Whether
it be "the race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we
will attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight the fancied
horses participating each day and their
characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides
you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a
particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we
feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims.
whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS - For each race, we have given you who, in our view, are the likeliest winners;
(1er. _ LE GAGNANT?), as well as any runners who could run well at eachway odds;
(E/W
ALTERNATIVE) . Any runner from our features are shown before each race's analysis.
THE HOUGHTON MEETING AT NEWMARKET
Saturday, October 18.
¦¨¨¨¨"First¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 1.40 Jockey Club Cup {A} {Group 3} 6 runners 2Miles~ Penalty £23200 3-Year-Olds plus
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Veteran Persian Punch should attempt to give punters a great start to Champion Stakes day in this Group 3 event by attempting to repeat last season's success. He has been taken understandably to the public's heart because of his never-say-die attitude. However he is vulnerable if he is taken on early or if he is challenged by opponents who come
significantly wide of him. Both of those factors occurred at Longchamp resulting in a thumping behind Westerner and I would be disappointed if former St Leger winner
Millenary, Kasthari or Tholjanah didn't do the same here. As much as the crowd will expect a Persian Punch success, I think Millinery's class over shorter trips may see him home here.
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Millenary
¦¨¨2^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Persian Punch
¦¨¨3^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Tholjanah
¦¨¨¨¨"Second¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 2.10 Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes {A} {Group 2} 11 runners 7f Penalty £46400 3-Year-Olds plus
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- A good opportunity for Trade Fair to win a Group 2 event. However, he has disappointed when upped in grade and although conditions appear to suit,
Tillerman' s excellent 3rd to Falbrav at Ascot seems to be the strongest piece of form on show and I'd be inclined to gamble on that proving to be worth taking a chance with here. The progressive Arakan (who disappointed last time behind Prior's Lodge at Goodwood) and course and distance winner Nayyir appear to be the best each-way prospects.
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Tillerman
¦¨¨2^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Trade Fair
¦¨¨3^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Arakan (e/w)
¦¨¨¨¨"Third¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 2.50 The Cesarewitch ~ sponsored by The Tote {Handicap} {B} 36 runners 2Miles~2f Penalty £72500 3-Year-Olds plus
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- The cavalry charge that is the Cesarewitch comes next. Loads of these have chances, however the more progressive horses (Ten Carat, Numitas,
Shabernak, Inglis Drever and Sindapour) make more appeal than proven stayers like
Distant Prospect, Direct Bearing, Landing Light, Don Fernando, Miss Fara and Flownaway. I've been particularly impressed with
Shabernak who should relish this trip, however I can't ignore Sindapour who looks to have been laid out for this race, He was most progressive during the summer, winning at the Royal Meeting and should be capable of making use of the 22 lbs he receives from Michael Bell's runner. Direct Bearing is another horse who has been laid out for this race and we selected him last year it would seem wrong to completely dismiss him off of similar terms this time around. He does look like the each-way value of the race, along with Don Fernando who might run well at big odds.
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Sindapour
¦¨¨2^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Shabernak
¦¨¨3^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Direct Bearing (e/w)
¦¨¨4^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Don Fernando
¦¨¨¨¨"Fourth¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 3.25 Darley Dewhurst Stakes {A} {Group 1} 12 runners 7f Penalty £142100 2-Year-Olds only colts and fillies
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- On paper, this looks to be a particularly good renewal of the Dewhurst and it will interesting to see how Three Valleys gets on against these useful rivals over an extra furlong. I must profess that I have been particularly impressed with Snow Ridge, however in both runs he has illustrated his potential for middle distances and needed every yard of the mile at Ascot to beat Moscow Ballet. He may get lucky here as Duke Of Venice may well stretch these from the onset and I'd be prepared to take a chance that his stamina gets an opportunity to come into play here. I'd marginally prefer him.
Antonius Pius, Milk It Mick and Haafhd all have solid each-way claims. I like the way Milk It Mick won over course and distance last time and in a race guaranteed to suit, he could nick a place at a nice price.
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Snow Ridge
¦¨¨2^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Three Valleys
¦¨¨3^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Milk It Mick (e/w)
¦¨¨¨¨"Fifth¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 4.00 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes {A} {Group 1} 13 runners 1Mile~2f Penalty £232000 3-Year-Olds plus
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Very difficult to evaluate the Champion Stakes because there is only horse with any pace in the race and that's Vespone who races for Godolphin for the first time. Alamshar is the current tissue favourite, however I thought his lack of pace was his main downfall in the Irish Champion Stakes over this trip.
