News from the North(ern) Hemisphere

[stodge 1,938]

On 5/24/2021 at 1:48 AM, Red Rum said:

Sad to read of the death of Barney Curley  Stodge .

There are characters then there was Barney , never ever will there be another like him .

To see him in full on mode " Barney Curley in full rant" on you tube  is well worth a look  from the old Folkestone racecourse , unscripted from the heart full on  feelings , poor old Luke Harvey and John Macririck copping it big style plus , they reacted well to the barrage . 

The guy was a genius,  his training of a fragile horse no better , Urbi Et Orbi sticks in my mind , 82 to 87 off the grid somewhere, who knows where only Barney would know  , turns up after 1800 plus days off to skate in as favorite in 20 plus runner race , and Silvertown I remember one day at Lingfield , I had decent bet at evens , a young Spencer got him home by a head without moving in saddle , they were a perfect pair those two . A sad day for the sport . 

He did a ton for charity too . 

 

The Racing Post has had a second day of Curley tributes - he mentored some of the younger jockeys such as Dettori and Spencer among others.

Whether he'll be remembered more for the YELLOW SAM coup of 1975 or for his charitable work in Africa I'm not sure but they represented just two sides of a many layered and quite complex individual who defied pigeon-holing and was always his own man.

[stodge 1,938]

I'll reflect on the weekend past in a while - I forgot to say anything about the big Whitsun meeting at Longchamp on Monday.

The ground was very soft and the feature was the Group 1 Saint-Alary for the 3-y-o fillies over 2000m. I suppose you could call it a Diane trial though it's odd to have two such similar races so close in the French calendar. This year's renewal looked wide open and a bit weak and perhaps it wasn't surprising to see a bunch finish and the first four home split by a length. INCARVILLE took the prize - she'd been runner up in both the Penelope and the Cleopatre - in the last stride under Christope Soumillon. The runner up had won the Grotte but the third had never even run in a Pattern race so make of that what you will. 

The supporting Group 2 races were the Hocquart and the Vicomtesse Vigier. The former, over 2100m for the colts, is a Jockey Club trial and went to BUBBLE GIFT, another who had never run in Listed company, so again this may not have been the strongest of Group 2 races. 

The Vicomtesse Vigier over 3000m has an interesting history. It's named after the niece of Jean Prat, the top 19th century trainer. There was at one time two races both called the Jean Prat and clearly that couldn't continue and this race took the niece's name while the 3-y-o mile race remained as the Jean Prat. The Vicomtesse Vigier is regarded as a top French staying race and a trial for any French contenders for the Ascot Gold Cup as well as establishing any potential challengers for the Cadran in the autumn.

This year's renewal saw a fine battle between the front two in the market, SKAZINO and VALIA and the pair finished six lengths ahead of the others so are probably decent types. The second was having her seasonal debut having chased home SUBJECTIVIST in the Royal Oak last autumn. She's certain to come on for the run and she has an Arc entry but it would need to be a real bog for her to have a chance.

SKAZINO is the new kid on the staying block having won the Hedouville last time and this was a big step forward. He's already had the unkindest cut of all so that shuts off a number of Group 1 options in France but not in the UK and I'd love his connections to bring him to Ascot.

 

[stodge 1,938]

A quieter week this week with just a couple of Group 3 races at Haydock on Saturday in the lull before the June storm of the Derby, Oaks and Royal Ascot.

On Thursday, we have arguably the best evening card of the season at Sandown where the ground is currently Soft to Heavy.

The Henry II is a Group 3 over 3200m which is often a trial for Gold Cup contenders. Only five go and the question is which of two horses who have both got to within a length of STRADIVARIUS is going to prevail. NAYEF ROAD won the 2020 Sagaro and was only a length behind STRADIVARIUS in the Goodwood Cup but ran a shocker last time in the Yorkshire Cup.

OCEAN WIND has come onto the staying scene this season and was just a length behind STRADIVARIUS in the Sagaro last time. He's won on soft ground and you can see why he's the favourite.

The Brigadier Gerard is being run in memory of Joe Mercer, who rode the Brigadier throughout his illustrious career and died last week. Just five go to post and SANGARIUS is the favourite. We know he goes on soft but he was well beaten by ARMORY at Chester and I just wonder if EXTRA ELUSIVE might be better back on his favoured soft ground. He was third in the Gordon Richards last time but the ground was quick enough that day.

[stodge 1,938]

Back to last weekend and a chance to catch up on the main UK and Irish races.

At Haydock, the ground was Heavy for the two Group 2 sprint races, the Sandy Lane for the 3-y-o, a trial for the Commonwealth Cup and the Temple for the older horses, a trial for the King's Stand.

