Coral Eclipse

It is the Coral Eclipse this weekend down at Sandown. The race has been won by some great thoroughbreds down the years such as Dancing Brave, Giants Causeway and the only filly to ever win the race Pebbles.
I was taken with the way the John Gosden five-year-old Dar Re Mi won the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. Having won the Yorkshire Oaks last year beating Sariska, as well as running a creditable fifth in the Arc, behind the great Sea The Stars, and running third in the Breeders Cup Turf behind Conduit the mare is obviously an animal of some class.
Twice Over will be popular but I believe Dar Re Mi will make a triumphant return to the British Isles and will take all the beating and is currently available at 11-4.
I shall be taking a closer look at the racing from Sandown on Friday and Saturday later this week.

Plate Day

Mamlook has an each way chance in The Northumberland Plate up at Newcastle at 8-1. I will be sticking with Coordianted Cut in the Irish Derby tomorrow and an each way big race double might be the way to go.
The lightly-raced Himalya has a chance in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes earlier in the day in Geordieland, beaten in two big handicaps over the last few weeks today could be his turn.
I do like a Tipsy Girl and the Haafhd filly is fancied to run a big race in the Empress Stakes at Newmarket today and is another at an each way price.

Irish Derby

Unlikely to be a brilliant renewal of the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday. At the moment I am somewhat unmoved by it and will be leaving any decision regard to having a punt till the weekend. If you just can not wait, Coordinated Cut is available at 10's this morning and must have an each way chance.

A Word About The Football

All the gang were in trouble. They were on a trip abroad and their custodian was really annoyed with them and the way in which they had been behaving. The gang were upset because they were very bored and they hadn’t been able to text their friends or use their PlayStations – some of the guys had serious Grand Theft cold turkey. Ladies man, he’d been given the nickname by the lads as he’d been caught snogging his mates girlfriend behind the bike sheds, had gone and said some stuff he shouldn’t and now the patience of the grown ups was wearing thin. All the gang had been there at their secret meeting and at the time had agreed with Ladies man, he was the biggest after all. Now though the brown stuff had really hit the fan and Tubs, Barn Door, Hair Bear, Wing Nut, Y-Fronts, Hub Caps, Stretch and Titch were all distancing themselves from his comments rather than get in any further trouble. Mr C had called them into his office and told all of them he was going to make Ladies man stand up in assembly and apologise to everyone……………

Was the above:
A: Short extract from an old script of Grange Hill
B. Comic strip from the Beano
C. The England football team preparing for their do or die knock out match versus Slovenia

Royal Review

What a week. Some truly great racing with track records being broken and numerous superb and memorable performances. Canford Cliffs victory was one of the highlights for me having talked up the colt all season. The tussle between Goldikova and Paco Boy in the Queen Anne was the sort of finish you go racing too see and then we were treated to another classic in the Gold Cup with a thrilling battle to the line between Rite of Passage and Age Of Aquarius. The way Starspangledbanner took the Golden Jubilee was ultra impressive leading all the way and simply galloping the opposition into submission. It really has been a great meeting.
I got to visit the payout queue on  more than one occasion which is always nice with the great Canford Cliffs leading the way, followed by Hibaayeb, Bay Willow each way, Memory, Harbinger and the speedy Starspangledbanner; also came so very close with Paco Boy, Elzaam, Meow and Quadrille. I am happy to report that at the end of play the betting bank is larger than it was on Tuesday morning so smiles all round.
I read that the Racing For Change idea for seven races each day next year with at least one of the Group One races on the Tuesday being moved to the Saturday is to get the go ahead. I can understand moving one of the Group One races to the Saturday when in theory more people can watch, I just hope the additional races do not dilute the quality of the meeting.
As anyone who watched this year will be able to testify the quality of the racing is beyond doubt, and that more than anything will always get people coming through the turnstiles.

