This is when it really starts!!!!

Roll on the Charlie Hall.

Well given that my first bet of the flat season was on Taqleed @ 14/1 for the Lincoln I guess things can only get better because at least when my horse is drawn on the wrong side or is desperately unlucky afetr meeting trouble in running I will at least have had a run for my money

Well said Jonibake and eff off howdi!!!

A fascinating day and a great one for Fahey and Hanagan. Nothing to worry any of the principals in the two Guineas I thought but some interesting clues nonetheless.

It is very early days but the signs are good for those hoping that Al Zarooni would start the season better than Bin Suroor normally does. Ocean War looked plenty fit enough and won well. Neebras pulled like a train down to the start, missed the break and was never competitive. I would ignore that form.

Elzaam was deeply disappointing in the Free Handicap and did little to advertise the form of Strong Suit but at least the impressive winner is trained by Hannon so clearly his horses are in good heart.

My only bet of the day was Sing Softly and I was counting my money at the furlong mark only to be denied at the death by that blasted Hanagan. I felt that Sing Softly came to win her race but didn’t help her cause by hanging on ground that probably turned out to be fast enough for her. Good performance by the winner but surely no Guineas winner in that field.

As I said yesterday, I didn’t think Specific Gravity would win the Fielden but I thought he ran a very promising race making up ground coming down the hill before finding the ground too fast and not letting himself down. He will win races this year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sent to France for easier ground. The winner looks a typically gutsy Mark Johnston horse but I would think some way short of top class. Let’s just hope they let Johnston keep him though.

So Midsummer Sun looked like he ran a very disappointing race but he was far too green to do himself justice and lost his action racing in to the dip. Queally nursed him home and he was running on again in the last 100 yards. Obviously he won’t be winning the Derby but, as they said on Racing UK, Midday only finished 7th first time out so too early to write him off.

Tomorrow see’s the feature event of the two days as Native Khan attempts to justify his trainer’s high opinion of him in the Craven. I think he is rock solid but will probably go off short enough.  I spoke to Eddie Ahern last month and they REALLY like this horse and feel he has improved a lot over the winter. He will love the ground tomorrow, his trainer is in great form and he has Fallon aboard. What’s not to like? Whilst it is not a great field, tomorrow should tell if he is likely to be involved in the business end of the Guineas.

The Earl of Sefton looks a very good race this year with the return of Elusive Pimpernel, Luca Cumani’s progressive Forte Dei Marmi and Frankel’s galloping companion Bullet Train. Frankel has been beating this one by about 20 lengths on the gallops so will be interesting to see how he goes. The one I like in this race though is Polytechnicien. Andre Fabre does not send horses over just for fun and he has already run and won twice this year. My only worry would be the ground as he has only won on soft.

The other race I am looking forward to is the Wood Ditton which often throws up a nice horse. Henry runs Aviate’s full brother, Air Traffic, who is supposedly massive but very useful. Again my worry for such a big horse would be the ground and the likely tender handling by the jockey. Most of the top trainers are represented with Stoute saddling three.

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the winner of the Wood Ditton have a shocking record of going onto better things ? Last season I remember the commentators on RUK openly mocking the race and the runners.

Agree re Neebras. Easily forgive the run and he was notably weak on here all day, 7/4 in the moring, sent off 7/2.

Elzaam perhaps a sprinter. They could do worse than going back to Royal Ascot imo.

Fanjura, Chantilly Tiffany, Secret World all recent winners that went on to be 100 + horses.

Jonibake -Excellent stuff .

Excellent thread

Very good, well reasoned arguments. Good luck with any bets today

Another good day with plenty to reflect on but another frustrating one for me as I have a dose of seconditus at the moment. Polytechnicien looked all over the winner coming into the dip with Peslier sat motionless but Ransom Note kept finding more and was a very deserving winner. I was pleased to see Elusive Pimpernel run so well after a long break and hopefully he will fulfil his promise this year. For Frankel fans like myself it was not a good race as Bullet Train was beaten a long way and a long way out. How much you can read into that I am not sure but it would certainly have been better had he finished closer.

Sticking with the Guineas, I though Native Khan was a workmanlike winner of the Craven. Two out I thought he was going to be impressive but he kept on rather than quickened and I would personally expect him to be better over a bit further. I didn’t like the way he couldn’t put distance between himself and Libranno, who is surely more of a 6/7 furlong horse and I don’t think he is quick enough to win a Guineas. I noticed that connections spoke about the French Guineas as a possible depending on how Frankel goes on Saturday.

I thought the Wood Ditton looked a very good race this year. I was keeping a close eye on Air Traffic and he ran a blinder. Very tenderly ridden, he was eating up the ground late on and looks a decent prospect over 1 mile/1 mile 2.  However the winner also looks very smart and, more importantly, was further evidence that Al Zarooni has hit the ground running. He spoke to Nick Luck after the race and as good as confirmed that Dubai Prince rather than Casamento would be heading to the Guineas. If you fancied this one before this week you will be positively drooling over him now as the stable are clearly on fire and it would seem that Dubai Prince will not lack for fitness.

My run of seconds continued in the last when Glencadam Gold again looked like the winner going into the dip but just got run out of it by Frankie. He looked to tire up the hill and I think we can safely say after several runners now that Cecil’s horses are really in need of a run. I wouldn’t be putting my mortgage on Frankel on Saturday.

Tomorrow it all moves to Newbury and it is fairly low key stuff to be honest before really heating up on Saturday. I will be looking at All Time, the sister of all those other Time horses that Henry has done so well with over the last couple of years. I wouldn’t be expecting her to win but hopefully she’ll go well.

The conditions race is always a good standard and this year looks no exception. Argocat and Al Kazeem are both well liked at home but it looks quite a trappy race so will be just watching.

If I back anything it will be Home Office of Mark Johnston’s in the 2.10. His two year olds went right off the boil last year for some unknown reason but consequently lots of them are now running off low marks as three year olds and many of them are winning. This could be another though I would fear El Muqbil who has good form against some nice horses and looks well treated.

Again couldn't disagree with anything put up.

I actually think Cecil will have his first winner tomorrow with Arizona Jewell

I think that horse is doubtful to run.

Fair comment, won't be the last time I'm wrong

yeh - non runner unfortunately

Well at least I cured my seconditus today. Home Office finished last!

Tomorrow is the day though isn’t it? The return of the Frank! I’ll be there! I am already nervous.

I keep reading all this tripe about how hyped Frankel is but to be honest most of the posts are from people believing he is over-hyped. Those of us that have backed him are mostly far too nervous to say anything! I can’t see how he can be over-hyped though when he has won four races out of four and done it in the style he has? Surely hyped horses are those that haven’t done anything? That aside, can he be as good as we all hope he is? Has he trained on?

There are so many things worrying me about Frankel tomorrow.

Henry’s form is not great let’s be honest. All Time was another to disappoint today. Tom Queally said we should not worry about Frankel’s fitness but Hannon’s horses seem to be running so well.

The ground is going to be quicker than anything he has raced on before. Some of us, me included, think he will be a better horse on better ground but we don’t know for sure. We KNOW Strong Suit likes it fast.

The trip – is it on the short side for a horse still being talked of as a possible Derby horse?

The opposition – Strong Suit is a seriously good horse and his trainer really rates him. As this trainer has been responsible for three of the best milers in the country over the last few years, we should surely listen to him.

I doubt I’ll sleep to be honest.

One thing reassured me today. Listening to Kieren tell Nick Luck that if Frankel brings his A game to Newbury tomorrow he will finish alone and that it would be no disgrace for Native Khan to finish second in the Guineas to one of the best horses we have seen. Newmarket people KNOW that this horse is potentially special even if there are some doubting Thomas’ still out there.

I am going to retain the faith. I believe in this horse and I think he will win. I am not sure by how far and I fear Strong Suit, but I think he will win. And if he does win tomorrow I am sure he will win the Guineas. I think the conditions of tomorrow’s race will suit his main rival better but the extra furlong at Newmarket and the improvement this race will bring about, will make him extremely difficult to beat on 30th April.

Tomorrow is not about money for me. I don’t care if his price is too short or too long for the Guineas. I just want him to win because I love horse racing and I love good horses and I want to see dear Henry have a career defining horse.

I was at Newmarket in October. It has been a long, a very long winter. I have been waiting for a horse like this for 40 years. I just hope he does it.

I'll be there tomorrow as well, only going because of Frankel.

Also hoping that HRAC does have a potential superstar, and therefore be able to say I saw it run. With the Cecil horses seeming to fall in a hole about 1.5F out, seriously thinking about having a few quid on SS - 3/1 seems fair.

