robertob's eye-catcher thread

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 4th. Ran very well and did well to get as close as he did considering the shocking ride Haley Turner gave him. Threw away the good draw, got the horse locked on the inside when the race really unfolded, and ended up to being forced to switch and finish wide on the outside where Clear Praise stayed on extremely well in all fairness. Not saying the horse would have won with a clear run, but would have gone quite close I think. Shame on you Hayley. Tactically as dumb as it gets and if she wouldn't own two certain arguments I imagine she wouldn't get enough rides to make a living out of it.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 16.45 Lingfield: Stonefield Flyer @ 14/1 VC - 2pt win Stonefield Flyer ran extremely well in recent weeks but he was particularly good last time out at Kempton when he tackled 7f for the first time. He did see out the distance without any problem and it was impressive how he took over the lead early on and then set a good pace, when the question had to be answered if he can keep that up over the longer trip - and he did it, really well. He kept finding and finding in front, even when put heavily under pressure. In fact he was going away in the end. Nice win, he's up a couple of pounds for it, but over this new trip there might be still a bit more improvement to come, particularly in a small field like this where not not much pace will be on. Only the favourite seems to be a danger for the lead, so whatever happens, I could imagine Stonefield Flyer will be right up with the pace, if not even setting it, and probably it won't be a too strong one, which will give him every chance.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 17.45 Newbury: Martinette @ 14/1 Bet365 - 1pt win Usually I void maidens but in this case the price is too big for this Charlie Hills trained filly. Martinette impressed me on her debut on the Lingfield All-Weather, when she settled nicely in rear, well off the pace in an extremely slowly run race. She had an awful lot to do when the race took really off around 3f out, and she was forced to turn wider than ideal and then to run through gaps in order to get a clear run. She appeared to be a bit green but looked talented and like a filly with a huge engine. Over 1f out she had to switch again in order to get a run and she looked then to be able to even peg back the leaders, but got short of room close to the line eventually. It was a strong performance to finish as close as she did considering the position she came from and this was a really nice educational ride, she will have learned plenty. This is a filly surly not bred to wait for handicaps and connections surly want to win a maiden, so I have no doubt that she is in this race to run to her best. She is nicely bred, the trip seems fine on pedigree, even though ground is a bit of a question mark, but also not impossible. I'm quite hopeful that she runs a fine race if the softish ground doesn't bother her.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread That was nothing today. Finished last... 14.20 Newbury: Dutch Courage @ 7/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Eagerly awaiting the return of Dutch Courage to the racetrack now as a 3yo. She looked smart and pattern class when winning a Nursery against the boys on her last start in 2013. That day she had absolutely everything against herself. she settled in rear and didn't get any run whatsoever, locked behind a bunch of horses. When she tried to get some room, she was badly hampered, several times, losing her rhythm, and she was required to pick up several times, mostly over 1f out, when she finally got into the clear. It looked an impossible task but she produced a lovely turn of foot to get up and win easily in the end, putting the race to bet in a matter of strides. If she can progress now as 3yo, she should have every chance to win this.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 15.30 Newbury: Moonday Sun @ 35/1 Betfair - 1pt win Moonday Sun caught my eye on numerous occasions since being back in the UK. He ran extremely well in a couple of hot races on the All-Weather, being placed in all his last three starts. His most recent performance at Kempton was probably his strongest one. He was right up with the pace soon after the start and pressed on halfway through the race, leading by up to two lengths. The pace was really strong and he kicked on turning for home still travelling strongly, but the eventual winner produced a nice pace coming from off the pace and Moonday Sun tired inside the final furlong. He held on for third and the time of this race was extremely quick confirming the visual impression that Moonday Sun set a strong pace. He switches to turf now, and drops in trip to 1m. This should suit. He has some fine form in France over this trip, like a 3rd in Group 3, and the ground is perfectly fine. The fact that he stays a bit further will surely help when he is up with the pace as it should be a fast and furious gallop I feel. So with conditions perfect, I think he has every chance to run a big race and he is an extremely big price to find that out.