As it's unlikely Ascot will be run on ground as deep as it was at Haydock, it may be these races won't have the significance they have enjoyed in previous years. The Sandy lane looked wide open and with 33/1 shot ROHAAN prevailing, you'd be forgive for thinking the sprinting 3-y-o aren't much.  I did think both the second, DRAGON SYMBOL and the third, UMM KULTHUN, ran well and both will, I suspect, fetch up to Berkshire for what is always an interesting race.

The 1000m Temple saw a gutsy front running performance from LIBERTY BEACH who has solid form on slow ground including third places in both the Kin's Stand and the Abbaye. If it comes up Soft at Ascot she has serious claims.

The main focus of the weekend was on The Curragh in Ireland where the Saturday card had to survive a morning inspection and the ground was Soft to Heavy. 

The 2000 Guineas looked a wide open race and pitched the English 2000 Guineas winner and Poulains sixth POETIC FLARE against Newmarket third LUCKY VEGA and also-rans WEMBLEY and VAN GOGH as well as Craven runner up LA BARROSSA and last year's Vertem Futurity winner MAC SWINEY. It looked like it was going to be a war of attrition race on the ground and so it proved 

MAC SWINEY made almost all and he had a tremendous battle with his stable companion and fellow home bred POETIC FLARE in the final 350m just holding on by a diminishing short head. VAN GOGH was third but beaten three and a half lengths with LUCKY VEGA fourth.

WEMBLEY was a huge flop coming home last - I could forgive him Newmarket on account of the ground but he should have gone better on this surface. 

LA BAROSSA was sixth and after his fine second in the Craven, you can perhaps put the ground up as an excuse but I'll be looking for something much better on decent ground next time.

LUCKY VEGA would, I thought, struggle with the trip on this ground and he got well back but then ran on very well in the final 300m to finish fourth. Given where others were running, he might ot have been on the best part of the track through halfway but you couldn't argue he didn't see out the 1600m.

I backed VAN GOGH each way at 10s and he went off 9/2. He travelled into the race well but got outpaced by the front two in the final 300m but still put in a solid effort on the ground and I can't argue he made me a nice profit on the bet.

POETIC FLARE was running his third classic in four weeks and he comes out with one win, one close second and a sixth. Jim Bolger said he didn't have a race in Paris and came back heavier than when he left. Whether he'll again cross swords with Poulains winner ST MARK'S BASILICA in the St James's Palace is impossible to know but he'll be a big fancy if he turns up at Ascot and has clear claims to being the top 3-y-o colt miler at this time.

MAC SWINEY had shown plenty of stamina as a juvenile winning the Vertem at Doncaster but he'd been a shade disappointing behind BOLSHOI BALLET on his 3-y-o debut. This was a strong performance and he now goes to Epsom as a 5/1 third favourite but you'd be wary of drying ground as all his form is on slow turf. In any case, it's a hard ask to see him reversing places with BOLSHOI BALLET after the latter's impressive performance last time.

The supporting Group 2 Greenlands over 1200m went to 14/1 shot GUSTAVUS WESTON while the Lanwades went to EPONA PLAYS who won well with favourite CHAMPERS ELYSSES disappointing into fourth.  I wonder if the winner will run in a place like the Windsor Castle at Ascot.

On to Sunday and further rain turned the ground Heavy. Two Group 1 races, the first being the Tattersalls Gold Cup over 2000m. Three dominated the finish with the others well beaten off. BROOME was at the sharp end throughout but never looked wholly at ease and was run down close home by HELVIC DREAM for trainer Noel Meade. This was their fourth meeting this season and from a 15-length advantage to BROOME first time, the gap has closed each time with HELVIC DREAM within a length last time in the Mooresbridge. TRUE SELF was a close third beaten barely a length and I wonder if this dual Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner may be facing another antipodean campaign later in the year.

As said, the front three were well clear of the remainder - CAYENNE PEPPER weakened dramatically in the final furlong for fourth while SERPENTINE beat only TIGER MOTH, the latter reported to have gurgled in the final 200m and was almost pulled up by the line.

The 1000 Guineas was going to be every bit as much a war as the colts' classic. Those close to the pace and having had a run were at a clear advantage and JOAN OF ARC looked to have seen off NO SPEAK ALEXANDER before being cut down in the last stride by stable companion EMPRESS JOSEPHINE who was herself having her fifth run of the season. The winner was 14s having come into the race off a rating of just 101 so you're not seeing a quality classic here by any stretch. PRETTY GORGEOUS travelled well to 300m out but this wasn't a day to be coming in anything less than match fit. With a 125/1 shot in fourth and the first five split by a length and a half, I'm far from convinced.

Irish 2000 Guineas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj7KzyIY9hQ

Tattersalls Gold Cup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZBaEA2Iwj0

Irish 1000 Guineas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAxrVY5aO64

 

 

 

 

 

[stodge 1,938]

As I've said, not much happening this weekend.

