Saturday 29th June

rossom

3.15 Newcastle

Handsome Man 11/1

The in form Saeed bin Suroor looks to have a great chance of landing this in my opinion with his unexposed and progressive handsome man and I think this 4 year old will relish the step up to 2m today. Progressive in his 3 year old season, Handsome Man signed off last year with an impressive victory over 1m6f at Yarmouth last September in a race that has worked out well enough and has started this season in the same vein of form running two blinding 2nds so far this year. Off marks of 92 and 95, Handsome Man has been a narrowly beaten runner up in a couple of races over 1m4f this year in decent contests and despite going up another 3lb to a career high of 98 I think he'll improve significantly for the step up in trip to 2m today. Robert Winston takes the ride today with SDS banned and Barzalona at Newmarket and I think he has a great draw in stall 2 which should allow him to bag a rail position which could be crucial. Seemingly decent on all ground, Handsome Man is still unexposed with only 11 starts to date and I'm hoping this upwardly mobile 4 year old can land this big prize at a decent price.

4.15 Curragh

Gathering Power 6/1

I was extremely impressed with the manner of Gathering Power's first success LTO when deservedly scoring at the 8th time of asking having been unlucky on several occasions and if this 3 year old filly copes with the quick surface then I think she's going to take some amount of beating off a 9lb higher mark with the step back up to 7f looking sure to suit. In 6 races as a 2 year old, Edward Lynam's filly was an unlucky loser on quite a few occasions and looked to pull up when she hit the front last year. After another pretty luckless reappearance, Gathering Power deservedly shed her Maiden tag with a really impressive victory back in May in a really strong contest that has worked out really well. Held up a the rear of competitive 6f contest at Naas, Gathering Power looked a little outpaced on occasions early on but she made up a substantial amount of ground in the final 2f to win going away by 1.5L and a big positive that day was she ran all the way to the line having hit the front sooner than ideal. The form of that race is extremely strong with the runner up finishing 2nd in a Group 3 subsequently, the 4th Abstraction winning comfortably off the same mark NTO, the 6th Toccata Blue winning a rated race whilst a number of other horses from that contest have run extremely well too. Given how commanding her victory was, the 9lb rise to 90 seems very fair and if continuing her progression she could prove very difficult to beat here. I'm definitely concerned about the quick surface as all her form has come with give underfoot but the very shrewd and in form Ed Lynam wouldn't risk her on unsuitable ground. The excellent Johnny Murtagh takes over in the plate today and I really think she'll appreciate the step up to 7f significantly today. If as good on the ground, I think it'll take a very well handicapped horse to beat her but I'm confident she can be victorious.

7.10 Curragh

Call Me Bubbles 5/1

Willie Mullins's Call Me Bubbles had an outstanding 3 year old campaign as he shot up 31lb for 2 wins and a narrow beaten 3nd in three flat starts last year but having proven he's in rude health this year winning 2 of 3 starts over hurdles and still only a 4 year old I think he'll take a lot of beating in this. Looking distinctly average over inadequate trips as a 2 year old, the step up to middle distances was the making of Call Me Bubbles as he overcame trouble in running to lead on the line off a mark of 54 from the progressive Beach Of Falesa (went up 23lb subsequently) over 12f at Roscommon last July before winning at the Galway Festival off a 13lb higher mark of 67 from the even better handicapped/progressive Inis Meain (now rated 40lb higher) which saw him shoot up again to a mark of 82. His winning run came to an end off that mark in a better race than this at Leopardstown last September when losing a head bobber to I Have A Dream over 14f but he lost absolutely nothing in defeat with the winner running an eye catching 5th off a 4lb higher mark of 106 in the Cesarewitch on his only subsequent start (superb effort as a 3 year old) and the 3lb rise to a mark of 85 seems very fair. Sure to appreciate the step up to 2m, Call Me Bubbles comes fit from hurdling where he was twice a comfortable winner and with Pat Smullen resuming his unbeaten partnership with this grey I think he's going to take an awful lot of beating.

