Author Archives: John Burke

Four For York And A Tiger Tip

Posted on May 13, 2019 by John Burke • 0 Comments

Racing festivals come around very quickly at this time of the season.

After Chester last week, it’s on to York’s Dante Festival which starts on Wednesday. It’s a meeting I love to attend but due to my recent operation I probably won’t be able to get there this year.

This week, I will share with you a few of my takeaways from last week's racing news. Oh, and I also have four horses to follow at York this week and of course Monday’s tip.

Aidan O’Brien tightens grip on Derby

Does any other trainer win Derby Trials other than Aidan O’Brien these days?  

Last week he won the Chester Vase with Sir Dragonet, the Dee Stakes with Circus Maximus, Saturday’s Lingfield Derby Trial with Anthony Van Dyck and then finally the Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

He’s still to unleash another possible Derby contender in Japan in this week’s Dante Stakes.

Surely, he’s not going to win yet another Derby Trial, is he?

Gosden’s holds Oaks aces

Aidan O’Brien might hold the key to next month’s Epsom Derby but John Gosden looks to have a strong hand of fillies for the Oaks.

Mehdaayih was impressive in winning the Cheshire Oaks on soft ground. It's worth noting her stablemate Fanny Logan who finished third. She wasn't knocked about by Frankie Dettori when he realised she was hating the ground.

Mehdaayih needs to be supplemented for the Oaks but I would expect that to happen after this performance.  

Anapurna landed Saturday’s Lingfield Oaks Trial by six lengths. The further she went the better she looked and I was impressed with her win. In all truth she probably didn’t beat much here but she’s going the right way and will improve further.

It’s likely she will take up her Oaks entry with the 10/1 available with Paddy Power looking fair enough to me.

The trainer has still to run recent Sandown winner Sparkle Roll. That filly will probably run at York in the Musidora Stakes.

Follow the first three home in the Victoria Cup

It’s worth following the form of the Victoria Cup. Especially, the first three home who have been profitable to follow on their next run.

In the past 20-years if you had backed the first three home in the race on their next start you would have made £10.33 to a £1 level stake. 

Cape Byron, Kynren and Kaeso will be worth supporting on their next start, if they run in races at Class 2 or below.

Ignore racecourse rumours

The rumour mill was in overdrive at Ascot and Lingfield.

The Sir Michael Stoute trained Sextant was on offer at 100/30 early in the morning but drifted out to 7/1 on the back of some negative rumours.  All before his comfortable win in the 1m 4f handicap that opened the Ascot card.

At Lingfield Anthony Van Dyck who was also subject to similar negative reports before the Lingfield Derby Trial eased out to as big as 9/4 before being sent off a generous 2/1.

Both horses may have drifted but that didn't stop them from registering smooth wins.

Louis back in the limelight

Louis Steward had looked a Champion Jockey in the making when bursting onto the scene in 2014. That year he won Ebor with Mutual Regard and the Cambridgshire with Bronze Angel and the following year he went on to land the Portland Handicap on Steps.

It’s not been easy for the jockey since he lost his claim in the summer of 2017 and you can see why, he’s tall for a flat jockey and keeping his weight under control can’t be easy.

I though he gave gave the Sir Michael Stoute trained Sextant a peach of a ride at Ascot and a big Saturday winner, for HM The Queen should get him noticed again.

He’s been riding out for Sir Michael Stoute of late and hopefully he will get more chances as the season progresses. He possesses a good pair of hands and can still make his mark as jockey if he gets the opportunities.

Dante Festival Thoughts

We could be in for a cracker in the Dante Stakes this week, if Too Darn Hot, Line of Duty and Japan take up their entries. Add in the unexposed Telecaster and Almania and you can see why it’s a race to get excited about.

Rather than look at the stats as I normally do. here are four horses to note should they run at York this week.

Justanotherbottle

The five-year-old won twice last season but ran even better when just touched off in the Goodwood Stewards Cup. He proved there that he stays 6f on quick ground but 5f still seems his optimum trip for me.

He ended last season when well down the field on heavy ground in the Ayr Gold Cup. It's worth putting a line under that run as he doesn't like soft ground.

He's another who could go for the 5f handicap on Thursday for which he’s a 28/1 shot with William Hill.  Granted this is his first start of the season but he did win first time up in 2017 and the trainer has been among the winners. 

He races off the same mark as in the Stewards Cup and looks the sort to win a big sprint handicap this season when he gets a sound surface.

