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MILANO
Domenica 16 Giugno
Sunday, June 16th 2002

17.05 - Gran Premio Di Milano - {Gr.1} E 340.780 - Mt. 2400 - P. Grande - TRIO
An intriguing clash of the generations comes next - here's a quick summary on each of the seven runners;
EINSTEIN - the winner of three of his last four starts, most recently, when winning a conditions race over 2400 Mt. here at the end of April. His only recent defeat was at the hands of Jeune Dream at Roma in March.
FALBRAV - Progressive four-year-old who has won his last three starts, on the last occasion beating Ekraar in the Premio Presidente Della Repubblica SIS {Gr. 1} (Colts & Fillies) (4yo+) in the middle of May.
HAWKEYE - Much travelled individual, who hasn't run since finishing fifth to Grandera in the Singapore Airlines International Cup {Gr. 1} - Hasn't won since winning the Desmond Stakes {Gr. 3} in August 2001.
JEUNE DREAM [U.S.A.] - A respectable 6th to the useful Rakti in the Derby Italiano {Gr. 1} at the end of May, Jeune Dream has returned to winning way when taking a Listed race here last weekend over 2000 Mt.
NARRATIVE - Very difficult to evaluate. He beat Grandera decisively when landing the Dubai City Of Gold {Gr. 3} at Nad El Sheba in February, but disappointed when finishing in the ruck behind Nayef in the Dubai Sheema Classic {Gr. 1} a month later. Made a triumphant return to Europe, when landing the Premio Carlo d' Alessio {Gr. 2} with consummate ease.
SABIANGO [GER] - Useful raider from Germany, who landed the Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal {Gr. 1} at Köln last August (beating Boreal), before finishing third to Mordshi and Boreal in the UAE Grosser Preis von Baden {Gr. 1} on his last start in September 2001.
SNETTERTON - Well beaten by Narrative on his recent start, and needs to improve significantly to figure here.
¦ summary ¦:¬>Narrative and Sabiango will be very hard to beat here, however I was really impressed with Falbrav's victory in the Premio Presidente Della Repubblica, and I'd be tempted to take a chance with him.

Falbrav overhauls Narrative close home to land the spoils.

15.00 - Premio Primi Passi {Gr.3} E 90.860 - Mt. 1200 - P. Dritta - TRIO
A fascinating clash opens the card at Milano today. Mick Channon's Checkit who has won two of his three starts this term at Pontefract and Nottingham, takes on some useful Italian juveniles. Of these, I like the claims of Golden Danetime [winner of his last two starts], Le Vie Dei Colori, [unbeaten so far in three starts], and Liri, [who won impressively here at the end of May. I'm sure Checkit will go close, however I've seen a couple of Le Vie Dei Colori's starts and it wouldnt surprise me if he maintained his unbeaten record.

Le Vie Dei Colori maintained his unbeaten record

ASK ME WHY WINS THE GRAND STEEPLE CHASE DI MILANO
1° 1 Ask Me Why
2° 5 Merlino Mago 3½ L
3° 2 Cecco Stayer 30L.
4° 7 Royal Hoc 9L
5° 3 Eros Du Berlais 7L
Thierry Civel's Ask Me Why ridden by Christophe Pieux snatched the Grand Steeple Chase Di Milano right on the post after an enthralling batting with Merlino Mago up the final straight. Whilst Falbrav was causing a bit of a surprise when out battling Ekraar to land the Group 1 Premio Pres. Della Repubblica at Capennelle, our "hope" Cecco Stayer cut out a sensible early pace, with Royal Hoc and Gerko (who was to fall when weakening during the final circuit). If a race was ultimately ever was decided by jumping, it was here, as it was evident that Ask Me Why's clean (and clear) jumping over these hedges (similar to bullfinches fences in France but with more depth) was conserving energy, whilst his rivals attempts to brush through the obstacles (particularly Merlino Mago, who did well to survive a blunder right in front of the stands, which knocked Owenbwee out of contention).

Cecco Stayer's attempt to make all floundered with four to go and Merlino Mago (who had been making up relentless progress since his blunder) and Ask Me Why locked horns for a titanic struggle. Both pinged the last, and it took all of Christophe Pieux's strength to get his mount in front just before the post home. Cecco Stayer and Royal Hoc who cut out the early running were an honourable third and fourth.

PLINKSY LANDS THE PREMIO CORSA SIEPI DEI 4 ANNI
1° 6 Plinsky
2° 3 Del Mar Dancer 6L
3° 8 Windlight 13L
4° 5 Negro 7L
5° 7 San Teodoro 3L
The hitherto unbeaten Plinsky maintained his unbeaten record, when putting in an amazing performance to land the Premio Corsa Siepi Dei 4 Anni - Gr.Ii . A son of King's Theatre, Plinsky had shown bits of form on the level and had come tenth in last year's Derby Italiano - Yoga (Group 1). He impressed me in his easily taking his first two starts over obstacles, however I fully expected Negro, (who had won his last three starts) to prove too strong. As it transpires Negro failed to fire (not jumping with any of the fluency shown in previous starts) and despite leading to the first he was quickly past by Plinsky, who after been dropped up at the back of the field, proceeded to charge to the front of the field, and quickly establish a clear lead with he never relinquished. Negro, plus Del Mar Dancer and Windlight made a vain attempt to catch him, but never came remotely close. On this sort of surface Plinksy will be very difficult to beat, though formlines through the second and third suggest that Negro wouldnt be far behind him with more cut in the ground.

BAGNI DI PETRIOLO THE BRAVE !!!
1° 1 Bagni Di Petriolo
2° 4 Jar (a nose)
3° 3 Hanover House ¾L
4° 12 Vamabushi 5L
5° 7 Sardoum 13L
Whilst I was slightly disappointed by Negro's efforts in the Premio Corsa Siepi Dei 4 Anni, I expected Bagni Di Petriolo to land Group 1 Premio Gran Corsa Di Siepi Mi ... He did, but boy was it close!!!. As usual Bagni Di Petriolo attempted to make all, but it became quite evident from early on, that he wasn't happy on this quick surface. He was stalked throughout by Jar; (a seven year old son of Niniski, who had been campaigned in Group company in Italy and Germany before embarking on a successful jumping campaign), who never allowed him to build up his customary big lead throughout. With two to jump Bagni Di Petriolo still looked like prevailing, however his apparent dislike of the ground became more pronounced and instead of excelling he decelerated .. to such an extent that Jar whittled away his lead up the run in .... Halfway up the runway ... Jar puts his head in front and seems certain to go away and win by a clear margin ... however Bagni Di Petriolo wasn't having any of it. He put his head down and battled, in a manner reminiscent to Ardross (who he isn't too dissimilar to). After going at least a neck down Bagni Di Petriolo put his head down and inched his way back as the line grew nearer and near .... Did he make it? .... I thought he'd lost .... the commentator was still coming down from one of the most dramatic race commentaries I'd heard in a while (South American football commentators have nothing on this guy!!!) .... I had to wait until watching a re run late last night to find out that he'd just got back up ....Both the winner and runner up come out of this with great credit .. their next meeting is will be worth waiting for.

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Tuesday, 14 May 2002

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