Day Five

Into the last day and we are still standing, although a little blurry eyed after last night but I shan't waste too many words on the abomination that was the football.
Richard Hannons two-year-olds are flying at the moment and King Torus can add to his debut win at Leicester by taking the Chesham Stakes.
Harbinger has matured into a fine horse and should be too good for his opponents in the Hardwicke Stakes.
I have spoken before about Starspangledbanner, and backed him at York when he finished fifth. O'Brien is on record as saying the colt will be sharper for the run and I will be sticking with him in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
The Wokingham is as difficult as ever but a couple of bob each way on Jimmy Styles should see us at the payout counter.
Up at Ayr Bewitched has a good chance in the Scottish News Of The World Fillies Stakes and is fancied to add to her two wins already this season.
Be lucky

Day Four

The liver and the betting bank are holding up as we move into the last couple of days.
I liked the look of Memory when the Hannon filly won at Goodwood and a couple of bob will be riding on her in the opener.
Bullet Train flopped at Epsom, looking as though he struggled down the hill having been sat in second he was allowed to cruise home once his chance had gone so you can ignore his finishing position. I still believe he is a good horse and the colt is given a chance in the King Edward VII Stakes.
Music Show won her race at Newmarket (drawn on the wrong side) and ran credibly in Ireland and she is fancied to take a well deserved Group 1 victory in the Coronation Stakes.
I like the look of Corsica in the Queens Vase and the colts trainer Mark Johnston has a great record in the race having won it five times in recent years.
Here's hoping we will be raising a glass or two by the time England kick off against Algeria this evening and that the boys don't make a total hash of it again tonight!
Be lucky

Day Three

It took a two-year-old course record from Maqaasid to beat Meow yesterday and the other two-year-old tipped up here in May is out today. Dinkum Diamond runs in the Norfolk Stakes at 2.30. The Henry Candy colt impressed me on his debut and was better still in winning the Listed event at Sandown last month, I can see him taking this on his way to even bigger things.
There is a doubt about the stamina of Hibaayeb in the Ribblesdale but if she gets the trip she is the class act in the field on form.
I have spoken before of my admiration for Kite Wood and I will be investing a couple of bob on the Godolphin stayer in the Gold Cup; I think he could go on to be a top Cup horse over the coming seasons.
The Britannia is as difficult as ever again this year but a couple of quid on the Michael Bell trained Hypnotized should see us getting a run for our money. Unlucky at Goodwood when finding all the trouble in running with a bit of luck today compensation awaits.
It is Royal Ascot so it would be lovely to see the Queen, gawd bless her, in the winners enclosure and I think she has a chance with the Richard Hannon trained Quadrille in the Hampton Court Stakes.
The lucky last King George V Stakes is a tricky little handicap to my mind and a small each way punt on Bay Willow is the bet.
Be lucky

Day Two

With Canford Cliffs winning we head into the second day a nose in front, but for a couple of inches Elzaam and Paco Boy could have put us lengths clear!
Some wonderful racing again today and I think the Godolphin team should have the bookies singing the blues with a possible hat-trick. I fancy Shakespearean to confirm the class he showed at Epsom in the opening Jersey Stakes. The German import Antara should take the Windsor Forest Stakes and I believe Cavalryman is an each way certainty in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes and if finding his three-year-old form could well take the victory.
Later on the card I like the look of Safina in the Sandringham Handicap, lovely breeding, top connections and almost certainly still improving.
I mentioned Meow on this site on the 28th May and I will certainly be backing the filly in the Queen Mary Stakes. As mentioned previously the Tabor owned two-year-old is bred to be a bit speedy being by Storm Cat out of Airwave and she could prove to be a bit special.
Be lucky

Richard Marmite Hughes

What more can I say about Mr Hughes today.
Delightful on Canford Cliffs; a great ride on what I clearly believe to be a great horse. If any of you out there still doubt how good this horse is have a look at the replay - best three-year-old miler end of story!
Dreadful on Paco Boy. In my opinion it was a huge mistake giving a wonderful horse a five length lead and getting beat a neck. I know Paco has to be ridden that way but you cannot give a mare such as Goldikova that sort of opportunity.
Down right annoying on Strong Suit. Okay I am talking from the pocket here, but coming to catch Elzaam on the nod having dropped his mount out the back and found all sort of trouble in running .... Where's the justice?
Richard Hughes: Love him or hate him? Right now I do not know.