Eeh Bah Gum

The 4-year-old was well placed by his trainer to win four races in the early part of last season between May and June. He was well beaten on his seasonal reappearance in a hot handicap at Musselburgh but did show some good speed out wide from a poor draw. 

All five career wins have come at the minimum trip and four of them on good to firm. Indeed, his form figures at 5f and on good to firm are 11121. He won here last August off 5lb lower.

There should be more to come from him this season and given his speed he could be an ideal type for a race like the Epsom Dash, if he gets fast ground, a race that trainer Tim Easterby had the one-two in 2011.

Again he’s 28/1 with William Hill for Thursday’s 5f handicap but his chance will depend on the ground on the day.

Staxton

Another, trained by Tim Easterby. The 4-year-old went into the tracker after his recent seasonal reappearance at Ripon. Always up with the pace on the favoured stands side. He ran well for a long way and was only headed inside the final furlong and eventually finished third.

This was his first start since October and like plenty from his stable will come on for the run. He’s gone well at York in the past and will no doubt turn up for a sprint handicap there over the coming months.

He looks capable of winning a decent pot or two as a 4-year-old and he’s got an entry in the 6f Handicap on Wednesday and is 14/1 with Ladbrokes and BetVictor.

Rock Eagle

The 4-year-old was nicely progressive last year for Ralph Beckett. Ending last season with a win in the valuable Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket in October.

The step to 1m 4f really suited the gelding. He took the lead just inside the final furlong although he had to hold off a sustained challenge by the eventual runner-up all the way to the line. He looks the type to always just do enough to win which doesn’t make the handicappers life easy.

He should be able to stay further than 1m 4f this year. Starting this season off 5lb higher. He’s got an entry in the 1m 4f handicap on Wednesday for which he’s a general 8/1 in the ante post market. It looks a tough race for his seasonal reappearance, but he did win first time up last April on his racecourse debut.

Monday Selection:

I have had a dreadful weekend punting so that’s a word of warning for today’s tip. Today’s selection comes from the Musselburgh card.

Musselburgh

3:05 – Gabrial The Tiger – The selection is a real course specialist. He’s 5 wins from 6 runs 83% + 23.25 6 placed 100% over C&D.  The 7-year-old hasn’t been at his best on his last two starts and stall six could be better around here. However, given his track form he’s got each way claims on ground that will suit.

Gabrial The Tiger – 6/1 or bigger – each way

Until next week.

Filed Under: Systems

Guineas Double For O’Brien + Monday Tips

Posted on May 6, 2019 by John Burke • 4 Comments

Plenty to get through this week. You can read my thoughts on the three R’s: Ruby Walsh, Retirements & Racing TV. There’s also a brief look back at the first English classics, a Chester May Festival jockey stat that could surprise, well it surprised me.

You can find all this and my Monday tip inside…

Ruby Calls Time

After his win on Kemboy, in the Punchestown Gold Cup, Ruby Walsh decided it was the right time to retire from the saddle.

He ends his riding career as one of jump racing's all-time great jockeys. His record at the Cheltenham festival was fantastic and he rode many of the best NH horses seen in recent years.

Here are just a few of the great horses he was synonymous with during his career most of them from his association with leading trainers Willie Mullins & Paul Nicholls:

The Golden Dozen

Annie Power;

Big Buck’s;

Denman;

Faugheen;

Hedgehunter;

Hurricane Fly;

Kauto Star;

Master Minded;

Papillon;

Quevega;

Un De Sceaux;

Vautour.

Big Race Wins

It's fair to say that Ruby won all the biggest jumps races during his career:

Grand National Wins on Papillon & Hedgehunter;

Two Gold Cup wins on Kauto Star;

Four Champion Hurdles wins, two with Hurricane Fly and one each with Faugheen & Annie Power;

Four Stayers Hurdle wins on Big Bucks;

Two Champion Chase wins on Master Minded;

Two Ryanair Chase wins on Un De Sceaux & Vautour.

Ruby never won a Gold Cup on the mighty Denman, that honour went to Sam Thomas, but he did ride the horse to seven of his fourteen wins, including a spectacular success to demolish his rivals in the RSA Novices’ Chase and for me arguably Denman’s best performance when carrying 11-12 to victory in the 2009 Hennessey Gold Cup.

He was extremely unlucky injury-wise in recent seasons but at least he retires on his own terms and at the very top of his profession.

Probably the best horseman since John Francome, I can't argue with that. and I doubt, we’ll see a jumps jockey like him for many years.

