 Wally Pyrah |  David Duggan |  Wendyll Woods |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | David has been working in the racing/bloodstock industry for over 20 years. He has worked at Coolmore Stud Ireland and in Lexington Kentucky with leading Farms. He is also an active writer publishing written articles for many publications including The Guardian newspaper. For the past 7 years, he has been broadcasting in the UK and Ireland for At The Races and Sky Sports. David has recently joined in August 2012 and will provide more insights on simulcast races. | 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. |
Overseas Expert Column for English Derby Day (Wally Pyrah & David Duggan)
S1-1 Private Banking Stakes (Handicap) (Wally Pyrah)
This looks a competitive handicap on paper, but don’t expect big odds about the Sir Michael Stoute trained STRAVAGANTE. This son of RIP VAN WINKLE ran far better than his 12 lengths third to short-priced favourite JACK HOBBS – fancied for the Derby Stakes later in the evening – suggests, when making his seasonal reappearance at Sandown over 2,006m last month. On that occasion he was badly hampered turning into the home stretch, but stayed on strongly in the closing stages and is guaranteed to improve. Sir Michael Stoute has often made this handicap an important target for his better three-year-olds – the stable’s CONDUIT and STAGE GIFT have won it in the past – and he looks like he has been earmarked for this race.
The principle threat looks likely to come from RESONANT who is in pursuit of a hat-trick, following a maiden success at Goodwood over 1,800m and Newmarket handicap victory over 2,000m last month. Trainer Mark Johnston’s horse has risen 15lbs in the ratings for those wins, but looked far superior to his rivals in those races, and may have not stopped improving.
CYMRO cause a shock when outstaying the red-hot favourite from Aidan O’Brien’s stable SIR ISAAC NEWTON over 2,068m on good to soft ground at Chester last month, and on that form would make the short-list.
Horses lower in the handicap worth keeping an eye on, include COSMIC RAY who had previously run well at Epsom and will appreciate the step up in distance. The Andrew Balding trained three-year-old needs to learn to settle better in his races, but if the early tempo is good, has a good chance of making the frame.
TAPER TANTRUM signed off last season with a narrow success in a two-year-old handicap at Windsor, and latest reports from work watchers at Newmarket suggest he has improved a lot over the winter.
MEZAJY, reckoned a top-class handicapper by his handler Ed Walker, and progressive DUTCH UNCLE are worth considering for exotic bets.
SELECTIONS: 3. STRAVAGANTE, 4. RESONANT, 12. COSMIC RAY & 9. TAPER TANTRUM
S1-2 Woodcote Stakes (David Duggan)
Mark Johnston had marked this race out for several of his large juvenile string and the fact that BURATINO lines up is significant. BURATINO has had four starts, winning twice and finishing placed on the other two, seems to have a nice cruising speed and will have no trouble with this 1,200m distance, experience is a huge advantage on a track like this.
Richard Hannon will run NELSPRUIT here a twice raced son of MAKFI. NELSPRUIT was runner up at Newbury on debut over 1,207m before winning with ease on his next start at Goodwood over 1,000m he is a major player in this race.
MISS MONEYPENNY receiving the mandatory 5lb from the colts should not be dismissed, she went about her job really well on her second start at Windsor over 1,009m, suggesting that 1,200m would not be a problem.
Adam Kirby does not ride as often for Mark Johnston as others but has secured a nice ride on ALEKO who has won his only race at Haydock, the suspicion is however he may prefer softer ground conditions.
SELECTIONS: 4. BURATINO, 6. NELSPRUIT, 10. MISS MONEYPENNY & 1. ALEKO
S1-3 Coronation Cup (Wally Pyrah)
It is difficult to look beyond French superstar filly DOLNIYA. Alain de Royer Dupre’s four-year-old has gone from strength to strength since staying on strongly to take fifth place behind TREVE in last season’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over 2,400m in October. She successfully opened up this season’s campaign, with a comfortable victory from rival FLINTSHIRE over an inadequate test of 1,900m at Chantilly in March, and then Hong Kong racing fans would have witnessed her scintillating victory – again beating FLINTSHIRE and rivals - when strolling home over 2,400m in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, on Dubai World Cup Day. As a late maturing filly, she still hasn’t finished improving, and it will be a surprise if she is beaten.
FLINTSHIRE has course and distance experience, having chased home CIRRUS DES AIGLES in this event last season, when it was believed he was short of peak condition. This won’t be an issue this time, with the French raider having already won the G1 Hong Kong Cup over 2,400m in December, and having raced twice in March. This is clearly his best trip, and with trainer Andre Fabre having already won this race six times, he is the obvious choice to include in quinella wagers.
ROMSDAL seems to have gone backwards this season, having been well beaten in the G2 Yorkshire Cup over 2,800m at York in May, and disappointing when suited by conditions in a G3 event over 2,405m at Newbury in April. He did however, finish third in last year’s G1 Derby Stakes over 2,400m behind AUSTRALIA, and was runner-up to KINGSTON HILL in the G1 St Leger Stakes over 2,920m. Those form-lines entitle him to have plenty of respect, but he does need to reproduce those formlines to have any chance in this contest.
