Wow. Often on the flat we have horses who are hyped up as 2 year olds and then never make the transition to successful 3 year olds; they may not develop as expected physically over the winter, they may have been tried too hard too young in their careers or we may just get carried away and the horse gets bigged up more than their ability deserves when we have no turf action on the track to occupy our thoughts. However Kingman would certainly not appear to be in danger of falling into that bracket. I had ruled out betting on John Gosden's charge before the Greenham stakes as I wasn't sure how forward he would be nor how hot the opposition would prove to be. However the way Kingman routed the opposition at Newbury on Saturday was stunning and made those two concerns seem very over-cautious! James Doyle barely had to get serious on the 15/8 favourite as he saw off Night of Thunder by 4 and a half lengths and the layers were impressed enough to cut him in from around 6/1 to a best priced 3/1 for the 2000 Guineas proper in May. His trainer afterwards warned he wouldn't turn up at Newmarket if the ground got too quick so if I was the clerk of the course at Newmarket I'd be doing all in my power watering-wise to get some good ground as Kingman vs Australia could be a rivalry to better last season's Dawn Approach vs Toronado. Kingman travelled beautifully and quickened so impressively and instantly, and if Australia is as good as the O'Brien hype machine would have you believe the 2000 Guineas will be staking an early claim for race of the season!
In the Fred Darling, a trial for the 1000 Guineas, we saw strong market support for Brian Meehan's J Wonder rewarded as the filly produced a late burst to take victory from Al Thakhira and the slow starting Joyeuse. Meehan rarely enters his horses in races they don't have a chance of winning, especially the good ones anyway, and his post-race comments left us in no doubt that he holds this filly in high regard. Neither of the first three are certain to go for the English 1000 Guineas, with all holding entries in the French version as well which may provide softer ground, but the winner was cut in to 16/1 from 50/1 pre-race for the English 1000. I was quite taken by Joyeuse in this race actually, despite finishing third. The half-sister to Frankel was held up in rear at the start of the race and managed to finish off very well. If James Doyle adopted more positive tactics in the 1000 Guineas I'd be confident of a better showing especially considering the extra 1f and it would be fantastic if Lady Cecil could had the winner of the 1000 Guineas, especially considering what a wonderful handler of fillies the Late Henry Cecil was.
Up at Ayr any blog followers (I doubt there are many left after my Grand National tips!) would have been in clover as both Cockney Sparrow and Eduard won, and Godsmejudge claimed 2nd place to reward e/w players. Although I wanted Godsmejudge to win if any other horse could have taken glory it would be one ridden by Jamie Moore. I think he is a great character and a great jockey to have in the sport, one a viewer can really warm to. He interviews really well and this caps a fantastic season in which he has ridden Sire De Grugy to many a success, including the Cheltenham triumph; really well deserved for a jockey who's family name is more commonly associated with the flat game.
My Tent or Yours could not shoulder a welter burder to victory in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and Cockney Sparrow benefitted from a fine tactical ride by Dean Pratt, a jockey who looks great value for his 7lbs claim based on the way he swooped late on John Quinn's mare to take this prize. MTOY's still pulled hard despite the application of a hood, and he also clattered a fair few hurdles on his way round. It could be that he needs a fence in front of him to get him to respect the obstacles a bit more, perhaps chasing may get him to settle a bit better as well, and it will be interesting to see what Henderson does with him next year.
This week we have the Newmarket Craven meeting to look forward to, with some more Guineas trials included, in addition to the inaugural All Weather Championship Finals day at Lingfield on Good Friday. A grand total of over £1 million has been put up as prize money and I hope the event is a success as it has given me a bit more interest in the sand over the winter as well as adding a bit more purpose to the British all weather season. Enjoy and thanks, as always, for reading.
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