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DERBY MEETING.{gr.1}
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Analysis & Selections by
.t.h.e. r.o.o.k.
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 CHOICE), as well as
the next best runners (in our view, this can include any horses who could run well at eachway
odds). Any runner from our features are shown before each race's analysis.
THE DERBY MEETING
The Epsom Derby is by far the most famous and prestigious flat race run anywhere in the world. The race gets its name as a result of the successful call of the then Lord Derby; who correctly 'won' the right to name the race, on the toss of a coin against the unfortunate Lord Bunbury.... The latter isn't forgotten though, and is remembered in the annual running of the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket's July Meeting.
The Derby is regarded as the ultimate test and usually attracts a decent field. Now in its 222nd year, having first been won in 1780 by Diomed, racing at Epsom continues to thrill and entertain. It is one of the most unique racecourses in the world, and is a thorough test of the thoroughbred.
DIVERSITY OF ATTENDEES
Tens of thousands of spectators make their way to the Epsom Derby annually to watch and experience the thrills and is a complete mix of enthusiasts, corporate groups, day trippers, gypsies and of course Royalty. It is more that just a race, The course is trying to recapture the atmosphere of the 1950's when the race was a major social occasion. Apart from the racing, free musical performances from the likes of Steps; Damage, and Atomic Kitten at the 'Derby Day Picnic', and the traditional Derby Fun Fair are being laid on to attempt to appeal to a wider audience.
THE COURSE
Epsom is left-handed. The course is shaped like a horseshoe, and from the moment the runners leave the start, they'll face a right hand bend and a rise of some 140 feet followed by about 3 furlongs level ground at the highest point of the course. Once there, they encounter the descent around Tattenham corner in a final finishing straight of 3
½ furlongs. What makes Epsom unique us the gradient her isn't level it continues to fall another 100 feet until 100 yds from home where the course finally levels before the winning post
Sprint races are run from two chutes on the course; The 5 furlong course in particular is downhill for the first couple of furlongs, and is one of the fastest courses in the country
WEIGHTS
The Derby is run over the full length of the track; a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs, and each three-year-old colt carries 9 stone. The fillies and the older horses also run the same course and distance for the Vodafone Oaks and Coronation Cup respectively.
THE RACES
There are a total of fourteen races at the Derby meeting this year including three Group 1's , a Group 3, and both Listed and Handicap races.
On the 7th June 2002 the Epsom Derby racing begins with the Vodafone Oaks Day and Vodafone Coronation Cup followed by the main event the Vodafone Epsom Derby on Saturday 8th June
2002.
OUR COVERAGE
Hopefully our coverage is entertaining and informative ....... and of course hopefully we find you a few winners at the meeting !!!
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This
page was updated on Sunday June 09, 2002
at 04:07:56 AM
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The
Derby Meeting
Most
Recent Feature Meeting
THE FEATURE MEETING
POSTING TIMES FOR SELECTIONS
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
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Newbury
Saturday, May 18th 2002
2:15 TFM Cyntergy H' cap (For The London Gold Cup) £20000 added, 3yo only, 1m 3f 5yds, penalty £12934, 13 runners.
Shagraan (4th to Malacary at Newmarket on his latest start), Favourable Man (winner over 1m 4f at Catterick 24 days ago), Epicentre (the winner of a Bath maiden on his seasonal reappearance), Starzaan (a winner over 10f at Windsor 26 days ago),
Tertullian and Dune are my fancies for this 11 furlong event. Shagraan' s form was confirmed by the winner earlier in the week and he is just preferred to top-weight Fashionable Man.
Shagraan
won at 5/1
2:45 Grundon Stakes (Registered As The Aston Park Stakes) (Listed Race) £25000 added, 4yo plus, 1m 5f 61yds, penalty £15196, 6 runners.
A trappy little affair comes next. At their best, you could make a case for each of the 6 starters.
Dawari (last seen behind Mr Combustible at Chester 375 days ago) and Art Gale (who disappointed over hurdles this winter) both appear as though this effort will bring them on, however, I won't be surprised if this develops into a match between High-Pitched and First Ballot....for all of First Ballot's battling qualities (he really did impress under top-weight at the guineas meeting), I think that High Pitched who developed into a decent handicapper last year will have come on enough for his first effort behind Marian Bard at Newmarket to be able to concede 6lbs all round here.
High Pitched
won at 4/1
3:20 LOCKINGE STAKES - {Group.1} £172000 added, 4yo plus, 1m, penalty £99760, 10 runners.
Assuming Summoner (or for that matter Atavus) sets out to make this a truly run affair, then this race should develop into a battle between Noverre (one of last season's better 3-year-old milers who was slightly unlucky to be pipped by Terre A Terre at Nad Al Sheba) , No Excuse Needed (another decent miler who needs to improve on his disappointing 15th behind Terre A Terre and Noverre at Nad Al Sheba), Olden Time (Not seen out since finishing behind Slickly at
Longchamp in September) and Keltos (who bounced back to somewhere like his best when winning at Saint Cloud last time out). There is no doubt that Noverre is a really useful individual, however, I believe Keltos is currently overpriced. The race should be run to suit this big nearly-white "grey" gelding and he appears to warrant (at the very least) each way consideration.
Keltos
won at 9/1
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.
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