 UK - Wally Pyrah |
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| With a mark of excellence in the business for over 30 years, Wally Pyrah has been notable to many in UK's racing industry. He had long been a key editorial member of The Racing Post, UK's authoritative racing/ sports wagering press, and is integral part of the expert cast in various preview shows - on screen and through the air – to major international racedays on a regular basis, such as the European classics. | |
Overseas Expert Column for Diamond Jubilee Stakes Day 23/06/2012
S1-1 Chesham Stakes
Irish trainer Jim Bolger has already tasted success at Royal Ascot this week with DAWN APPROACH – winner of the Coventry Stakes – and will be looking to double up with his exciting youngster MOVE TO STRIKE. This son of LAWMAN, spread-eagled his rivals when winning by nine lengths at the Curragh over 1200 meters on soft ground. He is sure to be suited by the extra distance, and it will be a surprise if he is beaten.
Trainer Richard Hannon who has won two of the last five running's of the Chesham Stakes is represented by JALAA who justified favouritism when making all in a small maiden race at Leicester last month. Hannon has made a good start for his new owner Hamdan Al Maktoum – four winners from his first five runners – and has Hamdan's stable jockey Paul Hanagan in the saddle.
Godolphin are represented THA'IR who got off the mark when making all in a small maiden race at Ripon last month. Frankie Dettori takes over this time and is sure to be a popular win and place choice.
Trainer Mick Channon has a handful of runners lining up, headed by recent Epsom Woodcote Stakes winner CHILWORTH ICON. This juvenile showed plenty of courage when staying on too well for his rivals, and should appreciate the 1400 meters distance. Keep an eye on Channon's EFFIE B, who ran well after being slowly away and then running on well behind subsequent Coventry Stakes fourth SIR PRANCEALOT in the 1000 meters National Stakes at Sandown. It's significant that William Buick has been booked to ride.
Selections: 4.MOVE TO STRIKE, 3.JALAA, 12.EFFIE B & 7.THA'IR
S1-2 Hardwicke Stakes
Trainer Aidan O'Brien who saddled last year's winner AWAIT THE DAWN is represented this time by MEMPHIS TENNESSEE who made a winning reappearance in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester in May and has had this race in mind for some time. This beautifully bred Hurricane Run colt was fourth in last season's English Derby and then subsequently finished third in the Irish Derby.
DUNADEN and RED CADEAUX – first and second in last year's Melbourne Cup are in opposition again. RED CADEAUX finished runner-up to ST NICHOLAS ABBEY in the Coronation Cup at Epsom earlier this month, while DUNADEN may have overdone the waiting tactics when a fast-finishing third to rival AIKEN in the Grand Prix de Chantilly over 2400 meters last time out. Top French jockey Christophe Lemaire takes the ride this time and provided the pace is quick he has a major chance of making the frame.
Fast-improving AIKEN should be on everyone's short-list having won his last six races and proving he is adaptable on all types of ground. Trainer John Gosden has been very complimentary about the SELKIRK colt – sire produces soft ground horses – and he could prove he is up to his stiffest task to date. Gosden is also represented by last season's St Leger Stakes winner MASKED MARVEL, who has yet to hit top form this season.
There will be plenty of support for Sir Michael Stoute's SEA MOON, who got off the mark for the season when making a winning reappearance over 2400 meters at Goodwood recently. This four-year-old – running in the FRANKEL colors – could potentially be the best horse in the race, having finished runner-up to ST NICHOLAS ABBEY in the Breeders' Cup Turf in Churchill Downs, and desperately unlucky when third to MASKED MARVEL in the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster.
Selections: 12.SEA MOON, 1.AIKEN, 9.MEMPHIS TENNESSEE & 4.DUNADEN
S1-3 Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Wonder mare BLACK CAVIAR has barely been troubled in notching up 21 consecutive wins, and should be completely different class if she reproduces her Australian form after travelling halfway around the globe. Indeed such is her theoretical superiority, a wide-margin win looks on the cards, something which is almost unheard of in Group 1 sprints.
Overseas challengers could also be in line to fill the frame. French challenger MOONLIGHT CLOUD beat SOCIETY ROCK by four lengths in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last season, and was hugely impressive when winning the Group 3 Prix du Palais- Royal on her reappeareance at Longchamp earlier this month. Such was her superiority many French racing fans were of the opinion she could be BLACK CAVIAR!
