Post by Old Timer on Aug 8, 2020 11:04:00 GMT
Been spoiled for racing of late, but not this week! Just the two this week, which I hope will prove to better observations than there have been of late!
Ascot 14.20 Cl 2 Handicap 129 (91.3) 8f gd/fm – 10 Run
Shelir 4-8-13 (92) Dr 7 (104.4)
’19 record: 2/0/6 ’20 record: 0/1/4
25/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (280/96.1) 7f gd/fm Ascot 8-9 14/1 8/19 3.92 l off 93 – 89.4
held up in rear, hampered 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on inside final furlong
Plus: class (F); going (F); distance (W); course (F); form run lto (14 days); down 1lb (OR);
Minus: up 4lbs (wt);
Verdict: transfer from the Weld stable in Ireland where he won his first two start over 8f and 7f, but rather lost his way after, though in higher class; hasn’t quite fired for the O’Meara stable but this may be the opportunity he’s been seeking, a lb better off with Kasbaan for just over a hd here over 7f in better class.
Kasbaan 5-9-2 (95) Dr 6 (103.7)
’19 record: 2/2/7 ‘20 record: 0/1/5
25/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (280/96.1) 7f gd/fm Ascot 8-11 80/1 6/19 3.8 l off 95 – 91.7
held up in rear, switched right and effort over 2f out, not able to get on terms, kept on
Plus: class (W); going (F); distance (W); course (F); form run lto (14 days);
Minus: up 5lbs (wt); no win on turf;
Verdict: predominantly ran on AW last season, winning twice over 8f and being placed twice at 10f; this season has run almost exclusively over 7f, albeit in higher class as is indicated by his last three starting prices, 33/1, 50/1 and 80/1, running far ahead of his price in the International Stakes here when finishing 6th; the leaders were going too fast that day, but up a furlong and dropped in class he may find the race more to suit; proviso that he ‘s yet to win on turf.
Jalaad 5-8-10 (89) Dr 5 (94.0+)
‘19 record: 2/2/7 ’20 record: 1/0/3
19/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (78/83.3) 8f gd York 9-10 11/2 1/17 0.75 l off 84 – 76.0
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
Plus: going (F); distance (W); form run lto (20 days); down 14lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); course (?); up 5lbs (OR); up in class;
Verdict: off the mark for the season in a Cl 3 at York lto sporting first-time cheekpieces; raised 5lbs for that, which seems fair enough but now tackles Cl 2 for the first time.
With Game Player making his seasonal debut and likely needing the race, this looks to lie between just three. Jalaad is the only one with a victory this term and that came last time out. However, that was in Cl 3 and he moves up to tackle Cl 2 for the first time today and may just find the ask a little bit beyond him and will perhaps have to give best to the pair re-opposing from the International Stakes here over 7f, Kasbaan and Shelir. Kasbaan is still looking for his first win on turf and he may have to wait a little longer as Shelir is 1lb better off and that might be enough to give him the edge. So Shelir from Kasbaan qand Jalaad is the way I see it.
Ascot 15.35 Cl 2 Handicap 129 (95.2) 14f gd/fm – 12 Ran
Spanish Archer 5-9-7 (100) Dr 7 (106.6)
’19 record: 1/1/5 ’20 record: 1/0/2
24/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (97/96.8) 12f gd Ripon 9-10 14/1 1/8 0.25l off 98 – 99.6
in touch, wide and headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right towards finish
Plus: class (W); going (W); distance (W); form run lto (15 days); down 3lbs (wt);
Minus: course (?); up 2lbs (OR);
Verdict: career best at Ripon lto, but fear he will need another career best in a stronger race; not ignored though.
Caradoc 5-9-6 (99) Dr 5 (103.8)
’19 record: 3/1/7 ‘20 record: 0/0/2
18/07/20 Cl 2 (374/99.8) 10.5f gd York 9-2 11/2 9/22 7.35 l off 100 – 94.1
held up in mid-division, raced freely, headway over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
Plus: class (W); going (W); distance (F); recent run (21 days); down 1lb (OR);
Minus: course (?); up 4lbs (wt);
Verdict: narrowly beaten on only try at this trip last season and only running off 5lbs higher mark; not disgraced in 2 starts at around 10f this season but suggests he’s worth a try at the longer trip.
Jeremiah 5-9-6 (99) Dr 2 – (102.0)
’19 record: 1/1/5 ’20 record: 1/0/3
26/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (129/96.2) 12f gd Ascot 9-3 5/1 1/9 0.02 l off 93 – 94.0
steadied start, raced keenly, held up towards rear, smooth headway between horses over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, sustained challenge and edged right final furlong, won on the nod
Plus: class (W); distance (W); course (W); form run lto (13 days);
Minus: going; up 3lbs (wt); up 6lbs (OR);
Verdict: just edged home lto with Koeman (+6) 5l back in 3rd; 7lbs swing in the weight, but should still have Koeman’s measure; however 6lbs rise in the weight for just a nose looks a bit steep.
