News from the North(ern) Hemisphere

[Ohokaman]

Hope you got on Mighty Ulysses yesterday Stodge at 38-1 in Brisbane. That’s 3/3 second up wins now.

Stablemate Jimi Hendrix ran the quinella…a very tasty $257.

[We're Doomed]

36 minutes ago, Ohokaman said:

Hope you got on Mighty Ulysses yesterday Stodge at 38-1 in Brisbane. That’s 3/3 second up wins now.

Stablemate Jimi Hendrix ran the quinella…a very tasty $257.

Might have been four out of four second up from memory. Both horses having their second start in Aussie.

[stodge]

I'm afraid we don't see all the Aussie cards up here - the last mention of MIGHTY ULYSSES in the Racing Post was his George Ryder run at the end of March.

I suspect when he finished a close fifth in the St James's Palace two years ago they didn't think he'd end up winning a Listed at Eagle Farm.

[stodge]

Final declarations through for day one of the Punchestown Festival where the ground has been downgraded to Yielding after some rain last night.

Nine go in the Champion Novices Hurdle over 3250m. Champion trainer in both Britain and Ireland, Willie Mullins, dominates the race with five of the runners including the second favourite, MYSTICAL POWER, who won less than three weeks ago at Aintree. However, his conqueror from the Supreme at Cheltenham, SLADE STEEL, re-opposes and it's hard to see why the Cheltenham form should be reversed. FIREFOX was third at Cheltenham and runner up at Aintree so splits the difference but having failed to beat the front two, it's a nig ask to see him reversing the form but Punchestown is a far more galloping track than Aintree (there are parallels with Cheltenham albeit it's the other way round) and FIREFOX could have his day.

Nine also go in the Champion Chase over 3250m and CAPTAIN GUINNESS, who may or may not have been a fortunate winner at Cheltenham, has a real chanc eof following up. He holds GENTLEMEN DU MEE on Cheltenham favour while I fear the ground has gone against my old mate, BANBRIDGE, as it did at Cheltenham. DINOBLUE was no match for EL FABIOLO in the Dublin Chase and was for me a little disapppinting when going down to LIMERICK LACE in the Mares Chase at Cheltenham. I can't have her as favourite on that and I think CAPTAIN GUINNESS may be the one.

Eight go in the Champion Novices Chase over 5000m. MONTY'S STAR was runner up in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham and this isn't the strongest renewal of this race. He holds the likes of SANDOR CLEGANE and AMERICAN MIKE and has more to fear from SPILLANE'S TOWER who won well over Easter at Fairyhouse and while the latter hasn't raced in Grade 1 company, could take advantage of this weak race.

Further ahead, the final day feature next Saturday is the Champion 4-y-o Hurdle which has attracted a strong entry including SIR GINO and KARGESE, first and second in the Aintree equivalent and NURBURGRING, who was fourth in the Triumph at Cheltenham and will appreciate this more galloping track. 

[stodge]

Very sad news late Sunday evening from Nicky Henderson's yard with the passing of SHISHKIN who was due to run in the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday. He got cast in his box and fractured a leg.

Nine stand in Wednesday's feature with GALOPIN DES CHAMPS at 4/6 and FASTORSLOW at 5/2. Last year, FASTORSLOW beat GALOPIN DES CHAMPS in this race and followed up in the John Durkan this season. He was beaten by GALOPIN DES CHAMPS in the Irish Gold Cup and was going well enough when blundering his rider away in the Gold Cup. I don't think he'd have beaten GALOPIN DES CHAMPS that day and I do think this is more his thing than the stamina test at Cheltenham. That said, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS was very good in the Gold Cup and probably didn't have as hard a race this year as last.

HEWICK won the King George and was sixth over hurdles at Aintree. That could have been a smart move by Shark Hanlon and 12s looks a tempting each way price.

Eight go in the Channor Real Estate Novices Hurdle over 4850m. The rematch of STELLAR STORY and DANCING CITY from Cheltenham looks intriguing. With a seven length gap you'd be tempted to think STELLAR STORY should confirm places on the same terms, but DANCING CITY did it well at Aintree and may find this quicker ground more to this liking. 

12 go in the Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race over 3200m. JASMIN DE VAUX comes on from the Cheltenham Bumper and is 6/4 to follow up. REDEMPTION DAY was second in this on ground like this in 2022 and has a big chance for all he's long enough in the tooth to be going round in bumpers. The one I like is HARBOUR HIGHWAY with top amateur Derek O'Connor who is admired by the likes of Sir AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh who claim he could be easily be in the top tier of the professional ranks if he ever chose to go full time.

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It's a really busy time with the Guineas meeting at Newmarket this coming weekend. After a lot of rain on Saturday night in southern and eastern England. the ground at Newmarket is now Good to Soft but with a decent week forecast, I suspect it could be on the fast side of Good by the weekend.

14 have been entered for the 2000 Guineas on Saturday - Aidan O'Brien has four including CITY OF TROY who is 4/6 to pick up where he left off last year when he was the top juvenile ending his campaign with a convincing win in the Dewhurst. Richard Hannon has ROSALLION who is second in at 4s and Craven winner HAATEM who is 25s and my idea of some each way value. MOney has come for the Godolphin chance NOTABLE WHISPER who has won three on synthetic surfaces and never run on grass and Royal Lodge winner GHOSTWRITER who has already won over the course and distance.

20 have been entered for Sunday's 1000 Guineas - a much more open heat with FALLEN ANGEL, the Moyglare winner,  the 11/4 favourite for northern trainer Karl Burke against Fillies' Mile winner YLANG YLANG for Aidan O'Brien and DANCE SEQUENCE from Godolphin.