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Dutch Courage was a major disappointment yesterday. She seems to be still the same size as last year and far from improved. Considering her trainers comments before the race, it is unlikely that there was too much left to work on and it has to be stated she simply didn't progress as a racehorse over the winter. Moonday Sun gave me a run for the money, travelling really well and 2f out I had some hops, he faded in the closing stages though, suggesting he struggled of his mark in such a hot race. 16.20 Windsor: Discussiontofollow @ 4/1 Coral - 4pts win This is a hugely exciting prospect who could still be a good deal better than his new handicap mark. He won his last three races pretty much on the bridle, but it was the most recent effort at Kempton that left me in awe! He settled in rear, made nice headway throughout the race, approaching the 2f marker hard on the bridle, impressing with some amazing cruising speed, the rest of the field already hard ridden, he was let lose 1f out, when he produced a nice acceleration to put the race easily to bet while never coming off the bridle. He could have won by any lengths, but his jockey held him together, as done in the other races before too. He's ten pounds up for this, which seems unlikely to stop him, if he can produce this level of form on turf as well. He did well in two maidens on turf last year though, and there is no reason why he should have any problem with the good ground at Windsor tomorrow.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 14.40 Pontefract: Hard Core Debt @ 19/1 Betfair - 1pt win Interesting runner who caught my eye on his first start after eight month for a new yard at Doncaster a fortnight ago. He Travelled really well in midfield, made some nice headway on the outside turning for home, seemingly going really strongly. Then 2f out he was sudnely weakening and dropped soon back, but was also never ridden and never any question asked. I suggest 10f on soft going was probably never to suit on the first start since July 2013. He looked good when winning a maiden in Ireland as a 2yo, and I thought he produced a good level of performance when finishing a fine 2nd at Beverly last year. It could well be the case that he these kind of difficult, undulating tracks and for that reason Pontefract today could well suit, so should be the drop in trip to 1m. He can start off a feather weight in this race too thanks to a falling mark.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Both horses ran really well, HCD was unlucky, to be locked on the inside and would have finished much closer with a clear run, while Discussiontofollow travelled very well and looked to get up late but didn't quite get there and finished 3rd. 14.55 Newmarket: Crowdmania @ 20/1 Coral - 1pt win Like this progressive Mark Johnston runner. Only 84 rated yet, but can be much better than this I suspect. Was particularly impressive lto at Kempton when hemade all, and kicked away 2f out in impressive style, putting daylight between himself and the rest of the field in a matter of strides. He held on nicely to win comfortably in the end. He stays bit further but 7f seems perfect trip, so drop to 6f seems questionable. But I feel Newmarket can be a tough track so to stay bit further doesn't need to be an issue, as well as he has speed on dam side who was 3rd in Listed company over 6f. It's a wide open race in my mind and for that reason Crowdmania is not out of this, with further improvement he has every chance to run a big race I feel.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 14.20 Kempton: Chilworth Icon @ 8/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Chilworth Icon was extremely unlucky on his latest start at Thirsk. He was travelling in midfield, going super strongly but didn't get any run whatsoever when it really mattered. He was desperate for a gap and was on bridle until late. He got out at some point finally but was also bumped 1f out and all his chances were gone. He would have gone much closer with a clear run. He ran extremely at Lingfield on his penultimate start hot race too, when he also didn't quite get the run of the race but finished really well. He is down to handy mark now, as he has done well off much higher in hot handicaps last year, and he also won in listed company back in 2012. 