KALDOUN KINGDOM All wins at 6f so this may prove to be a bit sharp for him these days. Potentially well treated on best form off this mark, especially with claim too, but likely to be a few too good today.
TAX FREE Smart sprinter in his day (Grp2 winner) and would clearly be too good for these at his very best. Interesting now back in handicap company for first time since Steward's Cup 5th in 2006 but would have liked to seen more spark on seasonal debut.
BAJAN TRYST Has gone well fresh in the past and Kevin Ryan stable continue their fine form at present, so positives to be taken. Portland second off 4lbs lower gives him a shout also and one of the better chances in today’s field.
WAFFLE Smart sprinter. Looks likely to land one of these sooner rather than later and hasn't has the best of luck last two runs. Finished behind some top class opposition of late and sure to play a leading role today.
MASAMAH Held form pretty well since the start of last season and respectable effort on debut at Chester this term. Might not be quite as comfortable on this fairer track than he is at some others and others potentially better treated.
TAAJUB Talented at two but lacklustre since then. Would be very much of interest if able to recapture that level of form but this is a tough race to suddenly find it in and maybe other days later in the year beckon for him.
BARNEY MCGREW Very much bang in here on the basis of last years win over CD off 2lbs higher mark and did look a shade unlucky last time out here. However very much in and out and not one to rely on too much at present.
ANCIENT CROSS Reliable sort who did well to win here over CD last time out; his Wokingham entry a plus and stable in fair form. However, might find it tougher off 6lbs higher as unlikely he would have won last time out if others in behind had clear passage.
JOHANNES Very unlucky on last two starts (hot HQ sprint and over CD last time behind Ancient Cross) and is now 1lb lower than when last seen winning. Top apprentice claim helps cause further and looks winner waiting to happen when getting the splits.
DOCTOR PARKES Impossible to knock form this season (two from two) and still has room to improve off current mark. This is very much a different test to the one he faced at Chester last time but hard to rule out while in current mood.
HUMIDOR Tongue-tie helped last time at Goodwood as he won in a very quick time. Up 6lbs here and on different track, so problems to overcome, but fairly lightly raced and can improve once again.
SWISS FRANC Nowhere near the level of form in recent times that he showed as a two year old and hard to enthuse about him while in current frame of mind. Best watched for time being.
BEFORTYFOUR Back from long lay off last time behind Ancient Cross here over CD. May have needed the run that day but hard to fancy in against some of these in much better form. Once decent at two and three.
CONFESSIONAL Probably more at home on more conventional course after two runs so far this term have come on tight turning tracks. Some smart efforts last year as a 3yo and no reason why he can't continue progress with a further year behind him.
BEAT THE BELL Often looked a shade unlucky so far this term and has the talent to land a decent prize before too long for the Barron yard. Might be a touch out of his depth though here and easier pickings possibly to be found later in year for him.
SECRET MILLIONAIRE Couldn't catch Ancient Cross over CD last time off 1lb higher. That was seasonal debut though and looks to have done well from three to four. Epsom Dash entry suggests well thought of and impossible to rule out. Each way claims.
CELERINA Smart form in Ireland in terms of style of victories and quickly rising up the weights. Up 9lbs for latest win in AW Dundalk apprentice race, so needs to bring best form to the table to be challenging some of these. Interesting none the less.
HAZELRIGG More exposed than some in this and down the field behind Ancient Cross latest does little to encourage. May be best watched for time being, especially in hot contest such as this.
MON BRAV Two wins from two starts since being moved to the Ellison yard and up a total of 10lbs as a result. That rise given him a shot in against the big boys and must continue to improve to mix it with some of these; but possible he could do just that.
HOTHAM Record here is hugely encouraging and last two wins have in fact come at this track off higher marks. Would be something of a shock though if winning here today after poor form of late.
SUMMARY
Another Knavesmire head scratcher to solve. It should be fast and furious and a number of results could transpire if the race was run more than once. That being said, the two that catch the eye are JOHANNES and WAFFLE. The former has been very unlucky on his last two starts and would surely have been closer to Ancient Cross last time here but for his hampered passage through the field. He is now 1lb lower than when scoring here last year and has Lee Topliss taking a further 5lbs off today. The stable is in cracking form and with a trouble free run he should go close. The latter is clearly highly thought of by the Barron yard as he is entered in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, aswell as his more likely destination, the Wokingham. Another to have been a shade unlucky last time out, he should be suited more by the conditions today and has looked like he’s ready to win one of these for a while now after finishing behind the likes of Horseradish and Hoof It of late. Of the rest the Irish filly Celerina is interesting and Doctor Parkes continues to improve for his connections.
Good luck VK, have backed Waffle and also Dungannon at Goodwood so looks like we are on the same wavelength! I believe i've mentioned it before, but Johannes is a horse who needs a flat out gallop and everything to drop right for him at this trip. Barney Mcgrew will be one to keep an eye out for when returned to 6f/7f.
Do you have any early fancies for the Wokingham - I there is a market up and Hoof It and Pastoral Player are at the forefront. HI up 6lb and PP up 7 lb for last time victories - look quite lenient I thought...
Good luck VK, have backed Waffle and also Dungannon at Goodwood so looks like we are on the same wavelength! I believe i've mentioned it before, but Johannes is a horse who needs a flat out gallop and everything to drop right for him at this trip. Ba
Thanks Workforce. I hear what you are saying about Johannes but I felt he was too dangerous not to back at the price given how unlucky he has been and the fact Fahey is flying at present (and it's their local track). But it's fierce stuff, hence the 9/1 the field prices on offer.
In regards to the Wokingham you'd have to say Hoof It has been the most impressive so far. He cruised through to land his race last time and he looks a group horse in the making. I think Pastoral Player was a little flattered by his win at Newmarket. Hawkeyethenoo would have been a lot closer with a better passage, as would a few others. It's shaping up to be a brilliant renewal of the race actually. Very tough to nail your colours to any mast at present and probably on the day too!
Thanks Workforce. I hear what you are saying about Johannes but I felt he was too dangerous not to back at the price given how unlucky he has been and the fact Fahey is flying at present (and it's their local track). But it's fierce stuff, hence the
Great stuff as always value King. Badblokes are currently laying Johannes at 10/1. No longer on Oddschecker so always worth checking their site direct imo
Great stuff as always value King.Badblokes are currently laying Johannes at 10/1.No longer on Oddschecker so always worth checking their site direct imo
No excuses really in that one. The first three home blazed away and never looked like being caught. Waffle ran a respectable race and it's on to the next now, probably on Derby day!
No excuses really in that one. The first three home blazed away and never looked like being caught. Waffle ran a respectable race and it's on to the next now, probably on Derby day!