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Analysis & Selections by
.a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s.
- 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.
IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS DAY AT THE CURRAGH
Sunday, May 26th 2002
2:25 Sara Lee European Breeders Fund Maiden £20000 added, 2yo only, 6f, penalty £13000, 16 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Sixteen 2-year-olds line up for the opener on Day 2 of the Guinness meeting on ground which, should it have rained overnight, will prove to be a severe test of stamina. The likely favourite is Kimberley Mine, an unraced half-brother by Peintre Celebre to Group 1 winning mile Creaking Board. He looks good on paper, however the prevailing conditions will make this task all the more harder and certainly entitles Pakhoes (who was beaten a head by Ontario here over 5 furlongs last time out), Edaliya (a half-sister to winning miler Eymir), Lawood (who was just touched off on his debut at Leopardstown) and Flavian Dynasty (a good 2nd on his debut at Navan) to be considered. Kimberley Mine gets the vote...but he's no bet in my view.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Kimberley Mine
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Pakhoes
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Edaliya
2:55 Helen Hannan Memorial Stakes - (H' cap De Categorie) 3yo plus, 6f, penalty £13000, 27 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Twenty-seven runners line up for this devilishly open sprint. You can make cases for several of these - namely Cool Cousin, Gilded Vanity, Clew Bay, Lorli, Fingal Nights, Top Star, Assigh Lady, Westfield, Croga Croi, Lady Kia, Brigadier Monty and Serov. There is likely to be strong market support for Cool Cousin (2nd over 7 furlongs at Cork on soft ground last time out), however market rival Gilded Vanity (who easily beat Assigh Lady [who re-opposes today] at Navan over 5 furlongs, also on soft ground) is just preferred. At the bottom of the handicap, Croga Croi (guaranteed to act on this ground) who finished 2nd at Sligo over 6 furlongs in April and may prove to be the selection's main danger.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Gilded Vanity
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Croga Croi (e/w)
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Cool Cousin
3:25 boylesports.com Stakes - (H' cap De Categorie) £20000 added, 3yo only, 1m, penalty £13000, 17 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Another open handicap follows, this time over a mile. Egyptian (who finished 3rd at Tipperary over 1m1f ) and Milton Star (who won
at Ballinrobe over 1m1f) head the market, however Mac Han, (a winner at Gowran Park earlier this month) Nutley King, Lets Try It, Peach Sorbet, Ruffit, Reem and Sandford Park are all worthy of a mention. Egyptian has been slightly disappointing in his last 2 starts, however this is easier and he should go close.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Egyptian
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Milton Star
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Mac Han
4:00 IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS (Group 1) - [Sponsored by Ettenman's] £400000 added, 3yo only, 1m, penalty £225610, 15 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Unlike yesterday's farcical renewal of the 2000 Guineas, the
Ettenman's 1000 Guineas has attracted a top class field consisting of Gossamer (one of the better 2-year-olds from last season), Zenda (unbeaten this season - who landed Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) at Longchamp last time out, Alasha (3rd in the English 1000 Guineas ahead of Quarter Moon and Gossamer), Saranac Lake (who beat Quarter Moon
when landing the Irish National Stud Debutante Stakes (Group 3) last September), Heat Haze (5th in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Quarter Moon (best judged on last seasons top-class juvenile form), Marionnaud (who won the Guineas trial at Leopardstown) and Kournakova (a decent juvenile, who was a promising second behind Rum Charger at Leopardstown). This is difficult to call as arguably the strongest lines of form (the English 2000 Guineas) is flawed as the
funeral early pace would not have suited many who ultimately suffered on the final rush to the line. You could therefore take the view that the second-best lines of form (Zenda's win in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches) are more reliable...I don't hold with that view as she definitely had the run of the race and there was a couple of horses who had virtually little chance due to their draw. One of these, Heat Haze interestingly re-opposes and having from well from an awful draw last
week is taken to get much closer given the run of the race. She looks a solid each-way option to Gossamer who hopefully will prove that her Guineas form is all wrong. The soft conditions should bring Quarter Moon's stamina into play and I can see her making the frame
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Heat Haze (e/w)
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Gossamer
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Quarter Moon
4:35 TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP (Group 1) £260000 added, 4yo plus, 1m, penalty £161200, 9 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> The market would have you believe that this Group 1 prize is likeliest to be fought out between Nayef, (who impressively landed the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) at Nad El Sheba in March) and Tobougg, (who chased Nayef home in
the Champion Stakes at Newmarket last October). It would be foolish to underestimate the chances of Earl of Sefton Stakes winner Indian Creek, Rebelline, (who
supplemented her win over Johannesburg first im out with a win in the in the Peintre Celebre European Breeders Fund Mooresbridge Stakes (Listed Race) here over course and
distance three weeks ago) Bach (who won on his reappearance at Leopardstown, who of course
boasts top class global form) and Chancellor (who won the Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) at the end of April). I think Nayef will take this but I don't expect him to impress.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Nayef
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Indian Creek
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Tobougg
5:05 Tote Account Valued Customers Stakes - (H' cap De Categorie) (Premier) £75000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 4f, penalty £48750, 12 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Heezapistol (who impressed when making all to win at Cork) looks to have a good chance here. One of Ireland's better juvenile hurdlers last season, Heezapistol quickened up impressively when asked by his claiming jockey that day. Assuming he is effective over this trip, he will make these all go. Villa Carlotta (who won at Cork last time out), top-weight Quality Team and Evening Scent (who made all to win last time out over 2 miles at Clonmel - his 2nd win of the season) look to be Heezapistol's main threats.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Heezapistol (FR)
