KALDOUN KINGDOM Thriving for the past year or so and looks like he will have conditions to suit in this. Second under same rider here in July off 4lbs lower; so bit to prove now, but does love York and sure to run his race.
TAJNEED Never really sparkled on previous visits to the track and now sits on career high mark of 104, which seems tough. However, in fine fettle, loves the soft ground and sole Nicholls runner, so plenty going for him.
MASAMAH One of four Koukash horses in this and has performed with credit so far this season. Whether 6f in these softer conditions is something he appreciates is up for debate and potential others better treated in this.
POET'S PLACE Ayr Gold Cup (badly drawn) may have come a shade too soon after Portland win and track more likely to suit here. The ground will be juicy for him and chance there is still improvement left in him. Solid claims.
SWILLY FERRY Came back from mini break with a fine effort behind Irish Heartbeat latest and has fair course form to his name. Never faced anything this tough before and encountering easier ground for the first time; both worries.
RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH Out of his depth last time in Group Two but shown himself more than capable in these events all Summer. No surprise to see another bold effort off same sort of mark; the Dazzler booked as well.
KNOT IN WOOD Returning to the scene of his last victory today off a very similar mark. Up there with the very best sprint handicappers over the past few years and no reason he can't go well once more at track he loves.
SIGNOR PELTRO Talented on his day and showed plenty of promise when an unlucky third behind Damika in the Great St Wilfrid three starts back. Soft ground will help him and he is to be feared if back to his best; each way claims.
QUEST FOR SUCCESS Appreciates the going when it's like this and took advantage when taking weaker affair on the back of some disappointments. Back in this company makes things tough once more but jockey's 3lbs allowance a bonus.
COLONEL MAK By far his toughest assignment yet but probably deserves a crack in this after taking Ayr Silver Cup on the back of Leicester victory. Up 7lbs for that win and jockey abandoned him for Poet's Place; it's tight, but others might be a tiny bit better off.
PARISIAN PYRAMID Don't think he is a great fan of these slower conditions and comes into this off a career high of 99. Looks to be little room for error at present off current mark and, again, others better treated it would seem.
GRAMERCY Didn't handle the easy ground when disappointing at Newmarket two starts back and pulled up since. Would need to bounce back in a big way to take this, especially now racing against his elders after running in three year old company.
DAMIEN A frustrating sort who shows plenty of sparkle before fading out tamely in his races. Has run some crackers in defeat and is a big price if on a going day. But he remains a very risky choice to win and most likely will struggle once more.
SECRET ASSET Hasn't set the world on fire of late, especially when there is some ease in the ground; two major worries there. He is another who is hard to read as he has talent but remains of risk when putting your faith in him to deliver.
HAWKEYETHENOO Risen up the ranks in grand style this term and had greatest day so far here when taking the Sky Bet Dash in July. No Fallon to assist today, but Queally an able replacement and might not be finished improving yet.
IRISH HEARTBEAT Up 5lbs here after taking Doncaster event in game fashion two starts back. A solid fifth in behind Colonel Mak latest shows he remains in good form and the choice of Hanagan. Track/ground should suit; distance could be a worry.
MANASSAS Usually races over further than this and all wins have come on Good to Firm ground, so plenty to overcome on those scores. Could struggle in against some tough, talented rivals here today.
BRAE HILL Solid handicapper in the right races but should be blown out of the water by some of these today and likely there are easier tasks for him.
ABLE MASTER Cheekpieces applied here in bid to revive spark and two latest runs have been a shade unlucky. Back on the same mark he won easily off here last year and not one to be taken lightly; worse chances in this.
FATHSTA Another Koukash runner who is likely to struggle off an ever rising mark against a bunch of talented rivals. Will love the ground though.
