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THE GUINEAS MEETING AT NEWMARKET
You have to admire Mother Nature's sense of humour... she has drowned most of the National Hunt fraternity ... now after giggling at us by doing the same during all of the trials for this season's classics, then quite unexpectedly she has played her ace card by drying up the ground, to the extent it may even be on the fast side by 1000 Guineas day on Sunday. Reading form is a nightmare.... finding winner may be impossible...we'll certainly give it a go though
Day three of the meeting.
Golan's victory in the 2000 Guineas looks a good effort, a horse certainly to keep the right side of, for the remainder of the season.... Finally after some near misses we get onto the scoreboard at 20/1 with Solo Mio.... trust the National Hunt form to get me out of trouble!!!
NEWMARKET
Sunday 6th May
2:00 Curtis Medical Rated Stakes Class B (Handicap)
"THE ROOK " _Munjiz, Doctor Spin, Deep Space, Nice One Clare, Harmonic Way, Compton Banker, Further Outlook, Jarn, Magic Of Love, and Hunting Lion, head the market in the opener. A messy race is likely with no guaranteed pace, and only Further Outlook looking likely to make the running...The likelihood of a shock result is high.... the one I like is Compton Banker, but he will need to get some early pace... an eachway bet is advised
"1st * Choice" _Compton Banker (e/w)
"Alternative" _Nice One Clare,
2:30 The Mail On Sunday Mile (Handicap) (Qualifier) Class C
"THE ROOK " _ Another 30 runner handicap.... (sigh!!). Haasil, Celtic Mission, Dance On The Top, Pasithea, Norcroft Lady, Goldie, Diamond Max, Meriden Mist, Modrik, Prime Trump, Street Life, Astle, Dream Magic, Forest Dancer, Mamore Gap, Repulse Bay, Woodfield, and Bressbee, are amongst those who could be considered. There is no knowing which side of the track will be favoured and in our current form, we may nee more than lots of luck to find the winner. I have selected Haasil on both starts this term, and as he ran well on both starts, you could a lot worse than him here
"1st * Choice" _Haasil
"(e/w) Alternative" _Astle
3:05 R. L. Davison Pretty Polly Stakes Class A (Listed Race)
"THE ROOK " _It doesn't get any easier for punters, Fully Invested, Head In The Clouds, Got To Go, Love Everlasting, Time Away, Mot Juste, Tarfshi, all have chances on the book. Current ante favourite for the Oaks; Fully Invested makes her reappearance, however she is worth watching today after another poor day for the stable yesterday. John Dunlop's horses are red hot at present , and Time Away who ran satisfactorily on her reappearance at Kempton, should appreciate the step up in distance, and is marginally preferred to stablemate Head In The Clouds. Tarfshi, is another who come on from her first run of the season, and may be up to nicking a place
"1st * Choice" _ Time Away
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Tarfshi,
3:45 Sagitta 1000 Guineas Stakes (Class A) (Group 1) (3yo) Winner £174,000.00 to be run over 1mile
[1] Ameerat M A Jarvis P Robinson
[2] Arhaaff M R Channon Craig Williams
[3] Ashlinn R Hannon Dane O´Neill
[4] Autumnal B J Meehan B Doyle
[5] Crystal Music J H M Gosden R Hughes
[6] Dora Carrington P W Harris J Reid
[7] Enthused Sir Michael Stoute J P Murtagh
[8] Karasta Sir Michael Stoute K Fallon
[9] Mameha C E Brittain B Marcus
[10] Muwakleh Saeed Bin Suroor L Dettori
[11] Peaceful Paradise J W Hills M Hills
[12] Santolina J H M Gosden J Fortune
[13] Sayedah M P Tregoning R Hills
[14] Stunning Mme C Head-Maarek O Doleuze
[15] Toroca A P O´Brien M J Kinane
Runner[s] from our Flat [Horses to Follow] feature__ Karasta
"THE ROOK " _ It may pay to follow the lead shown by Golan yesterday, and ignore two inconclusive domestic trials and judge these on the basis of form
shown last term. If you do this, then Karasta; a horse we supported regularly last term would come immediately into the equation. The further she went the better she ran last term, and whatever she does here, middle distances should bring out the best in here... Then there's Godolphin's
Muwakleh; impressive winner of her trial in Dubai, who should go well if she translates that form to turf.
Crystal Music is another possible, whose success in the Fillies' Mile win last backend is one of the best pieces of evidence on offer.
