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My notebook runners

Lunar Melody was slowly away, raced wide and ran on quite nicely to finish fifth. Quite well backed, but looked as though she was just out for the experience.

5:45 Wolverhampton, Uncertainty went into the notebook after her debut run in a Class 4 at Newbury - 10/7 ran very green when push came to shove and didn’t have a clear path, but the penny seemed to drop late on and she finished well. - following that she was very disappointing upped to Class 2 at Goodwood. That was followed by a reasonable third back at Newbury, but it was Class 5 - 11/8 showed that she needs decent ground after her disappointing debacle in the mud last time. She didn’t get the clearest of runs this time and she would otherwise have run the winner much closer. Stick with her for a bit.- Stays at Class 5 today at Wolverhampton where she tries the AW first time and upped again to 7f. It all smacks to me of not quite knowing what to do with her, so it’ll only be a small interest unless the market says otherwise.

6:15 Wolverhampton, Vronti went in after a fine second at Kempton- 6/8 after a fairly sedate pace throughout the race Vronti quickened from two out going well clear only to be nuttted on the line by the favourite who had come from the back in an eye popping run. The pack were out of sight seven lengths and more behind. - After that she was upped to Class 2 at Goodwood and got done into second again - 23/8 ran very well in the lead and got nabbed by what looked a classy debutante and running a personal best. Worth another chance. - Today she’s down at Class 5 and I think she’ll take some beating. Gone to evens just now, from 2/1 last night and 7/4 opening this morning.
 
4:02 Haydock, Division - 23/8 lost position two out, but came again and ran on well in final furlong to finish second. - Looks a two horse race with Aliminos and he moved into favouritism (evens at the moment) from that one overnight. He cost a few bob and if he’s anything like worth it he should win this. Well see.
 
Division won very nicely, but with Alaminos not firing he didn’t really have anything to beat.

2:07 Haydock, 1 mile Class 3. Lyrics Of Life made her debut in a Class 2 over 6 furlongs at Newmarket in May. For some reason she was a warm favourite, but was really disappointing, proving as green as grass and in the rear throughout. Came out again in August, again at Newmarket in a Class 4 over a mile. This time she went in the notebook - 8/8 didn’t get a clear run from 2f out, but switched and ran on to a good second well clear of the rest. The favourite today - Legacy Link - was third in that race on her debut - well behind, but wasn’t given a hard time.
 
The market called it and Legacy Link won easy as you like. Lyrics Of Life drifted which made her a “no bet”. I ignored the rule (naughty), but at least it stopped me having a full bet.

6:12 Wolverhampton: Census made his debut in a Class 3 at Haydock over 1m2f - 8/8 it was quite a decent debut run by Census in third, couldn’t get a run where it mattered and wasn’t knocked about. He’ll do better, I think. - this one today is a Class 5.

1:50 Haydock: Publish was unlucky in a Class 2 at Sandown - 4/7 was locked into the rail and found no way out until being switched late on losing two lengths on the winner in the process, recovered one and a half of them in the last fifty yards. Would likely have won easily with a run, but unfortunately everyone else will be thinking so, too.- Everyone did and he won well next time when 4/7 favourite in a lowly Class 4, again at Sandown. He showed a lot of grit that day holding on against a persistent second with the rest four lengths away. Upped to Class 1 today and the market sees it as a two horse race between him and Bow Echo.

4:35 Thirsk: Tawasol went in the book after a led all the way run in a Class 4 at Doncaster - 18/5 won impressively off 82 and if the handicapper doesn’t go mad (as he might). Can go in again. Next came Newmarket - 10/7 upped 11lbs and upped to Class 2, he ran abysmally and looked as though he couldn’t cut it at the higher class, but plenty of money came for him at 9/2 favourite. Here he is today down a bit to Class 3 and would be in with a chance if forgiving the last run “trainer could offer no explanation for the poor form shown”. Probably should leave him alone.
 
Sunday 7th September

Census had his head in just the right place at just the right time and hung on for the win. I thought Publish had come to win his race and then, wham, Bow Echo suddenly shot ahead. The commentator thought they’d bumped and caused Publish to lose momentum, but I didn’t see it. They had started the day with Publish a marginal favourite, but the money came flooding for Bow Echo who started odds-on with Publish drifting to 11/4 I was already aboard Publish, but, like the day before, at least I was stopped from adding. A couple of good ones, I think. Lastly, Tawasol seemed to give up the ghost again and looks over faced beyond Class 4.

