Its been a while...Newmarket Saturday 12th October

After a long layoff from the blogg in recent weeks I've had time to reflect on the years flat season, the 2 and 3 year olds coming through, the battle hardened older horses and the handicappers who have stepped back into form. Looking back I'm not alone in thinking that if this were a wine it would be described as a relatively maderized and musty year rather than a seve and velvety year which can only be down to average three year olds. Nonetheless we have had Camelot the Guineas and Derby winner...but what else. Well, it's difficult our ever elusive group 1 sprinter has again been hard to find this year, we do have good handicappers though but thats never enough. The middle distant horses have been taking it in turns again to win group 1's here in the UK and across the Irish Sea, the likes of St Nicholas Abbey, Sea Moon, Nathaniel and Snow Fairy have all done well this season and that has been pleasing. So, we look to the highest rated, the monster over a mile and now a mile and two, consistent, robust, resplendent, majestic and superlative. We all know just how good Frankel is but my question is, 'Will we ever find out just how good he could be?' This speedy three year old has given us some of the most breathtaking performances we as spectators of our beautiful sport have ever seen. However, it still begs the question could he have been stepped up again? Am I alone in believing that he potentially would of won the Arc, the coral eclipse, Irish Derby, you name it Frankel would of been strong in all those races. For me he's not the greatest flat horse of all time, he maybe the best miler but to be up with the likes of Sea Bird, Dancing Brave and Sea the Stars to name but a few even I'm afraid you have to be a horse who can beat new opposition, better opposition and run between 1 mile to 1 mile 4 furlongs. Then your a true champion!. On with the cards. Newmarket 1.50pm Dubai Challenge Stakes (Group 2) 7f A very nice stakes race to kick off what promises to be a very interesting days racing at the Rowley Mile. Today's ground looks to be on the softer side which undoubtedly will put pain to a few of these. It quite undestadable that as we are drawing to the end of the season some of these are on the downgrade or have already lost a bit of form. It certainly makes sense then to find a runner who has had a relatively light season and one that is consistent over the 7 furlong trip. It seems to me that ARNOLD LANE could be an each way still if priced accordingly. This Footstepsinthesand bay colt has had a light season, wont mind a bit of cut in the ground Mick Channon's yard is currently in good enough form to get this horse on the score sheet. Of the other Libranno and Fullbright are the obvious pick's but with both having arduous season's I'm very happy to back ARNOLD LANE at what could be a very attractive price. 2.20 Middle Parks Stakes (Group 1) 6f A classy group of two year olds to look forward to next season. RECKLESS ABANDON for Clive Cox who's had a smashing season much different for him a year ago has the winner here. Winner of the Prix Morny ridden by a brilliant jockey Gerard Mosse who keeps the ride here will be very hard to beat indeed. The horse is a little quirky when hanging in the final furlong on both his previous starts but looks the one to beat. 2.55 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) 7f It's always a disappointment when you have a limited field in such a prestigious race. Usually this occurs when you have a standout two year old who has illustrated he is a cut above the rest. DAWN APPROACH in winning the Coventry at Royal Ascot, in the many superlatives the trainer has described this horse in and in being unbeaten in six starts then is it any wonder this horse will be a short price...he is class and should be rated closer to 120 not the 115 he is currently marked as. 3.35 Betfred Cesarewitch 2m 2f (Class 2) I really look forward to this race each year. The nature of picking a well drawn and handicapped horse with form to match is always a big conundrum but makes it very intriguing. I've had a long look at these and it's pretty hard to get away from my big price selections. But I'll start by tipping one which is heading the top of the market and certainly looks like a big run on the cards for COUNTRYWIDE FLAME he maybe heading the market but in my opinion the 8/1 about this Triumph Hurdle winner, as far as I'm concerned is the correct selection, he'll be fit, will like the ground, is running off a mark that probably is slightly too low and in winning on the flat at Chester last time out looks like this will be well within his grasp. My other selections hail from the David Pipe stable who lines up four for this race. Again, you never really see an unfit Pipe horse and I believe that MARTIAL LAW who has a great pedigree on paper has an excellent shout. MARTIAL LAW finished well behind Countrywide Flame last time out at Chester and looks like another big run could be on the cards. The time before that he ran well at Ascot behind Romeo Montague over the 2m trip. The horse will always try and thats what is needed to land this prize. Finally I like David Pipe's BEYOND again another horse from the same stable and at a big price. I like his recent form behind Hurrican Higgins who he lines up against once again and who is a much smaller price. BEYOND is off a featherweight, doesnt have a bad draw in 10 and if he can produce the kind of run he produced at Goodwood last time out them I'm sure he'll come close. My advise here is to follow the National Hunt trainers. Chepstow National Hunt Most people who like racing naturally look forward to the Winter months because of our beloved National Hunt season. Last year was no exception proving to be one of the most exciting yet. I've been reading previews, I've also looked at my fifty to follow horses over the jumps and I've had a few in the notebook from last year. My main two to follow (new kids on the block) Tataniano (trained by Paul Nicholls) who won the John Smiths Maghull Novices chase last season and who won in convincng style at Chepstow last time out looks the real deal and will only progress this season over the timber, he's also a bit of an Aintree specialist so look out for that. I'll be backing and following this slick 2 miler. Sir Des Champs is also another one to follow. Hailing from Willie Mullins yard this Cheltenham festival winner both in the Jewson and previously winning the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle looks another progressive type. I believe Cheltenham will be high on his agenda.