All articles by: Darren Chettleburgh

Horse Racing Preview – Doncaster – 13th September 2017

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Today’s horse racing preview comes from the St Leger meeting at Doncaster with the Listed Scarborough Stakes the main feature on day one.

 

14.20 Doncaster – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Conditions Stakes (6f)

Tom Dascombe won this back in 2014 with Angelic Lord, and once more he has a lively contender to win this race again with Demons Rock. The smart juvenile is the son of Requinto who has really shone for the Famous Five Partnership since landing his first win at Chepstow back in July. His liking for soft ground has shown his best form, with a defeat given to John Kirkup already this season to the distance of five lengths it is hard to see him being overturned this afternoon.

Owen Burrows Shabaaby got off the mark at the second attempt when winning a Novices Stakes at Newmarket in mid August, however if we were going to go on his best run that came on debut when behind the likes of Princess Margaret Stakes winner Nyaleti and Prestige Stakes winner Billsdon Brook, Jim Crowley re-takes the ride this afternoon, but will have to be on song to be the inform selection here, best of the rest would have to be Karl Burke’s Beatbox Rhythm who finished a recent seventh in the Acomb Stakes at York.

Has won on soft ground this year at Pontefract when odds on to do so and won well by four lengths, this is a close contest despite only four entries, they are all here on merit, however the nod goes to Demons Rock narrowly over Beatbox Rhythm who could chase him home.

DEMONS ROCK : 3pt Win @ SP (BOG)

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15.20 Doncaster – Pepsi Max Scarborough Stakes (Listed) (5f)

Clive Cox won this last year with Priceless and is represented this year with Go On Go On Go On who has failed miserably this year after two poor runs in Listed company at Haydock and Beverley and looks worth taking on, one of interest is Robert Cowell’s charge, Encore D’Or, who’s both wins have come on the all weather this year, but does get the services of Ryan Moore.

It’s his Chelmsford win that I feel will be relevant here to him running well this afternoon, the ground was riding terribly slow that day when beating Royal Birth by a head, but the form is growing concern at present, This race has been won by some superior sprinters of their time, Sole Power, Cotai Glory, Priceless, Mecca’a Angel,pattern winners and it will be interesting to see who can make here and go on to bigger and better things.

Razzmatazz won a few days ago at Kempton at 50/1, how quick has this race come around, they must be confident that he has come out of that race well, hence the big step up quickly. It is very interesting also they are stepping him back to the optimum trip, his recent recorded time was not that far off the likes of both Desert Law and Encore D’Or on the splits, if he has not taken too much out of himself he could have stepped up in to this class and runs above expectations.

RAZZMATAZZ : 2pt Win @ SP (BOG)

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15.50 Doncaster – Clipper Logistics Legend Legends Classified Stakes (0-70) (1m)

I do have a personal interest in Diamond Runner, I am probably hoping he runs a good race this afternoon, I cannot see him winning stepping back to a mile despite his record over the distance reads (1-2) the positive side of things is he will relish the soft conditions. The ground last time was a tad too lively for him over course and distance in a 0-75 contest, this is a drop in class and if he is there at the furlong pole on the bridle as he tends to be then anything can happen.

However, the most interesting one in the race is ridden by probably one of the most prolific jockey’s in the race, George Duffield. Being brought up around racing in the times of Pat Eddery, Walter Swinburn and of course George who is now 71, which is impressive to be competing in this years renewal once more. There is not a more competitive jockey and he rides the Brian Ellison trained Soldier Blue.

Even though both trainer and jockey are looking for their first success in the race, Soldier Blue comes here very lightly raced. With only three career runs he does lack the experience of many here, however he has progressed from his first run to his third when last seen finishing third at Pontefract back in July when just four lengths off the eventual winner Kings Will Dream, the runner up that day was the 2/7f Sharja Bridge who went on to win next time at Nottingham.

If Tim Easterby’s Off Art was on a going day he would probably be a 2/1f for this, you have to go back to July of 2013 when he recorded his last win when he was rated in the high eighties. His recent third at Redcar when running behind mid eighty contenders was going back in the right direction, he was only defeated a length so on that merit he has to be respected, a good booking of jump jockey Brian Harding who is extremely strong in the saddle.

