Our stable had a good start to the new competition over Guineas weekend at Newmarket but despite selecting the winner of both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas we are already back in around 1,500th spot. Some others must have had a really good weekend.
Gleneagles, Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien scored 109 points in total for winning the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Legatissimo and Ryan Moore again earned a further 107 points for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas the following day.
Showing posts with label 2000 Guineas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2000 Guineas. Show all posts
07 May 2015
29 August 2014
Top 10 horse races by betting turnover - January to June 2014
The top ten races by betting turnover in the first six months of 2014 were as follows:
1. Crabbie's Grand National
2. Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
3. Investec Derby
4. Ladbrokes World Hurdle
5. Stan James Champion Hurdle
6. Coral Scottish Grand National
7. Qipco 2000 Guineas
8. Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
9. BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase
10. Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Source: HBLB
1. Crabbie's Grand National
2. Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
3. Investec Derby
4. Ladbrokes World Hurdle
5. Stan James Champion Hurdle
6. Coral Scottish Grand National
7. Qipco 2000 Guineas
8. Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
9. BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase
10. Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Source: HBLB
07 August 2014
Top 10 horse races by betting turnover - April to June 2014
Top 10 races by betting turnover in Q2 2014, according to HBLB data:
1. Crabbie's Grand National
2. Investec Derby
3. Coral Scottish Grand National
4. Qipco 2000 Guineas
5. Investec Oaks
6. Ascot Gold Cup (Royal Ascot)
7. Prince of Wales's Stakes (Royal Ascot)
8. Qipco 1000 Guineas
9. St James's Palace Stakes (Royal Ascot)
10. Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Royal Ascot)
1. Crabbie's Grand National
2. Investec Derby
3. Coral Scottish Grand National
4. Qipco 2000 Guineas
5. Investec Oaks
6. Ascot Gold Cup (Royal Ascot)
7. Prince of Wales's Stakes (Royal Ascot)
8. Qipco 1000 Guineas
9. St James's Palace Stakes (Royal Ascot)
10. Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Royal Ascot)
27 May 2014
British Champions Series: fantasy racing 2014
It has been a case of "slowly away" so far in our two stables' performance in the 2014 Qipco British Champions Series fantasy racing game.
Not making selections in the Yorkshire Cup and JLT Lockinge Stakes did not help matters. But our first stable's jockeys and trainers still scored a total of 120.5 points in the Yorkshire Cup.
We picked up almost 100 points in the Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday with Hot Streak (61.25), Kingsgate Native (26) and jockey Ryan Moore (8), which is not a bad return given the prices of the placed horses.
Attention now turns to the Epsom Downs for the Derby meeting in a little over a week.
Not making selections in the Yorkshire Cup and JLT Lockinge Stakes did not help matters. But our first stable's jockeys and trainers still scored a total of 120.5 points in the Yorkshire Cup.
We picked up almost 100 points in the Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday with Hot Streak (61.25), Kingsgate Native (26) and jockey Ryan Moore (8), which is not a bad return given the prices of the placed horses.
Attention now turns to the Epsom Downs for the Derby meeting in a little over a week.
03 May 2014
Race Day Betting: Qipco 2000 Guineas
Kingman remains solid at the head of the betting for the 2014 Qipco 2000 Guineas. The favourite had been as big as 2/1 with William Hill but has shortened again to 7/4 (which was the overnight price).
War Command has come in to 7/1 from 8/1 and overtakes Toormore in the market (8/1 from 13/2).
The selection is for Richard Hannon's Toormore (each way at 8/1; 1/4 odds first 3).
Writing on his website, the trainer said: "The Craven definitely knocked the rust off Toormore, and he will be a lot sharper this time. He will never be as spectacular as Canford Cliffs or Toronado, but he is a very good galloper with no complications, and the Rowley Mile brings out the best in him."
War Command has come in to 7/1 from 8/1 and overtakes Toormore in the market (8/1 from 13/2).
The selection is for Richard Hannon's Toormore (each way at 8/1; 1/4 odds first 3).
Writing on his website, the trainer said: "The Craven definitely knocked the rust off Toormore, and he will be a lot sharper this time. He will never be as spectacular as Canford Cliffs or Toronado, but he is a very good galloper with no complications, and the Rowley Mile brings out the best in him."
02 May 2014
Racing Preview: Qipco 2000 Guineas
The Qipco 2000 Guineas is the first Classic race in the British Flat season. It is run in early May over a distance of a mile (8 furlongs) at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course. The race is open to three-year olds, both colts and fillies. The race title is derived from the approximate value of all the entry fees for the first running of the race.
The race has been won by the favourite for the last three years and John Gosden will try to continue that trend with his unbeaten colt Kingman (7/4f).
2000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Kingman: three wins from three runs, including two Group 3 victories in the Solario Stakes last season and a good win in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury in April. The Greenham victory was impressive and the colt showed the ability to quicken and had good speed in the closing stages.
