The selection’s defeat of Royal Scotsman in the Dewhurst in October is as strong as any form on offer for the first ClassicIf nothing else, the fact that the normally ultra-cautious Aidan O’Brien was happy to discuss Auguste Rodin as a potential Triple Crown prospect earlier this week suggests that the son of Deep Impact is his No 1 contender for next month’s Derby at Epsom by some distance.Whether he has the speed to beat the specialist milers in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, however, is another question entirely, as O’Brien also acknowledged. Continue reading...
Charles Hills’s colt lacks experience but stormed clear of a small field in a lightning-fast time at the Craven meetingAidan O’Brien has a record 10 wins in the 2,000 Guineas to his name already and has enough confidence in a three-strong team for this year’s Newmarket Classic to keep St Mark’s Basilica, the Dewhurst winner, at Ballydoyle while he waits for the French equivalent.That feels ominous for the home team but while Battleground, Wembley and Van Gogh all have solid claims, there is no sense of a standout colt in the O’Brien squad, or in the race as a whole for that matter. Related: Talking Horses: Energumene takes Novice Chase to set up Shishkin rivalry Goodwood 1.00 Master Milliner 1.30...
Trainer given Classics boost in early-season trials after pair triumph at NewburyFew trainers’ dreams of Classic success survive the early-season trials largely unscathed, but Richard Hannon came closer than most here on Sunday as wins for Snow Lantern and Chindit left him with credible contenders for both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket next month.Snow Lantern’s success came in a maiden at the top of the card, but she won it so readily that she was cut to around 8-1 to emulate her mother, Sky Lantern, who won the Classic for Hannon’s father, also Richard, in 2013. Related: Jockey Lorna Brooke dies after fall at Taunton racecourse early in April Pontefract 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...