I neglected to mention the Group 2 Corrida at Saint Cloud on Wednesday for the older fillies and mares over 2000m. This looked between two very interesting older fillies, EBAIYRA and RAABIHAH and the former did it well winning by a length and a half.

This more than confirmed the places from the Group 3 Allez France at the beginning of the month when EBAIYRA won a neck but both fillies are going to be worth following this season. RAABIHAH was fourth in the Diane, second in the Vermeille and fifth in the Arc last season which stacks up pretty well. You'd think 2400m rather than 2000m would be her trip and I wonder if we'll see her in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud.

EBAIYRA is one of those classic slow-maturing Aga Khan types who could do very well this year. She was sixth, two places behind RAABIHAH, in the Diane but won the Pomone and was a decent third in the 2800m Royallieu which seemed a notch too far. She'll also enjoy 2400m and looks a real Arc contender.

Last evening, in north-east Surrey, we had a quality evening card at Sandown and the ground had dried to Soft, Good to Soft in places. 

Worth mentioning in passing I backed EBRO RIVER to win his second run at Windsor as I thought there was plenty of improvement likely from his Newmarket debut - a juvenile race which is starting to look very solid - and went in again last night at 9/2 and this was if anything more impressive as he demolished a decent field. I hope Hugo Palmer puts him in the Coventry as he's the best juvenile I've seen so far.

The two Group 3 races were, however, very favourable for the bookies with big priced winners. LISMORE won the Henry II at 14/1 in a typical Henry de Bromhead smash-and-grab raid which we see more often over jumps. His filly saw off perhaps not the best of the British stayers but some fair types and laid bare the paucity of the current staying division. RANCH HAND finished second with OCEAN WIND (who remains 10/1 for the Gold Cup) a disappointing third. 

The Brigadier Gerard saw the veteran EUCHAN GLEN spring a 20/1 shock easily brushing aside SANGARIUS, who was made to look very ordinary. They went quick early on the ground and I think SANGARIUS went a stride too strong for his own good but EUCHAN GLEN is an 8-y-o running off marks between 105 and 110 so again this all looks a bit weak.

Group 3 action at Haydock tomorrow where the ground has dried back to Soft, Good to Soft in places. The Pinnacle over 2400m is for the older fillies and mares. CABALETA is favourite and the first time blinkers looks an interesting move by Roger Varian. She was well held in the Middleton at York last time and this is her level. Her path crossed with ORIENTAL MYSTIQUE in the Abingdon at Newbury a year ago and while they've not met since they come out about the same filly.

The John of Gaunt over 1400m is the start of the series of races over this specialist trip for which there is no Group 1 in the UK. It's a ridiculous anomaly (the Dewhurst exists for the juveniles) but it means all 1400m roads lead to the Foret on Arc day. SAFE VOYAGE was poor in the Lockinge the other day but this is more his kind of thing. WITH THANKS was a big improver as a 3-y-o last year going from 80 to 110 and if she continues that rate of improvement, she's going to be a force in these races. TORO STRIKE has already won a small race this year and I'm more interested in GLORIOUS JOURNEY who won the Hungerford and ran okay in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the winter.

Seven go in the Group 1 Ispahan over 1950m at Longchamp on Sunday where the ground is Very Soft. SKALLETI has already won the Exbury and the Harcourt to establish himself as the top 2000m horse in France and this is the logical next step. THE REVENANT steps up in trip after two modest efforts over 1600m on admittedly quicker ground while all his form has been on a slower surface.

VICTOR LUDORUM won the Poulains last year and was second in the Jockey Club but hasn't really gone on and was a bit disappointing first time up in the Muguet. MY OBERON was well held in the Lockinge but TILSIT is interesting and on his fourth to 2000 Guineas winner KAMEKO at Newmarket last autumn would have a chance but I don't really see a betting angle in this race.

[Red Rum 1,833]

I've thrown a few coins each way on Nakeeta at Chester tonight  Stodge , bit of life in him fresh up,  likes Chester and weight has dropped off him from old days of the 108 rating and Melbourne Cup runs .. Might bob in a place , or surprise the younger ones who knows  , field not much chop . Seems in better form back at Jardine's yard.  , no idea on Gormley the jockey .

[Tauhei Notts 1,409]

I was looking at a Derby contender.  Gloucestershire.  It has had one race which it won.  It was, and I am not joking, a 2200 metre two year old race.  Those Poms know how to serve it up to them.

[stodge 1,938]

Yes, as @Tauhei Nottshas observed, the Oaks and Derby are at hand and they dominate the racing week up here.