Dora Carrington, Ameerat;
who ran well in defeat behind Karasta; Stunning;
who didn't run too badly behind Minardi at Leopardstown in August, and Enthused, who could go close if she gets the trips are others to consider. Muwakleh and or Sayedah should ensure that the race is at least truely run... that should set the race up for those coming off the pace. I am afraid of Stunning who is the subject of such strong Gallic support, however I am going to stay loyal with Karasta. Enthused could be dangerous if she gets the trip, is our eachway bet, if your looking for a long-shot, Arhaaff who came up against a tartar in Victoria Cross here on her reappearance, (she'd have gone well in this race) is an interesting 40/1 odd shot
"1st * Choice" _ Karasta
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Enthused
"LONG*SHOT!!" _Arhaaff
4:20 May Classified Stakes Class B
"THE ROOK " _Inchcape, Caughnawaga (FR), Jentzen, Crazy Larrys (USA), Putra Pekan, and Zietunzeen, are the 'chosen' in race five... it is not easy to separate these. Crazy Larrys (USA) who showed promised in his three starts last term is the selection
"1st * Choice" _Crazy Larrys (USA)
"(e/w) Alternative" _Caughnawaga (FR)
4:50 March Handicap Class C
"THE ROOK " _ Eighteen line up in the next; a 1m4f handicap. Atlantic Rhapsody, Jocko Glasses, Jolly Sharp, Sarangani, Livius, Moon Emperor, Inching Closer, Robandela, Wait For The Will, Court Shareef, Reflex Blue, and Seek, appeal. Seek interests me as he seems to be a little unlucky in running here in a similar event at the last meeting. To be frank the same could happen again, but he has a lot going for him and he could run a big race here. Sarangani who disapointed last time out, but has the form to go close, is an interesting 'alternative'
"1st * Choice" _ Seek (e/w)
"Alternative" _Sarangani
Two division of the maiden end the card;
5:20 Hastings Maiden Stakes Class D (Div I)
"THE ROOK " _ Hardly any public form to consider in Division I, however Reef Diver, Dericou, Conclude, Bali, Folaann, Beach Hut, Silvaani, and Quizzical, made some appeal in Division I .... Dericou gets the call
"1st * Choice" _Dericou
"(e/w) Alternative" _Beach Hut
5:50 Hastings Maiden Stakes Class D (Div II)
"THE ROOK " _St James's Palace Stakes entrants Askham, Mugharred, Painted Room and Stateroom line up in Division II. although the stable are out of form, Painted Room, has the form on the book to win this and he can take this finale. I like Saabirr's pedigree, and hopefully he goes well
"1st * Choice" _ Painted Room
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Saabirr
NEWMARKET
Saturday 5th May
1:50 Ruinart Champagne Conditions Stakes Class C
Runner[s] from our Flat 'Horses to Follow' feature__ Shaandar,
"THE ROOK " _ Day two of this meeting, and judging by yesterday's events the ground definitely is on the fest side of good. The first race on the card will take some sorting out as well, as you can make a case for Curtain Time, Shaandar, Terrestrial, Aquarius, Rudder, And Beyond, and Prize Winner. Curtain Time is likely to be strongly fancied here, however this hype horse has plenty to prove, despite an easy win on his debut. I like Shaandar, who hopefully will develop into a nice staying sort by the end of the season, and he certainly couldn't have won any easier on his debut. I wouldn't be surprised if Rudder, and Aquarius renewed battle here, after battling out a great finish on their respective debuts at Kempton 19 days ago... Despite the step up in trip, which will assist Rudder. I'll take Aquarius to come out on top again
"1st * Choice" _Aquarius
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Rudder,
2:25 European Metal Recycling Maiden Stakes Class D
"THE ROOK " _Twelve line for the second, a two-year-old race. Some nicely bred individuals will line up however very little form to go on. Albania, who showed promise on his debut is a token offering
"1st * Choice" _Albania,
"(e/w) Alternative" _Izmail
3:00 Countrywide Steel & Tubes Rated Stakes Class B (Handicap)
"THE ROOK " _ Moon Solitaire, Barton Sands, Blue Sugar, Thundering Surf, Rhythmicall, Tarboush, Prairie Wolf, Shamaiel, Culzean, Hudood, and King Priam, are the likeliest winners of the third. Blue Sugar, who showed improved form with each start last term is taken to score here
"1st * Choice" _Blue Sugar,
"(e/w) Alternative" _Culzean,
3:40 Sagitta 2000 Guineas Stakes Class A (Group 1)
[1] Darwin , A P O´Brien P J Scallan
[2] Divine Task Saeed Bin Suroor K Darley
[3] Frenchmans Bay R Charlton Pat Eddery
[4] Golan Sir Michael Stoute K Fallon
[5] Heretic J R Fanshawe M Hills
[6] Imperial Dancer M R Channon S Drowne
[7] King´s County A P O´Brien v G Duffield
[8] King´s Ironbridge R Hannon Dane O´Neill
[9] Mayville Thunder G A Butler J P Spencer
[10] Minardi A P O´Brien M J Kinane
[11] Munir B W Hills R Hills
[12] Nayef M P Tregoning W Supple
[13] Patsy´s Double M Blanshard T Quinn
[14] Red Carpet M L W Bell M Fenton
[15] Rumpold Saeed Bin Suroor J Carroll
[16] Tamburlaine R Hannon R Hughes
[17] Tempest Sir Michael Stoute J P Murtagh
[18] Tobougg Saeed Bin Suroor L Dettori
[19] Volata M H Tompkins T E Durcan
"THE ROOK " _ A horrible race to call, due to the ridiculous spring we had and more importantly a collection of wholly inconclusive trials series of muddling trials. Of the horses due to line up I like
Tobougg, despite being beaten in his trial at Nad El Sheba,
Nayef, who showed immense promise last term, as did
Tamburlaine, and King's Ironbridge, (the boy David of racing, who not for the first time ion his career slayed a Goliath when beating Nayef in the Craven Stakes),
Golan, who showed so much promise when winning on his debut,
Munir; winner of the Greenham Stakes, and
Minardi top of the International Classifications last year.
