Courtesy of Key Racing News:
http://www.herbiefogg.com/
Eye-catchers
Eye-catchers with entries today, flagged up by respected sources over the past few weeks
Sir Geoffrey (IRE), 14:55 Chester
Racing Post - showed blinding early speed at Beverley latest, running on empty in the last half-furlong and run down near the line. He will appreciate a return to a flatter track.
Boston Blue (GB), 17:00 Goodwood
H Taylor - modest form but has run on OK, and one who will be of more interest when handicapping if allocated a mark under 70. Might need a bit further. The sort that Bill Knight does well handicapping.
Darwin Star (GB), 18:35 Newbury
H Taylor - Has run green but with lots of promise, beaten last but one by horses with experience and the rail to race against, and beat the rest despite wanting to go left. Will win races and would appreciate a step up. Badly drawn Warwick latest.
Notable last week on the Newmarket gallops:
M L W Bell, Sunny Game (J Spencer) – worked well and pulled clear of the 70 rated Crunched (5.45 Chester)
Richard Hannon, Canford Cliffs "None of us have ever had any doubts about Canford Cliff's ability to get a mile...Canford Cliffs worked brilliantly on Wednesday morning. It was the best gallop he's produced this season. Richard got off and said it was the same sort of feel the horse gave him before Royal Ascot. Canford Cliffs will be much more at home on the Curragh".
Richard Hannon, Avonmore Star & Numeral "I was hoping the maiden would split as I am always loathe to run two horses against each other, and make no mistake both are decent tools. There would not be much between them".
Charlie Hills, Equiano "He’s probably most effective on fast ground. He’s got a nice draw and we’re pretty hopeful."
Robin Bastiman, Borderlescott "It wasn’t really his ground when he was second in heavy going last year. I was pleased with his second to Equiano and he’s come on again for the run."
Mark Johnston, Hacienda & Ginger Jack "Hacienda won well at Beverley and is a very nice horse. I was disappointed with his race in Ireland. Quicker ground may help. Ginger Jack could be a very good horse and quicker ground has persuaded me to run. The downside is that he’s rated on his all-weather form."
Richard Fahey, Old Joe Mac "This is a better race than last time, but he’s very well."
Andrew Balding, Balducci "It was a relief he got in and I’m very happy with him. He’s done well since Newmarket and stall 3 is fine."
Marcus Tregoning, Aajel "He’s in good form, the ground should be all right for him. I think his run in the Sagaro Stakes was exceptional. I think he’ll run well."
Richard Fahey, Johannes "He’s gone up 6lbs for his York win, but we’ve claimed 7lb off him. He’s been running very well."
Tim Easterby, Hamish McGonagall & Discanti "The ground is important to Hamish. It needs to be good or good to firm with no jar. As long as the ground is suitable he has a good chance. Discanti has been in fantastic form lately. Coming back to 5 furlongs could be too sharp, but I expect him to go well."
Miscellaneous
Other in-form or improving runners from the in-house Key Racing News database
Balducci (GB), 14:30 Haydock
KRN - Behind the very promising Oasis Dancer in a red hot handicap at Newmarket on May 1st and compensation unlikely to be long in coming.
Avonmore Star (GB), 15:50 Newbury
KRN - Green on debut but finished close up and looked a likely future winner in similar company. The Kempton form has taken a few knocks but also stands up quite well on a line through Phoebs. Pat Dobbs has opted for Numeral, but they are both well-regarded at home and the yard think there is little between them.
Discanti (IRE), 16:25 Thirsk
KRN - Yard's sprinters in very good form. Went from 2nd last to first very easily (on the bridle) at Ripon and then pulled well clear. Up 8lbs for that but still capable of winning on revised mark. Badly drawn latest at Thirsk when 3rd and well worth another chance when the conditions look right.
Red Kestrel (USA), 17:25 York
KRN - Is down to a winnable mark and grade, in form and likely to pick up one of these anytime soon. Ran on takingly behind the in-form Destiny's Dream. Of most interest up to Class 4.
Trainer/Jockey Stats
Leading trainer/jockey combinations with a runner (% strike rate at venue):
Haydock: M A Jarvis/N Callan 56%
Lingfield: J Noseda/G Baker 100%, H Cecil/T Queally 31%, Sir M Prescott/S Sanders 27%
Chester: R A Fahey/F Tylicki 33%, M Johnston/J-P Guillambert 33%, G A Swinbank/R Winston 33%
York: S Bin Suroor/F Dettori 32%
Newbury: Sir M Stout/R Moore 30%
Goodwood: S Kirk/G Baker 30%
Hot trainers (over last 14 days, with runners declared):
H R A Cecil 10-27 37%, R Charlton 6-18 33%, Ian Williams 3-11 27%, L M Cumani 5-20 25%, J R Jenkins 3-12 25%, H Morrison 3-12 25%, Mahmood Al Zarooni 5-22 23%, T D Barron 4-18 22%, J Noseda 4-18 22%
Leading course trainers (with runners):
Haydock: W S Kittow 4-11 36%, P J Makin 4-12 33%, M A Jarvis 22-73 30%, Sir M Stout 10-34 29%, D M Sim**** 3-12 25%, W Haggas 8-39 21%
Lingfield: C J Down 3-6 50%, J Noseda 14-60 23%
Chester: M L W Bell 6-22 27%, G A Swinbank 4-15 27%, E S McMahon 5-22 23%
York: J L Dunlop 9-35 26%, S Bin Suroor 19-79 24%
Newbury: P W D'Arcy 4-9 44%
Goodwood: J Noseda 14-60 23%
Notable trainers on the cold list (with runners). Days/runs since win:
A Berry 250/107, P T Midgley 43/85, B P J Baugh 147/70, M Mullineaux 113/54, M Usher 143/53, J Ryan 224/51, A P Jarvis 97/51, Paul Green 192/46, R J Price 79/42, J G Portman 86/36, W R Swinburn 22/34, B Palling 65/32