The two day Derby Meeting (sponsored by Cazoo, not Kazoo) begins on Friday and the ground currently is Good, Good to Firm in places. As you might expect at this time of year, a few warm sunny days have dried the ground considerably after the deluges of early and mid May.

I'm a bit of a heretic and I actually prefer the Friday card with the Oaks and the Coronation Cup to the Derby card which isn't that much apart from the big race.

All three races are over the classic and unique 2400m.

11 have been entered for the Coronation Cup for which AL AASY is 8/11 favourite after his saunter at Newbury the other day. That was Group 3 and this is Group 1 and while he's rated 119 he has to prove it at the highest level and 8/11 is more a reflection of potential than actual performance.

Incredibly, LOVE is 10/3 - last year she won the 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks and might have won the Arc as well - we'll never know. She was the top 3-y-o middle distance horse, we know she goes well fresh, we know she loves the track and yet she's 10/3 and an unproven Group 3 winner is 8/11. The risk is I don't know if this is where Aidan O'Brien will want to start her but the drying ground is a help.

Second favourite is JAPAN who beat TRUESHAN at Chester over 2600m. He's mixed it with some very good horses in his career and while he won the Grand Prix de Paris as a 3-y-o, he's just come up short against the likes of GHAIYYATH, WALDGEIST, ENABLE and ADDEYBB (arguably that's no disgrace).

PYLEDRIVER. BROOME and MOGUL are all solid Group 2 performers and while MOGUL won the 2020 Grand Prix de Paris, they've all got it to prove at the highest level.

The fascinating runner is IN SWOOP who was of course second to MOGUL in the aforementioned Grand Prix de Paris but improved further to chase home SOTTSASS in the Arc. He was just beaten by SUBLIMIS on seasonal debut but won the Hedouville well enough last time. I'm looking forward to seeing him on some decent ground.

As always, this is a quality race and I'll consider it further later in the week.

The Oaks has 15 entries. Favourite is 1000 Guineas fourth SANTA BARBARA but I'm not convinced she has the temperament for Epsom. She shifted left under pressure at Newmarket and doing that at Epsom won't end well. 

I'm more interested in her stable companion SNOWFALL who was a convincing winner of the Musidora - the extra 400m will be ideal and she'll go close. TEONA was well held in third and I can't see that form being reversed.

DUBAI FOUNTAIN beat ZEYEEDAH in the Cheshire Oaks but a lot of people fancy the second to reverse the places. Perhaps but I'd be surprised if either were good enough.

It's often said the best trial for the Derby is the 2000 Guineas so you'd have to say the best trial for the Oaks would be the 1000 Guineas. I've backed 1000 Guineas runner up SAFFRON BEACH at 12s which looks a screaming each way price. She was finishing well and while on breeding the 2400m might be an issue her style of racing suggests she'll be strong at the end of this race.

The others are for the most part reasonable Listed class fillies but should have no chance at this level.

It looks like a large field for the Derby on Saturday - close to the maximum 20 runners. BOLSHOI BALLET remains 13/8 favourite and I'll talk more about the race tomorrow when the 5-day entries come through.

 

 

[stodge 1,938]

1 hour ago, Tauhei Notts said:

I was looking at a Derby contender.  Gloucestershire.  It has had one race which it won.  It was, and I am not joking, a 2200 metre two year old race.  Those Poms know how to serve it up to them.

That would have to be the longest 2-y-o race in the calendar - the Zetland at Newmarket is 2000m and there are definitely races at Bath, Nottingham and Pontefract (among others) over that distance but I wasn't aware of the extra 200m race.

As for GLOUCESTERSHIRE, I don't think he'll be going to Epsom - suspect the King Edward VII at Ascot is the more likely option.

[Red Rum 1,833]

8 hours ago, Tauhei Notts said:

I was looking at a Derby contender.  Gloucestershire.  It has had one race which it won.  It was, and I am not joking, a 2200 metre two year old race.  Those Poms know how to serve it up to them.

Things have changed , years back flat all finished on turf Doncaster November Handicap meeting , the Zetland was the longest race for 2 year olds . Then AWT came along and then floodlite winter meetings , Gloucestershire won on 14th Dec at night at Kempton on poly  , 20 odd years back he would be tucked up for winter .

Woodcote Stakes on Derby Day  back in day was first race over 6 fur.ongs in season for 2 year olds , that's no longer the case. 

Jumps used to stop end May early June with a double header Stratford onto Market Rasen in  evening  to sometimes settle championships  , start again end July early August.Now it goes on through resulting in a race like Saturday at Hexham "The Derby Day  Juvenile Hurdle " for 3 year old over 2 miles . The French start them earlier over jumps but UK and Ireland used to be end July early August .

