TimeformBlog

It's Irish Derby day at the Curragh on Sunday, and fast-forward to Saturday and you can see another Derby winner in the shape of Workforce, who goes for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown...


Sunday June 26

There is Flat racing in Britain due to take place at Salisbury and Windsor on Sunday, while there is also an interesting NH card slated for Uttoxeter where the best race is the three-and-a-half-mile Summer National.

Over in Ireland, the Curragh is the venue for the third day of the Irish Derby festival, and the highlight is the Irish Derby itself. The market is headed by Carlton House, who will be attempting to reverse Epsom form with Treasure Beach, while the likes of Memphis Tennessee, Native Khan and Seville also represent the English Derby form. The best race on the supporting card at the Curragh is the Group 2 Railway Stakes over six furlongs for two-year-olds. Aidan O'Brien has won the race in the past with some of his best juveniles and he has a strong entry this year which includes the Coventry winner Power.


Monday June 27

Pontefract and Wolverhampton are the venues for afternoon racing on the Flat on Monday, while Musselburgh and Windsor take over for the evening action.


Tuesday June 28

There are three Flat meetings scheduled to take place in Britain on Tuesday: at Brighton and Hamilton in the afternoon and at Southwell in the evening. Stratford plays host to a summer jumping card in the evening, when there is also Flat racing at Sligo in Ireland.


Wednesday June 29

Jumping predominates on Wednesday afternoon with meetings set to take place at Perth and Worcester. On the Flat front, they race at Catterick in the afternoon and Chepstow and Kempton in the evening. The day's best race takes place in Ireland where the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes over seven furlongs for fillies and mares is the highlight of a seven-race card at Fairyhouse.


Thursday June 30

Haydock and Yarmouth on the Flat and Perth over jumps are the venues for racing in the afternoon on Thursday, while it's Epsom and Newbury on the level in the evening. Over in Ireland there will be a seven-race evening card at Leopardstown that includes the listed Golden Fleece Stakes for two-year-olds over seven furlongs.


Friday July 1

There are two listed races on the card at Sandown on the first day of July, when there is also afternoon action at Doncaster and Warwick to go with evening racing at Beverley and Haydock.


Saturday July 2

Saturday promises to provide one of the potential highlights of the Flat season in the shape of the mile-and-a-quarter Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Last year's Derby and Arc winner Workforce is reportedly an intended runner as he bids to add a 10-furlong Group 1 to his record and he is set to clash with the top-class ex-Australian horse So You Think, who lost little caste in defeat in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. There is no shortage of quality on the rest of the card at Sandown, that includes the Group 3 Sprint Stakes over five-furlongs, a couple of listed races and a trio of highly competitive handicaps.

There is also quality racing at Haydock on Saturday where the feature event is the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks, though the big betting handicap of the day is the Old Newton Cup. Both races take place over a trip just short of a mile and a half. Beverley and Leicester also play host to racing on Saturday afternoon, as do Carlisle and Nottingham in the evening.


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Timeform look ahead to the weekend's best racing in Britain and Ireland, which inculdes the historic Northumberland Plate Handicap at Newcastle and the Irish Derby at the Curragh...


The best of the British meetings set to take place on Saturday is the one at Newcastle, where the feature event is the two-mile Northumberland Plate, due off at 15:05. The present favourite is last year's winner Overturn, who has secured a good draw for a front runner and will have the assistance of 5-lb claimer Henry Brooke who is better known for his NH exploits. Though obviously dangerous to dismiss bearing in mind his high-class hurdling form, Overturn doesn't look particularly well treated any more on the basis of his efforts on the level. Other major contenders include Activate, whose chance hasn't been helped by a wide berth, Harlestone Times and Investissement.

The highlight of the supporting card at Newcastle is the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes over six furlongs, for which Regal Parade, who goes unepenalised for his win in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last year, sets the standard.

Newmarket's July Course also stages good racing on Saturday afternoon with a couple of listed races set to take place along with the Group 3 Criterion Stakes over seven furlongs. This year's renewal of the Criterion looks both highly competitive and well up to standard, the likes of Flambeau, Redford and Dever Dream all having the form to figure prominently in an average running for the race. The six-furlong Empress Stakes features a number of promising two-year-old fillies, chief among them the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained My Propeller, who won a maiden at Pontefract by 17 lengths last Sunday. The other listed race is the 12-furlong Fred Archer Stakes, while the valuable Timeform Millions 3-y-o Cup is another race of interest on the card.

