The Eye-Catcher: Saturday the 31st of August...

14.55 Chester: Ayaar @ 11/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

A clear return to form from Ayaar here at Chester a fortnight ago. He looked a bit awkward at the beginning of the race, had to be pushed forward right after jumping off the gates just to pull very hard seconds later. He travelled then very well in the middle of the pack for the reminders of the race, in fact he was going much the strongest 3f out. But while the eventual winner and runners-up had the run of the race from the front, Ayaar was locked on the inside and had to delay his challenge. Turning for home he switched to the outside, turning widest of all, which cost vital momentum. Finally balanced and straighten up he flew home the final 300m or so but the two leaders weren't to catch. This was a very nice performance nonetheless. A clear return to form after a rather disappointing year so far. He looked so promising as a 2yo last season, when he won a Group 3 in Germany, beating this years German Oaks win Penelopa in second. Ayaar is down to a good mark now I feel anyway, and I find it interesting to see him running against older horses for the first time again. This is the time of the year when 3yo can have a real advantage in open contests and the weight for age allowance can make a huge difference for Ayaar. He has a decent draw as well, so he should be able to get a good position early on, and then he must have every chance to be in the mix. He's overpriced in my mind, no doubt.

The Eye-Catcher: Monday the 26th of August...

Very disappointing performance by Car O'mountain yesterday. Was early under pressure and faded badly in the closing stages. Was a strange race though and something was amiss I feel. The horse shouldn't be judged on that performance and could be still interesting next time out.


14.25 Ripon: Gioia Di Vita @ 11/2 - 3pts Bet365

Gioia Di Vita made a big impression on me recently. This 3yo colt travelled like a dream at Newcastle ten days ago, still on the bridle even approaching the 1f marker. However he didn't get any run whatsoever and was eventually eased down. Of course he's much better than the bare result suggests and this was a conformation of his fine, consistent form actually as he was just beaten at the line in his penultimate start. Gioia Di Vita is still generally lightly raced and open to further improvement, and while this looks an open little handicap, I only really fear Lyric Piece of her a low mark. Otherwise I can't really see what makes Gioia Di Vita an 11/2 shot in this race, so I hope he can get a clear run and then should be very much in the mix here.

The Eye-Catcher: Saturday the 24th of August...

Gregori didn't run a bad race for us yesterday, he finished a decent 5th place but wasn't quite good enough on the day to win it, though. He went off a 12/1 eventually. 

17.05 Newmarket: Car O'mountain @ 9/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Car O'mountain is still lightly raced and looked talented last year when winning twice in three starts. He made his seasonal reappearance in June at Newmarket in a hot Handicap. Winner Maputo went on to win impressively a couple of other races, including a Group 3, the overall form works out well for this race anyway. Car O'mountain stepped up to 12f then the following month, and I thought that particular performance was really eye-catching. He had the widest draw in this race and made up loads of ground soon after the start when racing widest of all to share the lead from 11f out. He was racing throughout the race really wide wide and apart from the main body of the field, while setting a good pace together with Mark Johnston's Blue Way. He took over the lead from 3f out and kicked away, put a couple of lengths between him and his rivals but tired badly in the closing stages, probably as a result of the energy he must have burned in the early stages of the race. Yet he finished 3rd, a good deal clear of the rest, while the horse he shared the lead with for a long time finished 20 lengths beaten in the end. So I think considering the circumstances this was a massive performance by Car O'mountain. The form of this race looks more than solid, with the runners-up being successful at Glorious Goodwood. Car O'mountain drops in trip again, which should be a positive thing as he looked like not quite staying the 12f trip. I think he has still room for improvement, he changed the yard recently as well, so I feel he can run a big race here tomorrow.

The Eye-Catcher. Thursday the 22nd of August...

18.50 Wolverhampton: Gregori @ 15/2 Bet365 - 2pts win

Huge price in my mind for the on paper most talented horse in a poor low grade Handicap. Gregori didn't show too much in three maiden starts and one can say he was pretty disappointing on Handicap debut as well. But I think there is a bit more in this as Gregori travelled like a dream for a very long time at Chepstow last time out, setting a good pace in soft conditions, having all his rivals pretty early off the bridle. He certainly travelled like the winner until 2f out but the combination of fast pace and soft conditions found him out in the end probably as he faded soon badly, however didn't get a too hard race either. Gregori is actually quite nicely bred, by Invincible Spirit and out of a Listed race winner. If he takes on to the All-Weather, and I think he has surly every chance to do so, he'll have a big chance to win this race, particularly from his good draw, which should ensure that he has a good and prominent position early on.