19.30 Bath: Where's Reiley @ 8/1 Coral - 2pts win Where's Reiley appears to be tremendously well handicapped on his return to turf following an eye-catching performance at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. That day he had the widest draw to overcome and used up an awful lot of energy in order to be close to the pace early on. He also travelled widest on the outside, all less then of an advantage. He made a nice move coming around the home bend trying to challenge the leader and eventual winner but that won had the run of the race and pulled clear in the closing stages, yet Where's Reiley made him work hard for it. WR finished a nice 2nd though confirming his well being and now back on the turf he can race of a 5lb lower mark, which even considered of what he has done on turf the last couple of years, is really low. He won off higher, and ran well at Bath in the past. He must have a cracking chance today.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread That was rather disappointing today, as the whole April is so far in all fairness. Need a winner! 15.35 Musselburgh: Entihaa @ 11/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Entihaa made a big impression last time ou at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance. He travelled pretty well, even though he was a bit slowly into stride at the start, but got no in-running luck whatsoever. He was locked on the inside when the field approached the home straight and he tried desperately to get out there but found himself only short of room when he tried. Finally around 2f out he got a gap, but at that point the eventual winner and 2nd were long gone. Entihaa stayed on extremely well though, cutting back a huge deficit and finished 3rd. This runs suggests that he wouldn't mind a step up in trip, and his sire is a good stamina influence, so to try him over 2m doesn't look stupid. He has a nice mark in fact he won of this mark last year a class 4 Handicap over 12f at Thirsk. Only real question mark is the ground for me tomorrow Could be bit too quick. But let's find out. He is a nice price.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Entihaa was a non-runner. 17.55 Yarmouth: Barwick @ 8/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Plenty to like about Barwick tomorrow. Most importantly, his most recent performance, in fact his seasonal reappearance, caught my eye. He travelled nicely till 2f out, then tried to make headway and in all fairness had every chance on the inside, when eventually he looked to pass the horse in front of him over 1f out, to challenge for victory, but that move ended abruptly when the horse in front shifted towards the rail and the gap disappeared. The handicapper dropped him a pound for this performance, which means he is now 3lb below his last winning mark. In addition to that it is interesting to see him at Yarmouth tomorrow, a track he likes, with two course wins to his name. The fast ground will very much suit either. Only concern is the trip: 10f. Does he stay that far? He never won over this trip, however he's another year older and might just get it fine these days, as he tried it only as a 3 year old, and now six years of age, it is worth another try. The flat track and quick ground will certainly help to get the trip anyway. There is too much on the plus side that clearly outweighs the concern about the distance, as his price is too big in my mind.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Didn't run badly, not having the clearest of runs Barwick, but let's be honest, once he was in the clear, he wasn't exactly firing and that was probably very much down to the trip I feel. 14.20 Epsom: Jakey @ 9/1 Bet365 - 3pts win + Aryal @ 18/1 Coral - 1pt win Really interesting and competitive Handicap here tomorrow at Ascot. I do really like the chance of Jakey, for many reasons. I was extremely impressed with his seasonal reappearance as a 4 year old at Kempton three weeks ago. The race was run at a crawl which didn't quite suit him, he was sweating quite heavily before the off already and he was keen like a bull throughout the whole race, still tanking turning for home! He then looked for a short moment a bit in trouble when the front-runner increased the pace suddenly, but he quickly found his stride, and produced a lovely turn of foot to win with authority. He looks physically improved now as a 4yo and looks like a horse with loads of potential. He was mightily impressive when he won a maiden at Epsom last year over 10f, so he clearly is fine on the course, and I have no doubts about the trip whatsoever. Slight worry is the ground though, I would imagine he is better on good ground, but on pedigree at least, the soft going shouldn't be too much of an issue. We certainly find out tomorrow. I think this horse is ten pounds plus better than the current mark and I expect a huge performance, from this lightly raced gelding, if he can produce his best on this kind of ground. I also expect an improved performance from Aryal. He is progressive, has not too many miles under the belt either, and it's interesting to see him back on turf and for the first time on softish ground in particular, which should perfectly suit on pedigree. He ran well on Good Friday in the Apprentice Handicap, when he set a quick, even pace but looked beaten for speed in the closing stages, while clinging on for fourth in brave manner. Trip should be ideal on breeding, and he might still be a bit better than his current mark either. I feel he is a good deal overpriced.