Equine Retirements

Staying on the retirement theme, it’s this time of the year when we see the retirement of a few National Hunt equine heroes. In the last month we seem to have seen even more than usual. Here are just a few that left the racing game in recent weeks:

Rayvin Black;

Ms Parfois;

Nautical Nitwit;

Pete The Feat;

Un Temps Pour Tout;

Moon Racer;

Highland Lodge;

Vicente;

Thomas Crapper.

It’s great to see them all retire in one piece and I wish them long and happy retirements.

Racing TV

At the start of the year, I mused in this column about how successful Racing TV would be in covering so much extra racing with addition of Irish Racing to it's coverage.

The Punchestown Festival didn't go very well for the broadcaster. First, we had Paddy Brennan describing the channels Punchestown Coverage as ‘shocking' on Twitter and it got worse. At one point on Saturday afternoon, Racing TV had triple split screen covering the late running 3:05 at Thirsk, the 3:15 at Goodwood and the 3:10 at Punchestown all at the same time.

I wonder if the Irish Racing authorities are regretting their decision to switch channels. As Ireland's premier jumps racing festival was forced to share coverage with a fairly, low-key Goodwood card.

There’s just too much racing to be covered successfully by Racing TV without either a second channel or use of the Red Button.

What price a quad split screen on Racing TV sometime this summer?

Aidan’s In A Guineas Wonderland

The first two of the English Classics are now done and dusted for another year. The Qipco 2,000 Guineas was won by Magna Grecia, trained by Aidan O'Brien.

As I mentioned in last weeks column, Aidan’s last five winners shared the following traits:

Days Since Last Run: 180 to 300 days

Highest Class Run: Group 1

Highest Class Win: Group 1 or Group 2

5 winners from 10 runners 50% +16.38

Last week I felt that the 7/2 available about Magna Grecia was solid enough and that he could drift should Ryan Moore opt to ride stablemate Ten Sovereigns. Ryan did go for the Ten Sovereigns and Magna Grecia was sent off at 11/2.

Granted, he benefited from the stands side pace bias, but he was the deserved winner on the day.

Hermosa Makes All For 1,000 Guineas Triumph

The first fillies Classic of the season looked an open looking race on paper and so it proved. As Hermosa made all to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a 1,000/2,000 Guineas Double and also a Guineas Double for me and my subscribers.

Hermosa's jockey Wayne Lordan had his filly out in front from the start and seemed to set a strong pace. She was clearly ridden for stamina and had most of the field on the stretch early in the race. 

Coming to two out, Lady Kaya who had travelled powerfully throughout, looked to becoming with a big challenge down the middle. Her effort just seemed to flatten out inside the final furlong, but she still managed to hold on for second. It was a great effort from the Shelia Lavery trained filly who raced alone down the middle away from where the main action was unfolding.

The winning jockey got the fractions right and even when his mount looked like she would be swamped coming to the final two furlongs, she kept finding for pressure to hold off her rivals. You certainly can’t fault the filly's courage.

Don’t Give Up On Iridessa

The favourite Qabala couldn’t go with the strong early pace but stayed on well enough to grab third.  She probably lacked the experience of the two fillies who finished ahead of her.

Fairyland, stablemate of the winner ran well from her wide draw out in stall one, but her stamina seemed to run out a furlong from home and she eventually finished 5th.

Ryan Moore, who opted for Just Wonderful was another of the runners who couldn’t go with the strong early gallop. She made some headway two furlongs out but once she came under pressure, she seemed to wander a bit and her head carriage didn’t look great. However, once she met the rising ground, she ran much better to finish 6th.

The well fancied Iridessa looked well in the paddock and was always in a handy position, she didn’t get the clearest of passages inside the final furlong but stayed on into finish 8th. The Epsom Oaks will now be on the filly's agenda. A race for which she will be a strong contender on the back of this run.

The merit of the form will become apparent as the season progresses but given the first eight home were separated by less than 3 lengths might provide a clue.

Chester's May Festival

On Wednesday it's the start of Chester's three day May Festival and there should be plenty of Epsom Classic clues on offer. In recent years, the likes of Ruler of The World, ran at the meeting and then went on to win that season's Epsom Derby. In 2017 both Epsom Classics went to horses who ran at Chester’s May Meeting with Enable winning the Oaks and Wings Of Eagles causing a major shock to win the Derby. Last year Forever Together went onto win the Oaks after racing at this meeting.

This years Chester Festival will be on Sky Sports Racing. Let’s hope Sky show Racing TV how it’s done and give this great festival the coverage it deserves.

