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Thursday 9 June 2011

Up a bit, down a bit - 8th June



We have been in fine form of late with 2 wins and a very close 2nd in the last 2 days and lets hope the good run continues into next week at Royal Ascot.

Grafix Signs Handicap - Class 5 - 5f193y - Good To Soft - Carlisle
Feeling Fresh won this in convincing fashion by 2 1/2 lengths from Mandalay King and has been raised 6lb by the handicapper to a mark of 76, the third Apache Ridge and fourth Hinton Admiral have already franked the form by winning at Pontefract off their respective marks of 70 and 67. Feeling Fresh looks capable of winning again granted similar conditions, this was his highest winning mark but he did have a good 5lb claimer on board which the stable will probably stick with. Mandalay King who was left alone by the handicapper will also be of interest next time.

Weatherbys Bank Handicap - Class 4 - 5f - Good To Firm - Redcar
This went to Bedloe's Island who stayed on strongly to beat Nomoreblondes by 3/4 length with Hamoody in third. The winner was raised 3lb to 73, whilst the 3rd remained on the same mark of 85 and Ishetoo and Diman Waters were dropped 2lb and 1lb to marks of 74 and 80.

Directors Cup (Handicap) Class 3 - 6f - Good - Ripon
Addictive Dream was having just his tenth start here and won in taking style by two lengths from Grissom who franked the form on Wednesday night. The winner who is entered in the Wokingham has been raised 7lb to a mark of 98 and if any of you were quick enough he was available at 25/1 with Ladbrokes after the race for Royal Ascot handicap. The second on the far side Kelly's Eye was 6 1/2 lengths behind the winner and this was probably an improved effort for him and he has been dropped 2lb to 89 which is only 2lb above his last winning mark. Other's of note to be dropped were Amenable 2lb to 87 and he is 3lb above his last winning mark, Hotham 3lb to 78 and he is now 13lb below his last winning mark at York in July last summer and Noverre to Go 2lb to 92 and he is now 5lb below the mark on which he finished 5th to Evens and Odds in last years Stewards Cup.
Medici Time who finished 4th in this won a Class 3 Handicap off a mark of 81 on Friday 10th at York beating Magical Macey and Ancient Cross in the process. He had been dropped 1lb for the Ripon race where he finished 4 1/2 lengths behind Addictive Dream and that horse remains at 16/1 for the Wokinghan a week tomorrow.
Edgen Murray Europe Ltd Tartan Trophy Handicap (Consolation Race for the Scottish Sprint Cup) Class 3- 5f - Good - Musselburgh
Lost in Paris took this by 2 1/4 lengths after coming from off a strong pace to win going away from Bosun Breese. As a result he has been raised 7lb to a mark of 87 and he mighnt get the same scenario next time for him to take advantage of particularly as this was already his highest winning mark by 5lb. Of those behind Garstang, who finished 6th, is favourably treated on turf compared to the All Weather and he was dropped 2lb to 59 despite being drawn 3 and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd coming from stalls 13, 12 and 14. Invincible Lad was dropped 2lb to 77 and Jarrow 1lb to 77, with the latter surely capable of better at some stage.

Investec Entrepreneurial Class "Dash" Handicap - Class 2 - 5f - Good To Firm - Epsom
The fastest race in the uk calendar went to the in form Captain Dunne who led the field throughout to win by just a neck from Confessional under the welter burden of 9-10 making him the first topweight to win since 1990. The time of 54.30s was decent enough compared to previous runnings but there was only 3 1/4 lengths covering the first 13 home so that may hold things down a bit. The second has gone up 3lb to 94, the 4th Sohraab who came from stall 1 has gone up 1lb to 85 but he remains favourably handicapped, the 5th Fathom Five may have run his best race in this for his new trainer and he has been left on the same mark of 91 and if he comes back here later in the year he should go close. Jamesway one of the 3yo's in the race who didnt have a very good record in it finished 7th which was good considering he came from stall 5 and he should be capable of winning for Richard Fahey off his mark of 88.

Investec Specialist Bank Handicap - Class 2 - 6f - Good To Firm - Epsom 
The concluding race on Derby Day went to Gerard Butler's Swiss Cross by half a length from Tajneed with Fireback a further nose back in third. The winner has been raised 6lb to 98 and heads next for the Wokingham, the second will probably go for the Great St Wilfrid although he would be 12lb worse off with last years winner Damika in that. Lui Rei had the worst of the draw in 16 but still managed to finish 4th coming with a strong run and he has been raised 1lb to a mark of 100. Of those behind Baby Strange was dropped 2lb to 90, Green Park 3lb to 83, Olynard 3lb to 83, Esprit De Midas 2lb to 85 and Sonny Red 3lb to 85. Esprit De Midas was having his first run for David Nicholls having been claimed earlier in the week and his last win came off 85 at Haydock on Soft last September and he may be capable of further improvement for his new trainer given the right conditions. The same stables Sonny Red is also favourably handicapped judged on his 2nd behind Colonel Mak in last seasons Ayr Silver cup when he was beaten 3/4 of a length of 89 although he had a 3lb claimer riding.

Totesport 0800 221221 Saltire Sprint (Handicap) Class 2 - 3yo -5f - Good To Firm - Musselburgh
Barnet Fair had run well last time out at York when being left at the start and he showed here what he is about by winning this Class 2 by 1 1/2 lengths from Bold Bidder who had only just been beaten by the progressive Ahtoug at Chester. He seemed to win in comfortable fashion and his trainer who is doing well with what he has is sure to find some more opportunities for him off his new mark of 84 having been raised just 4lb.

Totescoop6 Scottish Sprint Cup (Handicap) Class 2 - 3yo+ 5f - Good To Firm - Musselburgh
The big sprint at the Scottish track was won by the lightly raced Burning Thread at 50/1 although he had the best of the draw in stall 16 and how he went off at such a price is suprising. His trainer didnt think it was such a suprise though and he said afterwards "He had a nasty time in the stalls on his final start last season, so I sent him down to Gary Witherford, who is a genius with stalls work. Unfortunately on his first run back the blindfold came off late and he injured himself. So it wasn't a big surprise". As a result he has been raised 4lb to 98 which is fair, the seond Verinco was a length behind and the fast finishing Kaldoun Kingdom was 3rd and he has been left on the same mark of 98. Doctor Parkes who has been in good form finished 4th and holds the form up, whilst Fol Hollow ran his best race for a while to finish 5th and is starting to look well handicapped. Others to receive some leniency were Hazelrigg down 2lb to 84, Cheveton down 1lb to 95, Colonel Mak down 2lb to 96, Courageous down 2lb to 88 and Striking Spirit down 2lb to 91. Paul Hanagan had this to say about Doctor Parkes "He ran an absolute blinder at Musselburgh last Saturday when he was fourth. He didn’t get a great run a furlong out but more important, he hated the ground which was loose and he wants it rattling fast. If it stays dry over the coming months there is a very decent sprint waiting for him".