I do not normally dutch in these kind of races, and it is hard to separate Off Art and Soldier Blue here, if i had to give any advice I would have a bet each way on both, but to pinpoint a selection I will just give the nod to Off Art purely on experience over Soldier Blue’s learning curve.

OFF ART : 2pt Win @ SP (BOG)

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16.50 Doncaster – Sports – ID Strength In Sport Conditions Stakes (10.2f)

Even though Mount Logan is returning as the previous winner, for me he has become the most exposed in the race, with the ground coming up soft and more rain forecast, I am willing to give the opportunity to David Simcock’s Sumbal.

He looked a useful type as a three year old when winning three of his four runs which included a Group 2. He never trained on and has had a couple of near misses on soft ground over further than this, and I would give him a cracking chance of recording his first win since 2015 in a open race. Best of the rest, well Mount Logan will obviously run his race once more, as will Best of Days who has not really shown improvement even on this surface, so it could be left down to Mirage Dancer of Stoute’s that will make the final challenge under Ryan Moore.

The son of the mighty Frankel has not seen Doncaster since he won his maiden here as a juvenile, his best career run came in the Hampton Court Stakes when finishing third behind Benbatl, but once again the firm is suspect, so I am willing to give Sumal a cracking chance here under Oisin Murphy.

SUMBAL : 1pt Win @ SP (BOG)

 

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Horse Racing Preview – Curragh & Chantilly – 10th September 2017

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Today’s horse racing preview features six selections, coming from The Curragh & Chantilly who host some top quality group action from France.

 

12.50 Chantilly – Qater Prix Du Petit Couvert (Group 3) (5f)

Fashion Queen meets Kylland Rock on a 1lb worse term this time around from their 1-2 at York in the Listed Westow Stakes, but I would expect Kyllang Rock to be a lot closer to that form after his solid second recently at Nottingham when behind Ornate. Two other British entries here are Evil Spell and Lady Macapa, the latter would be the one of interest being form a yard that have been firing in big race winners over the past week. Clive Cox will not have the services of Adam Kirby this afternoon but nevertheless, he will have the likes of Luke Morris in the plate.

She has not been seen since finishing third behind Magical Memory in the Listed Hackwood Stakes at Newbury back in July, she has plenty of speed in her pedigree being by Equiano, however she will have to step up from her 93 winning mark last year to land the spoils here. Strangely enough this race has gone to British trainers for the past eight years,

Out of the four British entries that have travelled, I have to be bias to Fashion Queen, it’s great to have the likes of Maxin Guyon riding for the Clipper Logistic team, would have preferred Danny Tudhope of course but he will be in Ireland.

FASHION QUEEN : 1pt Each Way @ SP (BOG OR PLU)

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13.50 Chantilly – Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2) (12f)

We have not seen a British trained winner of this race for 16 years, the last one came back in 2001 when Sir Michael Stoute sent over Golan to succeed. This year we see John Gosden’s Cracksman who on paper should be winning this after his recent success in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York’s Ebor meeting, but I am totally against him.

Pascal Bary has his string in fine fettle, with a current strike rate of 42%, he saddles here Ice Breeze who’s last run came in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris at Saint-Cloud. He won prior to that when taking the Group 2 Prix Hocquart when under pilot Vincent Cleminaud, but surprisingly enough the jockey has deserted him for Andre Farbre’s Finche. The pair teamed up back in 2015 when winning this race with New Bay who went on to land another Group 3 before being retired to stud,

Finche comes into this off the back of winning the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam, stable mate Avillus was back in third by just under two lengths. Stepping up this afternoon into unknown territory around the index of 12f , but he is sired by the mighty Frankel, out of Binche and I feel he will take this contest in his stride.

FINCHE : 2pt Win @ 9/2 (BOG or PLU)

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14.35 Curragh – Moyglare ‘Jewels’ Blanford Stakes (Group 2) (10f)

One of the most under-rated jockeys on the circuit when riding away from his stable is Danny Tudhope, who could have been in France for the weekend, but has elected to come here and ride out for Willie Haggas on Sea of Grace. She was so impressive when landing the Listed Dick Hern Stakes last month under Atzeni, beating Danny Tudhope into second on the consistent Lincoln Rocks.

