Grant Copson of Tff Publications with a list of horses to follow
Grant Copson of Tff Publications with his eyecatchers from the past week and some Clive Cox horses to make a note of.
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Bacacarat – 3rd 2.25 Newmarket, Tuesday
This son of Raven’s Pass looked to step up markedly on his debut effort at Newmarket when finishing a good fourth at Newbury on his second and final start as a juvenile last October. Always prominent on his seasonal reappearance back at Flat racing’s headquarters (7f), he was keen early on but the way in which he ran on in the closing stages suggested that he will easily stay further when he learns to settle down in the early stages of his races. This Andrew Balding-trained three-year-old looks set to make a decent impact in handicaps for his own age in the first half of the season, where a step up to 1m will play to his advantage. A free-going individual, I’d expect him to be really suited by a big-field handicap.
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Gossiping - 9th 5.20 Newmarket, Tuesday
This six-year-old, a prolific winner for the Gary Moore team last season (4 wins), shaped nicely at Newmarket on the opening day of the Craven meeting. Although he finished way back in 9th behind Mjjack on that occasion, he moved through the race in eye-catching fashion. Given that he’s been rated as high as 96, he’s slipping back down to a workable mark and he’s the sort that could drop in a decent handicap pot sooner rather than later. On assessment, quick ground is key to him, so that’s another reason to mark up his latest run (good-to-soft).
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Feline Groovy 2nd 4.45 Newmarket, Wednesday
Given the lack of maiden opportunities thanks to the new programme, that now seems to include much more novice races, it was hardly surprising that the 1m fillies’ maiden at Newmarket on Wednesday was split into two divisions. After analysing the two races, there is no question that the first division looked the stronger contest, where the impressive Qazyna easily despatched her eight opponents.
However, it was the runner-up Feline Groovy that really caught the eye as a next time out winner, pulling well clear of the remainder (the 3rd Rococo was 3 ½ lengths back) and this chestnut filly looks to have a decent future. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by James Doyle – a combination that we are sure to see winning plenty of races this season – this daughter of Kitten’s Joy travelled kindly throughout the race before showing some inexperience in the dip. Although she wasn’t able to make an impression on the winner in the closing stages, she stayed on powerfully once hitting the rising ground and normal progress will mean that she’s extremely hard to beat next time.
A very impressive reappearance from Roger Varian's Investec Oaks entry Qazyna at Newmarket
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) April 18, 2018
Results ▶️ https://t.co/7iJOPsvjqx pic.twitter.com/X0pQW0oY33
Wilbury Twist – 3rd 5.05 Newbury, Friday
The 7f maiden at Newbury on the first day of the Greenham meeting didn’t look the strongest on paper, especially given that none of the 16 runners appeared to hold any fancy entries, though the Roger Varian-trained Wilbury Twist certainly earned her place here with an eye-catching third-placed effort. It was clear that the eventual winner and runner-up had got first run on this lengthy filly at the two-furlong pole, but she responded well to David Egan’s urgings inside the final furlong and almost snatched second off Solar Gold at the line. This daughter of Pivotal should come on plenty for the experience and is sure to prove herself as another fine prospect for owner Helena Springfield.
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Corgi – 2nd 4.55 Newbury, Saturday
It’s fair to say that Corgi has been unfortunate to not get his head in front yet, having run consistently well in all three of his starts and finishing second on his last two outings, where it’s likely that he bumped into a pair of useful horses in Msayyan and Young Rascal. Trained by Hughie Morrison, this colt has already achieved enough to think that it’s only a matter of time before he gets his head in front, though he’s sure to prove most effective when contesting middle-distance handicaps given that he clearly stays very well.
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Following a trip to Clive Cox’s yard on Saturday, I’m delighted to pick out a few of his string to follow for the season;:
There is no doubt that this colt is the stable star and although he has his quirks, he is an absolute top-class sprinter. Having started off last season at Ascot for the Pavilion Stakes, he will make his seasonal reappearance at York in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes, where he will carry a 5lb Group 1 penalty. After seeing him in the flesh on Saturday, there is no doubt that he will improve for his first run, though he has enough class to make his first start of 2018 a winning one. Another exciting season awaits!
Five runs last year only yielded one win at Windsor, but this son of Dark Angel kept good company in his last two starts and he’s expected to step forward nicely as a three-year-old. He currently has a rating of 98 so the handicap route could be tempting, though there’s a suspicion that he could be better than that.
This Oaks-entry made a lovely start to her career when winning over 1m ½f at Nottingham on her sole run at two and she is expected to prove herself as a pattern-class filly this season. This daughter of Nathanial looked in rude health on the gallops, working within herself throughout the piece of work and she’ll reappear in a novice race (1m2f) at Sandown on Friday.
After various conversations throughout the morning with Clive and his staff, it was noted that his string where a little way off where he’d like them to be due to the weather. That’s worth considering when watching back the debut of King’s Slipper at Newmarket last week and it’s expected that his next run will be a lot more promising. He certainly looks a decent type for handicaps further down the line.
This Lethal Force colt was moved from Richard Hannon’s yard after winning on his third start last season, where although he was unable to add to his tally in two subsequent runs for Cox, he looks a horse that will progress well at three. His work rider reported that he reminds him of his dad and his connections will certainly be hoping that he improves with age.
Morning guys! We know it's Punchestown this week and you all love the jumps, but after a great week of Classic trials, we'd really appreciate your support with our @SportingLife-sponsored Flat Publication - Following The Flat 2018!
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You can order here:https://t.co/sepOZwJWjI pic.twitter.com/ONLlW0u3c8
High Horse (Dark Angel x Lady Alexander)
This beautifully bred colt worked under Adam Kirby on Saturday morning and he certainly caught the eye. The smashing two-year-old grey looked a ball of speed and I’d be expecting to see him start out over the minimum trip.
Hulcote (Frankel x Polly’s Mark)
I was delighted to talk to the owner/breeder of this gorgeous Frankel filly and it’s fair to say that she is held in high-regard by connections. Although she is an unraced three-year-old, she still holds an entry in the Irish Oaks and it’s hoped that she will show that she’s up to making an impression in Listed/Group races this season. However, her dam was a winner as a four-year-old and it’s expected that Hulcote will continue to progress as she gains all-important experience on the racecourse.
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