student racing magazine november 2011

REGULAR FEATURES 5 THINGS, SPORTS TIPS

INTERVIEW JACK WHITEHALL

RACING 5 YOUNG JOCKEYS TO FOLLOW,

POINT-TO-POINTING, BEST OF CHAMPIONS DAY & MUCH MORE

ALSO THIS MONTH.....

JACK WHITEHALL

CHAMPIONS DAY REVIEWS

BREEDERS CUP PREVIEW

5 NH HORSES TO WATCH

by s

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ISSUE 10 November 2011/ www.studentracing.co.uk

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PAGE 12Interviews

– JACKWHITEHALL

PAGE 6Information

– 5 THINGS

PAGE 20Information

– SPORTS TIPS

PAGE 4Racing

– QEII STAKES

PAGE 14Racing

– BREEDERS CUP PREVIEW

PAGE 16Racing

– 5 JOCKEYS TO WATCH

contents

This month

interviews information racing

5 Things

Jack Whitehall

5 young Jockeys to watch

03elcome to the November edition of Student Racing, it's certainlynot been a quiet month. Frankel made in 9 wins from 9 startswhen blitzing the QEII at Ascot, Black Caviar made it 15 from15 in Australia when once again winning without breaking

sweat and to say Champions Day was a success would be an understatement.The flat season of 2011 is drawing to a close and it's been an absolutescreamer, racing certainly isn't hiding and the National Hunt season is fastclosing on us.

We've got a brilliant edition this month with reviews of the races fromChampions Day, a Breeders Cup preview, a National Hunt preview and theobvious highlight being an interview with man of the moment Jack Whitehall.

Next month we will jump straight into the deep end of National Hunt racingand will preview the races, the jocks and the horses for all you students to keepa close eye on over the next few months. Our editions have continuouslybattered out the winners with the highlight being William Buick pointing outMasked Marvel as his horse to watch for this year. He only went and won theSt Leger.

Good luck!

W

Supported by Racing for Change


04 QEII REVIEW

THE QEII STAKESIn a week when the whip debate threatened to overshadow the

inaugural British Champions Series at Ascot, a stunning

performance by the unbeaten Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II

Stakes ensured that racing made the headlines for all the right

reasons.

Image | Steve CargillWords | Mitch Jones


racing05

Upon entering the paddock, Henry Cecil’s star was applauded

by the Ascot crowd, a gesture almost unheard of in horseracing.

And the applause was even greater at the conclusion of the race,

as the son of Galileo, recording his ninth consecutive win,

demolished a top class field with consummate ease. Sent off the

4/11 favourite, Frankel was restrained in midfield early on,

whilst his three parts brother and stablemate Bullet Train made

the running. When given an inch of rein by Tom Queally over

three furlongs out, Frankel moved ominously into second place,

before quickening to lead at the two furlong pole and running

on powerfully to trounce his rivals. Marco Botti’s colt

Excelebration ran a blinder to finish four lengths second with

French challenger Immortal Verse, a further three and a half

lengths back in third. Excelebration had won both his races

since finishing third to Frankel in the St James Palace Stakes at

Ascot, including a win in the Group 1 Prix Du Moulin.

Described by his rider Jamie Spencer as a ‘proper’ horse, in atime without Frankel, he himself could have been the star of hisgeneration. This victory is all the more impressive when youconsider that Robert Collet’s filly Immortal Verse had beatenfourteen time Group 1 winner Goldikova on her previous start.However, this class filly in her own right was no match for thealmighty Frankel. Further back in the field lay the RichardHannon trained pair of Dubawi Gold and Dick Turpin, bothtough Group 1 performers and last year’s winner Poet’s Voice,who was never able to land a blow under Frankie Dettori. Andthe pleasing thing for racing fans around the world is that thishorse is still improving. He is maturing and could be an evenbetter horse next season when upped in trip to ten furlongs.On pedigree he should certainly stay and the manner of hisvictory at Ascot also suggests extra distance would bebeneficial. In Frankel running over ten furlongs, quite simply,we have the prospect of seeing the greatest racehorse to everlive.


06 5 THINGS

5 thingswe’ve learnt this month

IT'S HAPPENINGAGAIN!

12 months ago there was a rare buzz heading into

the winter. Frankel, the Barcelona of racing, had

emerged and destroyed everything he'd raced

against. Dream Ahead, Nathaniel and Roderic

O'Connor, top class horses in their own right,

tried their hardest but were left trailing. 1 year on

and it's happened again. Camelot, with only 2

runs behind him, is already the 3/1 favourite for

the Derby. He looks incredibly good and it's going

to take something very special to beat him in the

Derby next year.

