Wandering Eyes

American-bred juveniles are prominent in the market for Saturday’s $172,679 Cattleya Sho (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse, the first of four races in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Heavily favored in ante-post wagering is the California-bred filly Make Happy (Square Eddie), a $650,000 graduate of this year’s Fasig-Tipton Florida sale who carried leading rider Christophe Lemaire to a 10-length victory in a newcomers’ event over track and trip Oct. 7 (see below, gate 10). Racing in the colors of Kazuko Yoshida, Make Happy is a full-sister to 2015 GI Hopeful S. hero Ralis as well as MSW & MGSP B Squared. The early January foal is the 9-10 pick in the field of 14, though she and Lemaire will need to work out a trip from the widest barrier. Washington Tesoro (Curlin), a half-brother to this year’s GII San Clemente S. winner War Heroine (Lonhro {Aus}), has his fair share of admirers and was the 6-1 third choice in the wagering at the time of this writing. A $550,000 Keeneland September acquisition by Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings last fall, the dark bay was similarly impressive in his career unveiling, scoring by nine eased-down lengths from just off the pace over 1700 meters of the Fukushima dirt course Nov. 4 (video, gate 13). Two other U.S.-bred runners look to play the role of upsetter. Evacuant (Street Boss), a $130,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling and $200,000 OBS April grad, also made a victorious debut at Tokyo, scoring by 3 1/2 front-running lengths (video, gate 1). Seiun Kobe (Congrats), an $80,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $150,000 OBS March 2-year-old, validated odds-on favoritism when graduating by 3 1/2 lengths in a 1300-meter maiden at Tokyo Nov. 4 (video, gate 2). The Cattleya Sho, run under allowance conditions, offers points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale. The series continues with the Zennippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Dec. 19, the Hyacinth S. back at Tokyo Feb. 17 and the Fukuyra S. at Nakayama Mar. 31. The horse that accumulates the most points will earn a berth in the Kentucky Derby. WATCH: Make Happy romps in her career debut Other U.S-Bred runners of note this weekend: Saturday, November 24, 2018 6th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($119k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m BASIN STREET (c, 2, Curlin–Judith Basin, by Danzig) was a $72K purchase as a weanling out of the 2016 Keeneland November sale and fetched $110K as a Keeneland September yearling. Entered for this year’s OBS March Sale, the May foal breezed a furlong in :10 1/5 and was hammered down to Katsumi Yoshida for $250K. The colt hails from the extended female family of A.P. Indy, Summer Squall and Lemon Drop Kid, among others. B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY) 8th-TOK, ¥19,950,000 ($177k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1600m RAMSES BAROWS (c, 3, Curlin–Devious Intent, by Dixie Union) graduated in his second career start and first try on dirt last November (video, gate 6) and most recently returned from a three-month freshening to finish a very good third over this course and distance Oct. 6. The chestnut colt was a $425K KEESEP yearling and $350K OBSMAR breezer. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY) Sunday, November 25, 2018 11th-KYO, ¥41,800,000 ($370k), Open Class, 3yo/up, 1200m MOLTO ALLEGRO (f, 3, Speightstown–Mo Chuisle, by Free House), a debut winner on dirt last June, has since won two of five starts on the turf, including a victory in listed company at this track this past January (video, gate 8). The $525K KEESEP yearling is a half-sister to the late MGISW & champion Points Offthebench (Benchmark) and GSW Bench Points (Benchmark) and makes her first appearance since March. B-Town & Country Horse Farms LLC & Frank & Kim Taylor (KY) View the full article

Trainer Mike De Paulo is hoping a couple of changes with Code Warrior add up to a walk to the winner's circle in the $175,000 Bessarabian Stakes (G2) at Woodbine, a seven-furlong sprint Nov. 25 that drew 14 starters. View the full article

It's a bountiful stakes Saturday across the nation, offering something for handicappers of all persuasions. View the full article

Don Alberto Stable and WinStar Farm's Battle of Midway will look to grab graded glory for the first time since his score in the 2017 Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 25 at Del Mar. View the full article

Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) has certainly been the apple of the eye of Japanese racing enthusiasts this year through her filly Triple Crown sweep, and the 3-year-old will elevate her reputation to new heights if she can prevail as the even-money favourite in Sunday’s $5.7-million G1 Japan Cup, the country’s most prestigious race. Despite being from the first crop of the outstanding sprint champion Lord Kanaloa, Almond Eye has continued to excel as the distances have increased. No rival got within a length of her throughout her Triple Crown sweep, which began with the 1600 metre G1 Oka Sho on Apr. 8, progressed to the G1 Yushun Himba on May 20 over 2400 metres-the same track and trip as the Japan Cup–and concluded with a drop back in trip to 2000 metres for the G1 Shuka Sho on Oct. 14. The country’s leading rider, Christophe Lemaire, partners Almond Eye as per usual, and they will enjoy the advantage of a 117-pound impost-the lightest in the field. Almond Eye exits gate one, which has produced the last two winners of the race: Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) and Kitasan Black (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}). Cheval Grand is back to attempt a title defense, and a dry spell in the interim has ensured that he is once again long in the odds at 10-1. He has for the most part not been disgraced, however, and comes into this off a fourth behind Satono Diamond (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten on Oct. 8. Satono Diamond, already a dual Group 1 winner, looks to be rounding back into form after a disappointing finish in last year’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over yielding ground behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). This year’s G1 Osaka Hai winner Suave Richard (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) is worth consideration; the 4-year-old went into last month’s G1 Tenno Sho Autumn the favourite but struggled in 10th after a nightmare trip. That was his first run in almost five months, so improvement could be expected. Locally trained runners have won the last 12 runnings of the Japan Cup, but that hasn’t stopped a pair of foreign raiders from having a crack. Last year’s G1 Irish Derby and G1 St Leger winner Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is 15-1 off a fifth-beaten 3 1/4 lengths-in the Arc and a fourth behind Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Champion S., while British fan favourite Thundering Blue (Exchange Rate) is given a longshot chance at 40-1 to go one better than his second in the GI Canadian International on Oct. 13. View the full article

‘TDN Rising Star’ COPPER BULLET (c, 3, More Than Ready–Allegory, by Unbridled’s Song) made a successful return to the races Friday at Churchill Downs after 15 months on the sidelines. Seizing the early advantage from his rail draw, the bay ticked off an opening quarter in :22.91 and was headed by a pair of rivals to his outside through a half in :45.51. Sticking right with them, the $200,000 KEESEP buy resumed command in the lane and rolled clear under a hand ride to win as he pleased in 1:21.86. Graduating by eight lengths at second asking here in May 2017, Copper Bullet checked in second in this venue’s GIII Bashford Manor S. last summer and earned his black-type badge in the GII Saratoga Special when last seen in August of 2017. O-Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing; B-Dell Ridge Farm LLC (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