Obviously Tudhope has seen a potential Group success for him, Sea of Grace was probably a very unlucky loser in last years French 1000gns when beaten by Preciuse, two main winners to come out of that race were Rain Goddess and Roly Poly. She takes on Rain Goddess once more who has improved since to land the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes over the 9f trip here at the Curragh, but to reverse the form I cannot see it.

So who can chase her home, with three year old’s having the best win ratio in this race it can only be the Aidan O’Brien pair in Alluringly and Rain Goddess, the former ran well for a long way in this years Epsom Oaks, her main success was around Listed company this year, however she looks a pace maker here I think, Rain Goddess looks the main danger, especially from the French 1000gns, I would fear her the most in this line up.

SEA OF GRACE : 2pt Win @ 11/4 (BOG)

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15.05 Curragh – Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 2) (5f)

Ger Lyon’s Ardhoomey is attempting to go back to back in wins in this race and achieve what has only been done by four other horses in this races. I would say he is coming into this in better form than when landing this race last year. With two thirds to his name in Listed and pattern company over the past couple of months he has to be feared despite having to give weight all round.

All the rage though is Ballydoyle’s Carravaggio, he drops back this afternoon to the minimum trip which saw him unbeaten as a juvenile (2-2), will relish the cut in the ground and that finishing kick he has in the closing stages, is the one to beat. But you guessed it, I am going to take him on here with Charles Hills Cotai Glory. This horse is probably the unluckiest sprinter this year having to compete behind the likes of Marsha, Lady Aurelia and Take Cover, proven Group 1 winners, so is compensation on the card, I cannot see why not, he’s been consistent enough.

COTAI GLORY : 3pt Win @ 7/2 (BOG)

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15.15 Chantilly – Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) (12f)

This looks a solid head to head between Bateel and God Given with the latter getting the verdict for Luca Cumani. Firstly Bateel who has notched up wins this year in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes and more recently the Group 2 Prix Promone where she defeated the likes of Abingdon. Her only effort at this level came in last years Champion Mare & Fillies Stakes at Ascot where she finished last of thirteen. I do feel she has to step up again despite her current form to defeat God Given.

She has come on so quickly since landing her maiden at Haydock by a commanding four lengths, she showed that was no fluke when winning the Listed Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket, and lastly, she really impressed me at Deauville when she took apart a strong field in the Group 3 Prix Minerve, her age to weight allowance is going to give her a massive claim to win this, Jamie Spencer will ride her once more.

GOD GIVEN: 2pts each way @ 9/1 (BOG & PLU)

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15.40 Curragh – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) (7f)

The question is who’s turn is it this time, Which one of O’Brien’s horses will land this renewal? I just cannot take the trainer on trust these days after he has pulled the wool over our eyes too many times. He saddles five entries here and on paper the best filly in the race is Clemmie, but will that be the case at the line?

She has come on nicely this year landing the Group 2 Grangecon Stakes and Duchess of Cambridge Stakes back in July. She will come off a five and half week break which should not inconvenience her too much. However with stiff opposition form her stable I do feel she has to step up to beat Jessica Harrington’s Alpha Centauri.

She should be 3-3 in her career when beaten by French raider Different League in the Albany Stakes, the thing here is that progeny’s of Mastercraftsman tend to take time to come to hand, she is most definitely very forward for a juvenile. She steps up to 7f for the first time and I feel she will make her presence felt here under Colm O’Donoghue.

ALPHA CENTAURI : 4pt Win @ 4/1 (NAP) (BOG)

 

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Horse Racing Preview – Ascot & Haydock – 9th September 2017

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Today’s horse racing preview comes from two meetings, with selections from Ascot & Haydock, with the main feature of the day coming in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint.

 

13.50 Haydock – 32Red Casino Ascendant Stakes (Listed) (8.1f)

There could be more to come from Arche Watson’s Yabass, his narrow success at Windsor four weeks ago is slowly working out well, with only the one runner to come out since in Regimented who won a Novice Stakes race ten days ago at Chepstow. The yard had a nice win on Thursday in Herecomesthesun who beat a good looking field. Edward Greatrex has teamed up with the yard and is flying at present, riding 8-19 (42%), so definitely a combination to keep on the right side of.