Nayef will enter the equation, however his very good days are becoming less frequent and he is plenty short enough for a horse that has been beaten fair and square four times this season. Russian
Rhythm tasted defeat for the first time behind Falbrav and looks to have strong claims here, however it's worth noting the poor form of fillies in this race and she did give the impression that the edge was coming off of her. It is very difficult to know which way to go. I'm going to be brave (some might say foolish) and suggest Rakti (e/w) here. For a long time, we have underestimated foreign form and whilst the superlatives are now thrown at Falbrav, it's worth remembering that twelve months ago, very little praise was being given to a horse who was showing that level of form on the continent out of our sight. The same applies to Rakti. Off the top of my head, I believe we selected Rakti after
'eulogizing' him after he won the Italian Derby. He was very mulish and refused to enter the stalls. That was a pity, because we might have seen a glimpse of the horse who ran so well behind
Nayef in the Prince Of Wales Stakes at the Royal Meeting. He suffered an injury since but is reported to have worked well recently. He does run well fresh so may well be capable of going close here. At current odds, he is certainly worth and each-way interest in what appears to be an open affair. If this gamble fails, Russian
Rhythm would be the alternative but not with much confidence. Alamshar probably would be next best. Vespone and Danish raider Dano-Mast (another foreign trained horse with decent international form) shouldn't be too far away either.
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Rakti (e/w)
¦¨¨2^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Russian Rhythm
¦¨¨3^ place?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Alamshar
¦¨¨¨¨"Seventh¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 4.35 - Jim White 'Faucets' A Lifetime In Racing Stakes
(H`cap.) (C) 18runners 1Mile~ Penalty £8661.25 3-Year-Olds plus
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»--
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Pagan Prince,
¦¨¨e/w¨alt.?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Self Evident,
¦¨¨¨¨"Eighth¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 5.05 - Newmarket Challenge Cup (G) 3runners 7f Penalty £0.00 2-Year-Olds only
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»--
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Seeking A Way (USA)
¦¨¨e/w¨alt.?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--
THE HOUGHTON MEETING AT NEWMARKET
Thursday, October 16.
¦¨¨¨¨"First¨Race"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨»-- 1.40 National Stud European Breeders Fund, [E.B.F.] Maiden Stakes (D) 12runners 6f Penalty £4774.25 2-Year-Olds only
¦¨¨[ªT¨THE¨POST]¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¦
¦¨¨"the¨rØøk"¨¨¦¨¨¨»--
¦¨¨1^ PLACE?¨¬¨THE WINNER?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Emtilaak,
¦¨¨e/w¨alt.?¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Mrs. Shilling,
This
page was last updated on
Saturday October 18, 2003
at
09:02:48 AM
.
THE
FEATURE MEETING
POSTING
TIME
Selections for Monday - Friday should be available after 9:30pm the previous evening, however on Saturday and Sunday due to other commitments won't be posted until after 8:30am those respective mornings unless otherwise stated. Hopefully this helps
DEDICATION
GEORGE E.
ROBERTSON
1936 - 2003
FURLONG
TO GO would like to convey our condolences to the rØøk, whose father; George Edward Robertson passed
away on 16th April 2003.
Mr.
Robertson nurtured the rØøk`s enthusiasm for this
sport, and it was this inspiration, which is
probably behind the creation of this website. As a
permanent tribute to his memory, all the meetings
covered under the "feature Meeting" banner
will be dedicated to him...
LONGCHAMP
Dimanche, Avril 11.