Australia: Sired by Galileo and trained by Aidan O’Brien. Not seen on the racetrack since last September when winning over 8 furlongs at Leopardstown. O'Brien has said he could be the best he has trained.
Toormore: Unbeaten after four races, including a course and distance win in the Craven Stakes last month. The highest rated horse in the race on official ratings
War Command: a second entry for Aidan O’Brien and the winner of the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at the end of last season at Newmarket. Not seen since then and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.
The race has been won by the favourite for the last three years and John Gosden will try to continue that trend with his unbeaten colt Kingman (7/4f).
2000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Kingman: three wins from three runs, including two Group 3 victories in the Solario Stakes last season and a good win in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury in April. The Greenham victory was impressive and the colt showed the ability to quicken and had good speed in the closing stages.
Australia: Sired by Galileo and trained by Aidan O’Brien. Not seen on the racetrack since last September when winning over 8 furlongs at Leopardstown. O'Brien has said he could be the best he has trained.
Toormore: Unbeaten after four races, including a course and distance win in the Craven Stakes last month. The highest rated horse in the race on official ratings
War Command: a second entry for Aidan O’Brien and the winner of the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at the end of last season at Newmarket. Not seen since then and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.
Scoop 6: £5 million prize fund
Saturday's (3 May) Scoop 6 total prize fund could reach GB£ 5 million after weeks without a winner.
It is estimated there will be a win fund of around GB£ 3 million and a further GB£ 2 million in the bonus fund.
The Scoop 6 takes in three races from Newmarket, two from Thirsk and one from Goodwood. The final leg is the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (3.50).
Scoop 6 races Saturday 3 May:
Leg 1: 2.05 Newmarket
Leg 2: 2.40 Newmarket
Leg 3: 3.00 Thirsk
Leg 4: 3.30 Goodwood
Leg 5: 3.40 Thirsk
Leg 6: 3.50 Newmarket
It is estimated there will be a win fund of around GB£ 3 million and a further GB£ 2 million in the bonus fund.
The Scoop 6 takes in three races from Newmarket, two from Thirsk and one from Goodwood. The final leg is the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (3.50).
Scoop 6 races Saturday 3 May:
Leg 1: 2.05 Newmarket
Leg 2: 2.40 Newmarket
Leg 3: 3.00 Thirsk
Leg 4: 3.30 Goodwood
Leg 5: 3.40 Thirsk
Leg 6: 3.50 Newmarket
18 April 2014
British Champions Series: fantasy racing 2014
The British Champions Series 2014 begins with the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday 3 May 2014 and concludes at Ascot on British Champions Day in mid-October.
So there are just over two weeks to pick you stable of trainers and jockeys for the new season's fantasy racing game:
https://fantasyracing.telegraph.co.uk/
Jockey George Baker topped the leaderboard in 2013 with his sole victory aboard Seal Of Approval in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day at 16/1, when double points were scored.
Robert Cowell trained Jwala (40/1) to win the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and, coupled with Kingsgate Native (16/1) winning the Temple Stakes at Haydock, put him top of the trainers' list. Sadly, Jwala was killed when racing in Hong Kong later in the season.
But the key to success in the game is clearly a few big-priced winners rather than more short-priced winners. Richard Hughes rode five winners but amassed only 279 points to Baker's 760 points. Similarly, Aidan O'Brien's five wins earned 365 points to Cowell's 1,010.
And winning on British Champions Day itself, when points count double, also helps!
So there are just over two weeks to pick you stable of trainers and jockeys for the new season's fantasy racing game:
https://fantasyracing.telegraph.co.uk/
Jockey George Baker topped the leaderboard in 2013 with his sole victory aboard Seal Of Approval in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day at 16/1, when double points were scored.
Robert Cowell trained Jwala (40/1) to win the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and, coupled with Kingsgate Native (16/1) winning the Temple Stakes at Haydock, put him top of the trainers' list. Sadly, Jwala was killed when racing in Hong Kong later in the season.
But the key to success in the game is clearly a few big-priced winners rather than more short-priced winners. Richard Hughes rode five winners but amassed only 279 points to Baker's 760 points. Similarly, Aidan O'Brien's five wins earned 365 points to Cowell's 1,010.
And winning on British Champions Day itself, when points count double, also helps!
17 June 2013
Racing Preview: Royal Ascot 2013
Royal Ascot 2013 begins with Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby and the 2013 Dubai World Cup, aiming for victory in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.
Graham Motion’s 5-year-old is as short as even money for the contest, largely as a result of the lack of perceived serious competition amongst his rivals. Paddy Power is offering to pay money back on all losers if Animal Kingdom wins, so one way to play it would be to look for an each-way selection at bigger prices such as Elusive Kate (John Gosden) or Trade Storm (David Simcock). Under Paddy Power’s offer, if Animal Kingdom does win then the win part of the each-way bet will be refunded, whilst you would pick up the place bet winnings if the selection makes second or third place.
