A decidedly mediocre performance from many of our selections has seen out stables fall down the rankings after the Ebor Festival at York.
The highlights were the 85 points earned from Declaration Of War’s win in the Juddmonte International and Ahzeemah’s 70 points earned with victory in the Lonsdale Cup.
Unfortunately we didn’t select Jwala at 40/1 (250 points) in the Nunthorpe Stakes.
There are four BCS races in September, including two at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting in the middle of the month.
The next window to change jockeys and trainers comes after September’s races and will be all important before the final races on British Champions’ Day itself at Ascot on 19 October.
Showing posts with label Ebor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ebor. Show all posts
28 August 2013
24 August 2013
Ebor 2013: Tiger Earns His Ebor Stripes
The TV cameras caught a definite puff of the cheeks from Tom Queally just after the winning post in the Ebor, as if to say ‘Phew! That was close.’ The jockey had just steered Tiger Cliff (5/1) to victory in the valuable heritage handicap but it had looked unlikely with just a few furlongs to go.
Tiger Cliff was still several lengths behind the leaders with two furlongs left to run. But Queally kept urging his partner onwards and hit the front with just a few strides left. The winning margin was half a length.
By contrast, Genzy (second at 11/1) perhaps hit the lead too soon and left himself open to just such a late attack as was launched by the winner.
Persistent, heavy overnight rain had softened the ground on the Knavesmire and resulted in a number of non-runners, reducing the field to 14. But softer ground was no concern to Lady Cecil’s gelding:
“He handled the ground well. We were happy to see the rain,” Queally said afterwards. “He always finishes he races well.”
The four-year-old has only raced seven times, which is not many for a gelding of his age. Indeed, he never saw the racecourse as a two-year-old, a product of Sir Henry Cecil’s patience and insistence on letting the horse tell him when he was ready. That patience was rewarded today.
Tiger Cliff was still several lengths behind the leaders with two furlongs left to run. But Queally kept urging his partner onwards and hit the front with just a few strides left. The winning margin was half a length.
By contrast, Genzy (second at 11/1) perhaps hit the lead too soon and left himself open to just such a late attack as was launched by the winner.
Persistent, heavy overnight rain had softened the ground on the Knavesmire and resulted in a number of non-runners, reducing the field to 14. But softer ground was no concern to Lady Cecil’s gelding:
“He handled the ground well. We were happy to see the rain,” Queally said afterwards. “He always finishes he races well.”
The four-year-old has only raced seven times, which is not many for a gelding of his age. Indeed, he never saw the racecourse as a two-year-old, a product of Sir Henry Cecil’s patience and insistence on letting the horse tell him when he was ready. That patience was rewarded today.
23 August 2013
Ebor 2013: Jwala Joy For Drowne
Jockey Steve Drowne continued his climb back up the professional ranks with victory in the valuable Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes aboard Jwala (40/1) at York’s Ebor Festival on Friday.
Drowne was forced to give up his jockey’s licence for over a year whilst a heart virus, which caused him dizzy spells, went undiagnosed.
But he showed that he is getting back to his best with a well-timed ride on Robert Cowell’s four-year-old in Friday’s feature race. He hit the front inside the final furlong and held off the fast-finishing Shea Shea (3/1f) and Sole Power (4/1).
Godolphin had had a quiet meeting until today but roared back with a hat-trick of wins. First up was Ahzeemah (4/1) in the Lonsdale Cup who had a ding-dong battle with Simenon (15/8f) over the final furlongs and won by just a head.
This win was followed by City Style (9/1) in the Strensall Stakes and Golden Town (4/1) in the 7f maiden stakes (16.20). All three were ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, giving the jockey a nice 249/1 treble.
Trainer David O’Meara added to yesterday’s tally by taking the opening staying handicap (13.55) with Chancery (7/1). The gelding was always travelling well and looked the likely winner a long way from home.
The Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap is the betting highlight on the final day of the festival. There weather forecast is changeable overnight and it will pay to see how the ground changes and what happens in the earlier races on the card.
Drowne was forced to give up his jockey’s licence for over a year whilst a heart virus, which caused him dizzy spells, went undiagnosed.
But he showed that he is getting back to his best with a well-timed ride on Robert Cowell’s four-year-old in Friday’s feature race. He hit the front inside the final furlong and held off the fast-finishing Shea Shea (3/1f) and Sole Power (4/1).