"Listening to Kieren tell Nick Luck that if Frankel brings his A game to Newbury tomorrow he will finish alone"



It's hardly Mystic Meg stuff. Although to keep with the theme of Mystic Meg, Fallon also stated a while back that he wasn't sure if Frankel would train on. * looks in to crystal ball* tonights lottery winner will be a man or a woman.

Graeme, good point well made.

Every other trainer/jockey is going to 'big' up Frankel, if only to deflect the attention from their horse and its chance. Nobody at this stage is going to say they will beat Frankel

Roob it's just one of these races where anyone has a 50/50 chance of being right. He's either at those high levels or he isn't. If you consider that he's 1/3, then he'd have to win tomorrow before going to the guineas as strong fav. So as things stand he's 1/2 for the guineas, if you take his Greenham odds in to consideration as an accumulator. Coincidentally, we will find out shortly if Wooton Basset will be alright or not, about one second after the Greenham. Even the trainers don't know if he's going to be as impressive as anticipated. I'd be pleased if Strong Suit won, but i'm not holding my breath.

I was a bit disappointed with EP. He ran well for sure but if he has ambitions of being group 1  material you'd have hoped he'd won imo.

Not sure Luca's are running all that well at the momemt, several fancied ones finished unplaced.

Spring Mile looks tough as usual .. but tried a few quid on Bravo Echo .. his turf form is mince but he's been gelded since last summer and looked as good as ever in his last two runs on the AW.

What a day! This is what it’s all about for me.  A double for Cecil and two horses with serious classic pretentions.

Let’s deal with Frankel first. Ah the relief!

The moment I saw him in the pre-parade I thought he looked enormous. He really is a bull of a horse but even I could see that he was short of full fitness and was carrying plenty of condition. Two wise old sages next to me were particularly unimpressed and spoke in loud voices about how Strong Suit looked far fitter and they would be backing him. Ha Ha! I saw Frankel last October at Newmarket and the thing that really struck me was how much bigger his head and neck were this time. He has a great big square head, which is always a good sign for me. Francombe was right in that there was a bit of sweat between the back legs but it was far from excessive and he actually looked really relaxed. He has some presence this horse. It’s almost like he knows he’s good.

If I am completely honest the race was satisfactory only. But, as I wrote yesterday, there were so many factors that were worrying me; I am just pleased he came through it.

HE WILL IMPROVE A TON FOR THIS.

I don’t think we will see this horse race over seven furlongs again and the further they went the better he looked. He will also probably never run in such a slow race again. I honestly don’t know what they were doing having Picture Editor in there. Queally even had to scream to Mongan to get a move on as he fell out of the stalls and crawled the first furlong. Leave the pacemakers to Ballydoyle Henry!

Poor thing just keeps beating the wrong horses though doesn’t he? If Strong Suit had finished second we would probably all be crowing even more and he would be 2/5 for Newmarket.   But Excelebration, like Roderic O Connor was 25-1 and unfancied. Time will tell how good this form is but at least there was another 6 lengths back to the third.

So the negatives; he pulled hard in the first two furlongs, he took a while to really assert over a horse that had average form and he looked like he wanted to hang right a bit to the rail.

The positives; he won, he handled the ground, he looked better the further he went, he “was only 80% fit” according to TQ.

Has he done enough to scare off the others? Probably not but I would prefer it if he beats a good field anyway. The dream is still alive, the bubble shows no sign of bursting yet.

World Domination was seriously impressive. You have to remember guys that the Newmarket stables and Cecil in particular are some way off where they want to be because they have not been able to work any of the horses on the grass. Cecil said himself that this one was a big baby and would need the run. In the paddock he looked the part and I thought he had less condition than Frankel.

Having decided not to have a bet, especially as I was way down on the day, I couldn’t believe it when I saw 100-30 in the ring and couldn’t resist. I also remembered Queally’s blog and did a combination forecast with the second string and the Stoute horse! The win bet was never in doubt as he absolutely cruised to the front and then lengthened away well. Solar Sky was eyecatching in second and Fiorente looked potentially smart as well.

I have read some posters on here who have said that it was a poor maiden. It wasn’t. There were some really nice sorts here and almost half the field were Derby entries. World Domination MADE them look ordinary.

I know this horse is now incredibly short for the Derby and I have completely missed the boat as I thought this horse WAS over-hyped, but I have to say I was extremely impressed and he must be firmly in the mix bearing in mind the likely improvement.

Elsewhere on the day there was more good news for Dubai Prince fans as Mahmood Al Zarooni has his horses looking fantastic and Lajooj won despite pulling all the way down to the start and still running very green. Whatever he has done differently in Dubai this winter it has worked and I would now rate Dubai Prince the main danger to Frankel in 2 weeks.

The other really impressive horse today was Modun. I LOVED him in the paddock but stupidly backed All Action. He looks a typical Stoute 4 year old improver and will win good races.

Don’t discount Rimth in the Guineas either. She is a very good looking filly and showed a good turn of foot.

So roll on 30th April. I reckon I can relax for about a week before I start getting stressed again. I wouldn’t have it any other way though!

Good thread jon, your enthusiasm is infectious.

How good would Frankel be if he consented to settle?!!

I really hope they run a pacemaker in the Guineas as I think with a proper gallop from start to finish we will see something special from the horse. Alas, I cannot see him staying the Derby trip although I think 1m 2f will definitely be within reach. As you say though World Domination looks the part so perhaps a suitable substitute is waiting in the wings, would expect them to go the Dante route with him.

Thanks PFT! Completely agree - Frankel will be much better with a decent pace but stable only have Monopolize as a possible pacemaker and he hasnt run yet this season.

Not sure WD will go the Dante route as it would mean a step down in trip. Lingfield possibly or Newmarket Guineas meeting?

I doubt Monopolize would be able to go fast enough, the stablemate today couldn't and he is probably a classier type. However, K Abdullah has Dux Scholar who is with Stoute entered, and they might consent to run him. Would be a nice touch for Stoutey to tee the race up for Cecil!

Does HRAC not tend to run his best horse in the Dante, that is why I half expect to see him there? Although the Lingfield Derby trial would give him experience of a track similar to Epsom for one so inexperienced, so perhaps that would be an option.

Can't see Stoutey being too happy about that but you are right - he would make the perfect pacemaker.

You could be right about the Dante but it would be a big ask on his second run against the likes of Casamento and Seville. He used Lingfield last year for Bullet Train and a couple of years before that with Father Time. Neither as good as WD though.

Cannot comment on the comparison to last year, but in terms of size Frankel certainly wasn't a standout. However he is a very good looking horse, has presence and behaved beautifully. Queally took him down very quietly and again from what I saw he behaved very well. The race confirmed my thoughts that the horse just loves to run fast and the Derby is still a concern for me. As for the form, maybe not a strong Group 3 but at least Frankel has loads of different lines of form, not tied in to the same horses, that so far have been boosted later.

Strong Suit I thought was just bigger, but had not filled out his frame. Not surprised it didn't perform.

I agree with your comments re World Domination and reacted in the same way in the betting ring. I must add that for all races that went to parade ring, he was certainly the noisiest, a real baby. That's maybe why he drifted so much but he therefore has a lot of maturing and improving to do. If he is to take it to Epsom, I would imagine will go to both Newmarket and either Ligfield/York with him to give the experience a la Commander in Chief.

Solar Sky has size, but looked as if the race would bring him on enormously and still has filling out to do. In this respect, it ran a fantastic race imo and may well go off a decent price in a good race later in the year.

I have to say your analysis of the other horses/races is excellent and as another poster said, infectious.

Jon

See that Specific Gravity could well run over the weekend. Be very interesting to see how it goes having had a run. I like this horse and it did show some good speed in its first race. Bit of a suspicion that it won't want 'firm' in the going however

Very interesting and I agree with you about the ground. He ran like several other Cecil horses did last week; moved up looking like the winner before getting tired and fading. Glencadam Gold (also entered)and Tiger Webb were others. Looks like he will come up against Dordogne again as well. Will be a good pointer for Frankel.

Also Arizona Jewel is declared again - was she pulled out at Newbury because of the ground? Think this may prove to be Cecil's best middle distance filly

Frankel doesnt need a good pointer .. wtf?

Agreed Roo. Not sure why she was pulled out but might well have been ground. Have a feeling the fillies might be slightly further behind though.

Could be but only All Time has run so far..of the probable better ones that is. For once, even if you take out Frankel, his colts are a lot better it appears this year

Am I in a betting shop?

