I'd be quite annoyed with Hannon constantly trying to move Dick Turpin around if I was the owner of the horse - he has beaten CC twice, and his form in the French Guineas got a very good boost with Lope de Vega's win on Sunday. There's only one race he should be running in next week.
The 2000 Guineas (and beyond)
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davidjohnson
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Dick Turpin doesn't have form as good as Makfi or Canford Cliffs. He'd be third or fourth fav for the St James's Palace whereas he'd be the form choice and one to beat in the Jersey, with the possibility of proving even more effective at 7f than 8f. If I owned him, I'd be happy to go the Jersey route.
Even if it doesn't get bigger that is value in my opinion.
chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
Granted, but he already has a Group 2 win and a Group 3 win on his cv, he deserves another crack at a Group 1. I realise the prestige of any win at Royal Ascot, but surely Dick Turpin is a Group 1 horse.
I agree.
DJ, his form may be a pound or so below the other two, but can't be much more. Plus, there is every chance he can improve again. With such small margins in form at such a stage of a 3yo's career, and the fact he has beaten the favourite twice now this season, I think it would be lunacy not to let him run in the St James' Palace.
Also, I don't think the Jersey is a good enough race for a dual Guineas runner up.
chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
This will be a great race regardless. It will be interesting to see how much Steinbeck comes on for his run at the Curragh. I'm expecting a big improvement.
There will need to be an enormous improvement to trouble CC.
chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
You are certainly right there, I was at the Curragh and Canford Cliffs was mighty impressive, but I think Steinbeck will be much closer to him than at the Curragh though.
Interesting article from Will Hayler - can't say I see where he's coming from.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/10/siyouni-cliffs-royal-ascot
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/10/siyouni-cliffs-royal-ascot
I too believe the Jersey is probably the best route. It's important to win at Group level for him now, he's already proved he's good enough to be placed in classics. Getting beaten in the St James's Palace will do nothing to advance his reputation, but actually winning another Group race at lower level probably would. He'll also be very effective at 7 furlongs. I too would be happy for him to take part in the Jersey if I owned him, it should prove right up his street.
I'd fancy Siyouni and Steinbeck to run big races in this. They will need to run huge races to overturn Canford though, assuming he runs to form. I've backed Canford at 13/8. My only bet of the meeting so far.
I'll probably be looking to back Ask at the moment in the Gold Cup, but can't see too much value in the ante-post books.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
Managed to get a score matched at 4 on the machine yesterday afternoon about Makfi. The price difference between the two market leaders is too much.
davidjohnson
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He is already a winner at Group 2 (Richmond) and 3 (Greenham) level, I just think he falls short of the standard of top-class at 1m. If I owned him, I'd rather have a good shot at winning the Jersey than finishing placed in the St James' Palace. Might be better for his prospects later in the season if they want to go the 6f/7f route.
Couldn't agree more.
I know he won the Guineas well, but I'd expect a handful to progress past this one. Canford of course already has.
davidjohnson
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Why would you 'expect' horses to progress past Makfi? Isn't he as unexposed or more so than anything else.
Seems like he was ready very early and being so precocious they went for the Guineas knowing he'd run the race of his life. Those in behind the French horse probably have a fair bit better to come (especially O'Brien's) and Canford has already progressed past this form. This is not to say that Makfi won't improve again, but I get the feeling we've already seen his race.
In that he was ready earlier to show his best form, yes I believe so.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
But if Canford Cliffs had run in a straight line and maybe been ridden with a tad more restraint in the Greenham he'd have won that race by a couple of lengths easily. You could also argue that if Xtension bounced at the Curragh then CC beat not much in that race and he might be overrated.
Canford has run to a massively higher rating in Ireland than before. Straight line or not he has left the Greenham form behind him.
Bar the Bull
At the Start
I wouldn't describe Makfi as precocious, seeing as he was shown the door by his trainer as a 2yo.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
I'm only 80% he deserves such a high rating. I also think Hughes is very capable of ballsing the ride up. He's worth taking on at any rate.