TimeformBlog

Askthemaster (15:35) was better than ever over fences last season, second to Oiseau de Nuit in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, and looks to have every chance of making a winning return to hurdling from what is an attractive mark. Robert Tyner's runner has only had the three runs over hurdles, winning a maiden at Cork on his debut, and he shaped well when sixth in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown last season. He's rated fully 20 lb lower over timber than fences, and looks worth taking a risk with at 17.0.

Gala Dancer (16:10) progressed well last autumn, landing a maiden at Fairyhouse in October, and was possibly unlucky not to get back to winning ways at Roscommon earlier this month, just beginning to hit full stride when badly hampered at the last in a race won by Regal Ambition. Paul Nolan's representative is still unexposed over three miles, is proven under the conditions, and looks a solid win and place bet.

Spirit of Cuba (18:35) rates as a confident selection to atone for her luckless defeat at Killarney. The daughter of Invincible Spirit has been progressing well all year, landing a gamble in good style at Down Royal in June, and was unlucky not to follow up last time, travelling best when caught behind the pacemakers in the penultimate furlong and still on the bridle when crossed by the third late on, finishing with running left in a close fourth. Spirit of Cuba has the speed to cope with today's shorter trip and, with the accomplished Sam James back in the saddle, is expected to make amends.

Recommendations
Back Askthemaster win and place in the 15.35
Back Gala Dancer win and place in the 16.10
Back Spirit of Cuba in the 18.35

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Canford Cliffs is chasing a sixth consecutive Group 1, his third win at this level coming in this race 12 months ago. Strong traveller with excellent turn of foot, but an on-song Frankel may be more than a match.

Rajsaman was steadily progressive at 3 yrs and won Group 2 in France back at 1m in May before chasing home Goldikova in Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp. Solid performer at his own level, but up against it here.

Rio De La Plata was a five-time winner in 2010, including in Group 1s in Italy up to 1¼m. Creditable efforts this term, but comes up short at top level in this country, no excuses behind Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot.

Frankel is an outstanding unbeaten colt who destroyed the opposition from the front in 2000 Guineas. Not as convincing in the St James's Palace but still hard to oppose receiving so much weight as a 3-y-o.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Frankel
2. Canford Cliffs
3. Rajsaman

Timeform's View: One of the most eagerly anticipated clashes in years and a race which can confirm Frankel as one of the all-time greats. His performance in the 2000 Guineas was exceptional, and in receipt of a hefty 3-y-o allowance he's likely to prove too hot for last year's winner Canford Cliffs.

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14.00 - Modun's only blip came at Royal Ascot on soft ground and, still only lightly raced, he's very much one to be interested in against largely exposed sorts in today's opener. The mount of Ryan Moore found only the classy Green Destiny too good at York last time and, granted a trouble-free passage, he'll surely do enough to at least get us a place. However, Goodwood's unique track is a minefield for hold-up horses, especially in fields of this size, so we'll also include Constant Contact, who has course form, is progressing steadily this year and should be out of trouble towards the front end.

14.35 - Both Slumber and Fiorente have form with Nathaniel, but it's the latter that makes most appeal as he's the one improving at the greater rate of knots, his second in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot understandably making him a short-priced favourite here, and, with the need to save lines for later, he's an obvious banker.

15.10 - This year's renewal of the Lennox Stakes looks sure to be run at sound pace and it's hard to get away from the claims of the classy pair Delegator and Strong Suit. The former has performed with credit in sprints both starts this year, winning the Group 2 Duke of York stakes before finding the draw against him in the July Cup; proven many times at seven furlongs, he'll be hard to keep out the three. Strong Suit also has to be included as he's still getting better and wasn't beaten far in Group 1 company last time in France.

15.45 - To some, Burwaaz may have been a major disappointment when failing to justify favouritism in a conditions race at the July Meeting, but there's a chance the one he bumped into, Harbour Watch, is the real deal, so the Royal Ascot promise of Burwaaz should not be forgotten, likely to have beaten Crown Dependency that day on a level playing field, and he's very much of interest for placepot purposes. If the speedy Stonefield Flyer was trained by Richard Hannon he'd be half the price he is this afternoon, but Keith Dalgliesh is really making a name for himself amongst the training ranks and his charge will prove an able deputy to Burwaaz.

16.20 - None of those with experience here really set too high a standard, so it's worth taking note of the market, and the fact that Richard Fahey's newcomer, Warcrown, is trading as favourite is enough to think this is one of the yard's leading juveniles, so he's the first selection. Of those that have had a run, Tom Dascombe's Menelik makes most appeal - he looked in need of the experience when mid-field at Newmarket on debut and can reveal plenty more this time.

16.50 - The finale is a minefield of a handicap but these three should give us the perfect blend. Truism has the course form, Marajaa an appealing mark, while Suited And Booted is a resurgent wildcard.