No, just in a place where perhaps you are not wanted

What a start it has been!

I was away with the family this weekend and found myself stuck in Cotswold Farm Park at 2pm on Saturday with my 18 month old twins having the time of their lives and me thinking "how the hell am I going to get to see the Guineas without seriously peeing off my wife?!"

In the end one of the kids started getting tearful which I interpreted as tiredness and kindly offered to drive them around the countryside for an hour so that they could have an afternoon nap and my wife could have a break. She fell for it and I jumped in the car and drove full pelt to a tiny bookies in Stow. Luckily there was a space outside the bookies so I could keep an eye on the kids (I am not THAT bad) and watch the greatest 2,000 Guineas winner in my lifetime.

Enough has been said on here already about the race so I won't add much except to say that it was an incredible thrill watching him obliterate that field. Afterwards I was one of those that thought perhaps TQ had given him an unnecessarily hard ride but, watching several times again since I got back, he only really got to work in the last furlong and just gave him a couple of cracks. When you consider that this was the first time he has really been asked a question one can hopefully assume that there is plenty left to come.

My one slight worry is that pretty much all of Henry's previous wide margin Classic winners found it difficult to come close to that form again - Slip Anchor and Lady Carla never won again after romping away with their classics. Henry is the best at priming a horse for a big race but sometimes it leaves its mark. As I say, I think Frankel has plenty left and it is hard to see any other 3 year old getting near him at Ascot.

On that subject, I know many people are disappointed that he is not heading to Epsom. I was one with an antepost voucher myself and would have loved to see him line up, but I can't help feeling that they are doing the right thing. I think he COULD win the Derby but I would think it would take a serious toll on the horse. They are in this for the long haul and there will be plenty of other opportunities to step up in trip later in the year when he is older and hopefully wiser. The wonderful thing about Henry is that he has told us all now - at the beginning of May - and not let the speculation mount as other trainers would have.

This week the circus moves on to one of my favourite meetings of the year - Chester.

There are a few horses I am looking forward to.

Wonder of Wonders runs today in the Cheshire Oaks and I expect her to win well. They think a lot of this beautifully bred filly and Aiden likes using this race.

Tomorrow I will be looking out for one of my antepost Derby horses, Nathaniel. He has a lot to still do to make up into a serious Derby prospect and tomorrow's race may not tell us too much as it has cut up rather badly (Sea Moon now not running) but I think this horse has a decent each way chance in the Derby. Johnny G has kept him under the radar so far this year winning a lowly maiden at Haydock but I feel there is much more to come. By running him here at not at York next week he is avoiding the big guns (a typical JG ploy in classic trials)and I would think is almost certain to run at Epsom. Not so sure that the tight turns of Chester will suit this galloper but should still be good enough to win.

Await The Dawn is another O'Brien horse with a big reputation who runs on Thursday in the Huxley and another one I like on that day is Nibani of Sir Michael Stoute's.

Should be a good week anyway!

Some interesting races this week so far but have we seen a Classic winner? Possibly. I liked Wonder of Wonders yesterday and think she must have a great each way chance in the Oaks. Interestingly this year almost all of the major fancies ran in the 1,000 Guineas and, as such, the trials don't look particularly strong. The Musidora next week looks a poor renewal on paper. The form of WoW's win isnt up to much but she stays well and she is improving quickly - reminds me a bit of Peeping Fawn. Enough for me to have a bit of an interest in her anyway.

Await the Dawn won well as predicted and better races definitely await this one.

As I said above, the tight turns of Chester did not suit Nathaniel today, nor did the lack of pace. Unfortunately JG all but ruled him out of the Derby but I still think this horse will make up into a Group winner when he has a stronger gallop and a more galloping track. He would be on my (very) short list for the St Leger.

Nibani was useless and didnt handle the track.

The Dee stakes is a bit of a non-event tomorrow with none of the runners even entered for the Derby and it doesnt get too much better at Lingfield on Saturday as both trials look poor.

It will be a different story next week at York in the Dante where it looks like the first three in the Derby betting will be lining up in the Dante. Unfortunately I am on holiday in Cyprus (livid that I picked that week!) so will be skyplussing!

Really enjoying your thread, keep it going. There are loads of bookies in Cyprus so you'll get plenty of chance to see the Dante. Enjoy yourself

Thanks a mill redal - will keep my eyes open!

Brilliant thread Jonibake, pls do keep it going for the season.

FWIW I think Harris Tweed is a good thing this afternoon. Looks the type to improve with age, been gelded since we saw him last and SNAs involvement makes Haggis one a steal at odds against!

Will do Mr M - many thanks! Best of luck with Harris Tweed. For me SNA is the fly in the ointment. Today is really is his last chance but, if he can reproduce anything like his previous form, he would have to be the most likely winner. I suppose it depends which SNA turns up.

A big frustration for me this year is the lack of info coming out of Ballydoyle. Last year they gave regular bulletins on their website, this year - nothing. We didnt know Zoffany was a non runner in the Guineas until he didnt appear in the final decs. We didnt have any feedback on how ROC had wintered. We have no idea about Seville. Poor effort I think. His horses have run well this week and SNA wouldnt be the first of his to improve massively on first run of season. But he will have to improve a lot - he looked awful last time.

Wow! SNA - That was mighty impressive.

A really good week and Ballydoyle back with a tremendous bang. Wonder of Wonders is my Oaks filly after that performance, Await the Dawn has enormous potential and looks a Group 1 winner in the making and St Nicholas Abbey made a lot of people look rather silly with a scintillating win. The future looks bright for all three and even Treasure Beach could be a serious King Edward horse.

Not much of interest for me today - I am not a big handicaps man but will be doing a lot of watching. I see Sir Michael Stoute has a lot of runners today and, with Carlton House due to return on Wednesday, I would like to see an improvement in his recent form.

So although next week I will be reading Thomas the Tank Engine to my twins by the pool in Cyprus, half of me will be at York for another of my favourite meetings. As a Cecil fan there are a number of mouth-watering races.

Arizona Jewel goes in the Musidora. I happen to think it significant that Cecil has chosen the two hardest trials for this one and WD. He has often used the lesser trials at Chester and Lingfield in the past but does tend to send the really good ones to York. I expect Arizona to run very well, especially as there looks likely to be a bit of cut - I think this is important for her. Will be interesting to see if Barefoot Lady is allowed to take her chance as this will give us some sort of reference point to the Guineas form.

On Wednesday there is World Domination in the Dante and Midday and Timepiece in the Middleton.

I think some people on here have been a bit harsh on WD. I was at Newbury for his maiden win and was very impressed both in the paddock and during the race. He couldnt have done it much easier and, whilst I would agree that he is far too short in the Derby betting, I think he is a horse of serious potential who will not be far away on Wednesday. For me Carlton House has as much to prove as WD in that he is only a maiden winner also. Admittedly the form of the race has worked out well but very often wide margin winners are flattered by soft ground and it may just be that this was the case here. Having said that, the vibes from Newmarket are very positive and I am sure he is a serious horse. I am pretty much down to just one ante-post horse for the Derby but in SevilleI think I have a good one. AOB's form could not be better and I think this horse will really appreciate the extra couple of furlongs. It should be a great race and I owuldnt discount Genius Beast either. I personally wouldnt have a bet on the Dante as there are too many unknowns but my advice would be to pick your winner and back him for the Derby before the race.

Midday is right up there with my favourite Henry Cecil horses of all time. For me she absolutely exudes class and I hope she runs very well. I know she lost this race last year and I am sure she will need the run this, but there is no Sariska this year and the going is likely to be a good deal softer as well which should suit. If she is going to get beat don't be surprised if it's not her stablemate. Tom Queally has been singing this ones praises all year and they think she is a Group 1 filly. With the weight allowance in her favour she could pose a serious threat.

Finally, on the Friday, Native Ruler could run in the Yorkshire Cup. After Frankel blew everyone away last weekend it was easy to forget just what an incredible performance this one produced after being off the track for 600 odd days. A truly great training performance. There is the obvious worry of the bounce factor but I am looking forward to seeing this horse fulfill his potential this year.

All in all should be a lot of fun and I can't wait for next Sunday when I can get on me Sky Plus!

Two things I forgot to mention.

1. There IS one horse I will be watching today. Light Blow runs in the 7.15 at Warwick. She is the FULL SISTER to Light Shift. Cecil runs two and TQ rides the other one so can't imagine they think too much of her but she comes from an incredibly consistent family as her dam, Lingerie, was also responsible for Shiva and Limnos.