The two other afternoon Flat meetings in Britain take place at Windsor, where there is a listed race set to take place, and Chester, while the evening action will take place at Doncaster and Lingfield.

Saturday is also a big day in Ireland where there is Group 1 action on the Curragh in the shape of the mile-and-a-quarter Pretty Polly Stakes for fillies and mares. This year's has the potential to be a cracker with the multiple Group 1-winning older fillies Midday and Snow Fairy set to clash with the classic generation, the best of whom is Irish Guineas winner Misty For Me. There are a couple of Group 3 races on the supporting card at the Curragh, namely the six-furlong Grangecon Stud Stakes for two-year-old fillies and the mile-and-three-quarter Curragh Cup.

On Sunday there is Flat racing in Britain due to take place at Salisbury and Windsor, while there is also an interesting NH card slated for Uttoxeter where the best race is the three-and-a-half-mile Summer National.

Back at the Curragh, Sunday is Irish Derby day and nine three-year-old colts will go to post for the showpiece event which is due off at 15:50. Five colts who ran in the Derby at Epsom will reoppose, namely Treasure Beach, Carlton House, Memphis Tennessee, Native Khan and Seville. Of them, the market favours Carlton House to reverse form with Treasure Beach from Epsom. There's plenty of quality on the supporting card at the Curragh, notably in the form of the Group 2 Railway Stakes over six furlongs for two-year-olds. Aidan O'Brien has won the race in the past with the likes of George Washington, Holy Roman Emperor and Mastercraftsman and he has a strong-looking entry this year that includes the Coventry winner Power.



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Khor Sheed won two of her five starts as a two-year-old, namely a listed event and a sales race, both over six furlongs at Newmarket. She has gone close both outings this season and won't be inconvenienced by a return to this trip.

Carrignavar is a maiden winner who came up short at this level at York in her final starts last year, albeit on soft ground. She ran well third in a handicap on her reappearance but the longer trip here is an unknown.

Eucharist was most progressive when winning four of her seven starts as a juvenile. She ran creditably on the first of her two runs in Group 3 company this year and will appreciate this slight drop in grade.

Glas Burn progressed well in three juvenile starts and ran well behind a promising sort in a Leicester minor event on her reappearance. She has struggled in better races since, however.

Masaya showed a good attitude when registering her second win in a valuable sales race last Ocobter. She left her reappearance effort behind when third at this level at Newmarket last time, but didn't seem to have any excuses that day.

Sadafiya improved on her promising debut when landing a maiden an a nursery on the all-weather last year. She improved again when second to a progressive sort over six furlongs at Wolverhampton on her reappearance, but this new trip is an unknown.

Sweetie Time slammed her rivals in a maiden at Haydock a year ago She was placed twice in better company later in 2010, but was well held in a handicap on her return at Royal Ascot last week.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Eucharist
2.    Khor Sheed
3.    Masaya

Timeform View: Eucharist will appreciate this easier assignment and is taken to get the better of Khor Sheed and Masaya.

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Praxiteles hasn't been seen on the Flat since making a very favourable impression his second start in a mile-and-a-half maiden on the all-weather in 2007 when trained by Sir Michael Stoute. He has since developed into a useful hurdler and is an interesting contender.

Cashpoint won a bumper for Henrietta Knight and has since done well on the Flat, winning twice over a mile and a half on the all-weather in early-2010. He has to cast aside a below-form effort at Goodwood earlier in the month.

Royal Swain is a bumper winner who scored twice on the Flat last season, including a handicap over a mile and a half. He has been running well in defeat this year, but the quiet form of his stable is a worry.

Gold Rules was progressive for Luca Cumani in the first half of 2010. He has yet to fire this time around and would only be of interest here if the subject of market support.

Antigua Sunrise is a consistent mare who ran up a hat-trick in 2009 and added two more wins to her record last season. She wasn't at her best in a ladies event at York earlier this month and is perhaps a shade high in the weights.

