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Analysis
& Selections by THE ROOK - 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, I have given you who, in my view, are the
likeliest winners, as well as horses who could run
well at eachway odds. Any horses from our 'Horses To
Follow' list are shown at the foot of each race's
analysis.
ST.
LEGER MEETING
Saturday 15th September
2.00 GNER Conditions Stakes 11runners 6f Penalty £8697
2yo only
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Telesto, Mr Toad, Addeyll,
Greenhills Far Lane, and Inishowen, are the horses to
concentrate on in the opener. Telesto showed up
prominently when finishing behind Official Flame at
York on his debut, and is sure to come on for the
experience, however Mr Toad appeals here, he was very
unlucky in running when finishing only 2lengths behind
Lipstick at Kempton in a Listed event, and may be able
to make his greater experience, and useful turn of
foot count close home. Of the others both of Barry
Hills newcomers Far Lane, and Inishowen, are worthy of
note. Having pointed out the promise of 20/1 winner
Hills of Gold earlier in the week,. I will be watching
Far Lane, a half-brother to winners at 7f and 1m, with
one eye on the future.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Mr Toad,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Far Lane, (USA)
2.30 Torne Valley Handicap 20runners 1m 4f Penalty £19012.50
3yo plus
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] --> Ahraar, Pasithea, Worthily,
Inch Perfect, Princess Titania, Trouble Mountain,
Maceo (GER), High Pitched, and Dream With Me (FR),
make plenty of appeal in race two. Ahraar, a winner of
his last four start, has to be feared, but this
assignment in a large field of tough handicappers, is
by far his hardest ask. Inch Perfect is very
interesting having received [in my view] two poor
rides twice at York from today's pilot [trying to make
ground up the inside at York on a big long striding
gelding, is tantamount to suicide] .. he is worth
another chance, and is a solid eachway bet in my view.
I will go with High Pitched
still unexposed after a
win at Haydock. but hold far form with the likes of
Putra Sandhurst before that .. With the Henry Cecil
yard firing again, he may just be nicely treated here
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> High Pitched
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Inch Perfect,
3.00 Porcelanosa Rated Stakes (Class B Handicap) 12
runners 1m Penalty £15993.49 3yo plus
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] --> Calcutta, Mornings Minion,
Muchea, Red N' Socks, Catchy Word, Sharmy, Winning
Venture, and Gold Academy. make most appeal in the
third. Despite stepping up in grade, Mornings Minion;
a winner at Leicester and Newmarket appears to have a
solid chance of making the frame and is selected here
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Mornings Minion
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Red N' Socks,
3.35 Rothmans Royals St Leger Stakes (Showcase Race)
(Group 1) 11runners 1m 6f 132yds Penalty £222000 3yo
only colts and fillies
Alexius Sir Michael Stoute K Fallon
Alunissage (USA) Saeed bin Suroor T E Durcan
And Beyond M Johnston K Darley
Demophilos Mrs A Perrett T Quinn
Life Match (FR) A O'Brien (IRE) J Fortune
Mediterranean A O'Brien (IRE) J P Spencer
Milan A O'Brien (IRE) M J Kinane
Mr Combustible B Hills M Hills
Pugin J Oxx (IRE) J Murtagh
Saddler's Creek (USA) A O'Brien (IRE) Paul Scallan
When In Rome C Cyzer N Callan
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s)
from our "Horses to Follow" Feature] -->
Pugin
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Aidan O'Brien's four handed
strike may be the key to this fascinating renewal of
the St Leger. I think that his third and fourth
strings Life Match, and Saddlers Creek, as well as
Alunissage (USA) may determine how emphasis is placed
on stamina here. Alunissage has impressed of late, and
after slaughtering a field of maiden at Lingfield,
appear to step up on that effort when making
stablemate Hatha Anna pull out all the stops at
Salisbury on his latest start. His greatest asset is
his long raking stride, and I can see this horse
making a long strike for glory, something like 5-7
furlongs for home
if the early pace is strong, he
could be hard to pass.
