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Any excuse to show the champ - as his progeny go head-to-head
in the Chesham
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Shrew's Shrewdies
2:30 - The Frankel Forecast! - Cunco and Frankuus RF 33/1
3:05 - Malificent Queen 8/1 e/w
3:40 - Exosphere 5/2 or Simple Verse 13/2
4:20 - The Tin Man 7/2
5:00 - No idea - Springloaded 10/1, Shared Equity 16/1 and Flash Fire 20/1 all e/w
5:35 - Oriental Fox 4/1
Race-by-race Guide
2:30 Chesham Stakes, Listed, 7f
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Cunco impressed on debut but can
he beat O'Brien's Churchill...
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Aiden O'Brien (as usual) is having a good week and has another good favourite here in the form of Churchill who looks like a step up to 7f is likely to suit. Assessing maiden form is an unenviable job but on the figures awarded on first run he is not the top rated in the field (though improvement is very much expected)
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| ...or could half-brother Frankuus get it his way? |
Instead it could be a tale of two brothers as two of Frankel's sons, both winners first time out go head to head. Cunco was the first Frankel colt to hit a racecourse and though he ran green he looked a little like his famous sire, complete with famous white blaze across his face, when going easily past the leader to win and set the imagination racing about what to expect from Frankel's first crop. What followed was 4/5 maiden wins including today's challenger Frankuus who ran to a similar level when winning at Haydock. It is probably heart ruling head but I hope the race is between the two of them.
Of the others Aiming for Rio was a recent Godolphin purchase and has a bit more experience than most of these without being exposed and could be the most likely to cause an upset.
3:05 Wolferton, Listed Handicap, 1m2f
Malificent Queen hasn't lost a race since debut and has progressed well with each run. In many was it would make sense to just keep backing her until she loses although she may fall victim to one more tactically campaigned. It certainly seems more attractive than favourite Best of Times underwhelming 9th last time out though I'm sure that that did no harm to his handicap mark and the 2nd behind Storm the Stars before that isn't bad form.
Godolphin are having a good week and there other 2 runners are worth a look. Adam Kirby is also having a good week and is in the right sort of form to get the career best needed by Second Wave. Oceanographer looks exposed at this trip.
Sir Isaac Newton's last run 2 lengths behind Portage has worked out fairly well with Portage a good winner this week, but I'm always put off by O'Brien in handicaps. There's a lot to like about Pacify and a first time visor could eke further improvement.
But what about Carlo? Well, What About Carlo, sneaks in at the bottom of the weights which is always a nice place to be, but I'm not sure he has the class?
Fire Fighting looks a silly price considering he was 3rd in this last year. He seems to run every other day and has been out of sorts since and a bounce-back isn't unquestionable.
3:40 Hardwicke Stakes, Group 2, 1m4f
Exosphere looked really good when winning the Jockey Club Stakes in April - the race is a bit difficult to assess with Jack Hobbs being pulled up on the day and his price is probably an overreaction to the win. It was however probably the best form on offer. The one thing that may stop him winning is (again) the less than convenient draw from stall 1.
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Frankel again? No - this time Exosphere - will he hold form
with St. Leger winner Simple Verse?
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The draw is much more in favour of Leger winner (or was she or wasn't she?) Simple Verse who was second to Exosphere on seasonal debut, but ran a fair way below her best. I expect she'll come on for that run and CD form from last seasons Champions Fillies Stakes is a big plus (as well as a handy 5lb pull). Beautiful Romance was third to Simple Verse at the end of last season and hasn't yet shown the progression to go beyond that.
Eagle Top was a really good second in the King George here and what Postponed has gone on to do since suggests that he has to be taken seriously but he's run poorly enough since to think he may have peaked on that run. The main contender then may be Dartmouth who has a lot to find on official ratings with the favourite but has been consistently progressive profile including a good win in the Ormonde Stakes over Wicklow Brave last time out. Surely they have to let the Queen win something!
Almodovar is one from leftfield having progressed through handicap ranks - I have no reason to think he's a class 1 contender, but who knows?
Highland Reel's best form would see him go close but his last two runs seem to have shown a decline in progress and he simply doesn't win enough. That said, I wouldn't rule him out.
edit: Eagle Top is now a non-runner
4:20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Group 1, 6f
A compact but interesting field including last year's winner Undrafted who would've wanted better ground for a follow up attempt for Wesley Ward. The international flavour to the race is continued by Hong Kong challenger Gold Fun whose best form thus far seems to come in the winter so probably not ideal.
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| Will today be the day that patience in The Tin Man pays off? |
Twighlight Son would've been the sprint star of last season and is only not favourite because of a poor display on debut at York - I'm not sure what the excuses were that day but you can forgive a horse a bad run - perhaps it was the ground? That race was won by Magical Memory who is 4 out of 4 when steered by Dettori and could improve further for the run.
But there is something insanely likeable about The Tin Man who has just chugged along in his own time slowly progressing race upon race. He was however 2 lengths down to Twilight Son on Champions Day but a 2 length win over watchable on seasonal reappearance suggests he is about ready to take a prize of this calibre... he is tentatively the selection.
5:00 Wokingham Stakes, Handicap, 6f
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An artists impression of the Wokingham which will
be as ridiculous as always
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Way too many variables! - Be aware of those who are there more for the owners to have a day out... other than that looking for a seasoned campaigner in 6f handicaps.
5:35 Queen Alexandra Stakes, Listed, 2m5f
Last year's winner Oriental Fox has a really good chance of following up, with Clondaw Warrior the obvious main danger. Amour De Nuit is the progressive danger for them both to look out for.
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