‘The Steeple Times’ shares an analysis of the top tipsters and their selections for the ‘Betfair Tingle Creek Chase 2020’ at Sandown in the wake of Altior being pulled out
Yesterday, our racing followers were lucky to get two firsts including a 22/1 win at Exeter in the form of Findusatgorcombe and a 9/2 win for Emmpressive Lady at Sandown.
Today, after the fun we had earlier in the year there at the Coral-Eclipse, everyone was set to cheer on the dual Champion Chase winner Altior in the 1 mile 7 furlongs and 119 yards ‘Betfair Tingle Creek Chase’ at 2.25pm, but sadly trainer Nicky Henderson decided to pull him out.
“It is with a heavy heart we have decided that Altior is not going to run. We simply don’t want to bottom him again given what happened last year.”
“Everyone has seen how testing the ground was today and we’re not going to ask him to do it again.”
“We’re very sorry to everyone who was looking forward to seeing him and it was a very tough decision for his owners the Pughs, but we’ve got to do the best thing by the horse.”
“It’s tough, and if there was any further rain forecast we may have left the decision until the morning, but it will be very holding ground and very hard work.”
“We’ve been talking all night, we started off at 50-50 but we’re not even 90-10 now – he won’t run.”
“Sadly, the horse could not be in better form so we’ll look at either Kempton or Ascot for him next.”
Given this unfortunate news, out of the five remaining we’re looking at each way bets on:
2.25pm Sandown (5 runners) – Harry Cobden – Paul Nicholls combo Greaneteen at 23/10 from 9/4 earlier especially given Nicholls’ being the leading trainer in the race with ten previous wins.
Racing Post says: “The improving GREANETEEN can make the most of Altior’s absence. Progressive 6yo who landed the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on reappearance; more to come.”
Also of interest in ‘The Tingle Creek Chase’ is Brewin’upastorm at 13/1 from 14/1 earlier (Guardian).
Guardian says: “A chance is taken at double-figure odds on Brewin’upastorm (2.25pm), a classy hurdler who always looked likely to make a better chaser. Inexperience caught him out in the Arkle but he faces half as many rivals here and his stable is going a lot better than when he made a disappointing reappearance.”
Racing Post less enthusiastic: “Disappointing at Carlisle on reappearance, which is far from ideal going into this.”
Happy racing.
Pictured top: Brewin’upastorm (in pink colours) heads to victory at Taunton last season.
‘The Steeple Times’ discovers five properties that will appeal to serious sports fanatics with a desire to indulge their passions at home that are currently for sale
Whilst most would simply go to a racecourse to watch the horses or to a football ground to cheer on their heroes on the pitch, five homes follow where sports lovers can partake in their very own confines follow:
A vast 18,000 square foot house on 13.21 acres in Connecticut that is currently for sale cannot be described as a “looker,” but it comes with its own private, professional indoor hockey and skating rink (pictured top). There’s a Zamboni ice resurfacer “for perfect ice” and even heated team benches, a lighted scoreboard, home and visiting team locker rooms and a viewing ‘lounge.’ In addition, there are two guest houses and an outdoor swimming pool.
St. Clements Hall, Terrington St. Clement, Norfolk, UK
£240,000 ($316,000, €267,000 or درهم444,000) through Attik.
Most people looking for a “3-bedroom semi-detached house” are likely to be couples with 2.4 children, but for those in a somewhat different position, a 19th century, 1,873 square foot former youth hall might appeal. Primarily reconfigured to provide a 27-foot by 39-foot ‘skate bowl’ with 13-foot vertical wall, mini skate park and three 4-foot quarter pipes, the house also more conventionally has an open plan living space, 3 bedrooms and a shower room. Even the snobby girl in Avril Lavigne’s Sk8er Boi song might be impressed; the house has featured in The Sun, on the BBC and in Netflix’s Amazing Interiors.
Owned by the Kazakhstani phosphorus tycoon Nurlan Bizakov since 2010, Tourles Farm Stud has been part of Hesmonds Stud. Described in TDN Europe as “one of the best presented farms we have offered in recent years” by William Harford of Windsor Clive, the 113.78 acre property “has [only] become available due to the owner’s successful investment in France [at Monfort et Preaux in Normandy]” and comes with a 3-bedroom cottage, a stable barn with 26 boxes and a 4 furlong all-weather gallop.