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread I expected much more than what my two selections showed today. I believe there might be slight excuses, at least for Jakey, who travelled wel, but probably didn't quite like the ground and will be better on a sounder surface, where he will deserve another chance. 19.55 Brighton: Iseemist @ 6/1 Paddy Power - 2pts win I feel this filly will greatly benefit from a drop in trip. She clearly looked like a filly that doesn't get home over 7f in her last couple of starts, while running well nonetheless. Particularly impressive was her most recent effort in my mind. She had the widest draw to overcome, crossed over and disputed the lead early on, burning loads of energy in the first couple of furlongs, as the pace was really on too. She benefited from the pace in a way that she travelled strongly and looked to be in with every chance turning for home. However she hit a brick wall over 1f out. I feel back on turf, with ground she has shown form on in the past, over a shorter trip, she can win a race of her current mark.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Finally a winner this month - better late than never. It panned out as hoped on Thursday, the drop in trip helped Iseemist and she won thanks to a resolute performance, showing good early speed, travelling well, then kicking on over 2f out and fending of all challengers in the closing stages. 14.20 Haydock: Fort Bastion @ 14/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Fort Bastion impressed me on his seasonal return a fortnight ago at Thirsk, which was also his first good performance in almost two years. He has changed yards over the winter which seems to have a positive effect on him. He used to be a smart prospect as a 2yo when he finished 2nd behind Maybe at Royal Ascot but somewhere he lost his form and sparkle. At Thirsk recently he showed some of his old ability though, without getting a too hard rice, even though one could say he was one of the unlucky ones in this race. He settled in rear of the field, made progress turning for home from 3f out but got stuck in traffic on the inside rail soon after. His jockey made a dramatic move from 2f out from the inside to the widest outside of the field, which cost ground and momentum and is tough on horses who have to straighten up and pick up again. Fort Bastion was running out of time anyway but finished the race well on the the outside under hands and heels. He should come on allot for this run and should be better today. 7f might be a bit too sharp on drying ground, but there is loads of pace on here, which should help. He can also race from bottom of the weights off a very nice mark now, and that all together gives him a really nice chance, if he can bring his best to the table today.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Decent performance from Fort Bastion but by far not good enough to win. 16.00 Ayr: K Lightning @ 4/1 Paddy Power 4pts win Extremely impressive Handicap debut at Lingfield recently. He trailed the field, had an awful lot to do turning for home in a rather slowly run race where the winner came from from the front. Once asked for all in the home straight he picked up like a horse that is well ahead of the mark and also wouldn't mind a step up in trip. He finished like a train while still looking a bit green. He can race off the same mark tomorrow, tackles 10f for the first time and if he can run to the same sort of level as he did on the All Weather, he should be extremely hard to beat. 16.30 Ayr: Dubai Dynamo @ 6/1 Paddy Power 2pts win I really liked Dubai Dynamo's seasonal reappearance at Doncaster in a big 7f Handicap. He was finished the race in promising style despite getting bit short of room in the closing stages, when he had to switch slightly, pick up again, what he did eventually. I draw a line under his next start at Wolverhampton, which wasn't really to suit in my mind, but tomorrow with good ground over 1m at Ayr, where he is a course and distance winner he should have plenty in his favour. He is also another two pounds down since the Doncaster run, which means he is 8lb below his last winning mark. He should be more than capable of running a big race of this kind of mark in a race like this.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Disappointing outcome in both races. Just expected more from those two horses but it just wasn't good enough. 