Coventry Stakes

I'd agree it was a good performance and I think probably a better race than CC ran in. However I would suggest he is more stoutly bred and could well end up in the Chesham.

I'd want to know it was his target before investing

for the stud book the Coventry would be more desirable and that is the business they are in.

exactly...and being by henrythenavigator, I would suggest that this would be the target for CC

I'm not that familiar with Lines Of Battle's sire (War Front) but all the evidence I can find suggests he was a 6f-7f horse. As such, I'm pretty sure his progeny wouldn't qualify for the Chesham.

For those who missed what the trainer had to say:

http://www.irishracing.com/v5newsitem?prid=61083

The most street wise at the moment is probably Dawn Approach.Although Im probably gonna be told hes like Frankel,cos he keeps beating the same horse!

Naas next week has a 2yr old Listed race for Colts and Fillies.

Hopefully a few of the horses for Royal Ascot will be running.

Aidan ‏@Aidan_m_
Interesting purchase/recruit for Coolmore/Ballydoyle in the shape of unbeaten French winner Declaration Of War. A son of War Front.


Same sire as Lines Of Battle.

FYI.

Mystic, i'd be concerned if your horse is even going to run tbh. Simply because it look likes they have CC for the race also and given his sire actually won the race i'd be amazed if he did not line up. I know they go mob-handed in the Classics but for the Coventry ??

Sintorian that is very interesting.

Just a quick point regarding the owner, he also has a share in Lines of Battle. I pretty sure Coolmore bought into him after they saw he looked pretty decent on debut this Declaration of War. Has he moved to Aidan?? any plans??

Joseph Allen i believe is a ex pat Irish Man Businessman who lives in the States and is involved in Horse Racing over there but got involved with Magnier and hence this new realsionship has started.

Does anyone remember the 2 million storm cat he had in training with Aidan O Brien called Factum who was a low grade horse in 2010.

I was extremely impressed by Dawn Approach last time.

We'll see Sintonian. APOB has bee known to run more than one in this. Judging by the post-race comments, Snday's race was a fact-finding mission to see if he was an Ascot horse, the fact he won (and beat a horse APOB appears to respect) suggests to me he is.

Aidan O'Brien Snr stated “Lines Of Battle was just ready to come racing and you'd have to be very happy with him. We liked him and he had been working nicely at home.

“I thought Leitir Mor would be hard to beat because he had a good first run but Lines Of Battle travelled well today and you'd expect him to come forward from the run. It is possible he'll run at Royal Ascot and today's race was a view to seeing if he could run there.”

Cryoftruth: Dawn Approach has done nothing wrong and looked good in a slow-run race last time. Having said that, there have been too many Teofilo / New Approach / Parish Hall sagas for me to back anything trained by JB ante-post. Good luck if you do/have.

You were right about the sire Mystic - completely forgot about the race having that condition

No worries roobuck. What's amazing is that War Front has a RP stamina index of 11.9f! Lines Of Battle has a dosage profile of 4-6-17-0-1, so I don't think lack of speed will be an issue.

Mystic

thanks for you advice and good wishes. I agree with your analysis completely.

Dawn Approach is entered for the Railway Stakes and another group race. Entries for the Coventry Stakes are still to be made.

I would back nothing in the Coventry, least of all a Jim Bolger colt, until the NRNB concession.

I do think he has serious potential though. his form is about a stone better than the OB maiden winners and if he goes to Ascot he would be a worthy favourite.

Prices quoted ante post of around 5/1 are not appealing though!

Entries out for Monday. Christopher Columbo looks like he is heading straight to the Coventry.

Hmm i like to see him run again!

How many runs did Henrythenavigator have before his Coventry win?

Just because Henry had one run doesn't mean anything in terms of Christopher Columbo but then again it may make no difference what so ever in reality.

But if I was going to put my money down I like to see him once more and then make a final judgement for the Coventry. It will also be interesting to see which way the market goes in the next few weeks.

No it does not but at least it demonstrates it is no barrier to success in the race. Throw in the fact the stable has a great record here, and several horses just recently have won the race with just one run (Strong Suit,Canford Cliffs) then there are plenty of positives for him.