15:15 PRIX LUPIN Pour poulains entiers et pouliches de 3 ans. Poids ...(2100 m 150000 Euro)
"With the advent of coverage of French racing on Attheraces, this season's renewal of the Prix Lupin arguably takes on even more significance as in Dalakhani, Super
Celebré, New South Wales, Alberto Giacomettì and Ballestrinì we have five horses who could well figure significantly in either the English or French versions of the Derby. It also can give a good indicator as to which nation has the strongest form lines. I suspect there are many 'home punters' who could well be wading in here on either
Ballestrinì, Alberto Giacomettì or even New South Wales, all of whom have been campaigned at Group level at 2 years of age in Ireland. In the case of Alberto
Giacomettì and Ballestrinì, we know how good their form was from last term and have been given evidence of their well-being. After these two met three weeks ago at Leopardstown, where
Ballestrinì was given the more judicious ride to make all from Alberto
Giacomettì and Alamshar who probably were too interested in each other and as a result gave each other too much to do. There were five and a half lengths between these two on that occasion, and you would have thought that with 6lbs less on his back today, Alberto
Giacomettì should reverse places, however the fact that Kieran Fallon has been booked to rider
Ballestrinì here suggests to me that connections may well believe that he can repeat the dose, in which case it may pay to look elsewhere for victory. I like what I saw of New South Wales last term and I'll be fascinated to see how he fares here with the future in mind, however this should be fought out (in my view) between Dalakhani and Super
Celebré. Dalakhani is unbeaten and has looked imperious so far in four outings. He beat Jipapibaquigrafo readily here last month and should be ready for this test, however it would be unwise to underestimate Super
Celebré who has been brought on far more slowly by Eric Lellouche. He inflicted just as easy a victory on Jipapibaquigrafo here at the beginning of April and will give Dalakhani plenty to think about here. I expect this to be close, however I will stick with the likely favourite".
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»--Dalakhani
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Super Celebré
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- New South Wales Dalakhani confirms his positions as one of France's best three year olds with
a smooth success
15:50 GAINSBOROUGH POULE D`ESSAI DES POULAINS [FRENCH 2000 GUINEAS] Pour poulains entiers de 3 ans. Poids : 58 k. Vers ...(1600 m 350000 Euro)
"France's first classic of the season has attracted a select field of ten and in the absence of Italian ace Le Vie Dei
Colorì (who bar injury, would in my view have had a big say here], Clodovil, Bourbonnais, France, Catcher In The Rye, Desert Destiny, Elusive City and Sign Of The Wolf appear on paper to be the main protagonists. I do like Clodovil here, who did very little wrong when winning the Prix de Fontainebleau
(gr. 3) here two week ago... I noted that the form of that race has been somewhat
rubbished by certain UK pundits, because of Tomahawk's disappointing run in our Guineas, however Summer Diplomacy, who came second that day ahs come out and won since and this horse could do no more than remain unbeaten. He is preferred to Sign Of The Wolf, who is unbeaten and posted a good effort when beating Krataios [who reopposes] by a length, Bourbonnais, [who should come on from his first run in Dubai] and Catcher In The Rye, [unexposed and 3ll thought of apparently by connections]"
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»- Clodovil,
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»- Catcher In The Rye,
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»- Sign Of The Wolf,
A one-two for "L' éléphant"!!
AUTEUIL
Saturday, June 15th 2002
Grande Haies d`Auteuil
Haies - The French Champion Hurdle {gr.1}
"Martin Pipe not only has got an outstanding chance of lifting the Prix RTL (Prix Hardatit) Haies, with Puntal, but he also has an even better chance of landing the Grande Haies
d`Auteuil, Galant Moss, completely transformed since returning to race in France. He was unlucky not to land the Prix Jean Granel (Haies) last time here over 4100m
3½ weeks ago, when he made a bad mistake at the last, when still travelling well, allowing Spanish Wells to get past him on the run-in. Cristophe Pieux continues his association with Galant Moss, and having proven his ability to stay this trip (rarely run over in
France) he has definite place claims. The race should be set up for him by Vic Toto, who could go well if he stays this extended trip and Kimbi, (difficult to catch right, but decent on his day as he proved when landing the in Prix Leon Rambaud (Haies) {gr. 2} earlier this year, beating Vic Toto). Galant Moss' main threat though is undoubtedly Laveron, vastly improved since returning to France. This ex German Group winner easily landed his maiden here spread eagling a field in the Prix Hubert de Navailles (Haies) at the beginning of April. He then stepped up on this when landing the Grande
Haies de Printemps (Haies) (Handicap) here at the end of April. On that occasion, Laveron was handy throughout and quickened impressively when asked by Thierry Doumen between the last two obstacles. On his last start, he stalked Vic Toto before quickening to land the Gras Savoye Hipcover - Prix La Barka Haies {gr.2} here over 4300m. Despite the absence of Barracouda, Magnus and Le Sauvignon, this isn't too bad a renewal, ironically dominated by two horses who haven't shown anywhere near their true ability when they raced in this country. I would love to see Galant Moss win this, however Laveron has looked top class of late and I have to stay loyal to our "Horse to Follow".