Godolphin had had a quiet meeting until today but roared back with a hat-trick of wins. First up was Ahzeemah (4/1) in the Lonsdale Cup who had a ding-dong battle with Simenon (15/8f) over the final furlongs and won by just a head.
This win was followed by City Style (9/1) in the Strensall Stakes and Golden Town (4/1) in the 7f maiden stakes (16.20). All three were ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, giving the jockey a nice 249/1 treble.
Trainer David O’Meara added to yesterday’s tally by taking the opening staying handicap (13.55) with Chancery (7/1). The gelding was always travelling well and looked the likely winner a long way from home.
The Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap is the betting highlight on the final day of the festival. There weather forecast is changeable overnight and it will pay to see how the ground changes and what happens in the earlier races on the card.
22 August 2013
Ebor 2013: Ladies’ Day
The Fugue (2/1f) bounced back to form in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks, winning impressively from Venus de Milo (9/4) by four lengths.
John Gosden’s filly finished seventh of seven in the Coral-Eclipse last time out and suffered from an illness after the race which may have caused her poor run that day. But she was back to her best today on the fast going that she enjoys.
Speaking afterwards, her trainer said: "I'm happy for her as I thought she'd get very near to the colts in the Eclipse but she was very ill afterwards and that wasn't her running.”
Another smart filly is George Margarson’s Lucky Kristale (5/2jf) who quickened very well in the final furlongs to win the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. The two-year-old overcame the weight penalty she carried for winning the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) at Newmarket’s July meeting. Her only remaining entry this season is the Cheveley Park Stakes at the end of September but she was already being given quotes of around 25/1 for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
Mont Ras (25/1) made every yard of the running in the mile handicap (15.05) and none of his rivals could get close enough to mount a serious challenge. It was a high-profile success for apprentice jockey David Bergin, claiming 5lbs.
Mont Ras’ trainer David O’Meara is having an excellent season, already having passed 100 winners, and the hot streak continued with victory for Dutch Rose (8/1) under Kieren Fallon in the closing fillies’ handicap (16.55).
Fallon had a good battle with Richard Hughes aboard Indignant (8/1) in the final strides and just prevailed by a neck. Dutch Rose made all the running to win this same race here last year and was always prominently positioned in this year’s renewal too.
Trainer William Haggas also had a good day with wins for Haikbidiac (9/1) in the opening yearling stakes (13.55) and Our Obsession (3/1f) in the fillies’ listed race (16.20).
It is speed to the fore on Friday for the 5 furlong Nunthorpe Stakes. Some familiar names go to post – the likes of Shea Shea (Mike De Kock), Sole Power (Edward Lynam), Kingsgate Native (Robert Cowell), and even Borderlescott (Robin Bastiman) back from retirement.
John Gosden’s filly finished seventh of seven in the Coral-Eclipse last time out and suffered from an illness after the race which may have caused her poor run that day. But she was back to her best today on the fast going that she enjoys.
Speaking afterwards, her trainer said: "I'm happy for her as I thought she'd get very near to the colts in the Eclipse but she was very ill afterwards and that wasn't her running.”
Another smart filly is George Margarson’s Lucky Kristale (5/2jf) who quickened very well in the final furlongs to win the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. The two-year-old overcame the weight penalty she carried for winning the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) at Newmarket’s July meeting. Her only remaining entry this season is the Cheveley Park Stakes at the end of September but she was already being given quotes of around 25/1 for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
Mont Ras (25/1) made every yard of the running in the mile handicap (15.05) and none of his rivals could get close enough to mount a serious challenge. It was a high-profile success for apprentice jockey David Bergin, claiming 5lbs.
Mont Ras’ trainer David O’Meara is having an excellent season, already having passed 100 winners, and the hot streak continued with victory for Dutch Rose (8/1) under Kieren Fallon in the closing fillies’ handicap (16.55).
Fallon had a good battle with Richard Hughes aboard Indignant (8/1) in the final strides and just prevailed by a neck. Dutch Rose made all the running to win this same race here last year and was always prominently positioned in this year’s renewal too.
Trainer William Haggas also had a good day with wins for Haikbidiac (9/1) in the opening yearling stakes (13.55) and Our Obsession (3/1f) in the fillies’ listed race (16.20).
It is speed to the fore on Friday for the 5 furlong Nunthorpe Stakes. Some familiar names go to post – the likes of Shea Shea (Mike De Kock), Sole Power (Edward Lynam), Kingsgate Native (Robert Cowell), and even Borderlescott (Robin Bastiman) back from retirement.
