"The owls are not what they seem"
would have thought a lot more than the 115 entries
Formely Fist of Fury
This topic is cruel and unusual punishment!
Although in fairness, not much else to keep us occupied these days.
"And still they gazed and still the wonder grew. That one small head could carry all he knew.
And that small head knew that Impaire Et Passe would win the Champion Hurdle."
Diamond Geezer (4th March 2021), granger (4th March 2021)
Relieved to see High Definition listed. He's already heavily involved in my ante-post log for the Flat season, at 12/1 for the race.
Illegitimi non carborundum
I love the Guineas and the big Summer Festivals. The Arc and Champions Day are two of the top seven race days of the whole year for me (the others being the whole of Cheltenham and the first day of the Royal Meeting) but the Derby has become a yawnfest recently. It might become interesting again when Galileo's last 3yos become 4 (please God that's not too long in the future)
Eleanora Duse (12th April 2021)
It's still a couple of months off but not without interest with the Ballysax having taken place yesterday and other important trials on the horizon.
My first dabble in the ante-post market was to take 12/1 High Definition in late September, on the morning of the Beresford in anticipation of an easy win. I would probably need to watch that race again but my memory of it is thinking that he wasn't off an inch, so unnecessarily far back was he in the early stages, only for him to sweep round the field up the straight to lead close home. It wasn't an easy win but it but it probably should have been.
I have since had a nibble at stablemate Cleveland at 25s but that's really just following Timeform's anticipation of a good run in something like the Chester Vase. I'm happy to have these types onside early by way of snaffling some possible value.
Illegitimi non carborundum
Do you think High Definition will get 12f? Realise that stamina isn't always necessary at Epsom. Because he's by Galileo people seem to check the stamina box but plenty of Galileos are more suited to 8f or 10f.
His dosage suggests he'll be very suited by the trip: DP = 5-2-21-14-0 (42) DI = 0.71 CD = -0.05
Illegitimi non carborundum
Thought Sir Lamorak was the most impressive performer over the weekend and had an interest for the Derby after his handicap win.
This pandemic must be doing strange things to me. I find myself trying to 'get into' the Derby this far in advance. This is very unlike me.
Anyway I've had a look at the trial at Sandown tomorrow. It should be informative but whether it will provide the winner of the big race is another matter. Would I be right in thinking that Sharahstani is the last horses to do the double?
That said, good horses have won it: Sakhee, Fantastic Light, Pentire, Old Vic, etc, but we're still going back twenty years and more.
I'm fascinated that Godolphin run three, though. Guineas favourite One Ruler is highly unlikely to stay the trip at Epsom so I presume they're trying to see exactly what they have in their armoury with the three they run here and no doubt they will be well-represented in the other trials.
Trawlerman (Gosdens) wears the first colours (at least the jockey does) so is he already thought better than Yibir and Adayar? Both of these are guaranteed to stay - perhaps even need - the Derby trip. Trawlerman should be good for it too.
I checked the Newmarket race last week dominated by two Godolphins, Highland Avenue and Secret Protector, and the Newbury race won by Hurricane Lane. All three put up smart performances on my figures but don't hold Derby entries so I presume tomorrow's threesome are deemed better candidates. If so, it would give Godolphin quite a strong hand of contenders likely to be capable of running to at least 115, often good enough for a minor place in an ordinary renewal.
So far, the shells AOB has fired over here haven't exactly sent shockwaves through the market. It remains to be seen what the Navarone-esque ones can do.
Last edited by Desert Orchid; 22nd April 2021 at 10:42 AM.
Illegitimi non carborundum
Mohaafeth straight to Derby after piece of work today.
All comers, all grounds, all beaten!
This perfect mix of poetry and destruction.
Impressed but more a Leger type I think.
Not sure he'll want that far. Is the Derby trip a sure thing? Ground key aswell.
All comers, all grounds, all beaten!
This perfect mix of poetry and destruction.
By Frankel out of a Sea the Stars. Very stout pedigree.