Selections:
14.00 - 7, 12
14.35 - 3
15.10 - 1, 9
15.45 - 2, 9
16.20 - 7, 12
16.50 - 4, 7, 17
=48 lines

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Dorset Square did well to win at Killarney last time and is now only 6 lb higher in the weights, so deserves plenty of respect, but the one who really catches the eye in the staying handicap at 18.10 is Dermot Weld's Rainforest Magic. He was all the rage to win off this mark at this festival last year, and though he only managed third he didn't really get the run of things that day. He wasn't seen to best effect on his final start of the campaign at Leopardstown, either, when a steady gallop resulted in a blanket finish which was totally against this staying type, who was niggled along as soon as the tempo increased but still finished around several future winners. All in all, there was a distinct air of unfinished business about Rainforest Magic after his three-year-old campaign, and though a brief spell over hurdles this winter wasn't quite so encouraging, he really does look one to back now that he steps up to two miles and is refitted with blinkers.

The Galway Mile just over half an hour later is typically competitive. That said, the number of horses with pretensions to being much better than their marks are quite thin on the ground. Stunning View warrants respect for the Weld/Smullen combination, while Lightening Stricks is another who may have some untapped potential, but the one who makes most appeal is Defining Year. He started off his three-year-old campaign with victory in a well-contested Curragh handicap before finishing runner-up in a listed event there. His latest run at Gowran was a shade disappointing, but the nine-and-a-half-furlong trip may have been as issue, whilst his subsequent absence suggests he may have had some sort of problem as well, so it doesn't require much of a leap of faith to assume he could get back on the up, especially as he should be able to get a good position from his plum draw.

The seven furlong handicap at 19.45 is another race to attract a maximum field so luck in running will play a part. Toufan Express looks an interesting contender though, especially as he could be the type to go under the radar after three low-key efforts this year. His 2010 form gives his profile a far more convincing look, now down to a 2 lb lower mark than when scoring at this festival last year, whilst he also seems ideally suited by an end-to-end gallop at this trip, so at the likely prices he should be supported.

Recommendations
Back Rainforest Magic in the 18.10
Back Defining Year in the 18.45
Back Toufan Express in the 19.45

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Delegator was a high-class 3-y-o, second in 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes. Back on track dropped to 6f when winning Duke of York Stakes on reappearance and shaped well in July Cup since. Leading claims.

Balthazaar's Gift is a smart 7f performer on his day. Ran his best race of 2010 when landing the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster. Has run well in this event for the last 2 years, but tailed off on reappearance in May.

Beacon Lodge was lightly raced in 2010 but showed he was no back number when winning Haydock listed event on his seasonal return and not far off best in Group 3 at Newmarket last time. Has run well here before.

Dalghar made up into really smart 6f/7f performer for Alain de Royer Dupre last year, including close third (favourite) in this race. Yet to hit top form this year, though better than result in July Cup.

Doncaster Rover is a Newmarket 6f listed winner last year who showed he's as good as ever when in the frame in couple of Group 3s this time around. Seemed unsuited by Chester last time, but this is a lot tougher.

Red Jazz is a high-class colt who rounded off 2010 campaign by winning Group 2 at Newmarket. Below best so far in 2011, and only eighth in this race 12 months ago. Likely to be taken on for the lead.

Libranno is a free-going front runner who won pair of Group 2 events over 6f last year, and back to those heights when landing 7f Criterion Stakes at Newmarket last month. Good fourth in Group 1 July Cup since.

Majestic Myles improved this term, winning valuable 6f handicap at Newmarket in May and 7f listed event at Chester (Doncaster Rover fourth) earlier this month. More needed here upped considerably in class.

Strong Suit was one of last seasons best 2-y-os, impressive when winning Coventry at Royal Ascot. Landed 7f Jersey Stakes at that meeting in June, and confirmed that improvement in Group 1 in France since.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Strong Suit
2. Delegator
3. Libranno

Timeform's View: Delegator is the class act and this easy 7f looks tailor-made for him, but he has a penalty to carry and slight preference is for 3-y-o Strong Suit, who wasn't beaten far in a Group 1 in France recently and will be helped by the drop back in trip. Libranno had things in his favour when narrowly ahead of Delegator in the July Cup but is unlikely to get his own way in front this time.

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Sulwaan looked a useful prospect when accounting for Tavern Times and Princeton Plains in a four-runner race at Sligo on his first start over hurdles so it is no surprise to see him heading the market in the opening novice hurdle. However, he was getting plenty of weight that day and he will need to improve to beat the progressive Devils Bit. John O'Shea's colt has won his last two completed starts over jumps and would have been placed but for getting brought down two out in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in between. This stiff track will suit Devils Bit (stays 1¾m on the Flat) and he looks the value bet at 4.5.