Hong Kong Simulcast racing fans will already have seen Bahrain-trained KRYPTON FACTOR win the Dubai Golden Shaheen in Meydan beating the legendry Rocket Man, and then subsequently suffering a nightmare run in the Krisflyer International Sprint at Kranji. He looks just the type to be staying on well at the finish.
The home challenge is led by SOCIETY ROCK who caused a surprise by winning this race last season, after finishing second to Starspangledbanner in 2010. He ran well on his reappearance – would have finished closer by for suffering interference - when third in a hot sprint at York. He should prove best of the domestic defence.
GENKI, who represents the Roger Charlton stable instead of King's Stand Stakes runner- up BATED BREATH, is a likely long-shot.
Selections: 11.BLACK CAVIAR , 12.MOONLIGHT CLOUD , 4.KRYPTON FACTOR & 8.SOCIETY ROCK
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (24 unit bets):
S1-2: Selections – 12.SEA MOON, 9.MEMPHIS TENNESSEE, 1.AIKEN & 4.DUNADEN
S1-3: Banker – 11.BLACK CAVIAR
Selections – 12.MOONLIGHT CLOUD, 4.KRYPTON FACTOR, 8.SOCIETY ROCK & 1.GENKI
S1-4 Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
A 'cavalry charge' of 28 horses thundering down a straight 1200 meters is a fiendishly difficult puzzle to solve, especially when the barrier numbers could play an important part – watch out for the draw factor in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
Trainer James Fanshawe who won the race last year with DEACON BLUES is represented by MAC'S POWER, who won the 'stands' side' race on that occasion – finished 8th beaten just over 7 lengths - and is of obvious interest racing off a 2lbs lower mark.
Less exposed however, is ALBEN STAR, who was noted making stealthy late progress behind MAAREK at Newmarket last month, and comes from the Richard Fahey stable who has a first-rate record in competitive handicaps.
MAAREK cannot be discounted despite carrying top-weight after his Newmarket success, as he is improving all the time and the handicapper may not have caught up with him.
There has been a gamble on the Ryan Moore-ridden HIGH STANDING who sprouted wings in the last 200 meters when a fast-finishing fourth to Mirza – beaten a length – at Newmarket a couple of weeks back. HIGH STANDING'S trainer Jeremy Gask is also represented by MEDICEAN MAN who was last seen finishing fourth to LITTLE BRIDGE in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
WAFFLE can be put on the short-list despite having never won since his debut. The northern challenger is back on the same mark in the handicap which saw him finish second to DEACON BLUES in this race last year.
DESERT LAW is 4lbs ahead of the handicapper on his second to Stone of Folca in the 'Dash' at Epsom on Derby Day. Trainer Andrew Balding is said to be keen on his chances.
Keep an eye out for GRAMERCY who despite disappointing first time out at York ran exceptionally well in this race last year from a bad barrier number, has a liking for Ascot, and has shown his best form on soft ground. A similar comment with regards ground conditions can be made about Frankie Dettori's ride ELUSIVITY who finished sixth to BATED BREATH in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock a few weeks back and has the form to go close.
Selections: 20.GRAMERCY, 22.ALBEN STAR, 23.MAC'S POWER & 11.MEDICEAN MAN
S1-5 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
Top-weight ANATOLIAN will be a popular choice especially with Frankie Dettori aboard. The four-year-old has always had a touch of class about him – has won three and been placed twice in seven runs. He was caught in the final strides in a Class2 event at Newmarket last time – ITHOUGHTITWASOVER (5TH) and CLASSIC VINTAGE (10th) – and should now be spot on.
FIERY LAD delivered under a strong Fallon 'drive' to get up close home at Epsom on Derby day and is 5lbs higher for that success. More of interest from that event could be third placed SPANISH DUKE who had an interrupted passage down the home stretch and did well to make the frame. The latter started last season on an equally encouraging note, winning first time up and then disappointed for the rest of the season. He has question marks to answer, which is a similar comment to make about his stable companion HARLESTONE TIMES who despite an eye-catching second to MOUNT ATHOS over 2800 meters recently, has always shown a preference for a faster surface.
