd think it would suit the 1200m horses, on a straight track I would want to be on the proven 1400m performer every time. The ground was officially Good but they returned a decent time and of course what happened was the 1200m specialists like GOLDEN HORDE and EARTHLIGHT went hard up front and had no answer to the 1400m specialist SPACE BLUES in the final 50m.

It was a real bunch for the minors with second to fifth split by half a length. HELLO YOUMZAIN and GOLDEN HORDE will presumably re-match with July Cup winner OXTED at Haydock early next month and that already looks a race to savour. LOPE Y FERNANDEZ ran another good race in defeat and comes out with a lot of credit. EARTHLIGHT just didn't get home and I'm not sure where the next step is for last year's top juvenile.

For SPACE BLUES, I imagine the Foret will be the main target though I'd love him to have a tilt at the Breeders Cup Mile for which I think he would be well suited.

Meanwhile at The Curragh, the first Irish Group 1 for the juveniles took place. The Phoenix Stakes used to be run at the old Phoenix Park racecourse on the outskirts of Dublin before the course was lost to housing. This year's renewal looked well up to standard and while there had been plenty of earlier juvenile form advertised, this saw a new star emerge in the form of LUCKY VEGA who erased the memory of his narrow defeat in the Railway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNs2kACHJIE

LUCKY VEGA was always going well and quickened nicely to win this by over three lengths. A bit of argy-bargy between ALOHA STAR and THE LIR JET resulted in the places being reversed in the stewards' room. The problem was ALOHA STAR's jockey, Chris Hayes, had his whip in the incorrect hand so was deemed not to have done enough to prevent interference. Make of that what you will. I thought LAWS OF INDICES , who had sprung a huge shock when beating LUCKY VEGA in the Railway, ran an eye-catching fourth and is crying out for an extra 200m. ST MARK'S BASILICA was well held in fifth but I wouldn't write him off yet but VENTURA TORMENTA was very disappointing and came home last.

Looking ahead to the coming weekend, again, not much happening in the UK with a Group 2 the feature at Newbury on Saturday. At Deauville, it's another busy weekend with the Group 2 Guillaume D'Ornano on Saturday and the Group 1 Jacques le Marois over 1600m on Sunday. We'll get some idea of the field for the Marois as the week goes on but St James's palace winner PALACE PIER is due to run as is ROMANISED.

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Entries are through for the Jacques Le Marois at Deauville on Sunday and five 3-y-o are set to take on four older horses.

The youngsters include St James's Palace winner PALACE PIER, English 2000 Guineas winner KAMEKO and Coronation Stakes winner ALPINE STAR while THE SUMMIT represents the locals.

Facing off against them will be Queen Anne winner CIRCUS MAXIMUS, former Irish 2000 Guineas winner ROMANISED and former Poulains winner PERSIAN KING.

This looks a serious race and I'll consider it more later in the week.

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Next Wednesday sees the start of the four-day York August Festival which is for many the end of summer and the first sign of autumn.

It's a cracking meeting - not quite the strength in depth of Royal Ascot but for me it's the second best meeting of the year.

The first day sees the Juddmonte International over 2000m. 14 have been entered, six from Aidan O'Brien and three from John Gosden whose dual Arc winner ENABLE will miss a clash with LOVE in the Yorkshire Oaks for the September Stakes at Kempton as her prep race for Paris.

I'll leave a full preview until next Monday when we have the final runners but it looks a very hot race. 

The Group 2 Voltigeur over 2400m is traditionally a Leger Trial though CROSS COUNTER ran in it before his exploits at Flemington. Again, 14 entries and again 6 from Ballydoyle.

The ground on the Knavesmire is currently Good to Firm but after a hot spell much cooler and more unsettled conditions are taking over.

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2 hours ago, stodge said:

Next Wednesday sees the start of the four-day York August Festival which is for many the end of summer and the first sign of autumn.

It's a cracking meeting - not quite the strength in depth of Royal Ascot but for me it's the second best meeting of the year.

The first day sees the Juddmonte International over 2000m. 14 have been entered, six from Aidan O'Brien and three from John Gosden whose dual Arc winner ENABLE will miss a clash with LOVE in the Yorkshire Oaks for the September Stakes at Kempton as her prep race for Paris.

