Preview & Reviews (14th May)

Friday 13th May York 

We all knew the date but I'm not superstitious at all and was in fact feeling lucky as my bet on Yahsat in the Listed Marygate Stakes at York was on. I did manage to get 8/1 each way on Thursday which I thought was a great price. The Karl Burke 2yo brought good form to the table, the yard was in tremendous form and that was good enough for me. The market didn't change throughout the day until Fix You was taken out, fuck a rule 4 straight off, the bad luck had started. I don't normally bet on this sort of race but felt surprisingly confident about Yahsat and come race time the filly was backed into 7/2, the favourite Miami Girl was a solid 9/4 chance for Richard Hannon and the other Karl Burke runner Pillow Talk had also been backed into fives, I wasn't really worried about Pillow Talk to be honest, big mistake.

A solid start by Yahsat who was out of the stalls well, up with the pace and tanking along, as the race was unfolding many of the fancied runners where under pressure and still Yahsat was going well enough, come on I shouted at the television, I was confident of a place at least and Clifford Lee had yet to ask her a question, I've got this I thought as he pushed the button on Yahsat and the Dandy Man's response was immediate as she quickened up in the style of a nice horse but Pillow Talk was also moving well and keeping up with Yahsat as they went head to head, toe to toe, both unwilling to give an inch until Pillow Talk finally stuck her neck out on the line and prevailed in an Impressive renewal of the Marygate Stakes with Karl Burke having the first and second, both look Royal Ascot bound and take nothing away from Yahsat here as this was a cracking run. A place at eights with a rule 4 is better than a kick in the crown jewels but what could have been but for Friday the 13th, unlucky for some! 

Eye-catchers

16.45 York Thursday 12th May 

Decent race this with Queen Olly a good winner for the David Loughnane team, could be a few future winners from this race but one that looked in need of the experience is the Andrew Balding and Qatar Racing owned Roaring Lion colt Thunder Cat who was backed into 9/2 at the off. The first runner for first season sire Roaring Lion was very slow away and had to play catch up for most of the race, Cieren Fallon certainly earned his money as he pushed Thunder Cat from the start to the finish as he passed beaten horses to eventually finish fifth. One to watch out for next timeout, especially as money came in late.

14.40 Sun 15 May Ripon

This is a race I'm not sure who I will bet on until nearer the time as a few of the top trainers with newcomers turn up, I will be looking at the market for clues, I mean Alice Haynes and Amo Racing aren't here for the day out, it's hard to get much of an angle with Alice as she's a new kid on the block with not many stats to get stuck into but hey what potential she has. Ti Amo Sempre is an 85,000 gns yearling and comes here with a nice pedigree. 

Tim Easterby has an acclamation colt Common Acclaim who cost 150,000 gns, pretty expensive but as I've mentioned before, not the best first out trainer, any market move could be significant.

Karl Burke is in fine form and runs Smooth Daddy colt Prince Nabeel, another market check with him. 

Richard Hannon turns up with the Middleham Park Racing owned Shouldvebeenaring who was strong in the market on debut at 4s, slowly away at Goodwood and plum last before making strong late headway towards the finish and should come on plenty here. 

Dukono for Richard Fahey was fifth on debut at Thirsk when sent off 9/1, the 52,000 gns yearling should improve here and Richard's last 2yos have both won when strong in the market. Does have a pretty decent record here so will be keeping a close eye on the Expert Eye colt.

Royal Mariner for James Tate, another who could improve for his debut race at Newmarket, that race had a bit of quality about it and with the winner Tajalla looking a decent sort for the Varian stable and the second Fragrance going on to score at Catterick, Royal Mariner should be winning himself soon. The No Nay Never colt was slowly away at Newmarket and outpaced but stuck to his guns, despite being beaten a few lengths, the jocking booking of James Doyle was a positive that day. James Tate has a decent record here with his second timeout 2yos and any support would also be a positive. Very interesting runner. 

One horse I have as a tracker is Gulmarg for trainer Simon Woods who was second to Yahsat in a race that has worked out very well with the third and fourth winning recently and Yahsat narrowly beaten in the Marygate yesterday in a pulsating finish with Pillow Talk. Gulmarg was quick into stride at Pontefract on debut and looked professional in his job, coming around the Pontefract bend Yahsat put the race to bed quickening up, all credit to Gulmarg who battled on to finish second. This could be more his company and can hopefully get his head in front. It's a tough one as I like Royal Mariner and Gulmarg, I'm leaning towards Gulmarg here and can hopefully get an each way bet on, if I have time I will update the blog tomorrow.

Thanks for reading and good luck.