1

WHIPPING MADNESS

With the British Champions Series proving to be a huge success, Hayley Turner

bagging 2 group 1s and Frankel beating the world, racing has enjoyed a very

special year. Unfortunately though it all threatens to be overshadowed by the

ongoing and farcical 'whip debate'. Jockeys including Richard Hughes and Ruby

Walsh have already picked up bans. Christophe Soumillon won the Champion

Stakes with a ride straight on par with the brilliance of Lionel Messi, in doing so

got banned for 5 days and effectively got fined £55,000 for winning. Ouch.

3

MONEY CAN'T BUY YOU THE LEAGUE?

23rd October 2011. A day no Manchester City

fan will ever forget. Away at Old Trafford,

Manchester City fans made the short trip across

town to show United why they were making so

much fuss. Masterminded by David Silva who

was breathtaking, Balotelli and co ran riot.

Johnny Evans did his best to show all United fans

whyhe deserves to start by having a horror show

that finished after 49 minutes with a red card. 3-0

up after 69 minutes it was all over. United took it

back to 3-1 and for a few minutes they looked

like they could of had a chance, they even got 5

minutes of 'Fergie time'. Now they wish they

hadn't, City hit top gear once again and smashed

another 3 past De Gea whose shocking day got

even worse. Manchester United the number 1

team in England? They might not even be the best

team in Manchester anymore.

2


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THE ALL BLACKS ARE BACK

It had been labelled the homecoming and it was almost

written that the 24 year drought was going to be ended by the

rugby mad nation on home soil. It would have been an

absolute travesty to World rugby if one of the games greatest

ever players, Richie McCaw had never lifted the Webb Ellis

trophy given the names that had done it prior to him. In the

absence of their talisman, Dan Carter, and down to their 4th

choice fly half by the end, it was always going to be a tougher

ask than the press suggested. With French confidence

growing throughout the competition they were never going to

be ‘also rans’ and just roll over especially with World Player

of the year Thierry Dusatoir leading them. It wasn't pretty

and a ground out 8-7 isn't something they are used to but ask

any Kiwi if they gave a f*@k about the score line Im sure

you’d get an equally frosty reception back. It seems that the

trophy has returned to its rightful home and you’d be a brave

man to bet against them defending it again in 4 years time,

with that monkey off their back.

5information

07ENGLISH RUGBY

Where to start on England's Rugby World Cup

campaign? Admittedly we weren’t at our best

throughout the competition, turning would be facile wins into

labored, sluggish wars of attrition against the one dimensional

Scots and hardly inspiring Argentinians but there was that sense

of English patriotism and our recent World Cup record which

almost half expectedly let us dream of bigger things and a run

deeper into the competition but that sense of naivety was

rapidly ripped from beneath us as Martin Johnson’s XV sadly

failed to produce anything like a performance against, up until

that point a hideously out of form French side. In many respects

it wasnt the team selection that let him down as he tried to roll

the dice and add a bit of spark to the midfield by going with

Flood at 12 and Wilkinson at 10, it was the actual players

themselves. No one can really seem to put their finger on what

went wrong in New Zealand, as it was a very similar team to

the one that won the 6 nations only a few months prior to that

and had beaten Australia in Australia for the first time in God

knows how long but there was just one fundamental aspect

missing. Maybe it was the absence of the fulcrum of the scrum -

Andrew Sheridan or in my opinion its the lack of an out and

out world class inside centre. But whatever it is there’s no rush

as the next one is only 4 years away.

4


08 CHAMPION STAKES REVIEW

Champion Stakes ReviewAlthough Frankel stole the headlines 40minutes beforehand, The Qipco ChampionStakes, Britain’s most valuable race ever, was a great end to the inaugural Champion’s Day.

Image | Steve CargillWords | Calum Madell


racing09

A high-class field lined up with a strong challenge fromhome and abroad, however it was France who landed theirsecond crucial blow of the British flat season as Cirrus DesAigles added to Pour Moi’s Derby victory in June.

So You Think looked the most likely winner on form. He had won 4 times thisseason and amassed over £4 million of prize-money in his career to date in hereand in Australia where he started his career.

Snow Fairy, who had finished 3rd in the Arc De Triomphe 2 weeks ago inFrance, one of the biggest races of the year, lined up after finishing one placeahead of So You Think in that race. Past meetings between the two suggestedboth were closely matched in ability.

Henry Cecil, trainer of Frankel, was represented by Midday and Twice Overwhilst Nathaniel, who had won twice at Ascot this season already, also took hisplace in the field. Dubai Prince, ridden by Frankie Dettori was anotherinteresting runner.

