Weekend Thoughts (April 17th)

Quick review of my last post. Absolutely ran a stinker and will be taken out the trackers after that run at Leopardstown. I was expecting a little support as I jumped in at 14s the night before but no money came and as expected my bet went down, talking of market support I made the same mistake with Canonized when I again I thought I was getting a good overnight price with 6/1 but by the start of the race the William Haggas runner had taken a walk in the betting and end up 10s, when will I bloody learn. To be honest, I think she needs further and wearing a hood down to post is never a good sign. I saw enough to keep her in the trackers and will be keeping a close eye on the market next run. I did mention the Tate runner whom James likes and despite a drift I thought it was a pleasing debut by El Hadeeyah to finish third and one to keep an eye out for. Finally a winner when the well-thought of Joseph O’Brien colt SOUTHERN LIGHTS put in a very impressive display to win at Leopardstown, I was pleasantly surprised at the 4/1 odds in the end. A couple of 3-year-olds to follow ran on Thursday and as always it’s disappointing to see them get beat but both Valiant Prince and Maytal I would think are better than yesterday's performances. 

A few 2-year-old races but I’m still wary about these early races so will be leaving well-alone but I still have a few 3-year-old trackers coming through. 

17:15 Nottingham 17 Apr 2021 

I do have two trackers in this and will wait to see the betting first but here we go. 

The Roger Varian trained THIRD REALM comes from a very nice family with plenty of winners, Cape Byron was a nice type for Roger winning the Victoria Cup in 2019, also won on his reappearance as a 3-year-old. Another offspring of dam Reem Free who was decent type herself for Luca Cumani is Ajman Princess who won the Group One Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in 2017. Third Realm is a bay 3-year-old Sea The Stars colt owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum who made his debut at Kempton last November when sent off 16/5 from 6/1. Third Realm was caught napping at the start and missed the break but caught back up soon enough, watching the replay again I think the front few got first run on Third Realm and the Sea The Stars colt wasn’t given a hard time, the trip should be more to his liking and hopefully Third Realm can be involved at the finish. The winner Lord Protector has won again since. As long as no big drift I will hope I can get an each way price but could be wishful thinking by me. 

Richard Hannon has REMEDIUM in this race who was purchased for 48,000 gns. 

16:50 Curragh (IRE) 17 Apr 2021 

BLUE PLANET comes with a big price tag for Aidan O’Brien. The KIngman colt was a 9/1 shot on debut at Dundalk and managed to finish third to Hype. Blue Planet cost a whopping 1,800,000 gns and can hopefully get off the mark here. 

11:10 Thirsk 17 Apr 2021 

I did say I had no 2-year-olds but CLAIM TO FAME runs here for Richard Fahey who seems in great form. A Half-brother to three winners and cost 38,000 gns purchase, debut always a worry. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Midweek Thoughts (13th April)

I thought my selection last week had lost a leg or something after one almighty walk in the market. Handel was well-thought of by Aidan O’Brien last season even after a disappointing debut but I thought I would give the 3-year-old colt another chance. The overnight price was 3/1 which was a bit skinny but when Handel drifted to 12/1 I had given up hope, in the end he ran a cracker to finish second, a step up in trip should bring out more improvement. Evaluation is one of my three-year-olds to follow and stayed on well yesterday at Windsor, the trip was always too short and when stepped up he will be seen in a better light. Another horse I mentioned last week was the big priced 3-year-old debutant Punta Arenas for George Scott, I thought it was a nice debut to be honest but needs to settle better and the head carriage was a bit of a worry. 

Quite a few trackers on Wednesday so here we go. 

14:00 Wed 14 April 2021 Leopardstown 

I might need the luck of the Irish for this one. I have been testing a certain angle with these Irish races and will be doing so again this year. The Donnacha Aidan O’Brien trained ABSOLUTELY was made favourite for her debut at Curragh last November, infact backed in from 13/2 down to 9/4. Absolutely was always there about until the going got tough, and she dropped into midfield before running on again late in the day, a step up in trip will hopefully see some improvement. Dam Bracelet was a star for Aidan winning the Irish Oaks in 2014 but so far her offspring haven’t set the world alight, Mountain Fountain and Love Bracelet both disappointing. 

14:35 Wed 14 April 2021 Leopardstown 

Over to Joseph for this one and SOUTHERN LIGHTS, the Sea The Stars 3-year-old colt was purchased for 550,000 euros from the Orby Sales and made a pleasing debut at Naas last September. Southern Lights was made 6/5 for his debut so obviously the word had got around. I thought it was a decent debut and was just touched off into second in the end after trying to make all. Southern Lights is entitled to come on for that and the step up in trip should be right up his street. 

16:10 Wed 14 April 2021 Newmarket 

I Imagine SNOW LANTERN was scribbled into many notebooks after an eye-catching debut at Ascot last July. The Richard Hannon Frankel filly hasn’t been seen since but after the winter behind her should be ready for a fruitful flat campaign. The Ascot race was won by Zabeel Queen who then finished third in the Group 2 May Hill and fifth in the Fillies Mile. It won’t be an easy task with some lovely looking types here but hopefully Snow Lantern can go one better and get her first win. 

13:15 Wed 14 April 2021 Newmarket 

I will throw a 2-year-old in here that could be worth following, will it be CANONIZED day on Wednesday or will she need the run? The William Haggas trained and Cheveley Park owned Acclamation filly could be anything. Dam Sainted was a nice type for William and won on debut over six furlongs, one thing worth noting is she did like a bit of give in the ground. Interesting that Williams first runner in 2020 was Sacred owned by Cheveley Park and won at Newmarket, Sacred of course went onto be a star last season. Lots of competition of course and another I will be keeping an eye on this season is EL HADEEYAH who James Tate gave a good mention here on the blog. 

It’s a tough time at the minute and early days for the 2-year-olds, plenty nice types will be filling these pages before long. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.