Are his rivals up to the task? Milan should be, giving
the impression this trip should suit when winning at
York, as should Ebor Winner Mediterranean, Irish Derby
fourth Pugin, and Derby fourth Mr Combustible, who has
been strongly supported this week, (understandably
after his win in the St Simon Stakes at newbury). His
chance is obvious, however this slower ground slightly
detracts from his claims. Alexius, and . Demophilos
renew rivalry after epic encounter at Goodwood,
however Alexius will surely come out on top here, if
he doesn't give away the 8lengths or so he did at the
start that day. If he handles the preliminaries he
must go close. Finally Queens Vase winner Any Beyond
is guaranteed to get home and should relish a slog up
the straight
Pugin makes plenty of appeal. and appears overpriced
if the Irish Derby form is reliable, (he holds Mr
Combustible on that effort). He ran a sound trial for
this when having his first run since then , when just
getting touched off by Vinnie Roe at the Curragh, and
should come on from that effort. He is the selection.
Alexius, Mediterranean, and Alunissage may follow him
home.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Pugin (e/w)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Alexius,
4.15 Ladbrokes.co.uk Stakes (Handicap) 20runners 1m 2f
60yds Penalty £19987.50 3yo plus
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] --> Moon Goddess, Robendela,
Jumaireyah, Material Witness, Pinchincha, Junikay,
Arc, Vintage Premium, Stretton, and Iron Mountain,
appeal in the next. Robendela, who returned to form
when winning at leicester earlier in the week is
battle hardened and makes marginally more appeal than
Moon Goddess, who has plenty of potential, however may
be found wanting in this big field
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Robendela (USA),
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Jumaireyah,
4.45 Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2)
14runners 5f Penalty £30000 2yo only
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Saddad, Whitbarrow, Lord
Merlin, Swiss Lake, Rum Destiny, Good Girl, Irony and
Toreador have chances in he sixth. Saddad 5th behind
Rock Of Gibraltar in the Gimcrack at York; Good Girl
4th Of 8, 6l Behind Queen's Logic in the Lowther at
York; and Whitbarrow, 8th Of 11, 12l Behind
Johannesburg At Deauville all appeared to struggle to
see six furlongs out last time out, and must go close
back after the minimum. Saddad is marginally preferred
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Saddad (USA)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Whitbarrow
5.20 Battle Of Britain Nursery Handicap 22runners 7f
Penalty £8060 2yo only
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Mitawa, Kristensen, Maid For
Running, Sir Northerndancer, Flownaway, Total Turtle,
Celtic Romance, Raphael, Miss Opulence, Football
Crazy, and Cat's Whiskers all have claims in the last.
Sir Northerndancer, who made all when winning at
Chester and Raphael on a hat trick after wins at
Thirsk and ripon make most appeal ... Sir
Northerndancer is just preferred
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Sir Northerndancer,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Raphael,
ST.
LEGER MEETING
Friday 14th
September
1:30 DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes £54000 added, 2yo
only, 6f, penalty £27000, 22 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->.Likely favourite Advance
Party impressed when winning on his debut at Windsor,
putting 3 lengths between himself and Oakley Rambo. He
should improve on that effort and should go close.
Recent winners Artie, Kool, Petrula, Chantilly Myth,
Zamyatina, Bailieborough and Bond Domingo have claims,
and are worthy of consideration. I prefer Madame
Boulangere who has run creditably thus far, and should
find this assignment far easier than her last run at
Goodwood, where she was put in her place by Gossamer.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Madame Boulangere
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Kool,
2:05 Joy UK Conditions Stakes £20000 added, 3, 4 and
5yo, 1m 2f 60yds, penalty £13000, 9 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s)
from our "Future Winners" Feature] -->
Aldebaran (USA)
[Horse(s) from
our "Horses to Follow" Feature]
-->Dalampour, & Inglenook
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Nooshman, Inglenook,
Dalampour, Aldebaran, Lagudin, Ennoblement, and
Sydenham have claims in a trappy little conditions
event.. Most of these have been disappointing and
maybe the selection should be the "least"
disappointing. Nooshman, Inglenook, Aldebaran, and
Lagudin have been placed in all their runs this term.