On and off the market since 2018, this “one-of-a-kind” 41,000 square foot Bel Air house on 1.35 acres includes 8 bedrooms and an astounding 21 bathrooms. There are also 20 garage spaces in an “auto-gallery,” 8 bars, a 36-person screening room and not one, but two 75-foot swimming pools. The pièce de résistance for sports fanatics? A full-sized NBA basketball court.
Kinlochdamph Estate, Torridon, Scottish Highlands, UK
Extending to 4,085 acres, the Kinlochdamph Estate is perfect for those wishing to achieve a Macnab (and bag a salmon, a stag and a brace of grouse within one day). It has a recently refurbished 4-bedroom lodge, red deer stalking, trout fishing on its hill lochs and a small population of grouse, ptarmigan, woodcock and snipe. Income is provided by forestry and a hydro scheme, but any wannabe John Buchan will purely be buying this place for its sporting rights.
In becoming the first woman in British racing to ride five winners in one day at cumulative odds of 899-1, 23-year-old Hollie Doyle has set herself on course for deserved stardom
Aged just 23 and the girlfriend of fellow jockey Tom Marquand, of the brilliant accomplishment Doyle remarked: “I thought it’d go one way or the other. I thought, this could be a good day or a really bad day.”
She added: “I’m just really blessed at the moment to be getting a leg-up on these good horses. The last few years have been awesome.”
“I like riding under pressure, I feel with the better rides I got I like it more. I love riding horses, you’ve got to to do this job… I’m jammy aren’t I.”
Here is a woman headed the same way as Frankie Dettori and Lester Piggot and here is a tremendous success the entire racing world should laud as a groundbreaking heroine.
Cheapest, smallest house on the best side of one of London’s most sought after streets, The Boltons, comes up for sale; the tardis like building was home to novelist-politician Jeffrey Archer and his scientist wife Mary in the 1970s
No. 24a The Boltons is one of the smallest houses on “the fourth most expensive street in Britain,” but it is still anything but insubstantial at 3,123 square feet.
The tardis-like Victorian townhouse is wedged between two mansions and was converted from a coach house for Aston Martin racing team driver Noël Cunningham-Reid in 1960.
Novelist-politician Lord Archer and his scientist wife Dame Mary owned the property between 1972 and 1976.
The couple were forced to sell the house after Jeffrey Archer supposedly “lost over £400,000 in a bad investment” in the summer of 1974.
Jeffrey Archer subsequently made a fortune as a novelist and then after a glittering career in politics, was jailed in 2001 for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
The house was sold again subsequently for £3.8 million in 2007 and is now for sale for £6.5 million; the average price of houses on the street is £32.5 million according to Zoopla.
Other residents of The Boltons have variously included Arab royals, Madonna and Sir William Gilbert, one half of Gilbert and Sullivan.
In May 2017, we featured 6 The Boltons after its asking price was slashed from £39.5 million to ‘just’ £30 million, whilst in April 2015, a more modern house at the upper end of the street named One Boltons Place sold for £51 million on an asking price of £55 million. More recently in January 2018, when 22 The Boltons was sold to a British family for £40 million that sale was described as “one of the biggest deals in the last 12 months… a notable one.” Its asking price had been an even more punchy £57.5 million.
The Boltons was developed in the 19th century by the architect George Godwin (1813 – 1888) on 11.5 acres of land previously used as market gardens. The oval shaped street consists of 13 Italianate style houses on the “favoured” western crescent and 15 more in addition on the “less sought after” eastern side. In the centre, there is a communal garden and the church of St Mary The Boltons and whilst many residents employ private security, a number of the mansions are locked up, unloved and unoccupied also.
Now, an opportunity has arisen for someone to not “buy the worst house on the best street,” but instead “buy the cheapest house on the best side of the best street” in the form of what initially appears as a narrow townhouse wedged between two very much larger semi-detached villas. No. 24a The Boltons is actually deceptive as it not only widens as it goes backwards, but also provides a very surprising 3,123 square foot of usable accommodation over four floors.
The entrance hall opens into a library area and a feeling of space is provided by a glass enclosure around the upward staircase.The drawing room space beyond has a vast window looking out westwards onto the gardens of the houses of The Little Boltons beyond.The lower ground floor dining kitchen is surprisingly bright and has a double height ceiling in part.