There appears to be plenty of stable confidence behind Minardi, and if you fancy him, at current odds he has a certain amount of attraction for a place at the very least, he looks set to run a big race. Tobougg is very short, but you'd expect him to go well, and its interesting that Golan has attracted so much support flat, however I just prefer Nayef, who could yet fulfill the promise shown last year, by landing the prize,
"1st * Choice" _Nayef
"(e/w) Alternative" _King's Ironbridge
"LONG*SHOT !!!"_King's County,
4:15 Victor Chandler Palace House Stakes Class A (Group 3)
"THE ROOK " _ Very open competitive sprint; Astonished, Fath, Tedburrow, Watching, Bahamian Pirate, Pipalong, Cassandra Go, Eastern Purple, Rambling Bear, and Kier Park, all make a certain amount of appeal. Astonished may well end up taking this, however this hold up horse needs to have to run of the race, and therefore i'll oppose him and go with Kier Park, who will improve significantly on his seasonal debut, his first race for over a year. Conditions look against Pipalong, however this tough mare will be staying on at the death and may nick a place
"1st * Choice" _Kier Park
"(e/w) Alternative" _Pipalong
4:45 ladbrokes.co.uk Handicap Class C
Runner[s] from our Flat 'Horses to Follow' feature__ Abbajabba,
"THE ROOK " _Thirty runners will flash down the straight in this sprint; Tayif, Abbajabba, Annette Vallon, Cadeaux Cher, Bon Ami, Marsad, Royal Artist, Celebration Town, Magic Rainbow, Danielle's Lad, Galloway Boy, Get Stuck In, Lago Di Varano, Literary Society, Lord Pacal, Kathology, Night Flight, and Pedro Jack, are amongst those with chances, Bon Ami who improve on his promising third placing on his season debut is the token gesture
"1st * Choice" _Bon Ami
"(e/w) Alternative" _Get Stuck In,
5:20 HBLB Sagaro Stakes Class A (Group 3)
"THE ROOK " _Romantic Affair, Persian Punch, Orchestra Stall, Churlish Charm, San Sebastian, Murghem, Saddler's Quest, Solo Mio, Samsaam, Talaash, and Knockholt in this stayers race. This is an open affair, and I therefore suggest a little bit eachway on Solo Mio, who will be fit from running over jumps, and was previous a decent stayer when trained in France. Samsaam; another decent horse who floundered in the mud on his reappearance at Nottingham, may appreciate the faster conditions here, is an interesting alternative
"1st * Choice" _ Solo Mio (e/w)
"Alternative" _Samsaam,
5:50 Antiques Roadshow Conditions Stakes Class B
Runner[s] from our Flat 'Horses to Follow' feature__ Welsh Main,
"THE ROOK " _ Mubtaker, Zindabad, Man O'Mystery, Welsh Main, Return, Explode, and John Hunter, are all lightly raced four-year-olds open to improvement in the field. Welsh Main, who won both his start last term is a hopeful selection
"1st * Choice" _Welsh Main,
"(e/w) Alternative" _John Hunter
NEWMARKET
Friday 4th May
2:05 Portland Lodge Handicap Class D
"THE ROOK " _ 30 runners like up for the opener ... King Spinner, Mornings Minion, Resplendent Star, Billaddie, Chief Wardance, Forest Heath, Junikay, Iron Mountain, Pipssalio, Mythical King, Pas De Probleme, Prince Slayer, Caballe, Lycian, Whitgift Rose, Yeast, Arpeggio, Capa, Kennet, and Rooster, all have chances of sorts. This is a race to avoid in my view however Sean Wood's yard is in good heart, and Caballe was in good enough form last term to run creditably here, and therefore he gets the most tentative of votes
"1st * Choice" _ Caballe,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Lycian,
2:35 Pearl And Coutts Newmarket Stakes Class A (Listed Race)
"THE ROOK " _Welsh Border, Reduit, Vicious Knight, Canada, Theatre Script, Sixty Seconds, Rosi's Boy, Fair Question, and Morshdi line up in what may be the most informative Derby trial staged so far. I like Vicious Knight, who disapointed behind Atlantis Prince on his latest start at Newmarket. He should appreciate the ground, and whilst he has to give away fitness to Welsh Border I'll take him to score. Morshdi is a horse who I'd expect to improve from two to three, and the likely outsider may be up to nicking a place