Im not betting this race yet but i'd not touch JBolgers with a barge pole.

No doubt Sintonian.

I like to bet in the Coventry its a fine race to have a punt in but i am between him and Dawn Approach and as you say no point in backing Dawn Approach until the day or not at all in your case. DA seems to need a stiff finish to bring the best out of him so thats another thing. Just have to wait and see.

I heard Hannon had a good winner tonight hopefully he make the market if a few bob comes for him.

Cristoforo Colombo was Aidan's first winning juvenile debutant this season and is likely to improve significantly for that first run, so I wouldn't want to be laying him for the Coventry.  At the available odds I quite like the look of Charlie Hills' colt ENGLISHMAN (12/1), who won narrowly but impressively at Newbury first time out in testing conditions.  It was a bunched finish and the race didn't look anything special at the time, but the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th all won next time (including the 5th Cay Verde, who won a Listed race in Ireland recently), and the winner is sure to be suited by better ground.  Don't know whether he's being aimed at the Coventry though, and the trainer unleashes another likely type in the shape of Sheikh Hamdan's Mayaasem, who makes his debut at Haydock this evening. 

Another one to consider is Richard Fahey's EUXTON HALL, who won a Haydock maiden without his rider having to get anything like serious with him as the front two pulled well clear.  The ground was dead/sticky that day and he may well prefer better ground.  Royal Ascot was mentioned as a possibility by the assistant trainer afterwards and this highly regarded colt looks overpriced at 25/1 if he's an intended runner, but I'd hold off from backing him until plans are clearer. 

There's no obvious value bet (like Canford Cliffs) this year, as far as I can see...

Tomorrow's Alfred Noble at Naas could be informative. Three entries each from JB and APOB, with Cougar Ridge in the mix too. It'll be interesting to see which of these are given the go-ahead.

Dawn Approach should win this 2moro.

Sir Prancealot, Lines Of Battle the 2 I like atm

Be Interesting to see how Pedro The Great goes in the early market 2moro. He could be another Royal Ascot horse if he is any good.

Whats the english form like??

Certainly would not be running to back Dawn Approach for the Conventry after that. He won and won well in the end but looks more of a galloper that speedier type. Only when he hit the rising ground did he really stretch.

Surely they be a few more speedier types in a few weeks.

Agreed ruby - a better option must surely be the Chesham

I agree that Dawn Approach made it look quite hard work - the two fillies that fought out the finish of the 4.45 travelled noticeably better through their race than Dawn Approach did in his (and the winning times were very similar), but the ground probably didn't help.  With doubts concerning the participation of Sir Prancealot (he might run in the Norfolk rather than the Coventry), there must be some value elsewhere and I still like the look of ENGLISHMAN.  Still awaiting news about his participation though...

Agree about Englishman, that was a good race he won

DA needs 7f already imo.

Trainer David Barron expects Ahern to head for one of Royal Ascot's juvenile events after his winning debut at Musselburgh on Saturday.

The Dutch Art colt, who sports the colours of the influential Qatar Racing, was sharp enough to beat more experienced rivals in a conditions event.

"He's a nice horse," said the Thirsk handler.

"He'd been showing plenty at home as we think a bit about him.

"He's a big, strong sort of horse and hopefully one with a future.

"He's got a lot of speed and will have learned a bit the other day.

"Obviously it's down to (owner) Sheikh Fahad, but I would have thought he'd end up going to Ascot where the obvious races would be the Windsor Castle and the Norfolk."

Englishman cut from 12s to 8s in one fell swoop

Perhaps because Hughes has said Sir Prancelot, 2nd fav, will be heading for the Norfolk Stakes.

thought jalaa looked impressive on his debut today.

When are the entries out?

Jalaa looked the part. Coventry horse me thinks

The Hannon team hasn't decided yet whether to run Jalaa in the Coventry or the Chesham.  Being by Street Cry, he's qualified to run in the 7f event.

Yes I've just read that. Nice for a stable to say something as a very quick clarification/correction of what was said yesterday when Hannon Jnr claimed he was headed for the Coventry

He was impressive but didnt strike me as a Coventry horse tbh, unless he was 70% fit. Can see why the Chesham is being considered.