Laid out currently to give 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, the “highly unusual house with off-street parking” includes a 50-foot long interconnecting entrance hall, library and reception space on the ground floor. At the rear, that opens to a partially double height dining kitchen below measuring 36-feet in length.
No. 24a was home to Jeffrey and Mary Archer in the 1970s and the street features in the spectacularly successful novelist’s 2008 bestselling work A Prisoner of Birth and his 2015 ‘Clifton Chronicles’ series novel Mightier than the Sword. It was whilst living here that the couple’s two sons were born and they supposedly only sold what Dame Mary later described to a court in 2001 as their “lovely” home after “hugely incautious” investments almost bankrupted them. “We’ve explored the further reaches of ‘for better and for worse’ than most couples,” the solar power conversion expert subsequently added.
Agents Knight Frank seek £6.5 million or £2,081 per square foot for 24a The Boltons and whomever buys it will certainly be able to laud that they live in one of the best addresses in London without it being a work of fiction. In Hyacinth Bucket-esque fashion, however, they won’t, of course, bring up that they actually live in the cheapest and smallest house there.
The Names & Numbers – 24a The Boltons, London, SW10 9SU, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, United Kingdom
July 2020 – For sale for an asking price of £6.5 million ($8.2 million, €7.3 million or درهم30 million) through estate agents Knight Frank, a figure 71.1% higher than the 2007 sale price.
March 2007 – Sold for £3.8 million ($4.9 million, €4.2 million or درهم17.6 million).
1972 to 1976 – Home to Lord Archer and Dame Mary Archer DBE, then known as Mr Jeffrey and Dr Mary Archer. Their sons, James and William, were born during this period in 1972 and 1974.
Other Notable Residents of The Boltons
Between 1999 and 2006, Madonna owned a house in The Boltons and other well-known residents have included Sir Julian and Dame Paddy Ridsdale.
8 The Boltons – Douglas Fairbanks Jr. KBE (1909 – 2000), actor, lived there in the 1950s with his wife Mary Lee Hartford, former wife Huntington Hartford, the A&P supermarket heir.
14 The Boltons – Otho Stuart (1863 – 1930), Shakespearean actor-manager, lived there, exact dates unknown.
19 The Boltons – The Rt. Hon. Anthony Crosland (1918 – 1977), Labour Party politician, author and one-time lover of Roy Jenkins, lived there, exact dates unknown.
20 The Boltons (also known as ‘The Grove’) – Colin MacInnes (1914 – 1976), author, lived there, exact dates unknown. For a time in the 20th century, the building also served as Our Lady’s Convent along with 21 The Boltons.
24 The Boltons – Sir William Gilbert (1836 – 1911), playwright and one half of Gilbert and Sullivan, lived in the house between 1877 and 1884 and wrote six of his best known comic operas there beginning with The Sorcerer in 1877, HMS Pinafore in 1878, The Pirates of Penzance in 1879, Patience in 1881, Iolanthe in 1882 and Princess Ida in 1884. Gilbert moved from No. 24 The Boltons in 1884 to a newly built house nearby at No. 39 Harrington Gardens.
29 The Boltons – Used as an infant school for fifteen years after the Second World War.
The kitchen itself is dominated by a central island unit.A lower ground floor room described as a “snug” is used presently as a space to watch television.The first floor consists of a master bedroom suite with a bedroom with an undemised balcony, a dressing room and a shower room.The dressing room itself.One of two bedrooms on the second floor.The other second floor bedroom.There are two bathrooms and two shower rooms in the house.The floor plan shows how the tardis like building gets bigger as you go further back into it.The situation of 24a The Boltons is on the “favoured” western crescent of this ritzy street.
‘The Steeple Times’ takes a look at the seven horse Group 1 Coral-Eclipse 2020 at Sandown and opts for a tasty outsider for an each way bet
As was remarked on Twitter last night by our editor Matthew Steeples: “Serpentine’s owner’s son says he ‘just ran for fun’ in The Derby. The rest of the horses didn’t run for toffee.”
Other than the winner, it was a hugely disappointing spectacle, but in the equally shaken up The Oaks thanks to a late tip, we did manage and each way second place with Ennistymon at 6/1.