Shea Shea, trained by South African Mike De Kock, has travelled over for the King’s Stand Stakes after a successful spell at Meydan, Dubai earlier in the year. Kingsgate Native, Swiss Spirit, Reckless Abandon and Sole Power all contested the Temple Stakes at Haydock last month but the places could be reversed here.
Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach is 6/4 favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes as the colt goes back to a mile after his antics in the Epsom Derby last time. He had several of his rivals well behind him in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket – including Glory Awaits and Toronado – and his nearest rival in the betting, Magician, reportedly had a minor setback last week.
Betting Offers
Betfair: Cash back specials on selection finishing second to Shea Shea in the King’s Stand Stakes
Paddy Power: Money back on all losers if Animal Kingdom wins the Queen Anne Stakes
Skybet: Paying four places on the King’s Stand Stakes and Windsor Castle Stakes
*terms and conditions apply to all offers
Graham Motion’s 5-year-old is as short as even money for the contest, largely as a result of the lack of perceived serious competition amongst his rivals. Paddy Power is offering to pay money back on all losers if Animal Kingdom wins, so one way to play it would be to look for an each-way selection at bigger prices such as Elusive Kate (John Gosden) or Trade Storm (David Simcock). Under Paddy Power’s offer, if Animal Kingdom does win then the win part of the each-way bet will be refunded, whilst you would pick up the place bet winnings if the selection makes second or third place.
Shea Shea, trained by South African Mike De Kock, has travelled over for the King’s Stand Stakes after a successful spell at Meydan, Dubai earlier in the year. Kingsgate Native, Swiss Spirit, Reckless Abandon and Sole Power all contested the Temple Stakes at Haydock last month but the places could be reversed here.
Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach is 6/4 favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes as the colt goes back to a mile after his antics in the Epsom Derby last time. He had several of his rivals well behind him in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket – including Glory Awaits and Toronado – and his nearest rival in the betting, Magician, reportedly had a minor setback last week.
Betting Offers
Betfair: Cash back specials on selection finishing second to Shea Shea in the King’s Stand Stakes
Paddy Power: Money back on all losers if Animal Kingdom wins the Queen Anne Stakes
Skybet: Paying four places on the King’s Stand Stakes and Windsor Castle Stakes
*terms and conditions apply to all offers
03 June 2013
Investec Epsom Derby Review
There is a Phd thesis to be written about the Investec Derby of 2013, such was the absorbing nature of the race.
One interesting aspect in relation to human psychology is the herd mentality that can influence pre-race analysis. There was a lot of discussion before the race about the favourite Dawn Approach’s stamina and his ability to see out the full Derby distance. But all of the analysis focused on Dawn Approach’s stamina being sapped by a furious pace to be set by Aidan O’Brien’s supposed pacemakers in the race. No-one flipped it round the other way and put forward the hypothesis that an early, dawdling, muddling pace would cause the 2000 Guineas winner to get frustrated and burn himself out before the mile pole, which is what actually happened.
The racing game is all about opinions. So if you’re going to have one it might as well be your own, right or wrong. It makes it all the sweeter when you’re proved right against the herd.
Was the steady pace set in the early stages another tactical masterstroke by Aidan O’Brien? Everyone assumed the lesser ranked of O’Brien’s team were there to burn off in front to ensure a testing 12 furlongs but controlling the pace of the race does not always have to mean a fast early speed. If it was a deliberate tactic, it worked well in the sense that the favourite was beaten and one of the Ballydoyle team won the Derby.
As an aside, Ruler Of The World’s victory means that the Magnier, Tabor, Smith ownership partnership have now won the last three Derbys. That is some record.
The race itself was a fascinating watch, not least for the antics of Dawn Approach who never settled and displayed a temperament quite unlike the calm demeanour seen at the Qipco 2000 Guineas.
Jockey Ryan Moore had an excellent hour on Saturday afternoon. His ride in the Investec Dash showed patience, strength, innate horsemanship, and a chunk of good fortune to get Duke Of Firenze up to win by a neck. He followed up with the Derby win, making a decisive move to take up the race quite a way from home.
In an age of the bluff, extrovert, celebrity I admire Ryan Moore’s quiet, understated character. He wants to be a jockey rather than a ‘personality’ and he is good at what he does.
One interesting aspect in relation to human psychology is the herd mentality that can influence pre-race analysis. There was a lot of discussion before the race about the favourite Dawn Approach’s stamina and his ability to see out the full Derby distance. But all of the analysis focused on Dawn Approach’s stamina being sapped by a furious pace to be set by Aidan O’Brien’s supposed pacemakers in the race. No-one flipped it round the other way and put forward the hypothesis that an early, dawdling, muddling pace would cause the 2000 Guineas winner to get frustrated and burn himself out before the mile pole, which is what actually happened.
The racing game is all about opinions. So if you’re going to have one it might as well be your own, right or wrong. It makes it all the sweeter when you’re proved right against the herd.