Fox Vardy 4-8-13 (92) Dr 1 (94.2)
’19 record: 1/2/5 ’20 record: 1/1/2
09/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (71/82.8) 12f gd/sf York 9-9 11/8 F 3/11 0.5 l off 92 – 79.2
soon tracking leader, led over 3f out, headed well over 1f out, stayed on, lost 2nd close home
Plus: going (W); distance (W); recent form run (30 days); down 10lbs (wt);
Minus: class; course; up in class;
Verdict: improving sort, but has to improve again to stand any change here.
Omnivega 4-8-11 (90) Dr 3 (92.7)
’19 record: 0/1/2 ’20 record: 3/0/3
15/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (67/85.9) 12f AW Kemp 9-12 4/1 1/14 0.5 l off 85 – 75.7
held up towards rear, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead close home
Plus: distance (W); form run lto (24 days); down 15lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); going; course (?); up 5lbs (OR); up in class;
Verdict: hasn’t lost since he’s been gelded, but hasn’t faced anything of this class as yet and may find it a bit more tricky on turf.
Look Closely 4-9-3 (96) Dr 12 (87.8+)
’19 record: 1/1/4 ’20 record: 1/0/2
25/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (78/84.0) 12f gd/fm Ascot 9-12 7/1 1/10 2 l off 88 – 76.8
bumped start, soon led, headed 9f out, chased leader, led again 2f out, edged right entering final furlong, soon clear, pushed out
Plus: going (W); distance (W); course (W); form run lto (14 days); down 9lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); up 8lbs (OR); up class;
Verdict: won over C&D here a fortnight back coming clear late on, which suggests he should have no difficulty in stepping up to Cl 2, especially as this is only his 7th race.
Trying to make sense of this Omnivega and Fox Vardy are the first to go and possibly Jeremiah. Look Closely, is a bit of a problem as although he’s only won in Cl3 to date he is improving fast and must be included along with Caradoc and Spanish Archer. So for me its Caradoc on his return to this return to this trip, from Spanish Archer and Look Closely edging out Jeremiah.
Ascot 14.20 Cl 2 Handicap 129 (91.3) 8f gd/fm – 10 Run
Shelir 4-8-13 (92) Dr 7 (104.4)
’19 record: 2/0/6 ’20 record: 0/1/4
25/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (280/96.1) 7f gd/fm Ascot 8-9 14/1 8/19 3.92 l off 93 – 89.4
held up in rear, hampered 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on inside final furlong
Plus: class (F); going (F); distance (W); course (F); form run lto (14 days); down 1lb (OR);
Minus: up 4lbs (wt);
Verdict: transfer from the Weld stable in Ireland where he won his first two start over 8f and 7f, but rather lost his way after, though in higher class; hasn’t quite fired for the O’Meara stable but this may be the opportunity he’s been seeking, a lb better off with Kasbaan for just over a hd here over 7f in better class.
Kasbaan 5-9-2 (95) Dr 6 (103.7)
’19 record: 2/2/7 ‘20 record: 0/1/5
25/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (280/96.1) 7f gd/fm Ascot 8-11 80/1 6/19 3.8 l off 95 – 91.7
held up in rear, switched right and effort over 2f out, not able to get on terms, kept on
Plus: class (W); going (F); distance (W); course (F); form run lto (14 days);
Minus: up 5lbs (wt); no win on turf;
Verdict: predominantly ran on AW last season, winning twice over 8f and being placed twice at 10f; this season has run almost exclusively over 7f, albeit in higher class as is indicated by his last three starting prices, 33/1, 50/1 and 80/1, running far ahead of his price in the International Stakes here when finishing 6th; the leaders were going too fast that day, but up a furlong and dropped in class he may find the race more to suit; proviso that he ‘s yet to win on turf.
Jalaad 5-8-10 (89) Dr 5 (94.0+)
‘19 record: 2/2/7 ’20 record: 1/0/3
19/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (78/83.3) 8f gd York 9-10 11/2 1/17 0.75 l off 84 – 76.0
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
Plus: going (F); distance (W); form run lto (20 days); down 14lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); course (?); up 5lbs (OR); up in class;
Verdict: off the mark for the season in a Cl 3 at York lto sporting first-time cheekpieces; raised 5lbs for that, which seems fair enough but now tackles Cl 2 for the first time.