The supporting Group 2 Dahlia over 1800m for the older fillies and mares has eight runners but looks a poor renewal with the top rated STAY ALERT at 110. She was well beaten in races like the Yorkshire Oaks and the Opera last season but her second to VIA SISTINA in the Pretty Polly at The Curragh in midsummer suggests quick ground would be a big help.

[stodge]

Half an inch (or 12mm) of overnight rain turned the ground Yielding at Punchestown before the start of the Festival this afternoon.

Final declarations are through for Thursday and just four go in the Barberstown Castle Novices Chase over 3200m and three are from the Willie Mullins yard. GAELIC WARRIOR beat IL ETAIT TEMPS by 13 lengths in the Arkle and the latter looked better suited by 4000m at Aintree last time. GAELIC WARRIOR is 1/3 and apart from an awful performance at Leopardstown at Christmas has looked imperious over fences in novice company.

11 go in the Champion Stayers Hurdle over 4750m. TEAHUPOO comes on from his win in the stayers at Cheltenham and is 4/6 to follow up and that's not a bad price. HOME BY THE LEE was six lengths back in third and there's no obvious reason why the form should be reversed. MONKFISH was pulled up in the Gold Cup but ran better back over hurdles last time and at 20s he's a bit of each way value.

[stodge]

A long overdue look back at last weekend's two day Sandown meeting. The Friday was a Flat card, the Saturday the Jumps Finale with much handing out of awards.

The Friday card took place on reasonable ground - Good, Good to Soft in places. The feature Group 2 Mile went to CHARYN who followed up his Doncaster win at the start of the season with an emphatic success. Held off the pace he ran on really well up the hill - we know he runs strongly on a straight mile and that will stand him in good stead for the Lockinge and the Queen Anne which are the two Group 1 Mile races for the older horses and are both run over straight tracks - why there's no round mile for the Group 1 older horses I don't know.

CHARYN is 9/2 for the Lockinge for which INSPIRAL is 11/8 favourite and last autumn's Queen Elizabeth II winner BIG ROCK at 3s. I think it's also fair to see the slower the ground the better for CHARYN whereas POKER FACE is proven on better ground and he ran a blinder in second and 6/1 for the Lockinge looks tempting. LORD NORTH produced a better effort in third but I can't help but feel he's not the horse he was. The big disappointment was NOSTRUM who pulled and hung all over the shop and trailed in last. I suspect he may be due the unkindest cut of all - he obviously has talent and gelding might be the making of him (as it has for so many others).

The two Group 3 races are worth noting - ARABIAN CROWN enhanced his Derby claimes with a smooth success in the 2000m Classic Trial. The further he went the better he looked and while one or two pundits crabbed his action round the home turn, I think Buick was trying to educate the horse. The likes of YIBIR and MASAR came out of this race for Godolphin - whether, if CITY OF TROY is the next big thing the likes of ARABIAN CROWN are running anything other than places remains to be seen but he's 6s for the Derby and deserves to take his chance.

The Gordon Richards over 2000m for the older horses saw one or two decent types make their seasonal bow. One who missed all his 4-y-o campaign was OKEECHOBEE who had been an improving handicapper as a 3-y-o and as a 5-y-o ran a blinder in a Listed at Kempton and now has a Group 3 success. Unlike France, the British Group 1 races aren't quite so restrictive for geldings and he's 16s for the Prince of Wales. DESERT HERO, owned by a man who was once the Prince of Wales and is now King, ran a very encouraging race in second and while you might think the Coronation Cup was an option, the Group 2 Hardwicke at the Royal meeting is perhaps the more logical target though that can be a very strong race.

Saturday was Jumps Finale and the card featured two Grade 2 races and the Grade 1 Celebration Chase over 3150m for the speed chasers. The ground was near enough perfect for the jumpers. Nicky Henderson has had a wretched season but this was one of the better days and it started with the mare FANTASTIC LADY landing the Oaksey over 4450m. In truth, this was a weak race and the favourite HITMAN once again flattered to deceive. It might be unkind to call him a dodgepot but he seems to find a way to lose every time. GA LAW loves a bit of decent ground and this intermediate distance is ideal. He's a very good jumper but couldn't give  7lbs to the winner who is improving fast.

The feature was the long awaited clash between EL FABIOLO and JONBON. The former fluffed his lines badly in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham while JONBON missed the Featival but looked very good over 4000m at Aintree and the question for me was whether going back to 3200m would expose some limitations in terms of tactical speed. In the 2023 Arkle, EL FABIOLO had been clearly superior and was 8/11 despite Cheltenham while JONBON was around 7/4. EDWARDSTONE, who was arguably beaten when falling two out in the Champion Chase, was 12s and as a front runner would he set the race up for one or indeed both the favourites?

This was a curious race. I'm not sure anything jumped that well but it was an end to end gallop which I thought EDWARDSTONE would set but clearly Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville were confient in JONBON's stamina (as Aintree showed they had every right to be). I'm not sure JONBON's jumping was the best I've ever seen but on quicker ground they go faster and it's the jumping which suffers most at speed.

Nonetheless, JONBON was always going well and in the hand was far too good for his main rivals. EDWARDSTONE made a couple of mistakes especially one five out when he was down on his nose and in the end lost second by a short head to EL FABIOLO who put in a curious effort. He was edgy before the race and run free enough early but he ran as though he also wants 4000m now and he ran on well up the hill suggesting to this observer he could be a Ryanair horse next season leaving GAELIC WARRIOR to dominate the 3200m division with, of course, his stable mate ENERGUMENE if he returns in the same form as before his injury.

EDWARDSTONE did little wrong and absent the first two he'd be a champion. BOOTHILL also got going late on having been badly outpaced down the far side and I'd want hime to step up another 800m suggesting the internediate division is going to be very competitive next season.