English now 5s

Englishman was impressive at Newbury and the form has worked out well. However, there are too many question marks for me to entertain backing him @ current prices, such as:

Will he go on the ground? It was very soft at Newbury, even with all the recent rain it's unlikely to be as soft at Ascot.

Will he get the trip? Stayed on strongly over 5f at Newbury, but that doesn't always mean they get 6f.

Why hasn't he run since April? Quite an unusual prep'.

The last point would be my main concern.

ENGLISHMAN is sure to get 6f, being by Royal Applause out of a 7f winner (by Danehill).  Faster ground should suit him fine - his dam won on all sorts of ground (including firm and heavy) and Royal Applause loved top of the ground.  Charlie Hills said after the Newbury race that he wouldn't be in any rush with him.  He also said that the horse would be better on better ground.  At this stage I wouldn't like to predict what the ground will be like at Ascot - it could well be on the slow side if this wet spell continues.

I be almost certainly against Lines of Battle after Gale Force Ten won today beating what seems to be a very reluctant horse in Leitir Moor. These early season Irish races look poor baring the Bolger colt by lawman that won by 10l at the Curragh and Dawn Approach.

CC is still a interest but gotta take a negative the fact Gale force ten won today and was pretty average looking on debut. I accept all the normal arguements about approvement etc but not for me

I was very impressed with Olympic Glory. Missed the break but showed plenty of ability and a nice turn of foot to put the race to bed in a few strides.

I agree with Masterminded.Looked a bit special at Goodwood the other night and the trip will hold no terrors.

Don't rush to back Olympic Glory for the Coventry.  Richard Hannon recently commented:
"We have a couple more important work mornings before we finalise plans for Royal Ascot, but The Taj was our third winner from four runners for Sheikh Hamdan (Al-Maktoum), and he could well be joining the toppers 'n tails team in the Coventry Stakes, though we will talk to Angus Gold during the week and then make up our minds.  Paul Hanagan was very complimentary about The Taj, who did a good bit of work with Olympic Glory on Wednesday morning, so when he won at Doncaster we were pretty hopeful about Julie Wood's Choisir colt doing the same down at Goodwood.  Julie has been invited to be a part of the Royal Procession on the Saturday of Royal Ascot, which is great, and I am sure that we'll have one or two runners for her at the meeting, though whether Olympic Glory is among them we have yet to decide.  Olympic Glory is a smashing colt with plenty of scope. He looked outstanding in the paddock down at Goodwood and did everything right in the race, but Hughesie feels that we will be better off giving Royal Ascot a miss, thereby enabling him time to mature. We will give it some thought, but maybe we should wait for Glorious Goodwood and go back for the Vintage Stakes."

well done jamesp good bit of information.I really like this horse and I can wait for Goodwood.

was at the royal Ascot preview evening yesterday at the Sydney arms and there was a lot of chat about the Englishman. Most of the panel were very bullish on his chances.

221    Annunciation    Richard Hannon
31    Artigiano     Mahmood Al Zarooni
133    Baddilini    Alan Bailey
7121    Chilworth Icon    Mick Channon
0    Complicator    Alan McCabe
1    Cristoforo Colombo    A P O´Brien
82    Dark Emerald    Brendan Powell
111    Dawn Approach    J S Bolger
1    Englishman    Charles Hills
1    Funk Soul Brother     Charles Hills
31    Gale Force Ten    A P O´Brien
1    Havana Gold0     Richard Hannon
8112    Heavy Metal    Mark Johnston
11    Indian Jade    Kevin Ryan
1    Jalaa    Richard Hannon
321    Jubilee Brig    Gary Moore
3    King Dragon    Brian Meehan
222    Leitir Mor    J S Bolger
1    Lines Of Battle     A P O´Brien
2    Living Desert    James Toller
51    Master Of War    Richard Hannon
1    Morawij    Roger Varian
31    Move To Strike    J S Bolger
13    Mrs Brown´s Boy    Ronald Harris
12    New Pearl    David Brown
1    Odooj     William Haggas
1    Olympic Glory     Richard Hannon
5    Parliament Square    A P O´Brien
41    Party Royal    Mark Johnston
21    Pay Freeze     Mick Channon
5    Pedro The Great    A P O´Brien
11    Sir Prancealot    Richard Hannon
1    The Taj     Richard Hannon
5342    Top Boy    Derek Shaw
6    Tuffan    Clive Brittain
3    Whitfield    Jeremy Noseda
0    Zhuba    John Best

You can get 9/1 on Englishman with 3.65 if any ouf you fancy it.