Laveron
quickened up close home to land the prize.
AUTEUIL
Saturday, April 27th 2002
14:15 - Prix Sicie Haies.
Galahan; who was third on his most recent start here two weeks ago, Divine Gesture, (who bettered that effort when finishing second on the same card), Legend of Anais, who finished third on his second start over hurdles at Enghien, but who has been well beaten since, and Anissia a promising sixth on her most recent attempt over obstacles, make most appeal in this claimer ... Divine Gesture just gets the call
¦ ¹1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Divine Gesture
¦ ²e/w alternative ¦:¬>Anissia RESULT
1er - Divine Gesture
2ème - Anissia 10lengths
3ème - Legend of Anais 6lengths
14:45 - Grande Haies De Printemps {Gr.3}
"Funny King, Sirius Parcs, Sète Nain, Laveron, and Isidore Ranson look the likeliest winners here. I expect a bold bid from the top weight Funny King, but Laveron (my selection) and Isidore Ranson may just be too good"
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Laveron
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬> Isidore Ranson, (e/w)
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Funny King RESULT
1er - Laveron
2ème - Fils d`Ecosse
3ème - Isidore Ranson
4ème - Sirius
Parcs
15:50 Prix Amadou Haies {Gr.2}
"Saint Des Saints, a winner four times (three times in Graded company) since his inclusion in our website's ONE TO JUMP feature has to concede weight to seven rivals, including Great Love, Cybergenics, and Kotika, (useful juveniles in their own right); all of whom have suffered defeat at his hand already this term. This magnificent dual purpose juvenile keeps improving with each start, and unless he has an off day should be too good for these. Or Ou Argent who made all to win here last week may sneak into the placing RESULT
1er - Saint des Saints
2ème - Great Love
3ème - Grand Match
16:20 Prix Jean Victor Steeple Ch.
"Holy Joe, Akarus, Passing Ship, Crin Argenté, Bacchus du Berlais, Fustrien du Paon, Argentat, Ian De Brion, Atacama, and Clayton appear to have the best chances in the next. Fustrien du Paon, who took the Prix Hauon here in March is just preferred to Holy Joe (sixth in the Prix Lutteur on his last start), and Crin
Argenté (The winner of the Prix Oural here in November, who makes his first appearance of the new year)"
¦ ¹1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Fustrien du Paon,
¦ ²e/w alternative ¦:¬>Crin Argenté RESULT
1er - Fustrien du Paon
2ème - Hurdle
3ème - Atacama
16:50 Prix Romantisme Haies
"Darius Quercus, Royal Standard, Kamillo, Baby Norm, Dark Steel, and Kafkaien have the best claims of those runners who line up for Division One of this hurdle event. Eperson, who won three times on the flat last season, will be strongly supported on the back of his promising fifth on his hurdles bow, however Darius Quercus, who beat all bar Cybergenics in the Prix Emilius (Hurdle) (Colts & Geldings) here last October gets the vote"
¦ ¹1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Darius Quercus,
¦ ²e/w alternative ¦:¬> Kamillo, RESULT
1er - Darius Quercus
2ème - Royal Standard
3ème - Baby Norm
AUTEUIL Sunday, April 21st 2002
Prix Du President De La Republique
(The French Grand National)
"Innox, Hidalgo de la Prise, and Satin Turk appear to have the most obvious chances, however they are weighted according. At the foot of the weights Le Cid, who could improve significantly at the trip may cause a surprise. It wouldn't surprise me either if
Philastre doesn't put in a "big run here", and if there is an eachway bet here it is him"
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Le Cid
¦ 2ème Choice ¦:¬> Philastre, (e/w)
¦ 3ème Choice ¦:¬>Innox
RESULT
1st - Le Cid
2nd - Innox
4th - Philastre
One of five winning selections at the meeting
elephant
DISCLAIMER:
In no way does "Furlong To Go!! guarantee that selections
posted above will win the specified races advertised.
They are merely an indication based on current form. Whilst
the selections, and advice are the basis by which we will
personally place our own bets, like you, any selections
that are backed, are done so at your own risk.
characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides
you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a
particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we
feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims.
whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