Was the steady pace set in the early stages another tactical masterstroke by Aidan O’Brien? Everyone assumed the lesser ranked of O’Brien’s team were there to burn off in front to ensure a testing 12 furlongs but controlling the pace of the race does not always have to mean a fast early speed. If it was a deliberate tactic, it worked well in the sense that the favourite was beaten and one of the Ballydoyle team won the Derby.
As an aside, Ruler Of The World’s victory means that the Magnier, Tabor, Smith ownership partnership have now won the last three Derbys. That is some record.
The race itself was a fascinating watch, not least for the antics of Dawn Approach who never settled and displayed a temperament quite unlike the calm demeanour seen at the Qipco 2000 Guineas.
Jockey Ryan Moore had an excellent hour on Saturday afternoon. His ride in the Investec Dash showed patience, strength, innate horsemanship, and a chunk of good fortune to get Duke Of Firenze up to win by a neck. He followed up with the Derby win, making a decisive move to take up the race quite a way from home.
In an age of the bluff, extrovert, celebrity I admire Ryan Moore’s quiet, understated character. He wants to be a jockey rather than a ‘personality’ and he is good at what he does.
12 May 2013
O’Brien Dominates Derby Trials
In the months before the Epsom Derby, which takes place over 1 mile 4 furlongs, 10 yards on Saturday 1 June 2013 there is a number of races which act as trials for the Classic race and help sort out which horses may or may not take their place in the starting stalls at Epsom.
In 2013 the recognised trials races have been dominated by Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Derby contenders.
In mid-April Battle Of Marengo won the Ballysax Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Leopardstown and O’Brien has subsequently won the Chester Vase (1m 4f 110y) with Ruler Of The World, the Dee Stakes (Chester) (1m 2f 110y with Magician, and the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (1m 4f) with Nevis.
Later this afternoon Battle Of Marengo will contest the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, which will reveal more about his Derby credentials.
Still to come next week is a key Derby trial in the form of the Dante Stakes at York (1m 2f 110y).
Of course, winning the trials does not mean you win the Derby and there is certainly a question about the quality of competition in the trial races and the relevance of Derby trials in the modern racing calendar.
Despite all of these winners for Aidan O’Brien, Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach, winner of May’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, remains 13/8 favourite with William Hill for the Epsom Derby.
In 2013 the recognised trials races have been dominated by Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Derby contenders.
In mid-April Battle Of Marengo won the Ballysax Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Leopardstown and O’Brien has subsequently won the Chester Vase (1m 4f 110y) with Ruler Of The World, the Dee Stakes (Chester) (1m 2f 110y with Magician, and the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (1m 4f) with Nevis.
Later this afternoon Battle Of Marengo will contest the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, which will reveal more about his Derby credentials.
Still to come next week is a key Derby trial in the form of the Dante Stakes at York (1m 2f 110y).
Of course, winning the trials does not mean you win the Derby and there is certainly a question about the quality of competition in the trial races and the relevance of Derby trials in the modern racing calendar.
Despite all of these winners for Aidan O’Brien, Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach, winner of May’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, remains 13/8 favourite with William Hill for the Epsom Derby.
06 May 2013
Newmarket Qipco Guineas Meeting Review
The firm ground ensured some fast times were recorded by several winners over the two days of the Qipco Guineas meeting at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course.
Sole Power (7/2 jf), trained by Edward Lynam, powered to a time of 57 seconds for the five furlongs in the Group 3 Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes.
Kevin Ryan’s Hamza (5/1 jf) was simply too quick for his rivals in the six furlong Harbour Watch Handicap and he made every yard of the running under Neil Callan to win by 2 ¾ lengths in a time of 1 minute 10 seconds.
The trainer was also delighted by the run of Glory Awaits, who finished second at 150/1 in the Qipco 2000 Guineas.
There was a celestial connection in the names of the Guineas winners with Dawn Approach (Jim Bolger) winning the 2000 Guineas and Sky Lantern (Richard Hannon) the 1000 Guineas. Sky Lantern’s victory gave jockey Richard Hughes with his first British Classic winner.
Aidan O’Brien’s Moth finished third in the 1000 Guineas, showing on the racecourse some of the potential connections knew she had. As a result, the Galileo filly is now just 7/2 for the Epsom Oaks at the end of May.
Mark Johnston’s Windhoek looks a fine horse and is now unbeaten in three races after taking the Listed Qatar Racing Newmarket Stakes. The colt was successful in the 200,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy over the same course and distance in April. The colt holds an entry for the Betfred Dante Stakes at York in a couple of weeks, as well as for the King Edward VII Stakes (Royal Ascot) and Sandown's Coral-Eclipse in July.
The appropriately named Talent won the Pretty Polly Stakes for fillies. Ralph Beckett’s filly is sired by New Approach and could certainly be one to follow during the season. She holds entries in the Epsom Oaks (Group 1), the Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2 ) at Royal Ascot, and the Irish Oaks (Group 1).