 

[stodge 1,938]

20 hours ago, Red Rum said:

Things have changed , years back flat all finished on turf Doncaster November Handicap meeting , the Zetland was the longest race for 2 year olds . Then AWT came along and then floodlite winter meetings , Gloucestershire won on 14th Dec at night at Kempton on poly  , 20 odd years back he would be tucked up for winter .

Woodcote Stakes on Derby Day  back in day was first race over 6 fur.ongs in season for 2 year olds , that's no longer the case. 

Jumps used to stop end May early June with a double header Stratford onto Market Rasen in  evening  to sometimes settle championships  , start again end July early August.Now it goes on through resulting in a race like Saturday at Hexham "The Derby Day  Juvenile Hurdle " for 3 year old over 2 miles . The French start them earlier over jumps but UK and Ireland used to be end July early August .

 

Indeed, the world has changed and while there's a notional beginning and end to the flat season, in truth it never really stops. The turf season still ends at Doncaster - they tried a Flat card at Folkestone the following Monday for a couple of seasons but that soon became a jumps card.

The Zetland isn't a bad race and some decent horses have won it down the years but it's the best of a small series of 2000m juvenile turf races.

We now have 1400m turf races for juveniles before the Woodcote - one of the first was at Yarmouth last Friday and produced an impressive performance by the Godolphin-owned NEW SCIENCE who looks an ideal type for the Chesham.

The official end of the jump season is now at Sandown at the end of April where the traditional "mixed" Saturday card has become an all-jumps meeting with a Grade 1 as well as the Whitbread (or a race like the old Whitbread). Needless to say, there's only a week's break before we're off again with a race like the Swinton at Haydock.

For a while, the Stratford two-day meeting continued with the Novice Hunter Chase championship on the Friday and the Horse & Hound on the Saturday but in recent years we now have a single all-hunter chase meeting on the Friday evening (it doesn't clash with point-to-points on the Saturday).

 

[stodge 1,938]

19 stand in the Derby at the five day declaration stage.

BOLSHOI BALLET has strengthened to 5/4 favourite and with the ground drying, his wins in the Ballysax and the Derrinstown look very compelling form.

To be fair, neither are Group 1 races and MAC SWINEY brings Group 1 form with his win in the Irish 2000 Guineas a fortnight ago. The problem is all his form is on soft or heavy turf and I struggle to see him coping with the quicker conditions at Epsom.

HIGH DEFINITION was winter favourite on the back of his win in the Beresford last autumn but he didn't convince in the Dante running a strange race looking one of the first in trouble but finishing really well. He takes time to get going and I think he'll be out of his ground in the Epsom straight.

Then we come to the home challenge and some of the key trial winners. JOHN LEEPER would be a fairytale win as the horse carries the name of the late John Dunlop who trained the winner twice but he looked far from straight forward at Newmarket and I'm not sure he's an Epsom horse. MOHAAFETH looked very good at Newmarket but the form of that race hasn't worked out and while I could see him running a place that's all.

HURRICANE LANE stepped up from a conditions at Newbury to the Dante and that's often a good place to find a Derby winner. He's a silly price at 12s in my view. THIRD REALM won the Lingfield Derby trial which produced ANTHONY VAN DYCK so you know he'll stay every yard and the track shouldn't be an issue. He's another who looks overpriced at 14s. 

From there, it gets more problematic - VAN GOGH looked an unlikely Derby winner last time but ONE RULER at 33s looks a sporting each way bet if you think he'll get the trip. He beat VAN GOGH last autumn and was second to MAC SWINEY at Doncaster. His sixth in the 2000 Guineas wasn't a bad effort and he ran on as though the step up in trip would help.

The money has been shovelling on BOLSHOI BALLET in the past 48 hours (from 15/8 to 5/4) and it's not hard to see why as he ticks so many boxes.

Looking for an each way play against the favourite, I think the Godolphin pair of HURRICANE LANE and ONE RULER look sporting bets to fill the frame.

It's also worth mentioning there's another "Derby" this weekend though purists would argue the Jockey Club at Chantilly is run over the incorrect distance and I must admit I tend to look to a race like the Grand Prix de Paris as a more exact replica of Epsom. That said, the Jockey Club remains a huge race in its own right and Poulains winner ST MARK'S BASILICA looks an interesting runner but we'll know more later in the week.

 

[Red Rum 1,833]

8 hours ago, stodge said:

Indeed, the world has changed and while there's a notional beginning and end to the flat season, in truth it never really stops. The turf season still ends at Doncaster - they tried a Flat card at Folkestone the following Monday for a couple of seasons but that soon became a jumps card.

The Zetland isn't a bad race and some decent horses have won it down the years but it's the best of a small series of 2000m juvenile turf races.

We now have 1400m turf races for juveniles before the Woodcote - one of the first was at Yarmouth last Friday and produced an impressive performance by the Godolphin-owned NEW SCIENCE who looks an ideal type for the Chesham.