Chilean’s debut run at Newmarket has panned out well enough, with Old Persian winning recently and quite a few in that field running above their merits since. Chilean gave that Newmarket race a boost when winning on the all weather at Chelmsford nine days ago when beating Kind Act. Mick Channon’s Veejay has been handicapping and won his third race this year when taking a 0-85 contest at Ripon, but I have been questioning that form purely as Noble Manners was in the race and that’s not the best of yardsticks.

Learn By Heart finished a neck behind Another Bhatt who recently went to Turkey and landed a Group 3 contest, the front pair Red Mist and Hey Gaman were way ahead with the latter just holding on in the closing stages. On paper it is probably the best form, but for me he will be better when going handicapping. Marco Botti’s Dark Acclaim bounced off the soft ground at Doncaster when recording a three and three quarter length win over Qaroun. That form is rock solid with both the runner up and third winning next time out.

Mark Johnston’s Dee Ex Bee was disappointing in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes when finishing sixth, he drops back in class here to Listed level, but again I feel he will be better when going handicapping, however the man inform at present is Adam Kirby who has ridden 5-13 (38%) over the past week. The more rain the better for Charlie Appleby’s Dubhe who routed his rivals at Sandown Park last month. He would have to be feared though, with the forecasted rain next week at Haydock Park.

It’s a hard one to call here, with two proven soft ground horses in the race in Dark Acclaim and Charlie Appleby’s Dubhe. These two stand out the most, but i have swung towards Dubhe here purely on the fact he has already tackled the mile in heavy ground and won well doing it.

DUBHE : 2pt Win @ SP (BOG)

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14.10 Ascot – Lavazza Fillies Novices Stakes (7.9f)

I suppose we should be making a tracker for next season with these back end juvenile fillies, especially with the 1000gns a possibility on the horizon next spring. This looks a really competitive Novices contest, with a few that have already had a run this is where I want to look at in the first instance. Charles Hills saddles Arthenia who is the daughter of Camelot, seventh of twelve on debut at Newmarket in what has looked a competitive Novices contest, the winner Purser disappointed in the recent running of the Solario Stakes, the Newmarket race is now looking slightly exposed for me and there could be a couple in here that have better chances.

Ceramist represents John Gosden, third on debut at Nottingham when behind Clive Cox’s Pure Clarity, but again I am not convinced she was in the best of races considering the runner up has started to expose her non ability to win a race. Another that has the experience of a run is Peter Chapple-Hyams Lubinka, she has some solid entries next month which includes the Fillies mile on Champions Day, she was very green on debut when finishing fourth to Simon Crisford’s Dark Rose Angel on the straight mile at Doncaster.

She looks the one to beat here and will relish the Ascot straight mile, Josephine Gordon takes the ride, with this being her first ever ride for the trainer, the stats are not in their favour, with the trainer being out of sorts and is not that renowned with juvenile winners these days. Charlie Appleby’s entry here Soliloquy ran a solid debut when runner up to Richard Hannon’s Vitamin, a useful yardstick going into that race considering she had finished in front of recent winners Clairette and Juliet Foxtrot on her debut, but its the Spencer factor that really puts me off backing her here despite the jockey riding well over the past month with 18 winners.

My final decision and it has not come lightly, Richard Hannon’s juveniles are back in form, as is the yard and Trump Alexander could on pedigree adapt better than some here. She is the daughter of Iffraajj who never ran over this afternoons index, however with only two runs as a juvenile and one at three, he thrived more with age, but he was lightly raced. So I am hoping she has collected some of her mother’s genes who won the Group 3 Design Stakes over 9f. Most of Hannon’s youngsters run well on debut and come on very quickly, she is bound to be a big price with what she is up against; proven experienced runners.

TRUMP ALEXANDER : 1pt each way @ SP (BOG)

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14.25 Haydock – 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1) (6f)

With a few of these already gone head to head this season, there are not many in this race that hold a Group 1 success, in fact just a few, firstly and the likely favourite for the race in Harry’s Angel. I stated last week I thought he was the best sprinter I have seen since Lochsong and stand by that with integrity. His Sandy Lane Stakes win over course and distance back in May was very impressive when landing the race by four and a half lengths.

