 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 July Cup Day (Wally Pyrah & David Duggan)
S1-1 3yo 81-100 Handicap (David Duggan)
Several of the more powerful yards are represented in this decent handicap with Richard Hannon relying on PRINCE’S TRUST from a big entry with Richard Hughes riding. This horse is quite unexposed having only had three starts and following placed effort at Goodwood over 1,600m, he lost his maiden tag in very convincing fashion in mid-May over today’s course and distance. Clearly he may well be hard to pass if he adopts the front running tactics that served him so well on his last start.
Sir Michael Stoute always has to be respected at his local track and his runner DEFENDANT has posted one win at Beverley over 1,400m from five outings. His two runs over 1,600m have been decent and it is fair to assume that Stoute feels he can run well in this race.
Of the others JAMMY GUEST should be considered for local trainer George Margarson, he has one win at Lingfield over 1,400m to his credit and is useful, as is MAKAFEH, also trained in Newmarket by Luca Cumani, he was second most recently over 1,600m at Doncaster and whilst more exposed than others in this field he has a chance.
SELECTIONS: 7.PRINCE’S TRUST, 9.DEFENDANT, 2.JAMMY GUEST & 3.MAKAFEH
S1-2 Superlative Stakes (David Duggan)
A competitive Group 2 for juveniles over 1,400m where a case can be made for several in the race. Frankie Dettori has been keeping himself very busy since he returned to riding and has a plum ride here in the shape of RECANTED who made a very pleasing winning debut at Newbury over 1,200m, clearly surprising connections in the process. This 1,400m trip will suit even better and he can improve once again.
OUTSTRIP represents Godolphin here and he could not have done any more than running out a good winner over this course and distance on his debut, he too is clearly useful.
Group races are never easily won and ROSSO CORSA from Mick Channon’s stable is clearly capable and has plenty of experience. His win at Chester over 1,200m was a nice performance and he should have no problems moving up in distance here.
NOBLE METAL, a grey like his sire WITH APPROVAL, also caught the eye when winning over 1,400m at Leicester, he has to have a chance although is likely to find a few of these a bit too quick for him.
SELECTIONS: 4.RECANTED, 3.OUTSTRIP, 5.ROSSO CORSA & 2.NOBLE METAL
S1-3 Bunbury Cup (Handicap) (Wally Pyrah)
A fiendishly difficult puzzle to solve, with luck playing an important part, and bettors should look for clues beforehand where the best barrier numbers are situated. History suggests that horses that ran over 1,200m or less in their most recent race have a record of one win from 45 runners. More positive statistics highlight that five of the last 10 winners came from barrier 15 to 20, it pays to follow 1,400m specialists.
It may be worth taking a chance with the Edward Vaughan-trained REDVERS who had a luckless run the Buckingham Palace Stakes over 1,400m at Royal Ascot. The five-year-old, although running on the slower part of the straight course, found his passage blocked when about to unleash a winning run, and by the time he was clear the race was over. He had previously shown smart form when winning at Haydock, and finishing fourth in the highly-competitive handicap at Ascot. He commands a lot of respect.
Northern challenger BERTIEWHITTLE is another to consider, having run a hugely impressive race when second to proverbial handicap certainty DIESCENTRIC at Newcastle a fortnight ago. He will not find a horse as well rated like DIESCENTRIC in this race, and should be on the short-list.
HIGHLAND COLORI finished behind both REDVERS and BERTIEWHITTLE in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but is a different horse when he runs at Newmarket. His current course record is three wins from three races, and it would be no surprise to see trainer Andrew Balding’s horse bounce back to form.
Others to consider include Royal Hunt Cup winner BELGIAN BILL who has been raised four pounds in the ratings for that win. The question is whether, he can reproduce that form over 200m less against some 1,400m specialists.
Irish challenger BURN THE BOATS is worth a second look having needed every metre when winning at the Curragh, while FIELD OF DREAM is due a change of luck having been drawn on the unfavoured side, when sixth to rival BELGIAN BILL in the Royal Hunt Cup.
SELECTIONS: 12.REDVERS, 9.BURN THE BOATS, 3.HIGHLAND COLORI & 1.BELGIAN BILL
S1-4 July Cup (Wally Pyrah)
With the likelihood of good to fast ground at Newmarket – last year was an exception with racing run on a sea of mud – recent form and past statistics should play an important role in finding the winner. The top three in the betting have provided 70% winners in the last decade, seven out of the last 10 winners ran at Royal Ascot and interestingly, six out of the last 10 winners were in barriers five or lower.
