The four legged game: the R3 Forum racing thread

[Alison]

Never ceases to surprise me how, in a St Leger trial that is worth winning in its own right, and in so many races at York generally, staying horses are held up off a very slow pace and not surprisingly pull/hang and are caught flat-footed. Who gives this kind of riding instruction, unless a deliberate attempt to conceal their horse's potential? As a guide to what might happen at Doncaster, virtually useless.

(similar applies to the middle- and long-distance running events at the Olympics!)

Yes, you make a good point. Fair play to John Gosden for typically astute tactics and to William Buick for a race winning ride. I haven't altogether given up hope of Thomas Chippendale running into a place for the Leger though Gosden looks to have several candidates.

[Petrushka]

Thinking of going to Ascot on Oct 29 to see Frankel's last appearance.

Must check to see if a decent concert is on at either the RFH or Barbican the same night.

[antongould]

There was talk in the Grauniad of a tilt at the Arc which Sir Henry has never won......

[Alison]

Thinking of going to Ascot on Oct 29 to see Frankel's last appearance.

Must check to see if a decent concert is on at either the RFH or Barbican the same night.

October 20th, Pet.

[teamsaint]

There was talk in the Grauniad of a tilt at the Arc which Sir Henry has never won......

it would be a brave owner(financially speaking) who would risk so much on a defeat over a mile and a half in the potential October mud.
Its a shame....my days of following the horses closely are long gone, but I always feel that the mark of greatness is to be able to win group 1 races from a mile to a mile and a half.
Even the greatest champions (man and horse) have days when they lose.....fear is a bad thing.
How lovely it would be to see an Arc field trailing in his wake....

[antongould]

I tend to agree teamsaint and he did win his first rate in the soft.......

[teamsaint]

I tend to agree teamsaint and he did win his first rate in the soft.......

see...he can do it !!
Odds checker shows plenty of bookies with him at 2/1 (1/3 with a run) so presumably its at least an outside possibility that he could go for it.

[Alison]

What a story Sir Henry's career has been. His return from the absolute abyss, just 12 wins in 2005, hardly needs any new storylines and yet . . . an Arc victory would be a clinching moment that Ascot could not hope to match. You feel overwhelmed just thinking about it.

[Petrushka]

October 20th, Pet.

Thanks, Alison. Don't know why I had 29th in my head.

[Alison]

Thanks, Alison. Don't know why I had 29th in my head.

Beethoven 7. LPO/ Masur. RFH.

[Petrushka]

Beethoven 7. LPO/ Masur. RFH.

Thanks again, Alison. Looks promising. Will mull it over.

[Alison]

Did we upset Barbirollians by hijacking his thread with tips and betting ? Maybe he will be pleased that we have returned to Frankel . . .

[pilamenon]

Oh dear - another falsely-run race, a less than satisfactory ride, and Camelot loses his unbeaten record and the chance to emulate Nijinsky.

[antongould]

Yes I thought the favourite was very poorly ridden .............

[Alison]

Yes, only beaten 3/4 length. Change jockeys and change the result I think.

Still waiting for Ataraxis to make debut, probably on the Rowley Mile.

Hamelin looks like another top notch 2yo for Sir Henry while Persepolis is Sir Michael's outstanding unraced juvenile.