Uncovering a new elite sire is always exciting. By definition it doesn’t happen very often: a sire that can produce stakes winners at a rate of 10% or higher is hard to find. The last time we got two in the same year was 2009, when Dubawi (Ire) and Shamardal made their debuts. Could 2018 be another of those special years? It will be a tough act to follow, but a handful of sires have advanced their claims in no small way during 2018. The top-class miler Kingman (GB) was first to make his mark, siring the brilliant G2 Coventry S. hero Calyx (GB) at Royal Ascot. Then No Nay Never answered with Ten Sovereigns (Ire) in the G1 Middle Park S. Let’s take a look at a few different metrics and see how the class of 2018 measures up to their predecessors. Getting the most winners on the board is not always a reliable indicator of future class as a sire. Since 2000, no fewer than 20 sires are beating No Nay Never–the current leader–who has amassed 27 winning juveniles in 2018. Iffraaj set the bar high in 2010 with 38 first-crop juvenile winners. And it is not insignificant that the next two on the list are Dubawi with 36 and Invincible Spirit on 35. So, top-class sires can also put plenty of winners on the board early on in their careers. Bungle Inthejungle (Ire) (25 winners) sits in joint 24th place alongside Charm Spirit (Ire). Kingman, meanwhile, with 23 winners, is in 33rd place among all first-season sires since 2000. When we examine the same set of sires by the number of first-crop juvenile stakes winners we get a completely different– and more meaningful–picture about the future prospects of the latest new sires. By this measure, the 2015 intake has two–No Nay Never and Kingman–among the best five sires since 2000. No Nay Never has sired six stakes winners, level with Oasis Dream (GB) and Frankel (GB), while Kingman has five, alongside Zoffany (Ire). Also deserving of mention are Bungle Inthejungle, Sea The Moon (Ger) and Garswood (GB), who have all sired two stakes winners in 2018–a commendable feat when you consider that is as many as the likes of Dubawi, Dark Angel (Ire) and Pivotal (GB) managed, and more than the great Galileo (Ire). This particular metric is far less susceptible to imposters than the winners’ list, but it nevertheless still contains some sires that ultimately were found wanting. Even better is to examine the freshman set by the average rating of their best 10 2-year-olds. By this measure, No Nay Never scores 103.4 and he’s behind only Frankel (104.3) and Zoffany (103.7) among first-season sires this century. Kingman also makes the top 10 with an average of 101.6. Any sire that can surpass the 100 mark is truly exceptional–at least until this point in their career. Another new sire who has made us all sit up and take note this year is Australia (GB). This son of Galileo has a best-10 average of 96.8, which is excellent for one whose stock should thrive as 3-year-olds. To put his achievements in perspective, his best 10 juveniles have the same average rating as New Approach (Ire)’s; and his included three Royal Ascot winners. Australia’s first youngsters include group winner Beyond Reason, plus three Group 1 colts all rated 110 or more by Timeform. Scat Daddy was a huge loss to the industry in general and the Coolmore group in particular. In No Nay Never they have a potential successor and his fee increase to €100,000 for 2019 confirms Coolmore’s faith in the young sire. The fact that he’s already had great success with Danehill-line mares bodes well for his future as there is plenty of that blood at the County Tipperary farm. At this early stage, it looks very much like he’s a speed influence, but one that could get top-class milers with the right mares. Kingman, on the other hand, should sire horses that stay further. His 2-year-olds already have a higher stamina index than those by No Nay Never. His best son, Calyx, earned a Timeform rating of 120 for his Coventry win, the same mark achieved by No Nay Never’s Ten Sovereigns later in the season. It’s not hard to imagine a different hierarchy among the top 2-year-olds had Calyx not sustained a season-ending injury. Calyx is backed up by many 2-year-olds with great potential for his sire, none more so than the G3 Autumn S. hero Persian King. With another season under their belts, it will be intriguing to see what sires among this group are still at the top. View the full article