Unfortuantely, the race was marred by the death of ELIXIR DE NITZ in a fatal fall two out.

Willie Mullins had virtually secured the trainers championship and it was confirmed when IMPAIRE ET PASSE beat LANGER DAN representing Dan Skelton in the Grade 2 hurdle over 4350m. There was only a short neck between them when they were first and third at Aintree over 4000m but IMPAIRE ET PASSE has always looked a very good horse and had little problem confirming the places winjing by two and a half lengths. I'd love to see him either move in to stayers company or go chasing and he remains a real prospect for a stable which is dominant in both Britain and Ireland currentlt. SIR GERHARD put up his best effort for a while in third and he clearly enjoys decent ground which he doesn't often get in Ireland.

Harry Cobden, Willie Mullins and JP McManus ended up winning jockey, trainer and owner respectively. The final act of the jumping season is at Punchestown which is ongoing and as we know jump racing can be a harsh mistress with Henderson's success on the Saturday card followed barely 24 hours with the death of SHISHKIN. 

[stodge]

On then to the opening day of the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday where the ground was Yielding after nearly half an inch of rain on Monday night.

Three championship races to kick things off starting with the Champion Novices Hurdle over 3200m which saw the first three from the Supreme at Cheltenham re-opposing. SLADE STEEL had won at Prestbury Park beating MYSTICAL POWER and FIREFOX but at Aintree MYSTICAL POWER had edged out FIREFOX half a length so how would the places be changed if at all?

SLADE STEEL travelled strongly into the race and would have been called the winner on the home turn but he flattened out badly approaching the last at which he was clumsy and the Mullins bandwagon rolled on as MYSTICAL POWER came from well off the pace to run down FIREFOX in the final 150m and win a shade cosily. He's obviously improved from Cheltenham and has landed the other two 3200m novice championship races. I assume he'll stay over hurdles next term and could be a real threat to the top notchers in the division.

FIREFOX has finished third, second and second in the three championship novice events and is obviously a very good horse in his own right. I imagine there'll be a temptation to send him chasing while SLADE STEEL, who had the edge at Cheltenham, was a notch below par here. That doesn't alter the fact he's also decent and the first three, each representing a top Irish stable. look set to be key players for some time to come.

The Champion Chase over 3250m looked a weak contest after the JONBON-EL FABIOLO clash at Sandown on Saturday. Nonetheless, the Champion Chase winner from Cheltenham, CAPTAIN GUINNESS turned up but was pushed out to 6s as money came for the Mullins mare DINOBLUE who was backed in to 11/10. Also in the field was that superb jumper and my old mate, BANBRIDGE.

A real thriller with BANBRIDGE mugging CAPTAIN GUINNESS on the jamstick with DINOBLUE not far back in third. I must confess you could have had any price you like on BANBRIDGE three out as he seemed to be beaten but J J Slevin is one of the strongest Irish jockeys and as CAPTAIN GUINNESS just began to tie up, forced BANBRIDGE into the lead in the final 20m. I'm really pleased for the horse who is one of the best jumpers I've seen for many a year (not sure this was his best round of jumping in truth).

CAPTAIN GUINNESS was a fortunate winner at Cheltenham but he has danced all the top dances for two or three seasons and lost nothing in defeat. DINOBLUE is a talented mare and has time on her side - she could be up to taking on the big guns among the geldings next year but I suspect GAELIC WARRIOR will dominate this division next season (though ENERGUMENE will be a serious contender).

From the speed chasers to the staying novices in the Champion Novice Chase over 5000m. MONTY'S STAR had been runner up in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham but now faced the useful SPILLANE'S TOWER who had won well last time at Fairyhouse.

He may not have the battallions of a Mullins or an Elliott but Jimmy Mangan is one of the most popular of the Irish trainers and there were huge cheers as SPILLANE'S TOWER continued his upward trajectory by defeating MONTY'S STAR with the two dominating the race from the last and pulling clear of pacesetter THREE CARD BRAG who outran his 25/1 odds.

The first two will go into open company as serious players next season - both could be Gold Cup contenders though I suspect one or both might try one of the big handicaps before going up against the very best at Down Royal or Leopardstown. With J P McManus already having a strong hand, playing those cards is going to be fascinating to watch next season.

[stodge]

Looking ahead to Friday,  we have the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over 2400m at Newmarket. With thunderstorms forecast tomorrow, wh,o knows what the ground will be like by Friday afternoon - it's currently Good at Flat HQ. Six go to post for what looks a weak renewal of this race. The mare TIME LOCK is favourite and top rated but her form is on quick ground and while the stable is going well, I'm doubtful if the ground turns.

CASTLE WAY represents Godolphin and was second in the Voltigeur last year but on return in the City of Gold at Meydan was well held in fourth. He obviously has a chance as does Earl of Sefton runner up ASTRO KING but he's unproven at the trip. IF the extra 400m brings improvement, he could surprise those further up the betting order but it's not a race in which I'm getting involved.

At Punchestown, the Boodles Champion Hurdle has just four runners and STATE MAN is 1/4 to confirm Cheltenham form with IRISH POINT. SIR GERHARD re-appears quickly after a fair third at Sandown last Saturday but place money is all he can go for and in truth STATE MAN has looked dominant in the 3200m open hurdle division and especially so once CONSTITUTION HILL wa sout of the picture.

BALLYBURN is also 1/4 to win the Champion Novice Hurdle over 4050m. He was impressive at Cheltenham and while some think he could cut the mustard at 3200m in open hurdle company I suspect he'll be heading over fences. Willie Mullins has four of the six runners but the biggest threat to BALLYBURN could be Gordon Elliott's STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT - a £10 win double on STATE MAN and BALLYBURN at 1/4 returns only £15.62 if they both collect but it's better than any bank. 