Sole Power (7/2 jf), trained by Edward Lynam, powered to a time of 57 seconds for the five furlongs in the Group 3 Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes.
Kevin Ryan’s Hamza (5/1 jf) was simply too quick for his rivals in the six furlong Harbour Watch Handicap and he made every yard of the running under Neil Callan to win by 2 ¾ lengths in a time of 1 minute 10 seconds.
The trainer was also delighted by the run of Glory Awaits, who finished second at 150/1 in the Qipco 2000 Guineas.
There was a celestial connection in the names of the Guineas winners with Dawn Approach (Jim Bolger) winning the 2000 Guineas and Sky Lantern (Richard Hannon) the 1000 Guineas. Sky Lantern’s victory gave jockey Richard Hughes with his first British Classic winner.
Aidan O’Brien’s Moth finished third in the 1000 Guineas, showing on the racecourse some of the potential connections knew she had. As a result, the Galileo filly is now just 7/2 for the Epsom Oaks at the end of May.
Mark Johnston’s Windhoek looks a fine horse and is now unbeaten in three races after taking the Listed Qatar Racing Newmarket Stakes. The colt was successful in the 200,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy over the same course and distance in April. The colt holds an entry for the Betfred Dante Stakes at York in a couple of weeks, as well as for the King Edward VII Stakes (Royal Ascot) and Sandown's Coral-Eclipse in July.
The appropriately named Talent won the Pretty Polly Stakes for fillies. Ralph Beckett’s filly is sired by New Approach and could certainly be one to follow during the season. She holds entries in the Epsom Oaks (Group 1), the Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2 ) at Royal Ascot, and the Irish Oaks (Group 1).
05 May 2013
Race Day Betting: Qipco 1000 Guineas
French fillies have quite a good record in the 1000 Guineas in recent years and the selection for this year’s contest is Mikel Delzangles’ What A Name.
There is actually a line of form to yesterday’s 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach with the filly. Dawn Approach beat Olympic Glory in last season’s Coventry Stakes by ¾ of a length. Olympic Glory subsequently beat What A Name by one-and-a-quarter lengths in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (formerly the Grand Criterium). That looks a good performance for a filly taking on the colts.
What A Name has also had a winning preparation race in early April. She is a price of 9/2 with Skybet.
The each-way selection is Richard Hannon’s Sky Lantern (9/1 with Skybet). Back on equal weight terms with Hot Snap and with firmer ground than she had in the Nell Gwyn Stakes last month, she should make the places.
There is actually a line of form to yesterday’s 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach with the filly. Dawn Approach beat Olympic Glory in last season’s Coventry Stakes by ¾ of a length. Olympic Glory subsequently beat What A Name by one-and-a-quarter lengths in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (formerly the Grand Criterium). That looks a good performance for a filly taking on the colts.
What A Name has also had a winning preparation race in early April. She is a price of 9/2 with Skybet.
The each-way selection is Richard Hannon’s Sky Lantern (9/1 with Skybet). Back on equal weight terms with Hot Snap and with firmer ground than she had in the Nell Gwyn Stakes last month, she should make the places.
04 May 2013
Dawn Approach Wins Qipco 2000 Guineas
Dawn Approach gave Godolphin some good news after weeks of bad headlines by winning the 205th running of the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Glory Awaits and Leitir Mor blasted out of the gates and took the field along at a good pace with Toronado and Dawn Approach behind the two front runners.
The two market leaders took it up as they entered the dip but Toronado could not find the turn of foot he had shown at the Craven Meeting. Dawn Approach surged well clear of the field to win by five lengths.
Glory Awaits clung on to second place at 150/1 under Jamie Spencer, with Van Der Neer coming through for third (20/1) for the Hannon team under William Buick. Toronado finished in fourth place (11/4).
Speaking on Channel 4 Racing afterwards Richard Hannon Jnr said of Toronado's performance that it was "very disappointing" and that the colt "didn't come home as we'd hoped".
Jim Bolger, meanwhile, said of any decision to go for the Epsom Derby with Dawn Approach that they would "sleep on it" and see how the winner was after his exertions in the 2000 Guineas. But the trainer added that he would be "happy to go for it [the Derby]" if that is what Sheikh Mohammed wanted.
Glory Awaits and Leitir Mor blasted out of the gates and took the field along at a good pace with Toronado and Dawn Approach behind the two front runners.
The two market leaders took it up as they entered the dip but Toronado could not find the turn of foot he had shown at the Craven Meeting. Dawn Approach surged well clear of the field to win by five lengths.
Glory Awaits clung on to second place at 150/1 under Jamie Spencer, with Van Der Neer coming through for third (20/1) for the Hannon team under William Buick. Toronado finished in fourth place (11/4).
Speaking on Channel 4 Racing afterwards Richard Hannon Jnr said of Toronado's performance that it was "very disappointing" and that the colt "didn't come home as we'd hoped".