14.10 Kempton: Starlit Cantara @ 9/2 Bet365 - 4pts win Starlit Cantara is an obvious chance here after her most recent run and the fact that the handicapper left her mark unchanged makes her a filly very hard to beat here. After a winter break she reappeared at Kempton three weeks ago and she travelled well enough for most parts of the race. She made nice headway from 2f out, challenging the leader hard. That horse though found more and more, having the run of the race from the front in a slowly run race. Half a furlong out though it looked as if Starlit Cantara could finally be able to pass the leader, trying to slip through on the inside. This move ended abruptly when the leader shifted towards the rail shutting the door and the jockey on Starlit Cantara had to take a hard pull to avoid a crash. Now, it isn't said that she would have passed the leader indeed, but she was robbed the chance to have every chance at least. Considering that the eventual winner followed up with another success, it is to assume that Starlit Cantara must be well in tomorrow, since she can race off the same mark again on her second seasonal outing, over the same course and distance in a rather poor class 6 handicap. A good draw is another bonus here. 16.10 Kempton: Thecornishcowboy @ 14/1 Bet365 - 1pt win Thecornishcowboy is certainly on a very handy mark and I thought his most recent performance at Yarmouth shows he is now poised to win a race soon. He got stuck in traffic on the inside rail from 3f out, found himself then outpaced over 1f out, had to switch wide and finished on the outside really strongly once he found his stride again. He clearly prefers further and I would imagine 12f is his optimum, but there is plenty of pace in this race tomorrow, which should help. Richard Hughes booked for the ride says connections expect a big run. 16.20 Wolverhampton: Minley @ 5/1 Paddy Power - 2pts win Still generally lightly raced, Minley showed a clear improvement on his second seasonal outing at Lingfield last month.He was close to the pace, turned for home disputing the lead and with a big chance, but got twice then badly hampered by the eventual winner. Once around 2f out, and then from 1f out pretty much all the way down to the finish line. The winner won subsequently again and also finished a good fourth in a class 2 handicap. Minley is 2lb up for this performance but could still easily be a good deal better than this mark, and has also the assistance of a very capable 5lb claimer. He can go from pole position, and should be able to be up with the pace tomorrow for that reason, which is always an advantage around Wolverhampton.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Really disappointing yesterday. Particularly Minley who was a bad drifter and had absolutely no chance at all once the race went to the stage where it really mattered. Starlit Cantara did perform okay finishing 3rd, but obviously not in a way I had hoped, as I was quite confident she would be a good deal ahead of her current mark. Turned out not to be. Shocking month so far this April. 17.25 Nottingham: Inciting Incident @ 7/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Still generally lightly raced, and he showed a much improved display last time out at Lingfield. He was very keen in the early parts of the race and made a big move to take over the lead after the first two furlongs, he travelled really well turning for home but got then badly hampered from the eventual first and second. He kept going to hold on for third. He drops in trip, which shouldn't be an issue considering how much early speed he showed in his last race, even though he appeared outpaced at Wolverhampton before - which might have been down to being his seasonal reappearance though. I think now back on turf he deserves another chance. 20.20 Newcastle: Exotic Guest @ 12/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Interesting on his most recent performance which came at Pontefract: He chased leaders, travelled well enough for a long time and looked in with a big chance, but got eventually bumped and short of room several times when turning for home, which practically ended the race for him. He couldn't get a run and was eased. So he is probably better than the bare result suggest. Even more so he is down to a very handy mark, won the last time - and only career win yet - over course and distance last year of a 3lb higher mark. Soft ground today will suit as well. No excuses if he doesn't perform well today.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 15.25 Redcar: Dream Walker @ 3/1 Coral - 4pts win Eye-catching second at Yarmouth recently, travelling very well in midfield but not getting a clear run, basically stuck in traffic until switching wide. The eventual winner had the run of the race, while Dream Walker clearly had not, which made the difference in the end. He still finished a nice and easy second under hands and heels, not far beaten. He can race off the same mark tomorrow, the drop in trip should be a problem as he has won over 7f in the past, and the soft ground will be very much to his advantage. He was very progressive last year and he seems not finished yet.