I thought with Morando running below form the race was ho hum. As for Surf Dancer (I got the races mixed up originally) I don't rate Haggas as a trainer of group horses. Dream of Dreams I backed ap for the Jubilee and the Lennox but I let him go for this because One Master's absence knocked his price in. Silly. He major outclassed them.
The Marois is fascinating tomorrow.
Palace Pier looks short considering the state of the ground and Persian King is overrated. Alpine Star looks the one at the prices. She'll go on the ground and the Diane form is high quality.
Disastrous day, yesterday - hope springs eternal.
Brian The Snail 3.15R Good 3rd over C&D on only 2nd run of season: surpassed that with Steward's Cup 3rd latest.Only raised 1lb for that, same jockey, well drawn & acts on ground.
14/1 b365 or 12/1 - 6 places elsewhere.
Disastrous day, yesterday - hope springs eternal.
Brian The Snail 3.15R Good 3rd over C&D on only 2nd run of season: surpassed that with Steward's Cup 3rd latest.Only raised 1lb for that, same jockey, well drawn & acts on ground.
14/1 b365 or 12/1 - 6 places elsewhere.
Wouldn't normally get involved with unraced 2yo's, but I'll make an exception in this case.It's notable that Danny Tudhope travels to Newbury for one retained ride French Conquest 4.40. Know little about the horse, but it's probably significant he swerves a number of stable chances at his local Ripon, to ride it. Can only assume the horse has been showing up well on the Lambourn gallops and worth a speculative punt at b365's 18/1
Last edited by reet hard; 16th August 2020 at 7:05 AM.
Colin Phillips (16th August 2020)
Was going to run at Ascot and merited this comment from the Inside Edge’s Ken Pitterson on ATR (always worth a read):
Look out for this horse:
FRENCH CONQUEST unfortunately did not run in the opening maiden won byLaneqash because he was withdrawn for being unruly in the stalls. He looked one of the nicest types pre-race and hopefully nothing has gone amiss and he will be out on a racecourse soon.
reet hard (16th August 2020)
I think the milers are up to scratch. Kameko would have beaten Circus Maximus with a clear run in the Sussex and that's despite the fact that he'd really need a stiffer track over the distance.
As for the fillies, Fancy Blue won the Nassau well even though some of her older rivals didn't show up. Nazeef a less reliable yardstick than Circus Maximus but decent nonetheless. I'd say Alpine Star's optimum would be a stiff test at a mile
4.55 Ripon-Time Voyage @ 3-1 [Bet 365]
Will find this easier than her last test
"The wise man is one who knows what he does not know"
Had a quick look at the race. At 11/10, I think that's what you're getting about PP acting in the ground and there was juice in it at Ascot. I don't think JG would risk running him if he wasn't happy enough. There's enough of a doubt for me not to back him but I wouldn't want to take him on with anything else in the race. I'm leaving it alone but expect PP to outclass them. The older milers here aren't top class.
Illegitimi non carborundum
Definitely looks to be a proper race to savour whatever the outcome. Alpine Star is my favourite horse, having displaced Alpha Centuri when that fine horse retired. Superbly ridden by Dettori at Ascot over what is probably her best trip she was magnificent. In the Diane, upped in trip, she was pretty impressive, particularly in coming back after being passed. Had the feeling Dettori would have given her a more evenly paced ride. Back at this distance I'm hoping she'll go at a fair pace and then produce the finishing burst which she has shown in the past.
Without doubt the opposition is formidable, however the ground should suit her and the price is attractive.
I'm more concerned with my own record this season which is certainly not good, especially when upping my stake.
Despite her £220,000 price tag, the only worthwhile form Heart Reef 6.30W has shown has been on ground with proper dig in it. However, she did show some sign of life in first-time blinkers latest, and the combinstion of those, soft ground and 12f gives her an opportunity she's never had before, and looks worth a small punt, on a quiet day, at the general 10/1
Good luck
1.35 Uttoxeter-Jemina P
Each Way @ 9-1 [Bet Victor]
Think she is better than form figures so far
"The wise man is one who knows what he does not know"
reet hard (17th August 2020)
Super run to finish 2nd @ 14-1
"The wise man is one who knows what he does not know"
PlaceBacker (18th August 2020)
I'll have a go at Durham trainer David Thompson's two chances at Beverley tomorrow. They are 4.00 Lukoutoldmakezebak, and 4.30 Splash Of Verve.
Each way double.