THE WINNING LINE UK BLOG: August 2009

30th August 2009 - Race Review

Sunday, 30 August 2009 at 14:51 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Termagent stayed on strongly to cause an upset in the Gp1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and in doing so she put herself in the reckoning for Classic success in 2010. However, the form should be treated with caution as the ground was extremely testing and it appeared to find out many of these inexperienced juvenile fillies. The fact that Famous finished 2nd suggested it was a case of how well the fillies handled the ground rather than their natural ability and it's likely the result would have been different on better ground.

That shouldn't distract too much from the winning performance of Kevin Prendergast's filly, Termagent, who came into the race after winning a Leopardstown maiden on good ground. She's likely to be seen to best effect over 8f-10f in time and she's one to keep on the right side when faced with testing ground again.

The selection Long Lashes travelled well for a long way but her effort ended quickly and although she had won her debut on soft ground she probably didn't take well to this far more testing surface. The ground could also be to blame for the defeat of Lillie Langtry but she didn't let herself down in 3rd.

29th August 2009 - Race Review

Saturday, 29 August 2009 at 17:29 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

On his debut for Godolphin Delegator comfortably confirmed his superior over the opposition in the Gp2 Celebration Mile. He was dropped in class by his new connections and he duly delievered, showing an impressive turn of foot to pass Zacinto and the long time leader Ordnance Row.

Godolphin appeared to have purchased a Gp1 winner waiting to happen and thhe acceleration he produced was the mark of a high-class sort, if he gets his conditions then he has to be respected wherever he's entered.

The bare form should be treated with caution though as the early pace was steady and several contenders pulled for their heads. Both Mac Love and Beacon Lodge caught the eye as they flashed home and they would have claims of reversing the form with Zacinto, who himself pulled early and is open to further improvement.

Although he had the benefit of the run of the race this was a much better performance from Orndance Row and he could be returning to form, but he would be unlikely to confirm form with many of today's rivals off a even gallop. Even so he will be of interest back in Gp3/Listed company next time.

28th August 2009 - Race Review

at 15:24 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Honours were shared in the Sip-Plc.com Ideas, Advice and Capital Handicap as both Merchant Of Dubai and Recession Proof were deemed to have cross the line on equal terms. Followers of the selection, Merchant Of Dubai, can count themselves a little lucky as it appeared that Recession Proof had just got his head in front before the line, but, as the photo proved, the pair could not be separated on the nod.

It was a fine effort from both horses but in particularly Recession Proof who was stepped up to staying distances for the first time and proved conclusively that he stays, he's worth following in similar company next time.

The Argenine Gp2 winner, Rugell, produced his best effort yet in the UK and he's shown improved form on every start for Henry Cecil. He ran well before his stamina appeared to wilt so dropped slightly in trip he looks one to keep an eye out for in a similar event next time.

26th August 2009 - Race Review

Wednesday, 26 August 2009 at 16:11 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Just Lille proved unequivalently that she stays 15f when running on well to win the Turftv h'cap. A consistent and admiral mare she proved best the best horse on the day whilst the selection, Ermine Sea, produced a disappointing performance and she's one to avoid at present. The form isn't much to write home about and there's nothing in behind which caught the eye.

25th August 2009 - Race Review

at 16:02 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Mingun Bell took well to fibresand on his first start on the surface and he ran out a ready winner of the this novice stakes for juveniles. He simply outclassed his rivals and he looks worth keeping on the right side of for the rest of 2009.

The selection Florio Vincitore stayed on well on his first attempt at a mile and he looks sure to benefit form a step up to middle distances as a 3yo next year. He's shown his best form on this surface though so he's likely to prove nothing more than a decent all weather handicapper.