Today, it is an even harder call Coral-Eclipse 2020 at Sandown at 3.35pm with just 7 very impressive runners (out of a potential maximum of 17) in this 1 mile, 1 furlong and 209 yard race. Given that the battle for first is impossible to call at this stage – it is most definitely Enable (the 2019 winner) vs. Ghaiyyath according to the majority of tipsters with less of a threat from Japan – we are looking at a second for:
EACH WAY 3.35pm – Sandown Park – Oisin Murphy ridden, Mitsuru Hashida trained Deirdre at 22/1.
Templegate for The Sun says: “Deirdre won the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last season so is proven at this level. She hasn’t run for four months so is entitled to need this and will come on for the outing.”
Racing Post adds: “Won last year’s Nassau; needs a career best to land this prize.”
At The Races concludes: “Japanese mare Deirdre cannot be discounted.”
We hope you had a most enjoyable ‘Super Saturday’ yesterday and today we again wish you a happy day’s racing in the Coral-Eclipse 2020.
The Coral-Eclipse was first run in 1886 and it was originally funded by Leopold de Rothschild. Lester Piggott, to date, has been its leading jockey, winning seven times between 1951 and 1977. In 1987, Piggott was stripped of his OBE and jailed for three years for tax fraud and later moved to Switzerland with his partner Lady Barbara FitzGerald.Punters will be hoping it won’t be a case for a need to “Free The Weatherfield One” Deirdre Barlow style for the Toji Morita owned sire of Harbinger Deirdre in the Coral-Eclipse 2020 today. Back in 1998, one viewer sent in £5,000 to what she believed was a genuine campaign to free the ‘Coronation Street’ character Deirdre Rachid after she was wrongly jailed for mortgage and credit card fraud whilst her conman lover Jon Lindsay walked free.
‘The Steeple Times’ analyses the selections for a somewhat damp double at Epsom on ‘Super Saturday’; we suggest enjoying The Oaks and The Derby 2020 at home
After having enjoyed the return to racing with ‘Royal Ascot At Home’ last month in spite of the inclement weather, punters are in for another treat (again without the help of ‘Him Upstairs’) in the form of The Oaks and The Derby 2020 at Epsom Downs in Surrey. It just happens to coincide with the pubs reopening for ‘Super Saturday’ and we hope that there are no mishaps on either the course or in those establishments also.
Beginning with the Investec Oaks at 3.40pm – first run in 1779 and legendarily won nine times by Frank Buckle on occasions between 1797 and 1823 – this one mile, four furlongs and six yards race is restricted to three-year-old fillies.
Today, only 8 horses (out of a maximum of 20) will run and for the first the favoured horse is the Sir John Gosden-Frankie Dettori combo Frankly Darling at 13/8 (The Sun, Daily Mail ‘Gimcrack’, Daily Mail Robin Goodfellow, Racing Post ’Newmarket NAP’, At The Races, GG.co.uk) with Love as the alternative at 11/10 (Guardian).
As a very much more exciting option, Radio 4 is going with the least favoured of the eight runners and we might do the same and pray for a comeback with an each way on Sir John Gosden’s second runner in the race, Tiempo Vuela at 100/1 from 80/1 earlier and 40/1 much earlier. Of her, the Racing Post says: “Folded tamely when favourite at Newmarket (well behind Queen Daenerys) last time.”
In the Group 1 flat race, the Investec Derby at 4.55pm – which was first run in 1780 and which was immortalised in the 1952 film Derby Day starring Anna Neagle and Michael Wilding – 16 three-year-olds (out of a maximum of 20) will battle it out over one mile, four furlongs and six yards in what is considered one of the greatest races in the world.
The Bjorn Nielsen owned entry with Frankie Dettori riding English King at 7/2 (Racing Post ‘Ace Tipster’, At The Races) is the favoured option this year, though Qatar Racing’s Oisin Murphy-Andrew Balding combo Kameko at 5/1 is a horse that appears on fine form having excelled in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket recently (The Telegraph, Daily Mail ‘Gimcrack’ NAP).
Of English King, Keith Melrose for the Racing Post says: “His Lingfield win was impressive and the draw is not a hugely major issue some are suggesting” whilst ‘Templegate’ for The Sun remarks of the anything but a turtle on the track Kameko: “There’s always a big question about stepping up to the Derby trip from that mile and his pedigree suggests it may be a stretch. But he travels supremely and that could get him home.”