"1st * Choice" _ Vicious Knight,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Morshdi
3:10 Sagitta Jockey Club Stakes Class A (Group 2)
Runner[s] from our Horses to Follow' feature__
Boreas,
"THE ROOK " _ A good-quality renewal of the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes in which Wellbeing, Millenary, Air Marshall, Boreas, Holding Court, Salford Express, and Sandmason, make up the line-up. The race should be run at a decent pace with Holding Court Salford Express, and possible Sandmason ridden prominently. I have to go with Wellbeing, who isn't penalised for his four wins last term. He won first time out last term, so we know he goes well fresh. The stable's poor form is a big worry, but he's getting weight from most of his rivals, so is worthy risking. Horse to follow Boreas is still progressing and I'll be hoping he goes well with future targets in mind
"1st * Choice" _ Wellbeing,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Boreas,
3:40 H & K Commissions (Bookmakers) Stakes Showcase Handicap Class C
"THE ROOK " _ Khitaam, Early Morning Mist, Reel Buddy, Whale Beach, Only One Legend, Sultan Gamal, Zozarharry, Boisdale, La Notte, Sabo Rose, Midshipman, Baccura, Esher Common, Lapwing, and Lost At Sea, all have claims in an open race. Khitaam, who ran respectably behind Zarin at Kempton Park is a hopeful choice. Lapwing, who ran some nice races at the backend of last season could go well at larger odds for a place
"1st * Choice" _ Khitaam,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Lapwing,
4:15 Directa Parseal Dahlia Stakes Class A (Listed Race)
"THE ROOK " _ Katy Nowaitee who raced too freely when coming last of 6, behind Right Wing here on her seasonal reappearance last month is taken to win Dahlia Stakes, as long as she settles early on in this event
"1st * Choice" _ Katy Nowaitee
"(e/w) Alternative" _
4:50 Hblb Leicestershire Stakes Class A (Group 3)
"THE ROOK " _ Mahfooth, well beaten by Jim And Tonic on his latest start will be a useful yardstick on whether "the boys in blue" from Godolphin's yard do have an advantage on British trained runners having wintered in sunny Dubai... Welcome Friend, Warningford, Sugarfoot, Invincible Spirit, Tumbleweed Ridge, Mount Abu, and Blue Mountain, are the rivals that I'd consider against him. It wouldn't surprise if he Mahfooth, did win, however he is beatable therefore I'll take a chance with Mount Abu, (eachway) who should like the guaranteed strong pace here, and judging by his form is still on the upgrade .... here's hoping !!!
"1st * Choice" _ Mount Abu, (eachway)
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Mahfooth,
5:20 Directa Gaffa Maiden Stakes Class D
Runner[s] from our Horses to Follow' feature__ A Bit Special
"THE ROOK " _ Lurina, Soft Breeze, A Bit Special, Miss Mougins, Chablis, Palisandra, Blodwen, Watchkeeper, L'Evangile, all appeal in the seventh race on the card. A Bit Special showed plenty of promise behind Chancellor, who won the Classic Trial last week; should go close and is the selection. Miss Mougins, and the beautifully bred Blodwen (a daughter of the classic winning mare Ma Biche) should well at eachway odds
"1st * Choice" _ A Bit Special
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Blodwen,
5:45 Newmarket Challenge Whip Class G
"THE ROOK " _The private sweepstake the Challenge Whip is the last race on the race. Only two lineup, and Mesmeric; a Sadler's Wells brother to Tanaasa and half-brother to 4 other winners including smart sprinter Mujtahid is preferred to sole rival Venturer
"1st * Choice" _ Mesmeric;
"(e/w) Alternative" _
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