21 August 2013
Ebor 2013: Juddmonte Goes To War
There were some race-hardened battlers in the 2013 running of the Juddmonte International Stakes at York but it was Declaration Of War (7/1) who showed the strength to defeat his rivals.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt was having his seventh race of the season and had already contested some of the season’s hottest races – the likes of the Lockinge Stakes, the Coral-Eclipse, and the Qipco Sussex Stakes. Not two weeks ago he had hopped over to Deauville for the Prix Du Haras De Fresnay Jacques Le Marois (Group 1).
But he showed no signs of fatigue and stayed on well to beat Trading Leather (5/1) and Al Kazeem (11/8f).
Toronado’s (9/4) exertions in beating Dawn Approach at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes at the end of July looked to have taken more out of him than was perhaps apparent. He was soon in trouble trying to keep pace with his rivals in the long home straight and eventually finished a distance last.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope (5/4f) put the disappointment of Haydock behind him by winning the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in very good style. He seemed to be very keen in the early stages but jockey Ryan Moore said afterwards it was more to do with his long stride than any particular keenness that means he has to try and hold him in check.
It was the first part of a double for Moore, who also won aboard Clive Brittain’s Bahamian Heights (12/1) in the closing nursery race (16.55).
Telescope’s victory also marked Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s 400th winner, which is a fine achievement for the racing syndicate.
The opening sprint handicap on the card (13.55) gave a welcome win for Kevin Ryan’s Bogart (7/1). On his last run at York in July the saddle had slipped on him and gave jockey Amy Ryan an horrific high-speed fall. Ridden today by Neil Callan while Amy recovers, there was no such drama as he sprinted up the stands side to win from Goldream (9/1). It was good to see Amy in the winner’s enclosure to applaud him back.
The fillies take centre stage in Thursday with the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) over 1 mile 4f. John Gosden’s The Fugue is favourite but faces some younger rivals in the shape of Epsom Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture and Riposte, winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt was having his seventh race of the season and had already contested some of the season’s hottest races – the likes of the Lockinge Stakes, the Coral-Eclipse, and the Qipco Sussex Stakes. Not two weeks ago he had hopped over to Deauville for the Prix Du Haras De Fresnay Jacques Le Marois (Group 1).
But he showed no signs of fatigue and stayed on well to beat Trading Leather (5/1) and Al Kazeem (11/8f).
Toronado’s (9/4) exertions in beating Dawn Approach at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes at the end of July looked to have taken more out of him than was perhaps apparent. He was soon in trouble trying to keep pace with his rivals in the long home straight and eventually finished a distance last.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope (5/4f) put the disappointment of Haydock behind him by winning the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in very good style. He seemed to be very keen in the early stages but jockey Ryan Moore said afterwards it was more to do with his long stride than any particular keenness that means he has to try and hold him in check.
It was the first part of a double for Moore, who also won aboard Clive Brittain’s Bahamian Heights (12/1) in the closing nursery race (16.55).
Telescope’s victory also marked Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s 400th winner, which is a fine achievement for the racing syndicate.
The opening sprint handicap on the card (13.55) gave a welcome win for Kevin Ryan’s Bogart (7/1). On his last run at York in July the saddle had slipped on him and gave jockey Amy Ryan an horrific high-speed fall. Ridden today by Neil Callan while Amy recovers, there was no such drama as he sprinted up the stands side to win from Goldream (9/1). It was good to see Amy in the winner’s enclosure to applaud him back.
The fillies take centre stage in Thursday with the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) over 1 mile 4f. John Gosden’s The Fugue is favourite but faces some younger rivals in the shape of Epsom Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture and Riposte, winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
20 August 2013
Racing Preview: York’s Ebor Festival
York’s Ebor Festival begins on Wednesday and provides four days of good racing and entertainment.
Wednesday’s card includes the Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) and Sir Michael Stoute’s much vaunted Telescope is favourite. The colt was beaten by a length in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park last time when 4/9f.
In the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes Al Kazeem faces five rivals in his bid to go five races unbeaten this season.
Roger Charlton’s horse has already won three Group One races this season: the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1), the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1), and the Coral-Eclipse (Group 1).
His rivals include Toronado, winner of the Qipco Sussex Stakes last time, and Irish Derby winner Trading Leather.
The rest of the week features the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup, Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes, and the Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap.
Wednesday’s card includes the Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) and Sir Michael Stoute’s much vaunted Telescope is favourite. The colt was beaten by a length in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park last time when 4/9f.