Ride a race with Russell Baze...

Russell Baze has ridden more than 12.000 winners through his enduring career. No one has ridden more. The now 55 year old is the most winning jockey in North America with the highest strike rate! So if this man talks you through a race, you better listen carefully. For the New York Times he reconstructed one of his races, explaining what he's doing in the starting stalls, what he's looking out for during the race, and what are the key factors in the closing stages. That all wrapped up in breathtaking footage makes the following video so insightful and beautiful in the same.

Additional Information: This video was produced for a NYT project called The Jockey. Find out more about it here: www.nytimes.com/projects/2013/the-jockey

Gabrial's Kaka does the job!

First winner this month! Gabrial's Kaka done it really well, despite a worrying drift in the betting before the off. He was sent off a 7/1 chance eventually, despite two non-runners, which make things even sweeter thanks to best odds guaranteed with all the big bookies. As expected Gabrial's Kaka raced prominently, sharing the lead with the favourite for a long time, but drew away from the rest of the field turning for home. He was able to increase his lead over 1f out and won comfortably in the end. 

August has been a disaster so far as most of our selections didn't even come close to win, but finally some confidence was justified and it looks likely that we finish this month still in a healthy profit. That's the beauty of racing. One winner can change everything!

The Eye-Catcher: Sunday the 18th of August

16.20 Pontefract: Gabrial's Kaka @ 5/1 bet365 - 3pts win

Gabrial's Kaka showed a clear return to form at Haydock recently and looks really dangerous here being allowed to race of the same mark again as I would think he would have gone very close with a clear run. He travelled very well but got simply stuck in traffic the whole home straight along, until he got finally out very late out to finish well only ¾ lengths beaten in the end. He's still generally lightly raced and looked quite talented as a 2yo but lost somehow his form and didn't show much this year until his most recent run.

As he has done well on tracks like Epsom and Chester I would assume Pontefract is a track he'll really like, he shouldn't be too far off the pace given his preferred running style as well as it is only a small field anyway, which is usually important here I feel. This is here a cracking little contest, but I think Gabrial's Kaka has a better chance to win than the price suggest.

The Eye-Catcher: Thursday the 15th August...

Tough stuff... The Candyman Can ran a huge race for us, finished only a neck beaten in 2nd as a 14/1 chance at the off. Bitter, just bitter. It's not going to happen for us at the moment.

15.25 Ffos Las: Choral Festival @ 14/1 Bet365 - 1pt win

Choral Festival is in excellent form and ran a huge race at Sandown recently, when she finished 3rd but probably can considered to be a rather unlucky loser. Not sure if she would have won, maybe not as the winner looked very progressive, but she travelled like a dream, was on the bridle until almost 1f out but also couldn't get a run through until the final furlong marker. She finished well enough, but probably didn't have the speed to cope with the winner and second, so the step up to 12f, a distance she won over only a couple of weeks ago, will certainly suit. She encounters a couple of young and unexposed rivals, even though this lot is far from exciting, so I feel she can win of a her current mark.

The Eye-Catcher: Wednesday the 14th of August...

17.10 Ffos Las: Candyman Can @ 8/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

A horrible race but Candyman Can makes loads of appeal to me as he really caught my eye on his most recent start, even if that was a while ago. He was last seen in January at Lingfield, when he made his Handicap debut. He travelled nicely actually, but got then in trouble over 4f out, when slightly hampered and as a result he lost position which left him suddenly with loads to do, while still travelling strongly though turning for home. He really finished then super strongly on the outside coming from well of the pace and came really close to the winner. Beaten by half a lengths only in the end, he would have probably been the winner with a clear run. His absence since then is is a worry of course, but in this really poor race I think he's really interesting on turf debut and only his fifth start overall. He's the least exposed horse and could be a good deal better than his current mark, so therefore I feel it's worth a chance at a price I think is slightly too big. 

Beauty and cruelty of racing...