The official end of the jump season is now at Sandown at the end of April where the traditional "mixed" Saturday card has become an all-jumps meeting with a Grade 1 as well as the Whitbread (or a race like the old Whitbread). Needless to say, there's only a week's break before we're off again with a race like the Swinton at Haydock.

For a while, the Stratford two-day meeting continued with the Novice Hunter Chase championship on the Friday and the Horse & Hound on the Saturday but in recent years we now have a single all-hunter chase meeting on the Friday evening (it doesn't clash with point-to-points on the Saturday).

 

Back in day when I started to drive my Dad never had a licence , no need for him  to drive in those days , just a walk to factory and home , or the tube . 200 quid I brought a 1750 Austin Maxi , I used to fire it up and we went a few times to that Stratford Friday evening fixture in last days of jump season . We used to hit Towcester , Huntingdon as well for evening jumps in May each year  , then round M25 to Sandown, Lingfield and Kempton during summer evenings . Saw good quality horse one evening at low grade Lingfield meeting , Ibn Bey , backed it to beat favorite in small field race , won and covered the gas  , a look at its later form in top world races showed it should have been 1/10 . 

Went Windsor Monday evenings a few times over the years , took a girlfriend there one evening as had share in one of Peter Harris's  horses , demolished the saddling box ,he  went berserk.  Very embarrassing,  three years later it was sacked never having  troubled the winners enclosure . 

Folkestone mentioned in your post gone , Towcester almost gone in all reality .Have you been Towcester Stodge ? , very good course for viewing from roof of stand and a gut busting run from turn in up hill.  

Good days .

[stodge 1,938]

15 hours ago, Red Rum said:

Back in day when I started to drive my Dad never had a licence , no need for him  to drive in those days , just a walk to factory and home , or the tube . 200 quid I brought a 1750 Austin Maxi , I used to fire it up and we went a few times to that Stratford Friday evening fixture in last days of jump season . We used to hit Towcester , Huntingdon as well for evening jumps in May each year  , then round M25 to Sandown, Lingfield and Kempton during summer evenings . Saw good quality horse one evening at low grade Lingfield meeting , Ibn Bey , backed it to beat favorite in small field race , won and covered the gas  , a look at its later form in top world races showed it should have been 1/10 . 

Went Windsor Monday evenings a few times over the years , took a girlfriend there one evening as had share in one of Peter Harris's  horses , demolished the saddling box ,he  went berserk.  Very embarrassing,  three years later it was sacked never having  troubled the winners enclosure . 

Folkestone mentioned in your post gone , Towcester almost gone in all reality .Have you been Towcester Stodge ? , very good course for viewing from roof of stand and a gut busting run from turn in up hill.  

Good days .

I seem to recall both the Towcester and Huntingdon evening jump meetings had hunter chases - the old Schlizzi 1906 race being one example.

Never a big fan of Windsor Monday evenings - the journey on the river back to the station reminded me of a ferry in the Phillipines - massively overcrowded and had anything happened I'd have had no chance. The autumn afternoon meetings were a lot quieter and on those occasions the river journey was delightful.

Folkestone had the United Hunts meeting in May - its busiest meeting of the whole year - otherwise it was, to be honest, a dump. Towcester was better - in the latter years they experimented with free admission except on Easter Sunday and Boxing Day - the track was owned by Lord Hesketh who had some interesting ideas but in the end he couldn't make it pay. It's a greyhound track now and hosts the Greyhound Derby - I suspect it won't ever come back as a racecourse.

[stodge 1,938]

A quick look back at last weekend's action.

At Haydock, LA LUNE won the Pinnacle for the fillies and mares benefitting from a moderate effort from ORIENTAL MYSTIQUE on whom Oisin Murphy set too slow a gallop and the speedier horses took advantage - a rare poor effort from the champion jockey.

A wide open John of Gaunt saw the bookies go 5/1 four times and it was one of the co-favourites, KINROSS, who got home under an inspired Frankie Dettori ride. The Irish raider NJORD was arguably unlucky getting caught in traffic while my each way saver on GLORIOUS JOURNEY getting my money back in third. To be fair, the 1400m division is one again going to be very competitive and I suppose we'll see a number of these in the Lennox at Goodwood.

A royal winner in the Achilles over 1000m with KING'S LYNN just coming out on top from MOSS GILL and earned a 16/1 quote for the King's Stand.

On Sunday,  SKALLETI duly won the Ispahan but he was given a real fright by TILSIT who so nearly provided me with a nice draw but was run down close home. MY OBERON made it a 2-3 for the British raiders but SKALLETI is becoming a new version of CIRRUS DES AIGLES meaning his Group 1 options will be limited in France as he is a gelding but he could come to the UK for a race like the Champion Stakes in the autumn.

