Noren has no time to celebrate Welsh win June 5, 2011 SWEDEN’S Alex Noren sealed the second European Tour title of his career yesterday but revealed he’s got no time to celebrate his achievement. The 28-year-old claimed the Wales Open at Celtic Manor by two shots from France’s Gregory Bourdy and Denmark’s Anders Hansen. But instead of toasting his success, Noren now heads to Sunningdale for [...]
Tanfeeth: a decent price at 10/1 to give Ed Dunlop victory in first race June 3, 2011 THE Investec Horses Help the Heroes Handicap (1.40pm) is often a stepping-stone to stardom, with Conduit and Dandino just two examples of progressive horses going through the ranks en route to Group celebrations. Dandino, who was allowed to start at 17/2 last year, has never stopped improving, so much so that he climbed into Group [...]
It’s looking so bright for Johnston on the Downs June 3, 2011 WHEREAS the quality two-year-olds wait for Royal Ascot, the whizz-bang youngsters invariably head for the Woodcote Stakes (2.10pm) over the fastest six furlong downhill dash in Britain. With all eight runners being previous winners, we are looking at ready-made material rather than scopey individuals who might make up into Group winners. Mark Johnston has won [...]
Why the legendary Lester Piggott is pinning his hopes on Carlton House June 3, 2011 EPSOM is a unique racecourse where jockeys can encounter more traffic problems than you will find during the rush hour on the M25, but one man who never had any trouble finding his way around the historic Surrey Downs was Lester Piggott, hero of a record nine Derby victories between 1954 and 1983. Lester, though [...]
Premio Loco a diamond bet in Investec Diomed June 3, 2011 THERE have been a few upsets over the years in the Group 3 Investec Diomed Stakes with just one winning favourite in the past decade. It’s a difficult race for punters to weigh up as they have to decide whether to side with improving handicappers, or those dropping back in class from Group 1 or [...]
the INSIDER June 3, 2011 TODAY I will be strong and won’t just back anything. I will keep to a plan. No deviation. Yesterday was painful – top filly, working brilliantly, just needed to turn up. She must have been due at a different track! Must learn from my mistakes. Will CARLTON HOUSE be a mistake? Top trainer, top jockey [...]
Easterby duo are the best bets in Investec ‘Dash’ June 3, 2011 THE Investec Entrepreneurial Class ‘Dash’ (3.15pm) is widely regarded as the quickest five furlong sprint anywhere in the world. You need a horse that can break quickly, hold its position on the downhill run and then power clear entering the final half furlong. However, there aren’t many other contests where the draw can have more [...]
Horse-By-Horse Guide to the Investec Derby June 3, 2011 Carlton House Red-hot favourite who was subject to a last minute injury scare following an impressive win in the Dante. He showed terrific bravery that day by muscling his way through a tiny gap and can give Sir Michael Stoute his sixth Derby win and, more importantly, the Queen her first! The one to beat. [...]
Carlton all set to bring the House down June 3, 2011 CARLTON House, the horse gifted to the Queen as a yearling by Sheikh Mohammed, can brush aside his recent injury scare and finally land the world’s most famous race for his most passionate of owners. As far as the classics are concerned, Her Majesty has done far better with fillies than with colts. Her first [...]
Beach looks Treasure of a bet in William Hill’s Ballydoyle Derby June 3, 2011 Hats off to the odds compilers at William Hill for coming up with some fantastic novelty markets on this afternoon’s Investec Derby. Normally, the racing trading teams at the majority of bookmakers use occasions like these to offer odds on the ridiculous, but Hills’ Kate Miller has come up with a sensible list with some [...]