4:00 York. Tycoon won a Class 5 and was jumped into the Listed Cocked Hat at Goodwood where he came third of eight - 24/5 looked at home in this Class. With leader a little over a furlong out, but no extra (and winner appeared from the back). He followed that making his handicap debut in a Class 2 at Ascot where he ran in the Amo Racing colours who had stumped up £600k for him the day before the race. He finished an undistinguished eighth. Since then he has left the Gosdens for Amo’s new trainer Philippart De Foy. He’s a watch today unless the market starts shouting (14/1 at the moment and moving the wrong way).
 
Apparently nothing was expected from Tycoon who drifted out to 22/1, but he easily outran his odds and finished sixth. He raced prominently, but seemed to be taken off his feet a bit when push came to shove and that looked the end of him. He rallied back into it, though, then lost a bit, rallied again and then allowed to finish without being given a hard time. He’ll be worth a go next time unless the market says no.

2:32 Windsor: Poison Arrow makes his debut and he’s in the notebook purely as a watch.
 
I was sore tempted as Poison Arrow’s price tumbled from 17/2 to 7/2 at the off, but I stuck to the ‘purely a watch’ plan (which is not always the case). I have awarded myself a pat on the back! In the race itself he was slowly away, but had a reasonable position with two to go. Didn’t find much as push came to shove and finished a mid field fifth.

2:50 Leicester: Zanthos cost €1million at the breeze-ups and won on her debut, a Class 2 at Newmarket, as easy as you like - 9/8 she looked impressive and the time was good, but it’s difficult to know what she beat. Learn more next time. Today, I wonder what she is doing in a Class 4 where she should be a shoe-in and really heavy odds-on to boot. I don’t bet odds-on (too many burned fingers), but 8/11 opening this morning looked generous - 8/13 now. I suppose the Burrows filly might be special, but she’ll need to be.
 
And that’s why I don’t back odds-on. 4/11f was Zanthos and beat everything else easily, but wouldn’t have troubled the winner even if that one had been carrying a bag of cement extra. They’re both smart, I think, and it looks like Touleen is much the smarter.
 
3:08 Doncaster - unfortunately two in the same race here and both of them with the Gosdens (they’ve got another two in it as well). Should leave alone, really, but might get tempted by one or both.

Danielle: ran very well up to today’s distance last time in the Group 2 Lillie Langtry lat Goodwood - 2/8 first run of the year and just lost out to the winner after a sustained battle, with the rest well adrift. She’s easily the more proven of the two and she’ll like the ground.

Crepe Suzette: first time at Class1 level she put in a very good performance last time in the Listed Galtres at York - 21/8 put up a massive personal best. Outpaced coming from the back with the winner, but finished the stronger and closed right up to go down by a head.- She goes up a couple of furlongs today and to Group 2 level, so she needs to jump up another notch or two again. Not tested on anything with soft in the description.

1:37 Epsom - St Anton: I thought it was quite a promising debut at Newmarket - 22/8 lost position two out, but rallied well and finished well into third. Look for further. - the price is pretty skinny, though, since anything can jump out of the woodwork. Missed the 5/4 this morning and gone to 4/6 now, so just a watch.
 
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Pretty depressing day even though I didn’t lose a penny. Not by choice, dragged out shopping and just didn’t get home in time to have a bet.

I thought St Anton was a bit unlucky. He was bumped off balance (twice) a couple out, but rallied well to go down by less than a length. Not sure he would have beaten the one out of the woodwork, though, but I’ll keep him in the notebook for now.

Danielle raced up with the pace and seemed to respond when push came to shove, but didn’t have much left in the tank in the last half furlong and got nobbled for third by her stable companion Crepe Suzette. That one upped her game again and looked quite at home at this level.

I was also interested in watching Pacifica Pier in the nursery, but I was also a bit surprised to see him running because I had heard he’d been coughing. Don’t know how true that was (if true, they kept quiet about it in the steward’s room) but I’ll ignore the run to be on the safe side.

The performance of PACIFICA PIER (IRE), which started second-favourite and finished unplaced, beaten by 11 lengths, was considered. It was noted that the representative of Charlie Appleby could offer no explanation for the gelding’s performance on this occasion. The Veterinary Officer examined PACIFICA PIER (IRE) post-race and had nothing to report.


Today in the 1:30 at Doncaster it’s really frustrating to have three turn up in the same race. It’s very competitive anyway, but now only a watch unless the market beckons.