Ten bob e/way pls Sint lol!

Check this out!!! Funk Soul Brother..Really fancy Dawn Approach in this, but right about now Funk Soul Brother looks a great e/w chance, if he actually goes for the race..Artigiano looked ohhhh so impressive nto, and with improvement likely the soul brother can run a big race.

Having orignally been against Dawn Approach on the basis he looked like he needs further than 6f, the going has made me think otherwise. It will be at least GS on raceday, possibly a bit holding, so will put some emphasis on stamina. All his wins have come with cut in the ground and he has had 3 runs so will be a little battled hardened.

I like Christoforo Columbo but his sire was best when it was like a road so who knows?

It does look very competitve though.gl

Whilst in principle I agree with you sint, with Bolger I would want to wait for the decs - especially as he also has Move to Strike who can also run in either race. Good luck however

No interest from me.

Very tight affair.

money for c colombo this morning on here

Yeah I heed the warning Roobuck. He did however say just the other day Move To Strike would be going for the Chesham, and given Richard Hannon has several horses engaged, if he decides to take a couple out the prices may change significantly.

But in general I agree betting JB's horses ante-post, even 3 days before the race, is risky! Fingers crossed.

Lines Of Battle just keeps getting form boosts. Think his maiden was the best run in Ireland this season. If he runs he will go very close

Anyone got any trends on this race?

You waiting until the day before backing him MM? 10/1 currently.

Basic trends are last time out winners, 1-2 starts, under 8/1. Rough guide.

Maiden winners (one run) do just as well as those with form in a better grade

Only one horse in the last ten years has returned bigger than 8/1.

Eight favourites have won in the last 15 years.

14 out of the last 15 winners had won last time out.

Only three horses outside the top five in the betting have won since 1983.

Between Sir Prancealot and Englishman for me. Sir Prancealot just edges it because of how impressive he was last time out. Should be fav really.

Think he would be if committed to the race but according to Richard Hughes, just as likely to go for the Norfolk. That may be where he goes just because his Hamdan horses are more likely for Coventry/Chesham and I'm sure would like to have a wonner at RA for his new owner

All the main contenders stand their ground. Will probably be 4 or 5/1 the field this race now. V.competitive.

any news sint on the other big tuesday races, any major defectors

Nope. As you would expect for the Kings Stand & Queen Anne.

Will add Bated Breath to my bets on Tuesday if it quickens up.

how do you get them so quick

Twitter.

J P O'Brien will be on Cristoforo Colombo and Ryan Moore will ride Lines of Battle.