[stodge]

The second day of Punchestown saw another huge crowd attend the County Kildare venue. The ground had improved to Good to Yielding with a dry, warm afternoon.

The Channor Novices Hurdle over 4850m saw Albert Bartlett winner STELLAR STORY face the Aintree winner DANCING CITY who had finished seven lengths behind STELLAR STORY at Cheltenham but who, I thought, would enjoy the better ground.

It all got a bit desperate for DANCING CITY in the final 100m but yet another 1-2 for Willie Mullins with a huge run from HIGH CLASS HERO who had flopped on the heavy ground at Cheltenham but there was plent yof evidence he would be much better on a quicker surface. 

They went no gallop and the jumping wasn't brilliant - DANCING CITY was often lacking in fluency and the second didn't impress either. It's often the case aspiring chasers treat hurdles with disadain and it could well be both the front two will be decent chasers especially on better ground. Gordon Elliott had the third and fourth and I suspect STELLAR STORY will be a player on proper winter ground next season. The winner, however, has won two of the three big staying novice hurdle championship races and is an exciting prospect.

On them to the Punchestown Irish NH Flat Race and the key was whether the Cheltenham form would be reproduced on this very different ground at this very different track. JASMIN DE VAUX had beaten ROMEO COOLIO in the Champion Bumper but the different conditions looked to bring others into the race including REDEMPTION DAY and HARBOUR HIGHWAY.

Another training win for Willie Mullins and it's another Townend doing the steering, not Paul but his sister, Jody,  who's a decent amateur rider. To be fair, I'm tempted to say even I would have won on REDEMPTION DAY as he seemed to join the race swinging 600m out and was always cantering over this lot. He's a curiousity - old for a Bumper horse and second in this two years ago to a certain FACILE VEGA. One oe two have questioned how this horse can still be running in Bumpers but I don't know the answer to that.

THE YELLOW CLAY was sixth at Cheltenham and was the only one to give REDEMPTION DAY any kind of race - I think he'll be a nice novice hurdler on decent ground. The Cheltenham principals were well beaten off - was it just the ground or did they have a hard race at Prestbury Park?

The afternoon's feature was the Punchestown Gold Cup which lost a lot of interest with the late and tragic scratching of SHISHKIN but was still a repeat of last year with Gold Cup winner GALOPIN DES CHAMPS seeking to revenge his unexpected defeat by course specialist FASTORSLOW.

History rarely repeats itself in racing but FASTORSLOW pretty much did the same to GALOPIN DES CHAMPS he did in this race 12 months ago. With CONFLATED trying to jump into the stands and the others getting in each other's way, FASTORSLOW kept to the inside and kept it simple. It may be exiting early in the Gold Cup was a blessing - as last year, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS travelled well enough but it all looked laboured at the business end. If GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has a weakness it's that he's a galloper and doesn't have that tactical speed you need on quicker ground. He can gallop rivals into submission on slower surfaces but on decent ground he takes too long to get going.

He did get going after the last and both he and HEWICK were closing down the winner at the line but the bird had flown to give Martin Brassil a huge success and another asture ride from J J Slevin of whom I am a fan.

[stodge]

Final declarations are through for Saturday.

The 2000 Guineas has a final field of 11. CITY OF TROY remains 4/6 with ROSALLION 11/2 and 10s bar. If CITY OF TROY is the next big thing, he wins this and wins this easily. He won all three last season but looked particularly good on slower turf and the dam was best on slow ground. If it turned quick, I'd be worried about his ability to handle the run down into the Dip but it's officially Good so he should be okay.

ROSALLION is an each way bet to nothing at 11/2. He will enjoy the ground and his yard are in good form while Ballydoyle is still not quite there and some of the horses have seemingly needed the run.

Last year's Dewhurst runner up ALYANAABI is over priced at 16s - he's another who will enjoy the ground and the confidence behind GHOSTWRITER is strong. I fancy ROSALLION to down CITY OF TROY but that doesn't seen I don't rate the latter who will, I think, turn out to be very good if not quite a superstar.

Over at Churchill Downs on Saturday evening (UK), Frankie Dettori rides a couple for Charlie Appleby including NAVAL CROWN while FOREVER YOUNG could become the first Japanese winner of the Kentucky Derby.

It's the last day of the Punchestown Festival and features two final championship races. The Mares Champion Hurdle over 3250m features another Mullins hotpot in the form of LOSSIEMOUTH who is 1/4 to add this to the Mares race at Cheltenham. She's 11 lbs in front of her three rivals and should have few problems. The Champion 4-y-o Hurdle looks an intriguing race - KARGESE was well beaten by SIR GINO at Aintree but her second place at Cheltenham is the best bit of form on offer. BOTTLER'SECRET has a higher rating courtesy of a facile win in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse but this is his first go at the top table and I quite like the Triumph Hurdle fourth NURBURGRING on this better ground. The first time cheekpieces might also help bring a little improvement. 

[stodge]

Final declarations are through for Sunday and at Newmarket we have the 1000 Guineas for the 3-y-o fillies.

16 line up in what looks a much more open race than the colts equivalent tomorrow. FALLEN ANGEL remains 11/4 favourite and she won the Moyglare at The Curragh in mid September which is strong form. She won on the July Course at Newmarket and while she's never gone beyond 1400m, the extra 200m shouldn't be an issue on breeding.

DANCE SEQUENCE was beaten in the Nell Gwyn but a combination of quicker ground and the extra 200m should see her to much better effect. YLANG YLANG is 4s but if CITY OF TROY wins well tomorrow that price will shorten - I think she might be vulnerable on decent ground and she didn't look happy coming down into the Dip in the Rockfel last autumn. I like the French raider RAMATUELLE who won the Papin and was runner up in the Morny last year. Her run in the Imprudence the other day will have put her spot on and she has a serious chance.