2. Is it just me or is the spate of festivals at the end of the National Hunt season a bit crazy? Cheltenham is followed by Aintree is followed by Punchestown and trainers can't possibly run horses in all three. There has been some great racing this week but I have not been tempted for a single second to watch any of it. Its May!!! Flat season!

Would it not make more sense to spread them out over the season? What would be the problem with having AIntree in November/December (which would virtually ensure the National is run on safer ground), Punchestown in Jan/Feb and Cheltenham in March/April? This year so many horses were saved for Cheltenham and so the season never really got going until the festival. I know this will never happen but for me it's a no-brainer.

Sorry - wanted to get that one of my chest.

So back me from me hols and caught up with all that I missed – which actually wasn’t much as it turned out. Cyprus is fantastic in that it shows all British racing on the Dubai Racing Channel. The beauty of it is that they are 2 hours ahead so I was still able to spend quality time with the family and see the Middleton, Dante, Yorkshire Cup and Lockinge!

As a Cecil fan it was a mixed week to say the least. Arizona Jewel was very disappointing in the Musidora although it has since been released that she was found to be “heavily in season.” Now when my wife has her time of the month she won’t so much as switch the TV channel over if I asked her so poor old Tom Queally had no chance. As a footnote, isn’t that a much nicer way for us to put it to our wives when those inevitable monthly kick-offs occur? “Your a bit tetchy darling - could it be you are heavily in season?” Perhaps I’ll try it on her next time.

For me the Oaks is now a match between Blue Bunting and Wonder of Wonders and I have plumped for the O’Brien horse because I was able to get better odds after Chester.

I was delighted with Midday in the Middleton. She is pure class this filly and I am so glad that they are heading to Epsom to take on the colts. I think she will be very hard to beat there as she likes the track and has great form that ties in with the colts. Remember she beat Sarafina who then finished third in the Arc and who just got beat by Planteur the other day. She also beat Snow Fairy who has been beating colts ever since so I can’t wait to see how she fares. My only worry would be if Ballydoyle send St Nicholas Abbey as he looked fantastic the other day and could be one of the stars of the season. Anyway Midday did it well giving 5 lbs to everything especially as she has never won first time out before.

Whilst on Cecil fillies, and this will sound like horrible after timing but I WAS on holiday, my only bet last week was Vita Nova. What a price she was! This filly works with Midday and Timepiece and yet was running off 80 odd in a handicap. She is one to follow for the rest of the season.

The Dante was a horrible race that left more questions than answers. As I see on this forum the debates continue to rage and will do up to the day itself. For what it is worth and despite the fact that I am on Seville ante-post, I was very impressed with Carlton House. A big, strong imposing colt, for me he had more improvement in him than Seville. Stoute has had a terrible start to the year and his horses are improving massively for a run. I hear what people are saying that a truly run mile and a half might swing the balance in Seville’s favour and I hope they are right, but I just think CH looked every inch a star in the making and feel he will be too classy. My other fancy for the big race is Native Khanwho is still available at 14's. I think it is Sintonian who keeps pointing out that this was the only horse that tried to keep tabs with Frankel and survived. If he stays the extra half mile, I think he will be bang there.

I was disappointed with World Domination but was probably expecting far too much too early. There is a world of difference between winning your maiden at 2 and then having the winter to mature, to winning it at 3 and having only weeks. I am definitely not writing this horse off though and would expect him to still be at least pattern class later in the year.

I was impressed with Canford Cliffs even though some say he was only workmanlike. He is another who improves a lot with a run and I would personally expect him to have a bit too much toe for Goldikova, much as I love that fantastic mare. I don’t have a clue what Twice Over was doing running in that race by the way. 

As for Canford Cliffs verses Frankel – I am sure you can guess which one I would favour. Someone wrote the other day that CC would “lay up behind” Frankel and then pick him off. It made me laugh to think of a horse being able to lay up behind Frankel. That wouldn’t happen.

Not much happening this week except the Cocked Hat being run on Wednesday. This threw up Rewilding last year and, I know I am clutching at straws here but I would love to see Picture Editor hack up by 10 lengths as I still have an old ante-post voucher for him!

For sentimental reasons I will be willing on Overdose today. I  lived in Budapest for 5 years and I know that the whole nation will be glued to their TV's today hoping for the best. From my time living there I can tell you one thing - if the Hungarians know about anything it is horses. He clearly has loads to prove but today will tell us whether he is all hype or substance. His Prix De L'Abbaye "win" was spectacular - lets hope he is still the same horse.

Elsewhere my mate Cecil has several fancied runners today. Baisse should win as as she is a progressive, well handicapped filly. Plato may struggle on this ground. Chachamidee runs in what looks a muddling race which any of them could win. Principal Role is interesting - she was kept in training for some reason whilst Aviate was sold. She works with Midday, Vita Nova and Timpiece and I have a feeling we havent seen the best of her yet. It looks a tough race and she may need the run but I will be watching with a view to later on in the season.

His best horse on view today is Jet Away who will start odds on but should win. This is his trial for the Hardwicke and they always said he would make up into a very nice 4 year old.

The other one I will be backing each way today is Nordic Spruce. The form of his seasonal debut is good with Joviality winning an Oaks trial and I think this one needed the race. Cecil's strike rate is 34.78% with horses that have had a run and I think this one is better than his rating of 86. Again, the race looks competitive enough but he should be there or thereabouts.

Over in Ireland they must be so disappointed at the quality of fields for the 3 Group 1's. It really is becoming less and less competitive over there and that must be a concern. I have always thought that this would be the main early season target for Roderic O Connor and I think you will see a completely different horse today to the one we saw at Newmarket. My worry is the firm ground which I can only see really suiting Dubawi Gold. It will be interesting to see how the form of the English Guineas works out and whether DG was indeed flattered by running on from off the pace. I will back ROC each way as I expect him to drift in the face of suppport for Dunboyne Express who I really don't fancy at all.

So a great day for the O’Briens wasn’t it?! I have never seen Aiden looking so elated after a race and good on the whole team for having the balls to let Joseph take the ride. He rode a great race and showed Hughsie how it should be done. It didn’t help Richard that his trainer weighed in with his opinion after the race and clearly he gave the horse an awful lot to do. In my opinion however, he had plenty of time to overhaul the winner if good enough and I have a feeling Roderic O’ Connor had more up his sleeve if DG had come a bit earlier.

The race worked out pretty much as I hoped and sure enough we saw a very different ROC here to the one we saw at Newmarket.  As I said yesterday, I think the horse was trained with this race in mind more than England and he was able to dictate matters in the way he likes rather than being run off his feet by a machine. Again in my opinion, ROC did not have to improve on what he did last year to win yesterday. I have him running to about the same mark as his last two runs of last year and see him going to Chantilly rather than Epsom next.

Dubawi Gold upheld the English Guineas form nicely and proved his run there was no fluke. I expect him to avoid Frankel at R Ascot and go to France next for the Prix Jean Prat that the stable's Dick Turpin won last year.

From a betting point of view it worked out just as I thought in that ROC drifted in the face of support for the runner up and the hopelessly overrated Dunboyne Express.

Poor old Overdose had his bubble well and truly burst but was at least not disgraced. Connections blamed the ground but it is hard to see him winning at the top level over here as he would never be able to dominate in the way he likes as others here have just as much speed.

Cecil had a mixed day. I thought Principal Role ran a stormer under typical tender first time out handling from TQ and should certainly be up to winning a nice race against her own sex. Chachamaidee was given an excellent ride by Eddie Ahern and won well at a course she clearly likes. Plato was narrowly run out of it around a course that might not have suited him and will be very competitive next time.

My each way bet on Nordic Spruce never looked like landing but I think he was racing on the unfavoured part of the track and may be worth another go. Baisse was far too free early on and was asked to go around the whole field turning in which was a mistake imo. But the biggest disappointment was Jet Away who was comprehensively put in his place by the impressive Passion For Gold. I think the best horse won but I do have to say Dettori gave it a superb ride. Why do the other jocks so frequently allow Frankie a soft lead? There is no one better in the business than judging a race from the front and TQ was making ground at the exact time POG was being given a breather. That said, I don’t thing JA entirely stayed and I would expect him to drop back down in trip next time.

Today all eyes will be on So You Think. I missed his first race so am looking forward to this and Famous Name should give him something to think about, especially if it has rained. The Goldikova race should be worth watching as well. If I have a bet today it will be on Dick Turpin on much more suitable ground than what he encountered last weekend.

So the big weekend nears and, as I am away for the rest of the week, I thought I would put my thoughts down now for what they are worth.