Jim Bolger, meanwhile, said of any decision to go for the Epsom Derby with Dawn Approach that they would "sleep on it" and see how the winner was after his exertions in the 2000 Guineas. But the trainer added that he would be "happy to go for it [the Derby]" if that is what Sheikh Mohammed wanted.
Race Day Betting: Qipco 2000 Guineas
The betting suggests the first Classic of the season is a match between Dawn Approach (7/4f with William Hill) and Toronado (2/1).
Several of today’s runners found themselves behind Dawn Approach in races last season, be it the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot or the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. If all those horses – Dawn Approach, Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver, and Leitir Mor – have improved from 2yo to 3yo to a similar level then it is hard to argue that any will reverse the form with Dawn Approach.
There is no doubting what Dawn Approach has done on the racecourse as a two-year-old but he has been described as a ‘lazy’ horse and there has been no opportunity to see him run on the racecourse as a three-year-old. As such, some elements of his prospects for the 2000 Guineas have to be taken on trust as a punter. In return for that ‘blind’ trust I want a bigger price than the 7/4 that is available.
So, the selection is Toronado for Richard Hannon. The colt’s win in the Craven Stakes was impressive, regardless of the quality of the horses he beat that day. It showed a horse that could handle both course and distance as well as quicken at different stages of the race. It provides me with more recent evidence of ability as a three-year-old than I have for Dawn Approach and I get a bigger price for it too.
The Hannon stable has been in good form in general since the start of the season and connections are confident about the chances of their runner.
Richard Hannon Jnr said on the stable’s website: “Toronado did his last proper piece of work last Sunday and goes to Newmarket in the form of his life. We always felt that he was more one for the Derby than the Guineas, but this spring he has been showing much speed in the mornings than he did last year, so, while Dawn Approach is obviously a very good horse, we feel that we have a solid chance of beating him.”
2000 Guineas Betting Offer
Ladbrokes is offering a refund of your stake as a free bet (up to £25) if Dawn Approach wins the 2000 Guineas.
Ladbrokes have Dawn Approach at 5/4 and Toronado at 2/1
Several of today’s runners found themselves behind Dawn Approach in races last season, be it the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot or the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. If all those horses – Dawn Approach, Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver, and Leitir Mor – have improved from 2yo to 3yo to a similar level then it is hard to argue that any will reverse the form with Dawn Approach.
There is no doubting what Dawn Approach has done on the racecourse as a two-year-old but he has been described as a ‘lazy’ horse and there has been no opportunity to see him run on the racecourse as a three-year-old. As such, some elements of his prospects for the 2000 Guineas have to be taken on trust as a punter. In return for that ‘blind’ trust I want a bigger price than the 7/4 that is available.
So, the selection is Toronado for Richard Hannon. The colt’s win in the Craven Stakes was impressive, regardless of the quality of the horses he beat that day. It showed a horse that could handle both course and distance as well as quicken at different stages of the race. It provides me with more recent evidence of ability as a three-year-old than I have for Dawn Approach and I get a bigger price for it too.
The Hannon stable has been in good form in general since the start of the season and connections are confident about the chances of their runner.
Richard Hannon Jnr said on the stable’s website: “Toronado did his last proper piece of work last Sunday and goes to Newmarket in the form of his life. We always felt that he was more one for the Derby than the Guineas, but this spring he has been showing much speed in the mornings than he did last year, so, while Dawn Approach is obviously a very good horse, we feel that we have a solid chance of beating him.”
2000 Guineas Betting Offer
Ladbrokes is offering a refund of your stake as a free bet (up to £25) if Dawn Approach wins the 2000 Guineas.
Ladbrokes have Dawn Approach at 5/4 and Toronado at 2/1
03 May 2013
Racing Preview: Qipco 2000 Guineas
The Qipco 2000 Guineas is the first Classic race in the British Flat season. It is run in early May over a distance of a mile (8 furlongs) at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course. The race is open to three-year olds, both colts and fillies. The race title is derived from the approximate value of all the entry fees for the first running of the race.
Camelot and Frankel have been two recent short-priced winners but for a few years before that the race had a habit of throwing up some longer priced winners: Makfi (33/1), Sea The Stars (8/1), Henrythenavigator (11/1), and Cockney Rebel (25/1). Indeed, there have been several short-priced favourites that have been beaten in the race over the years, such as: Xaar (1998), New Approach (2008), St Nicholas Abbey (2010).
Interestingly, the favourite for the 2013 contest is Dawn Approach, whose sire is New Approach, who finished second by a nose to Henrythenavigator in 2008 when the 11/8 favourite.
2000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Dawn Approach: Jim Bolger’s colt is unbeaten in six races, including wins in the 2012 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (beating Cristoforo Colombo). He was last seen on the racecourse at Newmarket in October 2012 when winning the Dewhurst Stakes.