As well as definitely going for an each way on Kameko, we might also opt for a second each way on the A. P. O’Brien trained Russian Emperor at 5/1 from 11/2 earlier (Radio 4, Guardian, At The Races).
Whilst the Racing Post remarks of him: “Looked a stayer when winning Group 3 over 1m2f at Ascot; should do well at 1m4f,” Chris Cook of the Guardian adds: “Russian Emperor is fancied to make his powerful finish count. The step up to this distance looks perfect for him and it also helps that there should still be some cushion in the ground after this week’s rain, because he is not the type to race handily and will probably have a dozen or more still in front of him at the home turn.”
Happy racing and please dear readers, just avoid ending up at A&E this ‘Super Saturday.’
Watch the day’s action live and enjoy The Oaks and The Derby 2020 and other races on ITV1 from 1.25pm.
Pictured top: Kameko ridden by Oisin Murphy winning the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in June. Murphy is one to watch today with rides in both the The Oaks and The Derby 2020. In the 3.40pm, he will be on Bharani Star (40/1) for Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
The Oaks and The Derby 2020 will see action just as exciting as is portrayed in the 1952 film ‘Derby Day.’ The film was directed by Herbert Wilcox and featured his third wife Anna Neagle in the star role as Lady Helen Forbes. The film was launched with a promotion at Epsom Downs Racecourse itself.The star of the show at The Oaks and The Derby 2020 – Frankie Dettori is favourite to win the Investec Derby this year on English King.
As groom-rider Abdul Musa Adam leads out Shadn at Royal Ascot today, he will inspire many on the eve of World Refugee Day and illustrate the positives of welcoming child refugees
Described as a “remarkable young man” by Racing TV’s Nick Luck in February, Abdulkareem Musa Adam was raised by a tribe of nomads in Darfur. When he was just 7 years old, the Sudanese army killed his entire family and burnt his home to the ground, but now, this afternoon, this groom-rider will lead out Shadn at Royal Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup.
After escaping by donkey with his 3-year old brother Yusuf, the pair survived refugee camps in Chad and then in Libya, he tried to find work aged 12. Parted from his sole surviving relative, he was captured by Colonel Gadaffi’s forces and after refusing to join his ‘child army,’ was imprisoned and tortured.
Next, after a ‘Guardian Angel’ Russian doctor helped him by disguising him as a hospital cleaner and smuggled him out via a bin and in the boot of a car, Musa Adam travelled to France aged 13. He thought he would be safe there, but ended up sleeping in industrial bins to keep warm. With no identification papers, this teenage refugee struggled for 18 months, but after being discovered by a man in a church named Antonio was not only fed tuna sandwiches daily, but also given hope for the future. Antonio ultimately helped Musa Adam in his successful attempt to smuggle himself to Britain in the wheel arch of a lorry.
Believing he was going to “England [a place that] means peaceful, you can study, you can improve your life,” the youngster spent what must have been a terrifying 15 hours in the most perilous of conditions. He totally randomly ended up “dumped at a petrol station” near Swindon in Wiltshire and was picked up by the police.
Here, granted asylum as a refugee and with the help of Social Services and then Greatwood, “a charity which uses horses to help young people facing difficulties and challenges,” Musa Adam was provided with assistance and ultimately a foster home. His “childhood passion for horses” was reignited whilst recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder and a “most remarkable journey in sport” commenced.
Musa Adam spent time with Niki Evans in Abergavenny and attended the Northern Racing College in Doncaster in 2016 subsequently. He progressed to a full-time job as a stable lad with Andrew Balding at his Kingsclere Park House Stables yard and amazingly won the ‘Young Achiever’ at the Mirror’s‘Pride of Sport Awards’ in 2016.
Referencing the “friend” whom she has “been writing a book together [with] for three years,” in the Mirror this morning, journalist Ros Wynne-Jones declared: “[Abdul Musa Adam] couldn’t be a better example of what safety and kindness can give to a human being who has escaped war, torture and trafficking after becoming a refugee at the age of eight. Britain is lucky to have him, and he is grateful to have a safe home.”
Speaking of him also, racing legend Clare Balding added: “His story shows the incredible power of sport to bring people together and help them to heal, even after the most appalling suffering.”