English Affair split horses in late stretch to score a half-length victory over Amboseli in the $100,000 Cardinal Handicap (G3T) for fillies and mares Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Expectations were tempered ahead of the second and final day of the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale and so it proved as trade ticked over at pretty low revs throughout the session. Despite a smaller offering of mares compared to last year, the clearance rate fell to 45% when only 67 of the 148 mares on offer changed hands. This had a severely detrimental effect on turnover, which finished up at €370,600, less than a quarter of the aggregate of last year. The average and median also suffered and came in at €5,531 (-49%) and €2,000 (-63%), respectively. Taken as a whole, the two day breeding stock sale obviously came up well short on last year, with turnover for the sale amounting to €6,290,000, a drop of over €8.5-million from last year and even allowing for the absence of some big-ticket lots this year there are clear signs that there is little or no appetite among breeders to continue breeding from potentially loss-making mares. Acknowledging the highs and lows of the last couple of days, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “In recent years Goffs has been privileged to handle a number of significant dispersals at our November Breeding Stock Sale. Who can forget the amazing atmosphere as Chicquita sold in front of a packed house for a record breaking €6-million, whilst the Wildenstein Stables mares also added a real buzz before and during their sale? “When this year’s edition was launched we highlighted 16 stand-out mares that we felt held international appeal and set about promoting them to the widest audience. As it turned out 10 of them were withdrawn from the catalogue and we feel that was the difference when comparing yesterday with 2017. I stress we make no criticism of the vendors as it is absolutely their prerogative whether or not to sell, but to an extent it does help explain the big drops in Thursday’s statistics. That said, those that stood out and commanded six figure sums enjoyed a vibrant trade as a truly international group of buyers fought it out for the best we presented. In fact, the top five lots sold to interests from China, Australia, Japan, Spain and France to clearly illustrate the global appeal of the best at Goffs. “Away from the top lots it was a very different story, however, and I would be deluded not to refer to the stark state of the market beneath the top. Some of Thursday and most of Friday has proved extremely tough for breeders and we should not underestimate the ongoing challenges the industry is facing. In my 36 years in the bloodstock business I have seen many highs and lows, enjoyed selling in several strong markets and worked through some very trying times. However I have rarely, if ever, seen a trade that is both so strong and so weak at the same time. As we saw on Wednesday with the best foals, and at the Orby, there is an ongoing hunger for the best-bred but today is just one of several days in recent months that would give huge cause for concern, especially with the ongoing uncertainty of Brexit looming. ‘Polarised’ is an overused description of the market at present but it is very accurate in our view and all we can do is double down on our efforts to seek out new buyers and promote the horses entrusted to us to the widest number of potential purchasers. As ever we are grateful for the support of our vendors, and never more so in such trying times, and our simple promise is to keep endeavouring to repay their trust as best we are able.” The highlights from Friday were few and far between, but a Galileo (Ire) mare that has already produced a stakes performer should not have too much difficulty finding a new home and it was Paul Nataf who signed for lot 1062 for €27,000. Offered by Denis Brosnan’s Croom House Stud in foal to Fascinating Rock (Ire), the unraced mare, named Phillipa (Ire), has bred four winners including the Group 3-placed Naseem Alyasmeen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) and her 2-year-old filly by Acclamation (GB) made €50,000 as a yearling in the Orby Sale last year. Another of the more popular mares during the day was lot 1053, Lady Heart (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) and she received a quality update since the catalogue was printed when her half-brother Son Of Rest (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) dead-heated in the Ayr Gold Cup. The 3-year-old, offered by the Stack’s Thomastown Castle Stud was purchased by Cavalier Bloodstock for €26,000. Meanwhile, the John McConnell trained filly Evie’s Wish (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (lot 1117) will now embark on her breeding career after selling to PP Bloodstock for €23,000. A winner this year, Evie’s Wish is a half-sister to the Group 1- placed Lottie Dod (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and a full-sister to another stakes performer in Rockaway Valley (Ire). Indian and Turkish buyers have been a feature of this sale in the past and while their participation isn’t as prolific as in years gone by, they still make a significant contribution to trade. Gaurav Rampal, one of the leading bloodstock agents in India, made his presence felt when purchasing lot 1085, Ibiza Empress (Ire) (Tertullian) for €22,000. The Castletown Stud-consigned 5-year-old was offered in foal to Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). The lone offering by Scat Daddy was bound to generate interest and lot 1120, Miss Margarita (GB), eventually went the way of Honey Pound Farm & Stud for €21,000. Saturday will see the resumption of selling foals with a single-session Part 2, which commences at 10 a.m. View the full article