Avicenna won a Class 3 here at Doncaster on his only run -16/8 good debut run (would have been tuned up for it) still a bit green, but ran on nicely to win easily. Lot more to come. - Godolphin owned like the favourite Catullus albeit in different stables.

NON RUNNER. Catullus went in the notebook in July - 24/7 made Publish fight for it all the way with the rest nowhere to be found.- and then he delivered in a canter next time at Yarmouth as his I/14 price expected. This one is a different kettle of fish at Listed level, but Publish went some way to franking the form when second in a Listed race at Haydock.

Electrical was a surprise 25/1 winner over six furlongs at Newbury - 3/7 Electrical looked a strong runner winning this and breeding suggests he’ll be better over longer. - he’ll be better suited by the extra furlong, but it’ll be an even bigger surprise if he wins today according to the market.
 
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Blimey! That took years off me and I haven’t many left to play with. With Catullus a non-runner I was rather more hopeful about Avicenna. I didn’t think he’d got there, but he had by a nostril. Decent price, too. As expected Electrical didn’t feature, he stumbled a furlong out, but it made no difference. He’d still have come last.

3:00 Doncaster - Room Service went in the notebook after a fine run in the Group 3 Criterion at York - 28/6 finished very strongly, taking four horses in the last half furlong. Really good run considering he needs more juice in the ground to be seen at his best. - following that run he was disappointing at the Curragh in a Group 2 where he looked a bit out of his depth as the field moved away from him when push came to shove. He’ll be happier if there’s more juice in the ground today, but I’m really waiting for him to be set an easier task.

4:15 Doncaster - unfortunately, I’ve again got two in the same race who just happen to be the two contesting favouritism!! It looks a close call between them at the moment and I ought not play.

Nova Centauri was a good third in a Class 2 at Newbury and at 16/1 probably well exceeded expectations - 16/8 this was a fine debut run and he was strong in the finish and kept on well. - He is the one who impressed me the more of the two.

Del Maro was favourite when coming second in a Class 4 at Newmarket - 16/8 very well supported he lost lengths with a slow start and finished very strongly, but the earlier catching up effort told.
 
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Room Service got his ground, but showed again, I think, that he’s over faced at this level. I’ll keep waiting. Nova Centauri was withdrawn which should have meant Del Maro would become fairly big odds-on. He didn’t which was a danger sign - going I guess. Nonetheless I had a small one when I saw 11/10. Silly.

Only one on home soil (mine, anyway) today and two over the water that I should only watch really.

1:55 Doncaster: Something Splendid put in a personal best last time even though he was unlucky - 29/8 didn’t get a clearest of runs run, then baulked and lost momentum just when it mattered. Finished strongly, just failed to make it and was ahead a stride past the line.- He’ll have his ground today

2:40 Curragh: Venetian Sun - 20/6 before she won impressively in this Group 3, Karl Burke said “I think VENETIAN SUN is a a very special filly. The work she has done at home, I haven't had a 2yo filly do work like it; just the last six weeks. She's kicking older group horses out the way at home. I worked a good, old work horse with her about a month ago or just after her debut and I had to work her with another good one that I knew was reliable and she did the same to him and I'm talking 110 rated horses. I think she's very special” - Since then,she’s won again in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket and the Group1 Prix Morny at Deauville. I think she’ll be hard to beat, but she’s never raced without firm somewhere in the description and she’s got an extra furlong to cope with.

4:25 Curragh: Amiloc went into the notebook after winning a Listed at Goodwood - 2/5 won impressively with a very strong finish and can probably go up in distance a bit. More to come.- Following that he won the Group 2 King Edward VII at Royal Ascot - 20/6 won well on ground too firm, I doubt he would have run if it wasn’t Royal Ascot. He had a hard race, but there’s more to come.- and it’s no surprise he’s been given plenty of time to get over it. This one is his first at the very top table and over a distance well beyond that he has tried before. With those question marks price is very skinny, but he was 7/1 last evening and 5/2 at the moment.
 
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Something Splendid ran well in second. I thought he was squeezed up a furlong out and had to be switched, but the stewards stayed mute. I thought they rather ganged up on Venetian Sun and kept her boxed in until it was far too late. Mind you, she didn’t really do much when in the clear - although she kept on and pinched third - so the jury is still out on whether she likes it soft and/or the distance. Amiloc looked to have won his race until he started running on empty and the winner sailed by. Still a good second, though, which was a fine run in this company.
 