Racing is a beautiful sport. A thoroughbred in full flight is probably the most stunning thing you can see in this world. Racing can be however a cruel sport as well - in terms of betting at least. But even if it doesn't got to well for us at the moment, transparent as we always are: Our bets tracker is updated. You can find all stats and past selections in the following doc: http://goo.gl/pT8qW

 It has to be said that we're hugely disappointed with the performance of our selections at the moment. It was another day where all our horses ran poorly, no doubt. It is one of the hardest things to keep the confidence up if horses you fancy to go really close show absolutely nothing comes the moment of truth. So far this August it is a complete disaster for us. You can say it any different. Non of our selections went even close - well Sajjhaa ran quite well in the Nassau Stakes in all fairness - which is really tough to take. It is a real shame, in fact we encountered this on a couple of occasions before, though, and as anyone who understands the sport and betting knows this is simply a normal thing and can happen. July saw pretty much the same pattern for example, and in the end we made a healthy profit of 25pts. At some point the table will turn, and in the end it only matters if you're a winner in the long term. 

Appart of that, we wish all our followers and friends a lovely rest of the weekend of course. And don't forget: Big racing in France tomorrow with Dawn Approach making a quick return to the racetrack after his 2nd place in the Sussex Stakes, as well as the big race day in Ireland at the Curragh, with the highlight the Phoenix Stakes on the card. One thing is for sure: The beauty of racing will never cease to amaze...

The Eye-Catcher: Saturday the 10th of August...

15.10 Redcar: Jo'burg @ 15/2 Bet365 - 2pts win

Jo'burg impressed me with his attitude last time out at York, in a better race than this here today, suggesting the sparkle is still there. He missed the break and was trailing the field for a long way that day, turning for home he was in a bad position, travelling well enough though, on the inside rail. He got stuck in traffic there however, and found it impossible to find a gap. Just over 1f out there was finally some space opening up and Jo'burg was brave to take this chance to slip through and once in the clear he finished really strongly.

That run suggests he is weighted to win a race again in my mind, and as he drops in class today, while being back at Redcar, where he usually performs very well, should see him in bit a big shout today.


16.55 Redcar: Escape To Glory @ 7/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Escape To Glory is a frustrating sort but after his most recent run here at Redcar he gives me the impression to be ready to finally strike again. He travelled in rear and was off the bridle halfway through the race but appeared to travel strongly from over 2f out again, he looked in with a big shout, his jockey must have had loads of horse beneath, just the gap wasn't opening for him and he had to sit and suffer, and was eventually eased down. His mark dropped another pound since this run, he's now 5lb below his last winning mark and that should give him every chance to go really close today.

NAP of the Day: Saturday the 10th of August...

Once though to be the dark horse for the Derby, Telescope is set to rebuild his reputation in the Group 3 Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock today. He made an impressive comeback at Leicester in a conditions event a couple of weeks ago, hammering two rivals without getting asked any serious questions, winning by a wide margin of 24 lenghts! 

He steps into Group company for the first time today now and faces his arguably toughest test, however it has to be said that his rivals in the race are far from unbeatable. Most of them are Listed class at best, the second favourite hasn't won since February last year, Noble Mission is probably up to this class, but nothing more, while the rest of the field doesn't make too big an impression either. The lightly raced Telescope in contrast - this will be only his 4th career start - is open to plenty of improvement, should have learned allot from his most recent outing, he looks much bigger and stronger now, and more prestigious targets, like the Arc or Irish Champion Stakes, are very much on the card later this season for this hugely exciting colt. 

Telescope is our NAP of the day, without a doubt. Everything can happen in racing, and therefore you have to be cautious about odds-on shots, but it is simply impossible to oppose  Telescope here today, and he should be a good deal shorter in the market, as he'll prove so much better than this lot.  

14.55 Haydock: Telescope @ 8/13 Betfred - 10 pts win - NAP

The Eye-Catcher. Friday the 9th of August...

15.30 Musselburgh: Rasaman @ 12/1 bet365 - 2pts win

Rasaman looks a huge price considering that he appears to be in his third spring or so. He won well at Ayr a couple of weeks ago over tomorrows 7f trip, and he followed up with another hugely impressive performance at Hamilton, then off his new mark, when he was just narrowly beaten on the line, while not getting the run of the race, much in contrast to the eventual winner. He was last seen at York then a fortnight ago, in a big sprint Handicap over 6f and there he had just a pretty tough time throught the whole race, getting hampered and short of room from 3f out, while running on nicely under a light hands and heels ride once in the clear over 1f out, suggesting he's as good as ever.

He's back over 7 furlongs tomorrow, as well as at Musselburgh, a track he loves, having three course wins to his name. This looks a wide open race, with plenty of chances, and I think Rasaman is not as much an outsider as the price suggest actually. In fact I'm sure he'll run a big race, as he is in excellent form, he is consistent as well and he is one mark he is able to run well from.That could be enough to see him winning this race in the end.

The Frankel Story...