CILL RIALAIG is an interesting contender having won this race two seasons back. Her seasonal reappearance was fair, finishing last of four beaten over 7 lengths to Hardwicke Stakes challenger Sea Moon in a listed race at Goodwood. Last season she finished sixth to Dancing Rain in the Group 2 Qipco Champion Fillies' and Mares' at Ascot on Champions Day – had a desperate run in the home stretch – and is better than her final position suggested. Her Ascot record is two wins from three races.
Others to watch out for include RIGHT STEP, fourth in the Wolferton Handicap over 2000 meters at the Royal meeting last season, and worth ignoring his latest form, when heavily eased when his chance had gone last time, and the Aidan O'Brien challenger HARRISON'S CAVE who finished fifth when joint favorite in the Chester Cup in May. His form indicates he is better over distances beyond 2400 meters, but he looks very well handicapped.
Selections: 11.CILL RIALAIG, 1.ANATOLIAN , 14.RIGHT STEP & 4.FIERY LAD
S1-6 Queen Alexandra Stakes
This is the longest race in the Flat racing calendar. OVERTURN would be one of the most popular winners of the Royal Ascot week and has first-rate chance, especially after just failing to repeat his 2011 Chester Cup success (3200 meters) under a welter-weight of 136lbs at Chester in May. Although he coped well with the soft ground that day, it's not his optimum conditions and he faces a difficult task if the going rides soft.
Normally this race is full of National Hunt horses (UK jumpers), but surprisingly there are some class individuals lining up. PETARA BAY finished fourth in the highly-competitive race over 3200 meters at Newcastle on soft ground last season, and on that form has a huge chance.
Another horse with a touch of class is ZUIDER ZEE from the John Gosden stable. A winner of four of his 18 races, he is a an unpredictable character who has plenty of ability – fourth to OPINION POLL last season - but sometimes doesn't fancy racing! If he decides to put his best foot forward, he has a major frame chance.
Last year's winner SWINGKEEL lines up again – runner-up ELYAADI renews rivalry – but will have to step up markedly on his reappearance form when last of 15 at Newmarket recently. His trainer John Dunlop has been out of form so far this season so maybe that was his excuse, because it's hard to forget his easy success in this race last year. An interesting challenger from France is SHAHWARDI, formerly owned by the Aga Khan. This Alain De Royer-Dupre contender has always looked a long distance stayer in the making, and may appreciate the marathon trip.
The Willie Mullins trained-SIMENON looked like he had just joined the race at the 400-meter marker when destroying his rivals in the 4000 meters Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting on Tuesday. Providing he has got over that race – he won by six lengths – he is going to be difficult to beat again. Champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls runs AMERICAN TRILOGY who seems no longer to relish the jumping game, but won Aintree's charity flat race under Michael Kinane. He could prove a long-shot.
Selections: 15.SIMENON, 10.PETARA BAY , 16.ZUIDER ZEE & 9.OVERTURN
 UK & Ireland Expert - Wendyll Woods |
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| Wendyll Woods began his riding career in Hong Kong as an apprentice jockey to trainer Lawrence Fownes in 1983. He became Fownes' retained jockey from 1987/88 to end of 2001/02 when he was retained by his younger brother Sean Woods. During his Hong Kong racing career, he rode an impressive 3,897 Hong Kong races, riding 321 winners with a winning percentage of 8.2%, including the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with CARACOLER in 2002. Woods also spent five years racing in England where he won several key races including Heron Stakes and Princess Elizabeth Stakes. He currently runs a stud farm with his older brother in England. | |
S1-1 Chesham Stakes
Mick Channon has a good record at Royal Ascot, and his CHILWORTH ICON is of interest here. He won an informative contest, The Listed Woodcote stakes on Derby day, beating dual winner HEAVY METAL, who put in a fair performance in the Coventry Stakes earlier this week. The conditions of the race mean he needs to give weight to his other rivals, but he has place claims.
Jim Bolger trained the unbeaten Dawn Approach to win the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday and has another live contender in this juvenile race. Move to Strike was an impressive nine length winner on his second start, and looks well worth the step up to Listed company.
Godolphin's team could be represented by THA'IR and LOVELY PASS, another first time winner who was strongly fancied on debut. She ran on strongly to win by over two lengths and will be partnered by Silvestre de Sousa.