Royal Ascot Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner LETHAL FORCE produced a scintillating performance when surging away from his rivals including SOCIETY ROCK (2nd) , Bahrain-trained KRYPTON FACTOR (3rd) SLADE POWER (6th) and HAVELOCK (11th) over 1,200m. Providing he adapts to the undulations at Newmarket he is going to take a lot of beating. His on-pace running style fits in well with past statistics, and he loves quick ground and is improving.
South African-trained SHEA SHEA will be popular with the HK bettors, having seen him win the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night, and then getting caught on the winning line by SOLE POWER in last month’s Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1,000m). The Mike de Kock powerhouse sprinter appeared to have the race won when bursting clear of his rivals on the far side of the track that day, including Australian challenger SHAMEXPRESS (9th), and then to be caught by SOLE POWER who raced under the stands’ rail.
Cheekpieces appears to have triggered improvement from the Aidan O’Brien-trained GALE FORCE TEN who landed the 1,400m Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. This progressive three-year-old had previously finished runner-up to MAGICIAN in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh – form which is working out well with TRADING LEATHER and HAVANA GOLD – both behind him that day – winning Group 1 races since. Aidan O’Brien has used this unusual route before – 2,000 Guineas placed, Jersey Stakes winner and then July Stakes winner – with MOZART back in 2001.
SOCIETY ROCK, who finished two lengths behind LETHAL FORCE at Royal Ascot, had previously edged out that same horse when winning a thriller in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes at York in May. He has however been beaten twice in this race, and seems better suited to Ascot.
Expect an improved performance from SLADE POWER on his Diamond Jubilee Stakes running. The Edward Lynam-trained gelding lost a few lengths at the start that day, and is better than the form reads.
SELECTIONS: 11.GALE FORCE TEN, 4.LETHAL FORCE, 6.SHEA SHEA & 8.SOCIETY ROCK
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (80 unit bets):
S1-3: Selections – 1.BELGIAN BILL, 3.HIGHLAND COLORI, 5.FIELD OF DREAM, 6.EXCELLENT GUEST, 9.BURN THE BOATS & 12.REDVERS
S1-4: Banker – 4.LETHAL FORCE
Selections – 3.KRYPTON FACTOR, 7.SLADE POWER, 8.SOCIETY ROCK & 10.SOVEREIGN DEBT
S1-5 2yo Conditions Stakes (David Duggan)
EMIRATES FLYER did not enjoy a clear passage when winning at Bath on debut over 1,000m but when the gaps appeared, he made an impressive winning debut despite showing signs of inexperience. On the back of that win he was quietly fancied to run well at Royal Ascot and whilst not making the first three he was certainly an eye catcher keeping on well to finish fifth to the very speedy NO NAY NEVER over 1,000m again. That was a very good effort as the American winner is very highly thought of, stepping up to 1,200m today will certainly be in his favour and this promising colt can go well.
SELECTIONS: 1.EMIRATES FLYER
S1-6 2yo Handicap (David Duggan)
It is never an easy task for a filly to take on the boys in a race of this nature, but Richard Fahey clearly holds DUTCH COURAGE in high regard and is prepared to let her take her chance here. The locally-owned filly has had three outings, two here at Newmarket before winning at Pontefract in very good fashion. That was her second attempt at 1,200m and have finished runner up at Newmarket on her first try. She looks quite progressive and Ryan Moore is an eye catching booking for the daughter of DUTCH ART, the step up to 1,400m should not be a problem.
Of the others MALACHIM MIST will have his supporters. He has two wins already, once at 1,200m at Goodwood and another at Doncaster over 1,400m in a small field, which was his first attempt at the distance. He is a big threat but the conceding two pounds to the filly DUTCH COURAGE will be no easy task.
SELECTIONS: 2.DUTCH COURAGE & 1.MALACHIM MIST
S1-7 3yo+ 71-90 Handicap (Wally Pyrah)
Many years ago trainer Luca Cumani was renowned for running his lightly-raced horses in small maiden races up in the north of the UK, and then producing them to win competitive handicap races at the major race meetings. His challenger HAVANA COOLER fits that profile having won a maiden race over 2,000m at Ripon and in the words of his jockey Kieren Fallon “the further they went the better he was”. The extra 400m will suit him perfectly, and having run well on his debut over 1,600m at Newmarket last season, he looks very well-rated off a mark of 83.
