Derby/Oaks update

Well, we're just over a week away from the two big races and the biggest recent news is Andre Fabre's rining endorsement of Pour Moi's claims he says in today's Racing Post:

"All my Derby runners have been a disaster before, but Pour Moi is the hest chance I've ever had."

I think Fabre is the best trainer in Europe and with the favourite now a ridiculous price with all the hype surrounding him I have backed Pour Moi for the race.

In the fillies race Wonder of Wonders drifted slightly on Betfair last Sunday to 5/1 so I stepped in again.

Oaks:
Wonder of Wonders £70w @ 56/10

Derby:
Seville £40w @ 95/10
Pour Moi £30w @ 6/1
Frankel Laid @ 42/10 for £65

Temple Stakes

I'm quite excited about Overdose running in Britain for the first time today and he has drifted to 3/1 with a couple of bookmakers and I think that is worth taking. He's had an injury since he looked stunning when winning the voided race in France on Arc day a few years back. He only beat a moderate bunch on his return this year but for me the opposition today isn't up to much either. Kingsgate Native is most inconsistent and although he won this last year the horses behind him and Equino were a ropey bunch to say the least. The standard of sprinters the last few years has been pretty awful in my opinion and I really think Overdose could be a monster price.

Overdose £50w @ 3/1 (lost)


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Derby/Oaks update

With nothing coming out of the Musidora to concern me overmuch I have topped up my bet on Wonder of Wonders for the Oaks. I think she's still a cracking wager in a field that looks thin on quality.

I was happy with the way Seville ran in the Dante considering the trip and the gallop they went. Carlton House looks short to me now although I respect his claims. I virtually have a free bet with Frankel not running.

Oaks:
Wonder of Wonders £50w @ 58/10

Derby:
Seville £40w @ 95/10
Frankel Laid @ 42/10 for £65

Lockinge - Newbury

Today we have a fascinating renewal of the first Group 1 race of the season for older horses. Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin are probably the best two animals that Richard Hannon has trained and he clearly has a preference for the former who is odds-on today. However, Dick Turpin has beaten him twice on straight tracks, including a victory in the Greenham on this course last year, and has had a run already this year. A win that seemed to indicated he has thrived from three to four. Canford Cliffs on the other hand hasn't run since winning the Sussex Stakes in July. So I make Dick Turpin a fair wager at 7/2. The rest aren't at the same level as these two, or if they are (Twice Over) they are running at too short a trip.

Dick Turpin £70w @ 7/2 (lost)


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Ante-Post Update

As impressive as Blue Bunting was in last weeks 1000 Guineas I was possibly more taken with Wonder of Wonders in the Cheshire Oaks with a view to the Epsom Oaks on June 3rd. Aidan O'Brien's filly has an amazing pedigree and is a fixture in my Tote ten-to-follow lists. At Chester the second horse got first run on her but once in the straight she flew and won going away, the runner-up flattered and the rest a fair way behind. She's a most progressive animal and I think Epsom will suit her, given it's long straight and galloping nature. She's a fair bet at 8/1 at the moment.

Also at Chester it was excellent to see St Nicholas Abbey return to the sort of form that made him the best 2yo in Europe in 2009. He didn't beat much in the Ormonde but looked as impressive in his nine length victory as Harbinger did last year. I've taken 16s about him for the Arc. It's a tad early I know to be betting on that race but the horse has all the ability in the world.

Oaks:
Wonder of Wonders £20w @ 8/1

Derby:
Seville £20w @ 10/1
Frankel Laid @ 42/10 for £65

Arc:
St Nicholas Abbey £10w @ 16/1

(I'm not following the O'Brien stable this year, it just seems that way :p)

1000 Guineas

I'm sure all Racing fans are still on a high after Frankel's breathtaking win yesterday. One of the most amazing performances I've ever seen from a racehorse. I hope he goes for the Derby, even though I've laid him for the race, as it will create an immense buzz for the race. I also look forward to him taking on Canford Cliffs and Goldikova later in the summer. I was a bit annoyed that the BBC, who will cover the Derby of course, couldn't even spare a minute or so on their evening news bulletin for the race. Instead we got a couple of goals from Rangers vs Motherwell. Big yawn.

Anyway, onto today's big race where I took 20/1 about Moonlight Cloud just before her victory in the Prix Imprudence at the start of April. This filly looked a bundle of speed as a 2yo and despite not enjoying the sticky ground ran ok when taking on the colts in the Lagardere back in October. I have topped up my bet a few times in the weeks leading up to the race and have done the same today as she has drifted to 54/10 on Betfair. Still a very fair price.

Moonlight Cloud £90w @ 85/10 (lost)


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