just a feeling, nothing concrete, imo one will decide to stay for the french 2000,

Frankie Dettori partnered unbeaten colt Mandaean in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket over the Rowley Mile on the morning of Sunday, April 22.

The three-year-old colt, who worked with two other horses from Mahmood Al Zarooni’s stable, travelled well and came out in front.

Mahmood Al Zarooni commented: “Mandaean needed the gallop and will be aimed at the Dante at York.

“If he proves good enough there, then the plan is to go for the Derby.”

Mandaean won twice in France last year - taking the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 10 furlongs on November 12 and a nine-furlong newcomers’ race at Longchamp the month before.

The Group Two Betfred Dante Stakes is run over an extended 10 furlongs at York on May 17, while the 12-furlong Investec Derby, Britain’s premier Classic, takes place on Saturday, June 2 at Epsom Downs.

Well that dream didn't last long

Would love to know what that Irish 2000 entry was all about...

French Fifteen at double figure prices looks the bet to me - Pesslier booking is another positive.

Left out of the likely runners was yesterday's Greenham winner. Whilst I haven't backed him, I much prefer the 33s about Caspar Netscher than 12s for Trumpet Major. He too will prefer quicker ground though I accept stamina may be a sinficiant question mark

Agreed BJG, fairly sure the race winner will have come across the sea, just not sure from which direction.

I have Born to Sea at 14s and whilst as you say he has a lot to prove, he is at least a Listed winner and G3 placed. I sense that Oxx is fairly confident on the horse's ability and unlike his famous half brother, doesn't see him as Derby/middle distance horse. This is his classic and I would be as confident of him as anyone to have a horse right on the day. I shall watch Nephrite's run today with interest and may well go in again.

Of the French I agree with the concensus re Abtaal and have had a small saver on here

jair, you were spot on about NEPHRITE in the Loughbrown Stakes.  I thought that he would turn out to be a different type from O'Brien's previous runners in the race, but he was very disappointing, always travelling best but finding nothing for pressure in the final furlong.  A drop back to 6f would probably suit this speedily bred colt.  He won't be winning any Guineas on that showing, that's for sure.

I'd certainly write him off for the Guineas after that miserable effort.  It was a poor race and he should have won.  Perhaps he was only 70% fit, but if so he's got less than two weeks to get there in peak fitness.

that was a very crooked race but nephite still looked a non stayer

Dropping back to sprinting didn't stay. Think the race is Camelots for the taking. Looks a more straight forwards horse than SNA with an easier opportunity.

Magic Sign Evens Camelot

lol Tinkler.

Nehprite reminded me of SNA's seasonal debut last year. I know they are different races age's etc, but both performances were so disappointing a lot of people will/did write them off. Given how the stable companion was backed from 6/1 into 7/2 on track and the fact Joseph never used his whip I would guess Nephrite was far from fitness today.

April is a month where AOB has had plenty of odds-on losers in the past so dont be surprised to see this horse win next time out. Where though I dont know. I cant see a mile being suitable.

And what of Born To Sea? Hardly a form boost but equally it is hard to take it literally for various reasons.

I remember before SNA'a guineas someone posted a stat that the highest level of race that any progeny of Montjeu had won over a mile aged 3 or older was a listed race, which I think was in France. Having just had a quick scan through the RP website it looks like there have been a few that have now done better than that but they have raced in Australia or South Africa with the best performing one being Wall Street who has won at Gr 1 level in Aus & NZ.

I still think he is bred for 12F and might not have the necessary speed to win the Guineas.

JOB no doubt imo

The fav is a ridiculous price. Haven't really looked at the race, but rated 1 to 2 pounds ahead of about 7 others. Distance issues, class issues, this is a 5/1 shot, imo. 1.9 for a place is way too rich for now. Hopefully I can lay at 1.35 ish on the day if he goes of at 2.1 or so.

Hmm. Someone's asking for £5k at 7/4. The Laddies connection with Camelot's stable mustn't be going
unnoticed.

Camelot confirmed for 2,000 Guineas as O'Brien maps out Classic campaign
By Marcus Townend
PUBLISHED: 17:50 GMT, 22 April 2012 | UPDATED: 17:50 GMT, 22 April 2012

Aidan O’Brien has committed unbeaten Camelot to head his challenge for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday week.
The Racing Post Trophy winner, as short as Evens with Ladbrokes, will be joined by stablemate Power.
O’Brien said: ‘'We have had one eye on the Guineas for a long time with Camelot and that is the way we are looking. Obviously, he has to get through the next couple of weeks but so far so good.’

It is believed that the Ballydoyle team originally viewed Camelot as a middle-distance prospect but have been tempted to start at a mile because he has wintered so well and the Classic trials have been so inconclusive.
Meanwhile, O’Brien’s Requisition, who relished soft ground when a 7-2 winner of the Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh under Seamie Heffernan, is an Irish Guineas possible.
Back in third was stablemate Nephrite, sent off at 4-9 favourite, who lost his unbeaten record and was unable to pick up after travelling smoothly into contention under O’Brien’s son Joseph. He will now revert to sprinting.
O’Brien said: ‘Requisition had form on soft ground and a horse that is able handle the ground is always a big advantage.  Nephrite looked very pacey when he won his maiden.  Looking at him now, he looks a sprinter and Joseph was adamant that he would not get a mile.’

O’Brien completed a Curragh treble with two-year-old Infanta Branca and easy Gladness Stakes winner Excelebration, both ridden by his son.
Excelebration now heads to Newbury’s Lockinge Stakes on May 19 and a possible clash with Sir Henry Cecil’s Frankel, who beat him three times last season when trained by Marco Botti.
After the 2-7 favourite had eased to a three-and-a-quarter win over Croisultan, O’Brien said: ‘He always looked in control. The plan was to come here and, if everything went well, to go for the Lockinge. I imagine that is what we are looking at now.
‘We all know Frankel is an incredible horse but we are delighted with this fella.’
Meanwhile, Richard Hannon has said filly Best Terms will revert to sprinting after she was a non-staying fifth to Moonstone Magic in Saturday’s Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury.
The winner, trained by Ralph Beckett, has no Classic entries having only won a Leicester maiden just over a week ago. However, she could be supplemented to the Irish 1,000 Guineas


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-2133562/Camelot-run-2-000-Guineas.html#ixzz1snh4gkEY

Just been on You Tube and watched the Abtaal and French Fifteen races from last season and this year and the race Abtaal won last year was a joke of a race - he dictated at a walk and then quickened from the front. I can't have him beating French Fifteen in a truley run race at New'Mkt on softish ground, - and will happily take Evens in a match bet.

French Fifteen was very impressive coming from last to first in the Group 1 at Saint Cloud last year (beating my long range Derby fancy Bonfire in the process)and reminded me a bit of one of my all time favourites Pennekamp so I've gone in again at 14/1 - looks a daft price to me, he should be clear 2nd fav imo.

Camelot could be anything but the Montjeu stats and record of Racing Post Trophy winners just makes him unbackable to me.

Born To Sea is respected as well and I can see him being the other main player.