Richard Hannon has made an excellent start since Sheikh Hamdan sent his horses to him and he saddles JALAA in this, who looked a very scopey individual when running on strongly to win on his debut at Leicester. His pedigree suggests he'll be better once tackling a mile, but he looks a horse with a real future and following the good effort of Sir Prancealot in the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday, Hannon and Hughes can team up with a winner here.
Selections: 3.Jalaa, 4.Move to Strike, 1.Chilworth Icon & 15.Lovely Pass
S1-2 Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup
Red Cadeaux is a truly admirable and tough competitor for Ed Dunlop and is sure to run well again in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes over 2400 meters. After some near misses, first in the Melbourne Cup and then the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase, he went on to win the Yorkshire Cup this season, before a good second to St Nicholas Abbey back in Group 1 company in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. He may find a few too strong for him once again, but must come into calculations.
Fiorente could make the frame, following some decent performances this season. He has always been touted as one with a big future, and ran well at Royal Ascot last season behind Nathaniel. He only has a maiden victory to his name though, and must improve to figure.
Aiken has looked like a rapid improver in 2012 rattling off a hat trick of victories, meaning he has now the last six of his seven starts. He showed a terrific attitude to win the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly at the beginning of the month and with two course and distance victories to his name, he looks to have an excellent chance of giving the Buick/Gosden team a Royal winner.
Dunaden finished third in that race at Chantilly beaten over 3 lengths, but the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase and Melbourne Cup hero will give the other runners plenty to think about, and also renews his rivalry with old foe Red Cadeaux.
An interesting contender on his form in Dubai is the Marco Botti-trained Jakkalberry, who did not finish far behind St Nicholas Abbey and CirRus Des Aigles when third in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. The form in Dubai has looked more reliable going into this season, and that effort behind two top Group 1 middle distance performers bring him solidly into contention here. He has been off the track for 84 days, but is said to be working very well on the gallops and could be a good value selection in a strong looking contest.
The standard looks to be set though, by Sir Michael Stoute's inmate, Sea Moon. Stoute also runs Fiorente, but the excellent Ryan Moore is booked to ride this son of Beat Hollow, who put in a string of excellent performances toward the end of last season. After bolting up in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, he was sent off a warm order to follow up in the St Leger Stakes, but finished an unlucky third. He then finished runner up to St Nicholas Abbey in the Breeders' Cup Turf before being put away for the winter. He was made to work very hard by Dandino to win a listed race at Goodwood on his reappearance but is likely to be in prime condition for this contest.
Selections: 1.Aiken , 12.Sea Moon, 7.Jakkalberry & 11.Red Cadeaux
S1-3 Diamond Jubilee Stakes
After Frankel's breathtaking performance in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday, attention is now turned to Royal Ascot's other headline act, Australian sprinting sensation Black Caviar. The outstanding mare has won all 21 of her starts to date, most of them with consummate ease. She has beaten the best sprinters her country has to offer, and now takes on some new opposition on new territory. Many of these though have plenty to find with Peter Moody's flagbearer and she is difficult to oppose. She does though need to prove herself on a new track over a straight 1200 meters on an Ascot track where plenty of good horses have come unstuck in the past.
Strongly fancied to give Black Caviar a race is French raider Moonlight Cloud, who has been the subject of bullish reports from trainer Freddie Head. The four year old filly is at home on any ground and ran with credit when fifth behind Deacon Blues on last season's inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day. She was an impressive winner on her seasonal reappearance, but now drops back in trip and faces her ultimate test against the world's greatest sprinter.
Last year's winner Society Rock could make the frame for James Fanshawe, after running a pleasing race after a break in the Duke of York Stakes. He does look to have plenty to find with the improving Moonlight Cloud after some lacklustre efforts at the backend of last season.
Others to mention include the Cheka and Pastoral Player, with slight preference for the latter, who would be suited by the ground drying out further. They could vie with the excellent Meydan speedster Krypton Factor, who has some useful old turf form when he was trained in the UK.
