All this week I will be making tip selections so remember to use your mobile phone if you are on the move.
1:25 Warwick - Classic Image. Rae Guest has done well with his juveniles this year and they generally go well when fancied in the betting. Strangely, their win and place claims are pretty similar suggesting they either win or unplaced. I would go for a straight win for this bay filly.
2:15 Newcastle - Tonto's Spirit. Michael Dods is an exceptional trainer and so often ignored on debut. However, his horses have a fantastic win and place race on debut and often those of bigger odds go better than favourites. Has place claims at speculative odds.
High Class Equine.
Wednesday 30th July 2014 – Jockey Club Racecourses today announced plans for a
17-fixture all-Jumps race programme at Warwick Racecourse from 2015 and a vision for
the Midlands track to become regarded as one of the UK's leading small Jumps courses
within the next five years.
With an all-Jumps focus, clear identity and a boosted race programme, the move is
designed to help the course to thrive over the long-term, rather than continue to
struggle to remain viable in its current dual-code capacity. The plan – developed by
the local course management and racecourse committee with the help and full support of
the wider Jockey Club Racecourses team – will see several million pounds invested in
Warwick in the coming years, including through reservoir expansion, enhanced irrigation
systems and prize money contributions.
The current Flat course will be utilised to provide
a spring or autumn course, in addition to the existing winter course.
The move follows a programme of consultation about the best future for the racecourse,
which was the first to stage Jumps racing in Great Britain in 1831, effectively introducing
the code to these shores.
The consultation, which gathered the views of trainers, jockeys
and owners, as well as Warwick Annual Members and racegoers, highlighted the
significant differences in perception between the quality and purpose of Flat racing at
Warwick in comparison to its more highly regarded Jumps programme.
Warwick currently stages 11 Jumps fixtures and 10 Flat fixtures. Jockey Club
Racecourses has worked collaboratively with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to
develop Warwick’s new all Jumps programme, particularly in the conversion and transfer
of fixtures. Having consulted with The Horsemen’s Group and Racecourse Association,
the BHA has approved the conversion of six Flat fixtures to Jumps at Warwick and four
Flat fixtures transferring to Nottingham (x2), Carlisle and Epsom Downs, within the
provisional 2015 Fixture List. The management at Warwick will work in consultation with
BHA Course Inspectors on implementing the necessary changes to the track in order to
accommodate the additional Jump fixtures.
The specific details will be confirmed as part of the publication of the 2015 Fixture List by
BHA. With a total of 17 Jumps fixtures slated from 2015 – running August to May –
Jockey Club Racecourses has pledged to increase its average prize money contribution
across Warwick’s Jump fixture programme for 2015.
Recent highlights over Jumps at Warwick include the Betfred Classic Chase, contended
by the likes of Auroras Encore and West End Rocker; the Kingmaker Novices' Chase, won
by Long Run and Finian's Rainbow; and the Leamington Novices' Hurdle (Neptune
Investment Management Novices' Hurdle), won by The New One and Carruthers. Three
of the last five winners of the Crabbie's Grand National – Auroras Encore, Ballabriggs and
Don't Push It – raced at Warwick in the build up to their Aintree triumphs. In addition, it
has been announced recently that a Novice Chase in January, the Hampton Novices’
Chase, has been upgraded to Listed status by BHA.
Many industry commentators have expressed the desire for British racing to strengthen
the quality of the Jumps programme throughout the year and en route to the major
festivals. Jockey Club Racecourses intends for this move to help towards achieving
this.
The UK's leading racecourse group is governed by The Jockey Club's Royal Charter
commitment to act solely for the long-term good of British racing.
Ian Renton, the Jockey Club Racecourses Regional Director responsible for
Warwick Racecourse, said:
"Warwick can now benefit from a clear identity and, in the coming years, significant
investment as a top quality small Jumps course. I have every confidence it will succeed
because we are building on Warwick's existing strengths, which has been underlined by
the industry’s support for Jumps racing through the consultation we have carried out
over the last few months. We want people talking about fantastic racing at Warwick and
boosting the important role it plays in the British Jumps racing programme.
"We could invest further in the Flat track at Warwick, such as increasing the camber, but
that work would just return the Flat course to a position where the course has been
struggling. It's not a decision we’ve taken lightly but I feel we have left no stone
unturned to ensure this is the right move for British racing in the long-term. It's time for
Warwick not just to survive, but thrive."
Nicky Henderson, leading Jumps trainer, added:
“I very much welcome the news and see it as a huge benefit to Jumps racing.
“Warwick is a very fair course that has good, competitive Jumps racing, especially in the
novice chase and novice hurdle departments. The fences are nicely sighted, they can be
a little challenging down the back, but they are of a good size. We run plenty of horses
there and with good, competitive novice hurdles and novice chases the field sizes are
always good.
