 |
| This picture was taken at Dubai World Cup 2013'The journey so far...' |
It wouldn't be right to arbitrate exactly who the main protagnists are for our current flat season as we still have the late summer/autumn fixtures to come. Many have performed on the big stage and have continually shown progession, others have been what I characterise as the 'unknowns', these horses have quirks and have shown excellent past performances but still leave you turning to the proverbial 'head scratch'. Telescope for one has managed to find himself pigeon holed into the questionable chasm that has led all us horseracing fanatics with more questions than answers. All those questions maybe answered if indeed he can put all his talent and ability into the right performance on the day at York this week in the Great Voltigeur. Personally, I still believe in him although finishing second in a mediocre 'Rose of Lancaster Stakes' last time out at Haydock Park has numbed my enthusiasm to a degree. That said, he is out of a half sister to Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad and we really don't have to mention the sire do we? He is still a talent waiting to happen but how much time can he be given?
13.55 pm Symphony Group Handicap (3yo+, 5f 89y, Class 2, 20 runners)
The excellent old timer Tax Free won this race at the tender age of 10 years young last year. He capped off a very consistent year when taking this race and certainly illustrates exactly how tricky this race can be, he lines up once again to regain his crown but is now long in the tooth and hasn't really shown much in his last few starts. With all handicap races particularly big field handicaps the draw bias can certainly play a role in fact when looking at the figures in brief it looks as though on good ground or better the low draw is generally more consistent when finding winners. Conversely when the ground has the description soft it seems that the higher drawn horses seem to do better. That said, when looking at handicaps it pays to look at a variety of variables not just solely on this factor and with quite a few of these already taking each other on this season it's worth spending a little time on all form angles. My selection goes to ANGELS WILL FALL this Acclamation bay filly has been thoroughly frustrating, the trainer Charlie Hills seems to of found a much more suitable race here and with this drop in class her current mark of 98 certainly gives here a good chance. ANGELS WILL FALL is a listed winner who took the Land O' Burns fillies race at Ayr last June and in doing so beat some good yardsticks namely, Excelette and My Girl Anna who are consistent fillies both rated over 100. The draw for her here wouldn't be classed as a 'plum draw' but she still has a chance to run with the nearside group. The key for me is this, she will enjoy the 5 furlongs at York in a grade that will suit as she has found the upper echelon of sprinting taking on the high class colts and mares like the talented Ortensia, Society Rock, Sole Power and Shea Shea amongst others to be a little beyond her. My theory here is that although she finished 17th in the Kings Stand's at Royal Ascot, she actually finished 8 lengths behind the winner Sole Power, how many of these could do the same? Finally, if the ground is a bit spongy then I have no concerns for her and with the excellent, underrated Robert Winston on board I foresee a big run on the cards and a return to form for this classy filly.
14.30pm Pinsent Masons LLP Acomb Stakes (Group 3) 7f (2yo only)
This race has produced some very talented winners throughout the history of this race and I believe we may indeed may have another potential top class colt. FIRST FLIGHT is the selection and may in time be a top level horse for this Invincible Spirit colt out of First of Many. Half sister to a good filly Many Colours who was rated around 105 mark winning a listed race at the Curragh in a fillies race and a winner on the dirt at Nad el Sheba. FIRST FLIGHT won well at Newbury on his debut run even though he dwelt at the start, he asserted well in the end over the 6f trip. It's also worth noting when delving into his pedigree that he has stamina on his side and his grand sire Darshaan certainly adds that angle if indeed he is good enough. One to watch for the future, get your notebooks at the ready!
15.05pm The Great Voligeur Stakes (Group 2) 1m 4f
You could certainly do with a TELESCOPE, stare up into our solar system and pray that the brightest star you can see is reflected in this talented colts performance in a race he certainly can win. I'm still not convinced we have seen the best of him yet. The last two maidens he contested last term have proven to be strong, his form is still questionable though, he won at Leicester this year and showed contempt for the other two horses in the race who both are rated around the 90-100 mark so no world beaters. Last time out he was beaten in a fairly mediocre Rose of Lancaster Stakes race beaten a length by Dr Livngston. I wouldn't want to take anything away from the winner of that race but if TELESCOPE is going to prove his worth this year then he needs to take this race and I still believe he has taken a while to come to hand after a few setbacks and although losing last time out he did show a good level of application in the finish. I also believe he is still progressive and has scope to improve and with that in mind and with the best jockey in the world on his back Ryan Moore I still see enough progression made by this Galileo colt to land this race. Finally, he maybe a better horse at four and I really hope he is kept in training to prove this.
15.40pm Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) (British Champion Series) 1m 2f 88y
A superbly competitive renewal of this race and when you look back on previous winners it really shows the quality of thoroughbreds that have gone on to better things. Just to touch on one of my favourite flat horses since I began my love affair with horseracing, Sea the Stars won this race in 2009 and went on to land the Prix De La Arc De Triomphe, his three year old season is the best we have seen since the like of Mill Reef and Dancing Brave were on the scene. Much like Sea the Stars AL KAZEEM is trying to win this on route to the Arc, this Dubawi colt has been the apple of his trainers eye Roger Charlton's ever since he laid eyes on him. I first witnessed this sensational horse at Sandown in April of this year, a horse put together beautifully, illustrating a deadly turn of foot and the beginning of a beautiful partnership between horse and jockey (James Doyle) he readily went into the notebook after winning the Gordon Stakes on that day. Ever since that day, this season, he has been unbeaten and I'm struggling to make a case for any of the others that go to post against him here. AL KAZEEM although he has victories over the 12 furlong trip I've always had the train of thought that he is a better horse over the 10 furlong shorter trip. He finished 2nd in the Great Voltigeur in 2011 at the track but he looks more deadly over this trip and I'm certain many will find his turn of foot too hard to live with. AL KAZEEM looks likely to go to the Arc but I'm not convinced the distance or the possible softer conditions will be to his liking. However, if the ground is good or better,over this trip, he quite simly won't be beaten. Have your money on this not the Arc!
16.20pm Lanstone Building Conservation Handicap 2m 88y
Another mixed bag of old and new horses here and I'm keen as ever to find a little value. ALL THE ACES trained by Nicky Henderson who is no newcomer to the winners enclosure at these big meetings has a very capable stayer on his hands here. This Spartacus colt is a very consistent type and has shown that the 2 mile trip is well within his capabilities, he ran a blinder at the track at the back end of last month finishing 3rd but showing guts and stamina to stay on in the finish. He is up 3lbs or so from his last performance but I believe a true run 2 mile race will play into his hands and any juice in the ground can only help his credentials. ALL THE ACES has had some good experiences lately at the Knavesmire finishing well in all his last three starts at the track but failing to win, indeed the ground more than anything may have blunted his chances as it seems he flattens out within the final furlong on a good to firm surface. Any juice in ground a sneaky each way will be well in order, on a good to firm surface I doubt he will be as effective.
Day two will follow tomorrow evening at 8.00pm, good luck if your having a punt.
Comments
Post a Comment