Cirrus Des Aigles tracked the leading pair throughout, but it was Nathaniel, upat the front throughout, who went for home turning into the straight. Howeverhe faded soon after and So You Think was travelling well. But just in behindwas Christophe Soumillon, on Cirrus Des Aigles. Neck and neck with a furlongto go, Soumillon went to the front, grinding down his rival to take the race withsomething in hand.

And with the momentous win came the story behind it all. This was not a winfor the big trainer but the relatively unknown Mme Corine Barande-Barbe fromChantilly, France. Barande-Barbe has had relative success in her career whichstarted in 1991, but this is the best horse she has trained.

This was the his first victory at Group 1 level for him, the highest in racing andone that has been deserved due to his good runs this season. 10 starts this yearhas resulted in 10 places, including 5 Group race victories and his defeats only atthe hands of the best that Racing has to offer. Sarafina and the great Goldikovaare two of the only horses to beat him and are up with the best in Racing.

So You Think ran his usual blinder and lost no credit for his defeat. Snow Fairyand Midday have both shown over the last couple of years to be highlyadmirable and classy horses, and there’s much more to come from some of theothers who had excuses for not getting close to the winner. But take nothingaway from the winner as this was Cirrus Des Aigles’s big day. This was CorineBarande-Barbe’s day. This was France’s day.


10 ONES TO WATCH

MONTBAZON

Montbazon impressed in his “bumper” runs last season and is one to follow in novicehurdles. A promising debut when 2nd to subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner

Cheltenian before imperiously winning a valuable Doncaster NHF and ending the season with a spirited 2nd in a G2 bumper on Grand National day.

BACK IN FOCUS

Back In Focus was hugely impressive when winning his first start under rules (after promising efforts in point-to-points) in a G2 at Haydock. Only midfield in

Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on last run of the season but may prove a different proposition over fences, especially on softer ground.

CUE CARD

Unbeaten in his first four starts including a 40/1 shock inthe Cheltenham bumper, Cue Card was sent to lastyear’s festival as favourite for the Supreme Novices

Hurdle. He could only finish fourth but trainer ColinTizzard always felt this five-year old would make a

smart chaser. He made a winning debut overfences earlier this month and looks sure to win

some big novice chases.

LONG RUN

The star of the 2010-11 season, the NickyHenderson-trained horse ran off with two ofjumping’s biggest prizes, the King George VI

Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. At theage of just six Long Run has already won

over a million pounds in prize money and inhis 18 starts has never finished outside of the

first three.

5 NATIONAL HUNT HORSES


racing11

TO WATCH

KAUTO STONE

Those looking to fill the void left by the mighty Kauto Star should look no further than hishalf-brother Kauto Stone who has just been transferred from France to the champion trainerPaul Nicholls. A winner of five chases already and over £500,000 he looks an excitingpossible heir to his older brother’s crown of champion chaser.

Long Run

Cue Card


12 INTERVIEW

Favourite Comedian?

Jack Dee probably from these shores.

I saw him the other day and just loved

his sort of darkish humour, but probably

my favourite comic at the minute is a

guy from America called Louis CK.


interview13Jack Whitehall

This month Student Racing met up with man of the moment Jack Whitehall, starof the hit new series on Channel 4, Fresh Meat. Refreshingly funny here heanswers a few questions about racing but mostly just his philosophy on life...

X factor vibe: Tulisa, Kelly Rowland, Cheryl Cole. Sleep with, marry, push off a cliff...Marry Cheryl. Sleep with Kelly and push Tulisa off the cliff. Easy.What have you got planned for the future?I've just got a few more shows left of this tour and then there’s a new showfor Channel 4 called ‘Hit The Road Jack’ which is going out in Januaryand we’re filming at the moment all round the country and then probablyanother tour at the end of next year if people aren't bored of me by then.Any memorable betting stories/ big wins?Yeah one always sticks out, I got told by a mate of mine who said he had ‘a certainty’for me a few years ago so I got greedy and put far too much on and the fu**ing thingtook the wrong track. Never been so livid in my life...Would you ever have a horse in training.?Yeah I definitely would but I’m under strict instructions to say that I'd have it with afuture trainer called George Scott, who is currently assistant to Michael Bell.Is it true you still live your rents?Not anymore. I got driven out from the savage beatings from my father.

Favourite Drink?Jaeger Bomb. You just cant beat kicking back and relaxing in the bath, after a long day,

with a nice casual jaeger bomb. You really can't.

Blonde or brunette or we could throw you the ginger curve ball?

Ooh no dont do that. Id prefer them bald. Actually yeah Natalie Portman looked pretty

decent with that. Britney on the other hand...

Guilty Pleasure?Probably my cousin. Really nice looking type but you’d never go there, unless you were from Norfolk.

