afsare

Hopin he goes the Celebration Mile now myself, will take beating

not think that might come a tad quick BJ?

Possibly but he didnt have a tough race yest and i dont think this looks the strongest renewal

Woodbine Mile... NAP

Cumani re Afsare "Now he'll go for this. It's a bit quick but there  isn't another suitable race until the Joel stakes at the end of September"

I'm backing him today as have him 6lb clear of thistle bird and trade storm. I make him a 5/4 chance

Stevie, we discussed him on the other thread didn't we. As I said, I thought he put up the same figure at Salisbury as he ran to last year at Sandown. It's a solid Gp2 figure but when he ran in a Gp2 at York I had him running 4lbs below that with no excuses. I just wonder if he's the kind of horse that can only peak once in a season? Apart from that I have Thistle Bird 2lbs better in here on her best run at Epsom. She had to scrap there and I reckon she hadn't recovered when she ran well below par at Ascot. She ran a lot better last time and wasn't too far from her best, the drop back in trip might see her back on top form. I think her and Dank are the best older female milers around, I have them slightly ahead of Elusive Kate. She's well worthy of winning a Gp2 (probably a Gp1 against her own sex) and while it wouldn't be the most confident bet I've had, at the prices she has to be a bet for me.

I should have said best female milers in this country. Moonlight Cloud

That's good Figgis, I like to have a head to head. I almost backed Toronado the other day too.

4mm rain this morning but looks set to be dry now so hopefully no excuses ground.

It's just price related really, if the prices were reversed I probably wouldn't be betting as Thistle Bird would be around the right price, imo, but I'm still not sure I'd trust Afsare. He did have an easier time at Salisbury than he did at Sandown last year, on account of the opposition running terribly, so that may make a difference, plus he's a year older, still have a doubt though.

I didn't get a very high rating for TB's epsom run but it does say it was a hand time on the RP site so perhaps that's part of the reason.

Well done Stevie and other backers. My doubts about him were well misplaced, he was very impressive again.

Yup

he is a good horse this fellow...group 1's abroad are there for him if they go that way

Yes he did quite nicely considering the pace was not that strong. time wasn't that good. will have a closer look at replay later.

Think the ground might be slowing there if appearances are any early guide.

Yes could be tricky doing the figures today. looks like a headwind in the straight at york which could explain the slower time for the gimcrack compared to longer race or could ground be getting worse?