The feature race on the card, the carlton.ie/galwaycity handicap, looks a devilishly difficult puzzle to solve with twelve horses separated by just five pounds on Timeform ratings. Picking the winner certainly won't be easy, but one I'd be prepared to go against is the Dermot Weld-trained Natural High. The son of Sadler's Wells won a bumper on debut here two years ago and has since gone on to win three times on the Flat, but it is easy to pick holes in his form with two of those Flat wins coming in uncompetitive minor events. He has been beaten on all three tries in handicaps, including when heavily backed at this meeting last year, and has shown clear signs of temperment on more than one occasion. He appeals as the type that may well be overbet, especially if Weld has had winners earlier on the card, so a place lay is advised.

There is a good chance that we have yet to see the best of Nantucket Bay and he looks worth another try from an ITC mark of 86 in the 19:45. He showed a willing attitude to get the better of Wakhan in a maiden at Navan in May and wasn't beaten far in a lady-riders race at the Curragh last time. He is still unexposed after just three starts and may get his own way up front in a race lacking an obvious front runner. This stiff track will suit and Joseph O'Brien is taking a very handy three pounds off.

Recommendations
Back Devils Bit @ 4.5 in the 17:05 at Galway
Place Lay Natural High @ 2.0 in the 18:45 at Galway
Back Nantucket Bay @ 5.2 in the 19:45 at Galway

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The main races of the meeting are Wednesday's Galway Plate and Thursday's Galway Hurdle. Both can usually be described as fiercely competitive handicaps, but the latter has a standout at the weights in the shape of The Real Article, who was beaten narrowly by Captain Cee Bee under very tender handling in a Grade 3 at Tipperary last weekend and will be running off a mark 18 lb higher in future handicaps.

The stewards accepted the explanations of connections on the day but the Turf Club later announced that the case is to be reviewed on Monday. If a sanction is imposed which prevents The Real Article from taking part, Action Master will be well worth considering as an alternative selection. A quirky but strong-travelling gelding, who was successful on the Flat last time, he hasn't been hit too hard for his defeat of a much higher rated rival when last seen over hurdles in May.

The Plate is a far more open-looking affair; ante-post favourite, Bahrain Storm, still needs a couple to come out, but looks to have plenty in his favour. First and second in the last two renewals of the Galway Hurdle, he's also a winner on the Flat at the meeting and is completely unexposed over fences after just four starts. He jumps soundly and the two-mile-six-furlong trip is highly unlikely to pose him any problems.

Dermot Weld has been the leading trainer at the festival an incredible twenty-six times. He has sent out ten winners at the meeting on five occasions and last year was his best yet, with eleven winners in total and a strike-rate of 33%. Weld does particularly well in maidens there and, incredibly, won six out of the seven races of that type over the first three days in 2010.

An inside draw is usually an advantage over seven furlongs, and unless the leaders go very hard it can be difficult for those drawn wide, which is something to bear in mind for the two-year-old maiden for colts and geldings over that trip on Monday and the equivalent race for fillies the following day. These contests have gone to either Weld or Aidan O'Brien in each of the last five years and the pair both have at least two options in each race.

Weld is seeking a fourth successive winner in the maiden for three-year-olds over the same trip which closes Tuesday's card and Catch The Eye looks a very strong contender for him, having been outstayed over a mile when runner-up to the smart Claiomh Solais at Naas when last seen in May.

The most valuable race on the Monday is a handicap on the Flat for amateur riders over two miles. It's not open to three-year-olds, so won't feature much in the way of progressive sorts, and one that should give a good account is Cry For The Moon, who won at Navan in June and was arguably unlucky not to follow up at the Curragh later in the month when the rider dropped the whip after setting him a lot to do.

Three-year-olds get their turn in the penultimate race, a handicap over a mile and a half. Weld's runaway Sligo maiden winner Celebrity Sevi is likely to be a popular choice but has top weight and a more interesting proposition looks to be Gentleman Duke, who shaped for all the world as if this trip would suit when a staying-on second over eleven furlongs at Killarney last time.

Finally, few festivals pass in Ireland without Willie Mullins getting in on the act and he's got a strong contender for the two mile handicap on the Tuesday in Dorset Square, a useful hurdler who is chasing a hat-trick on the level and looks capable of defying a 6 lb rise for getting up close home at Killarney.

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Alan Swinbank has his string in excellent form and could have a good day up at Ayr with Boss's Destination (17.00) arguably the yard's best chance in the staying handicap. Boss's Destination shaped well on his return from almost a year off at Haydock Park last month, doing his best work at the finish, and looking as if he'll be well suited by the step up in trip today. This will be only Boss's Destination fifth start in a handicap and if building on that promise shown at Haydock Park he's bound to be thereabouts.