I can’t discuss a Festival like this without digging out a stat for you.

Chester’s Twists & Turns: Spencer’s Your Man

Jamie Spencer, is famous or some might say infamous for his patient hold -up rides but his record at Chester’s May Festival is rather good.

In the past ten-years he’s the top jockey in handicap races at the meeting with10 winners from 59 rides 17% +22.5 A/E 1.36 22 placed 37%.

Those figures improve when you focus on his handicap rides drawn in stall 1 to 6 – 9 winners from 30 rides – 30% +45.5 A/E 2 13 placed 43%

Monday Selection:

Last weeks tip Allegiant finished second at Windsor good if you were on each way. This week’s selections come from today's meeting at the Curragh.

Curragh

5:50 – I like runners drawn high in big field handicaps at the course. In stall 21 we have Faster, formerly trained by Brian Meehan. The 5-year-old ran a promising race to finish 8th of 20 on his stable debut in the Irish Lincolnshire handicap before putting in an even better performance when 4th of 12 at Cork, 29-days ago. He appeals as a lively each-way contender.

In stall 22 I like the chances of Laughifiwant. The lightly raced, 4-year-old ended last season with a win in a soft ground Galway maiden and made a highly encouraging seasonal return when runner-up at Leopardstown on his handicap debut. The handicapper has put him up 3lb for that effort but he’s improving with racing.

Laughifyouwant – 9/1 @ William Hill

Faster – 14/1 – @ William Hill – each way (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)

Until next time.

Filed Under: Systems

Qipco 1,000 & 2,000 Guineas + Monday Tips

Posted on April 29, 2019 by John Burke • 8 Comments

Morning all,

It seems ages since I last did the Monday article. Yet it’s only two weeks ago. My right kidney has been removed and the operation was successful. I’m still feeling sore and get tired quickly but I’m 100% better than I was last week.

This week I'm looking forward rather than back. On Saturday we have the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Followed a day later by the 1.000 Guineas. You can read my thoughts on both races and find my Monday’s tips inside…

Qipco 2000 Guineas

There’s been plenty of action in the ante post market for the first colts classic. Firstly, the William Haggas trained Skardu entered the 2,000 Guineas picture with a good win in the Craven Stakes.

Then it was announced that long time favourite To Darn Hot would be forced to miss the race as he hadn't recovered from a recent injury on time.

On Sunday it was reported that Greenham winner Mohaather will also be forced to miss the race due to a setback.

Advertise won three of his five starts as a juvenile, including the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. The only two horses to lower his colours are Calyx and To Darn Hot. Frankie Dettori who is 2 from 2 on the horse will take the ride. In an open looking year he has to be considered a major contender.

Leopardstown’s 2,000 Guineas Trial, was won by the Aidan O’Brien trained Never No More who beat odds on favourite Madhmoon by ½ length. On the face of it, this looked a disappointing performance by the favourite. However, he was trying to give a race fit rival 3lb and was dropping back to 7f. It was also the colt’s first go on soft ground.

I thought the bookies overreacted to his performance by pushing him out to as big 25/1. He's nowhere near that price now and is as short as 8/1. The return to a mile and a sounder surface should make him a different proposition at Newmarket.

Aidan O’Brien Holds The Key

Aidan O’Brien now has the front two in the ante-post market in Magna Grecia and Ten Sovereigns.

The trainer has had 5 winners from 25 runners in the race. All five of his winners shared the following traits:

Days Since Last Run: 180 to 300 days
Highest Class Run: Group 1
Highest Class Win: Group 1 or Group 2

5 winners from 10 runners 50% +16.38

Magna Grecia – Bids to do what Saxon Warrior (2018) & Camelot (2012) did and win the Doncaster’s 1m Vertem Futurity and then go onto land the 2,000 Guineas. The son of Invincible Spirit gets the mile well and has been trained for this race since Doncaster. A very solid contender.

Ten Sovereigns – Is a different type to his stablemate. When last seen he landed the 6f Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. The son of No Nay Never looked a speedy sort that day but his dam won over 1m 2f when trained in France which gives his backers hope for the mile. Still there must be stamina doubts about the trip for the colt.

Verdict: A few weeks ago this looked a one horse race. Now it's as open as the fillies version. The 7/2 available about Magna Grecia looks fair enough to me and he could get a bit bigger should Ryan Moore opt for Ten Sovereigns. As an each way alternative, I wouldn't put anyone off the claims of Madhmoon.