In the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes Al Kazeem faces five rivals in his bid to go five races unbeaten this season.
Roger Charlton’s horse has already won three Group One races this season: the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1), the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1), and the Coral-Eclipse (Group 1).
His rivals include Toronado, winner of the Qipco Sussex Stakes last time, and Irish Derby winner Trading Leather.
The rest of the week features the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup, Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes, and the Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap.
15 August 2013
Telegraph Fantasy Racing Update
Glorious Goodwood was not that ‘glorious’ for our fantasy racing stables. This was mainly because we completely forgot to make selections in the Sussex Stakes and Goodwood Cup, which didn’t help our points tally. So we have slipped to around 4,100th and 14,000th with our two stables.
But it is onwards to York next week for the Ebor meeting and there are four races in the Qipco British Champions Series to be tackled. Before then we also have the chance to make a few changes to our underperforming jockeys and/or trainers.
But it is onwards to York next week for the Ebor meeting and there are four races in the Qipco British Champions Series to be tackled. Before then we also have the chance to make a few changes to our underperforming jockeys and/or trainers.
21 March 2013
The Spring Double
The Spring Double is a phrase given to a two-part bet that seeks to find the winners of both the Lincoln Handicap (held at Doncaster these days) and the Aintree Grand National Chase Handicap in April.
Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting heralded the traditional start of the new Flat racing season which runs from late March/early April until November. The meeting’s status as the Flat season’s opener has been lessened somewhat by all-weather Flat racing which means racing takes place year-round.
In 2013, however, the notion of a ‘Spring’ double is looking laughable. At the time of writing a band of snow is forecast to be sitting across much of northern England on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday an inspection was called for Saturday morning at Doncaster and plans are already in place to reschedule Saturday’s card for a week later – Saturday 30 March 2013.
Arena Racing Company’s racing director Jim Allen explained: "Should Saturday's meeting be abandoned, which looks increasingly likely, we will host the meeting a week later on Easter Saturday, March 30”.
Kate Miller, PR director for William Hill, which sponsors several of the races on Doncaster’s card said: "It's very difficult to plan for the unthinkable and no one could have anticipated such inclement weather. The William Hill Lincoln and Spring Mile raise the curtain to the turf Flat Season and we're grateful that a contingency plan is in place to save them."
The William Hill Lincoln Handicap is run over the distance of one mile and is open to horses aged 4-years and older. In 2013 the winner will collect GB£ 62,250 in prize money.
The Lincoln Handicap is labelled a Heritage Handicap. Heritage Handicaps are usually (but not always) those races that have a long, established history in the racing calendar. The British Racing Authority (BHA) also stipulated that such races should offer a minimum of GB£ 75,000 in total prize money.
The Ebor (run over 1 mile 6 furlongs in August) at York is a Heritage Handicap, as is the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (run over 1 mile 1 furlong) in late September.
Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting heralded the traditional start of the new Flat racing season which runs from late March/early April until November. The meeting’s status as the Flat season’s opener has been lessened somewhat by all-weather Flat racing which means racing takes place year-round.
In 2013, however, the notion of a ‘Spring’ double is looking laughable. At the time of writing a band of snow is forecast to be sitting across much of northern England on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday an inspection was called for Saturday morning at Doncaster and plans are already in place to reschedule Saturday’s card for a week later – Saturday 30 March 2013.
Arena Racing Company’s racing director Jim Allen explained: "Should Saturday's meeting be abandoned, which looks increasingly likely, we will host the meeting a week later on Easter Saturday, March 30”.
Kate Miller, PR director for William Hill, which sponsors several of the races on Doncaster’s card said: "It's very difficult to plan for the unthinkable and no one could have anticipated such inclement weather. The William Hill Lincoln and Spring Mile raise the curtain to the turf Flat Season and we're grateful that a contingency plan is in place to save them."
The William Hill Lincoln Handicap is run over the distance of one mile and is open to horses aged 4-years and older. In 2013 the winner will collect GB£ 62,250 in prize money.
The Lincoln Handicap is labelled a Heritage Handicap. Heritage Handicaps are usually (but not always) those races that have a long, established history in the racing calendar. The British Racing Authority (BHA) also stipulated that such races should offer a minimum of GB£ 75,000 in total prize money.
The Ebor (run over 1 mile 6 furlongs in August) at York is a Heritage Handicap, as is the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (run over 1 mile 1 furlong) in late September.
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