24th August 2009 - Race Review

at 15:50 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Lethal Glaze stayed on dourly to get up in the final strides of the Day Time, Night Time, Great Time Handcap at Kempton. The selection, Becausewecan, had the run of the race out in front and he appeared to have the race in the bag for most of the home straight before Lethal Glaze started to motor at the finish. The winner stays further and the way he ran suggested he would benefit from a return to 14f and he looks one to follow next time. Nothing else got into the race from behind and it would be foolish to ignore State Banquet and Bawadi based on this evidence.

23rd August 2009 - Race Review

at 15:25 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Before the off this looked the best juvenile race of 2009 and it didn't disappoint with the longstanding track record broken by the eventual winner, Arcano.

Despite the small field all contenders were previous Gp winners and the favourite Canford Cliffs was ante-post favourite for the 2000 Guineas thanks to his 6l win in the Gp2 Coventry Stakes. In the end he was beaten into third by Gp2 July Stakes winner Arcano and the Gp2 Robert Papin Stakes winner Special Duty. Although connections were quick to search for excuses for Canford Cliffs both rivals look genuine Gp1 juveniles and those in behind look little worse so he may have just found the opposition too stiff at this stage.

Arcano produced a performance which suggested he'd benefit from a step up to 7f and he should prove hard to beat if lining up in the Gp1 Dewhurst Stakes. He's been rightly installed as ante-post favourite for the 2000 Guineas and at this stage he is the form pick with plenty of scope for further progression.

The selection, Special Duty, tried to win it the hard way from the front but she was caught in the final strides by Arcano. She still showed signs of inexperience though and she has scope to improve further despite her pedigree suggesting she'll prove best a 2yrs.

22nd August 2009 - Race Review

Monday, 24 August 2009 at 11:14 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Munsef supplemented his win in a competitive handicap at Ascot last time with this victory in the Listed Chester h'cap Stakes. In fact the form of that Ascot event was replicated at Chester with the first three filling exactly the same order as they did a month previously. However it appears unlikely he'll be able to record a hat-trick as the 7yo son of Zafonic will need to improve to win off what looks likely will be a mark in the low 110s.

Of those in behind probably the eyecatcher was one of the selections, Basaltico. He appeared to be struggling for pace three furlongs from home but kept on finding to stay on into 4th. He looks likely to benefit from a more galloping track and he's more than capable of winning a similar h'cap in 2009. The other selection, course specialist Cheshire Prince, could not get the prominent position he revels in and he didn't appear to stay his first attempt at 14f.

18th August 2009 - Race Review

at 09:54 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

The Gp1 Juddmonte International Stakes was the highlight on the opening day of York's Ebor festival and it was the next stop on Sea The Stars quest for equine immortality. The 2000 Guineas, Derby and Eclipse winner had scared away all but Mastercraftsman but despite the disappointing turn out the race itself more than lived up to expectations.

After the pacesetters dropped away 2½ furlongs from home Mastercraftsman took up the running but was soon ridden as the Guineas and Derby winner travelled smoothly in behind. However there were a few anxious moments for favourite backers as Sea The Stars came under pressure and appeared to hit a flat spot approaching the furlong marker. However such concerns were quickly put to bed by his trademark turn of foot and in the end he comfortably defeated Mastercraftsman by a length. The winning time smashed the previous course record and both horses look almost certain to add to their tally of Gp1 wins in 2009.

Website back up and running

Friday, 21 August 2009 at 15:46 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

The Winning Line UK has been experiencing connection problems since Tuesday and unfortunately the daily previews haven't been able to have been uploaded to the site. These issues have been resolved so normal service will be resumed.