Tweedledrum has improved on each of her five carer outings to date, returning this year with a brace of wins prior to finishing runner-up at Chester. She is still unexposed, but this is a much more competitive race.

Hidden Glory won twice over a mile on the all-weather for Pat Eddery and was back to his best for this yard when adding to that in January. He shaped quite well on his return to turf last week and has a chance if building on that.

Wicked Daze is a front runner who performed consistently well in handicaps kast summer, winning over two miles at York in July. He ended 2010 in something of a slump though and finished tailed off on his reappearance.

Kathleen Frances is a progressive filly who won her first three starts in handicaps at around this trip last season. She travelled best of all in a similar contest at York last time and we haven't seen the best of her yet.

Easy Terms left Rod Millman after 2010 and since proved a revelation, readily completing a hat-trick at Thirsk last week. A penalty shouldn't prevent her from going well again.

Veiled Applause won a mile-and-a-quarter apprentice handicap at York in October, since when he has been placed several times. He seemed to find this trip beyond him when below form last time and stamina is a clear worry once again.

George Adamson has been generally progressive in the last year or so, showing further improvement when scoring over a mile and a half at Thirsk on his return. The stiff finish found him out at Pontefract last time and this slightly shorter trip will suit.

Rowan Tiger has won three times on the all-weather and also scored over a mile and a half on soft ground at Ffos Las last summer/ He found only one too good on his second start back at Salisbury last time, but this is a fair bit tougher.

Ejteyaaz largely ran well over a variety of trips in 2010, but hasn't been at his best in three starts so far this year and it looks increasingly as though testing conditions suit ideally.

Ravi River has come back from his winter break at the top of his game, backing up his Musselburgh success in a big-field handicap at York last month. He has an 8 lb rise in a better race to contend with now.

Rock The Stars won a pair of handicaps over a mile last June and was back in teh groove when scoring over a mile and a quarter at Sandown last month. He wasn't disgraced in a hot race there last time so this mark needn't be beyond him.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Praxiteles
2. Kathleen Frances
3. Easy Terms

Timeform View: Praxiteles hasn't been seen on the level since winning an AW maiden impressively for Sir Michael Stoute in 2007, but he has since developed into a useful hurdler and is worth chancing on his Flat return. Kathleen Frances and the thriving Easy Terms head the list of dangers.

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Isolate is generally progressive and made a promising reappearance when collared late by Golden Aria in a handicap at Salisbury two weeks ago. She travelled notably strongly there and should make her presence felt again.

Sister Red built on her debut promise when landing a seven-furlong minor event at this track in September and was out of her depth in a Group 3 at Newmarket on her final outing in 2010. She was below form on her handicap debut last month and steps up in trip now.

Masaraat won a maiden over a mile at Bath on the second of her two starts in 2010 and showed she was still on the up when getting up late to score in a handicap over this trip at Nottingham last time. She is respected despite a 5 lb rise.

Miss Diagnosis was in the frame on both her starts last year and had little chance in an Oaks trial over course and distance on her reappearance. She looked in need of the run there and can't be dismissed now at a more realistic level.

Lunar Phase chased home the Oaks third Izzi Top in a maiden over a mile at Windsor in April but hasn't gone on quite as expected since, albeit shaping as if in need of a stiffer test on her latest start.

Fine Threads was green on both her starts at two years, but still won a seven-furlong maiden on heavy ground at Ayr on the second occasion. She improved again to win a mile-and-quarter handicap at Windsor on her return last month and has a good chance of completing the hat-trick with further improvement likely.

Abdicate was a highly encouraging fourth on her sole start in 2010 and built on her reappearance this time around when winning a maiden over this trip at Ripon last time. The handicapper hasn't taken any chances with her opening mark, though.

Kalahaag won a seven-furlong maiden at Glorious Goodwood last year, but has largely struggled since and is now tried in blinkers after a particularly tame effort at Goodwood last time.

Sacred Shield is from a family her trainer knows well and won a maiden over the extended nine furlongs at Wolverhampton in April. She was a good second on her handicap debut next time and possibly failed for stamina when caught late after travelling best over 11 furlongs at Goodwood last time.