15:00 Haydock – Betfair Chase In the world of sport, we have witnessed very intense rivalries both past and present. The likes of Celtic v Rangers in football, Ali v Frazier in boxing and even in our beloved sport of racing we’ve had Denman v Kauto Star. This Saturday sees a very hotly anticipated rivalry that brewed from last years Cheltenham Gold Cup. Native River got the better of Might Bite back in March but just over 8 months later they are set to lock horns again. The word on the grapevine is that both runners have improved over the summer and are better than ever which makes this duel even more mouthwatering. Normally racing fans get very disheartened when you only see a handful of runners (5 in this case) line up for a major Grade 1 race but despite the two chasers that are getting all the plaudits there’s a trio of other runners that demand a tonne of respect. Clan Des Obeaux ran well at Aintree in the Betfred Bowl last time out to finish 3rd behind Might Bite so clearly deserves his spot. The likelihood is that he isn’t going to be able to reverse the placings with Might Bite but what he does have over his former conqueror and also Native River is a Haydock course success. If he’s progressed over the summer he may finish closer than before. Former World Hurdle winner Thistlecrack is seen by a handful of racing fans as the better of Colin Tizzard’s duo. After two poor performances in his last couple of starts, it’s easy to forget just how good Thistlecrack really is. He racked up a run of 9 straight victories which culminated with a clear win in the 2016 King George VI Chase. If he’s put his bad recent efforts behind him he certainly, at least on paper, has the credentials to not only win but to possibly dominate a race of this nature. The downside with Thistlecrack, however, is that a lot is taken on trust and just how much this multiple Grade 1 champion has left is up for debate. The horse that looks the most likely to cause an upset for the two at the head of the market has to be Bristol De Mai. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge won this race last term and from 3 runs here at Haydock already he remains unbeaten. He’s yet to finish with his head in front of either Might Bite or Native River from 3 previous attempts and although he clearly loves it here at Haydock whether or not he possesses the star ability to finally topple his main rivals is hard to see. Although it may seem boring it’s hard to see past either Native River or Might Bite claiming victory and it’s very tricky to split the two. That being said however I have to side with the Gold Cup hero. Without being disrespectful to Nico de Boinville, who returns from recent injury, you can’t help but acknowledge that the fact Richard Johnson climbs aboard Native River is a huge plus for the 8-year-old. It’s also somewhat surprising to see that Native River is younger than Might Bite as it seems Native River has been around much longer than Nicky Henderson’s runner. The rain is scheduled to fall the night before the race and if the expected down poor occurs it just makes the task easier for Collin Tizzard’s star. Might Bite is still prone to the odd jumping error and if Johnson gets his mount ahead early it’s going to be difficult for his rivals to catch the bold jumping Native River. NATIVE RIVER (WIN) Gowran Park: 11:35 – Union Gap (E/W) 12:05 – Daly An Sceil (E/W) 12:35 – Ballyneety (WIN) 13:10 – Satoshi (WIN) 13:45 – Taisara (E/W) 14:20 – Tycoon Prince (WIN) 14:55 – Crazyheart (E/W) 15:30 – Baby Jake (E/W) Lingfield: 11:45 – Contrive (WIN) 12:15 – Um Shama (E/W) 12:50 – Baby Gal (E/W) 13:25 – Salateen (E/W) 14:00 – Red Impression (WIN) 14:35 – Just Glamorous (WIN) 15:10 – Ban Shoof (WIN) 15:40 – Visor (E/W) Huntingdon: 12:00 – Espoir De Loire (WIN) 12:30 – Jet Set (WIN) 13:05 – Cervaro Mix (WIN) 13:40 – Beach Break (WIN) 14:15 – Boagrius (WIN) 14:50 – Aquarian (E/W) 15:25 – Simply Loveleh (WIN) Haydock: 12:10 – Grand Sancy (WIN) 12:40 – Very First Time (E/W) 13:15 – River Wylde (WIN) 13:50 – Cliffs Of Dover (E/W) – ITV Racing 14:25 – First Assignment (E/W) – ITV Racing 15:00 – Native River (WIN) – ITV Racing 15:35 – Vintage Clouds (WIN) – ITV Racing Ascot: 12:20 – Senior Citizen (WIN) 12:55 – Dino’s Benefit (E/W) 13:30 – Miss Mash (WIN) 14:05 – Charbel (WIN) NAP – ITV Racing 14:40 – We Have A Dream (WIN) – ITV Racing 15:15 – Caid Du Lin (E/W) – ITV Racing 15:50 – Jelski (E/W) Wolverhampton: 17:15 – Fantasy Justifier (E/W) 17:45 – Normal Equilibrium (E/W) 18:15 – Sunday Prospect (WIN) 18:45 – Perceived (E/W) 19:15 – Dal Horrisgle (E/W) 19:45 – Casanova (WIN) 20:15 – Fume (WIN) 20:45 – Global Humour (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Saturday 24th November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Frankel (GB)’s half-brother Morpheus (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}-Kind {Ire}, by Danehill) will stand at Haras du Grand Chesnaie in France in 2019. Morpheus has sired six winners with his first-crop 2-year-olds this year. Sean Tiernan represented Tally-Ho Stud in the deal, and the agent has also recently brokered the deal on behalf of Coolmore to stand Magician (Ire) at Haras de Corlay in France in 2019. Tiernan said, “I was introduced to Morpheus by Alan Delany of Corbal-Lis Stud and liked him a lot, so things progressed from there.” View the full article