No.     Form    Horse    Age    Wt    Trainer    Jockey    OR    NagMe   
1 (11)     31    Artigiano (USA) 22      2     9-1    M Al Zarooni    L Dettori   
2 (2)     133    Baddilini 41    2     9-1    A Bailey    G Baker   
3 (6)     1    Cristoforo Colombo (USA) 30      2     9-1    A P O'Brien    J P O'Brien   
4 (3)     82    Dark Emerald (IRE) 11    2     9-1    B G Powell    F M Berry   
5 (13)     111    Dawn Approach (IRE) 15      2     9-1    J S Bolger    K J Manning   
6 (4)     1    Englishman 60    2     9-1    C Hills    M Hills   
7 (18)     1    Funk Soul Brother 33      2     9-1    C Hills    D Holland   
8 (17)     8112    Heavy Metal 17      2     9-1    M Johnston    S De Sousa   
9 (10)     11    Indian Jade 18      2     9-1    K A Ryan    P Makin   
10 (15)     321    Jubilee Brig 13    2     9-1    G L Moore    T P Queally   
11 (7)     3    King Dragon (IRE) 10    2     9-1    B J Meehan    Martin Dwyer   
*
12 (14)     222    Leitir Mor (IRE) 9      2     9-1 p1    J S Bolger    R P Whelan   
13 (9)     1    Lines Of Battle (USA) 23      2     9-1    A P O'Brien    R L Moore   
14 (12)     2    Living Desert 14    2     9-1    J A R Toller    Kirsty Milczarek   
15 (1)     51    Master Of War 18      2     9-1    R Hannon    J Fortune   
16 (19)     13    Mrs Brown's Boy 34    2     9-1    R Harris    L Morris   
17 (20)     12    New Pearl (IRE) 18      2     9-1    D H Brown    J P Murtagh   
18 (16)     1    Olympic Glory (IRE) 11      2     9-1    R Hannon    Dane O'Neill   
19 (22)     41    Party Royal 20      2     9-1    M Johnston    M Demuro   
20 (21)     11    Sir Prancealot (IRE) 19      2     9-1    R Hannon    R Hughes   
21 (23)     1    The Taj 11      2     9-1    R Hannon    P Hanagan   
22 (8)     5342    Top Boy 19    2     9-1    D Shaw    J Fanning   
23 (5)     3    Whitfield (USA) 18      2     9-1    J Noseda    William Buick   
Last Winner
Year    Horse    Trainer    Jockey    SP    Age    Wt    Draw
2011    Power    A P O'Brien    R L Moore    4/1F    2    9-1    19

Betting Forecast: 7/2 Dawn Approach, 5/1 Cristoforo Colombo, 6/1 Sir Prancealot, 7/1 Englishman, 10/1 Funk Soul Brother, 10/1 Lines Of Battle, 10/1 The Taj, 12/1 Artigiano, 16/1 Indian Jade, 20/1 New Pearl, 20/1 Olympic Glory, 25/1 Heavy Metal, 25/1 Leitir Mor, 25/1 Master Of War, 25/1 Party Royal, 25/1 Whitfield, 50/1 Jubilee Brig, 50/1 King Dragon, 50/1 Living Desert, 50/1 Top Boy, 66/1 Baddilini, 100/1 Dark Emerald, 150/1 Mrs Brown's Boy

Looks a cracking race in prospect!

Decided to play The Taj in this. Who knows whether there will any bias but at least he will have the best of it if there is one stands side.

14s is a fair price and in such an open looking race, wouldn't want to take single figures about a one raced horse

^ once raced

They could probably upgrade this race to a Group 1 imo, such is the class of horses/future Group 1 winners to come from the race. But they would probably be spoiling things a bit.

I'm amazed at the line up.There must be some omissions.looks the best race of the 5 days at this rate.

A hell of a lot of runners.

Surprised there is so many.

So many unexposed good luck to those lads who pick the winner.

Hopefully get a serious winner

Could well be one of the races of the season. Got group 1 written all over it compared to some of those 5 runner group 1's in Ireland.

The winner will be a serious horse.

trouble is, the draw will certainly play a massive part,

Looks like the plan is for Sir Prancelot to turn up in the coventry rather than Norfolk. At the  ascot preview evening I went to Richard Hannon Jnr suggested he thought this was one of their best chances of the week. Thought Dawn approach was a little workmanlike in Ireland last time but agree does look like its going to be a good race. Plenty of interesting ones to follow later in the season.

Jalaa runs in the Chesham.

saw that sint and will most likely carry my cash, depending on the price obviously. thought the body language of hannon jnr when discussing the horse a few days later was most revealing.

Would only be a small stake race for me, the draw could go against some, hope the King Stand sprint will shed some light on that?
The Bolger 2yo looks smart & will handle the ground, looks the 1 to beat.

What to make of the draw? No bias iyo? Could easily have been the best 3 horses home there.

Draw looks quite fair.

DA gagging for an extra furlong. Just hope JB gives him a rest, unlikely.

well played sint

struggling to tip sh1t out of a bucket at the moment Roobuvk hate running at a loss. Onwards etc etc

Really classy performance by Dawn Approach he's going to be a proper miler one day. I just hope this chap doesn't get sold. If I was sure he would stay where he is I would back him for the Guineas no doubt about it.

Well done Dawn Approach backers, he looks a real tough nut.