SEE THE FIRE is held by YLANG YLANG on Fillies' Mile form from last autumn but she'll like the better ground - I just think she wants further and is my idea of an Oaks filly at this time. PRETTY CRYSTAL won the Nell Gwyn but I don't think she'll confirm that form with DANCE SEQUENCE while STAR STYLE comes straight from Maiden company for all she looked very impressive at Newbury on debut.

RAMATUELLE is my idea of the winner but I expect DANCE SEQUENCE to go close - this will be a fascinating race for future form lines.

The supporting Group 2 Dahlia for the older fillies and mares over 1800m. RUNNING LION evokes memories of her sire but while she's favourite I'm not convinced. SILVER LADY won a Group 2 in Meydan and that would put her right in this but I'm going to do something I don't normally do and offer the rank outsider, ASTRAL BEAU who is currently 10s. She was second to CHARYN at Doncaster and that form was boosted when the latter won a Group 2 at Sandown - in what isn't a strong Fillies' Group 2, ASTRAL BEAU could be a surprise winner.

Monday is a Bank Holiday in England and Ireland and the feature race across Britain is the Group 2 Mooresbridge at The Curragh over 2000m. Aidan O'Brien has entered four and so has his son, Joseph, so we'll see how that turns out when we have the final declarations tomorrow. 

[stodge]

Time to review day 3 of the Punchestown Festival. After overnight rain, the ground had turned Yielding.

Just four went in the Barberstown Novices Chase and Arkle winner GAELIC WARRIOR was 1/3 in front of his stable companion, IL ETAIT TEMPS who had been seemingly rejuvenated by stepping up to 4000m at Aintree and now stepped back in trip.

The Cheltenham form comprehensively reversed as IL ETAIT TEMPS, clearly improved by the Aintree win, stayed on too well for GAELIC WARRIOR who did his chances no good by jumping right at some fences. The runner up seems a mercurial type - on his day, superb but not reliable.

I've always been a fan of IL ETAIT TEMPS and I'm please he's getting his reward. The horse clearly has speed, jumps well and has real flexibility at 3200m and 4000m so he'll be a fascianting addition to the open chasing ranks next season. I hope he runs in the Tingle Creek as that looks an ideal race for him.

On to the Champion Stayers Hurdle and Cheltenham winner TEAHUPOO was strongly supported to 5/6 to follow up.

At the beginning of this season, the stayers division looked weak and wide open but TEAHUPOO has come right through to become the dominant force. It may be STRONG LEADER will be the best of the British but at the moment TEAHUPOO reigns supreme and he has plenty of time.

A tremendous result but a race marred by the death of dual Cheltenham Stayers winner SIRE DU BERLAIS who was pulled up injured three out.

It was a bunch for the minors with ASTERION FORLONGE holding off the fast finishing HOME BY THE LEE who got third as Jack Gilligan took it easy on BUDDY ONE. However, they were all also-rans in a race dominated by Jack Kennedy on the winner who goes into the summer at the top of the staying hurdle tree.

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Before we get to the classics themselves, a quick round up of tthe midweek action in Britain.

Wednesday saw the opening meeting of the Ascot flat season which was run on Good to Soft ground.

The Group 3 Sagaro over 3200m is the first serious staying race of the season and it saw a return to form for COLTRANE who had flopped in both the Doncaster Cup and the Stayers on Champions Day. The first time cheekpieces did the trick and let's not forget he was runner up in the Gold Cup, third in the Goodwood Cup and won the Lonsdale at York last year so if he is back to that form (and you couldn't wholly say that even on this evidence) he'll be a player in all the big staying events.

CAIUS CHORISTER is the new kid on the block at just five and ran a strong second under Jamie Spencer. Hemoved through handicaps into Listed company last season and ended winning a Group 3 in France. This showed he's ready for Group 2 company and I wonder if we'll see him in the Henry VIII at Sandown at the end of the month.

SWEET WILLIAM was favourite but like a lot of the Gosden horses have run well but are clearly in need of the run and I expect a lot better from this one next time. He was only beaten a length and a bit and he's 10s for the Yorkshire Cup on May 17th and 33s for the Gold Cup.

Both TRUESHAN and QUICKTHORN disappointed and I just think both may be starting to regress as younger stayers come through.

KYPRIOS, who made a very pleasing re-appearance in Listed company at Naas last month, is 13/8 for the Gold Cup with last year's winner COURAGE MON AMI at 7s. The favourite may have most to fear from his stable mate TOWER OF LONDON who impressed in the Middle East winning the big staying handicap in Saudi and the Gold Cup in Dubai - he's 6/4 for the Yorkshire Cup and a big performance there could set up a fascinating clash over the 4000m in mid June.

Clive Cox is a master at handling 3-y-o sprinters and his JASOUR won an open looking Group 3 trial for the Commonwealth Cup but the unbeaten VANDEEK is 11/4 and was a Group 1 winning juvenile.

On to Friday and a miserable afternoon for the opening day of the three day Guineas meeting at Newmarket. The ground eased to Good to Soft as 6mm of rain fell during the meeting.

I'm glad I kept my cash in my pocket as OUTBOX caused a right boilover in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes making all and coming home at 50s to cheers only from the bookies and the layers.Hollie Doyle, married as we know to Tom Marquand, is fast becoming one of the best riders we have - her judgement of pace is exceptional and she is very good at taking a race from the front and getting the fractions spot on. TIME LOCK ran on for second but she clearly needs 2800m and I'd love to see connections step her up in trip.

The Godolphin pair were very disappointing and it's been a funny start for the boys in blue with some running well and others poorly. It's clear the Newmarket runners are struggling against the Lambourn horses in terms of fitness and condition after such a long wet spring but I suspect that gap will close when and if we get some decent weather.