York Ebor Festival Preview

Monday, 17 August 2009 at 11:21 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Extremes of ground had become the norm at York racecourse in recent times but twelve months the racecourse received 11 inches of overnight rain and the four-day Ebor festival was abandoned for the first time in it's 165 year history. Since then the £2.5 million drainage system has been completed and the ground has proven far more consistent in 2009. The Ebor festival returns tomorrow for the first time in two years and the forecast suggests the Knavesmire will be drenched only glorious summer sun.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the week is the presence of the Equine Usain Bolt, Sea The Stars. The ground has remained in his favour and his presence has scared off all but Mastercraftsman. The Gp1 International Stakes has been reduced to effectively a match race but it would be folly to write off the chances of Mastercraftsman and he could at least give the 2000 Guineas, Derby and Eclipse winner a run for his money. Also on Day 1 is the traditional prestige St Leger trial, the Great Voltigeur Stakes, and it's a good renewal so the winner will have to be given plenty of respect if lining up at Doncaster next month.

The feature of Day 2 and the race which gives this meeting it's name is the Ebor Handicap. It's become a handicap for Gp horses in recent seasons and the top weight Warringah is an interesting contender. Supporting the Ebor on Day 2 is the Gp2 Gimcrack Stakes which is ususually won by a high-class juvenile and the Gp2 Longsdale Stakes which has been won by some great stayers in the past.

It's time for the Equine and Human fillies to strut their stuff on Day 3 and the highlight of Ladies day is the Gp1 Yorkshire Oaks. Much like Sea The Stars, Sariska has scarred away the opposition and she's likely to be hard to beat. The juvenile fillies also line up for the Gp2 Lowther Stakes earlier on the card and there will be plenty of promising performers on show including the Gp23 Albany Stakes winner Habaayib.

The highlight on the final day of the Ebor festival is the lightning quick Gp1 Nunthorpe Stakes and it will be interesting to see how the 2yo, Radiohead, will fare against the 2007 winner of this race, Kingsgate Native.

There will be plenty of competitive handicaps and other pattern races to sink our teeth into and with the weather set fair it's likely to be an excellent four days racing.

17th August 2009 - Race Review

at 10:57 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Godolphin have been in excellent form recent and Khor Dubai returned to winning form the Kempton.co.uk Handicap. He had been running well in some better races in 2009 but was below form at Goodwood last time and questions were asked about his resolution. In the race though such concerns were put to bed and he ran out a more comfortable winner than the final margin suggests. The form is best treated with caution though as there were plenty of questionable types close in behind and it's probably wise not to come to any hard and fast conclusions.

The tentative selection, Mac's Power, was well backed before the off but he could only stay on steadily to finish 6th and there was no sign of the blistering turn of foot he showed in a lower grade last time. He at least proved he stays 7f though and dropped back down in class he looks capable of winning another h'cap in 2009.

16th August 2009 - Race Review

Sunday, 16 August 2009 at 09:58 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Casual Conquest returned to form to win the Gp2 Royal Whip Stakes and he was always holding the persistent challenge of Curtain Call. A strong galloping type with plenty of stamina the rain before racing had softened the ground to the winners favour favour and the selection, Curtain Call, couldn't utilise his superior speed over the distance. It remains to be seen how this form will work out at a higher level but on better ground Casual Conquest will always look vulnerable to pace. The front two both look solid Gp2 performers and are likely to struggle in genuine Gp1 contests in 2009.

The front pair pulled well clear of the opposition and the half-a-point thrown away on Deauville Vision failed to pay dividends as she could only plug on for a remote 4th.

15th August 2009 - Race Review

Saturday, 15 August 2009 at 13:24 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

It didn't look a vintage renewal of the Gp2 Hungerford Stakes beforehand but with Evasive running well below his best the form looks suspect at this level. Take nothing away from the winner though as Balthazaar's Gift demolished the opposition after showing a blistering turn of foot inside the final furlong. He had previously shown good form in Gp1 company a few seasons ago but hadn't shown that sort of form for a considerable time until today. Although he's never been one to trust implicitly if he can reproduce that performance again he looks capable of winning another Gp2 before the seasons end.

Those in behind look no better than Gp3 class performers at the moment and so it was disappointing to see the selection Al Muheer finish in last place. He was a progressive performer beforehand and looked capable of showing enough improvement to figure prominently, but he never really threatened. He shouldn't be written off just yet though and he looks capable of making his mark in pattern company in 2009.