7.45 Newmarket

Kakatosi 7/1

Hopefully the rain stays away as if any falls it will scupper his chances but Mike Murphy's 6 year old has ran really well on his last 2 starts off his current mark of 84 when 4th and 2nd respectively and given that he is still well handicapped on old form (rated 104 as a 3 year old for Andrew Balding) I'm confident of another big performance. Although a mile definitely raises some stamina doubts, Kakatosi has been staying on very strongly over 7f the last twice and his only run over 1m to date was a good one (beaten less than a length; faded close home) and I definitely think there is a strong chance he'll stay the trip. Well drawn in stall 4, Kakatosi seems in very good order at the moment for the in form Mike Murphy team and Ted Durcan looks a very interesting jockey booking. A little unlucky the last time when hampered leaving the stalls, if Kakatosi puts up another similar effort tonight he should run a really big race and I'm very hopeful he can land this winnable enough contest. Wouldn't surprise me if he takes a walk in the market so may get a double figure price at some stage today.

manafana

Guys a mate of mine has a hot and cold list that might interest you, bloody crazy four time yesterday and i wasnt one link to 4 timer here

During week im quiet fond of looking at cold and warm stables so theirs something their.

longshotvalue

Newcastle 3:15

Ill De Re looks a decent price in this considering he won last year of this mark. His 2 runs this year weren’t great but he wouldn’t have had any chance with both conditions and distance. He has got the necessary but in the ground that would be required and has obviously been targeted at this race. I would have him as favourite on today’s ground and the 13 on Betfair is well worth taking
Blue Bajan is the one I’ve had in mind for this race for a while. He ran on well at Ascot and I think he stands a very high chance of placing here at a big looking 22/1. He is generally very consistent and stands a much better than 4-5/1 to be placed here.


2 Points win Ill De Re 13 Betfair
1 Point EW Blue Bajan 22/1 Stan James

2:40 Newcastle

Pearl Ice pops into my mind at once here, back on his last winning mark with just the 2 runs this year of which his last was an improvement. He is still a relatively unexposed horse and his trainer has an excellent record at this course. I had expected him to climb the rankings a bit after his win last year but he has been disappointing, however the 12/1 available with Coral looks value and worth a bet that today might be the day he starts back on the upward curve.


1 Point win 12/1 Coral

3:30 Newmarket

Hawkeyethenoo I think has been better than ever this year with some top notch performances in Group 1 races. I simply can’t see past him here and with the added advantage of the slight cut in the ground here I would have him as strong favourite. The Current 7/2 looks great value and although I’ll be putting it up as a 2 point bet that may be an understatement.


2 Points win 7/2 Various

Nulty

I'm going for Noble Alan in the Northumberland Plate. I've got a soft spot for the horse and I reckon even as a ten year old he has a few pounds in hand. He always wanted better ground over fences though.

Overthelast

Went with Pearl Ice too. I believe this should be well within his capability and have him ew. With the dead 16 declared, I am a little concerned we'll have a non runner before the off, taking out the ew 4th. Regardless, hoping for a good run for my money.

ft9

Really like Libertarian for the Derby. Don't think he handled Epsom too well and finished like a train. This should be ran at a stronger pace too, taking the sprint element away at the end.

Nulty

I'm a fool for some horses and Im going to take a chance on Whozthecat in the PaddyPower Sprint at the Curragh. Career high mark, lost his way since an injury and leaving Dandy Nichols but Declan Carrol has him running well again and I think he still has potential in these sprints. Small each way

votecounts

harris tweed @ 7/4 1455 Newmarket

UrbanSea

Fancy Libertarian for the Derby, Stubbs for the Railway and Montaff st Chester

UrbanSea

I see Stubbs is out, anyone know what the rule 4 in Montaffs race is with the two non runners can't see on my phone

TheMilkyPirate

Barracuda boy my main bet of the day, Improving fast with his latest run an excellent third to the soon to be top class body and soul and has a great chance here against mainly older and exposed horses.

hawkhead

One bet for me so far today.

Nabucco in the 4-05 at Newmarket and Emell in the 4-10 Windsor.

2 x singles and a double.

hawkhead

Backed Prodigality last week at Ascot where he ran a decent enough race so going to give him another go e-way @16/1 in the 4-45 at the Curragh also going to back Sruchan at 16/1 in the same race who didn't get the breaks last time out when he was 1/2 length behind Via Ballicroy.

Nulty

Nulty wrote: »

I'm a fool for some horses and Im going to take a chance on Whozthecat in the PaddyPower Sprint at the Curragh. Career high mark, lost his way since an injury and leaving Dandy Nichols but Declan Carrol has him running well again and I think he still has potential in these sprints. Small each way

Pfff....2nd by 3/4 of a length

Johner

Shocking run from Ruler Of The World!

Shane732

Johner wrote: »

Shocking run from Ruler Of The World!

Yup, the Epsom form didn't turn out well. Bit of a weak year really for 1m 4f horses.

Bit of a joke the way everyone is talking Bolger up... I've heard he's a complete and utter pri*k!

Johner

Shane732 wrote: »

Yup, the Epsom form didn't turn out well. Bit of a weak year really for 1m 4f horses.