PETHER’S MOON finished a length in front of ROMSDALE when the pair finished second and third behind ARAB SPRING in the G3 event over 2,405m at Newbury, but then subsequently was never sighted when beaten a long way in the G2 Jockey Club Stakes over 2,400m at Newmarket. Having won half-a-dozen times in his career, he does have ability, but is unpredictable on occasions and is a risky proposition.
SELECTIONS: 6. DOLNIYA, 2. FLINTSHIRE, 4. ROMSDAL & 3. PETHER’S MOON
S1-4 ‘Dash’ (Handicap) (Wally Pyrah)
It will be ‘hold your breath’ time when a maximum of 20 runners leave the barriers and dash downhill on the fastest 1,000m track in the world. There will be plenty of stories of horses denied clear runs and seeing no daylight at crucial stages in the race, and luck will play an important role in the result. Historically a middle to high barrier has a huge advantage – the first five horse’s in last year’s result were drawn 14,17,12,13 and 15 – with a strip of ground near the stands rail supposedly quicker than the centre of the track. Bear in mind though, that 2012 winner STONE OF FOLCA won from barrier 2, and the following year SMOOTHTALKINRASCAL missed out by a whisker from barrier 1!
Last year’s winner CASPIAN PRINCE (Barrier 14) was a popular winner with Hong Kong bettors, and will be again one of the market leaders, but he does have 10lbs more in the ratings this time, and could be worth opposing. An interesting contender is Irish raider CHICLET (Barrier 4) who has already won a couple of handicaps at Dundalk in April in the style of an improving filly. Her latest success was at the expense of subsequent winner MASTER SPEAKER and the winning time was fast. Her trainer Tracey Collins is confident her contender will handle the track, and provided there is no rain she is capable of going close.
Another horse that looks like he has been earmarked for this contest is PERFECT MUSE (Barrier 16) a relatively lightly-raced five-year-old sprinter, who really blossomed last season with three victories. She made a respectable return to the track this season when third at Goodwood last month. She is certain to improve on that effort, and also showed that she can act off a fast tempo on a downhill track. It’s also significant that top apprentice Cam Hardie has been booked for his first ride for trainer Clive Cox, and with luck in running, is sure to go close.
Could it be third time lucky for SEEKING MAGIC (Barrier 11) – also trained by Clive Cox – who finished third in this race in 2013, and was denied by just a head 12 months ago. He can now race off a 7lbs lower mark in the ratings, and will be in peak condition following an encouraging effort on his comeback run over 1,200m at Newmarket recently. He is a horse that loves a downhill track and surely has to be on the short-list of possible winners in the race.
Make a note of DESERT LAW (Barrier 1) who finished runner-up in this contest back in 2013 from a 8lbs higher rating, but has become frustrating with a long losing sequence. Consequently his handicap rating has plummeted, but he did show a glimmer of form when third at York last month, and that form was given a boost by the winner OUT DO subsequently finishing second in a Listed race, and the runner-up RED BARON winning very easily next time. He was at one time rated as high as a 107, and if his new trainer Paul Midgley can coax him back to near his best, he could prove dangerous.
Others to keep an eye on are STEPS (Barrier 5) who lost the race with a slow start in this contest last year, but dashed fast and late to finish fourth and could be rated unlucky. NORMAL EQUILIBRIUM (Barrier 8) who has proved unpredictable but has plenty of ability when he wants to use it, dual course winner MONUMENTAL MAN (Barrier 3) who won easily over the track last time, and speedy SILVANUS (Barrier 20) with Richard Hughes aboard.
SELECTIONS: 15. PERFECT MUSE, 10. SEEKING MAGIC, 13. CHICLET & 16. DESERT LAW
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-4: Banker – 15. PERFECT MUSE Selections – 10. SEEKING MAGIC, 13. CHICLET, 16. DESERT LAW & 8. SILVANUS
S1-5: Banker – 5. GOLDEN HORN Selections – 6. HANS HOLBEIN, 12. SUCCESS DAYS, 7. JACK HOBBS & 4. GIOVANNI CANALETTO
S1-5 Derby Stakes (David Duggan)
GOLDEN HORN heads the market for this major Classic race and this unbeaten colt is deserving of that position. John Gosden’s son of CAPE CROSS was most impressive in the acknowledged Derby trial the G2 Dante Stakes over 2,080m, travelling well and quickening up in great style. Connections have some reservations regarding the distance but his sire CAPE CROSS sired SEA THE STARS who is the winner of this race and several other top performers that managed this distance well, he will be hard to beat.
Aidan O’Brien will be three handed, Ryan Moore has chosen GIOVANNI CANALETTO and this thrice raced horse has to be respected, HANS HOLBEIN however a winner of his last two races including a Derby Trial at Chester over 2,460m. It has been a feature of the race in recent years that O’Brien has several horses in the field equally the outsider of the stables runners often run above what the betting would indicate.