3 great races which I can’t wait to see although one of them has cut up very badly. I was very critical of the Irish Group 1’s last weekend but I am afraid the Coronation Cup doesn’t look much better. They do get small fields every year but this year looks like being only 5 runners which is disappointing. Perhaps it is the proximity to Royal Ascot or the fact that the top trainers might not have Epsom at the top of their lists as tracks suitable for their best horses but either way it is a shame.

I think it is still an intriguing race and one which features one of my all time favourite Henry Cecil fillies Midday. What an amazingly consistent mare she is. She always seems to run her race and, despite being beaten on her 2 visits to the track, she handles Epsom very well indeed. I said on another thread, we KNOW that she will run to a mark in the mid 120’s – it is just whether we think any of the colts can run higher than that.

For me the race revolves around St Nicholas Abbey. If he is as good as he has promised to be on occasion, he should win but there are plenty of imponderables about him. His Chester win was breathtaking and I know he didn’t beat much but it was the manner in which he did it that was so easy on the eye. The very fact that they persevered with him should tell us a lot but how good is he? I doubt I will have a bet as both are short enough but my heart will be hoping that Henry’s mare shows us all that she can take on and beat the colts.

The Oaks follows and I am on Wonder of Wonders. Again, she beat very little at Chester but it was the way she did it for me. Her progressive profile reminds me of Peeping Fawn who came so close to winning the race a few years ago and I think this beautifully bred filly will go one better. She clearly has to beat Blue Bunting who was much more fancied for this than the 1,000 Guineas by connections, but I have a feeling that she may have been slightly flattered by running up the stands rail out of the wind and away from the main action. Still, Frankie likes her and she must have a great chance. Havant is in my TTTF and I thought she ran a great Oaks trial at Newmarket. I can see her running well.

And then the big one follows on Saturday. We have had the usual rubbish about what a poor renewal it is this year and it would certainly have been nice to have Frankel in the line up, but I still think it is a race that will throw up some high class colts.

I have 3 ante-post bets still in the running – Seville and Nathaniel (both from last year) and Native Khan (after the Guineas). I am quite happy to leave it at that but, if there was no betting, I would think that Carlton House is the most likely winner providing that this little scare is only that.

As much as I take on board what TAPK and others have said about why Seville could reverse the Dante form with CH, I just can’t see it. Sure the race was not run to suit him but I don’t really think it was run to suit anything. Sure Seville will improve tons for the run as all of AOB’s are but so will CH. Tactics will be very different and I expect Soumillion will be very handy and will try and kick on at the top of the straight in a bid to outstay the favourite. I hope he does but I have my doubts.

I do much prefer the claims of Seville to Recital though. Epsom is not the place and The Derby is not the race for a horse with quirks like that and, like COT, I will be most disappointed if a horse like Recital is good enough.

I still like Native Khan and expect him to run well if he stays. The Guineas form is so far looking rock solid and this horse was the only horse to go with Frankel (in the loosest sense of the word) and not disintegrate in the last 2 furlongs. He surely has the pace to travel well into the race, it is just about whether he will have the turn of foot and stamina to finish it off.

I don’t know enough about Pour Moi but was impressed with his last win. The problem with this one though is the appalling record that French horses and Andre Fabre horses have in this race.

I don’t think Nathaniel is a certain runner unless we get an unlikely deluge but I have a feeling we will see this one come into his own a bit later and over longer distances. Perhaps even the Leger.

So to sum up, the three for me are Carlton House, Native Khan and Seville. It will be great for the Queen if CH can do it – it will be great for my wallet if either of the other two can!

A great Epsom meeting but a disappointing one for me personally.

I didnt have a bet in the Coronation but was really hoping Midday was going to be good enough. She almost was but was ultimately beaten by a better horse. As I said on the Coronation thread, I thought Tom Queally rode the right race and wasnt in the least bit to blame for the defeat. St Nicholas Abbey goes from strength to strength and I reckon The King George could well be his main target after this. As for Midday, Henry might try and win The Hardwicke at Royal Ascot with her but then I would think it would be back against her own sex for The Nassau and the Yorkshire Oaks.

Not much to say about the Oaks except for great ride from JM on Dancing Rain. I did say last week that Wonder of Wonders reminded me of Peeping Fawn and she ran an almost identical race to that one a few years ago - making up the ground only to not quite have enough to pass the leader. Like PF, I am pretty sure that WOW will end up being the best of her generation but happy for William Haggas who seems a great guy.

The Derby was a great race although the form would have to be questionable with so many finishing together. I probably got more wrong than I got right and certainly didnt win money on the race but my wife is French and so at least one person in our house was 'appy!

Not really taken by the excuses from connections of Carlton House. So maybe he didnt get the perfect run through the race but horses often dont in this race and he was close enough if good enough 2 out. Pour Moi had to come from just as far back and arguably had just as tricky a passage. The best horse won imo.

Seville ran a bit of a shocker but I have to say that I was very surprised when he was dropped out at the start of the race. I expected this horse to be a definite stayer and to therfore be up there with the 2 stablemates. I have a feeling he would have been far better suited to that tactic than trying to make up lots of ground from the back as he has never been a horse with a huge turn of foot but more of a galloper.

Native Khan did as I expected in that he travelled well into the race but he didnt quite have the turn of foot or class that I hoped he might. Recital ran exactly as I thought, hanging badly under pressure. He is clearly talented but still very raw and I fear he may be too quirky to be a top class horse.

Time will tell but the 2nd and 4th reminded me of the AOB's second from last year and I am pretty sure they were flattered to finish so close. Saying that it is worth remembering that Frankel beat Treasure Beach by 11 lengths last year in a race that, at the time, was slated for being lacking in depth. It doesnt look that way now though does it?!

A quiet week before we move on to Royal Ascot. I will be there on the Tuesday to see one horse. The horse of a lifetime. Cant wait!!!!

Any NAPS for Royal Ascot ,jb ?

I would like to see the cards first Sint but have two gut feelings for now.

So You Think is a lay in the POW - a very strong field lining up.

Rite of Passage will reverse form with Fame and Glory over the longer trip.

And you???

I think SETA is the winner of the Windsor Forrest. No prices yet but suspect she will be close to favouritism behind Sajjhaa of Godolphins. SETA was always going to be a better 4yo.

I like one for the handicaps but again no prices yet.

Good call - KF loves her and I cant quite work out why Godolphin are dropping Sajjhaa back in trip.

JB

Great write up as usual - hope you have a great day on Tuesday.

Not sure I can agree about the POW however - just had a look at initial entries and it actually looks quite a weak race. All the best horses are unlikely to show up, especially ther other Coolmore ones as they will want So You Think to win for obvious reasons. Godolphin don't have anything and that leaves Planteur and Twice Over. Personally I would say that SYT has more class than the other two with Planteur being the main threat if it turns up

Agreed. Looks a shoe-in to me.

And agree with your thoughts about Shumoos on that thread. Hope she turns up for QM - no need to be scared of what Wesley Ward sends as she put up such an eye catching performance and the form is already stacking up

One of the few threads I enjoy reading on here these days, keep up the good work.

Rite of Passage is the banker of the meeting for me next week, loved his attitude last year when they went for home a long long way out and the field were strung out like chasers at the end. A lot of decent horses fell in a hole before the turn and I fully expect ROP to pour it on round the home bend again with stamina assured.

My next best will be Zigato in the 2m 4f Ascot Stakes handicap, if they decide to go there  rather than waiting for the Northumberland Plate. He will have the thoroughly likeable Junior to beat but I believe this horse is a Group stayer in the making. Showed a very tidy turn of foot last time over 2m at Ascot and wasn't stopping at the end.

Thanks for all the positive feedback guys - much appreciated.

I am most probably missing something with regard So You Think. I know there is a huge consensus of well informed people who think he is the real deal and he has certainly done nothing wrong either in Australia or since he came here. I just think that people may have gone a bit overboard after that defeat of Campanologist who, lets face it, is only a Group 1 winner because he was found a couple of soft races in Germany and is more likely Group 2/3 standard. Saying that, SYT couldnt have been too much more impressive.

It wouldnt surprise you to learn I am a huge fan of Twice Over. You can ignore his last two runs and I think he will be the perfect benchmark with which to judge SYT. Add Planteur and Rewilding into the mix and you have a decent field I think.

Just read some disappointing news that Rite of Passage is not a definite runner next week as they have had some problems with him. A shame as he did stand a great chance.

The other one I thought of last night and has surely been laid out for this meeting is Modun of Sir Michael Stoute's. I saw him at Newbury and he looked like a group horse but is currently rated only 99. I would imagine the King George V handicap will be his race.

