Get all the latest whispers from the major training centres
Get all the latest whispers from the major training centres

Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops ahead of Lincoln day at Doncaster


The sun is shining and the Flat season is finally here - get up to speed with all the latest from Newmarket and gallops whispers from around the major training centres.

Newmarket notes...

With an estimated 3,000 thoroughbreds battling for stardom it's no great surprise that Britain's Flat racing headquarters has been a hive of activity in the build-up to the opening day of the turf season at Doncaster on Saturday.

Leading the way in a sun-kissed Newmarket, both in form terms and general eagerness to get the show on the road, is John Gosden's Too Darn Hot, who his trainer this week described as being like a hyperactive 'I want to get on with it' sort of kid.

Well get on with it he shall in the newly-backed Watership Down Stud Greenham Stakes at Newbury two weeks on Saturday - a race won by Frankel, Kingman and countless other genuine stars down the years.

The exuberant Too Darn Hot won't have it all his own way, though, and he won't be the only three-year-old starting out with top-class pretensions for 2019. Newbury-bound Magic J looked magnificent when stretching his legs under Oisin Murphy and the watchful eye of his handler Ed Vaughan during the week.

He's also headed for the Greenham, though there's seemingly a little reluctance in the camp to show any kind of confidence over him getting the seven furlongs there, let alone a mile in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4.

Our Catching Pigeons mole has done some digging at HQ
Our Catching Pigeons mole has done some digging at HQ

Talk of a Guineas prep for Sir Michael Stoute's Sangarius has cooled and he's just one to keep an eye and ear out for at this stage, whereas there's a definite buzz around a few of his stablemates including Alnasherat.

The Kingman colt has been off the track since a three-length third to Quorto at Newmarket last June but has caught the eye in his early-season prep work this time around.

The gelded Song Without End and thus-far unraced Derby entrant Junooh are two more names to be scribbling down when time allows.

The royal blue jackets of Saeed bin Suroor's work riders shone brightly this week as the trainer continues to ready his near 180-strong battalion for action on the grass this summer, while William Haggas' string looked particularly fresh and well.

The man himself is currently among those stationed out in Dubai for World Cup night, along with the likes of Charlie Appleby whose representatives could hardly sound more positive over their chances of Betway Lincoln glory with Auxerre.

It's a big year for the 2018 Derby-winning trainer and he's clearly very keen to pick up where he left off as the new season gets rolling.

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Tips from the gallops...

Forbidden Planet is a progressive sort and is fancied to land his most important success so far in the Matchbook Betting Podcast Rosebery Handicap at Kempton on Saturday. Roger Charlton wasted little time making his mark with the four-year-old after his arrival at Beckhampton towards the end of the 2018 Flat campaign, and found two good winning opportunities for him at Lingfield in January. Although beaten by the very much in-form Executive Force on his latest start at Chelmsford, that rival has won twice since and the form looks solid. This step up in trip should see the selection to even better advantage.

Haddaf was a grand sprinter for a James Tate and looks worth an interest on his first appearance for Robert Cowell in the Better Odds With Matchbook Handicap. Cowell has the ability to rejuvenate, and Haddaf looks nicely weighted after one or two below par performances towards the end of last season. If the change of scenery does spark evidence of a revival, he could pay to follow moving forward.

Welcoming can kick off the turf season on the right note for Clive Cox in the Bet At racingtv.com Handicap. The Beechdown trainer kept this daughter of No Nay Never to three outings as a two-year-old and, after two placed efforts, she duly delivered. Hopes are high she can step up on that form this season and her preliminary work suggests she's fit enough to do herself justice.

It may pay to take a chance with Petrus in the Unibet Spring Mile at Doncaster. Brian Meehan has decided to put cheekpieces on this one-time pattern-race performer and there was plenty of evidence last season to suggest that he still has the ability to win a high-class handicap, especially when fresh. He starts the season on a good mark judged on some of his performances and the fact he wears the headgear first time up leads us to believe they have him somewhere near ready. His work has certainly been solid enough.

Mokarris should go well at a decent price in the Listed Unibet Cammidge Trophy. Simon Crisford has had more than a few training problems with this five-year-old since his days as a smart juvenile, when a second to Blue Point in the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York was the highlight. However, his return to action after a 21-month absence at Lingfield last month suggested he can hold his own at this level. Although he never looked likely to trouble the winner, Kachy, he did not enjoy the best of runs when trying to deliver his challenge and might have finished closer than fourth had he enjoyed a trouble free passage. He is sure to be sharper for the run, and looks solid each-way material.

Sharjah Bridge is a strong fancy within the Roger Varian camp as he looks to make a winning start to the year in the Unibet Doncaster Mile Stakes. He gained a deserved victory when scoring from a mark of 105 in an Ascot handicap towards the end of last season and sets the benchmark in this grade with a revised rating of 110. His work has been more than satisfactory in the week.

Charlie Appleby’s Auxerre is not exactly an imaginative suggestion for the Unibet Lincoln, but his form and his work has been of a very high order and he should take all the beating. His work this spring with a high-profile lead horse has been quality and his partner here, James Doyle, was delighted with him in a recent spin on the Newmarket heath.

The Unibet Brocklesby Conditions Stakes is fraught with danger but George Scott was particularly pleased with his Strong Power went in a recent racecourse gallop at Lingfield and it looks significant he sends the son of Kodiac up north for this prize. He's the big Newmarket hope but some of the northern powerhouse yards may just have an edge when it comes to the crunch.

At Doncaster on Sunday, Fox Champion has been working well and is expected to run a big race in the Unibet Novice Stakes. Richard Hanson is keen to give Sylvestre de Silva an early winner for his new employer, King Power Racing, and this son of Kodiac was a tad unlucky not to win both his outings as a two-year-old. He looks the type to improve further this term.

Willie John won't be much of a price in the Unibet Conditions Stakes but he's ready to rock based on his homework and gets weight from most of his rivals in this line-up. The expensive purchase has not been the easiest to train but when he's right he's very effective and nobody rides Doncaster quite as well as Andrea Atzeni.

Hulcote, a stablemate of Welcoming, can reward the decision to keep her in training with victory in the 32Red Casino Handicap. A consistent performer as a three-year-old, she is now starting her second season and is fancied to add to her only win so far, at Sandown on her final start on the last day of August. The handicap newcomer Shareef Star could be a major threat for the Stoute and Moore combination.

Highway One O One seems to have taken his exertions well in the unsuitably soft ground at Cheltenham and underfoot conditions will suit him better in the First Days Charity Novices Handicap Chase at Ascot on Sunday. The race has cut up from the five-day stage and his bold jumping will stand him in good stead over these relatively demanding obstacles.


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