Hardworking Abdul Musa Adam – who is now a British citizen and whose day begins at 6am and finishes at midnight – himself concludes:
“Racing, riding, horses… After more riding, I feel more happy… I am so grateful I have found safety… I feel that this is my home now. I believe I can find [my brother] one day; I hope, I can.”
Now and still only 22 years old, today horse loving Abdul Musa Adam’s spectacular journey will continue when he leads out Shadn at Royal Ascot. We join all celebrating his remarkable progress to the paddocks of Royal Ascot.
‘The Journey: An Inspiring True Story of Courage and Hope,’ co-authored by Abdul Musa Adam with Ros Wynne-Jones, is available to pre-order on Amazon priced at £8.99.
RUNNERS & RIDERS – Day Four, ‘Royal Ascot At Home’ – ‘The Steeple Times’ analyses the selections for Day Four at ‘Royal Ascot at Home’
After delighting readers yesterday in calling both Stradivarius first (for the third time) in the Gold Cup and a place for Cross Counter also, today we are looking at:
3.00pm – Hardwicke Stakes
WIN – Ryan Moore-A.P. O’Brien combo Anthony Van Dyck at 11/4 (The Sun NAP, Daily Mail ‘Danger’, Sporting Life, Racing Post ’Spotlight Nap’, GG.co.uk).
Racing Post says: “Very good second in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket 14 days ago; big chance on that form.”
For them, Ben Hutton ’Spotlight Nap’ adds: “Back on track with very good second in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket 14 days ago and big chance on that form on this relatively quick return.”
Templegate, The Sun adds: “Ran his best race since winning the Derby when chasing home potential superstar Ghaiyyath in the Coronation Cup last time. That race was moved from its usual Epsom home to Newmarket and the Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old was gaining with every stride at the line. He beat some fair yardsticks like Defoe there and it’s hard to see last year’s winner of this race turning that form around. This trip is ideal for AVD and he goes on fast or slow so the weather isn’t a worry either.”
3.35pm Commonwealth Cup (16 runners)
EACH WAY – Magnier, Smith and Tabor owned Ryan Moore-A.P. O’Brien combo Lope Y Fernandez at 4/1 (Radio 4, The Telegraph).
Racing Post says: “Third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last Friday; effective at 6f last year; not dismissed.”
Templegate for The Sun adds: “Lope Y Fernandez ran a cracker when third to Siskin in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and warrants respect.”
It’s a longshot, but with the inspirational Abdul Musa Adam leading him out, we suggest also:
EACH WAY – Oisin Murphy-Andrew Balding combo Shadn at 20/1.
Racing Post says: “Needs improvement on the figures but worth noting that she’s 3-4 over 6f.”
4.10pm – Queen’s Vase (9 runners)
EACH WAY – William Haggas trained Born With Pride at 5/2 from 3/1 earlier (Radio 4, Daily Mail Gimcrack ‘Danger’, The Telegraph).
Racing Post says: “Listed winner on debut last season and not seen to best effect on her comeback; respected.”
Daily Mail adds: “Born With Pride, a winner on heavy ground on her Newmarket debut last autumn, was a non-runner earlier this week and connections appear to have done the right thing with the ground sure to suit.”
4.40pm – Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (18 runners)
EACH WAY – William Buick-Mark Johnston combo West End Charmer at 6/1 (The Sun, At The Races – Kevin Blake).
Racing Post says: “Stamina still to prove at this trip but lightly raced colt is 5lb well-in under a penalty.”
Templegate for The Sun says: “West End Charmer was impressive when running away with a hot handicap at Newmarket 12 days ago. He was coming back from a year off so, provided that hasn’t taken too much out of him, he should improve again for this step up in distance. He is well handicapped under a 4lb penalty.”
Abdul Musa Adam celebrating becoming a British citizen and out enjoying his passion for riding.Abdul Musa Adam will lead Shadn out today at Royal Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup at 3.35pm. The horse is owned by Katsumi Yoshida, trained by Andrew Balding and will be ridden by Oisin Murphy.
