Equinties - the weekender

March 25, 2023

Equinties

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We normally dedicate the Saturday newsletter to just big race previews but bar Dubai, the racing today leaves quite a lot to be desired and there was some big news in the racing world yesterday, so lets get you up to date first.

Headline roundup

RIP to a Scottish legend

At the age of 14, Lucinda Russell announced on Racing Twitter late last night that their Grand National winner, ONE FOR ARTHUR, had passed away that morning from a bad episode of colic.

Colic is a c@nt for horses.

Having retired in February 2020 after pulling up in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, the gallant bay had his career-defining moment in 2017 as he won the Grand National under Derek Fox.

The MILAN gelding won three races during his amazing 2016/17 season, a campaign that included a Kelso victory, the Warwick Classic Chase, and then obviously, horse racing’s most famous race.

In a time where Racing Twitter has many disputes, this sad news brought a few people together.

ONE FOR ARTHUR was a legendary horse of the jumps game and we at BGP are saddened by his passing – thoughts are with the people connected to him. RIP big boy.

Cooper calls it a day

Gold Cup-winning jockey Bryan Cooper announced his immediate retirement from race riding yesterday at the age of 30.

Cooper rode DON COSSACK to victory in the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup – remember, that year CUE CARD fell three-out – among his number of high-class successes throughout his career.

This is kind of a shock move. To all accounts through personal experiences and comments from fellow jockeys, Bryan is a total legend, a top rider who took a fair bit of stick from a young age due to his quick rise through the ranks.

A brilliant rider with a big fan base, it's a shame race-goers haven't been able to wave him off.

Good luck, Bryan.

The Flat is BACK

The Irish turf season kicks off today at the Curragh and they are beginning their opening weekend with a cracking fillies & mares contest at 15.57.

INSINUENDO tops the market and she is the worthy fav – second to ABOVE THE CURVE, second to LUXEMBOURG, second to MOTHER EARTH, and third to EMILY UPJOHN reads extremely well in this lower company and she is good when fresh.

If handling the soft to heavy ground (she was beaten on very soft in France in October), she will be tough to beat.

Big money has been coming for the fav which means KERKIYRA is the next best in the market at 6/1 for Johnny Murtagh, a progressive filly who is officially nine pounds wrong at the weights – the form isn’t really there so it’ll be tough to see her win here.

STAR GIRLS AALMAL ran an eye-catching race behind HOMELESS SONGS in the Irish 1000 Guineas last year for Henry de Bromhead and she has good soft ground form, so she will have a decent chance of getting in the frame.

If returning to form, SUNSET SHIRAZ could have a chance of hitting the frame for Gavin Cromwell and Gary Carroll – she was second to the now 108-rated CONCERT HALL in September 2021 as a two-year-old and loves to perform on the softer surface (she was second to TOY at Naas on soft last year) so the 11/1 about her could be a touch of value.

Our view: We cant get past the fave here. She's a top class filly but been unlucky bumping into Group 1 winners. INSINUENDO is a good bet here at 2/1.

Dirt roads lead to Kentucky

Aidan O’Brien has won the UAE Derby 3 times in the last 10 years. A stepping stone for the ‘Run for the Roses’ in Kentucky in early May.

MENDELSSOHN won the Patton Stakes at Dundalk in March before contesting this race which he won by 18 lengths. Fast forward 6 years and CAIRO won the Patton Stakes at Dundalk before contesting this race, so will he win?

Whether the winner of this race will trouble the yanks in May remains to be seen but with his breeding, this race has almost certainly been on the road map for a long time.

All eyes on CAIRO at 13.50.

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Bumper preview

Newbury

Tell you what, if I can find the winner in this... such a tough bumper to read with 20 NH bred horses running. let's go through the market...

Hendo's top of market, yard hit a treble yesterday at course. This horse might need better ground?

Nicholls' filly is a 4yo against the boys and might be too weak in this ground. Take on despite the fire pedigree (a half to a bumper winner and VROUM VROUM MAG in the family).

TD's NORMAN FLETCHER carries a pen for his win lto. Well related, should run well. TD runs another called TOMMIE GUN with Nailor steering. He's a half to yard top horse GOWEL ROAD. Like this a lot.

Longsdon's getting backed. Dam side has that bumper king blood. Needs to improve, money says that's expected?

Don't like I'M A LUMBERJACK ped. Honeyball recently back in winners enclosure and he runs two by the same mud loving sire BLACK SAM BELLAMY. Both will enjoy the slop today but CREST OF GLORY slightly preffered.

The rest can be taken on imo.

Our view: I like TD's TOMMIE GUN but drift out to 18's bearish however I'm hanging my hat on him based on blood not price. Honeyballs the big dangers. Most books paying 4 places.

Risk On

13.50 CAIRO

Betting this lad at 11/4 for his pedigree. QUALITY ROAD is one of the best dirt stallions in America standing for $200k. Exceptional dam line and has the blood to keep improving and be hard to beat today. AOB targeting the race for the Kentucky points.

15.57 INSUENDO

Top class filly whos been unlucky in defeat. Will go in ground and is the one the field have to beat. Good bet at 7/4.