[stodge]

Day four at Punchestown on Friday and further rain turnd the ground Soft.

This was all about two of the many Willie MUllins superstars strutting their stuff and after defeats for both GAELIC WARRIOR and GALOPIN DES CHAMPS earlier in the week perhaps a notion the Cheltenham form was there to be shot at.

First up was STATE MAN, the Champion Hurdle winner at Cheltenham, who was 2/7 to defeat three opponents in the Boodles Champion Hurdle over 3200m.

A pretty routine afternoon's work for STATE MAN who notched his tenth Grade One success with ease. IRISH POINT, who had chased him home at Cheltenham, missed the third last and from then on he was always struggling. STATE MAN is a superb hurdler, rarely even touching the flight and making a superb shape over the obstacle. I do think he idles a bit when he hits the front but he can go any gallop and a re-match with CONSTITUTION HILL, if the latter returns the horse he was (and that's a big IF) will be a treat but it looks currently as though the bigger threat could be from his stable companion LOSSIEMOUTH.

IRISH POINT is a good horse and were he not in the same ownership as TEAHUPOO, I suspect he'd be running over the longer trips. He just can't live with STATE MAN but that's no disgrace as only one horse has been able to in the past couple of seasons.

On to the 4050m Champion Novices Hurdle and the next superstar of this game, in many people's eyes, BALLYBURN, who had been so impressive in the Gallagher at Cheltenham and was 1/5 to follow up.

With this success, Willie Mullins went past the great Dermot Weld's tally of wins - this was 4,378.

In truth, this looked a little laboured but BALLYBURN is a chaser in the making - he's not treating the hurdles with much respect and he's certainly not a hurdler like STATE MAN. The prospect of this horse jumping fences is another matter entirely and there are those who think he could be the 2025 Gold Cup winner - that's flying a little high but he looks a potential superstar over the bigger obstacles next season.

JETARA is a decent mare and picked up the pieces in second but the winner was never really in great danger for all he made his own problems with his lack of hurdling fluency. 

[stodge]

2000 Guineas day at Newmarket and the sun shone on a crowd of over 16,000 who gathered at the Suffolk venue.

A fine dry and a drying venue put the ground back to Good and it was in truth almost perfect for the season's first classic.

CITY OF TROY, the unbeaten juvenile champion of 2023, was 4/6 to continue his winning ways and many of his leading rivals drifted badly in the market. ROSALLION was out to 8s and NOTABLE SPEECH to 16s while money came for TASK FORCE and HAATEM (28s to 16s).

This is often the best race of the season in terms of depth and quality and the 2024 renewal could well be on from which many Group and Listed winners come.

First thing to note was the time - 1 minute 37.21 seconds, so 1.2 seconds slow suggesting the ground was genuinely close to good. 

CITY OF TROY was a spectacular failure finding nothing once headed 600m down. To be honest, a lot of the Ballydoyle colts have run as though needing the race badly and at Ascot he could be a very different horse and far too early to write him off - it may be something will emerge post-race.

NOTABLE SPEECH became the first horse ever to win the 2000 Guineas without having run on grass - his three wins had all been on synthetic surfaces (perhaps one day an NZ Group 1 winner will come this route as well?). He was the also first since 1939 to win without having run as a 2-y-o and this is where the synthetic surfaces have proved their worth up here - the late maturing 2-y-o still has opportunities in November and December of their juvenile camapign and can come to the classic race fit without needing to run on soft or heavy surfaces in the traditional trials.

I made a few quid backing both the second and third each way - ROSALLION ran really well and it was interesting to hear Richard Hannon post race claim the horse would prefer 1600m round a bend suggesting rhe St James's Palace would be the logical step. HAATEM had won the Craven and put up a solid effort in third - I suspect he'll be competing in all the big 1400 and 1600m races such as the Jersey this summer.

GHOSTWRITER in fourth is the one for those looking for a 2000m horse for the Derby Trials - he's 16s for the Derby itself but there's plenty of stamina on the dam's side. 

ALYNAABI ran okay in fifth and is certainly worth another chance perhaps in Ireland. INISHERIN out ran his odds in sixth while TASK FORCE didn't get home and I suspect will be heading for the Commonwealth Cup. 

The initial impression is of a small group of closely matched horses - NOTABLE SPEECH looks a miler and produced a strong turn of foot but he had race fitness on his ride and that advantage won't be so obvious next time. The St James's Palace is already looking a serious race but it always is.

Elsewhere on the card, the Group 3 over 1000m saw the first seven home split by a length and a quarter suggesting the early British sprinters aren't much and might be vulnerable later on to a speedy 3-y-o. The race was won by the 33/1 shot SEVEN QUESTIONS on a day when the bookies had the best of it - arguably their best day for a long time.

[stodge]

The final day of the Punchestown Festival took place on Soft ground.

The final two championship races of the Irish jumps season began with the Mares Champion Hurdle over 4050m for which Cheltenham Mares Hurdle winner LOSSIEMOUTH had just four opponents and went off 2/11 favourite.

Yet another 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins and LOSSIEMOUTH made this look very easy taking it up from pacesetter TELMESOMETHINGGIRL approaching two out but she's just different class for all I rate GALA MARCEAU but every time the two have met the result has been the same.

What now for LOSSIEMOUTH? Drop her back to 3200m to take on STATE MAN and CONSTITUTION HILL? Put her up in trip to take on the stayers? Send over fences? She's obviously very good but this is going to be a real problem for Mullins - where can he place the very good ones to avoid them bumping into each other?

A problem for another day - the Champion 4-y-o Hurdle saw Cheltenham and Aintree runner up KARGESE go off a narrow favourite against Fairyhouse winner BOTTLER'SECRET. 