I'll leave a full preview until next Monday when we have the final runners but it looks a very hot race. 

The Group 2 Voltigeur over 2400m is traditionally a Leger Trial though CROSS COUNTER ran in it before his exploits at Flemington. Again, 14 entries and again 6 from Ballydoyle.

The ground on the Knavesmire is currently Good to Firm but after a hot spell much cooler and more unsettled conditions are taking over.

After Dick Turpin gave Black Bess the best ride any jockey has ever given a horse,  after an objection , the stewards handed out the harshest sentence ever given in a stripes room at York , and in 1739 he met his end on the Knavesmire .

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21 hours ago, Red Rum said:

After Dick Turpin gave Black Bess the best ride any jockey has ever given a horse,  after an objection , the stewards handed out the harshest sentence ever given in a stripes room at York , and in 1739 he met his end on the Knavesmire .

Apparently Dick Turpin told the stewards after he had been found guilty "it's hardly a hanging offence".

The stipe replied "You're wrong about that too!"

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The weekend beckons up here and elsewhere but it's not the busiest.

Tomorrow, the feature UK race is the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury over 1400m. 10 go to post and with SPACE BLUES the top dog at this distance after his wins in the Lennox and the Maurice de Gheest, this looks a slightly below-par renewal. DREAM OF DREAMS has finished second in the Diamond Jubilee in the past two seasons but last year he never followed up that run and I'm sceptical over the extra 200m. I think he's an Ascot specialist and I'd want to be against him.

Both GLORIOUS JOURNEY and THREAT ran down the field in the Lennox but GLORIOUS JOURNEY won this race last year and that's a big plus in my book. The 3-y-o PIERRE LAPIN has flopped on his two runs this year. One of interest is the German raider NAMOS who was eighth in the July Cup but this is more reasonable and he's a tempting e/w bet at 10s but I'm sticking with GLORIOUS JOURNEY.

The Group 1 Preis von Europa at Cologne sees BARNEY ROY take on DAME MAILLOT. as well as the third and fourth in this year's German Derby. The problem is BARNEY ROY has never run 2400m and they didn't think he stayed it as a 3-y-o whereas DAME MAILLOT looked good at Newmarket last month and is readily preferred.

At Deauville, the Group 2 Gontaut Biron over 2000m is a re-run of the Jockey Club from last month. Convincing winner MISHRIFF faces THE SUMMIT and Poulains winner VICTOR LUDORUM who filled the places. It's hard to see why the result should be difficult but it's a small field and could be tactical which would suit the speed of VICTOR LUDORUM.

On to Sunday and seven go in the Jacques Le Marois, which, like many French Group 1 races, is open to colts and fillies but not geldings. It's a quality renewal and a real clash of the generations. Representing the 3-y-o we have the winners of the championship races at the Royal Ascot meeting - PALACE PIER won the St James's Palace with a convincing performance but ALPINE STAR did me a nice favour in the Coronation Stakes. After that, she was touched off by subsequent Nassau winner FANCY BLUE in the Diane. Over this straight 1600m, I think I prefer the filly who we know gets the thick end of 2000m while I just wonder if the way the race was won suited PALACE PIER at Ascot.

They are very strong contenders but we have some top older horses in opposition. CIRCUS MAXIMUS won the Queen Anne over the straight 1600m at Ascot and he ran a blinder in defeat to MOHAATHER in the Sussex. We know he lacks for nothing in courage and a straight 1600m plays to his strengths. ROMANISED won this last year before going under by a nose to CIRCUS MAXIMUS in the Moulin. He was impressive on his return albeit in lesser company over 1400m at The Curragh and he's no outsider in this class.

Last but by no mean least, we have PERSIAN KING who won the Poulains and was second in the Jockey Club as a 3-y-o and returned to Group 1 winning form last time when winning the Ispahan though that possibly wasn't the strongest renewal.

This is another really good race for the division and the equivalent of the Sussex though the Goodwood and Deauville tracks are very different. With only seven runners, the punting angle isn't easy - I like ALPINE STAR but she is up against the boys and that will be tough. I keep coming back to my old mate CIRCUS MAXIMUS who is proven on a straight 1600m and will outbattle any of these if it comes down to a duel in the final 200m. 

It's a race to which I am really looking forward.