Minutes before the Champions Stakes at Ascot last year, which was Frankel's last race, the BBC (coincidently the last horse race they probably have show live for quite some time), aired the following little piece - a masterpiece actually. It tells and reflects the story of Frankel. Even now, after almost a year, having seen this many times, it still leaves me with goosebumps... 

The Eye-Catcher: Wednesday the 7th of August...

20.30 Kempton: Fiducia @ 10/1 Ladbrokes - 2pts win

Looks a competitive little Handicap but Fiducia looks well overpriced, having the chance to race of a feather weight while looking well handicapped on her most recent start a couple of weeks ago. That day, over 7f here at Kempton, she had a wide draw to overcome and was also very unsettled in the first half of the race, pulling hard and making life tough for her jockey. She got into a nice rhythm from under 4f out then, though, and travelled pretty strongly approaching the home straight. She had loads to do however and had to come through the whole field from the rear. She really made eye-catching progress, just to get a bit tiered in the final furlong, most probably due to the energy she burnt in the early parts of the race. Yet this was a nice performance, and she looks a progressive filly. She is still generally lightly raced and entitled to improvement, even more so stepping up in trip tomorrow, for the first time to 1m. On pedigree this should be very much in her favour. As she showed nice form in her last races, really took on the All-Weather, is completely unexposed over the new trip, while open to improvement on pedigree for the distance as well as being able to race from bottom weight, I feel she has a massive chance to be successful in this race.


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Rewind the time: The 1998 Pacific Classic...

Free House - before the 1998 Pacific Classic

It's this time of the year when it's one big race after another in US racing. You had already the chance to watch a couple of them in our lasted episode of Racing Around The Globe, but be assured it's not over yet, as the 2013 edition of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic isn't far away! This is one of the most important races for older horses in the United States, offering a huge purse of $1 million. It's held at the Del Mar Racetrack in California and has produced a couple of memorable performances and stories over the years. Not at last the end of the 15 races long unbeaten run of the mighty Cigar.

The 1998 Pacific Classic saw one of the most popular winners of the race, with the grey colt Free House being victorious in scintillating fashion. He beat the hot favourite Gentlemen, who won the race the year before, as well as the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold. Free House was only the 7/2 third choice in the race, as there was a question mark about his staying ability of the 10f trip. He put all doubts to bed that day. A magical day for a very popular horse, that finished placed in all three Triple Crown races during the classic season, after he won his first Grade 1 in the name of the Santa Anita Derby before. He moved on to win another big Grade 1 later in his career, again at Santa Anita then, where he was successful in the the SA Handicap.  During his career Free House won three Grade 1's, finished in the money in four more races at the highest level, and won over $3 million in prize money!

Rewind the time and enjoy the complete ESPN coverage from the 1998 Pacific Classic:

Racing Around The Globe - August Part I...

Goodwood, England: Sussex Stakes (Group 1) - Winner: Toronado

The duel on the downs certainly lived up to its expectations. Dawn Approach v Toronado, an epic clash! It was 2-0 for the Dawn before Wednesdays Sussex Stakes, and the 2.000 Guineas and St. James's Palace Stakes winner went off the clear odds-on favourite to beat his biggest rival for a third time this year. But the Hannon camp was quite bullish about Toronado's chance, particularly at Goodwood, a track that should play in the hands of the colt with the master that is Richard Hughes in the saddle. Not to underestimate was Queen Anne winner Declaration of War though, as the O'Brien camp felt their horse would be better suited by the 1m trip than 10f , a distance he looked excellent over when finishing 2nd in the Coral Eclipse in July actually. The race itself then had absolutely everything: Drama, already at the start when Dawn Approach pacemaker Leitir Mor missed the break; a rattling pace to make sure it is a proper test; and an epic fight between the big guns in the closing stages. Toronado prevailed eventually in a tight finish, producing a blistering turn of foot coming from well off the pace where Richard Hughes tried to keep the colt covered as long as possible while Dawn Approach had to commit quite early from pretty much 3f out. A possible re-match at British Champions day looks now very much on the cards. Let's hope it happens as another clash between Dawn Approach and Toronado is just mouthwatering, isn't it?

München, Germany: Großer Dallmayr-Preis (Group 1) - Winner: Neatico 

Another big race success for trainer Peter Schiergen and jockey Andrash Starke. The six year old Neatico, who was unbeaten in his last two starts, went off the 7/2 third choice here, but produced a strong finish in the closing stages to win his first Group 1, after being very consistent and successful just below the top level before. He beat strong opposition with Godolphin's multiple Group 1 winner Hunters Light and the French horse Opposite in the line-up. 