Day One

The first day of the Royal meeting is here and it looks like being a cracking few days racing.
Say what you like about some of the people that go these days who seem more interested in fashion and being seen at one of the big summer 'events', and I know a number know nothing about racing and have no interest in learning either, but if you can ignore those idiots it is still one of the greatest race meetings in the world.
I will be sticking with Canford Cliffs in the St. James's Palace Stakes, no surprise to anyone who has logged onto this site before. I fancy the Brits to win the Kings Stand for a change and will be having a little flutter on Kingsgate Native. The Queen Anne Stakes is a real head scratcher being a big fan not only of Paco Boy but also Goldikova. I think I will stick with Richard Hannons charge, though a small saver might be placed on the French wonder mare as she does receive a slight weight advantage on her male rivals.
The two-year-old heats are as usual better watched for possible future winners than getting too heavily involved with though Elzaam looks a nice type in the Coventry and might be worth a small investment. The handicap looks a wide open affair and best left alone.
Be lucky

Only Days To Go

With the big meeting just days away you can almost hear the chink chink of Pimms glasses. I shall be getting my nut into the formbook, keeping my ear to the ground for any whispers (usually useless) and generally waffling on regard the Royal meeting on these pages.
Truth be told I am a little like a child on Christmas eve and in danger of getting over excited before the event even begins. Just a quick glance at the first day and you get an idea of the quality of the racing we have too look forward to from Ascot next week.
On the first day alone we should see a titanic battle between Goldikova, Paco Boy and Rip Van Winkle in the Queen Anne Stakes followed by a clash of the 2000 Guineas winners with Canford Cliffs looking to take revenge on Makfi for the Newmarket defeat in the St. James's Palace Stakes with Steinbeck and Dick Turpin due to line-up for good measure. Sandwiched in between these two races we have the small matter of the King´s Stand Stakes with the likes of Starspangledbanner, Kingsgate Native and Fleeting Spirit likely to be lining up for the five furlong dash.

Who’s The Daddy IV

Back to the young bucks for this edition and a look at the current top first season sire, the aptly named, Majestic Missile. real speedster in has racing days the bay won six races at five furlongs whilst trained by William Haggas including the Cornwallis Stakes as a two-year-old amongst his three career Group Three victories.
Of his seven runners to date this season three have been winners not surprisingly all at 5-6 furlongs. The as yet unraced Regal Rocket, out of the unraced mare Frenzy, half sister to the Group One winning two-year-old and Oaks runner-up Shamshir, currently under the tutelage of Richard Hannon could be a two-year-old to keep an eye out for as the season progresses. The bay filly is entered for the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury in July.

A Derby Great?

So the comparisons have started and arguments rage in racing pubs the length and breadth of the country. To my mind it was a great performance and for now that is all we know.
I have watched the race several times since yesterday afternoon and the way Workforce picks up when they enter the straight and sets out after, catches and passes At First Sight is very impressive. Okay this years three-year-olds might not be the best batch ever but the horse can only beat what is put in front of him and Workforce gave them one hell of a beating.
Is the colt a great? It should be remembered that Stoute is a master of getting his charges spot on  for the big one; both North Light and Kris Kin never won another race having taken the Epsom showpiece. It is far too early to say, a similar display in Ireland if the colt goes down that route will go some way to answering the question. I am really looking forward to seeing him take on the older generation in the King George and/or the Arc as that is the only way we are going to find out just how good he is.

Workforce - WOW!

Who said it was a below par Derby? On first impressions that was pretty damn good, a record time, seven lengths clear on only the colts third start, hats off too Stoute and Moore. Workforce is now best priced 6-1 for the Arc after the race; the connections of Fame And Glory might suddenly have a three-year-old to worry about and us punters have a summer of excitement ahead.