A good-looking contest and one with plenty of crackle for this time of the year. Talent coming from the main Northern sprint trainers in Fahey and Nicholls but it’s with David Barron and Poet’s Place that the confidence lays. The horse was never able to land a blow in the Ayr Gold Cup, with a possible combination of track, going, draw and quick reappearance the reasons. However, he returns here to a more conventional track after a three-week break to freshen him up and, crucially, gets his favoured ground. He showed at Haydock what a talent he is and this being only his ninth career start, he has room to improve beyond his current mark. Hawkeyethenoo has always been a danger in these races all year. He may prefer the ground to be on the quicker side, but he won on it at Newmarket and returning to York (won Sky Bet Dash) he represents a solid opponent for any of his rivals today. Of the remainder, Signor Peltro is of interest. He has run three solid races of late in tough affairs and he should be at home in the easier conditions. One would imagine he will be staying on at the end.
SELECTIONS
Poet's Place 3pts win @ 7/1 Hawkeyethenoo 1pt win @ 11/1 Signor Peltro 0.5pt ew @ 20/1
I have been a fan of Poet's Place for a while now and I agree the ground tomorrow is ideal. Judging by the times at York today it is soft ground and this will suit the horse.
I was at Ayr a few weeks ago and the ground was definitely too quick up here that day. I expect to see a different animal tomorrow and despite the revised handicap mark I still think the horse is well capable of landing this prize.
In terms of the price it looks like Hills have cut this from 15/2 to 6/1 already this evening, however as they have likely given their prices to the RP for the televised racing tomorrow, I suspect there may be a chance the 15/2 is still available first thing in the morning, although 7's is widely available just now. Based purely on the ground conditions I expect the horse to go off a few points shorter at least.
good luck
VKI have been a fan of Poet's Place for a while now and I agree the ground tomorrow is ideal. Judging by the times at York today it is soft ground and this will suit the horse.I was at Ayr a few weeks ago and the ground was definitely too quick up he
On the expected going I dont see the trip as being a concern for Irish Heartbeat. The double figure odds available a few hours ago seemed very fair (although the cuts across the board tonight suggest Mr Segal may agree!).
Good luck.
Great read as always VK.On the expected going I dont see the trip as being a concern for Irish Heartbeat. The double figure odds available a few hours ago seemed very fair (although the cuts across the board tonight suggest Mr Segal may agree!).Good
Evening VK & all. Great write up and a cracking race. Having backed Able Master on his last two runs I availed myself of some early 16/1 today. Extremely well handicapped on his C/D win last year from Kaldoun Kingdom & a most promising run lto when running off a break made me feel he should go really well tomorrow. Comes here one of the freshest in the field and feel that is an asset this time of year.
Knot In Wood has great c/d form & barring his Group run here it reads 334121 & on g/s or worse reads 121. The jockey gets on well with him & has a record of 141330 when aboard.
Finally I feel Damien is well worth a try at 33/1 as feel he will enjoy the cut in the ground & wasn't far behind Hawkeyethenoo here a few runs ago & is well weighted on that. Runners that ran down the field in the Gold/Silver Cup have done well in this race in the past & feel Able Master has an excellent chance & Damien could go really well at a huge price with Knot in Wood the danger.
Best of luck
Evening VK & all. Great write up and a cracking race.Having backed Able Master on his last two runs I availed myself of some early 16/1 today.Extremely well handicapped on his C/D win last year from Kaldoun Kingdom & a most promising run lto when run
Hmm, strange one. I did think he was value @ 7/1 Meat, unfortunately it wasn't to be. But these end of season races on really tough going can often be muddling affairs and that was the case once more. The confidence behind Poet's Place was there from the trainer and the punters but he just didn't sparkle. It's been a fun season anyway. There are a couple more of these to go at Doncaster in two weeks and then that's it for five months. Time to save the coppers for the 2011 season then!
Hmm, strange one. I did think he was value @ 7/1 Meat, unfortunately it wasn't to be. But these end of season races on really tough going can often be muddling affairs and that was the case once more. The confidence behind Poet's Place was there from