Smooth Daddy (Scat Daddy-Prairie Maiden, by Badger Land), winner of last year’s GIII Fort Marcy S. at Belmont Park and placed at the graded level four more times, will stand in Ireland with Compas Stallions in 2019 for a fee of €5,000 Micheal Orlandi of Compas Stallions said, “We are really excited to be standing this good-looking son of Scat Daddy. He has an exceptional walk and stands a solid 16.1hh. He has been retired to stud to offer commercial breeders access to the Scat Daddy sire line.” Smooth Daddy is from the family of Irish high-weighted mare Catch The Blues (Ire) (Bluebird) and G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. winner Sioux Nation (Scat Daddy), who retires to Coolmore for 2019. View the full article

The ITV racing team is bringing viewers action from Ascot and Haydock on Saturday, where the Betfair Chase takes centre stage at the Lancashire course. The jumps season is in full swing now following some much-wanted rain. There are some very big names making their seasonal debuts and it’s a day to really savour. I have taken a look at some of the key races taking place this weekend and it looks like it could be a “fav” feast in the feature races. 1965 Chase This looks like an ideal opportunity for Politologue to open his account for the season. Paul Nicholls’ grey was a dual Grade 1 winner last season which included the Tingle Creek and Melling Chase. Bear in mind that he is still only a seven year old and these performances were all the more impressive. There could still be some improvement to come from him and there looks to be nothing in the field that could mount a serious challenge. Gary Moore landed a big prize at Cheltenham last week with Baron Alco and runs Benatar in this and he could prove the biggest threat to the favourite. The lightly raced son of Beneficial was a Grade 2 winner last season and also finished third behind Shattered Love in the JLT at Cheltenham. Benatar ran disappointingly on seasonal debut at Newton Abbott but he looked in need of the run that day and should Politologue run below par, he could pick up the pieces. Charbel beat the aforementioned Baron Alco back in October and that form received a timely boost last weekend. He finished nearly six lengths behind Politologue in last season’s Tingle Creek and if he can make match fitness count then perhaps he can turn the tables. The field is made up by Gold Present, Hammersly Lake and Sizing Granite. Selection: Politologue Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle First Assignment was one of the most impressive winners at the Cheltenham November meeting last week and he gets in here off just the mandatory five-pound penalty. Ian Willams’ charge is on a real upward curve and should prove very difficult to beat here if he’s none to worse for his recent exertions. Paisley Park was Grade 2 placed last season and began the current campaign in great fashion when landing a handicap at Aintree in October. Emma Lavelle’s six-year-old now races off a seven pound higher mark and has to give the favourite twelve pounds, which may prove too hard. Paul Nicholls’ runs Captain Cattistock in this and he ran with real credit in the Silver Trophy when finishing sixth behind Garo De Juilley. This was improved form on what he showed last season and considering he’s only five, he may be worth following for the season ahead. Folsom Blue is the sole Irish-raider and he’s proved a very shrewd acquisition for current connections, with the highlight coming in the Irish Grand National when he finished a fine fourth in behind General Principle. It’s worrying that he’s only won once on seasonal debut and I think there will be bigger targets later in the season. Selection: First Assignment If The Cap FitsAscot Hurdle This looks like a match race between We Have A Dream and If The Cap Fits. The pair have already met this season in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton where If The Cap Fits proved seven lengths too good for We Have A Dream. They both came up short behind the improving Verdana Blue. We Have A Dream was unbeaten since moving to Seven Barrows prior to the Elite Hurdle, having won four on the bounce last season with the highlight coming at Chepstow when emerging victoriously in the Grade 1 Future Champions Juvinelle hurdle. It will be intriguing to see if he can bridge the gap with his rival but I find it hard to see why he would. If The Cap Fits had an immaculate start to life over hurdles with victories at Exter, Bangor and finally Kempton, on his only three runs last season. He wasn’t ever asked a serious question on any of these starts and was one of the talking horses last season. However, injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season and there were lots of positives to be taken from his season return. I think he’s one of the most exciting hurdlers in training and is my idea of the winner. Old Guard should prove best of the rest and has already run three fine races this season. I think he’ll again give his running but will come up short. Selection: If The Cap Fits Betfair Chase It’s disappointing that only five go to post in this Grade 1 contest but the five that do face the starter are the creme de la creme of national hunt racing. All of the field will have the Cheltenham Gold Cup as their main seasonal target. Native River won British racing’s blue riband event last season and makes his seasonal debut on Saturday. Colin Tizzard’s front-running gelding runs with his heart on his sleeve and although he only graced the track twice last season, he won on both occasions. The Tizzard stable is running at a 25% strike rate at the moment and if he shows up in the same form as last season he will be hard to contain. Nicky Henderson’s Might Bite was sent off favourite in the Gold Cup last season and although he came up short behind Native River, he regained the winning thread when demolishing a field which included Bristol De Mai(re-opposes) in the Aintree Bowl. The imposing son of Scorpion could improve again for a summers grass and looks a force to be reckoned with. Many eyes will be Thistlecrack who’s exuberant style of racing makes his an exciting watch every time he runs. Unfortunately, his racecourse forays have been limited in recent seasons due to injuries. The now ten-year-old won the World Hurdle back in 2016 and looked to have the chasing world at his feet when impressively landing the King George on Boxing Day of the same year. Following another injury, it has to be said, Thistlecrack didn’t seem to be the same horse last season and came up short on both starts. It will be interesting to see how he fares on Saturday and a watching brief is advised. The final runner is the Paul Nicholls’ trained Clan Des Obeaux, who needs to improve to feature. Selection: Might Bite The post Saturday Preview – Who’ll Take The Biggest Bite In The Betfair Chase? appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