The obvious danger is the Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes combination who team up with PETHER’S MOON. This three-year-old was desperately unlucky when impeded twice at a crucial stage when making his effort in the competitive Class 2 King George V Stakes (Handicap) over 2,400m at Royal Ascot last month. Having been strongly fancied on that occasion, you can guarantee connections will be looking for compensation.
Top-weight WILLIE WAG TAIL over raced when seventh in a slowly run 2,400m Class 2 Handicap at Newmarket in May. That form has been advertised the subsequent success of OPINION and runner-up STENCIVE in the Class 2 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot. He looks a likely improver.
Lightly-raced POYLE THOMAS, who got off the mark on the All-Weather at Kempton, having previously run a promising fifth in a competitive maiden at Sandown, should be included on the short-list.
SELECTIONS: 10.HAVANA COOLER, 5.PETHER’S MOON, 1.WILLIE WAG TAIL & 7.POYLE THOMAS
TREBLE SELECTIONS (2 unit bets):
S1-5: 1.EMIRATES FLYER
S1-6: 2.DUTCH COURAGE
S1-7: 10.HAVANA COOLER & 5.PETHER’S MOON
Overseas Expert Column for July Cup Day (Wendyll Woods)
S1-1 3yo 81-100 Handicap
A cracking card at the July Festival on the famous Newmarket July Course gets under way with a competitive looking handicap over 1,600m for 3yos. There are plenty of likely winners to choose from, but it is the Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore combination that make most appeal to me with their runner DEFENDANT. He is one of the more unexposed runners in the field with only 5 previous starts, and although he has only won once, he looks a likely sort. His last 2 runs have come over 1,400m and he has shaped as if he is crying out for the step back up in trip. He will handle the quick ground and as a son of MEDICEAN out of RAZZLE, he should have the perfect blend of stamina and speed.
Include the Richard Hughes-ridden PRINCE’S TRUST in you permutations. He has taken a little time to come to hand, but really came into his own last time out on the Rowley Mile over this trip and on lightening quick ground. He won on the bridle and looks a really nice handicapping prospect off a mark of only 88, especially with conditions to suit here.
The mighty Godolphin yard have one runner here, MUHARRIB, who shaped encouragingly on his seasonal debut at Doncaster two weeks ago. The ground was only good that day, which was slightly against him, so the quicker ground the better he will be. He is likely to build upon that opening effort here. A mark of 91 looks winnable.
A final one to look at is JAMMY GUEST whose last run was in the Group 3 company in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot where he didn’t disgrace himself when 9th. This is now back to his sort of level and his trainer has been in decent from the last few weeks.
SELECTIONS: 9.DEFENDANT, 7.PRINCE’S TRUST, 5.MUHARRIB & 2.JAMMY GUEST
S1-2 Superlative Stakes
This is the first of the day’s 2yo races, which sees a number of Royal Ascot runners renew hostilities, but my preference is for one who skipped that meeting altogether. It is the Godolphin-trained OUTSTRIP, who has had only one start when winning a Newmarket maiden over this trip in a race that over the years has produced some decent winners. He won that day impressively, overcoming the pace bias by racing down the centre and looks sure to kick on from that. He is beautifully bred by EXCEED AND EXCEL out of the Grade 1 winning ASI SIEMPRE and if he is half as good as his parents, he’ll take some beating here.
SOMEWHAT is a very eye-catching runner, with Johnny Murtagh taking the ride aboard this Mark Johnston entrant. Both trainer and jockey love a winner at this meeting and look to have a good chance here with this son of DYNAFORMER who will love the quick ground. A convincing winner on debut at Musselburgh by 7 lengths, he ran a good race in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot when he showed plenty of early speed, so expect him to be up in the front rank here.
Others to think about include GOOD OLD BOY LUKEY and RECANTED. GOOD OLD BOY LUKEY is a runner for Richard Fahey, who has booked leading rider Ryan Moore and only sends horses with a chance down to this meeting. Unbeaten in two starts at Hamilton over 1,000m and at Newcastle over 1,200m, he is stepping up in trip again, but as a son of SELKIRK, should have no problems with that. He is clearly progressive and although this is a big step up in class as well, he looks good enough to take it in his stride.