[stodge 1,938]

A lot of news this evening from up here.

First, huge news this evening with the announcement from Ballydoyle BOLSHOI BALLET is likely to be the only Aidan O'Brien representative in Saturday's Derby for which the horse is now Evens favourite. HIGH DEFINITION will swerve Epsom for The Curragh and I think this is a shrewd decision as we know he is well suited by the galloping track.

VAN GOGH heads for the Jockey Club on Sunday and THE MEDITERRANEAN is in at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

Final declarations tomorrow but we could be looking at a dozen or fewer runners.

We've had the final declarations through for Friday's Group 1 races.

Just seven go in the Coronation Cup and AL AASY is 10/11 against the O'Brien pair, the full brothers JAPAN and MOGUL. I prefer the latter for whom the step back up in trip will be a big help after his third in the Ganay and we know he loves decent ground.

14 stand in the Oaks -the only scratching was NOON STAR. I fancy SNOWFALL and I'm on SAFFRON BEACH each way at 12s.

Final declarations tomorrow also for Sunday's Jockey Club - could be as many as 20 runners.

[Red Rum 1,833]

I see Straight Shooter a son of Frankel had a winner in Cyprus yesterday Stodge , not a bad little track that Nicosia Jockey Club if you ever on the Island .

First  race at Leopardstown looks a hot maiden , Discoveries sister to a couple of topliners inc Alpha Centuri and Juncture damsire Frankel from Juddmonte Farms .

[stodge 1,938]

17 hours ago, Red Rum said:

I see Straight Shooter a son of Frankel had a winner in Cyprus yesterday Stodge , not a bad little track that Nicosia Jockey Club if you ever on the Island .

First  race at Leopardstown looks a hot maiden , Discoveries sister to a couple of topliners inc Alpha Centuri and Juncture damsire Frankel from Juddmonte Farms .

I have to confess my knowledge of Cypriot racing is extremely limited.

As for the opener at Leopardstown this afternoon, a nice win for the favourite, JUNCTURE, who is by Dark Angel out of Occurrence (her first foal), an unraced daughter of Frankel. She's a home bred and, to use the well worn phrase, could be anything.

The four behind her were all on their debut and all shaped with promise - the second, RADIYKA, is with Dermot Weld so will be given all the time she needs. The third, SEISAI, is a daughter of Gleneagles and trained by Joseph O'Brien. DISCOVERIES was fourth and in fifth we had Aidan's runner, MADONNADELROSARIO, a daughter of Caravaggio out of an unraced High Chaparaal mare (her fifth foal) making her a half to the Coventry and Morny winner The Wow Signal.

It's certainly a race which could have some key formlines going forward.

[stodge 1,938]

Final declarations are through for Saturday and just twelve stand in the Derby.

The question really is whether BOLSHOI BALLET, travelling a route traversed by some of the real greats such as Galileo, can make it seven winners in ten years for Aidan O'Brien.

With MAC SWINEY perhaps not favoured by the drying ground, the opposition consists of the British winners of the key trials. 

The likes of JOHN LEPPER, MOHAAFETH, HURRICANE LANE and THIRD SPIRIT have all looked good but this is the big stage and there's a niggle that the quality of some of these races is so far below Group 1 standard even improvement won't be enough.

I think HURRICANE LANE is the one to give the favourite a race and I backed ONE RULER this morning at 33s each way.  It's not a race which attracts me from a punting angle and I think BOLSHOI BALLET may be just too good but any value there is long gone. 

19 stand in Sunday's Jockey Club - the ground at Chantilly is Good to Soft. ST MARK'S BASILICA comes from the Poulains but his form is all on very soft ground and I just wonder if the drying turf will be in his favour. The French 3-y-o colts all look similar - perhaps MADALOUN might be the best - and my eye is drawn to John Gosden's two challengers, DERAB and MEGALLAN. Let's not forget Gosden won this last year with MISHRIFF who has turned out pretty decent and while I'm not suggesting either of these are anywhere near that grade, I think both could run well and the booking of Olivier Peslier for MEGALLAN looks interesting. 

[Red Rum 1,833]

4 hours ago, stodge said:

I have to confess my knowledge of Cypriot racing is extremely limited.

As for the opener at Leopardstown this afternoon, a nice win for the favourite, JUNCTURE, who is by Dark Angel out of Occurrence (her first foal), an unraced daughter of Frankel. She's a home bred and, to use the well worn phrase, could be anything.

The four behind her were all on their debut and all shaped with promise - the second, RADIYKA, is with Dermot Weld so will be given all the time she needs. The third, SEISAI, is a daughter of Gleneagles and trained by Joseph O'Brien. DISCOVERIES was fourth and in fifth we had Aidan's runner, MADONNADELROSARIO, a daughter of Caravaggio out of an unraced High Chaparaal mare (her fifth foal) making her a half to the Coventry and Morny winner The Wow Signal.