“It is very positive that the current Flat course is being transferred as additional space to
run the Jumps races, and to have the flexibility of that extra ground. The ground can get
testing in the winter making the spring ground less desirable but it’s a bonus that this
issue will be resolved to allow for the space to run the extra fixtures that have been
introduced during the spring and the autumn.
“Geographically it is very well situated for us in Lambourn and it is an inviting course for
all sorts of horses. The prize money at Warwick has always been good and they run
some good races there.”
A Maiden Auction Stakes over 6f on good ground. A very restricted race type where juveniles are weighted with regard to their public auction sale price. Generally, form horses prove the best solution. Fine Prince will not be much of a price but must take all the beating. Robert Mills' gelding has been highly tried at pattern class and proven a talented juvenile. Racing in the Woodcote Stakes (Listed) and Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) he will overshadow the majority of these without breaking sweat. The Dapper Tapper is the only serious threat but still has something to prove. If Fine Prince is ever going to win - today is that day.
An EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 5f on good to soft going. Tom Dascombe has been busy this season with a number of two-year-olds making their debut. While a good few have proven a little disappointing War Paint showed promise when making her debut at Pontefract in the middle of April. This daughter of Excellent Art is a fine stamp of a filly and a good-looking type, strong through the chest as seen with many of this stable's youngsters. She cost 82,000gns at the yearling sales and was well backed on her racecourse bow, which is never a bad sign from this handler. Kingscote gave this brown filly a lovely introduction and she moved nicely in the closing stages when given a gently nudge to go forward. There will be ample improvement from that tender handling. Warwick is a course which favours horses with experience and a good few of these have something to prove. If priced 13/2 & less has respectable win and place claims. Zuzinia is worth watching in the betting after being given a stakes race entry. The main danger is Rise Up Lotus, a flashy grey, who showed up well at Newmarket.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 7f 26y on good to firm ground.
A field of mostly experienced but lightly-raced juveniles: a couple of debutants, while two fillies take on the colts.
Tamarkuz is a rare runner for Saeed Bin Suroor at this course. However, the trainer features an impressive strike rate with juveniles here and, in general, on their second start. This chestnut colt by Speightsown was an expensive yearling purchase at $325,000. He was fancied on his debut at Newmarket when partnered by Dettori, finishing a creditable 4th. The form of that race has been franked with the second winning on his next start.This youngster doesn't hold any flashy engagements but this race shouldn't take the world of winning and must be respected. The horse to beat.
Ed Dunlop is a trainer who often slips under the radar but an excellent trainer, especially when his juveniles are fancied in the betting. Red Avenger was nibbled in the market when making his debut at Leicester in early June. On balance, that was a fair introduction behind a couple of talentes. A breeze-up purchase costing 175,000gns, this must be one of the more expensive two-year-olds in the stable.I noted this youngster on debut because I remembered seeing he had been entered to run in a stakes race, which is often an encouraging sign. This American-bred colt needs a stiffer test of stamina and certainly gave that impressing when finishing with some purpose after being outpaced. R Arculli is an intriguing owner because many of his horses need the run and they can improve significantly on their second start. Red Avenger was given a pleasing introduction to gain experience and enjoy his racing bow. It would be no surprise to see this colt run a big race, especially so if strongly fancied in the betting.
Saved By The Bell is one of the more interesting debutantes. This Irish-bred colt was sold for 100,000euros as a foal and then not sold as a yearling when reaching £120,000. Clearly, someone must have high expectations. Brian Meehan had this colt entered to run at Sandown and also, notably, more lofty entries for the Champagne Stakes (Group 2) & Racing Post Trophy (Group 1). Meehan often sends his better juveniles to race at Sandown and I would imagine this son of Teofilo is held in some regard. The stable's juveniles often improve for their initial experience but the better types can win on debut. If fancied in the betting I would take note. It's never easy to win at the first time of asking but this horse may have higher ambitions than most.
Of the rest, Rockpool hails from a stable who have been going well with their two-year-olds of late. Roger Charlton's debuatntes can win on their racecourse bow but generally priced 13/2 & less when proving victorious. This chestnut filly is a home bred although it should be noted that her relatives fetched little money at the sales. The betting will be the best guide to her chances. I would take a watching brief against the colts.
Epic Battle showed little ability on debut but was half fancied in the betting. William Haggis is a talented trainer and if backed to 13/2 & less has sound each way claims.