Galway, Ireland: Galway Plate (Grade A Handicap) - Winner: Carlingford Lough

The most important race of the Galway Festival produced a one, two, three for JP McManus as his Carlingford Lough, Quantitativeeasing and Jacksonslady filled the first three places in the Galway Plate! The winner Carlingford Lough, a short 7/2 chance, was a late arrival as at the morning of the race it wasn't clear if he would even run in the race. He was first reserve, and when other runners pulled out during the day he got finally into the race. He was favoured by many though, and his odds collapsed once he was declared. Champion jockey AP McCoy steered the seven ear old eventually home to land the big prize. 

Saratoga, USA:  A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase (Grade 1) - Winner: Mr.Hot Stuff 

National Hunt racing in the USA is something rather unusual but in fact there are a couple of big races and the Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase  is one of the most important ones. The seven year old  Mr.Hot Stuff  won this years edition in good style, jumping well and drawing away from the rest of the field once safe and clear over the last fence. Mr.Hot Stuff was never able to reach the same heights on the flat, though he finished 3rd in the Santa Anita Derby behind Pioneerof The Nile a couple of years ago.

Del Mar, USA: Clement Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1) - Winner: Lady Of Fifty 

One of the biggest Grade 1's for fillies and mares in the USA was run at Del Mare on Sunday and the generally lightly raced Lady Of Fifty  won the race with a late burst of speed, travelling well of the pace for most parts of the race. Last years winner Include Me Out went off as the evens favourite and was well beaten as second last.

Mountaineer Park, USA: West Virginia Derby (Grade 2) - Winner: Departing

Departing couldn't have been more impressive when he landed the West Virginia Derby by an 8¾ margin. He travelled like a dream throughout the race, made a big move from half a mile out and kicked easily away from the rest of the field turning for home. He failed to make any impression in the Preakness Stakes before, but he looks certainly up to Grade 1 class.

Saratoga, USA: Whitney Invitational Handicap (Grade 1) - Winner: Cross Traffic

Fantastic front-running ride by Johnny Velazquez on Cross Traffic in the Whitney Invitational Handicap on Saturday. The four year colt found more and more under pressure in the home straight to fend off all his rivals. His first success at Graded level and there must be more to come from the lightly raced Unbridled´s Song son. Last years Breeders Cup Classic winner Fort Larned was a big disappointment, while Classic runners-up Much Macho Man looks to be back to his best as he ran a big race in 3rd.

Düsseldorf, Germany: Preis der Diana (Grade 1) - Winner: Penelopa

The Miltcho Mintchev trained Penelopa (SP 15/1), ridden by former German champion jockey Eduardo Pedroza, won the German Oaks in good fashion, despite not getting the clearest of runs in the home straight. She got boxed in and had to fight for position, but showed a wonderful balance and straightened up quickly. She beat the hot favourite Secret Gesture - who was already runners- up in the Epsom Oaks earlier this year - fair and square.

Klampenborg, Denmark: Scand. Championship (Group 3) - Winner: Bank Of Burden

Bank Of Burden defended his title in the Scandinavian Open Championship in good style drawing away from his opposition in the closing stages. He won this race already last year and finished third the year before. He's one of the best middle-distance horses in the Nordic region and his trainer Niels Petersen took him over to Dubai in the last two years, while not having too much of success though.

Øvrevoll, Norway: Polar Cup (Group 3) - Winner: Ragazzo

The Polar Cup was the first Norwegian race with Group status and has therefore a big importance for racing in this country and the Nordic region. The race is run at  Øvrevoll Galoppbane, the only racecourse in Norway, which lies less than 15km outside of Oslo. The race was won by four year old gelding Ragazzo, who made all from the front in the 7f contest.

 Deauville, France: Prix Maurice de Gheest (Group 1) - Winner: Moonlight Cloud

Moonlight Cloud put on a great show to win the Prix Maurice de Gheest for the 3rd time in succession. She had to break the track record though in order to fend off the challenges of Lethal Force and Gordon Lord Byron. Moonlight Cloud is expected to show up at Longchamp in September for the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp again, a race she won last year already.