2:25 Yarmouth: Division looked promising on his Class 5 debut at Windsor - 23/8 lost position two out, but came back and ran on well in final furlong to finish second. After that he was jumped to Class 3 at Haydock - 4/9 won as he liked, but had nothing to beat really. Heavy odds-on today, so just a watch.

3:25 Yarmouth: Nova Centauri was withdrawn late on at Doncaster on Saturday (unsuitable ground). It looks only a bit better today. On his only run he was a good third in a Class 2 at Newbury and at 16/1 probably well exceeded expectations - 16/8 this was a fine debut run and he was strong in the finish and kept on well.
 
barjon said:
3:25 Yarmouth: Nova Centauri was withdrawn late on at Doncaster on Saturday (unsuitable ground). It looks only a bit better today. On his only run he was a good third in a Class 2 at Newbury and at 16/1 probably well exceeded expectations - 16/8 this was a fine debut run and he was strong in the finish and kept on well.
Click to expand...
Didn't Slim flag this up,recently?
 
Division won as a 2/7 shot should. Good to put a W in the notebook, but no bet doesn’t put any butter on the bread. Don’t know what to make of Nova Centauri, that he was a bit keen early on couldn’t have excused a pretty average run. Maybe he just likes firmish ground. Be just a watch next time.

They have persisted in running Modern Utopia at Listed level and I don’t think she is up to it. Since the noted run at Goodwood she has run twice more at Listed level and been found wanting in both. 8/6 Modern Utopia was upped in Class and tried in the Cheshire Oaks over the furthest - 1m31/2f - she has run, but didn’t feature in the race won by Friday’s Oaks winner Minnie Hauk and looked outclassed at the Listed level. Today, she was slowly away - but she’s usually held up anyway - and stayed at the back until inside the last couple of furlongs and although she made good progress she had nothing extra when push came to shove, just making fourth at the death. She had her preferred going this time in another Listed race, although not of the calibre of the last one. My interest was to see if she’s comfortable at a less competitive Listed level and I don’t think she is. She didn’t run badly, though and I reckon she’ll win if dropped in Class. This one today is Listed again and I’ll hold off once more.
 
Thursday 18th September

Same tactics for Modern Utopia, but began her move a bit earlier after three out. Got to leading group and was thereabouts one out, but couldn’t compete when push came to shove. I really, really want to see her eased in class. Nothing lost by waiting, even MC couldn’t tempt me.
 
Well, Slim might think the jumps is a bucket of shit, but I can’t wait to jump in.

I’m rapidly losing interest in the flat support acts and I’m sitting impatiently in the stalls listening to the orchestra tuning up. Alas, the curtains are still drawn, but the main act and its stars are awhinnying and aneighing in the wings.

The biggest star for me will be Constitution Hill, that Stradivarius of the ensemble who broke a few strings when he last topped the bill. Can the Maestro Henderson conjure a new tune from him as he has done with others so many times before? Answers on a postcard, please.

Nothing on the flat today.
 
Saturday 20th September

It’s getting towards the fag end of the season when odd results abound as horses jump out of the woodwork to win their winter corn. Extra care required and mostly half stakes.

1:35 Newmarket: Alfareqa - after her notebook entry in April - 26/4 Won easily despite running very green, lots more to come - she was then tried in a class 4 at Leicester (her best performance) then went for the Sandringham at Ascot where she disappointed - 20/6 disappointed at Royal Ascot ran a bit green again and never really asked for anything. Keep watching.- not sure why we haven’t seen her since. A bit iffy, but watch the market

4:30 Newmarket: Census - 8/8 it was quite a decent debut run by Census in third, couldn’t get a run where it mattered and wasn’t knocked about. He’ll do better, I think - He then went down in class (from 3 to 5) on the AW and won, although he was pushed hard. If ratings are to be believed he ran to about the same standard as previously. Now up a tad to Class 4, he’s probably just a watch.

3:15 Newbury: Words Of Truth was gelded after his debut in May and then won a decent Class 2 over six furlongs at Ascot. Dropped to Class 4 for his notebook run it was easy meat - 23/8 won this without trying. Doubtless will be upped in Class. - he has indeed been upped in class today in the Group 2 Mill Reef and faces opponents who’ve been running at Group level.
 
Really good win by Words Of Truth and a nice price, too. He’s a good un. Market said nothing and no excuses for Alfareqa, although I suppose he might benefit from the run. Census drifted from overnight and can come out of the book now.
 

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