An incredible 39th Grade One success in Britain and Ireland for Willie Mullins and an excellent ride by Paul Townend who switched KARGESE off at the back and delivered her a couple of moments after the last possible second to get up and win a shade cosily. She had a couple of tough fights with the geldings at Cheltenham and Aintree and Townend obviously decided she had good tactical speed and could be delivered late to avoid getting into another battle. I suspect she'll be the main Mullins horse in the Mares races next season if LOSSIEMOUTH goes against the geldings in open company.

BOTTLER'SECRET and NURBURGRING took the minor honours and I think the latter could benefit from moving up in trip.

[stodge]

The 1000 Guineas preview is, in common with the English batsman dismissed by a throw from midwicket, running a little late and slow.

This week sees the Chester May Meeting which starts tomorrow at the iconic venue under the Roman walls next to the Dee. To be honest, take out the walls and the river and it could be Taupo.

Tomorrow sees the Group 3 Chester Vase over 2400m, the Derby Trial which doesn't have a bad record in producing Derby winners (I think the last one might have been ANTHONY VAN DYCK but I might be wrong). Aidan O'Brien runs GROSVENOR SQUARE but the horse is completely unproven on decent ground. CADOGAN PLACE shortheaded HIDDEN LAW in a Southwell maiden at the end of March but the latter stepped up considerably to win a Newbury maiden by five and a half lengths.

ARREST bids to put a poor Newbury effort behind him in Thursday's Group 3 Ormonde for the older horses over 2600m while the best race of the meeting is the Group 2 Huxley on Friday over 2050m, ISRAR was a fair third in the Gordon Richards at Sandown and takes on PASSENGER who was third in the Dante before running poorly at Epsom. The Stoute horses haven't got going yet and I like REGAL RHYME from the Karl Burke stable who ended last season with a decent fifth in the Champion Stakes and that's Group 1 form in a Group 2 and he's 8s so could be worth a play.

The big races at the weekend are in France where they have the Poulains and the Pouliches (the 2000 and 1000 Guineas) as well as the Saint Alary which is now a Group 2. 

Plenty more later in the week.

[stodge]

Just worth noting the early attendance numbers from Newmarket are interesting - the Friday number was poor, not surprising as it rained all afternoon. The 2000 Guineas crowd was nearly 16,000, up 9% year-on-year (the weather wasn't good in 2023) and close to pre-Covid levels but the Sunday crowd was just over 10,000, down from 11,500 in 2023 and the weather was fine on Sulnday.

It's a worrying trend at the big meetings crowd sizes aren't being sustained through the whole meeting - at Aintree, the Grand National day crowd was 56,000 but the first day had only 22,000. Ayr had nearly 12,000 for the Scottish National but the Newbury meeting the same day had just 2,400.

17 have been entered for the Pouliches and 13 for the Poulains at Longchamp on Sunday.

[stodge]

Last Sunday saw the final day of the Newmarket Guineas Festival with the feature the second classic of the season, the 1000 Guineas.

Unlike the colts' race the previous day, this was wide open with morning money for the French raider RAMATUELLE but it was winter favourite FAALEN ANGEL who eventally went off 4/1 favourite in a 16-strong field.

In many ways a repeat of the 2000 Guineas with the leaders going hard and most of them not getting home. Just as NOTABLE SPEECH had sat out the back and come through as the pace collapsed, so did ELMALKA to give Silvestre de Souza his first English classic. De Souza had a lengthy suspension and was thrown out of Hong Kong after getting mixed up in a betting scandal but he has quickly found a niche back in the UK riding for Roger Varian.

RAMATUELLE was just headed for second on the jamstick by PORTA FORTUNA but the unlucky horse was fourth placed TAMFANA on whom Jamie Spencer had to check twice before following ELMALKA through. YLANG YLANG put up a much better effort than the much vaunted CITY OF TROY the previous day and those holding Oaks vouchers on the O'Brien filly will have been more than happy with her effort. With the first five split by a length, it's hard to think we have a strong filly crop at the moment though that will change as the season goes on.

The strong early gallop didn't help the likes of FALLEN ANGEL and DANCE SEQUENCE who weakened as the pace collapsed. Another disappointment was SEE THE FIRE but I'm sure she will be much better over 2000m and I wonder if we will see her in the Musidora at York next week.

The race was run in 1 minute 37.05, so just over a second above standard on ground described as Good, Good to Firm in places and a notch quicker than Saturday. ELMALKA is by Kingman out of the Selkirk mare Nahrain making her a half to BENBATL so you'd think 2000m would be her limit and Varian said in the post-race interview the plan was the Coronation at Ascot.  I suspect PORTA FORTUNA will head for the Curragh while I'd like to see RAMATUELLE drop back to sprinting - a race like the Mauride de Gheest looks tailor made. 

TAMFANA is bred for the Oaks trip and is 8s - the worry would be really quick ground.

The Group 2 Dahlia saw STAY ALERT relish the drop in grade to score a comfortable success running down RUNNING LION to win by three and a half lengths. The winner ran in races like the Yorkshire Oaks and the Opera last year and we've yet to confirm if she has improved - I thought the Dahlia was a weak race this year in all honesty.

 

 

[Breeder]

"ELMALKA is by Kingman out of the Selkirk mare "

Interesting, the same cross as King of Comedy standing here in NZ at Novara Park

[stodge]

12 hours ago, Breeder said:

"ELMALKA is by Kingman out of the Selkirk mare "

Interesting, the same cross as King of Comedy standing here in NZ at Novara Park

Yes, ELMALKA's dam was also trained by Varian and she won the Opera as a 3-y-o and the Flower Bowl Invitational in America as a 4-y-o. Last Sunday was only ELMALKA's third race and on the evidence of the dam 2000m would be an ideal trip and there could be a lot of improvement to come.

