The Nell Gwyn Stakes has eight of the 10 fillies in the field still holding an entry in the Classic over an extra furlong on 2 MayThe increasing trend for going to the Guineas without a prep race among many leading yards has not been a positive one for races like the Nell Gwyn Stakes, the highlight on the second day of Newmarket’s Craven meeting.The latest renewal looks a strong one, however, with eight of the 10 fillies in the field still holding an entry in the Classic over an extra furlong on 2 May. Related: Talking Horses: Unhappy Monday for Bez after his horse refuses to race Continue reading...
Kameko’s trainer lines up the Derby after last weekend’s 2,000 Guineas triumph while Seinesational is one to watch on racing’s return to PontefractAt Park House Stables in the pretty Hampshire village of Kingsclere, newly home to the 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko, the celebrations of Saturday’s Classic success have not just been muted, they have barely begun at all. Asked if there has been anything done in the way of swinging from the chandeliers, the trainer Andrew Balding replies: “Not really, yet. But we’ll find time for that, when we can safely do it. It can wait.”As at other racing stables, staff at Park House have found a way of working while maintaining physical distancing but there seems little point in...
‘There’s not gonna be many hours slept’ says trainer aiming for win with Kenzai Warrior two years after saddling 50-1 runner-upRoger Teal is so immersed in training horses, he literally forgot how old he was. When his birthday came around on Sunday, he told friends he was turning 54. “My wife told me: ‘You’re 53, you doughnut’. Bit of a bonus, really!” Related: Talking Horses: bookies behave themselves for racing's return The finishing touches being applied to Kenzai warrior as we prepare for the Guineas. Amazing Jockey club gallops mean we don't need to have a racetrack spin.Here he is (near side) alongside the great Tip two win pic.twitter.com/AuiTDldfLwTips by Chris Cook Continue reading...
King Of Change returns to the track, 137 days after finishing runner-up in the Guineas, but where is Magna Grecia?One of many great things about the 2,000 Guineas is that it identifies the most classy young milers so we can have fun following them through the summer, right? But not this year! Neither Magna Grecia nor King Of Change, who finished first and second in the Newmarket Classic, have been seen since May.Now, 137 days after the Guineas, King Of Change will return to the track at Sandown this afternoon and we’ll get some idea as to whether his effort at 66-1 last time was a fluke or not. But the mystery of Magna Grecia remains unsolved, as Aidan O’Brien’s...
Rails on both sides could be used to guide runners towards the centre of the course and ensure a fair race for the ClassicNothing does this punter’s head in more than trying to predict where the field will go in the major straight-course races. Will they split into groups and, if so, will any of the groups cross to a rail? Would they gain an advantage? I fancy one on the far side but it looks like there’s more pace on the near side, so do I stick with it and hope the near-side pace collapses, or seek a hold-up runner on the near side that’ll get a better tow into the race? Related: 2,000 Guineas: Aidan O’Brien lands his...