Qipco 1000 Guineas

A wide open race with the bookies going 7/2 the field.

Qabala, trained by Roger Varian, stormed home to win the Nell Gwyn Stakes at the Craven Meeting. You have to go back to 2006 to find the last filly to do the Nell Gwyn/1000 Guineas Double but she could do it. The extra furlong can bring out further improvement in her. Her winning time wasn’t great but she has the scope for further progress. You can see why she’s a best priced 7/2.

Leopardstown’s 1000 Guineas Trial was a triumph for the Shelia Lavery trained Lady Kaya. However, in terms of the 1,000 Guineas it may pay to consider the third home Iridessa. Last year’s Newmarket Fillies Mile winner was making her seasonal reappearance over 7f. Weak in the market that day and she was also racing on soft ground.  Better ground at Newmarket should see her in a much better light. Looks a solid each way contender.

Ryan Filly Under The Radar

East, trained by Kevin Ryan, won a Hamilton novice on her racecourse debut. Before going on to win a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud the following month. She ended last season finishing runner-up to Newspaperofrecord in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. No match for the smart winner but she didn’t get the best of runs and would have finished a bit closer had she done so.

Not a certain runner at Newmarket as she could head for the French version but the 16/1 available looks better value to me than the 9/1 about Just Wonderful. Her trainer hasn’t had a runner in the race in the past decade but he did train the 2000 Guineas runner-up in 2013.

Aidan O’Brien’s In Fairyland

Aidan O’Brien has had three winners of the 1,000 Guineas in the past 11 years.  As ever, he's got several entries in this years race. His best two on form look to be Just Wonderful and Fairyland:

Just Wonderful – Was a decisive winner of the Rockfel Stakes at the track last September but could only finish 4th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill on her last run. The return to Newmarket and a sounder surface will suit her.

Fairyland –  A winner of four of her five starts last season, including the 6f Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes. The daughter of Kodiac has to be a doubtful stayer on pedigree. What's not in doubt is her toughness as she showed last season and she has the best juvenile form on offer. If she’s trained on the 12/1 still available looks too tempting to ignore.

Verdict: Fairyland looks worth chancing despite her stamina doubts. East, looks to have solid place claims should she run here rather than head to France.  Iridessa is another each way contender but may lack the speed of others in the field.

Monday Selections:

Thirsk

7:10 – Dalton, trained by Julie Camacho, makes his seasonal reappearance but goes well fresh – 2 wins from 3 runs when returning from a 121 to 365-day absence. He also goes well on a sound surface having won two of his four starts on good to firm going. The 5-year-old ended last season beaten just a length into 4th in a Class 2 handicap at the end of last season. Clearly not much in hand of the handicapper but this represents a drop in class.

Black Isle Boy, won this race last year off 2lb higher. Last years success came on good to soft but he’s won twice on good to firm, so I doubt the quick going will inconvenience him. Another who goes well fresh – 2 wins from 3 runs, when racing between 121 and 365-days since his last run. He’s too nicely handicapped to ignore.

Add in the inform Pennsylvania Dutch, whose looked a revitalised horse winning both this seasons starts including over C&D, and the well-handicapped Mr Wagyu and we have the makings of competitive handicap.

Still Dalton & Black Isle Boy can give us a good run for our money.

Dalton 
Black Isle Boy 

Windsor

6:30 – Allegiant, created a good impression when making all to win on handicap debut at Epsom last summer. He was then very disappointing when beaten at 8/13, at Brighton, nine days later. Maybe the the race came to quick after Epsom. That win came off a 199-day lay off and the 4-year-old returns from a 202-day absence today. Maybe he’s the type to catch fresh. The unexposed Just Brilliant looks the one to beat but the selection can give him a race.

Allegiant 

Until next week.

Filed Under: Systems

Its A Vanity Tip

Posted on April 15, 2019 by John Burke • 0 Comments

Morning all,

The flat season is starting to hit top gear. Tomorrow sees the start of the three day Craven Meeting at Newmarket and last Friday and Saturday we had the best flat racing of the season so far, as Newbury hosted the Greenham Meeting.

You can read my thoughts on the Newbury action and get my Monday tip inside…

Five Newbury Takeaways

Kaloor looks a nice middle-distance prospect

Kaloor, caught my eye when putting in a strong finish to win on his juvenile debut, over a mile at Salisbury back in October. Given his pedigree the son of Nathaniel was always going to be a better horse when racing over middle distances in his second season

Making his seasonal reappearance in the 1m 2f conditions race on the Friday card given a hold up ride, pushed along three out, he ran on nicely in the final furlong to finish third. Although he never looked like he would catch the first two, this was a good effort on just his second career start.

