Equinties - bombshell audio note

Gm Equinauts

Boy, oh boy.

It seems like there is a fair bit more to come from this Amo/Stott break up.

There was a whatsapp note flying round last night with someone either very brave, stupid or drunk (could be all three tbf) revealing the real reason behind why Amo boss Kia sacked Stott.

We’re not brave enough, stupid enough, or indeed yet drunk enough to pass on the (fairly damning) voice clip as we’d probably end up having to up the price of the weekender to cover some legal fee’s but Kia’s comment ‘there are things that are not really for the public behind the scene that go on’ from Nick Lucks podcast now certainly adds a key piece to the puzzle.

All we’d say is don’t be too quick to take sides before understanding all the facts.

Now the Amo job is available (let’s be honest, it’s a f*cking good job) and Kia has the money to pay anyone…could Frankie get an offer he can’t refuse?

We think so…

Anyway, let’s dive in.

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HEADLINE ROUNDUP

THE BIGGEST (AND SHORTEST) BET EVER

Paul Bryne x Emmet Mullins had an incredibly easy winner in SLATE LANE yesterday as he bolted up in the 3m2f Handicap Hurdle by a cosy two lengths.

This victory caused a stir pre-race as the renowned gambler Harry Findlay, who was on course for the success, had “the biggest bet he’s ever told me to have on one of his”.

Findlay continued: “It was Julian Snow who noticed that Paul Byrne had a runner here today, so straight away I asked him will it win and he said, ‘It’s a certainty’. All the punters are on, half at 4/6, half at 8/13 and I would be taking 4/7.”

He should have doubled up with Eve’s at Brighton!

GOLD CUP BOYS

This year’s staying chasing division could be one of the best we have seen for several years with the up-and-coming types of GERRI COLOMBE joining established stars like GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, all hopefully culminating in a big battle around Prestbury Park in March.

To further add to the excitement, we had a few updates yesterday about two Gold Cup horses, notably with last year’s runner-up BRAVEMANSGAME as trainer Paul Nicholls is leaning towards starting his season off in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase.

The Racing Post visited Ditcheat to talk about some of his biggest stars and the 14-time champion jumps trainer has a nice plan set out for the eight-year-old: “If I had a choice, the number one would be the Betfair Chase because I love the race and it’s always been a good stepping stone for us, but he’s a big horse so the ground will play a big part in it.

“The King George is the priority. The track suits him and it’ll be a good race with Shishkin in there and a few others. That’s where I see him at his best.”

One horse who will be campaigned differently this year is Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner THE REAL WHACKER. Trainer Patrick Neville was at Perth yesterday for two runners and he caught up with Racing TV to say that Kelso in October (presumably the Edinburgh Gin Chase) could be a good starting point for him.

He will have two runs before his ultimate aim of the Gold Cup, and with THE REAL WHACKER’s love for Cheltenham, he could be one for the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day.

AGAINST THE BOYS

The Group 1 QEII Stakes on British Champions Day could be the next big target for wonder mare TAHIYRA as trainer Dermot Weld is assessing his options following Saturday’s success in the Group 1 Matron Stakes.

Having been beaten in the 1000 Guineas on her first start of the season, the three-year-old daughter of SIYOUNI has been unbeaten in three Group 1s since and tipped over the £1 million mark for prize money on the weekend.

Although the Age Khan-owned filly holds an entry for the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket in early October, Weld is considering a battle against PADDINGTON on Champions Day where she would receive three pounds.

“Before any decision is made, I will have a discussion with His Highness [Aga Khan] and Pat Downes. Everything is on the table. We will go through the possibilities for this year and that will reflect whether she will stay in training as a four-year-old next season or not.

“When the time is appropriate, yes; I’d like to see her take on the colts.”

If the QEII is her next target, she is the current 4/1 second-favourite with PADDINGTON an understandable 5/2 favourite.

YOUNG BLOOD

After landing an easy forecast yesterday, we look at a trickier race at Leicester today.

14.15 LEICESTER

At the time of writing Leicester is firm going however we know there is a bit of rain due over the course which might just change it all, probably making this one to watch.

ELEGANT FRIEND is by DUBAWI and out of Richmond Avenue who won once in 10 starts for Andre Fabre. This is the direct line of Sheik Mo’s greatest horse DUBAI MILLENIUM.

SURVEYOR ran well on debut to finish 4th, the form looks strong. Stall 14 is a worry.

SPIRITUAL by INVINCIBLE SPIRIT o/o a GALILEO mare who was a Listed winner and Gr3 placed. It’s the same nick as Champion racehorse MAGNA GRECIA. Cost 280k at the sales. Hooded on debut.

SOFT WINDS her sister is SOFT WHISPER who won twice in 4 starts as a 2yo, she is the only winner for the dam in 5 runners. SOFT WINDS is by NIGHT OF THUNDER and her dam is by SEA THE STARS, so it’s the same cross of Moyglare placed filly ORNELLAIA.

WORD PLAY should improve markedly from her debut which looks strong form although she was well beaten. Second string for Cheveley Park Stud, market to guide but probably best watched.

LOKANA is by first season sire WALDGEIST, the form of her last run looks good, she was up against some unraced fillies but she is clearly progressing.

SARATOGA STAR by AL KHAZEEM is a homebred of Owner David Keast. Certainly wasn’t disgraced on debut and improvement his likely.

MY DESERT QUEEN is a LOOE DE VEGA, this is the dams first progeny to run, her two older siblings clearly useless or injured. Dam was unraced but a half sister to SPECIAL KADOUM who was a Gr2 winner and to PHOENIX OF SPAINS dam.

WARDA JAMILA cost 120k, she’s a half sister to COLTRANE by CALYX. Gorgeous horse but one for later and best watched on debut.

The others are best watched.

Verdict: The 7f around Leicester normally favours the lower drawn horses with only 1 winner from the past 8 running’s of this race has won from a double digit stall number. In that case, SARATOGA STAR makes plenty of appeal at 9’s after a promising debut and experience will help. She really wouldn’t want slop. Weather check the race, good ground or better.

STATS OF THE DAY

Nothing of note today.

RISK ON

An easy two from two in Risk On yesterday, today looks a bit tougher. There might be a bet at Leicester on the basis they don’t get much more rain - needs concrete, so will make a decision later.

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