Goodwood, England: Nassau Stakes (Group 1)- Winner: Winsili

Big shock in the Nassau Stakes, as 20/1 shot Winsili won the big fillies race on Saturday at Goodwood. Despite being generally lightly raced, the 3yo filly didn't really have had the form in the book to suggest she would be good enough to win this race. William Buick gave her an excellent ride though and steered her home to prevail in a tight finish. Hard luck for the favourite Sky Lantern again. She was quite unlucky as she got badly hampered in the closing stages. That means the question remains: Can the 3x Group 1 winner transform her excellent one mile form to 10f ? Runners-up Thistle Bird ran a brave race, while Hot Snap, once the favourite for the 1.000 Guineas, ran on really well. Multiple Group 1 winner Sajjhaa travelled like the winner until 2f out, but found the extra distance a bit to wide eventually, but should be a big player in all the big races over 9f later the year. 

The Big Race: Nassau Stakes - Goodwood....

15.15 Goodwood: Sajjhaa @ 11/1 Bet365 - 2pts each/way

Sajjhaa looks really overpriced in my eyes and she posses an excellent chance to go really close I feel. She's a multiple Group 1 winner, with her biggest success the win in the Dubai Duty Free earlier this year. She was really impressive in Dubai on a couple of occasions and while she couldn't quite transfer this form to Hong Kong in Apoing for her that day. She missed the break, was pushed forward early on, settled then without much cover on the outside of the field, made a big move from around 700m out to get closer to the pace and was caught wide turning for home as a result, turning five, six wide. She found her stride once straighten up but had to pay the price for everything that happened before to her as she flattened in the final furlong, yet she finished a decent 4th. 

Clearly she is a very talented mare and I think if she gets a clear run here today she'll win. Favourite Sky Lantern has to prove that she stays the trip and is way to short in the betting in my mind, while I can't get really warm with most of the other runners, even though I expect Just The Judge the biggest danger actually. Aiden O'Brien's Just Pretending is also an interesting runner. 

But back to Sajjhaa, who had a little break since her run in Hong Kong, what shouldn't be a problem, and might be even a positive thing as she's done usually well coming off a break, like this year when she won a Group 2 at Meydan, or last year when she finished runners-up in the G2 Middleton Stakes after being ten month off. Slight worry is De Sousa in the saddle, because he isn't really successful at Goodwood, which can be a difficult track to ride. But that aside I can't see too much that speaks against her in this race and I expect her to go really close.  

Eye-Catcher: Friday the 2nd of August...

A rather disappointing display by Mundahesh at Goodwood today unfortunately. He pulled hard early on and was never really in the race I felt. He didn't get a hard race though and looked to be saved for another day as David Probert must have known prettyearly that his mount would have no chance to go close in the finish.

18.20 Thirsk: Partner @ 10/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Partner last year at Thirsk - winner of a valuable class 2 Handicap

Partner looks not the old force this year and as a result he slipped a long way down the mark. He showed a clear return to form at Ayr recently though. He travelled quite well but got simply stuck in traffic, with no way to get out really. Over 1f out his jockey opted for a switch to the outside when finally bit of space opened up. Partner had to find his stride again but picked up eventually and finished well, but the bird was long flown at this point obviously. His mark dropped another 3lb for this effort and I think he's really dangerously handicapped now. It has to be noted that he won here at Thirsk last year a class 2 Handicap of a 16lb higher mark. If he's in the right mood and get a clear run he could be hard to beat in this race tomorrow, as well as he is 1/1 over course and distance which is a bonus regarding his chance.

The Eye-Catcher: Thursday the 1st of August...

14.15 Goodwood: Mundahesh @ 16/1 Bet365 - 1pt win

Mundahesh before his Epsom run a couple of weeks ago

New month, first bet! Looks a competitive Handicap but Mundahesh looks also overpriced in this contest. He didn't show too much prior to his most recent run at Sandown, where he very much caught my eye. He was a convincing maiden winner at Wolverhampton last autumn but couldn't confirm this promise subsequently, until three weeks ago. 

At Sandown he travelled really well in rear, but was in a very difficult position on the inside, where he didn't get a run from 3f out. He got badly hampered over 2f out, but stick to the task and finished strongly when he finally got a clear run. He ran on strongly to finish a close 2nd despite coming from off the pace in a slowly run race, and I assume he'd have won with a clear run that day. So it looks like as if he's improving now while maturing. He steps up in class quite dramatically today, and more is required obviously, and according to his pedigree it is a question mark if he stays the trip in a strongly run race, he also tackles slow ground for the first time, his sire was very successful on this kind of ground though, and I think despite question marks, he looks overpriced, simply on the fact that he can race of bottom weight and that he could be a couple of pounds higher in the mark if he'd have won lto.