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 15.30 Goodwood: Elusivity @ 10/3 William Hill - 4pts win Really unlucky second at Epsom recently. Travelled liek a dream in rear, but then had nowhere to go over 2f out, switched inside and forced a gap eventually, while never being really touched, just bit asked very late, yet made extremely impressive headway to finish 2nd in the end. One had to be impressed with this performance. He is a very infrequent winner but clearly down to a very low mark now, and seems poised on this recent performance. Questions marks about track and ground are there, but neglectable as there speaks to much for him. 14.05 Newmarket: Burano @ 12/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Burano didn't get any run whatsoever in the Spring Cup at Newbury recently. He travelled extremely well for a long time, better than most, looked to have loads to give 2f out but then got simply stuck in traffic with a big bunch of horses in front of his nose with nowhere to go. He wasn't beaten up to finish sixth or fifth but rather was eased down as soon as his jockey realized there is another day to live for. Burano is down to a decent mark, he ran well of bigger, against top class opposition in hot races, and while he has never won at Newmarket nor over this trip, he showed that he can handle the track in past performances, and ran extremely well over further as well over shorter throughout his career. Of his current mark he is in with a big shout if he gets a clear run, I feel.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Really tough times at the moment, can't pick my nose it seems. Disappointing but hard work will turn things around as always, I'm sure... 15.55 Gowran Park: Soft Power @ 7/1 VC - 2pts win Soft Power was extremely impressive when winning first time out at Dundalk back in January. She was well fancied that day and didn't disappoint, winning easily by six lengths without getting asked too much. Now on turf for the first time after a break, she is potentially up with the rest of the field and would on Handicap merits probably been awarded a mark in high 80s. I'm not quite sure about the trip, thinking sprinting might be me more of her game, but she saw out the 7f easily, and it'll be interesting to see how she fares in this kind of proper test. She has potential to be a fine filly for sure, and the rest of the field is clearly beatable. 16.30 Gowran Park: Vastonea @ 7/1 >Bet365 2pts win Vastonea seems well treated of his current mark with conditions in favour. He impressed me at Cork two weeks ago over 10f, a trip which stretched him a bit I would imagine. He quickly was at the front of the field and lead by couple of lengths. He went off way too fast in my mind, yet he travelled strongly till the 2f marker, was even slightly leading till almost a furlong out, but then faded quickly. The drop in trip back to 1m will clearly suit and another pound off the mark won't do any harm either, meaning he is now five pounds below his last winning mark that success came over course and distance last year!

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 13.45 Chester: Marcret @ 11/2 Stan James - 3pts win Marcret seems poised to win a race anytime soon judged on his seasonal reappearance. In a good competitive Handicap at Ripon last month he travelled like a dream, made nice headway showing fine cruising speed from 4f out but and looked poised for a big challenge but didn't get any run whatsoever from 3f out. He tried desperately to get out but got hampered several times. He worked his way out, slowly from 2f out but jockey was work hard enough for it to prevent him from hanging to the right and corrections where needed. It took a while till he found his stride but he picked up eventually and run on to finish 3rd. He can race off the same mark today, which must give him a big chance, also considering that he run big races in better races in the past. He goes extremely well at Chester, won here a Group 3 back in 2012. Only concerns are the draw and the ground. He probably would prefer it a bit softer. But there is plenty of pace on, which should suit him.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Another huge disappointment on Thursday... it's really a miserable time, once again... 