Should he have beaten Carravaggio in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, personally no, the ground was all wrong, far to quick for him and suffered inside the final half a furlong. Blue Point was back in third that day and he is another that cannot be discounted here and I will get to him in due course. His July Cup win saw him land his first Group 1 when beating Limato, Brando, Growl, The Tin Man, Tasleet and reversing the form with Carravaggio.

Now here’s the thing, do I feel Harry’s Angel will have that kick on softer surface? He won the Mill Reef on good to soft, however from 2-3 he has needed good to firm ground to show his true form to date. This is my concern, along with the fact that there has been no back to back winning favourites of this race, been a few that have tried, but failed.

Now my selection, I believe if you keep on going success will come, and Blue Point deserves to win a big pot. Gimcrack winner as a juvenile, he has been lightly raced this year, taking the Pavilion Stakes on seasons re-appearance and running third behind Harry’s Angel in the Commonwealth Cup.

Question is that he has not won a Group 1 yet, he has had a good go though, runner up in the Middle Park Stakes, third in the Dewhurst as a juvenile. The potential is there, however he just falls short. James Doyle has ridden him just the once when runner up in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes, the thing about him is I feel he can improve, not every top sprinter is unbeatable, we saw that recently in Lady Aurelia who was beaten by a horse that had been consistent.

Now is it worth to dutch in the race? Brando was conceding 6lb when beaten by Harry’s Angel in the July Cup and the weight told the story, this time around Brando only concedes 4lb and deserves to be on the premises. He is a Group 1 winner when landing the Maurice De Gheest and had both Magical Memory and Carravaggio well cooked that day.

Was beaten by The Tin Man in last years Champion Sprint at Newmarket to just over a length and has been kept away from all of the head to heads. Has won on soft ground in the past, but looks a solid good ground performer, should go well again despite the weight. Overall though there is no getting away from the fact that the younger generation has landed the past three renewals of this race in recent years, and this brings in Harry’s Angel & Blue Point. Even though I should be loyal to Harry’s Angel, I just have a gut feeling Blue Point is going to have a dream run.

BLUE POINT : 2pts each way @ 10/1 (BOG)

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14.45 Ascot – Cunard Handicap (7f)

Considering claimers have won the past three renewals of this race, looking at their rides this year I am confident enough to suggest this will once more go to a claiming jockey. There is only five in the race that are claiming, so we start at the bottom and work our way up. Hollie Doyle has shown this season that her 3lb claim is worth a lot, here she will be carrying under 8st when she rides Michael Appleby’s Qeyaadah. The consistent four year old is probably finding things tough since landing a 0-90 handicap at Redcar back in June, however after three unplaced runs around 0-85 categories he was stepped up into better company when competing in a 0-105 class at Doncaster when just denied by a neck to David Barron’s Bertiewhittle.

Qeyaadah was in receipt of 1lb that day for a neck defeat, this time around he gets 5lb and should be reversing that form with Bertiewhittle who by the way has a claimer on board. Next there is Ian Williams Shady McCoy, the ex David Barron in-mate has not won since last July when winning a 0-95 handicap at Goodwood. He ran creditable when finishing fourth in this years Victoria Cup here at Ascot back in May, when off a 2lb higher mark, he could be feared on that form, but he is seven years of age now and taking on younger and better handicapped horses here.

So this brings me down to two entries that could land this prize, first one is Kevin Ryan’s Lualiwa who has only been out of the first two once this season. I was at York when she was beaten by the appropriately named Battered, but he went on to Chester and won a 0-100 handicap in good style probably having a bit more left in the tank. He returned to York and won well again when claiming a 0-95 handicap. His last run over course and distance saw him get run down in the closing stages by Tim Easterby’s Golden Apollo who was heavily punted to land the race, but that was the Shergar Cup, and my opinion on that meeting will stay silent.

The handicapper seems to be still assessing him, as he has only been raised 2lb for this, however he is coming close to probably hitting a brick wall, so the selection, Willie Haggas’ Squats, who finished fourth in this last year. He will run off a 2lb lower mark this time around, and gets a very good claimer on board in young Georgia Cox. He has already won on this ground two runs back when landing a 0-95 handicap at Newbury, and for me the one to beat this year.

SQUATS : 2pts each way @ 7/1 (BOG)

 

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