Conclusion: Tamarkuz sets the standard for Saeed Bin Suroor after a fair debut effort at Newmarket. This stable have a supreme win and place rate with fancied juveniles on their second start and must be respected. This expensive colt is probably priced to chance but the opposition will need to show a fair level of ability to make a stand. Red Avenger hasn't been seen for a while, so the betting could be a fair reflection of his well being. If particularly weak in the market it would be a concern. However, there was much to like about that first effort at Leicester, running over an insufficient trip when nibbled in the betting. We could see a different horse today. R Arculli is one of those owners who likes to give his juveniles an easy introduction. They often improve a good deal on their debut effort and this juvenile has a price tag which suggest he is worthy of note. If priced 13/2 & less I would expect a big run and a solid each way selection. The rest of the field need to improve to figure. Epic Battle could be of interest if strongly supported. But it could be debutant Saved By The Bell who marks himself as the main danger. Brian Meehan clearly holds this colt in some regard and it is interesting they were considering going to Sandown, which has been a significant starting place for a number of their most talented two-year-olds. If fancied in the betting he could go well.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f on good to soft ground.
Seven runners, five raced with two debutantes from leading stables.
This speed course suits juveniles with experience. Three form horses set the standard and over shadow those making their debut.
Fletcher Christian has been given a over a month's break after five creditable efforts. John Gallagher's gelding is a difficult horse to pin down regarding his exact level of ability but he has certainly shown enough pace to win an average maiden. This bay is out of a very talented mare, who was trained by Nerys Dutfield, winning at Listed and Group 3 class over sprint distances. Fletcher Christian is a good-looking juvenile who has shown his best form on softer ground although far from inconvenienced by firmer conditions. This drop back to the minimum trip is ideal and if fit should have most of these on the back foot with ample pace to burn. He is the type of performer to touch short odds in-running and perhaps the class to just about hold on for a win.
Tanghan was second string for Richard Fahey's stable when runner-up to the talented Flyman at York over the minimum trip. This colt by Invincible Spirit cost 50,000euros and owned by Mrs H Steel who has the knack of finding talented two-year-olds. This February foal was quoted as being temperamental but a good-looking sort. After dwelling at the start, he looked to have a remote chance but ran on with real determination. On the face of it, that was a superb effort. It is intriguing to consider why this bay colt has been absent from racing for such a long period which suggests there have been issues. Nolan keeps the ride. If progressing from that first start, he must take the beating.
David Brown has proven to be a master training of two-year-olds and capable of sending out debut winners. I'm pretty sure that was the plan for John Fretwell's filly because I have rarely seen a juvenile entered to run so many times only to be withdrawn on the day. To be fair that may have been due to the prevailing soft ground at the time. However, there was little doubt this daughter of Street Boss was fit and ready when making her debut at Windsor. Richard Mullen was clearly under instructions to win because he didn't stop for trying all the way to the line. The fact that Hoyam - who was narrowly defeated in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) - was a 1-5 odds-on shot set the bar pretty high. Bell's juvenile won in stylish fashion. In truth that was Clean Blow's running. She was quite a short price to win when running at Wolverhampton but a wide draw and fair opposition made for a disappointing fourth. The fifth has since won a race. Clean Blow isn't devoid of ability but I would favour others because she looks to have her work cut out with a couple of these.
The other form horses will need to sprout wings to beat the favourites.
The betting is the best guide to the unraced juveniles trained by William Haggis & Ralph Beckett respectively.
Cross My Heart is a half-sister to the talented Stepper Point and cost 45,000gns as a yearling. William Haggis can win with his debutantes and has a few potential stars in his team this season. However, this daughter of Sakhee's Secret will need to be something beyond the norm to beat these experienced juveniles. If priced 13/2 & less it would bring further confidence but whatever the price I would take a watching brief.
Speed Date hails from Ralph Beckett's stable. Their juveniles can be rather hit and miss on debut but it should be remembered they can win at speculative odds. It never pays to discount their debutantes. However, it would take a sterling effort to lower the colours of those more proven.
Conclusion: On form I wouldn't look beyond Tanghan and Fletcher Christian who set a fair standard. There is a slight concern both have been away from the course for some period. The former was said to be temperamental, which hardly inspires confidence although finishing runner-up to the stable's first string at York was a supreme effort. In truth, he may not need to improve on that initial start but you wouldn't want to bet at short odds if there are issues. Nolan keeps the ride and may have been partnering this horse on the gallops. I would be careful backing at short odds but respect his chances. Fletcher Christian is a fair sort and perhaps better than we have seen so far. Gallagher often slips under the radar but this strong colt has ample speed and if blasting from the stalls may have many of these wondering which way he went. His form is not the easiest to assess but there has been promise in many races over this minimum trip on ground with a bit of give. At decent odds there must be a fair chance of laying your bet at shorter odds in-running. This could be a bet to nothing and then you just cross your fingers and hope for the win. Clean Blow has an element of ability but may need the principles to disappoint to prove victorious. The debutantes may prove talents in time. However, this is a speed course and the slightest signs of inexperience will see this pair toiling off the pace. Best watched even if fancied in the betting.