With Game Player making his seasonal debut and likely needing the race, this looks to lie between just three. Jalaad is the only one with a victory this term and that came last time out. However, that was in Cl 3 and he moves up to tackle Cl 2 for the first time today and may just find the ask a little bit beyond him and will perhaps have to give best to the pair re-opposing from the International Stakes here over 7f, Kasbaan and Shelir. Kasbaan is still looking for his first win on turf and he may have to wait a little longer as Shelir is 1lb better off and that might be enough to give him the edge. So Shelir from Kasbaan qand Jalaad is the way I see it.
Ascot 15.35 Cl 2 Handicap 129 (95.2) 14f gd/fm – 12 Ran
Spanish Archer 5-9-7 (100) Dr 7 (106.6)
’19 record: 1/1/5 ’20 record: 1/0/2
24/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (97/96.8) 12f gd Ripon 9-10 14/1 1/8 0.25l off 98 – 99.6
in touch, wide and headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right towards finish
Plus: class (W); going (W); distance (W); form run lto (15 days); down 3lbs (wt);
Minus: course (?); up 2lbs (OR);
Verdict: career best at Ripon lto, but fear he will need another career best in a stronger race; not ignored though.
Caradoc 5-9-6 (99) Dr 5 (103.8)
’19 record: 3/1/7 ‘20 record: 0/0/2
18/07/20 Cl 2 (374/99.8) 10.5f gd York 9-2 11/2 9/22 7.35 l off 100 – 94.1
held up in mid-division, raced freely, headway over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
Plus: class (W); going (W); distance (F); recent run (21 days); down 1lb (OR);
Minus: course (?); up 4lbs (wt);
Verdict: narrowly beaten on only try at this trip last season and only running off 5lbs higher mark; not disgraced in 2 starts at around 10f this season but suggests he’s worth a try at the longer trip.
Jeremiah 5-9-6 (99) Dr 2 – (102.0)
’19 record: 1/1/5 ’20 record: 1/0/3
26/07/20 Cl 2 Hcap (129/96.2) 12f gd Ascot 9-3 5/1 1/9 0.02 l off 93 – 94.0
steadied start, raced keenly, held up towards rear, smooth headway between horses over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, sustained challenge and edged right final furlong, won on the nod
Plus: class (W); distance (W); course (W); form run lto (13 days);
Minus: going; up 3lbs (wt); up 6lbs (OR);
Verdict: just edged home lto with Koeman (+6) 5l back in 3rd; 7lbs swing in the weight, but should still have Koeman’s measure; however 6lbs rise in the weight for just a nose looks a bit steep.
Fox Vardy 4-8-13 (92) Dr 1 (94.2)
’19 record: 1/2/5 ’20 record: 1/1/2
09/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (71/82.8) 12f gd/sf York 9-9 11/8 F 3/11 0.5 l off 92 – 79.2
soon tracking leader, led over 3f out, headed well over 1f out, stayed on, lost 2nd close home
Plus: going (W); distance (W); recent form run (30 days); down 10lbs (wt);
Minus: class; course; up in class;
Verdict: improving sort, but has to improve again to stand any change here.
Omnivega 4-8-11 (90) Dr 3 (92.7)
’19 record: 0/1/2 ’20 record: 3/0/3
15/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (67/85.9) 12f AW Kemp 9-12 4/1 1/14 0.5 l off 85 – 75.7
held up towards rear, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead close home
Plus: distance (W); form run lto (24 days); down 15lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); going; course (?); up 5lbs (OR); up in class;
Verdict: hasn’t lost since he’s been gelded, but hasn’t faced anything of this class as yet and may find it a bit more tricky on turf.
Look Closely 4-9-3 (96) Dr 12 (87.8+)
’19 record: 1/1/4 ’20 record: 1/0/2
25/07/20 Cl 3 Hcap (78/84.0) 12f gd/fm Ascot 9-12 7/1 1/10 2 l off 88 – 76.8
bumped start, soon led, headed 9f out, chased leader, led again 2f out, edged right entering final furlong, soon clear, pushed out
Plus: going (W); distance (W); course (W); form run lto (14 days); down 9lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); up 8lbs (OR); up class;
Verdict: won over C&D here a fortnight back coming clear late on, which suggests he should have no difficulty in stepping up to Cl 2, especially as this is only his 7th race.
Trying to make sense of this Omnivega and Fox Vardy are the first to go and possibly Jeremiah. Look Closely, is a bit of a problem as although he’s only won in Cl3 to date he is improving fast and must be included along with Caradoc and Spanish Archer. So for me its Caradoc on his return to this return to this trip, from Spanish Archer and Look Closely edging out Jeremiah.