Nooshman hasn't quite bridged the gap between handicap
company and listed/group racing. He was unfortunate to
get caught right on the post when second to Hill
Country at Newmarket over 1 1/2 miles. This is a more
suitable distance and he should be thereabouts. I also
thought Inglenook would get some black type, but he
hasn't as yet lived up to that hope, and will need to
improve on his 4th of 5, behind Nayef at Haydock to
figure here. Lagudin has been running well in handicap
company, but should have really got his head in front
before now, his recent 4lengths defeat by The
Whistling Teal at York isn't a bad run, and he could
go well. Aldebaran has been second in all of his four
starts this season behind the likes of Dandoun at
Kempton, and more recently Umistim at Newbury over
7furlongs in July in his latest start. He was the few
Henry Cecil runners who ran creditably when the yard
was completely out of sorts, and is one of the few
potentially open to improve (This is his first attempt
at this trip) ... I just prefer him to Nooshman, and
I'll make him my selection. The eachway selection is
Dalampour, who has been by far the most frustrating of
these... All attempts to restrain him have thus far
failed, and whilst gelded him may ultimately prove his
salvation, so just might letting him have his head.
It'll be interesting to see
whether they try and drop him in, or adopt this tactic
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Aldebaran (USA)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Dalampour,
2:35 Tote Exacta Mallard Stakes Showcase H'cap £30000
added, 3yo plus, 1m 6f 132yds, penalty £21645, 13
runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Darasim, Special, Thari,
Harlestone Grey, Hambleden, King Flyer, and Ravenswood
make most appeal in the third. Darasim, who finished
fourth behind Flossy at Chester; and Special, the
winner of her last two starts, most recently at
Newcastle in August are likeliest to attract support,
however Ravenswood who has been unlucky in both the
Ebor and the Northumberland Plate must go close if he
gets the run of the race ... he appears to have a
solid eachway chance and that is the
selection/suggested bet. Hambleden, extremely unlucky
behind King Flyer at York is the alternative
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Ravenswood, (e/w)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Hambleden,
3:05 Rothmans Royals Champagne Stakes (Group 2) (Colts
& Geldings) £100000 added, 2yo only colts and
geldings, 7f, penalty £60000, 9 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s)
from our "Future Winners" Feature]
-->Leo's Luckyman (USA)
[T.H.E.
R.O.O.K.] -->Rock of Gibraltar, who easily took the
Gimcrack on his last start is an intriguing runner in
the Champagne Stakes, and probably only has Dubai
Destination, who romped home on his last start at
Newmarket, and Leo's Luckyman so impressive on his
debut at Ayr, but equally as disappointing to beat.
Dubai Destination, is no mug, and is potentially very
useful, however he is likely to want a trip, and he
may not be able to cope with Rock of Gibraltar's final
burst. Sohaib who showed improvement to take his
maiden at Ascot, looks the best eachway option
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Rock of Gibraltar,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Sohaib (USA)
3:40 Amco Corporation Troy Stakes (Listed Race) £25000
added, 3yo plus, 1m 4f, penalty £17956.25, 7 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s)
from our "Horses to Follow" Feature]
-->Boreas
[T.H.E.
R.O.O.K.] -->All seven runners can be considered in
another tricky listed race. I prefer Chianti,
creditable second behind Nayef at Haydock; Boreas
better than his sixth to millenary at Newmarket in
may; Nash Me who made all, when slaughtering a field
of maidens at York, and Dramatic Quest who beat Man
O'Mystery at Newbury. Nash Me is highly thought of by
connections and could be anything ... He just gets the
call over Boreas
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Nash Me
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] -->
4:10 CPL Industries Challenge Trophy (Conditions
Guaranteed Sweepstakes) £10000 added, 3yo only, 1m,
penalty £6500, 8 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Cd Europe, Menaggio, Rumpold,
Sonatina, Cape of Good Hope, Gryffindor and
Caughnawaga, have claims in the sixth. If he's
anywhere near his best; Rumpold surely is the one to
be on. He hasn't been out since coming a disappointing
fourteenth to Golan in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket
in May, however that effort is best overlooked, in the
hope that Godolphin will have him ready for this.
