Showing posts with label Royal Ascot 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Ascot 2012. Show all posts

Friday, 22 June 2012

2:30 Royal Ascot Chesham Stakes (Listed) Free Horse Racing Tips

The Chesham Stakes Listed at 7f on good to soft ground at Royal Ascot

The betting suggests there are a handful of juveniles with claims. Richard Hannon has gone close with a couple of bold two-year-old efforts but it would be most fitting if he could prevail with one of Hamdan Al Maktoum's youngsters. Jalaa, a son of Street Cry, is a very good-looking colt who cost 200,000gns as a yearling. Time will tell that was a fair debut effort and the way this bay finished suggested this step up in distance will bring further improvement. This horse is held in high regard by the stable and I would expect a bold show. A fair each way selection.


Wednesday, 20 June 2012

2:30 Ascot - Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) Free Horse Racing Tips

A smaller field for this selection of colts on good ground over 5f at Royal Ascot.

An exciting race.

This Royal Ascot, Qatar Racing Ltd have been flashing the cash with their two-year-old purchases. In fact, they must have spent a near fortune buying a selection of potentially talented juveniles but all have failed to make a show. However, their fortunes may change with Ahern and Cape Verde.

Ahern ran a cracking race to beat winning opposition at Musselburgh on his debut. David Barron is a master trainer but even I was surprise with the these this son of Dutch Art proved victorious. The style he disposed of Satsuma, who finished seventh in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2), indicates a class act. This £80,000 breeze-up purchase didn't show any sign of inexperience on his racecourse bow and I suspect he will be equally professional in this stiffer competition. I was impressed by this colt. These races are rarely straightforward but a good each way bet.

Cay Verde has been on an upwards spiral since running no more than a fair race on debut. Mick Channon has spoken in glowing terms of this son of Bahamian Bounty since beating Hototo, who went on to win the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed). He then crossed the Irish channel taking the Marble Hill Stakes (Listed) at the Currugh in comfortable fashion. His strength is the way he finishes his races and he could take some stopping. 

It would be good to see Qatar Racing Ltd have a couple of bold shows here in return for their substantial interest in British racing.

Richard Hannon is represented by two horses. Annunciation has Hughes in the saddle. Finishing second to Euxton Hall & Reckless Abandon before winning in style at Windsor illustrated this bay colt has a level of ability but also some limitation. On balance, he will need to improve a good deal to beat Clive Cox's Reckless Abandon. This son of Exchange Rate (USA) ran in a strong auction maiden stakes at Doncaster. A number of juveniles - some way off the lead - have since shown ability. This March foal wasn't stopping at the line and beating Annunciation by a couple of length provides a measure of a talented juvenile. Cox left viewers in little doubt the team expected a winning debut when interviewed on ATR and they clearly had this race on the agenda. He has the potential to be a superb talent and one for the short list.

A number of the field are lightly raced and shown a level of ability.

Roger Varian has been in fine form with his debuatntes this season and Morawij ran well at Haydock over 6f to steal a win in the closing stages. Perhaps he was a little ring rusty that day, but it was noticeable this son of Exceed And Excel took time to warm to his task and this drop in distance may just be a little on the sharp side. Experience often brings horses on a good deal so that might be something and nothing to concern his supporters. However, it would be enough to temper my enthusiasm.

Storm Moon ran well early season looking a smart colt with two wins under his belt. The Johnston juveniles seemed to be on a high at that time but he suffered a poor defeat at Sandown when contesting the National Stakes (Listed). In truth, Joe Fanning gave him a crazy ride, as he and Bailey's Jubilee hared-off at such a pace it was no surprise they crumpled in the final furlong - spent forces. It is worth noting that this colt did get a little warm that day and seemed somewhat unsettled. He most certainly needs an excuse for that effort to figure here. In hindsight, perhaps the form of those earlier contests has been surpassed. With fears of regression, it is best to take a watching brief.

Mister Marc, is difficult to assess, but time may tell he is a quality juvenile. Racing over 6f on both starts, he is another who may find the pace of this minimum trip pretty hot although he is a pacey sort. After a stylish win at Goodwood - always a prime starting point for a Hannon juvenile - he was second to subsequent Coventry Stakes (Group 2) winner Dawn Approach. With Jim Bolger's talent making it four victories in a row, it would be foolish to knock this youngster for being beaten just over two lengths. It is hard to get a handle on this colt but he is worthy of respect and could be the dark horse.

Gale Force Ten ran on well at the Currugh in testing condition to beat Leitir Mor by just under one length. That colt ran creditably in the Coventry to finish seventh beaten a similar number of lengths. This drop in distance doesn't look ideal and everything may happen too quickly.

Of the others, Ian's Dream is a good, strong colt with a rather pronounced knee action perhaps best suiting some give underfoot. Jeremy Noseda is a class trainer and this $220,000 yearling purchase is likely to improve for that racecourse bow. However, the form of that race has its limitations and other are favoured.

Jubilee Brig was most deserving of his recent victory after finishing behind some talented juveniles in the shape Ceiling Kitty - Queen Mary Stakes Group 2 winner -  and Bungleinthejungle who went on to finish a gallant second in the Windsor Castle (Listed). Moore's colt may run better than his odds and the type to finish with some purpose if given a patient ride.

Ocean Applause ran better in the National Stakes Listed at Sandown but needs to step up markedly to figure.