The biggest disappointment of the race must be the favourite Evasive. Unless an excuse emerges it seems likely that he hasn't thrived since the switche of stables but even at his best though he may have had a fight on his hands with the eventual winner Balthazaar's Gift.

14th August 2009 - Race Review

Friday, 14 August 2009 at 11:39 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

In a race full of dubious characters Ajhar only needed to return to form to win the Burghley Horse Trials Conditions Stakes. He faced a fairly straightforward task in the end with the favourite Democrate running no sort of race and the likes of Cape Express and Moon Sister running below their best. His nearest rival proved to be course specialist Classic Punch but that rival is irresolute in a battle and he was readily brushed aside to finish a creditable 2nd. Despite being a weak race Ajhar is bred to thrive as a 4yo and he warrants plenty of respected back in pattern company.

Of the rest, Cape Express will be of interested returned to the all weather and Merchant Of Dubai ran an encouraging race on his reappearance over a trip short of his optimum. It's not form to get excited about though and the those in behind need to be treated with caution.

13th August 2009 - Race Review

Thursday, 13 August 2009 at 13:42 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Mac Love may have drifted in the market but belied his odds of 25/1 and the rank outsider ran out a ready winner of the Gp3 Sovereign Stakes. The form looks strong as well with those in behind, including the favourite and main selection Confront, seemingly running up to form. Steff Liddard's 8yo looks to have a great chance of winning again if contesting a similar event next time and the son of Cape Cross may even enjoy a step up to 10f.

The main selection, Confront, put up a bold show but he just lacked the pace of the winner inside the final furlong and in time he's likely to prove effective over 10f+. Laa Rayb is a quirky individual and he flattered to deceive again, finding little off the bridle. The rest had their limitations exposed and they'll be of more interest down in class.

12th August 2009 - Race Review

Wednesday, 12 August 2009 at 17:25 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Ave continued on an upward curve in the Listed Upavon Fillies Stakes and she ran out a ready winner from the back to form Splashdown. Both fillies look up to winning more races in pattern company in 2009 and as 10f would appear to be the optimum trip for both they could meet again this season.

The front pair pulled clear of Marcus Tregoning's Sterling Sound who as hinted at comfortably out ran her price. However such foresight couldn't extent to the selection, Cape Amber, and she looked a shadow of the filly who finished 2nd in the Gp3 Musidora on her reappearance in 2008. She deserves another chance though as it may prove she needed the run and she'll prove more effective when learning to settle better.

11th August 2009 - Race Review

at 02:32 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

A typical conditions sprint race for a track like Nottingham and whilst Biniou had been running consistently well in h'caps the opposition had been showing inconsistent form in pattern company. In the race the reliability of Biniou won the day and at the finish he was a comfortable 2¼l winner.

The selection Dandy Man was a non-runner, but if had he participated it's likely he wouldn't have had to have been anywhere near his best to give the eventual winner a fight at the finish. The other selection Angus Newz out ran her price to finish 3rd and she probably would have finished 2nd but for suffering some interference inside the final furlong, she stood little chance with the eventual winner though.

10th August 2009 - Race Review

Monday, 10 August 2009 at 08:13 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Distinctive Image ran out an easy 8l winner and really thrived off the strong pace. It was difficult to envisage such a performance beforehand but it was a considerable career best and he looks one to keep onside on the all weather.

The selection Robby Bobby led the field turning in and ran well for a long way before fading into 4th. The disappointments of the race include Lochiel, who probably didn't handle the kickback, Ella, who was entitled to need the run on his reappearance, and Crimson Mitre, who struggled up in class.