Beso wasn't knocked about in three runs in maidens, but failed to produce the anticipated improvement when mid-field on her handicap debut at Lingfield earlier in the month. She's probably worth another chance to improve.

Miss Villefranche only showed modest form in three maidens last season, looking in need of the experience. She is bred to do better, but failed to fire in a first-time visor at Wolverhampton on her handicap debut and others are more obvious after that.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Fine Threads
2.    Sacred Shield
3.    Isolate

Timeform View: There's more to come from a number of these lightly-raced fillies, particularly in the case of Fine Threads, for whom any more rain would be no concern. Sacred Shield and Isolate are others to consider in a competitive affair.

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Kingsgate Choice is a hold-up sprinter who bagged five-furlong handicaps at Ffos Las and Windsor in 2010. He is now tried in blinkers after failing to make an impact in two outings this year.

Island Legend is a trailblazer who was won three times over course and distance, most recently when beating Fair Passion back in April. He hasn't been so good in two starts since though and is currently 7 lb above his last winning mark.

Kylladdie is in rude health at present and registered his second win of 2011 when beating Italian Tom by three lengths over six furlongs here last time. A 7 lb rise isn't excessive and he should go well.

Best Trip is a speedy front runner who has improved this year, winning three times over five and six furlong. He has been below form on turf the last twice but it will be no surprise to see him bounce back here from the plum draw.

Alpha Tauri made all in a couple of seven-furlong sellers at Southwell earlier in the year, but has failed to beat a rival home in two starts since joining this yard and is likely to find things happening too quickly dropped to five furlongs.

Brynfa Boy is a hold-up sort who scored over five furlongs at Epsom in 2010 and has won twice on the polytrack in the past. He was never in the hunt after a slow start on his reappearance at Newmarket last month, but better can be expected here.

Garstang ended a long losing run over five furlongs on the polytrack at Lingfield in January. He has been in and out since, though and is still 5 lb above his last winning mark.

Mymumsaysimthebest got offer the mark when proving too strong for Collect Art (four-time winner since) over six furlongs at Goodwood last month. He hasn't repeated that since but is still well treated if he does get back on track.

Night Affair races prominently and improved to bag a brace of small-field handicaps at Bath in 2010. She wasn't beaten far back there in a race won by Collect Art last month, but is likely to find one or two too good.

Eshoog showed promise in turf maidens over five and six furlongs in 2010. He looked amiss on his return in a seven-furlong handicap at Yarmouth earlier in the month hand improvement is needed for all the return to shorter may help.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1.    Mymumsaysimthebest
2.    Kylladdie
3.    Best Trip

Timeform View: Kylladdie and the well-drawn Best Trip are respected, but it may be worth giving another chance to Mymumsaysimthebest who is undoubtedly still well handicapped on last month's Goodwood form.

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Barefoot Lady has been much improved this term, winning the Newll Gwyn on her reappearance. She was a good fifth in the 1000 Guineas (met trouble) and went down by only a head to Joviality in the Musidora last time. She should give her running again.

Claiomh Solais took four goes to get off the mark but was much improved when two lengths fourth to Misty For Me in the Irish 1000 Guineas last time, making the running. She is well drawn to attack and can go close.

Clinical is a lightly-raced filly who showed she's up to making her presence felt in pattern company when third to Antara in a Group 3 at Epsom on her reappearance. This demands a fair bit more, though.

Elshabakiya was second to Dubawi Gold in a seven-furlong listed raced on the AW on her reappearance in March but hasn't repeated that form since and it would be a major surprise if she gains her first career win here.

I Love Me landed connections a big payday when winning a Newmarket sales race on debut last October. She has shown useful form since, finishing two lengths second to Codemaster in a listed event back at Newmarket last time.

Immortal Verse refused to enter the stalls prior to the 1000 Guineas and was well held in the French equivalent on her penultimate start, but showed she's a smart filly when winning a Group 2 at Chantilly recently. She has a chance judged on that.

Joviality went with promise in two maidens but still improved beyond all recognition when edging out Barefoot Lady in the Musidora at York last time. She will have no problem with the step back to a mile and probably has more to offer.