Selections: 11.Black Caviar , 12.Moonlight Cloud, 8.Society Rock & 5.Pastoral Player
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (9 unit bets):|
S1-2: Banker – 1.Aiken
Selections – 12.Sea Moon, 7.Jakkalberry & 11.Red Cadeaux
S1-3: Banker – 11.Black Caviar
Selections – 12.Moonlight Cloud, 8.Society Rock & 5.Pastoral Player
S1-4 Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
The draw and pace angle usually plays a pivotal role in the outcome of this competitive sprint handicap, but there is plenty of value to be found in this race. It has actually been quite kind to punters of late, with the last three renewals throwing up winners in single digit odds with the UK bookmakers.
Lui Rei looks a good starting point, having won readily on Derby day, and now carrying just a 5lb penalty in this heat. This is partly negated by the presence of excellent 7lb claiming jockey George Downing, and he still looks well handicapped on old form.
Medicean Man follows up his excellent fourth in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes on Tuesday, then he looks a likely candidate. Due to his proximity to Little Bridge, Bated Breath and Sole Power, he will not be as well treated as he is in this in a handicap race for some time. There is a slight question mark over whether the horse will recover sufficiently, but on bare form he must be considered.
This race was won by the progressive Deacon Blues last season, and there are plenty of sprinters going the right way in the 2012 renewal. One of these is the Richard Fahey-trained Alben Star. Progressive on the all-weather, the form of his third at Kempton and latest fifth at Newmarket has been strongly franked and looks some of the best on offer. That said, he was beaten by Maarek on this occasion, with the Irish raider racing off top weight in this. Alben Star is better off at the weights this time round, and is fancied to reverse the form.
Selections: 22.Alben Star, 1.Maarek ,11.Medicean Man & 15.Lui Rei
S1-5 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
This year's Duke of Edinburgh Stakes looks an enticing renewal, full of progressive middle distance performers and other horses of interest from a handicapping perspective.
Stand To Reason has the services of Jimmy Fortune and this quirky customer looks to have plenty of ability. He has been beaten at short odds twice at Chester since winning in the style of a well handicapped horse on his reappearance at Newbury. He does look to be more suited by plenty of ease in the ground, so his chance would be further boosted by some rain.
Midsummer Sun, was much talked about when he finally made his belated debut as a three years old last season. As a half-brother to one of the most outstanding mares in recent years, Midday, he is certainly bred to be able to win this sort of contest at the very least. He has won three times in total and his trainer Sir Henry Cecil still holds him in high regard.
One horse that Midsummer Sun beat last season was Mark Johnston's Ithoughitwasover, who also has form tied in with top weight Anatolian amongst others in this race. He looks a dependable enough animal, and is sure to run creditably once more. He goes on any ground and looks tactically versatile and has a squeak for the trainer who trained his third winner of the race when saddling Fox Hunt to win in 2011.
Selections: 10.Midsummer Sun ,20.Stand to Reason & 3.Ithoughtitwasover
S1-6 Queen Alexandra Stakes
A gruelling test awaits the competitors for the Queen Alexandra Stakes, which looks like it will feature some useful jumps performers switching discipline. The best of these could be Simenon, who is likely to take his place after an impressive six length victory in the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday under a 6lb penalty. He won't be this well handicapped on the flat for some time, and the trainer has stated that if the horse is over Tuesday's exertions, he'll line up in an attempt to claim a memorable Royal Ascot staying double.
Another with a solid chance is the French raider ShahwaRdi who has plenty of useful form in listed company over middle/long distances. He is partnered by the excellent Gerald Mosse and provided he stays this extreme trip, he could have the pace required to play a big part in the finish.
American Trilogy will be Champion National Hunt Trainer Paul Nicholls's first Royal Ascot participant. He was a useful flat performer in France before coming to the UK and beginning a career over obstacles. He is a quirky sort, but does possess plenty of ability and is sure to be ready to fire for a trainer who must be very excited to run him.
Golden Sunbird comes over from Ireland and looks exceptionally well-treated off his handicap mark of 88. Paul Nolan has booked Kieren Fallon for the ride and after some pleasing efforts over jumps, looks to have strong claims. He won two National Hunt flat races several years ago and he looks completely unexposed in this discipline, running well over an inadequate trip when second last time out. He is bottom weight in this and along with Simenon, he gives the Irish a very good chance of taking this race.
Selections: 15.Simenon , 14.ShahwaRdi , 20.Golden Sunbird & 3.American Trilogy
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