I imagine KING OF COMEDY's first crop will be racing later in the year - I hope someone keeps me appraised of their progress.

[stodge]

Sunday's Longchamp card is set to be run on Soft ground despite three or four glorious days in this cormer of north western Europe.

15 go in the Pouliches - Charlie Appleby had mixed fortunes last weekend winning the 2000 Guineas but his two runners didn't feature in the 1000 Guineas. However, he has a strong form line through the likes of RAMATUELLE and TAMHANA who were third and fourth at Newmarket and had previously run second and third in the Imprudence behind the Appleby runner ROMANTIC STYLE and she must have strong claims on that form line.

CHIC COLUMBINE is another British runner who came to France for her opening start winning a Listed at Saint-Cloud by six lengths. That's obviously impressive but this is an order of magnitude tougher. VESPERTILIO, a rare Irish raider NOT trained by Aidan O'Brien or one of his offspring, probably has the strongest juvenile form having finished second to FALLEN ANGEL in the Moyglare - the latter ran okay last Sunday but VESPERTILIO has a big chance on slow ground albeit over 200m further.

O'Brien (Aidan) has CONTENT whose fourth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf suggests strongly she wants quicker ground while Andre Fabre runs ROCK 'N'SWING who had ROUHIYA in third when winning a little race over course and distance in mid March.

This doesn't look a strong renewal and my two against the field would be ROMANTIC STYLE and VESPERTILIO with marginal preference for the former.

13 go in the Poulains and again there's a powerful Anglo-Irish challenge. Aidan O'Brien runs both HENRY LONGFELLOW and DIEGO VELAZQUEZ - the former was unbeaten in three ending up with a five length win in the National - he's 8s for the Derby and you just wonder if this will be sharp enough on debut run. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ is 16s for Epsom and his poor run on slow ground in the Futurity at Doncaster last autumn puts me off. John Gosden has EBEN SHADDAD who was third in the Dewhurst but was well beaten by subsequent 2000 Guineas third HAATEM in the Craven. Back on slow ground I think he has a big chance.

The best of the locals are probably RAMADAN who won the Fontainebleau over course and distance (basically the French equivalent of the Craven) while KERAN was second in the Djebel which is always a good French trial for the Poulains. I'm quite keen on EBEN SHADDAD but if HENRY LONGFELLOW wins this well his Derby odds could collapse.

Vanteaux winner DARE TO DREAM looks the one to be one in the Saint Alary which has been reduced to a Group 2 and now looks a Diane trial.

Speaking of the Derby, LOS ANGELES, a 12/1 chance and winner of last year's Criterium de Saint Cloud, goes in the Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown.

After a glorious week at Chester, the circus rolls on to York next week for the Dante meeting. 15 have been entered for the opening day feature, the Group 2 Duke of York over 1200m. Last year's winner AZURE BLUE is 4s to follow up but he's not been seen since flopping in the July Cup last summer.

On Thursday, seven have been entered in the Group 2 Middleton for the older fillies and mares over 1800m while the Group 2 Dante for the 3-y-o features the seasonal debut of last year's Futurity winner ANCIENT WISDOM who is 12s for Epsom and has put in at 5/4 to win this credential trail. Friday will feature the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup and on Saturday the season rolls on to Newbury for the Group 1 Lockinge.

A busy time but I'll try to keep everyone up to date as the season gathers pace...

[stodge]

I'll catch up on the British action in due time but now to Paris for Guineas day at Longchamp.

A fine morning saw the ground upgraded to Good for the first race but a heavy thunderstorm hit the track and the ground was downgraded back to Soft after the race before the first of the teo Group 1 classics.

Starting with the fillies in the Pouliches.

 

Not many got involved and despite pulling early, ROUHIYA has clearly come on fro her re-appearance third and just edged out long time pacesetter and Nell Gwyn third KATHMANDU. VESPERTILIO, who started at an incredible 17/1, was third just in front of ROMANTIC STYLE, who for me didn't quite get home on the ground. With the first four split by less than a length and fifth to eighth split by a quarter of a length, this probably isn't strong form.

KATHMANDU was third to PRETTY CRYSTAL at Newmarket and the winner was tenth in the English 1000 Guineas so you could argue the Pouliches form is well behind the Newmarket form but how much of it relates to the ground we'll find out in time. 

On then to the colts in the Poulains. 

 

 

Apologies for the poor quality video - I struggled to find anything better.

The fourth English and French classic and another big price winner as METROPOLITAN won at 25/1. He had run two and a half lengths behind RAMADAN in the Fontainebleau in mid-April but while the latter couldn't sustain his run in the final 150m, METROPOLITAN kept on to hold the late challenge of DANCING GEMINI (another 25/1 shot) with ALCANTOR, who was prominent throughout, third at 20s.

DIEGO VELAZQUEZ ran home very well and advertised his Derby credentials on this evidence for which he is now 12s. EBEN SHADDAD, along with RAMADAN, didn't stay the trip but the real disappointment was HENRY LONGFELLOW who was backed in to 11/8 in the UK but finished midfield and the poor form of Ballydoyle continues. Again, I'm not sure this is quality form - the first four were split by a length and the first seven by two lengths so after the English and French Guineas, the 3-y-o picture for both the colts and fillies remains unclear to be generous and downright confusing to be more accurate. 

The Irish Guineas are a couple of weeks away and we're almost immediately at Epsom for the Derby and Oaks so the trial races assume even more significance than usual.

On a day of surprises, rank outsider BIRTHE was a smooth winner of the Saint-Alary and looks a nice type for the Diane if it's run on slow ground. She has course form at Chantilly though on the POlytrack surface and she came to Longchamp having won a Listed at Toulouse last time.