Caughnawaga, who didn't quite stay 10furlongs is the
alternative.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Rumpold,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Caughnawaga (FR)
4:40 Coalite Smokeless Fuels H'cap Stakes £10000
added, 3yo plus, 5f, penalty £6500, 22 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Delegate, Flak Jacket,
Lisianski, Pipadash, Sharp Hat, Fearby Cross, Sir
Sandrovitch, Tancred Times, Soba Jones, and Deceitful
all have claims in the last. Flak Jacket who ran well
despite being poorly drawn at Goodwood behind Smokin
Beau; and Pipadash who last time out beat Gdansk at
Haydock may most appeal. Pipadash was really
impressive that day, and can complete a hat trick
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Pipadash
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] -->Soba Jones
ST.
LEGER MEETING
Thursday
13th September
1:30 Ralph Raper Memorial Prince of Wales Cup Showcase
Nursery £25000 added, 2yo only, 1m, penalty £18931.25,
18 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s)
from our "Future Winners" Feature] -->
Corton
[T.H.E.
R.O.O.K.] -->The second day looks equally as
competitive as day one of the meeting. This nursery is
a prime example; Cereus, Corton, Salute, Bollin Eric,
Penny Pictures, Shifty, Rafferty, Raybaan, and Shove
Ha'penny make most appeal of the eighteen runners. The
topweight Cereus, is certain to attract plenty of
support after making all, when winning at Chester last
time out. I think he's certain of a bold bid, however
Bollin Eric, who won at Beverley in the manner of a
useful colt, is marginally preferred. Corton who
stayed on very strongly after losing his position at
Newcastle last time out looks the best eachway option
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Bollin Eric
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Corton,
2:05 GNER White Rose Park Stakes (Group 3) £40000
added, 3yo plus, 1m, penalty £24000, 11 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Distant Music, China Visit,
Fath, Tough Speed, Umistim, Riberac, and Tamburlaine
have chances in an open looking Group 3 event. Tough
Speed, and Riberac take a step up into Graded company
but both have hinted that they are up to the
challenge. Thy are in good form and should go close.
In Distant Music, Fath, and Tamburlaine, they'll find
three proven performers who could go close if they are
near their best. Tamburlaine, is a frustrating
individual, however he has the form to get placed, his
1½ length second to No Excuse Needed at Goodwood is
one of the best bits of form on show. He could go off
at quite a nice price, and warrants eachway support in
my view.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Tamburlaine, (e/w)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[ALTERNATIVE] --> Distant Music (USA)
2:35 Rothmans Royals May Hill Stakes (Group 3)
(Fillies) £40000 added, 2yo only fillies, 1m, penalty
£24000, 10 runners.
[ħħħħħħħ THE FURLONG POLE ħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Henry Cecil's Half Glance who
impressed when winning on her debut at Newmarket, Echo
River who beat Sophorific decisively by 1½ lengths on
her latest start at Sandown; Seba, impressive in two
starts before disappointing behind Quarter Moon at the
Curragh, and Lady High Havens second behind Ya Hajar
at Deauville in a Group 3 in August look the likeliest
winners of the May Hill Stakes. I was taken by the
tenacity shown by Echo River, and despite conceding
weight, I expect her to go close... She is the
selection. Shadow Dancing who won nicely at Sandown
last time out looks the best eachway option.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Echo River (USA)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Shadow Dancing
3:10 GNER Doncaster Cup (Group 3) £50000 added, 3yo
plus, 2m 2f, penalty £30000, 11 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Double Honour, Jardines
Lookout, Cover Up, Alleluia, San Sebastian, Rainbow
High, and Royal Rebel appeal most in a slightly
disappointing looking Doncaster Cup. That is probably
is a little harsh as Double Honour made Persian Punch
pull out all the stops in the Goodwood Cup ... if he
is in that frame of mind he will be very hard to beat,
however i prefer Jardines Lookout (narrowly) here. He
also made Persian Punch pull out all the stops, this
time at York, and likes this track (and the softening
ground). He may be delivered off of the likely strong
pace here, to poach this near home. Yorkshire didn't
enjoy Persian Punch's company in that race, and the
quickening. This soft surface will be more to his
liking and I can see him running a better race here
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Jardines Lookout
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Yorkshire
3:40 betabet Sceptre Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies
& Mares) £25000 added, 3yo plus fillies, 7f,
penalty £18362.50, 14 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Nice One Clare, Mauri Moon,
Velvet Glade, Softly Tread, Aunty Rose, Honesty Fair,
Got To Go, A Touch of Frost, and Alshadiyah (USA) have
chances of sorts in another open event. Nice One
Clare, and A Touch of Frost have been in useful form
in handicap company and should go well despite
stepping up in grade, however Mauri Moon, who beat
Sheppard's Watch by a neck on her latest effort is
preferred
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Mauri Moon,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Alshadiyah (USA)
4:10 Kyoto Scarbrough Stakes (Listed Race) £25000
added, 2yo plus, 5f, penalty £17712.50, 13 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s)
from our "Horses To Follow " Feature] -->
Borders
[T.H.E.