Looking ahead to Thursdsy, eight fillies have been entered for the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks over 2400m. Aidan O'Brien has entered both LOVE and MAGICAL and while I'd love to see him lock horns I don't think it will happen with MAGICAL going for the Juddmonte the previous day. To be honest, LOVE looks a class above these and they are no mugs in opposition.

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14 hours ago, stodge said:

The weekend beckons up here and elsewhere but it's not the busiest.

Tomorrow, the feature UK race is the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury over 1400m. 10 go to post and with SPACE BLUES the top dog at this distance after his wins in the Lennox and the Maurice de Gheest, this looks a slightly below-par renewal. DREAM OF DREAMS has finished second in the Diamond Jubilee in the past two seasons but last year he never followed up that run and I'm sceptical over the extra 200m. I think he's an Ascot specialist and I'd want to be against him.

Both GLORIOUS JOURNEY and THREAT ran down the field in the Lennox but GLORIOUS JOURNEY won this race last year and that's a big plus in my book. The 3-y-o PIERRE LAPIN has flopped on his two runs this year. One of interest is the German raider NAMOS who was eighth in the July Cup but this is more reasonable and he's a tempting e/w bet at 10s but I'm sticking with GLORIOUS JOURNEY.

The Group 1 Preis von Europa at Cologne sees BARNEY ROY take on DAME MAILLOT. as well as the third and fourth in this year's German Derby. The problem is BARNEY ROY has never run 2400m and they didn't think he stayed it as a 3-y-o whereas DAME MAILLOT looked good at Newmarket last month and is readily preferred.

At Deauville, the Group 2 Gontaut Biron over 2000m is a re-run of the Jockey Club from last month. Convincing winner MISHRIFF faces THE SUMMIT and Poulains winner VICTOR LUDORUM who filled the places. It's hard to see why the result should be difficult but it's a small field and could be tactical which would suit the speed of VICTOR LUDORUM.

On to Sunday and seven go in the Jacques Le Marois, which, like many French Group 1 races, is open to colts and fillies but not geldings. It's a quality renewal and a real clash of the generations. Representing the 3-y-o we have the winners of the championship races at the Royal Ascot meeting - PALACE PIER won the St James's Palace with a convincing performance but ALPINE STAR did me a nice favour in the Coronation Stakes. After that, she was touched off by subsequent Nassau winner FANCY BLUE in the Diane. Over this straight 1600m, I think I prefer the filly who we know gets the thick end of 2000m while I just wonder if the way the race was won suited PALACE PIER at Ascot.

They are very strong contenders but we have some top older horses in opposition. CIRCUS MAXIMUS won the Queen Anne over the straight 1600m at Ascot and he ran a blinder in defeat to MOHAATHER in the Sussex. We know he lacks for nothing in courage and a straight 1600m plays to his strengths. ROMANISED won this last year before going under by a nose to CIRCUS MAXIMUS in the Moulin. He was impressive on his return albeit in lesser company over 1400m at The Curragh and he's no outsider in this class.

Last but by no mean least, we have PERSIAN KING who won the Poulains and was second in the Jockey Club as a 3-y-o and returned to Group 1 winning form last time when winning the Ispahan though that possibly wasn't the strongest renewal.

This is another really good race for the division and the equivalent of the Sussex though the Goodwood and Deauville tracks are very different. With only seven runners, the punting angle isn't easy - I like ALPINE STAR but she is up against the boys and that will be tough. I keep coming back to my old mate CIRCUS MAXIMUS who is proven on a straight 1600m and will outbattle any of these if it comes down to a duel in the final 200m. 

It's a race to which I am really looking forward.

Looking ahead to Thursdsy, eight fillies have been entered for the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks over 2400m. Aidan O'Brien has entered both LOVE and MAGICAL and while I'd love to see him lock horns I don't think it will happen with MAGICAL going for the Juddmonte the previous day. To be honest, LOVE looks a class above these and they are no mugs in opposition.

Couple of interesting runners at Newbury , Dhahabi a half brother to Golden Horn 3.1 mill guinea yearling won on debut . The race he is  in produces some good horses over the years, used to be the Washington Singer   and Tempus out of Charlton  yard half brother to Time Test looks to have been given plenty of time .

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