So I fancy a good old moan.

Just seen the BBC's advert for Royal Ascot. Jeeeeeeeeesssssus how dull!! 300 years since Ascot started blah blah blah who gives a toss?!! Men in dress suits and women in hats - blimey even I don't fancy watching it!!!

Is this really going to attract non racing people to want to watch it???

eeWe have in our midst probably the most exciting horse that racing has seen in decades and yet nobody outside racing has the faintest clue who he is.

How much better would it look if you had something like this:

A misty morning on the gallops.........the Jaws music playing in the background......the sound of hooves approaching.......Frankel appears! The music cranks up and we see Frankel destroying fields....we hear some of the commentators - "FABULOUS FRANKEL!!" as I remember Simon Holt saying on Channel 4. "Is this the greatest horse of ALL time??????!!.......tune in next Tuesday for Royal Ascot on the BBC and find out."

I dont know SOMETHING ffs!!!

I told one of the RFC guys back in November, if you want more people to come racing get down to Cecil's yard now and start filming the beast. Get the public excited. "well what if he turns out to be no good?" - oh pleeeasssse!!! We all knew he was going to be great! The public missed Sea the Stars and they are going to miss Frankel and it is Racings fault.

I could not be happier! Henry Cecil has been a very special part of my racing life. He trained his first winner the year I was born.

I followed him during the glory years of the 70's, 80's and 90's.

I was there when Bosra Sham won that incredible Champion Stakes the year he lost the retainer with Sheik Mohammed. Still my best ever days's racing.

I despaired when he lost everything at the beginning of the 2,000's and trained just 12 winners.

I rejoiced when Passage of Time won a listed event at the end of 2006 and the recovery began and I wept with everyone the following year at Epsom when Light Shift won the Oaks.

I was there when Frankel won the Dewhurst and Greenham and watched gobsmacked in a betting shop on holiday when he produced the greatest 2,000 Guineas performance of all time.

I will be there on Tuesday for what I hope will be another crowning moment for this legend of a man.

Through all that time, through good times and bad, he has remained my sporting hero and nobody in sport has ever been more deserving of this honour.

Thank you your majesty and thank you....... Sir Henry!!!

Joni, who would want to introduce people to racing anyway. They would all be at the mercy of the bookmaker. There is very little to entice people to racing. The game is far too sinister to appeal to your ordinary sports fan. It's full of take out merchants. If i knew any youngsters with a few bob, racing is the last place in the world i'd direct them. Lets assume racing and gambling go hand in hand.

Wow Graeme - appreciate your comments and sorry that you take such a pessimistic view of our sport. Maybe I'm too much of an optomist but racing means so much more to me than gambling or bookmakers.

When I go racing I get a buzz that no other sport can give me. I love the sights, the smells, the excitement of the off and the shouts, screams, roars and urges as a race reaches its climax.

I have two very young children and I can't wait to introduce them to this world. I have never found it sinister, I have never been at the mercy of a bookmaker and I would always preach against the dangers of gambling.

I am not to naive to know that there is a darker side but isnt there in any sport? Last week's wranglings at FIFA, bloodgate in Rugby, doping in cycling, athletics - what sport is truly squeaky clean?

Other sports might also be corrupt, but very few pray on the fan as much as racing, becauae of the bookmaker. I appreciate that you love racing as a individual entity. However to introduce new people to racing, it's the kind of sport that isn't easy to sell to people if they aren't already enthusiastic about it. How do you explain to people phrases such 'might need the run' and 'he will come on a lot for that'. How do you explain the extraterrestrial improvement when there's money down for a horse ? Yes Joni, there's good aspects such as the good horses, nice silks and big racing events with the crowds and fine atmosphere. The question is though, how can you bring people in to racing without being a free advertisement pull out for the bookies ?

So here we go then. This is what it’s all about isn’t it?! The flat’s equivalent to the Cheltenham festival and I will be going for the first time tomorrow!

To be honest I prefer going racing when I can move around a bit and see plenty of the action so I’ve always preferred to watch the big day’s on TV – but tomorrow is something else. The Return of The Frank!! How many more times will we get the chance to see this magnificent beast run? You HAVE to be there don’t you!

So the St James actually looks a cracking race. After Frankel blitzed them all at Newmarket I thought that most would run scare of him here but I think this is easily a better field than the 2,000. Here is how I see the main challengers shaping up:

Zoffany – (Group 1 winner) I thought he was over-raced last year and wasn’t convinced with his return when 3rd in a listed race. Like most of AOB’s will have certainly improved masses for that run but even his best form leaves him with plenty to find.

Grand Prix Boss – (Grade 1 winner) an intriguing runner and I doubt they would have sent him all the way over just for a bit of fun so has to be taken seriously. Has only ever run on firm so the rain might not be to his liking, but held in high regard and could run well.

Wootton Bassett – (Group 1 winner) I loved this horse last year as he just got better and better and is a real scrapper. Was disappointing in the French Guineas but there were excuses for him there. I am just not sure he is a miler and I think you will see him weaken in the final furlong.

Dream Ahead – (Group 1 winner) comes here fresh but it will be some training performance to win this first time out. The rain will obviously have helped but could probably have done with even more. Stamina doubts but, if he can reproduce that Middle Park form, will be a threat to all.

Dubawi Gold – (2x classic runner up) underrated by most (apart from his trainer) and sure to run a good race if still fresh enough after 4 runs already this year. Likely to be a lot closer to Frankel when they near the business end and will probably be ridden much more handily as I am sure Hughsie won’t want a repeat of the Irish ****-up. I see him finishing 3rd.

Excelebration – (classic winner) nailed on in a market without Frankel for me. In fact that could be my only bet on what looks a tricky first day. He proved that his run behind Frankel in the Greenham was no fluke with a dominant win in the German Guineas. I can’t see him turning around the form with the fav but see him as the one to chase him home.

Frankel – how will he be ridden? I am expecting something similar to the Royal Lodge. Tucked in behind Rerouted until the approach to the bend and then unleashed. I don’t think they will want to lead (otherwise why enter Rerouted again?) and I wouldn’t have thought they would want to hold on to him too long. He has a stride and a gallop that can be sustained over several furlongs so why not play to those strengths?

I see Ladbrokes have lengthened him to 2/5 which is almost tempting as I just cannot see this horse getting beaten.  Obviously I am nervous already but, if he settles, I expect him to win well.

Elsewhere on the day The Queen Anne is going to be an absolute belter. A race to savour for me but, if I had to choose, the recent rain would lean me towards Goldikova. Richard Hannon said yesterday that he wouldn’t want it too soft for Canford Cliffs, well I think it will be ok but I do think he would have preferred it a bit quicker.

I have no idea about the sprints but will be hoping my Hungarian friend can bounce back on more favourable going.  I will just enjoy the rest of the day and make up my mind on the 2 year old races when I see them in the paddock.

Day 2 looks like having more betting opportunities.

I am a fan of Fury and expect him to go well in the Jersey Stakes and make Oracle the main danger as long as that close up 3rd in the Irish 2,000 didn’t flatter him.

The rain has me favouring Sajhaa over Seta in the Windsor Forest but I am interested in the booking of Johnny Murtagh for Jaqueline Quest who would give them all something to think about if back to her best. At 25-1 I might just have a little ew interest.

The Prince of Wales........well I have already said my piece about So You Think. He might be the real deal but, for me, 4-9 is way too short for a horse that hasn’t beaten anything in Europe yet. Saying that I think the race will be run to suit him. I expect Debussy to set a good pace for Rewilding which should also suit Planteur as they are both better over further imo. I am very sentimental as I am sure you have guessed but even so Ladbrokes 12-1 about Twice Over was far too tempting about a triple Group 1 winner and he definitely has his trip and ground. Perhaps SYT will be in a different league and, if he is, good luck to him, but I will be cheering on Sir Henry’s favourite horse.

Handicaps are not really my thing but I have heard great things about Green Destiny in the Royal Hunt Cup whose handicap mark has been preserved for this.

Shumoos is the most exciting 2 year old I have seen this year and must take all the beating in the Queen Mary and in the finale I like Humdrum of Richard Hannon’s.

A great 5 days in store and I hope to earn some spending money by backing Timepiece tonight!

Graeme without doubt you should give up betting. Everything is one big conspiracy!

Dont like the rainfall either Jb. JQ will though. Why isn't Queally riding ?

He's riding Chachcamaidee Sint who has the better form this year. Have my doubts that she is up to this level though. JQ has a lot to prove now but the form is there in the book if you look far back enough!