Bit of a joke the way everyone is talking Bolger up... I've heard he's a complete and utter pri*k!

I like Trading Leather but jesus when he's winning a Derby you know the form is bad!

Johner

Just watched the Northumberland Plate., what a cracker of a ride by Graham Lee.

the groutch

Shane732 wrote: »

Yup, the Epsom form didn't turn out well. Bit of a weak year really for 1m 4f horses.

Johner wrote: »

I like Trading Leather but jesus when he's winning a Derby you know the form is bad!

bit soon to be making that call, the flat season isn't even half over.

3ndahalfof6

Nulty wrote: »

Pfff....2nd by 3/4 of a length

Unlucky, very nice price.

Shane732

the groutch wrote: »

bit soon to be making that call, the flat season isn't even half over.

Well he's hardly Sea the Stars now.

hawkhead

Fancy Storm King 5/1 in the 7-45 at Doncaster.

His last run when fifth in a listed race at York was encouraging and this is a much easier assignment.

kiers47

Shane732 wrote: »

Well he's hardly Sea the Stars now.

Sea the stars was 1 of the best horses we have ever seen.
The form is decent without being top top class. He was 2nd in the Dante along with a 3rd in the Irish guineas. It's hardly bad form?

hawkhead

hawkhead wrote: »

Fancy Storm King 5/1 in the 7-45 at Doncaster.

His last run when fifth in a listed race at York was encouraging and this is a much easier assignment.

Did that quite nicely I thought

3ndahalfof6

hawkhead wrote: »

Did that quite nicely I thought

Rossom will hunt you down, you do know this I hope.(nice pick)

hawkhead

3ndahalfof6 wrote: »

Rossom will hunt you down, you do know this I hope.(nice pick)

He gets enough winners, some of them at prices I can only dream of. I'm sure he'll get over it quick enough.

Easterby's in the next looks to a have a decent chance

Frankie Lee

Shane732 wrote: »

Yup, the Epsom form didn't turn out well. Bit of a weak year really for 1m 4f horses.

Bit of a joke the way everyone is talking Bolger up... I've heard he's a complete and utter pri*k!

A terrible man to work for apparently but still a lot better him having success than O'Brien imo.

Nulty

Johner wrote: »

Just watched the Northumberland Plate., what a cracker of a ride by Graham Lee.

Same, just watched it. Great ride.

Noble Alan will be my pick for the Ebor though. Looked very comfortable at the 1m6f mark. He's probably not quick enough though... have to put something on him

UrbanSea

Frankie Lee wrote: »

A terrible man to work for apparently but still a lot better him having success than O'Brien imo.

Why do you say that?

Frankie Lee

Bolger hasn't been caught dodging taxes would be one reason of many.

Nulty

Nulty wrote: »

Same, just watched it. Great ride.

Noble Alan will be my pick for the Ebor though. Looked very comfortable at the 1m6f mark. He's probably not quick enough though... have to put something on him

Who am I kidding, he'll need another 7lbs on just to have a chance of getting into the race

droidman123

Frankie Lee wrote: »

A terrible man to work for apparently but still a lot better him having success than O'Brien imo.

I would never wish bolger anything but bad luck, he,s an arrogant pig. O' brien is a gent.

Shane732

kiers47 wrote: »

Sea the stars was 1 of the best horses we have ever seen.
The form is decent without being top top class. He was 2nd in the Dante along with a 3rd in the Irish guineas. It's hardly bad form?

I mean when you look at some of the Epsom winners over the last few years -

• Authorised,
• New Approach,
• Sea The Stars,
• Workforce (albeit not to the same standard as the others)

Would you put any of this year's horses up there with any of those?

Magnier has had the last three winners of the Epsom Derby.

Camleot just hasn't done what people were expecting and Ruler of the World is the lowest rated winner of the Derby is decades.

kiers47

Shane732 wrote: »

I mean when you look at some of the Epsom winners over the last few years -

• Authorised,
• New Approach,
• Sea The Stars,
• Workforce (albeit not to the same standard as the others)

Would you put any of this year's horses up there with any of those?

Magnier has had the last three winners of the Epsom Derby.

Camleot just hasn't done what people were expecting and Ruler of the World is the lowest rated winner of the Derby is decades.

We are only half way through the season. I mean I never said the form was unreal but it is fairly standard if you ask me. You basically picked out 4 class horses over the last decade and asked to compare the whole 3yr old classic contenders this year against these. A relatively impossible task at this early stage. I would say the form is average of the Irish derby without being below average.