While Alan McCabe makes a quick return with *Complicator after making his debut at York. He is a good-looking colt with size and scope to progress with racing and showed up for a moment of two before tiring as if needing the run. He should be fitter and enjoy this better ground but would need a minor miracle to win.

Conclusion: A fascinating race and a pleasant surprise to see a smaller field rather than these huge cavalry charges which often spoil the racing spectacle. A number of these two-year-olds are dropping in distance which could be something of a rude awakening for some. Ahern really impressed me on debut at Musselburgh. In fact, I would go so far to so that it was a sparkling victory. He left smart filly Satsuma trailing and that is the mark of a classy juvenile. Reckless Abandon was another eye catcher who disposed of Annunciation with a stylish win at Doncaster. If anything he had only just started to lengthen his stride. That was a very good debut with the promise of much more. A leading light.  Cape Verde is progressing with his racing and the type of composed horse which isn't going to be sucked into a speed dual. Finishing races is key and he is a fair juvenile if not needing to improve to win this. Mister Marc didn't lack for pace when behind subsequent Coventry Stakes (Group 2) winner, Dawn Approach. This drop to the minimum distance may be a plus although he is difficult to assess in ways. Potentially the dark horse of the race. Ahern & Reckless Abandon would be my idea of fair each way bets.

*NR

Monday, 18 June 2012

4:25 Ascot Coventry Stakes (Group 2) Free Horse Racing Tips

The first two-year-old race of Royal Ascot 2012. The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) over 6f on good to soft ground. A twenty-three strong field of colts, with seventeen winners in a competitive race.

The Irish contingent is strong with Dawn Approach looking to remain unbeaten. This son of New Approach has been favourite on all three starts and progressively stepping up in class. Winning at Listed class over 6f at Naas, ahead of a few English raiders, proves him to be a tough, durable juvenile who sets the standard. 

Christoforo Colombo hails from the O'Brien stable, a respected contender after an easy one-win victory. The stable also send narrow debutante winner Lines Of Battle

Being no expert on Irish two-year-old racing I would simply assess these juveniles with regard to betting. 

With such a large field I will focus on the major hopes.

Artigiano has the potential to be a class two-year-old. So often Godolphin come here with hopes which flounder. However, this chestnut son of Distorted Humor is an impressive colt with plenty of size and scope to prove that his effortless victory at Leicester was a natural stepping stone to this higher level. Mahmood Al Zarooni has Frankie Dettori booked to ride, which will be a crowd-pleaser and one for the short list. This juvenile's strength comes from the way he settles mid race, then finishes with purpose. Ascot is a burial ground for horses which go a stride too fast; often lesser lights dragging a few fancied hopes down with them as the cavalry charge slows to a stop. Artigiano needs to hold his position, but his strength could be his finishing burst. An interesting horse.

Charlie Hills is represented by a couple of debutante winners Funk Soul Brother and Englishman. I know the stable have been quite bullish about the chances of the former. It is always encouraging when one of Hills win on their racecourse bow and I would expect an improve performance from both. Good luck to ex-trainer Peter Winkworth who owns Englishman a person I have always respected.

A name which needs little introduction regarding the Coventry is Richard Hannon. Hughes commented that they don't have a Canford Cliffs on the scene but their quartet are worthy of respect. The Taj needs to improve a good deal on his win which looked no more than an average race. Similarly, Olympic Glory looked to have some class at Goodwood, but that was a poor race compared to the standard on display here. Major improvement is needed to figure. I was impressed with Master Of War at Haydock. A big, strong colt who clearly progressed with great enthusiasm from his first start. The ace in their pack could be Sir Prancealot. He won well at Bath although I had some reservation about the level of that form. However, it proves how difficult it can be to assess a winning horse when he took the National Stakes Listed race at Sandown in style. The second, Top Boy, is no world beater, and to some extent that race may have fallen apart. An easy winner but a horse I wouldn't want to back at relatively short odds.

David Brown's New Pearl is on a recovery mission after being hyped as some kind of super horse after winning at Newmarket. The bubble burst at Pontefract when he was struggling mid race then passed in the home straight. He may well be capable of better but I would take a watching brief.

Indian Jade stole New Pearl's crown that day and after making it two wins from two races deserves his chance. Kevin Ryan knows a decent juvenile from his vast string and unbeaten horse always have the potential to be something beyond the norm. However, on the balance of his form I suspect improvement is needed.  

Heavy Metal is a determined colt who has certainly made up for his disappointment in the Brocklesby Stakes. He was unlucky not to win the Woodcote Listed Stakes at Epsom but this looks a stiffer task.

Conclusion: With such a large field of runners it is difficult to write a post which does this fine race justice. However, this conclusion is the most noteworthy part. I am no expert on Irish juvenile racing and I'm not going to pretend to be. The betting is the best guide to their chances. Of the English runners I would be tempted to have an small each way bet on Artigiano. He is a lovely-looking colt, big, strong and has a style of running which could be most suiting for Royal Ascot as many horses go a stride too fast. It is very important to finish races and he will do just that. A fair chance in a stiff contest with umpteen wining juveniles in opposition. More of a watching race for me - sometimes that's the answer.

I would like to thank the Racing Post for their kind sponsorship for Royal Ascot 2012. Please make use of their excellent micro site which can be found at the top of the page.