Had to use google to check which capital letters are needed where!
One of the best flat races of the season next weekend. I'll probably miss it for the first time in as far back as I can remember but here are my positions/thoughts.
1.5 pts e/w on Sea of Class at 12/1
2 pts win on Enable at 5/1
2 pts on Enable and Altior - Champion Chase at 15.5/1
Sea of Class was sensational in my opinion, she's still not been hit with the stick and I hope James Doyle continues his fine record in big races and produces on the big stage again. I can't envisage any way she isn't last off the bridle when I look at the field.
I was quite happy not being with Cracksman, I hope they get punished for not striking whilst the iron was hot last year, when bang in form and had the weight allowance. Absolutely no way he's a better horse this year than he was last year so very easy to oppose. The only positive would be if the ground got heavy and Frankie jumped off Enable (jockey booking not confirmed I don't think he won't be getting off the reigning champ)
Enable sets the standard, she's an absolute superstar and before her re-apperance I was trying to be realistic and cautious that she may not get back to her best... but I caved before she ran, and wasn't disappointed. Gosden keeps getting things right and I think she'll be 100% on the day.... if she is, she'll be leading with 1f to go after Frankie has said go and I'd be gobsmacked if anything bar Sea of Class was good enough to get by her. Sea of Class may not get by her and she's a short priced fav now for a reason.
Waldgeist is 3rd fav - I did like his run in the trial and Fabre has alwasy held in in high regard, but best price 9/1 isn't big enough for me to back to win - as I'd be very disappointed if a horse with 7 defeats from 13 runs was better than Enable or Sea of Class. (In fairness he's racked up 4 wins in a row - perhaps if I was having a fresh look at the race with nmo ante-post bets I could see him as an interesting each way angle... but for me this isn't an each way race... as the top 2 look rock solid, so there is only 1 spot up for grabs!)
St Leger winner Kew Gardens is 16/1 which is alright. I can see why people would like his chances. Aidan has had Leger runners place in the race previously and some people (incorrectly) thought La Ti Dar was better than Sea of Class so may rate this form quite strongly. For me The Leger brought out the best in Kew Gardens and I expect him to be staying on but not good enough to win the race.... over 1m4f before the Leger he was beaten by Old Persian and Cross Counter who aren't good enough to get near placing in a Leger so I think Kew Gardens price is based on horses like Order of St George rather than how suited he actually is to the race.
Andy Holding has tipped Crystal Ocean at 8/1 1 pt e/w and he's better than me at this horse racing stuff :highly_amused:- and the horse is now available at 20/1 which might be big because he wasn't fully tuned up against Enable at Kepton either... although it is hard to make a case for him reversing the form now in my opinion.
Study of Man and Kitesurf both won on the same card as Waldgeist a couple of weeks back. Soft ground seems to be a requirement for Kitesurf (so I heard anyway) and Study of Man will flat some boats but I thought Waldgeist was the best of the French challenge so not too concerned with these two.
Forever Together is interesting on closer inspection. If the ground is soft (like for the Oaks) then is she a big price at 25/1? Sea Of Class beat her a neck (albeit she had plenty in hand) but strictly on the form, soft ground could bring them closer together - she certainly would enter my mind of Soft ground - I'm half tempted to add her at 28/1 with Ladb on a bit of a flyer that she gets her ground - what do people think?
Stradivarius surely doesn't run? Talismanic not good enough, Shahnaza (Frank Hickey's long term ante post selection) flopped earlier in the season and Brundtland I know very little about... La Ti Dar quoted but surely doesn't run either... probably a whole host of others at wild prices that I haven't mentioned and we'll have a Danedream (who is in foal to Frankel
)
Best of luck with whatever you back!
One of the best flat races of the season next weekend. I'll probably miss it for the first time in as far back as I can remember but here are my positions/thoughts.
1.5 pts e/w on Sea of Class at 12/1
2 pts win on Enable at 5/1
2 pts on Enable and Altior - Champion Chase at 15.5/1
Sea of Class was sensational in my opinion, she's still not been hit with the stick and I hope James Doyle continues his fine record in big races and produces on the big stage again. I can't envisage any way she isn't last off the bridle when I look at the field.
I was quite happy not being with Cracksman, I hope they get punished for not striking whilst the iron was hot last year, when bang in form and had the weight allowance. Absolutely no way he's a better horse this year than he was last year so very easy to oppose. The only positive would be if the ground got heavy and Frankie jumped off Enable (jockey booking not confirmed I don't think he won't be getting off the reigning champ)
Enable sets the standard, she's an absolute superstar and before her re-apperance I was trying to be realistic and cautious that she may not get back to her best... but I caved before she ran, and wasn't disappointed. Gosden keeps getting things right and I think she'll be 100% on the day.... if she is, she'll be leading with 1f to go after Frankie has said go and I'd be gobsmacked if anything bar Sea of Class was good enough to get by her. Sea of Class may not get by her and she's a short priced fav now for a reason.
Waldgeist is 3rd fav - I did like his run in the trial and Fabre has alwasy held in in high regard, but best price 9/1 isn't big enough for me to back to win - as I'd be very disappointed if a horse with 7 defeats from 13 runs was better than Enable or Sea of Class. (In fairness he's racked up 4 wins in a row - perhaps if I was having a fresh look at the race with nmo ante-post bets I could see him as an interesting each way angle... but for me this isn't an each way race... as the top 2 look rock solid, so there is only 1 spot up for grabs!)
St Leger winner Kew Gardens is 16/1 which is alright. I can see why people would like his chances. Aidan has had Leger runners place in the race previously and some people (incorrectly) thought La Ti Dar was better than Sea of Class so may rate this form quite strongly. For me The Leger brought out the best in Kew Gardens and I expect him to be staying on but not good enough to win the race.... over 1m4f before the Leger he was beaten by Old Persian and Cross Counter who aren't good enough to get near placing in a Leger so I think Kew Gardens price is based on horses like Order of St George rather than how suited he actually is to the race.
Andy Holding has tipped Crystal Ocean at 8/1 1 pt e/w and he's better than me at this horse racing stuff :highly_amused:- and the horse is now available at 20/1 which might be big because he wasn't fully tuned up against Enable at Kepton either... although it is hard to make a case for him reversing the form now in my opinion.
Study of Man and Kitesurf both won on the same card as Waldgeist a couple of weeks back. Soft ground seems to be a requirement for Kitesurf (so I heard anyway) and Study of Man will flat some boats but I thought Waldgeist was the best of the French challenge so not too concerned with these two.
Forever Together is interesting on closer inspection. If the ground is soft (like for the Oaks) then is she a big price at 25/1? Sea Of Class beat her a neck (albeit she had plenty in hand) but strictly on the form, soft ground could bring them closer together - she certainly would enter my mind of Soft ground - I'm half tempted to add her at 28/1 with Ladb on a bit of a flyer that she gets her ground - what do people think?
Stradivarius surely doesn't run? Talismanic not good enough, Shahnaza (Frank Hickey's long term ante post selection) flopped earlier in the season and Brundtland I know very little about... La Ti Dar quoted but surely doesn't run either... probably a whole host of others at wild prices that I haven't mentioned and we'll have a Danedream (who is in foal to Frankel
) Best of luck with whatever you back!