RECANTED who won easier than the winning margin suggests on his debut at Newbury over this trip. He seems held in high regard by connections and is sure to come on for that effort, as the 2yos of Brian Meehan often do.
SELECTIONS: 3.OUTSTRIP, 6.SOMEWHAT, 1.GOOD OLD BOY LUKEY & 4.RECANTED
S1-3 Bunbury Cup (Handicap)
A strong renewal of the Bunbury Cup over 1,400m sees 20 runners lining up, with Royal Hunt Cup winner BELGIAN BILL heading the weights. The five-year-old gelding has a four pound rise in ratings to contend with following his Royal Ascot success but still looks reasonably treated on his form from last year and the booking of Frankie Dettori will result in him vying for favouritism. The drop back to 1,400m should pose no problems as there is likely to be a strong pace and he will look to continue his form from three weeks ago.
BELGIAN BILL looks the most likely winner to me, but this is a competitive race and FIELD OF DREAM ran an eye-catching race at Royal Ascot in behind BELGIAN BILL as he had to check in his run on several occasions before running on strongly nearest to the stands’ side rails. Trained by Jamie Osborne, he looks to be well treated following runs in Meydan over the winter and a seasonal pipe-opener at Goodwood in May. However he has a high draw from stall 20 to contend with, so Adam Kirby is likely to ride his mount with restraint.
EMILIO LARGO ran a disappointing race in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot as he expected to go close following a cracking season debut over 1,200m at Ascot in May. At the age of five, he is still open to plenty of improvement as he gains experience in competitive handicaps and trainer James Fanshawe will be looking for a better run from his likeable sort.
GEORGE GURU has run three excellent races on his return to turf this season, most recently when staying on strongly over a mile at Sandown a month ago and he is another who is likely to benefit from the probable strong pace in this open handicap. Michael Attwater’s six year-old gelding is a particularly strong traveller and Kieren Fallon opts to ride him again in search of winning the Bunbury Cup for the third time. He looks to offer good each-way value and he is likely to come in for support from the UK punters.
SELECTIONS: 1.BELGIAN BILL, 5.FIELD OF DREAM, 10.EMILIO LARGO & 16.GEORGE GURU
S1-4 July Cup
With seven individual Group 1 winners standing their ground and four inter-continental challengers, The July Cup over 1,200m is shaping up to be one of the highest class and most international renewals ever. It is the joint-richest Group 1 sprint run in Europe (alongside Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes) and has £500,000 in prize money on offer for the centrepiece of the July Festival on Newmarket’s July Course.
This year’s race brings together the front 2 of the Kings’ Stand Stakes and front 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes from Royal Ascot. This is the coming together of the world’s best sprinters and the one I fancy most is SHEA SHEA from South Africa. He was just edged out by the fast-finishing Irish runner SOLE POWER in the Kings’ Stand Stakes, but looked an unlucky loser. He can gain compensation here, especially as trainer Mike de Dock expects him to improve massively for that run, as he hadn’t been able to get as much work into him as he would have liked pre-Ascot, having spent a month in quarantine. He is the track record holder at Meydan over 1,000m, but he has won over 1,200m and 1,400m back in South Africa, so I’m confident the trip will pose no problems.
A whole host of challengers line up behind him, chief of whom must be LETHAL FORCE, who won this year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes in breath-taking fashion, quickening away in the final 200m, to finish a clear 2 lengths in front of the rest. I have concerns that he may not handle the undulations of the July Course, but he was so impressive at Ascot, I think that won’t be a problem.
Another Royal Ascot winner who looks likely to line up here is 3yo GALE FORCE TEN, winner of the Jersey Stakes over 1,400m. Dropping them back in trip is a tactic that trainer Aidan O’Brien has used before, and in recent years other trainers have followed suit, none more so than David Simcock with DREAM AHEAD who won this in 2011, having dropped back in trip from his previous runs over 1,600m behind the great FRANKEL. GALE FORCE TEN has a similar profile and even though only a 3yo he has already had 10 runs, so he should have no worries taking on the more experienced, older horses.