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Evening Scent
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Villa Carlotta
5:35 Airlie Stud Silver Stakes (Listed Race) £60000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f, penalty £39000, 9 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Twentytwoandchange, Zafaraniya and Smugglers Song make most appeal in the finale on the card. Twentytwoandchange (who ran respectably behind stablemate Diaghilev in
the Prix la Force (Group 3) at Chantilly last time out) probably has the class to land this. Smugglers Song (good to hear he is to go hurdling later this year) looks to one to follow home.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Twentytwoandchange
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Smugglers Song
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Zafaraniya
IRISH 2,000 GUINEAS DAY AT THE CURRAGH
Saturday, May 25th 2002
2:10 Pat Doran Construction Stakes - (H' cap De Categorie) £18500 added, 3yo plus, 1m 4f, penalty £12765, 22 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Aye Aye Popeye, Wimbledon, Kramer, Queen For A
Day, Feel The Pride, All The Colours, Spirit Dancer, and Persian Isle, are
likeliest to head the market for the opener on Irish 2000 Guineas day, here at the Curragh. Kramer, (who ran a fine race when splitting Spirit Dancer and Feel The
Pride, (also in today's line-up) in a women riders race at Gowran ten days ago). and Wimbledon, (who comes here on the back of an easy success at
Navan earlier this month), should prove to be popular. I like Aye Aye Popeye who I watched saunter home in a conditions hurdle at Clonmel last weekend. He had previously taken an apprentice handicap over 1m2f at Cork and comes here in great heart
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬> Aye Aye Popeye,
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Kramer,
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬> Wimbledon,
2:40 Sara Lee Marble Hill Stakes (Listed Race) £60000 added, 2yo only, 5f, penalty £39000, 5 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Marino Marini, and Petite Histoire, stand out in the second. Marino Marini, who won his debut at Cork over 6f should have enough pace to cope with Petite Histoire, who has shown real pace to win her last two starts at Navan, and Cork.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬> Marino Marini,
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Petite Histoire,
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>
3:10 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 3) £80000 added, 3yo plus, 6f, penalty £52000, 14 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>Tendulkar, Minashki, Lahinch, Mahsusie, Scarlet Velvet, Cool
Clarity, Final Exam, Maderno, Tiger Royal, Exceptional Paddy, and Seven No Trumps, all
have claims in this open looking sprint. I have some reservations about Tendulkar at this trip,
especially as his dam was by Alleged - which would suggest that he may be best over a trip. That said he is the
class horse of the race, and arguably would only needs to replicate the form shown last year
in last season's Dewhurst (where he finished a short-head and a head behind Rock Of Gibraltar and Landseer) to go close here. The soft conditions could make this
more of a 7f slog which alleviate some of my concerns. Stablemmate Lahinch who made no show in
the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket is best judged by her win at Leopardstown last month, and
give every chance on a 1-2 for Ballydoyle here Seven No Trumps who appeared to improve when winning at Doncaster of his
reappearance has conditions to suit and could go well at eachway odds
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Tendulkar (USA)
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Lahinch
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬> Seven No Trumps
3:45 IRISH 2,000 GUINEAS (Group 1) - [Sponsored by Entenmann's] £400000 added, 4 and 5yo, 1m, penalty £237610, 7 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Very disappointing turn-out for the Irish 2000 Guineas.... difficult to get away from Rock of Gibraltar here, especially if the reports of him improving since
Newmarket transpire to be true .... Stablemate Century City who last time out took the Tetrarch Stakes (Group 3) looks
vulnerable however and Ahsanabad, ( who chased home High Chaparral in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Group 3) at
Leopardstown) and Foreign Accent, (who should come on a ton having looked in
need of the race behind in the Greenham Stakes (Group 3) at Newbury on his
reappearance) can reward connections for having to nerve to take on Ballydoyle.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬> Rock of Gibraltar
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬> Ahsanabad,
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Foreign Accent,
4:20 Betdaq 'The Betting Exchange' Stakes (Premier) £50000 added, 3yo plus, 1m, penalty £32500, 17 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Prize Time, Almost Famous, Provosky, Mr Houdini, Cruiskeen Lawn, Private Ben, Clouseau and Desert Trail all have claims in this
fiercely competitive handicap... Private Ben, who beat all bar Atlantic Rhapsody when
coming second in the Irish Lincolnshire (Premier Handicap) (4yo+) over course and
distance is a tentative selection. Mr Houdini (who finished third in the Irish Lincolnshire ) looks to be the one to beat/fear.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Private Ben,
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬>Mr Houdini,
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬> Almost Famous,
4:50 Boyle Sports Stakes - (H' cap De Categorie) £20000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f, penalty £13000, 15 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Hasikiya, Zaraglen, Triple Try, Torrential Storm, Laoch Na Mara, Slightly Swift, Christophene, Faolchu, Seifi, Irish Empire, Telephone Sal, AND Ticker all have claims in another fiercely competitive handicap. Hasikiya, who won a Fairyhouse maiden two weeks ago, is my
selection, however Laoch Na Mara, (who should improve on his fifth to Prize Time here last month) and Christophene (a useful mare when trained
in france, who didn't run too badly at Leopardstown last time out), shouldn't be too far away
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬>Hasikiya,
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬> Laoch Na Mara (USA)
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Christophene (USA)
5:20 Cill Dara Securities Maiden £20000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f, penalty £13000, 13 runners.
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬> Ancestor who chased home subsequent Group 1 winner Ballingarry at Leopardstown on his only start appears to have outstanding claims in the finale and is difficult to
oppose. Sa'ed, (placed on both starts this season), and Musical Stage (sure to improve on his sixth place behind Black Sam Bellamy here over course and distance last month) looks the ones to fear.
¦ 1è CHOICE ¹ ¦:¬> Ancestor
¦ 2nd Choice ¦:¬> Sa'ed,
¦ 3rd Choice ¦:¬>Musical Stage (USA)
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