Maqaasid had enough speed to win the Queen Mary but showed she just about stays a mile when third in the 1000 Guineas. Her down-the-field effort in the French equivalent is best ignored (poorly placed from bad draw) but there's a chance this stiff mile could stretch her.

Memory was one of the best two-year-old fillies last season. She was the subject of glowing reports but virtually refused to race when sent off second favourite for the 1000 Guineas and clearly comes with risks attached.

More Than Real was last seen when beating Winter Memories by two lengths (with Together back in fifth) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs in November. She has a clear chance on that form and is a fascinating raider from the US.

Nova Hawk left her two-year-old behind when landing a heavy-ground listed race on her return. She showed she could handle quicker conditions when in the frame in both the English and French Guineas and is likely to be in the mix again.

Theyskens' Theory came up a little way short in top company last autumn but this imposing filly is well worth another try at this level after a smooth success in a listed race over a mile at York on her reappearance.

Together is the form pick judged on her runner-up efforts in the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, having quite a few of today's rivals in behind. The widest stall is a bit of a negative, though.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Claiomh Solais
2. Together
3. More Than Real

Timeform View: No outstanding performer in the Coronation this year, but plenty are in with a shout. Together holds obvious claims, but the widest stall won't make life easy and it may be that Claiomh Solais will be able to reverse Irish Guineas form, Jim Bolger's filly well drawn to attack from the two box. American-raider More Than Real and Nova Hawk complete the shortlist.

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It looks the toughest card of the week so far to crack at Royal Ascot, but we've never been afraid to shirk a challenge, and we'll put up Alkimos (17.00) as one of the day's best bets in the newly-upgraded Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes. Formerly known as the Hampton Court Stakes, the mile and a quarter contest has been upgraded for the third time since 2000, and Alkimos is bidding to follow in the footsteps of Afsare, who took the race twelve months ago for Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon having scored in the same minor event beforehand at Doncaster that Alkimos took so impressively a fortnight ago. Alkimos did it very easily on Town Moor, quickening to the front and striding away from Maali who re-opposes today. He's bound to improve again and could have the beating of Tazahum and Marksmanship, though the latter, who won a strong maiden at the Curragh on his debut, really does fall into the 'could be anything' category for Aidan O'Brien.

Penangdouble O One (17.20) could be worth chancing stepped up in trip in the penultimate race at Warwick. A half-brother to Harbinger, Penangdouble O One returned to form when fourth behind the revitalised King's Counsel at Ripon last time, shaping as if an increased emphasis on stamina would suit as he was tapped for toe. Still unexposed after eight runs, Penangdouble O One could well have more to offer over staying trips.

Lunar Promise (20.40) was a non-runner when we put him up at Bath on Saturday, but is entered at Beverley this evening in an even weaker race than that one looked so we won't desert him. Back from an absence of two and a half years and going off a career-low mark for Ian Williams, Lunar Promise landed a gamble in some style at Kempton last week. As we said on Saturday, backing successful horses turned out quickly after long absences comes with risks attached, but with this race looking very winnable we'll give Lunar Promise the benefit of the doubt, and from stall 1 he can pick off Ay Tay Tate and On The Cusp, both attempting to follow-up recent victories gained from the front.

Recommendations
Back Alkimos @ 7.2 Royal Ascot 17.00
Back Penangdouble O One @ 8.8 Warwick 17.20
Back Lunar Promise @ 3.5 Beverley 20.40

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Aaim To Prosper won the Cesarewitch at the end of last year, and showed he is in good heart after creditable efforts in the Sagaro and Henry II, but his efforts fall short of the best stayers.

Askaur Tau won the Sagaro here first start of the season but disappointed in subsequent run, hard to see him getting involved.

Blue Bajan improved for new trainer when 2nd in the Yorkshire Cup then winning Henry II Stakes next time. He will have to progress again to have a chance.

Duncan has won and placed twice in 3 starts here albeit over shorter. The Yorkshire Cup over 1 3/4 miles at Doncaster last time, but stamina is a worry.

Fame And Glory has won four Group 1s and has been stepped up in trip this season, landing a Listed race at Leopardstown last time over 1 3/4 miles. He is the class act in the race but there are doubts about him staying the trip.