Derby Day

A very good Derby morning to you, and what a beautiful day for it. A couple of drinks in the sun in good company, all we need is Bullet Train to win and my day will be perfect.
It is very competitive racing at Epsom today but I think I will be taking a chance with Dubawi Gold in the Woodcote Stakes as the Dubawi two-year-old looked a nice prospect when winning his debut race at Ayr; I talked about Dubawi as a sire in 'Who's The Daddy' last month.
Have a great day.
Be lucky

Oaks Day

Snow Fairy won the Oaks with a battling display under a fine ride from Champion jockey Ryan Moore, he manoeuvred the Ed Dunlop trained filly through what looked a rough race to take his first Classic; the champ must have been delighted I am sure he even cracked a smile. Meeznah battled all the way to the line with Remember When back in third.
My fancy Aviate only briefly looked like getting involved in the finish before her run petered out and it only confirms my initial thoughts that 1m 2f is going to be her best distance. Henry Cecil mentioned after the race that Tom Queally thought the filly didn't stay.
In the Coronation Cup Sariska ran a fine race in second on ground that would have been far from ideal but was not quite good enough on the day to draw in Fame And Glory who will go to the top of any short list for the Arc, King George, Champion Stakes etc. We might not have to wait that long to see the colt again though as O’Brien did mention post race a possible tilt at the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot is on the cards. Michael Bell mentioned the King George as a possible target for Sariska.

Epsom

We finally know the thoroughbred stars who shall be lining up at Epsom this weekend; it seems to me there have been more withdrawals over the last few days than at the cash machine next to my local bookies!
I am going to stick with Aviate in the Oaks. I was taken with the way the filly won the Musidora at York, as stated previously here, and although I think 1m 2f might be her ideal distance the turn of foot she showed should be good enough to take the race if she stays the extra two furlongs. Fingers crossed Tom Queally can get her settled into a nice rhythm and a good position and take advantage of her change of pace to kick clear in the final furlong. Henry Cecil has been making all the right noises during interviews in the run up to the race and the fact she is going to Epsom and not France is taken as a positive.
It could be a very good weekend for Warren Place as I like the look of Bullet Train in the Derby on Saturday. Winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial making virtually all before kicking clear around two out, I have a feeling the Sadlers Wells colt is still very much an improving sort and might be good enough to take the big one.
The Coronation Cup sees Fame And Glory taking on Sariska in a mouth watering contest. I am a fan of both and Fame And Glory was impressive at the Curragh but as it is Oaks day I think it might pay to stick with the ladies. As mentioned here at the time it was a nice seasonal reappearance from Sariska at York and she won a shade cosily. That would have blown away any cobwebs and at the odds (5-2 on Thursday) she will be my bet.
Be lucky

Who’s The Daddy III

Having burbled on recently about some of the new bucks in the stallion ranks with the Derby just around the corner it is time to take a look at two, if not exactly old boys, more established lotharios of the equine world.
Montjeu and Galileo were no slouches on the track and they have certainly been making their mark on the thoroughbred world since their retirements to stud. I should admit to a certain amount of bias here having had Montjeu in an Irish Derby and Arc double in 1999 and been the happy owner of several ante post vouchers for Galileo in the 2001 Derby.
Galileo boasts 23 worldwide G1 winners to date including Derby winner New Approach, Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune and the unbeaten Teofilo as well as Rip Van Winkle and Lush Lashes. Montjeu has 29 worldwide G1 winners including Derby winners Authorised and Motivator as well as three Irish Derby winners in Fame and Glory, Frozen Fire and Hurricane run.
With the announcement of the withdrawal of long time ante-post favourite St Nicholas Abbey this morning (by Montjeu) our two boys still hold a strong hand in this years Derby being represented by: Jan Vermeer and Co-ordinated Cut (Montjeu) Midas Touch, Cape Blanco, At First Sight and Bright Horizon.(Galileo).