It's certainly a race which could have some key formlines going 

Looked a hot maiden on paper that one , plenty will come out of that. 

Cypriot racing wouldn't be too unfamiliar to you Stodge,a lot of  stallions in the breeding you would know of  and a lot races either EU bred restricted or local breds restricted.  Gentleman  called Athos Christadolou had big role there as owner , breeder and administrator . He owned some good ones mainly with Guy Harwood , most named with Cyprus connection . St Hilarion was good , ended up in NZ at stud , Mamaluna was good filly and i used to like old handicapper called Halkopous .Probably best known as owner of Ile De Cypre..He went down in the history books as swerving and unseating Greville Starkey when race sown up at Royal Ascot . Later at Southwark Crown Court at a drug case a guy explained he was paid to  use an ultrasonic stun gun disguised as binoculars to zap a noise wave at the horse . Horse won Juddmonte International and ended up at stud in Cyprus . Musalsal who ran in Benny the Drips Derby stood there too . Very well run industry there .

[stodge 1,938]

19 hours ago, Red Rum said:

Looked a hot maiden on paper that one , plenty will come out of that. 

Cypriot racing wouldn't be too unfamiliar to you Stodge,a lot of  stallions in the breeding you would know of  and a lot races either EU bred restricted or local breds restricted.  Gentleman  called Athos Christadolou had big role there as owner , breeder and administrator . He owned some good ones mainly with Guy Harwood , most named with Cyprus connection . St Hilarion was good , ended up in NZ at stud , Mamaluna was good filly and i used to like old handicapper called Halkopous .Probably best known as owner of Ile De Cypre..He went down in the history books as swerving and unseating Greville Starkey when race sown up at Royal Ascot . Later at Southwark Crown Court at a drug case a guy explained he was paid to  use an ultrasonic stun gun disguised as binoculars to zap a noise wave at the horse . Horse won Juddmonte International and ended up at stud in Cyprus . Musalsal who ran in Benny the Drips Derby stood there too . Very well run industry there .

Just watched a couple of races from Wednesday's card.

A Dirt track, not unlike some of the American tracks. 12 looks the maximum but as you say it's a solid two meetings per week, nine races per meeting. 

More details here:

http://www.nicosiaraceclub.com.cy/nrcwebsite/aboutus.aspx

[stodge 1,938]

Apart from the Jockey Club, Chantilly's Sunday card has three Group 2 races.

The Grand Prix de Chantilly over 2400m sees IN SWOOP and four of those he beat last time in the Hedouville have another go at last year's Arc runner up but the 2400m round here should be ideal and I think IN SWOOP will confirm his position as the leading older French challenger (though events today at Epsom may have shaken up the Arc picture dramatically).

The Sandringham for the 3-y-o fillies over 1600m sees Pouliches third KENNELLA try to put some meat on the bones of what looks ordinary form. SILVESTRI was well fancied but ran no race but I could see her being better off in this smaller field.

12 go in the Gros Chene over 1000m which is effectively France's version of the Temple, a trial for the King's Stand. British raider LAZULI won the Palace House and looks a new kid on the sprinting block among the older horses. The really interesting one is the 3-y-o filly IDEAL BEAUTY who took full advantage of the weight allowance to win the St Georges last time beating BERNEUIL and she appeals again getting 10 lbs from the older colts.

[meomy 971]

On 6/1/2021 at 12:22 AM, stodge said:

That would have to be the longest 2-y-o race in the calendar - the Zetland at Newmarket is 2000m and there are definitely races at Bath, Nottingham and Pontefract (among others) over that distance but I wasn't aware of the extra 200m race.

As for GLOUCESTERSHIRE, I don't think he'll be going to Epsom - suspect the King Edward VII at Ascot is the more likely option.

Who owns GLOUCESTERSHIRE @stodge?

Very fittingly named and aimed for related races..the wider circular economy

[Tauhei Notts 1,409]

Is Mojo Star Britain''s champion maiden galloper?  I doubt whether he would have been eligible to run in the N.Z. Derby.

[Red Rum 1,833]

4 hours ago, Tauhei Notts said:

Is Mojo Star Britain''s champion maiden galloper?  I doubt whether he would have been eligible to run in the N.Z. Derby.

Dragon Dancer was beaten a short head by Sir Percy in Derby and took until August the year after to win  his only race . He was rated at 119 at one point while still a maiden .

Good day for Charlie Appleby , he just trained the 1st and 2nd  in a  grade one in New York to go with 3 out of top 6 in Derby  , Godolphin also picked up Belmont Stakes .

All those three Godolphin winners bred by them so a good day for them .