Geordieland has placed 3 times in this but has not been seen since 2009, which has to be a concern, fo all he goes well fresh.

Holberg is still unexposed over 2 miles, but did win the Queen's vase here in 2009. He will stay the distance and last times outing at Sandown would have put him spot on for this.

Kasbah Bliss won Listed race at Saint-Cloud in April, but performed poorly in this last year and is not getting any younger.

Manighar has yet to win in this country but encouraging effort behind Duncan last time, though another who may find 2 1/2 miles stretches his stamina.

Opinion Poll won 3 times for Michael Jarvis last year and well in Dubai for his new stable, but disappointed when fourth at Longchamp last time.

Tastahil won Jockey Club Cup on his final start in 2010 at Newmarket, and showed he was better than ever when runner-up in the Chester Cup. He was well held in this last year, but can't be dismissed lightly.

The Betchworth Kid was fit from hurdling when winner Listed race at Nottingham in April, but his limitations were exposed in the Sagaro last time and is up against it.

Brigantin has developed into a smart stayer winning over 2 miles at Longchamp last time, but most improve again to take this but comes from a trainer who must be respected.

Fictional Account she won 3 of her 5 starts in 2010 including here, but has been behind Fame And Glory both starts this year and it is hard to see her reversing the roles here.

Motrice progressed in 2010 winning a hat-trick of handicaps and placed in pattern company up to 2 1/4m. Each-way claims if she has more to give.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Holberg
2. Fame And Glory
3. Motrice

Timeform's View: Fame And Glory deserves his place at the head of the market, but with doubts over his stamina (unraced over 1 3/4m) it maybe well worth taking him on with Holberg who promises to be suited by the marathon trip. The returning Motrice will not have to improve much to run into a place.

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14.30 - Codemaster continued his progression with a decisive win in listed company at Newmarket last month and is understandably trading as favourite for the opening Jersey Stakes. Fury, however, is similarly lightly raced and went close despite a muddling pace at Sandown last time, so, with this likely to be a more truly-run race, he's well worth siding with as the main pick. Our second selection, French-raider Havane Smoker, has proven Group form and, though not open to as much progression as some, this return to seven furlongs is sure to suit (travelled strongly last time) and he's an able back-up.

15.05 - Luca Cumani's Seta has had a rather stop-start career to date, but she's won five times from her eight starts and was most impressive when scoring at Goodwood on her reappearance. Everything looks in place for a big run this afternoon and she's a confident choice to at least place for us. Most of these can have cases made for them, though, and it's wise to take the highly-progressive I'm A Dreamer as another string to our bow.

15.45 - The Royal Hunt Cup is just around the corner so this is the perfect time for So You Think to come along and provide us with our first banker. The Aidan O'Brien-trained superstar hasn't put a foot wrong since moving from Australia and he should set Ascot alight with another dominant display this afternoon.

16.25 - The draw can often make fools of us, but the impression from yesterday was that a high draw would be an advantage, so the lightly-raced Bronze Prince and rock-solid Dance And Dance look ideally placed in stalls 28 and 30 respectively. A couple that are berthed more towards the other side and appeal of interest, however, are strong-travelling wildcard, Sooraah, and the upwardly-mobile, Barzalona-partnered Point North.

17.00 - Shumoos created a monumental impression when running away with a maiden on her debut, pulverizing yesterday's impressive winner Frederick Engels in the process, so, she's potentially top class, and definitely a banker.

17.35 - I mentioned Seta earlier in the piece, but Luca Cumani arguably has an even better chance on the day with Dubai Queen in this final leg. Her form has taken off this year, winning at Goodwood on her reappearance and losing little in defeat when runner-up last month, so she'll be hard to keep out the three. I'm not a positive person, however, and if we've made it this far I'd hate to feel the vulnerability of relying on just the one selection, so get live-outsider Secret Love (sixth behind Izzi Top, Dancing Rain and Rumh last time) in as insurance.

Selections: 32 lines
14.30 - 4, 5
15.05 - 7, 12
15.45 - 5
16.25 - 4, 20, 30, 31
17.00 - 12
17.35 - 11, 13

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