9th August 2009 - Race Review

Sunday, 9 August 2009 at 14:02 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

There were only three previous Gp1 winners in this year's renewal of the Gp1 Prix Maurice De Gheest and all three failed to run up to form. That presented King's Apostle with a guilt edge opportunity and he duly obliged. The form is cramped further by the prominent finishing positions of both Mariol and Varenar, so King's Apostle could struggle to follow up again in Gp1 company. Even so that shouldn't distract from a good performance by William Haggis' progressive sprinter and he was the best horse on the day.

Chief among the disappointments was the selection, Naaqoos, who pulled hard and failed to run any sort of race. That was clearly not his form as he had pulled hard in the Gp1 French 2000 Guineas and still produced a good performance. He deserves another chance and he can make his mark in Gp1 company when returning to form. Serious Attitude and African Rose were also below form, but while the former deserves another chance the latter is starting to look disappointing in 2009.

8th August 2009 - Race Review

Saturday, 8 August 2009 at 12:16 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Jukebox Jury stayed on well and showed good resolution to win the Gp3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes. Although Royston French was scrubbing away on the 3yo colt some way from home he kept on finding, like so many of Mark Johnson horses do, and in the end he ran out a good winner. It was a performance that followed on from his good effort in the Gp1 Eclipse and in hindsight he was a big price in the morning at around 10/1. Unexposed he should improve when stepped up in trip and has the potential to win a decent Gp2 later on in the season.

Duncan returned to form but it appears now that he may have been flattered by the bare form in the Gp1 Coronation Stakes and there are mixed messages from that form. He does looks up to winning in this grade at some point but may need a rest at present. Campanologist also returned to form and another win in pattern company should be a formality. The other selection, Traffic Guard, returned to something like his best for his new trainer Paul Cole but he just missed out on the places by half-a-length in 4th and is a frustrating horse.

7th August 2009 - Race Review

Friday, 7 August 2009 at 13:22 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

The absence of both Kaolak and Midnight Cruiser didn't rob the race of any seriously challengers but it did remove some of the likely pacesetters from the race. That allowed Frankie Dettori to set his own gallop from the front on Prince Siegfried and the colt was able to use his superior speed when sprinting clear inside the final two furlongs. Although he had the run of the race he was also the best horse in the race on the day and should be able to find a Gp3 race later on in the season.

The selection, Native Ruler, was given a puzzling ride, held up in a slowly run race despite being a proven stayer and having race prominently in the past. Even so he was a bitter disappointment and wouldn't have won with any sort of ride. He still has plenty to offer but at present he has something to prove.

The race definitely wasn't run to suit Montaff and he ran a decent race in the circumstances. He looks ideally suited by a strongly run 12f+ and with those conditions he has a good chance of winning in pattern company in 2009.

6th August 2009 - Race review

Thursday, 6 August 2009 at 11:20 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Both selections out ran their price but ultimately both were unsuccessful. The long odds-on shot Lillie Langtry had to work hard to beat her stable companion Devoted To You and only managed to stamp her authority on the opposition inside the final few yards. Gold Bubbles also ran well for a long way despite being the rag and she only gave way inside the final furlong.

The winner Lillie Langtry was ante-post favourite for the 1000 Guineas before the race but her peformance was hardly encouraging and it looks like she may be heading to France in May next year.

Glorious Goodwood Review

Wednesday, 5 August 2009 at 16:09 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

Never has the prefix 'Glorious' been less appropriate at Goodwood as it was on Saturday afternoon, when the racecourse was enveloped by driving rain and a thick blanket of mist. In more clement weather Goodwood can boast one of the most picturesque racecourses in the World, but, those hardy souls who braved conditions on Saturday must have wondered what all the fuss was about. Restricted visibility meant that only the final half-furlong was in plain sight and the rain had turned the betting ring into a quagmire. The British spirit endured though and these minor inconveniences weren't going to get in the way of a good time.

Luckily conditions during the previous four days of the meeting weren't so bad and the equine performances were the main point of topic.