The way he finished off his race means he should appreciate a step up 1m 4f or further. It’s early days, but he already looks like a St Leger horse to me.

Andrew Balding continues to bang in the winners

Andrew Balding has his horses in great form. In the past 30-days he’s had 13 winners from 49 runners 27% 22 placed 45%. This good form carried over to Newbury. He sent seven runners there, three of them won and two more finished second.

The most impressive of his three winners was Happy Power’s who won the 7f handicap on Friday. A winner of two of his four starts as juvenile. The handicapper had put the 3-year-old up 10lb for his win on his final start of last season. The rating's rise wasn’t a problem, as the colt easily brushed aside a decent looking field to win by 5 lengths.

We know Happy Power handles cut in the ground but it will be interesting to see how he goes on quicker ground. He looks capable of more improvement and could be a pattern horse in the making.

Marmelo set for coronation Marmelo

Marmelo. who was last seen in action finishing second in the Melbourne Cup, put in a good performance to win the 1m 4f Group 3 that opened Saturday’s Newbury card.

The race had on paper looked like a match between last year's winner Defoe and three-time course winner Young Rascal. However, the two market leaders both under-performed in a slowly run race turned into a bit of sprint for home in the straight. For a horse who has done most of his winning at 1m 6f/ 1m 7f, Marmelo was the one who showed the better turn of foot.

After the race trainer Hughie Morrison talked about going back for another tilt at the Melbourne Cup. However, the 6-year-old's short term target is the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. It tends not to be the strongest Group 1 middle-distance race of the season and there is normally a small field of runners. It's a race I could see him run really well in especially if the ground was to be good or softer.

Dandu’s a Newbury darling

The Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes is considered a 1,000 Guineas Trial but it’s 20-years since the winner went on to win the first fillies classic. The once raced, Dancing Vega was sent off the 3/1 favourite but she was a bit keen in the early stages of the race and didn't give her running.

The eventual winner Dandu who had improved with each start as a juvenile, ending last season with a 1 ¾ length, second to Just Wonderful in a Group 2 at Newmarket in September. That form was some of the best on offer in the race, so it was a little surprising that she was sent off at a generous 8/1.

The daughter of Dandy Man has trained on from two to three and was given a fine ride by jockey Gerald Mosse. Making good headway two furlongs from home she hit the front inside the final furlong. Her jockey then nursed her home as she just held off the late lunging Iconic Choice by a short head.

I think she will come on for this run and unlike some other pundits I really liked the filly's performance. If she takes her chance in the 1,000 Guineas, she has each-way claims if the going is good or softer.

Tregoning’s back in the big time

The Greenham Stakes has been a traditional launch pad for top 3-year-old colts. Frankel won this race before going onto win the 2,000 Guineas. Other recent winners Kingman and Barney Roy both went onto finish runner-up in the first colts classic. The late defection of 2,000 Guineas ante post favourite Too Darn Hot, due to heat in a leg, robbed the race of its main attraction.

The absence of the hot favourite shouldn’t take away from the win of Mohaather. The colt who had won the Horris Hill over C&D on his final start as a juvenile. Once again, he probably handled the tacky ground better than his rivals. Striding clear inside the final furlong. If he hadn’t have hung toward the stands rail in the final furlong, he would have won by more than the final ¾ length margin.

Plenty of people are questioning whether the colt will stay the mile of the 2,000 Guineas. On breeding there are mixed messages, his sire gets plenty of sprinters, however, his full sister Prize Exhibit won a Grade 2 Handicap over an extended mile at Del Mar which gives his Guineas supporters plenty of hope.

Mohaather’s win was a big one for his trainer Marcus Tregoning. He probably hasn’t had as good a horse since he trained Sir Percy to Derby glory back in 2006. Could he have another classic winner on his hands?

Monday Selection:

Windsor

5:25 – Vanity Vanity – The 4-year-old remains a maiden after 12 starts on the all-weather and turf. Still she has run some good races in defeat over the winter at Lingfield off her present mark of 60. Including when last seen 52-days ago. The filly’s best turf form has come at Windsor on good to firm ground. She can now race off a 9lb lower mark and can take advantage of her drop in the weights.

Vanity Vanity – 6/1 – Gen

Until next week.

Filed Under: Systems

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