‘The Steeple Times’ analyses the selections for a somewhat damp Gold Cup Day at ‘Royal Ascot At Home’ – very much a day to stay indoors and watch Stradavarius, Frankie Dettori and Sir John Gosden
Rain could shake everything up today at ‘Royal Ascot At Home’ – as this year’s closed doors meeting has been branded – and though Stradivarius will not especially love any significant downpours, he is the horse that will surely be the highlight of Gold Cup day.
Trained by the Sir John Gosden, ridden by Frankie Dettori and owned by Bjorn Nielson, here is a horse seeking to secure a Royal Ascot hat-trick. Speaking to the Daily Mail’s Marcus Townend, Sir John commented: “He is in good form” whilst GG.co.uk concluded: “Stradivarius, and Frankie Dettori of course, are the undoubted top bill on day three of Royal Ascot 2020.”
Obvious Options
1.50pm – Wolferton Stakes (15 runners) – Ryan Moore and A. P. O’Brien’s Sir Dragonet at 12/5 has been branded as “among Thursday’s worthy support acts” (GG.co.uk).
Racing Post not especially enthusiastic: “Shade disappointing since close fifth in last year’s Derby but still has time on his side.”
3.35pm – Gold Cup (8 runners) – The horse of the day is Stradivarius at 8/11 (The Telegraph, The Sun TREBLE).
Racing Post concludes: “Top-class stayer, including winning this race for the last two years; hard to beat.”
4.40pm – Sandringham Stakes – Sir John Gosden’s African Dream at 13/8 (The Telegraph, Guardian). As Simon Rowlands of At The Races sensibly concludes: “The very short price makes him unplayable to me.” Watch and enjoy.
Chris Cook of the Guardian comments: “It is hard to resist the claims of African Dream, who ran way above her rating when second at Newbury last week. Whether she can reproduce that effort in these very different circumstances is a fair question but her connections give her every chance.”
Darker Horses
1.15pm – Golden Gates Handicap (16 runners) – Sticking with the combo of the Dettori-Gosden dream team, Hypothetical is an appealing each way at 9/2 from 4/1 earlier (Radio 4).
Racing Post says: “Opening mark is reasonable and profile points to strong potential for improvement” with their verdict being: “Despite the big field Acquitted makes a good bit of appeal. Hypothetical may be next best, ahead of Maori Knight.”
‘Templegate’ for The Sun adds: “Hypothetical comes from John Gosden and Frankie Dettori and is dropping in class after a solid fourth in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown on comeback. He went well until the lack of a recent run appeared to take its toll. It would be a surprise if he doesn’t take a step forward from that.”
3.35pm – Gold Cup (8 runners) – An each way on the James Doyle-Charlie Appleby combo Cross Counter could be a more appealing each way at 11/1 (The Sun ‘Next Best’).
Racing Post says: “Held behind Stradivarius when in the frame in this (4th) & at Goodwood (3rd); could be 2nd.”
4.10pm – Britannia Stakes (24 runners) – An each way on Ralph Beckett’s Great Ambassador at 12/1 (Guardian NAP, At The Races) could be worthwhile.
Chris Cook of The Guardian says: “His final outing as a juvenile suggested Great Ambassador was in line for a big three-year-old season. From a hot yard and drawn on the favoured side, he is on a handy rating in view of some of his form, which includes a close second in Pyledriver’s maiden.”
Hugh Taylor for At The Races says: “Great Ambassador had five runs as a 2yo and might look too exposed for a race like this, but those runs really do stand up to close inspection… I think he’s capable of proving much better than his current mark when everything drops right, and although he lacks a recent run, he looks well worth chancing on his reappearance, especially from a potentially handy draw… He carries a 5lb penalty here, but goes up 12lb from Saturday, and given he’s a keen-going type who promises to be well suited by the demands of a big-field handicap, he has clear claims here.”
Racing Post adds: “Hacked up on final 2yo start; should stay 1m; enters calculations.”
Also in the 4.10pm – Britannia Stakes (24 runners) – Our wildcard is Richard Hannon trained Ziggle Pops at 22/1 from 20/1 earlier (Radio 4).
Racing Post says: “Came home strongly to beat a few of these in 7f AW handicap; up 5lb; should stay 1m.”
With no Ladies Day fashion parade due to lockdown, today is one to stay indoors, pour yourself a glass of something special and enjoy a happy afternoon’s racing. Cheers to y’all!