Hope the weather is good for it Joni. It's the best flat racing festival there is. Fingers crossed frankel runs. In the w/o frankel market i'd probably go with Wootten Bassett. I don't have many strong opinions as i haven't looked at the cards properly. I think CC will win the Queen Anne, and So You Think won't have many problems in his race. I'll look out for Fullbright and Trumper Major in the Coventry, but it's no bet. I have an AP bet on F&G for the Gold Cup, but i don't think he will win. I won't be dissapointed if i watch a good few races without having a bet.

Thanks Graeme - a good start last night with Timepiece winning despite showing her normal quirks. I've lumped it all on Frankel at 2-5.

A beautiful day, drying ground and in a few hours I will be mixing it with my kind of people - Kings, Queens, Dukes and Earls. And a Knight of course!!! [;)]

What a day. First things first - if you have never been to Royal Ascot put it on your list of things to do before you die. It was an amazing experience and a unique atmosphere and the viewing facilities were way better than I thought they would be.

The racing was spectacular - flat racing at its best - but left probably more questions than answers.

I got it wrong in the first but wasnt it a great race with both superstars performing brilliantly. I thought Richard Hughes rode a beautiful race on Canford Cliffs but I also thought the best horse won even allowing for the overweight Peslier was forced to put up. Goldikova lost nothing in defeat and it was a wonderful race to watch.

So what about Frankel? Well at the time I, along with many around me, was more relieved than anything. As they passed me half a furlong out I was sure that Zoffany was going to overhaul him and my instant reaction was that TQ went far too early.

Having watched it back a couple of times and listened to the interviews that is still my view and I DO think on balance it was a poor ride but hindsight is a wonderful thing and I do think some of the reaction to TQ has been over the top. What we must remember is that Frankel galloped pretty much full out for 8 furlongs at Newmarket. When Rerouted went 10 lengths clear TQ was trapped in a bit of a pocket and Tom went probably a furlong and a half earlier than planned. However he probably thought that if Frankel could gallop for 8 furlongs at Newmarket he could manage 5 at Ascot and I was surprised that he tired as much as he did inside that final furlong.

Now if you listen to connections they will say that it wasnt tiredness but idleness with the horse thinking that he done enough. Far be it for me to question Sir Henry but I have to say it didnt look that way to me.

I am sure that if they ran the race again they would hold on to him until the point I suggested yesterday, about 3 and a half out, and if they had I think he would have won more impressively. As it was they got away with what turned out to be poor tactics and I am sure words were had after the race.

I doubt he will ever be ridden like that again, especially if he is stepped up in trip as I believe he will be.

As for the others I was very surprised at how well Zoffany ran and hold up my hands - I got that wrong. Perhaps he was slightly flattered by being the most patiently ridden but it was a grand effort anyway and it is amazing how much AOB horses are improving from 1st to 2nd run. Excelebration ran a stormer but the biggest surprise was Neebras who even surprised Frankie! His run gave a great boost to my nap for tomorrow Fury and to the Stoute horse who runs on Thursday.

All in all I am just happy that Frankel remains unbeaten and I suppose the biggest positive to take from the race was how well he settled in the early stages. I still think he is one of the best horses I have ever seen and I still think, if ridden well, he will be very very tough to beat. I expect him to be given a break now and agree with COT that his next run will be the Juddmonte in August. Cant wait!

Having had a night to sleep on it a couple of things have occured to me.

Tom Queally said he had not sat on Frankel since the Guineas. Is this not a bit odd? I know that Shane Featherborough does a great job in getting the horse settled at home but surely it would make sense for the guy who rides him in his races to partner him in at least a gallop or two? Perhaps if he had he would have had more confidence in the horses ability to settle and might have held on to the horse a little while longer.

As far as I know from reading gallops reports for many years, most very good horses are ridden by their regular jockeys in their work. Strikes me as strage that's all.

Secondly I think TQ's riding at the moment is a hangover from the Dubai World Cup. Sir Henry has spoken many times about the fact that he has no time for his jockeys if they come off a beaten horse complaining about the lack of pace in a race. He is always adamant that, if the pace of a race is insufficient for one of his horses, the jockey should take more of the initiative. In the WC, for a second year running, Twice Over was beaten in a slow run tactical affair and I am sure words were exchanged after.

Since then we have seen both Midday and Frankel sent on a long way from home and fading in the last furlong. Clearly TQ thought that they would both maintain their gallops to the line as both have done before, but even so I think he may be a bit muddled at the moment. He looked very sheepish in the interview after the race - in fact you would almost think that he had lost!

JB,

IMO your assessment is absolutely spot on. Cannot believe hasn't sat on the horse on gallops and it looked liked he panicked a bit yesterday. Doesn't seem to be riding with much confidence. Might be completely wrong but the figure of Mr Murtagh looms large and if there is another ill judged ride this week, Prince Abdullah may have a word to say. The booking today on Jacqueline Quest is significant though not necessarily on the horse's chance

feck sake fury is a non-runner.

I know - real shame that. Oracle is my alternative. Roo I was thinking the same thing - JM could be a significant booking. Ian Mongan was originally down to ride the horse. Having said that the owner, Mr Martin, might have got involved.

RE SYT - Not often one gets the chance to say "told you so" so I'll do it now "told you so" HOWEVER the horse lost absolutely nothing in defeat and was a very gallant runner up to a very good horse. SYT clearly a very good horse, just not the great one AOB was getting us to believe.

Would put the mortgage on Workforce if they meet in the Eclipse.

Another big meeting ruined by a massive draw bias

Not the best of luck for me today. Fury was a late non-runner as was Green Destiny and JQ refused to race! Add to that the sad sight of seeing probably the last of Twice Over and Shumoos being done on the line it was pretty miserable all round.

Despite that I thought the POW was an absolute classic won by a resolute stayer who had the race perfectly set up for him. Perhaps Ryan Moore went too early as it's a long old straight and it certainly puts Frankel's effort in a different context. For me today's principals are both really good horses who will win more Group 1's but SYT was totally unproven against quality European horses and he simply found one too good today.

It will be a quiet day for me tomorrow but I think Frankie may have a good day. I fancy Rumh in the Ribblesdale and will have a small ew on Holberg in the biggie as I still think the favourite is vulnerable despite the withdrawal of Rite of Passage. Whilst on Frankie I also fancy Passion For Gold in the Hardwicke on Saturday.

My nap for tomorrow would be Tazahum of Sir Michael Stoute's. Neebras franked the form of his latest win in no uncertain terns yesterday and I think this horse is crying out for the step up in trip.

Sir Henry has a couple of outside chances and I expect Arizona Jewel to run much better tomorrow as well as Midsummer Sun who is not rated far behind World Domination. Both can be backed ew at 16 -1.

JB

Fair play re SYT. Think they ran a poor tactical race but if was good enough still should have beaten Rewilding over 10F

Cannot believe the odds available on PE, AJ, SG and MS tomorrow and am backing all e/w. Personally Duncan fir the Gold Cup and actually think the Slumber that won at Epsom will take all the beating

Not having my best week but onwards and upwards. Tricky day today what with all the rain about so have gone for horses that I think will handle the cut.

I have to stick with Nathaniel in the KE. Johnny G is apparently kicking himself that he didnt run him in the Derby after Treasure Beech's performance but this can be consolation on the way to the Leger. He ran well behind the Wonderhorse on soft going first time out and looks rock solid.

Solar Sky is my other main bet of the day. From a family that loved a bit of cut and hopefully has the class to take this en route to the Leger also.

Nathaniel - that's more like it! Very good performance - will be hard to beat in the Leger.

Solar Sky - ahhhh!! So near and yet so far. The irony is I have backed SDS to win jockeys title! Great run though for a horse only having 3rd start over that trip on that ground.

Plato should make up for it tonight. Loves the soft, stays all day and still well handicapped. Grab the ew 4's while you can

A better day but could have been oh so good if Solar Sky had held on. Was counting my money as he swept into the lead but the winner clearly had plenty more to give and those Mark Johnston horses never go down without a fight. Still it was a great effort from Solar Sky on only his 3rd start and he would be an outsider for the Leger after that.

He will have to improve some though if he is going to get anyway near Nathaniel. So impressive wasnt he? If the ground is soft on Leger day he will surely be very hard to beat. That maiden at Newmarket last August looks extra special now!

With the ground now even softer tomorrow it will be best to tread carefully but I like the chances of Passion For Gold even more now that the rain has come and he has to be good each way value at 12-1.

The other horse I like is Bewitched who has good form on soft and beat Zoffany last time out.

