With racing set to return on Monday, I'm glad
to announce that I am providing daily tips for Racing Ahead for the foreseeable
future. It's going to be a tough start but I intend to play myself into some
form in typical Alastair Cook fashion (maybe slightly quicker) ready for Royal
Ascot which is just around the corner.
But with racing set
to return on Monday, I thought now would be an apt time to release my horses
follow for the 2020 Flat season. With the stuttered start, obviously we have
missed out on a month's worth of top notch flat action but the team at the BHA
have done a good job of fitting everything back into the calendar and we all
hope from August onwards this will be a distant memory.
I
have selected 5 horses who I expect to be turning up on the biggest stage
throughout the year and I have also chucked in 5 dark horses who I think may
have snuck in under the radar slightly, some of which could have plenty of
mileage in their current marks.
JAPAN – Aidan O'Brien's horse was the standout
three year old, in my eyes, last season and although he narrowly missed out on
long lasting glory at Epsom, I think he can repay his supporters back in spades
this year. 2019 wasn't all that bad to Japan however as he won easily at Ascot,
downed Crystal Ocean at York and finished a respectable fourth in a stamina
sapping Arc. He may have finished closer that day had his challenge been
delayed but having already backed him at 20's for this year's renewal I hope he
can put that right this year. Expect to see him at all the big dances this year
(Prince Of Wales, King George, Juddmonte, Arc) and expect him to be playing a
huge part.
KING OF CHANGE – Richard Hannon has let the
cat out of the bag with this one. With comments like ‘best I've had' almost
every man and his dog has this one noted down now but I would like it to be
known that I was onside, thankfully, quite some time ago. I backed him in the
QEII at 14's so it's easy for me to stick him in here due to his emotional pull
but given how lightly raced he is, I genuinely believe there is so much more to
come. He is an impressive physical specimen and the type you would expect to
improve again from three to four. Hannon comparing him to Toranado and Olympic
Glory only excites me more as both were top notch milers. The mile division
still looks relatively weak and all being well this lad could go on to dominate
it this season.
SANGARIUS – A strange horse to put in I think
as he could offer serious opposition to both the above depending which way Sir
Michael Stoute decides to go. However, he reeks of a typical Stoute improver
and given what he has achieved already in his career, he has to rate highly in
anyone's list of horses to follow. A commanding success in the Hampton Court
stakes marked him out to be a horse with a serious future but unfortunately he
was not to be seen again. Personally I'd keep him at 10f as that looks about
ideal for him but I think he could be good enough to go up or down in trip as
Stoute sees fit.
MOGUL – I'm in pretty deep on Mogul for the
Derby already but I do think he has an outstanding chance. As with most
seasons, it's almost impossible to tell the pecking order at Ballydoyle but on
breeding alone this lad has to be up there on Aidan's list of Derby possibles.
Not only a full brother to the aforementioned Japan, his full sister Secret
Gesture came second in an Oaks and his other brother Sir Isaac Newton wasn't
too shabby either. Clearly bred for classic success, I think an encouraging run
in the Guineas would tee him up perfectly for a tilt at the Derby and looking
at the market currently, I wouldn't be too fearful of his competition. I'd be
amazed if Pinatubo and Waldkonig stayed, Oisin Murphy has already stated
Kameko's preference for a flat track and although John Gosden probably has something
up his sleeve I'd remain pretty sweet on Mogul. Time will tell, but either way
I'm sure he is one to remain on side this year.
MUMS TIPPLE – I am certain the Commonwealth
Cup is going to be a better race than the Diamond Jubilee this year and I am
almost certain that Mums Tipple will revert back to sprinting trips after a run
in the Guineas. I think the three year old sprinters could really shake up the
sprint division this year with horses such as Pierre Lapin, Golden Horde and
Mums Tipple all boasting serious speed. We all know what Mums Tipple did at
York and although some will be wanting to put it down to a fluke, I am certain
it wasn't. His form at Ascot the time before is strong and I am willing to
forgive him a disappointing run at Newmarket hence why I have backed him for
the CC already. Having said that I do think Pierre Lapin will be more suited to
the stiff 6f at Ascot but at 3 times the price, Mums Tipple rates serious value
and could improve past Pierre Lapin as the season goes on.
Dark Horses
LIBERTY BEACH – As stated before, I think the
three year old sprinters could be worth following this year and this flying
filly would be high up on my list of dark horses. If she was trained by Aidan
O'Brien or John Gosden I'm sure she wouldn't be 25/1 for the Kings Stand and
the Commonwealth Cup. She showed time and time again last year just how much
speed she has and her performance in the Molecomb was a standout for me. If she
has trained on, I see no reason why she shouldn't, she should be a serious
player in a Kings Stand or Nunthorpe with all the weight for age/fillies
allowances.
AL SUHAIL – Not really a dark horse as a few
have latched on in the past week or so, but he is still at 25/1 for the Derby
and for that reason I think it's fair enough to list him as a dark horse. He
enjoyed a successful 2 year old campaign which is encouraging as he really is
bred to excel at 3 being a brother to Telecaster, last year's Dante winner.
William Buick was quick to mention him in a recent interview which said a lot
to me given all the horses he sits on. His form figures suggest ‘good but not
good enough' but clearly there is plenty more to come this year.
MISS YODA – An interesting horse I think. If
owned by a Oppenheimer or Godolphin I think she would be a lot shorter in the
Oaks betting but then again you can easily pick holes in her form. Either way,
she is trained by John Gosden and he is a master at training fillies. She first
went into my notebook when Stradivarius won the Doncaster Cup in September last
year. Mr Gosden was chatting to the press about another success for the
Champion stayer when all of a sudden he had to rush off to ‘watch Miss Yoda'
race at Sandown. A strange move from a man who loves to discuss his horses
usually, to go and watch an ordinary novice at Sandown. Miss Yoda won that day
before going on to finish second in the Zetland on soft ground. She looked
stretched that day but still finished second and I would say there will be
plenty more to come from her this year.
YOU OWE ME – It wouldn't be a flat season
without an unexposed, middle distance handicapper from the Mark Johnston stable
and although I'm sure he has plenty of them, You Owe Me looks a sure fire
improver off a mark of 69. Johnston rushed three quick runs into this colt at
the back end of last year and has consequently been awarded a mark of 69. I'm
not going to say this is going to rack up 5 consecutive wins and shoot up the
handicap but being out of a Giants Causeway mare who has produced a very smart
horse already, I think he should be a lot better than 69 and I'd be pretty sure
his owners, Paul & Clare Rooney, would hope so too.
DURSTON – I loved this horse last year. Solid
and consistent, he was everything a punter asks for. He surged through the
handicaps and was unlucky not to rack up the hattrick at Goodwood. He slightly
disappointed at Newbury but I'm willing to forgive him as he had had a busy
time of it up until then. David Simcock has been quoted saying he hopes he can
continue to progress this term and I can only echo those hopes. Off a mark of
100 I can see him playing a part in a big handicap first before moving into
Group company.