The trainer has said Dawn Approach has thrived over the winter and there has been no hitch in his preparation for the 2000 Guineas. For this reason, the Bolger decided that no preparatory race was required and his colt will go straight to the Classic.
Dawn Approach has never raced over a mile and has been described as a ‘lazy’ horse. But the horse has shown the expected physical improvement from 2yo to 3yo and may even improve for running over a mile.
Toronado: Like Dawn Approach, Toronado is unbeaten on the racecourse. Richard Hannon’s colt was an impressive winner of the Craven Stakes over course and distance in April. The stable also have a good guide to his relative merits versus Dawn Approach because the stable’s Olympic Glory was second to Dawn Approach in the Coventry Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot meeting.
The Craven Stakes performance showed that Toronado can handle the dip in the Rowley Mile course and he showed good speed.
Mars: Very little to know about Mars, other than he is trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has trained the winner of the 2000 Guineas five times since the year 2000, including in Camelot in 2012. Mars’ only racecourse form is a four-length win in a seven-furlong maiden at Dundalk in July 2012. The trainer still has a couple of other entries in the race – Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver – so it is difficult to know which horse is the stable’s best chance.
Cristoforo Colombo: Another Aidan O’Brien challenger and third behind Dawn Approach in last season’s Coventry Stakes. Has not raced beyond six furlongs in his career but is sired by 2000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator. Finished fourth in last Octobers Middle Park stakes at Newmarket behind another 2000 Guineas contender Moohaajim (second).
Camelot and Frankel have been two recent short-priced winners but for a few years before that the race had a habit of throwing up some longer priced winners: Makfi (33/1), Sea The Stars (8/1), Henrythenavigator (11/1), and Cockney Rebel (25/1). Indeed, there have been several short-priced favourites that have been beaten in the race over the years, such as: Xaar (1998), New Approach (2008), St Nicholas Abbey (2010).
Interestingly, the favourite for the 2013 contest is Dawn Approach, whose sire is New Approach, who finished second by a nose to Henrythenavigator in 2008 when the 11/8 favourite.
2000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Dawn Approach: Jim Bolger’s colt is unbeaten in six races, including wins in the 2012 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (beating Cristoforo Colombo). He was last seen on the racecourse at Newmarket in October 2012 when winning the Dewhurst Stakes.
The trainer has said Dawn Approach has thrived over the winter and there has been no hitch in his preparation for the 2000 Guineas. For this reason, the Bolger decided that no preparatory race was required and his colt will go straight to the Classic.
Dawn Approach has never raced over a mile and has been described as a ‘lazy’ horse. But the horse has shown the expected physical improvement from 2yo to 3yo and may even improve for running over a mile.
Toronado: Like Dawn Approach, Toronado is unbeaten on the racecourse. Richard Hannon’s colt was an impressive winner of the Craven Stakes over course and distance in April. The stable also have a good guide to his relative merits versus Dawn Approach because the stable’s Olympic Glory was second to Dawn Approach in the Coventry Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot meeting.
The Craven Stakes performance showed that Toronado can handle the dip in the Rowley Mile course and he showed good speed.
Mars: Very little to know about Mars, other than he is trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has trained the winner of the 2000 Guineas five times since the year 2000, including in Camelot in 2012. Mars’ only racecourse form is a four-length win in a seven-furlong maiden at Dundalk in July 2012. The trainer still has a couple of other entries in the race – Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver – so it is difficult to know which horse is the stable’s best chance.
Cristoforo Colombo: Another Aidan O’Brien challenger and third behind Dawn Approach in last season’s Coventry Stakes. Has not raced beyond six furlongs in his career but is sired by 2000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator. Finished fourth in last Octobers Middle Park stakes at Newmarket behind another 2000 Guineas contender Moohaajim (second).
24 April 2013
Qipco British Champions Series - Fantasy Racing Game
There is still plenty of time to submit a stable for the Daily Telegraph's Fantasy Racing game, which runs throughout the Qipco British Champions Series over the summer.
The game begins on Saturday 4 May with the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and finishes on Saturday 19 October with Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.
Over the six months the Qipco British Champions Series takes in the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, the Yorkshire Cup at York, the Epsom Derby and Oaks, seven races at the Royal Ascot Meeting, and the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, to name but a few.
Enter the competition here: http://fantasyracing.telegraph.co.uk/
The game begins on Saturday 4 May with the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and finishes on Saturday 19 October with Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.
Over the six months the Qipco British Champions Series takes in the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, the Yorkshire Cup at York, the Epsom Derby and Oaks, seven races at the Royal Ascot Meeting, and the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, to name but a few.
Enter the competition here: http://fantasyracing.telegraph.co.uk/
22 April 2013
Hannon Starts Season Strongly
Trainer Richard Hannon has made a strong start to the new Flat racing season with 23 winners so far and a strike rate of 20%.
After the Classic trials races at Newmarket and Newbury last week, Hannon looks to have some serious contenders for the big races later in the season.