For me, these are the three horses to beat, but it would be foolish to write off the rest of the field. The dangers include SOLE POWER, who won the King’s Stand Stakes winner, but who I think will struggle to see out the trip over the extra 200m here. However, if there is a strong early pace, then his fast finish may see him flying home into the places, so it would be sensible to include him in your permutations.
Also keep an eye out for SOCIETY ROCK who seems to save his best for Ascot and KRYPTON FACTOR who does looks to be coming back to his best, but is perhaps a little exposed now.
SELECTIONS: 6.SHEA SHEA, 4.LETHAL FORCE, 11.GALE FORCE TEN & 9.SOLE POWER
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (9 unit bets):
S1-3: Banker – 1.BELGIAN BILL
Selections – 5.FIELD OF DREAM, 10.EMILIO LARGO & 16.GEORGE GURU
S1-4: Banker – 6.SHEA SHEA
Selections – 4.LETHAL FORCE, 11.GALE FORCE TEN & 9.SOLE POWER
S1-5 2yo Conditions Stakes
A disappointing turnout for this race but there still looks a good chance of backing a winner in EMIRATES FLYER. Despite his inexperience, having had only 1 previous start when winning a Bath maiden, he shaped really nicely in the Norfolk Stakes when 5th behind the American speedball NO NAY NEVER. He was outpaced in the middle of the race before staying on strongly near the finish, so looks sure to get the extra 200m easily here, especially being stoutly bred out of GALAPAGAR by ACCLAMATION.
SELECTIONS: 1.EMIRATES FLYER
S1-6 2yo Handicap
Another disappointingly small field, but winning opportunities still exist, especially with the Richard Fahey-trained DUTCH COURAGE. She took 3 efforts to get off the mark, but did so in a manner that the step up to 1,400m here will do nothing but play to her strengths. Second in a decent, if no more, maiden on the Rowley Mile on her second start, she built upon that with victory last time out at Pontefract. She has improved with every run and although she doesn’t look like the sort to win by big margins, she seems game enough and in a small field like this where the race may become tactical, that mental aptitude may be the ace up the sleeve of rider Ryan Moore.
There are plenty of dangers however, none more so than with MALACHIM MIST for the top 2yo yard of Richard Hannon. He has notched up 2 wins from 4 starts, at the short odds of 1.33 last time out when looking a little coltish and green in the final stages. He clearly has lots of natural ability, but hasn’t quite got it right in the head. However, this looks a good opportunity for him and if he can settle in the early stages, he may be good enough to simply power away, but that is a big if!
SELECTIONS: 2.DUTCH COURAGE & 1.MALACHIM MIST
S1-7 3yo+ 71-90 Handicap
I’m hoping that PETHER’S MOON can give us a winner to finish the day off. He is only rated 90, but has always looked a Group horse in the making to me. Last seen in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, ignore his finishing position of 11th. Denied a run 3 times in the home straight, he was only beaten 4¾ lengths by the winner and crossed the winning post firmly on the bridle and full of running. He has always been well regarded by connections, expect him to be staying on strongly over a trip that is sure to suit this stoutly bred son of DYLAN THOMAS.
COUSIN KHEE has spent quite a bit of time hurdling and still remains unexposed on the flat. He put in a good effort at Carlisle last time out over 2,200m, so should appreciate the step up to a trip that will make the most of his stamina. He is sure to be staying on strongly near the finish under a typical Ryan Moore drive.
WILLIE WAG TAIL shaped well over this trip on his seasonal debut at Newmarket when a never nearer 7th, but he had been gelded over the winter and so it may just take him a little time to get over that. He is sure to come on for the run, but prepare for a rocky ride if you back him as he is sure to be held up, so will require some luck in running.
A final contender to put in your permutations is HARRY BUCKLE. Not seen since being well beaten in the Listed Winter Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield back in February. He had previously been very progressive with 2 wins in 3 starts over this trip during the winter at Lingfield. It is obviously a big ask for him to be able to translate that All-Weather form to the Turf, especially as he has never won on the grass, but if he handles the quick ground, there is no reason that he can’t be competitive off a mark of 87.
SELECTIONS: 5.PETHER’S MOON, 4.COUSIN KHEE, 1.WILLIE WAG TAIL & 3.HARRY BUCKLE
TREBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: 1.EMIRATES FLYER
S1-6: 2.DUTCH COURAGE & 1.MALACHIM MIST
S1-7: 5.PETHER’S MOON & 4.COUSIN KHEE
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