14th September 2012

An extremely strong day for The Horse Whisperer yesterday saw two winners and an each way bet win, as well as several other good near miss efforts. Today's racing sees the return of smaller races and consequently the belief that the races may be easier to call. Don't let that fool you however as there are several top class horses in each of the featured races which will ensure they will be tremendous to watch.

13.15 Doncaster

The opening race is a really cracking renewal of the Flying Childers Stakes with arguably seven of the nine runners in with a chance of winning this race. However, the winner surely has to come from one of CEILING KITTY, Hoyam and Sir Prancealot. Of the two fillies, I still prefer Ceiling Kitty even though she will have to concede 3 pounds to Hoyam this time. If anything, Hoyam's subsequent performances have shown that we can expect improvement from Dascombe's horse, especially when looking back at the way she finished her race at Ascot hanging massively left. She's had plenty of time to get ready for this race and furthermore, being foaled in early February compared to early March for Hoyam could mean she will be a more developed horse at this stage. I think she'll have enough to confirm form there. As a result it comes down to these final two and it is an extremely tough call. The current market leader is Sir Prancealot, based on impressive runs pre-Ascot, followed by defeat to Dawn Approach and Reckless Abandon, who need little introduction. As a result he is the form pick as in that Coventry Stakes, Sir Prancealot had The Taj and Letitr Mor behind, both subsequent winners, and crucially, the line through to the Mary's Daughter form that has proved so profitable over the first two days. Ceiling Kitty herself has a line through Upward Sprial who was fourth behind her at Royal Ascot. In the end I've gone for the filly as I think she is bound to come on a great deal from her Ascot run. The tactics of the race may also play to her strengths. She is front runner compared to Sir Prancealot so may get the first run and unless the rain comes and turns this into a 'long' 5 furlongs, may have a bit more pace than the colt. She also has an extra 2 months on Sir Prancealot, a sizeable amount of development time when you're only 2 years old. Furthermore, at current price 5/1 and many bookmakers doing 1/4 odds for the first 3 home, I would be shocked if an each way bet wouldn't at least return some profit on her.

13.50 Doncaster

As the highest rated horse in the field, but still nowhere near carrying top weight, it is hard to look past SIR GRAHAM WADE, especially at the price he can be got at now. He will contract all morning, so the sooner you start backing him the better. Johnston last week was very keen on his horse, saying he is a genuine top class stayer in the making, and after seeing that win in the Old Borough Cup, how can you doubt him. Furthermore the horse has a good record of turning out quickly again and winning when not having too difficult a race last time. Johnston also isn't putting the horse's reputation on the line just for the day out. He is here to win. The retention of Fallon is a massive plus and it can't be reiterated enough, get on this horse whilst you can. In a similar vein, Blue Bajan even at 10 years old has to rate the main threat, also enjoying a tough run of the race and should come out of it in good form. 9/4

14.20 Doncaster

Saddler's Rock is a horse I always look to take on. I find him so inconsistent and to see him at the head of the market brightens the complexion of this race as it means we will find greater value on the eventual winner. Furthermore he seems to need genuinely good ground to perform to his best. Times Up, his conqueror last time out has launched himself into the staying division limelight with victory in the Lonsdale Cup, and a good showing is expected, and it would be especially fitting following the news of his trainer's retirement yesterday. High Jinx warrants respect also after a series of decent runs, but there appears little to suggest he will reverse form with Times Up. As a result it will be down to COLOUR VISION to make amends and come out on top for the boys in blue. Simply mesmerising in the Sagaro Stakes, he followed up on that to show he is the best stayer at Royal Ascot before struggling to concede weight with the 4 pound penalty in the Goodwood Cup.  That shouldn't be as much of a problem today though, with the Doncaster track and 2m2 furlong distance likely to suit him better than his rivals, plus the extra 23 days off he's had compared to them will ensure he is at peak fitness. De Sousa I'm sure will be informed to race in the tried and tested way. Settle early, keep with the pace and then deliver that terrifying turn of foot at the end to kill the race off. He's arguably the only horse in this division with such a turn of foot and it should be used to great effect to repay followers who had their fingers burnt last time. 7/2

14.55 Doncaster

The subsequent Group 1 victory of Sky Lantern naturally places the form of CERTIFY and Ollie Olga on a pedestal compared to their opponents, and it is the Barzalona mount who is taken to secure a quickfire double for Godolphin. Although over different conditions, she was far more impressive in beating Sky Lantern than Ollie Olga and seems more sure to last the mile, and perhaps even relish it. Light Up My Life looks as if she'll actually rate more of a danger to the selection. The others all appear to be held on form and this looks one of the clearer cut races to call.

15.30 Doncaster

Another short priced favourite, but its hard to see ASHDAN being beaten who's only victory has been franked time and time again, including a link to Red Avenger who was unlucky to lose on Day 1. 13/8

16.05 Doncaster

GALICIAN is a very appealing bet in this race returned to a favoured 6 furlongs. Previously beaten just half a length by the superb Mince, the only concern is if the ground gets too soft for her, but she will handle it a lot better than Duke Of Firenze. In case of softening ground, Shropshire is the pick, as although 8th last time, it was a very good 2 lengths to Hawkeyethenoo 14/1

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer