HOOF IT Brings rock solid form to the table and hard to ignore here. Demolished a classy field here in May and creditable seventh in Wokingham latest in conditions that probably didn't suit (stiff track; soft ground). Fallon up once more and major player.
TAJNEED Coming back into form but remains 5lbs higher than last win. More than likely gearing up for a return to his beloved Ripon in August and while he is talented he might struggle to get home in front today.
MISTER HUGHIE Listed winner last season and now starting to come back to a mark that's workable. Best showing so far this term when sixth here behind Masamah and chances for in form Yorkshire yard.
SINGEUR Started the season in fine fettle winning two on the spin but has started to struggle of late off revised mark. Decent sprinter on his day but feeling is others are on a upward curve at present.
FATHSTA Won over CD off this mark last season when ground was much worse than today but has proven he handles this type of race well in efforts since. Obvious each way claims; Queally booked for the ride.
SWILLY FERRY Caught the eye last time at Haydock staying on to finish fifth after being hampered. Now finds himself 2lb below last winning mark and should be ready to strike soon. Trainer not in the best of form at present however so another day might beckon.
SILAAH Only win on turf came in claimer last year; so does little to breed confidence. Often folly to ignore a Nicholls runner in these though and cheekpieces back on now after not taking to visor last time out. Minor honours probably best can hope for.
R WOODY Has enjoyed the ease in the ground in the past when winning twice under those conditions. Might be paying price at present for decent 3yo campaign but is another who falls into the place prospects category.
MIDNIGHT MARTINI Couldn't get near Hoof It back here in May but has dropped 1lb since then. Her current mark leaves her little room for error though and other days probably await her. Interesting Tadhg O'Shea is one from one for the stable this term.
ROKER PARK Favourite for this back in 2009 when flopping but has been in cracking form so far this year. Won twice and creditable third latest at Hamilton. Fully capable off this mark and interesting to see De Sousa with the leg up. Entitled to go close.
FAVOURITE GIRL Last win came off 3lbs lower but remains a solid yardstick for the stable. Tough to see her winning a race of this magnitude after some midfield finishes in lower affairs so far this term and others preferred.
RACY Caught the eye in no uncertain terms here back in May and has been a tad unlucky since then at awkward tracks. Gives the impression he has one of these in him at some stage and while yard remain in cracking form he cannot be ruled out.
IRISH HEARTBEAT Not been in the same rich vein of form so far this year as he was last. Interesting to see the cheekpieces reapplied now and a Fahey/Hanagan runner here always demands respect. Chances on best form but taken on trust at present.
GINGER TED Has done well in lower grades so far this term but was a major disappointment at Hamilton a week ago. Has to find things tough in race of this class off a mark 4lbs higher than when last seen winning.
CORPORAL MADDOX Paid the price for a successful start to his 2yo career with a hefty mark but now finds himself on a very workable figure. Caught the eye at Chester last time and shouldn't be long before he wins once more.
MEDICI TIME Held his form well this term and has a course win to his name back in June. Found the rise in the weights just beyond him last time out and could struggle again in hotter contest.
BABY STRANGE Solid enough effort in small field at Newmarket on latest start; finishing second. Able to win off this mark but thinking is that might be back at Doncaster with Franny Norton in the saddle. Tough task on the cards today.
STAR ROVER Dropped to a mark he is sure to exploit sooner rather than later and is a very speedy sort on his day. Unlucky to get nabbed on the line at Chester on latest start but might find himself swallowed up once more here today.
BEFORTYFOUR Very lightly raced for his age but level of form at present not good enough to take a prize such as this. Probably best watched for the time being.
ENTITLED Excellent course form to her name when overcoming all kinds of trouble to win here in June. Pushed very wide when last seen at Pontefract finishing a gallant fourth and likely more to come from this beautifully bred lightly raced chestnut filly.
SUMMARY
Always one of the best sprint handicaps of the year and this renewal doesn’t look like disappointing. Both Racy and Entitled are sure to land one of these at some point during their career as both have caught the eye already here this season. They look winners in the making and deserve the utmost respect. However neither of them is yet able to bring to the table the form of HOOF IT. The Mick Easterby charge looked like a Group performer when cruising to victory back here in May and was only undone by the track and horrid ground when sent off favourite for the Wokingham (winner scored at Group level since). Back on a flat track and with better conditions underfoot he can get back to winning ways. Of those at bigger prices it’s Corporal Maddox who stands out from the crowd. Now with Jamie Osborne under the ownership of Dr Koukash he has dropped 15lbs since the start of the season and showed his class at Chester last time when just touched off in third. Group Two placed and a Listed winner he can’t go too long before regaining the winning thread off a mark such as the one he currently finds himself on.
SELECTIONS
Hoof It 2pts win @ 5/1 Corporal Maddox 1pt ew @ 14/1
Hoof it didn't look 100% pre ascot run. If he reproduces his York performance on whats likely to be a lot slower ground he'll be difficult to beat. The questions are will he reproduce? and is 5/1 value? I'm inclined to think he is a bit of value and that he has a class edge on his rivals.