Toronado was a notable winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket and is currently 3/1 second favourite for the Qipco 2000 Guineas in May and 7/1 for the Investec Derby at Epsom at the start of June. Olympic Glory is also entered in the season’s first Classic, the 2000 Guineas, and won the Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs at Newbury in a solid but unspectacular manner. But it seems that the Choisir colt will go for the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp rather than the English version.
Writing on his website richardhannonracing.co.uk the trainer explained: “France was always the plan for Olympic Glory, and, though he was only workmanlike, he is a bull of a horse and it is not easy to get the weight off him as all he does is eat and sleep. He is not the flashy type - he is lazy and he will always do enough and no more. You saw that in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last year, and it was again all too evident at Newbury. But one thing is certain - he will be sharper next time and he will also improve for stepping up to a mile, while if the brollies are out in Paris on May 12 we won't complain as Olympic Glory loves soft ground.”
Maureen, winner of the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury, and Sky Lantern, second in Newmarket’s Nell Gwyn Stakes, are both priced around 14/1 for the Qipco 1000 Guineas.
In discussing Maureen’s chances trainer Richard Hannon stated: “She has bundles of speed, so we held her up to stay the seven [furlongs], and she got the trip well. She is not there in her coat yet, so there is more improvement to come, but obviously Hughesie [jockey Richard Hughes] will have to adopt exaggerated waiting tactics if she is to get the mile at Newmarket [in the 1000 Guineas].”
But jockey Richard Hughes was also not disheartened by Sky Lantern’s defeat to Hot Snap in the Nell Gwyn Stakes: "Henry's (Cecil) filly is clearly smart, but I am looking forward to taking her on again, and if the ground rides faster we might get a different result.”
“Sky Lantern loves it like a road [ie firm ground] and it can dry up quickly at Newmarket, whereas Hot Snap is by Pivotal, most of whose progeny enjoy some juice [ie softer ground] in the ground.”
"I am certainly no less optimistic about Sky Lantern winning the Guineas than I was before the Nell Gwyn. We went very fast and I was conscious of the fact that we had a 3lb penalty [a weight penalty carried because the filly has won a Group 1 race], so, though we were travelling like a dream going to the Bushes [a point on the Newmarket Rowley Mile course just over 2 furlongs from the finish], I did not want to make my move too soon."
After the last week’s racing action, the Herridge Racing Stables have much to look forward to in the coming months.
Quotation source: richardhannonracing.co.uk
After the Classic trials races at Newmarket and Newbury last week, Hannon looks to have some serious contenders for the big races later in the season.
Toronado was a notable winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket and is currently 3/1 second favourite for the Qipco 2000 Guineas in May and 7/1 for the Investec Derby at Epsom at the start of June. Olympic Glory is also entered in the season’s first Classic, the 2000 Guineas, and won the Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs at Newbury in a solid but unspectacular manner. But it seems that the Choisir colt will go for the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp rather than the English version.
Writing on his website richardhannonracing.co.uk the trainer explained: “France was always the plan for Olympic Glory, and, though he was only workmanlike, he is a bull of a horse and it is not easy to get the weight off him as all he does is eat and sleep. He is not the flashy type - he is lazy and he will always do enough and no more. You saw that in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last year, and it was again all too evident at Newbury. But one thing is certain - he will be sharper next time and he will also improve for stepping up to a mile, while if the brollies are out in Paris on May 12 we won't complain as Olympic Glory loves soft ground.”
Maureen, winner of the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury, and Sky Lantern, second in Newmarket’s Nell Gwyn Stakes, are both priced around 14/1 for the Qipco 1000 Guineas.
In discussing Maureen’s chances trainer Richard Hannon stated: “She has bundles of speed, so we held her up to stay the seven [furlongs], and she got the trip well. She is not there in her coat yet, so there is more improvement to come, but obviously Hughesie [jockey Richard Hughes] will have to adopt exaggerated waiting tactics if she is to get the mile at Newmarket [in the 1000 Guineas].”
But jockey Richard Hughes was also not disheartened by Sky Lantern’s defeat to Hot Snap in the Nell Gwyn Stakes: "Henry's (Cecil) filly is clearly smart, but I am looking forward to taking her on again, and if the ground rides faster we might get a different result.”
“Sky Lantern loves it like a road [ie firm ground] and it can dry up quickly at Newmarket, whereas Hot Snap is by Pivotal, most of whose progeny enjoy some juice [ie softer ground] in the ground.”
"I am certainly no less optimistic about Sky Lantern winning the Guineas than I was before the Nell Gwyn. We went very fast and I was conscious of the fact that we had a 3lb penalty [a weight penalty carried because the filly has won a Group 1 race], so, though we were travelling like a dream going to the Bushes [a point on the Newmarket Rowley Mile course just over 2 furlongs from the finish], I did not want to make my move too soon."
After the last week’s racing action, the Herridge Racing Stables have much to look forward to in the coming months.
Quotation source: richardhannonracing.co.uk
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