Forgot to add the horse I have been waiting for all week Modun! He is a group horse in a handicap but my worry is the ground. His half brother Patkai didnt really act on it so I will probably wait and see if he drifts. He may still be good enough anyway although Johnny G's Taqleed finally DOES have his ground.

My man SDS flies to Newbury tonight for one ride in the last. Either he is seriously committed to pleasing MJ or State Opera has a massive chance at a big price.

What a day! The battle of the heavyweights! SYT verses Workforce, Haye verses Kiltchko, and two grunting Eastern Europeans.

So wasnt going to have a bet in the big one today but could not believe B365 were still going 2's this morning about Workforce! A Derby and Arc winner against a horse that has still yet to prove he can handle the best of British. Trip and ground are my worry but it really is D day for SYT today and the pressure will surely be on them. I think Workforce has a superior turn of foot and see him winning going away by a length or so. Should be a great race either way with 3 wonderful horses.

Elsewhere I flagged up Vita Nova earlier in the season as a potential Group horse and she gets the chance today in a race that looks weaker then the listed one she so narrowly lost the other day. She was gallant in defeat that day and meets nothing if the same calibre so should win well.

My last bet today is Chilled who should be forgiven his last run at Chester when he was badly baulked just when he was due to challenge. He was heavily backed that day and I take him to make amends today.

Should be a good one!

Unbelievable Vita Nova! I'm sorry it may not have been his fault this time but TQ is all over the place at the moment. Lost all confidence.

What a great day's racing. A case of what might have been for me but enjoyed it none the less.

A vintage Eclipse that will live long in the memory and won by a brilliant horse in So You Think. I hold my hands up and admit to getting it wrong - no excuses for the runner up. 2 out I thought I had it right as everything went to plan for Workforce and I thought he would pull away, but SYT was that little bit more forward today. A superb performance and I think even my machine Frankel would struggle to beat this horse over 10f. Workforce lost nothing in defeat and ran a great Arc trial today.

Vita Nova was the unluckiest loser I have seen in years. Simple as that. Watch for her next time though - she is a serious filly this.

Chilled won easily at a nice price.

Delighted for Timepiece and Tom Queally. Always very highly regarded and won really well under an excellent ride. I had a very good word at the start of the season for Royal Peculiar in the maiden but seems friendless in the market.

So a great race in prospect on Saturday and surely one of the best renewals for years.

I had 3 value ante post bets – Midday ew at 25’s, Nathaniel ew at 12’s and Workforce win at 4’s, and I am pretty pleased with my position but I have to admit that, if I hadn’t already had a bet, I would struggle to pick the winner as there are plenty of positives and negatives about all of them.
Workforce is a worthy favourite as he has his trip and ground but does he have his track? Personally the track doesn’t worry me but what does is the fact that it will only be 3 weeks since the Eclipse. He is a horse who has in the past seemed to need time between his races and I don’t think this race was part of the plan originally. Once Teddy went public about him being a certain runner if the ground was right, that 4-1 was too tempting but I am convinced that Stoute was not otherwise overly concerned about making this race. 9 times out of 10 at this time of year we would be racing on Good to Firm and Workforce wouldn’t be running and I think they are running now simply because they feel it would be silly not to. However the main target is definitely the Arc in October for which I would make him by far the most likely winner. I certainly wouldn’t be backing him again at his current odds but obviously hope to see him run a huge race.

St Nicholas Abbey has done little wrong in his last two starts and, as big a fan of Midday as I am, thought that he was the winner on merit at Epsom. This is a big step up on that though and he did take an age to get going that day. Despite that bad first run of the season on soft ground, I am pretty sure that was down to a lack of fitness more than anything and his juvenile form would suggest that he would have no problems handling this surface. He is definitely in with a shout and the race is likely to be run to suit as it will be won by a horse that really gets a mile and a half, but they all do don’t they? I think he will fall short against these.

Rewilding is the big danger to my two. Another who needs plenty of time between races, he has probably had just about enough of a break since Ascot and he may even improve for that run given he is likely to appreciate the step up in trip. So You Think franked that Ascot form in no uncertain terms last time out and Rewilding is sure to be there or thereabouts here.

I have made some nice profits over the last few weeks backing the 3 year olds against their elders. The weight for age at this time of the season gives them a serious advantage (as we will see next Wednesday) and, whilst he is facing by far the hardest challenge of his career, Nathaniel is a colt on the upgrade who likes the track, loves the ground and stays all day. Is he good enough? Saturday will tell us but I think he will run a big race. John Gosden would not have encouraged the owners to stump up a considerable supplementary fee if he didn’t feel his horse had a chance and I expect him to represent his age group admirably.

All in all a mouth watering clash to decide Britain’s best middle distance horse and, as I can’t bear sitting on the fence I am tentatively going to predict – Nathaniel 1st, Workforce 2nd, Rewilding 3rd and St Nicholas Abbey 4th but such is the strength of the race it really could be any number of variations of that!

Am off on me hols this weekend and not sure how accessible t’internet will be so have a few thoughts to leave for those of you who will miss me.

2 races I want to speak about.  The Sussex and The Nassau.

The Sussex could well be the best race in what has been a vintage summer of flat racing. The two main protagonists are both sensational horses and either one would be a more than worthy winner.

Canford Cliffs is arguably the best miler since Rock of Gibraltar and his 5 straight Group 1 wins bear up to the closest of scrutiny. When I was at school I used to play a lot of conkers in the autumn. If you had a conker and won 5 times in a row you would call it a “fiver” but if you then beat a conker that had won 13 times in a row you would become a “fourteener”.  Having just beaten Goldikova, if Canford Cliffs was a conker he would now be a fourteener! What is more, as usual, he did it seemingly with a bit in hand. Like Sea The Stars, it may well be that he only ever does enough to win and we might not yet have got to the bottom of him in terms of ratings. His trainer and jockey rate him as the best they have ever trained/ridden and it will take a monumental horse to lower his colours.

In Frankel, though, we do have a monumental horse. Never beaten. Never even close to being beaten. The best horse to be trained by one of the best trainers of all time. A once in a lifetime horse that excites me more than any I have seen in my 40 years. How good will Canford Cliffs have to be to beat him conceding 8lbs?!! As many on here said last year, physically Frankel has always been way ahead of his peers. Seeing him in the flesh at Newmarket, Newbury and Ascot, he just seems to get more powerful every time I see him. But it is not so much the power as that incredible stride that takes the breath away. He devours the ground, head down, running as if his life depended on it. A horse that has produced some truly great performances and is on the verge of becoming a true great. But he MUST win this race to become so.

A lot has been spoken about tactics and they are clearly going to be important in a small field. One thing is certain, if Frankel is ridden like he was at Ascot, Canford will have him for breakfast. Similarly I think if Tom leaves thing too late he could be outspeeded by Canford. Tom and Henry know that they need to play to the strengths of their horse without setting the race up for a fast finisher. I expect them to go for home at the top of the straight and trust that the downhill run to the line will not cause him to tire as he did at Ascot. Frankel takes horses out of their comfort zone and I am pretty sure that is what he will do to Canford if he goes at the 3 pole. Will Richard Hughes try and follow him then or wait? Can Canford sprint for 3 furlongs like we know Frankel can? I doubt it. So I expect Tom to sit in behind what is likely to be a bit of a crawl through the opening few furlongs before setting him alight turning in. I expect Canford to chase him valiantly but in vain and would be surprised if he finished within 2 lengths. I believe Frankel is one of the greatest horses of all time and I expect him to prove it on Wednesday.

The Nassau looks a cracking race this year also. Misty for Me looked fantastic last time but had the run of the race and enjoyed the sticky ground. Snow Fairy has been brilliant since winning the Oaks but needs to bounce back after a subpar performance last time out. Midday is one of my favourites and is going for the hat trick. She looked as good as ever in her first two races this season but was particularly flat last time out.  The one I have had a bit of fun with at big prices is Cecil’s number 2 – Principal Role. A bit like Timepiece a few weeks ago, this one has it all to do on the formbook but is very highly regarded at home and it is interesting that they are letting her take her chance in this race. I can tell you that in her last two pieces of work she has had the better of Midday and yet there is a colossal difference in price. As I say, it is a high class renewal and she may come up short but, at 16-1, I am prepared to give her a go although I would be delighted to see Midday do it again.

I will be in France and my main mission will be to find a way of watching these 2 races without incurring the wrath of my scary wife. Wish me luck and bonne chance!

Never been so gutted to win a race. Delighted for John G and WB but a very sad day nonetheless.