Hoof it didn't look 100% pre ascot run. If he reproduces his York performance on whats likely to be a lot slower ground he'll be difficult to beat. The questions are will he reproduce? and is 5/1 value? I'm inclined to think he is a bit of value and
I've had a little break away from doing these for a month or so but it's good to be back sifting through the form and with this race and the couple coming up at Goodwood next week it was too hard to resist. I'm looking forward to the "Duel on the Downs" as it's being billed and of course the Steward's Cup. Epic stuff.
I am indeed TT. Are you?I've had a little break away from doing these for a month or so but it's good to be back sifting through the form and with this race and the couple coming up at Goodwood next week it was too hard to resist. I'm looking forward
entitled @ 9s e/w here...gets a fair chunk of wt from the fav...and will be flying at the end....
if i can get 25s or bigger star rover will be my other bet..hopefully he will hang on to at least a place.
entitled @ 9s e/w here...gets a fair chunk of wt from the fav...and will be flying at the end....if i can get 25s or bigger star rover will be my other bet..hopefully he will hang on to at least a place.
Good to see you back VK and best of luck. Here's my pick from the blog.
Two to catch the eye for tomorrow and the first looks a huge price in the shape of R Woody in the dash at York at 25/1 with the sponsors. R Woody is 2/3 over the trip on g/s and soft and was a fair 7th on his last run of the year at listed level. When on song he looked very good in his wins last year and improved rapidly since joining his new stable. He infamously won his maiden at Southwell at 100/1 where connections forgot to mention he had been gelded since his last run !
What I found in his races last year was that he had a pattern of running one really good race followed by a poor run and then bouncing back and running another really good race. That pattern produced form figures of 1211. He looks to be doing the same again this year with a opening 0 followed by a solid 3rd at Windsor at this level followed by a 9th most recently although that wasn't to bad. Following the pattern he should run a big race tomorrow. Intrestingly he is entered in the Stewards Cup next week where he is 2/2 at the C/D and a penalty here would help him get in the field. He looks well capable of winning a class 2 race , has won in a 17 runner field and has plenty of scope for more improvement. Hayley Turner takes the ride and feel this has a really strong chance at a huge e/w price.
1 point e/w at 25/1
Good to see you back VK and best of luck.Here's my pick from the blog.Two to catch the eye for tomorrow and the first looks a huge price in the shape of R Woody in the dash at York at 25/1 with the sponsors. R Woody is 2/3 over the trip on g/s and so
Final decision for me is Irish Heartbeat. A massive 12lb better of for a 4L beating by Hoof It earlier this year and to me this looks like a plan. Currently 16/1 on here and 14/1 on the books. 2pt E/W.
(put the Saturday mugs away with 0000......keep Mac happy by saying "this can't win it has drifted badly..and then Tommo says we should have known "it's Hannagan the Managain"....and everybody is happy. )
Final decision for me is Irish Heartbeat. A massive 12lb better of for a 4L beating by Hoof It earlier this year and to me this looks like a plan. Currently 16/1 on here and 14/1 on the books. 2pt E/W.(put the Saturday mugs away with 0000......keep M
Ground officially GOOD this morning, anyone any thoughts on last night'stimes? I think if the ground were truly good I'd quite fancy swilly ferry to come back to form.
Ground officially GOOD this morning, anyone any thoughts on last night'stimes? I think if the ground were truly good I'd quite fancy swilly ferry to come back to form.
VK is much better at these kind of races than me but Hoof It looks badly in at the weights on my figures. Laying for 4 places isn't usually my idea of a bet but I'll have to place lay him at the price.
VK is much better at these kind of races than me but Hoof It looks badly in at the weights on my figures. Laying for 4 places isn't usually my idea of a bet but I'll have to place lay him at the price.
agree Figgis, play lay for me also. Do we really think a favourite of a bookies sponsored handicap trained by MW and ridden by KF is going in today.......I think not imvho.
agree Figgis, play lay for me also. Do we really think a favourite of a bookies sponsored handicap trained by MW and ridden by KF is going in today.......I think not imvho.
no bet for me in this but would go with Trevs pick Entitled. Just put off by the fact she keeps being slowly away ..
agree with the layers of Hoof It .. reached his ceiling imo.
no bet for me in this but would go with Trevs pick Entitled. Just put off by the fact she keeps being slowly away ..agree with the layers of Hoof It .. reached his ceiling imo.
Not sure yet, sint, the time looks really good, around group 2 class with his weight. I'm just a bit wary of backing horses returning quick after running that fast, probably took something out of him even if it didn't look like he had a hard race. I certainly won't be layin him anyway
Not sure yet, sint, the time looks really good, around group 2 class with his weight. I'm just a bit wary of backing horses returning quick after running that fast, probably took something out of him even if it didn't look like he had a hard race. I
Think hoof it might be a bit of a fruitcake although a very fast one. He wasn't brought to the pre-parade at all and didn't enter the parade ring until quite late. One of the ring staff I know said they were wanting to make sure he didn't get over-excited. I wonder if he'll stay cool at goodwood? Entitled was the pick of the paddock for me in this race today, lovely looking, powerful filly, but ran like a pig!
Think hoof it might be a bit of a fruitcake although a very fast one. He wasn't brought to the pre-parade at all and didn't enter the parade ring until quite late. One of the ring staff I know said they were wanting to make sure he didn't get over-ex