14.05 Ascot: Glorious Protector @ 7/2 Paddy Power - 3pts win I was impressed with the way Glorious Protector finished his race on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield last month when he clearly didn't have the run of the race. He was quite keen in the early stages, he then travelled strongly off the pace until turning for home, when he was forced to turn wider than ideal, which cost momentum and ground. He seemed a bit flat footed and took a while to find back his stride, but he did so eventually and finished best of all. In the end the distance he was beaten was basically the ground he lost when turning for home, compared to the eventual winner, who was racing most of the time beside him, but got the perfect run on the inside rail. Glorious Protector is clearly ahead of this mark and seems improved and more mature now as a 4yo, he is also generally lightly raced and should have more natural improvement in him. So the 3lb rise in the mark seems more than fair and he can overcome this tomorrow. 14.40 Ascot: Gatewood @ 7/1 William Hill - 2pts win Gatewood showed a strong front-running performance at Doncaster at the end of March on his seasonal reappearance. He lead the small field with another horse and really took off after the first couple of furlongs, which seemed a rather suicidal pace to my eye. Yet he travelled strongly, and while his front-running companion couldn't sustain the effort, Gatewood was able. The eventul winner stayed on from well off the pace but couldn't pass Gatewood easily, who was battling hard. Excellent performance in my mind. He is a bit an unlucky horse, hitting the crossbar on numerous occasions, but no doubt he is a smart horse and deserves to win another Listed race. 17.40 Thirsk: Her Red Devil @ 16/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Clearly overpriced this fily judged on her most recend big performance which came at Nottingham. She made basically all from the front that day, setting a strong pace, even though she was put under pressure most of the time by a prominent Mark Johnston runner. Yet she travelled extremely strongly, coming with a healthy lead into the home straight. The pack was after her and put her under pressure from 3f out, but she was able to find more and more. Eventually she tired inside the final furlong and was swept by the field but still it was a big performance in my mind. The drop in trip to 1m will suit tomorrow. She is still generally lightly raced and on a low mark. I expect a big performance if she is fine on the ground, which is my only slight concern.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 14.55 Lingfield: Blue Hussar @ 13/2 Stanjames - 2pts win I think Blue Hussar is the best chance of two for Aiden O'Brien in this Lingfield Derby trial. If course on seasonal reappearance it is always some kind of question mark how fit an O'Brien horse is but this is a serious test to find out about the Derby credentials so I'm sure Blue Hussar is fit and well to start today. He was a massive eye-catcher on his sole start back in November at Leopardstown. He settled in rear, appeared to be outpaced over 3f out and went around the whole field on the outside approaching the home turn. He then produced a stunning turn of foot from 2f out to motor home - even though it looked an impossible task to win the race from the position he came from - but he picked one after another up and in the end he won rather easily always going away the further they went. Only a serious horse is able to overcome these kind of circumstances on debut. Ryan Moore riding is another plus. The obvious question is the trip. As this represents a step up from 7f on his debut to almost Derby distance. This is asked allot of a horse on his only second start. I don't think staying will be an issue on genuinely good ground. Out of Galileo and enough stamina on the dam side to think he has every chance to get that far. Can he settle, is my main concern though. There is some good opposition in this race, but that says nothing special I feel while Blue Hussar has the potential to be a really, really good horse. He's a big price in my book.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread Finally a winner. Gatewood did the job nicely in hands of Frankie Dettori who game him a peach of a ride. Unfortunately the other selections didn't match this and ran rather poorly, even though Blue Hussar finished with loads of promise after being badly outpaced from the start onwards. 15.25 Leopardstown: Booker @ 10/1 VC - 2pts win Intriguing contest this 1.000 Guineas trial with plenty of interesting contenders. I feel the Mastercraftsman daughter Booker is pretty overpriced though. She won on her seasonal reappearance, which was only her second start, a maiden at the Curragh on soft ground over 6f in extremely impressive style. Basically on the bridle 1f out and had only to be slightly pushed out to win. Sure, the form of that race is not much worth but the way she won it did really caught the eye, considering it came over a trip one would think too short of her best. She steps up to 1m now, is completely unexposed over this distance, but on pedigree should actually improve for it. By Mastercraftsman, who was able to give Sea The Stars a fight over 10f in the Juddmonte, out of a mare that won over 11f. You would think he will have plenty of stamina. But he also showed speed last time out, so 1m could be perfect for the moment. There was plenty of rain here over the last 24h, so I would imagine the ground is nowhere near good but rather sticky, which means conditions seem ideal for Booker. We'll find out if she is good enough to compete in such a field today then.