Royal Red (19.10) can make it fourth time lucky at Windsor this evening. She's got better with each outing and was just run out of it by Amis Reunis in a similar event over course and distance last time. That one followed up in a minor event at Bath last week, and if Royal Red is allowed to bowl along in front again this time it will take another good sort to stop her.

Royal Red runs in the colours of Jeff Smith made famous by the likes of Dashing Blade and Lochsong, and a quick-fire double could be on the cards for the owner with his Guided Missile (19.40) the fancy in the following sprint handicap. An impressive winner at Chepstow in May, Guided Missile wasn't seen in the same light at Newmarket last week, ridden more patiently but pulling hard. She's better than that, and can get back on the up in what looks a moderate event.

Recommendations
Back Boss's Destination @ 5.2 Ayr 17.00
Back Royal Red @ 2.12 Windsor 19.10
Back Guided Missile @ 6.2 Windsor 19.40

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Former Ballydoyle apprentice jockey Sean Levey will be delighted with how his first season in Britain is going and could be set for a good evening at York starting with Ingleby Exceed (18.00) in the opener. The filly is one of many to have thrived for the burgeoning David O'Meara this season, scoring eased down at Chester earlier in the month before running a fine race in defeat at Haydock Park last week, a slow start arguably costing her victory. Ingleby Exceed is almost certainly ahead of her mark, and if Levey can get a good tune out of her (she has raced lazily) then she won't be far away.

The Burke yard are in flying form and Bold Marc (19.10) is put forward to follow up last Friday's victory at Haydock at Newmarket. There's no guarantee that the nine-year-old will get the easy lead today that he did last week under Luke Mcniff, but he escapes a penalty for that success and has to be worth chancing from stall 1 in a race where plenty don't make much appeal.

Korngold (20.20) looks to hold outstanding claims in the mile and a half handicap at Chepstow. He's one of the least exposed in the line-up and looks set to improve a fair bit now he's upped in trip, much like his half-brother Charm School who won the 2009 November Handicap. Charm School appreciated a bit of cut in the ground, and judging by Korngold's effort in the mud at Goodwood last time, he seems to do so as well. It will be disappointing if Korngold can't make an impact off a mark of 63 for the John Dunlop team who continue among the winners.

Recommendations
Back Ingleby Exceed @ 6.0 York 18.00
Back Bold Marc @ 6.0 Newmarket 19.10
Back Korngold @ 2.8 Chepstow 20.20

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Dayia is a consistent mare who stays well and won twice for Jeff Pearace last year. She ran well in the Queen Alexandra on her recent return, but faces a stiff task here off a mark 6 lb higher than when beaten in the Cesarewitch.

Mountain Hiker has his share of temperament (twice refused to enter stalls) but showed he could win handicaps when placed at York and over this course and distance on his last two starts. A visor replaces cheekpieces now and he's respected again.

Downhiller was steadily progress as a three- and four-year-old until suffering a leg injury in the Chester Cup. He has his well-being to prove after over two years put and the betting will likely prove a guide as to what is expected.

Very Good Day made hard work of winning a maiden in 2010 but has plenty of good form, notably his third to Rewilding in a listed race at Goodwood. He hasn't made much impression in good handicaps this year and is now tried over a much longer trip.

L Frank Baum won a newcomers race when trained in Italy in 2010. He seems to have sown quite useful form in varied company from a handful of runs in this country, but isn't the easiest to assess now going handicapping.

Alazan won at Sandown last September and was unlucky not to follow up at Doncaster the following month. He found a mile and a quarter inadequate on his reappearance but was never campaigned as an out-and-out stayer over hurdles.

Red Kestrel made all to win a seller in April and a handicap in June, both at Musselburgh. He improved again when second at Sandown last time and has possibilities if staying two miles as well on turf as he does on the all-weather.

Keys created a good impression when winning all three of his starts in bumpers but has taken until finally tried at two miles to realise his potential on the Flat, hacking up in a handicap at Newbury last weekend. It's hard not to think he'll be in the mix under a penalty (due to be much higher in future).

Magicalmysterytour largely ran respectably in 2010 after winning over a mile and a half at Newmarket in August, but is still to fire this time round for all he was second at Windsor last month. He looks a minor player again.

Colour Vision is an unexposed stayer who has looked wayward, but has got his act together of late, impressively winning handicaps at Chester and Haydock on his two most recent starts. He's sure to go well again.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Colour Vision
2. Keys
3. Mountain Hiker

Timeform View: Three-year-olds have a very good record in two-mile all-aged handicaps at this time of year helped by a very favourable weight-for-age allowance, and fast-improving Colour Vision could well prove too good for the equally unexposed four-year-old Keys in a fascinating match up. Mountain Hiker might have to be content with a place again.

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