TUESDAY

In the opening race Drumfire once again proved that the notion of following Group horses in handicaps is usually a profitable one. However with a bit more luck the winner might possibly have been Sweet Lightning, who didn't get the clearest of runs before flashing home at the death to only be beaten half-a-length. In the Gp3 Gordon Stakes Harbinger further enhanced his St Leger claims but it was a slowly run event and the manner in which Urban Poet stayed on from the back suggested he may be better suited by the extra two furlongs at Doncaster. Finjaan then landed the day's feature event, the Gp2 Lennox Stakes, but with the market principles running no sort of race the form looks weak. Richard Hannon then had his first juvenile winner of the week when Monsieur Chevalier comfortably won the Gp3 Molecomb Stakes, he may find Gp1 company too stiff but will be hard to beat in sprints at a lower grade this season.

WEDNESDAY

Sweetheart used all the stamina she had shown earlier in the year over hurdles when winning the 2m5f Goodwood h'cap Stakes, the opening race of Day 2. In stark contrast though the winner of the Gp2 Vintage Stakes, Xtension, showed a blistering turn of foot to run down the principles in the 7f event. Clive Cox is having a fantastic season in 2009 and his juvenile looks worth following for the duration of this season. The days feature race, arguably the most anticipated race of the meeting, the Gp1 Sussex Stakes, was won by Rip Van Winkle. He broke his Gp1 duck at the fifth attempt and finally appears to be delivering on his much touted promise. It was a commanding performance and it sets up a mouthwatering rematch with Sea The Stars in the Gp1 International Stakes at York.

THURSDAY

The 2008 Gp1 King's Stand winner, Kingsgate Native, returned to the winner's enclosure in the Gp3 King George Stakes. He had returning to training with Sir Michael Stoute after an unsuccessful career at stud and the 2007 Gp1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner could head back to York to regain his crown. In the big race on Day 3, the Gp2 Goodwood Cup, Frankie Dettori rode a fine race from the front on Schiaparelli and the duo held off the attentions of the staying on Mourilyan.

FRIDAY

Course specialist Illustrious Blue got preceding's off to a winning start in the Gp3 Glorious Stakes on Day 4, but he horse he beat, Warringah, looks an interesting contender when returned to handicapping in the Ebor. Johannes then won the minefield that is the Stewards Sprint Stakes, the consolation race for the Stewards Cup, before much to the bookies delight, Laa Rayb returned to winning form at 25/1 in the Totesport Mile. The excellent form of Richard Hannon's juveniles then continued when Dick Turpin delivered in the Gp2 Richmond Stakes.

SATURDAY

One time 2000 Guineas favourite, Zacinto, began to make up for lost time when winning the Listed Thoroughbred Stakes on the final day of the meeting. In the feature event on the final day, Midday returned to form and ran out an impressive winner of the Gp1 Nassau Stakes. The filly was a popular winner for Henry Cecil and the great trainer continues to produce Gp1 middle distance fillies. Genki was the first to emerge from the mist in the Stewards Cup and it was soon apparent that he also had the beating of Evens And Odds on the far side as well. Genki is likely to be stepped up into pattern company next time while a back to form Evens And Odds looks well worth another go in a big sprint this year.

It was a fantastic weeks racing despite the weather and it should have provided plenty of winning clues for the weeks ahead.

5th August 2009 - Race review

at 15:34 | Posted by thewinninglineuk.co.uk

It seems sensible to start writing a paragraph on the day's feature race result and talk about how the selection did or horses to watch out for etc.

Today saw another 2nd for The Winning Line UK but the winner, High Ambition, was much the best horse in the race. Held up and ridden confidently off the slow pace he used his superior speed to sprint past the opposition and win a shade comfortably. It remains to be seen how he'll fare in a strongly run race over 12f but he's progressive and could be capable of defying the handicapper. Resplendent Light was a little disappointing and may need further help from the handicapper if he wants to win again whilst Cyborg will be interest when returned to staying distances on quick ground.

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