John Gosden will also saddle JACK HOBBS a likeable horse that finished runner up to GOLDEN HORN in the G2 Dante Stakes. He is a big player in the field too.
SUCCESS DAYS owned by Hong Kong connections has achieved plenty in his last two starts winning over 2,000m in proven trials, his chance would be greatly improved if the conditions to be on the soft side.
ELM PARK represents powerful connections and ran well in the G2 Dante Stakes, however he did not appear to be totally suited to the undulations of this track in a recent workout morning at the course.
SELECTIONS: 5. GOLDEN HORN, 6. HANS HOLBEIN, 7. JACK HOBBS & 12. SUCCESS DAYS
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 5. GOLDEN HORN, 6. HANS HOLBEIN & 7. JACK HOBBS
S1-6: Multiple – 8. OASIS FANTASY, 9. BIG THUNDER & 12. BLACK SHADOW
S1-7: Multiple – 4. PEARL BLUE, 9. SMIDGEN & 1. ISEEMIST
S1-6 Out Of The Ordinary Stakes (Handicap) (David Duggan)
Several horses in here with real chances in this 2,400m contest, with stamina needed over this course. OASIS FANTASY ran a sound race at Goodwood recently where despite pulling hard he finished off the race in good style to be just denied. Already winner at this distance he has sound claims, especially if there is a strong pace.
BIG THUNDER from Sir Mark Prescott’s stable enjoyed a great summer last year winning a succession of handicap contests including a win at Ascot, whilst not in the same form lately he would be dangerous to dismiss.
BLACK SHADOW ran really well in defeat at this corresponding meeting last year, his recent run at Windsor was encouraging when fourth over 2,323m, this step up in distance could suit and the stable are in good form.
GOTHIC represents Sir Michael Stoute in this race, he has been somewhat disappointing since winning at Leicester over 2,000m but this partnership of Ryan Moore & Sir Michael Stoute can never be overlooked in a race like this.
SELECTIONS: 8. OASIS FANTASY, 9. BIG THUNDER, 12. BLACK SHADOW & 18. GOTHIC
S1-7 Asset Management Stakes (Handicap) (David Duggan)
David O’Meara one of the rising stars of the British training ranks. He has secured the services of Ryan Moore for his runner here PEARL BLUE. This horse is a recent addition to his stable and has been in great form on polytrack over 1,200m at Lingfield Park and again a late winning on turf at Windsor over 1,200m. His first start for O’Meara was at Chester and he was not disgraced finishing fourth on that occasion, this looks a good race for the horse.
SMIDGEN will represent Edward De Giles from a couple of horses he had entered in this. SMIDGEN was uncompetitive at Ascot recently over 1,200m but has winning form at this distance on the polytrack; he does act well on turf however and is well handicapped here.
Of the others ISEEMIST is interesting for John Gallagher, he has been consistent without winning this season and ran well on his last start at Brighton. In his favour however is a good course win back in 2014.
ASHPAN SAM is not the most consistent horse in this race, he does seem to comealive at Epsom as per this meeting last year. He is worth a cautionary look with Richard Hughes riding.
SELECTIONS: 4. PEARL BLUE, 9. SMIDGEN, 10. ISEEMIST & 1. ASHPAN SAM
Overseas Expert Column for Derby Stakes Day (Wendyll Woods)
S1-1 Private Banking Stakes (Handicap)
SELECTIONS: 3. STRAVAGANTE, 7. DUTCH UNCLE, 4. RESONANT, 5. SHAAKIS & 10. MEZAJY
S1-2 Woodcote Stakes
SELECTIONS: 8. JEANIE'S PLACE, 4. BURATINO, 6. NELSPRUIT, 2. ART COLLECTION & 1. ALEKO
S1-3 Coronation Cup
SELECTIONS: 6. DOLNIYA, 2. FLINTSHIRE, 3. PETHER'S MOON & 4. ROMSDAL
S1-4 ‘Dash’ (Handicap)
SELECTIONS: 6. NORMAL EQUILIBRIUM, 2. CASPIAN PRINCE, 10. SEEKING MAGIC, 12. MONUMENTAL MAN & 15. PERFECT MUSE
S1-5 Derby Stakes
SELECTIONS: 5. GOLDEN HORN, 4. GIOVANNI CANALETTO, 7. JACK HOBBS, 2. ELM PARK & 12. SUCCESS DAYS
S1-6 Out Of The Ordinary Stakes (Handicap)
SELECTIONS: 12. BLACK SHADOW, 8. OASIS FANTASY, 18. GOTHIC, 9. BIG THUNDER & 2. BLUE SURF
S1-7 Asset Management Stakes (Handicap)
SELECTIONS: 4. PEARL BLUE, 10. ISEEMIST, 11. TAAJUB, 12. EXTRASOLAR & 8. SWISS CROSS
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