R.O.O.K.] -->Astonished, Misty Eyed, Borders, Lord
Kintyre, Tedburrow, The Trader, Al Ihsas, Autumnal,
and Esligier, all have claims in a trappy heat.
Borders could well stretch these, but appear to have
gone off of the boil, and i'll take a chance with Al
Ihsas, who last time out finished fourth behind Mauri
Moon in a listed event at Goodwood. Despite winning at
7furlongs this term, connections clearly don't think
the reduction in trip is a problem ... so why should
we
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Al Ihsas,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Esligier,
4:40 Doncaster Free Press Ladies Day H'cap £10000
added, 3yo plus, 7f, penalty £8157.50, 22 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Forever Times, Camberley,
James Stark, Chafaya, Exeat, Tayif, Golden Dragon, and
Duraid. all have claims in another competitive
handicap to end day two. Chafaya, who last time out,
made all to win at Newmarket, and Forever Times, who
has been a consistent performer during the summer, and
who comes here on the back of finishing second behind
Wahj at Chester, make most appeal of these... Tim
Easterby's charge (Forever Times) is just preferred.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Forever Times,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Nashaab (USA)
ST.
LEGER MEETING
Wednesday
12th September
1:30 McKeever St. Lawrence Conditions Stakes £10000
added, 2yo only, 7f, penalty £7345, 8 runners
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Dubai Status, Henri Lebasque,
Flat Spin, Grampian, Hills of Gold, and Fight Your
Corner appear to be the major players in Race one of
the St Leger Meeting. They are still are unexposed
(Hills of Gold; a Danehill colt out of a Group 1
winning mare, hasn't, as yet raced ), and all have the
potential to develop into useful middle distance three
year olds. Dubai Status, who won at Newmarket in June
will probably go off as favourite, however he'd need
to have improve on his hard fought defeat of Prince
Domino to take this. I like Grampian, who has shown
plenty of promise on both of his two starts, most
recently when beating In Disguise by 1 ½lengths at
Newmarket in August. He is just preferred to Fight
Your Corner, who third behind Pepperoni at Ripon, has
been boosted by that horses subsequent win at the Ebor
Meeting. The newcomer Hills of Gold is worth noting
for another day.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Grampian,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Fight Your Corner,
2:05 European Breeders Fund Carrie Red Fillies'
Nursery Stakes (H'cap) £30000 added, 2yo only
fillies, 6f 110yds, penalty £21937.50, 22 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Fly Gold Air, Reefs Sis, Red
Opal, Anima Mundi, Forest Prize, Lihou Island, Pants,
Aldafra, Basbousate Nadia, and Silver Band, appeal
most in an open looking fillies nursery. I like two 0f
these, and they will be my selections here; Lihou
Island, who stayed on strongly to finish fourth behind
Prism at York's Ebor Meeting. The winner is clearly
useful and this looks a solid effort. She is the
"NĜ.1 CHOICE ". The alternative is Pants
... (lets hope not literally!!), who despite never
winning a race has put in four solid efforts thus far,
last time out finishing 4lengths behind Negligee at
Chester, also s in August.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Lihou Island,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Pants
2:35 Tote Trifecta Portland Showcase (H'cap) £40000
added, 3yo plus, 5f 140yds, penalty £30290, 22
runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s) from
our "Future Winners" Feature] -->Smart
Predator, & Abbajabba
[T.H.E.