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 20.45 Leicester: The Kid @ 7/1 Paddy Power - 3pts win Lightly raced The Kid got an absolute horror run on his Handicap debut at Nottingham last month. He travelled nicely making progress from 4f out and looked in with a big chance still going well over 2f out when he got badly bumped and basically crashed into another horse due to that. He lost completely his rhythm, had to pick up again, and found himself short of room around the final furlong marker again. Yet he got going and finished the race pretty well considering the circumstances. He drops in class and gets a pound off his opening mark, and could easily exploit this one tomorrow as he shaped like a horse that could be a bit better.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 17.20 Ayr: Buzz Law @ 13/2 Unibet - 2pts win Following this horse for quite a while, basically since his extremely eye catching run at Newmarket back in August 2012. He had only five subsequent starts and didn't show too much, however his latest performance at Musselburgh looked a bit more encouraging, when he was stuck in traffic and hampered over 3f out, eventually eased down. His marks slipped further since, down to a career lowest of 57. First time visored today might help to bring back the focus either. Slight worries about the trip, as he never won over further than a mile, but I feel he is worth a punt. If not today, than never again in his life.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 14.45 Curragh: Blue Hussar @ 4/1 Betfair - 4pts win Blue Hussar shaped nicely on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield in the Derby trial. He was trailing and didn't look quite happy there for a long time of the race but made impressive headway in the home straight. I would imagine that he'll come on allot for this run. He looked a smart prospect when he won over 7f on soft ground at Leopardstown on debut. Outpaced halway out, he made progress on the wide outside coming around the home bend producing a nice turn of foot in the closing stages to win in some style. He might looked like a horse that wouldn't mind the Derby distance lto, but the slight drop in trip to 10f shouldn't be an issue today, due to the very rain softened ground at the Curragh, which I feel should play into the hands of this powerful galloping colt.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 15.40 Curragh: Nonchalant @ 15/2 VC 2pts win Have seen Nonchalant at Cork on his winning debut. Looked forward in the parade ring before like a strong 3yo colt. This is a massive step up in class today, thrown into Listed class and seasoned older horses. But he receives loads of weight which will clearly help and the form of his maiden win works out well with the 2nd being an nto winner. Ground is fine, trip is unknown but the way he stayed on at Cork gives hope that an additional furlong won't be a problem. He is clearly an interesting contender with potential.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 19.30 Roscommon: Balmont Flyer @ 11/1 VC - 2pt win Never one or placed on the flat, never won over todays trip - not exactly encouraging. But there are some encouraging signs still. Mostly his most recent performance at Fairyhouse when he had an awkward start and had to take up a less than ideal position in the field. He travelled well enough for a long time and seemed to be in with every chance over 2f out, however didn't get any run whatsoever being locked there on the inside rail. He made late progress when in the clear, without being any nearer than sixth in the end. He gets another pound off the mark and is extremely well handicapped now in my mind as he showed some promise last year of much higher in hot and competitive handicaps on Turf, most notably off a mark off 70 in a big Leopardstown handicap. The good ground should certainly help, so should the assistance from Wayne Lordan in the saddle.

[robertob]

Re: robertob's eye-catcher thread 15.40 York: Kalk Bay @ 7/1 PP - 2pts win Kalk Bay was desperately unlucky on his two starts this year and judged those performances appears to be well poised to win anytime soon. At Poni on his seasonal reappearance he was far off the pace which is always a disadvantage there, was then short of room while travelling best of all, got badly hampered around the final furlong marker, yet found his stride back quickly and charged home in impressive style. More or less the same story at Musselburgh, where he had loads to do from off the pace, and got locked on the inside again. If this horse gets a clear run, it must be hard to beat tomorrow.