Sunday 7 July 2019

Who Remembers Istanbul? (Plus Reviews And Preview)

Not sure where to start with this post. 

I know I said I didn't have any strong fancies in my last post but tracker Dorchester Dom finishing stone last wasn't the best start to the day. I did have doubts about his long lay off, but he looked like a horse that had never set foot on a racecourse before. I guess there must be a problem and until he learns to settle things can only get worse. 

Onto my next tracker Dana Forever who was a debutante for Tom Dascombe. I did say I wasn't going to bet on unraced horses but an early Hilary Needler entry gave me hope this could be a nice filly. Even though only five runners I had an each way bet and took 13/2 which was a great price considering she ended up 7/2. Dana Forever was up with the pace before weakening a couple of furlongs out. Another disappointment which was the story of my day. Could be interesting next time out at a better price, we will see.

I did put a small Trixie up on Twitter and the first horse was Frasard who ran a great race and finished second. Who remembers Istanbul? If you're a Liverpool fan like me you won’t forget that Champions League Final back in 2005, anyway I thought Istanbul was nailed on for a place at least and won well for Richard Fahey, then the disappointing Dorchester Dom who I have said enough about, to be honest. I am getting fed up saying the Saturday Trixie was disappointing but I will give Sam credit with Mind The Crack who got pipped on the line this week. 

18:20 Windsor 08 Jul 2019 

Not a bad little race to get stuck into this Monday night at Windsor, It just so happens I will be watching this on my work break. Even though Clive Cox's Irish Acclaim has not been given any significant entries as yet he ran a pleasing debut at this course and distance a fortnight ago. Owned by Paul and Clare Rooney this Acclamation colt was purchased for 105,000 euros last September. He was a market mover on debut when backed in from 7/1 to 4/1 on the off. Irish Acclaim broke smartly and was up with the pace before looking a bit green a couple of furlongs out before running on again into fourth place. He will have benefited a lot from that experience and should grab a place at least. 

Martyn Meade gave Ecclesiastical Class 2 entry, but he never ran. The race he ran in looks to have a bit of substance about it with the William Haggas trained winner Boosala entered in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket also the second Raahy and the third Tomfre have both come out and won since. Ecclesiastical went off 16/1 that day and lost a few lengths at the start before getting stuck behind a wall of traffic and then running on through beaten horses. I think we could see him in a different light here and I will have a small each way bet if the price allows.

Good Earth is another who will be in the mix after what looked to be decent efforts in has last two races. This colt was purchased by Jamie Osborne for £68,000 and was a decent third over this course and distance to the Mark Johnston trained Homespin last time out. 

Conclusion: Interesting race with a mix of experienced 2-year-olds and a few nice looking newcomers contesting the £3,429 prize money on offer. I will be keeping a close eye on the market to see if any support for Ecclesiastical

Thanks for reading and good luck.

1 comment:

  1. Nice blog post. I didn't remember Istanbul. I like the horse and he knows how to shoot and win.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comment. All spam will be removed.