R.O.O.K.] -->Steward's Cup winner Guinea Hunter,
plus Smart Predator, Abbajabba Eastern Purple, Ellens
Lad, Smokin Beau, Brevity, Boleyn Castle, Salviati and
Jessica's Dream, all have claims in a typically open
renewal of the Portland. Jessica's Dream has been in
the form of her life and looks here for her fifth win
of the season. She was a winning selection for us,
when quickening nicely inside the final quarter when
winning at Sandown 11 days ago, and is sure to go
well, however I just prefer Smart Predator, who was a
decent second in that infamous 'sprint' at Epsom 16
days ago. Of the others; Abbajabba, who indicated that
he would soon be winning when finishing behind Antonio
Canova at Ripon; and Marweh who intrigues me,
especially as the explanation offered for the tender
handling was his first run for 400 days (fair enough)
and the quick ground (its currently good, good to firm
.... hmmm). This may be a prep for something like the
Ayr Gold Cup, so Marweh, a useful sprinter in his
youth, may be well worth watching out for at the very
least.
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Smart Predator, (e/w)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Marweh
3:10 £200000 St Leger Yearling Stakes £303600 added,
2yo only, 6f, penalty £151800, 22 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s) from
our "Future Winners" Feature] -->Broken
Barricades, & Receivedwiththanx
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Acclamation, Broken
Barricades, Receivedwiththanx, Brigadore, Captain Rio,
Donegal Shore, Double Play, Ho Choi , Fayr Jag, look
to have leading claims in the fourth. I like Ho Choi
as an individual, so the fact he managed to finish
only 3lengths behind Rock Of Gibraltar in the Gimcrack
Stakes at York makes him all the more appealing. Its
the best form on show, and if he's as good as his
trainer suggests, he has decent claims to take this
valuable prize
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Ho Choi ,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Broken Barricades,
3:40 Rothmans Royals Park Hill Stakes (Group 3)
(Fillies & Mares) £40000 added, 3yo plus fillies,
1m 6f 132yds, penalty £24000, 14 runners
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] -->Ranin, Rockerlong, Flossy,
Isadora, Shamaiel, Flossy, Motto (FR) , Head In The
Clouds, look best of those lining up for the fillies
"St. Leger". Ranin, who stayed on well to
finish ½lengths behind Inchiri at the Ebor Meeting,
and Rockerlong, 3 ½lengths behind Italian raider
Super Tassa in the Yorkshire Oaks make most appeal. If
she stays this trip then Rockerlong appeals most and
she gets a tentative vote. Of the others, Flossy who
returned to form at Chester last time, plus the Irish
trained Masilia are sure to go well, however I'm
interested in the participation of the Henry Cecil
trained Motto, whose stout pedigree may belie the
apparent lack of obvious credentials ... even in his
"annus mirablius" Henry Cecil wouldn't run
her here unless he thought she would do herself
justice ... don't be surprised if she makes the frame
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Rockerlong,
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Motto (FR)
4:10 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Maiden Stakes
£10000 added, 2yo only, 1m, penalty £7507.50, 14
runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[T.H.E. R.O.O.K.] --> Yasey, a Japanese bred colt
by Sunday Silence colt, who is a half-brother to flat
and jumps winner Eid may not be the brightest star in
David Loder's yard, but this stoutly bred individual
is clearly going to be a stayer, and may be good
enough to take the sixth on his debut. In Disguise,
Keetchy and Titchfield, who have racecourse
experience, and Handa Island, from the Henry Cecil
yard look the ones to follow him hone
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] --> Yasey (JPN)
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> Keetchy
4:40 Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons Classified Stakes
£10000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 60yds, penalty £7572.50,
17 runners.
[ħħħħħħħTHE FURLONG POLEħħħħħħħ]
[Horse(s) from
our "Future Winners" Feature] -->Early
Morning Mist
[T.H.E.
R.O.O.K.] -->Thesis, who finished second to
Scheming in a competitive handicap at Newmarket, on
only his third start, probably doesn't have to improve
much on that (if at all) to win a weak looking
Classified stakes. French Lieutenant who won a maiden
at 1/8 at Ripon is the alternative
[NĜ.1 CHOICE] -->Thesis
[POSITIVES & NEGATIVES?] -->
[E/W ALTERNATIVE] --> French Lieutenant
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