In his humble response to his first win after 38 years of racing at Royal Ascot, winning groom Bob Grace provided much needed cheer to racing fans everywhere along with his trusty companion Battaash
Prior to setting off to Royal Ascot yesterday, groom Bob Grace remarked: “Never done a winner in 38 years at Royal Ascot, I think I’ve got a jinx on the place… If I haven’t got a winner tomorrow, I won’t be back there. At least I’ll have the mask on, so no one will know it is me.”
Thankfully for ‘Big Bob’s’ legion of fans, his trusty companion Battaash pulled it off. After romping home first in the King’s Stand Stakes as the 5/6 favourite – seeing off both Equilateral and Liberty Beach – for trainer Charlie Hills, the two stars of the day got to celebrate live on the telly.
Speaking to ITV1’s Matt Chapman – who lightheartedly quipped “you’re not a typically sized stable lad Bob” much to the amusement of the groom – Grace surmised: “He didn’t miss a beat. He was on his A game… He hasn’t done badly in two tries, three tries before today… Nearly as good as [Bristol Rovers] getting promotion.”
One Twitter user responded: “Loved the way he just wanted to get off and be with his horse” whilst another concluded: “Bob is wonderful, be like Bob.”
It was all “B’s for Bob” yesterday and no doubt he and Battaash celebrated with many a beer last night.
‘The Steeple Times’ joins in sharing the delight about the return of racing and looks forward to Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas; Pinatubo is the ‘obvious option’ but we also rather like Mums Tipple
Lauded as the “wonder horse who can bring some joy back to a nation starved of sport” by the Daily Mail’s Marcus Townend, “pugnacious colt” Pinatubo is the Godolphin horse that will likely delight at the “first major sporting event in Britain” in months, the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday at Newmarket. Ridden by William Buick and the 10/11 favourite, here is a horse that is “hard to oppose” on the Rowley Mile.
Sadly but sensibly being held “behind closed doors,” the race – which ITV’s anchor Ed Chamberlain suggests “will have a larger audience than any recent 2,000 Guineas with people desperate for sport” – the “second best in the field” according to the Mirror is the Oisin Murphy – Andrew Balding combo Kameko at 7/1. Of this Qatar Racing owned beauty, Sporting Life’s Simon Holt remarks: “A formidable rival… Should see this out strongly with the promise that he may stay a mile and a quarter.”
Taking a bit more of a punt, we at The Steeple Times, however, would also suggest (excuse the pun) raising a glass to an each way on the Sean Levey and Richard Hannon’s Mums Tipple at 33/1. A “runaway winner” at York’s Ebor meeting where he “literally took everybody’s breath away,” the Mirror go as far as suggesting this outsider as having “plenty of pace.”
Happy racing.
Trainer Charlie Appleby on his much fancied horse, Pinatubo:
Speaking to the Daily Mail:
“Pinatubo’s main asset is that he is the ultimate professional. Any sportsman at the top, you generally do not see them fretting going into a champion competition whatever it is, boxing or golf.”
“Those cool, calm customers are the ones that often turn up with their ‘A’ game and channel their positivity into the swing of the club or the punch of the glove.”
“Pinatubo has a great mind. He turns up and knows that, once those starting gates open, it is game on. He is not a horse who lights you up in the mornings.”
“We went to Wolverhampton [for his debut last year] for that reason. If we thought he was going to be the horse he has turned out to be, we would probably have turned up in a Newmarket maiden.”
“He is a well-balanced colt. He showed his true attributes last season, taking in some of the most challenging tracks in Britain at Epsom, Goodwood and Newmarket – and he has strengthened over the winter. He has met every challenge we have set him so far.”
“I’m delighted with what Pinatubo has done through the winter. He does what he needs to at home, but most importantly he looks great and physically he has done well and I can’t be any happier with him going into the weekend.”
“We are all trying our best to have hopefully a superstar like he was last year going into his three-year-old career. The sport needs him at this time, and what a time for a potential superstar to turn up.”
As horse racing returns “with a bang,” Pinatubo is expected to win the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday 6th June 2020 in “eerie silence.” The ‘Racing Post’ note: “Pinatubo could be a superstar, but is opposable at the prices.”“Sensational” Mums Tipple might throw a spanner in the works, but is trying a mile for the first time. He “could find it too far with all his early speed” some suggest.