I wanted to run more horses this weekend but the weather is still proving quite frustrating. Hopefully next weekend we can turn a corner and get some of the horses that have been waiting for softer out. On Saturday we go to Haydock and Huntingdon, then on Sunday, it’s off to Uttoxeter with one runner. Saturday Beach Break Track: Huntingdon – 1:40 Jockey: Abbie McCain He’s been running well all year and the ground at Huntingdon is still on the good side which is fine for him. Abbie rides him and he’s a solid little horse, I do feel that he’s a better horse going left-handed but we are just going to take our chance and hope he continues to run well. Chti Balko Track: Haydock – 1:50 Jockey: Brian Hughes We have been aiming for this race for some time but in the hope that we would have our normal Haydock ground. I think he copes with the better ground but he is more effective on deeper ground. He’s handicapped on deep ground and even though he ran very well on seasonal debut, he may find things happening too quick for him tomorrow. Black Key Track: Haydock – 12:10 Jockey: Brian Hughes He’s not a horse we picked up at the sales from the Henry De Bromhead yard and in truth, I don’t know that much about him. He won two of his last three starts in Ireland and it was difficult to find a starting point for him with his current mark, so we said we’d take our chance in this Listed contest. He seems healthy and we have to get started somewhere, I wouldn’t think he’s up to winning off his current mark but hopefully, he proves me wrong. Sunday Whiteoak Stroller Track: Uttoxeter – 1:40 Jockey: Brian Hughes She is a well-bred daughter of Shirocco, who is definitely stronger this year. I think she will need further in time and could be more of a staying hurdler down the line but this looks like a place to start her season and we are hoping for a good run. Best Chance: Chti Balko The post Donald McCain Blog appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

17:45 Kempton John Gosden looks to enhance his record with the smart looking Jadeerah here in this one. The Hamzan Al Maktoum Frankel colt was a decent second on debut at Newmarket three weeks ago and can land this easily with the expected progress so is the confident selection. Jim Crowley makes the trip to take the ride here tonight and this exciting colt can confirm its early promise by getting his head in front tonight. Roger Varian’s debutant Regal Banner looks the main danger to the selection given the yard’s exemplary record with 2yos this term. Of the rest, Clive Cox’s Regal Ambition is a beautifully bred filly by Pivotal and the market will guide as to her chances. JADEERAH (WIN)-NAP RACEBETS.COM ALTERNATIVE BET OF THE DAY 13:00 Ascot The Ben Pauling trained Kildisart has long been mooted as a chaser in the making for high profile owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and today he makes his long-anticipated chasing bow. The stable can easily ready one on debut and having schooled well over fences, the 6yo looks primed to run a big race in the Ascot opener this afternoon having gone well in the past. He is one to follow this season and he may just take all the beating this afternoon. The David Pipe-trained Moon Racer is a high-class animal who made an admirable debut in third behind the impressive Jersey Bean and he will be sharper for that outing and could give the selection most to think about. KILDISART (WIN) Ascot: 13:00 – Kildisart (WIN)* 13:30 – Igor (E/W) 14:05 – Thomas Darby (WIN) 14:40 – Flying Angel (E/W) 15:15 – Battle of Shiloh (E/W) 15:50 – Flying Tiger (WIN) Catterick: 12:15 – Goldencard (WIN) 12:45 – Grow Nasa Grow (E/W) 13:20 – Liva (WIN) 13:50 – Pickamix (E/W) 14:25 – Scented Lily (E/W) 15:00 – Braavos (WIN) 15:35 – Nickelsonthedime (WIN) Ffos Las: 12:35 – Cougar’s Gold (E/W) 13:10 – Al Dancer (WIN) 13:40 – Milanstorm (E/W) 14:15 – Absolute Power (E/W) 14:50 – Penn Lane (E/W) 15:25 – Bubbles Of Gold (WIN) Kempton: 17:15 – Merchant of Venice (E/W) 17:45 – Jadeerah (WIN) – NAP 18:15 – She’s Got You (WIN) 18:45 – Frederickbarbarosa (WIN) 19:15 – Simon’s Smile (E/W) 19:45 – Rampant Lion (E/W) 20:15 – Miss Blondell (WIN) 20:45 – Get Back Get Back (WIN) Dundalk: 17:30 – Ajmera (E/W) 18:00 – Reckless Lad (E/W) 18:30 – Too Precious (WIN) 19:00 – Isotype (E/W) 19:30 – Star Sapphire (E/W) 20:00 – Equitant (WIN) 20:30 – Proud And Elated (WIN) 21:00 – Hey Pretty (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Friday 23nd November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Lerner, Curatolo suspended View the full article

Jomo beats wide draw for three-in-a-row View the full article

Zaki shows plenty of Bounceback Ability View the full article

Oliver helps himself to some more View the full article

Whistling Win blows them away View the full article

Horses' body weights November 23 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings November 23 View the full article

Darrell and Sadie Brommer's 6-year-old homebred mare Prado's Sweet Ride led every step of the way and drew off in deep stretch for a decisive 4 3/4-length win over 3-5 favorite Devine Miss Grey in the $200,000 Falls City Handicap (G2) Nov. 22. View the full article

India Mantuana, a 4-year-old filly claimed for $40,000 in August by trainer Ray Bell, hung on gamely in the final strides under a masterful ride by jockey Tyler Baze to complete a gate-to-wire victory Nov. 22 in the Red Carpet Handicap (G3T). View the full article

In the 41st start of his career, Ara Aprahamian's Life in Shambles earned his first stakes win, using a strong late kick to win the $200,000 Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) Nov. 22 at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article