First car/car now?Never had one and never will. Doesn't help with the fact that I haven't passed but its

just so much easier getting driven everywhere.

If you werent a comedian what would you be?

Definitely a jockey. Always had the build for it and they love Jaeger Bombs as well...


14 BREEDERS CUP

The Breeders’ Cup has been a happy hunting ground in recent years forEuropean horses with the likes of Midday, Dangerous Midge and wondermare Goldikova to name a few. This year I really fancy Strong Suit at 4/1best price. The son of Rahy has only been out of the first 3 once in his life,on his first outing of the year, when it was subsequently found to have hada wind problem; from then on he’s progressed over both 7f and over a mile.His best performance arguably was his most recent one when winningimpressively against a decent field with included Chachamaidee andMaqaasid. He’ll love the firm ground at Churchill and the sharp mile willsuit him. Rahy, his sire has produced 2 Breeders’ Cup winners in FantasticLight and Dreaming of Anna and has a 17% strike over a mile and ongood-firm ground. Goldikova has been beaten comprehensively this yearand although of course a wonder horse, she may find Strong Suit’s’ turn offoot too much to handle in the home straight, with a good draw and a bitof luck Strong Suit will be hard to beat.

PREVIEW

Elusive Kate 6/4 with Stan James Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf


racing15

When it comes to Breeders’ Cups’, John Gosden is never far away fromconversation, with back to back Juvenile Turf winners in recent years withDonativum and Pounced, Elusive Kate has to be on the shortlist. ElusiveKate has been campaigned in France on her last 3 outings, graduallyimproving up the ranks ending on a comprehensive victory in the MarcelBoussac on Arc day. A competitive but small field, Elusive Kate managedto win by 3 lengths after drifting left, a really impressive performanceagainst some top class fillies. She has done nothing but improve all yearand is proven over the mile. Around the 6/4 marker she ticks all the boxesand should run a huge race.

Strong Suit 3/1 with William Hill | Breeders’ Cup Mile

Words | Harry Beckett


16 5 YOUNG JOCKEYS TO WATCH

In my experience of being an avid racing follower for around eight or so years now, it canoften pay to get on side with a very promising young and up-and-coming jockey, especiallywhen they are riding with the benefit of a claim, if you believe their ability alone can seethem do justice off levels with the other jockeys they come up against.

Having created a favourable

impression on the Pony racing

circuit, Shane Foley made his debut

under rules for trainer Mick Halford

in early 2007, and wasted little time to ride his first winner when

partnering the Liam McAteer trained Snap to win a handicap

around Leopardstown in late-June. He finished his first season

with 5 wins from 147 rides and narrowly failed to overhaul

Amy Parsons in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Series. He

returned to the track in 2008 better and stronger, and with the

backing of Mick Halford and Edward Lynam punched home 19

winners from 248 races, with his most notable success aboard

Desert Mile for Lynam in a valuable handicap at the Curragh.

In 2009 Foley won the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh

aboard the Tom Hogan-trained Spinning Wings, and consis-

tently notched up winners throughout a breakthrough season

for him, but could only finish second to his ‘stable-mate’ Garry

Carroll in the race for Champion Apprentice on 33 winners,

from 365 rides. 2010 was another successful season for Foley,

and his most notable victories came in the same month of

August, where he rode the two biggest wins of his career aboard

the Mick Halford trained Snaefell; in the Group 3 Phoenix

Sprint Stakes and Bob Le Beau for Jessica Harrington in the

valuable August Premier Handicap at Dundalk (he also

partnered the subsequent Group 1 winner Pathfork en-route to

a winning debut at Fairyhouse). Unfortunately for Foley, just

has he had hit top form at the height of summer (a trait shown

each year) he suffered a fractured ankle and collarbone in a

freak accident at Bellewstown in late-August. That injury killed

any dreams of becoming the Champion Apprentice, but on

his return to the track in November, quickly rattled up

seven winners. Foley lost his claim in 2011 after riding

37 winners from 442 rides (at the time of writing), and scored

listed successes on both Bible Belt and Strait Of Zanzibar, and

once again notched a Premier Handicap success on-board

Bob Le Beau.

Recommended to trainer Charlie

Longsdon by former jockey Paul

Flynn, Kielan Woods came to the

racing game after riding over 70 winners in the pony racing

circuit. His start under rules was a slow one, riding only three

winners in two seasons in his native Ireland, Kielan Woods has

impressed in his first two seasons over here in England and

boasts impressive conversion rates of 23% (10/11) and 28%

(11/12) winners to runners. He also boasts a healthy level stakes

profit of £38.17 to £1 stakes in his two seasons riding here,

which can’t be knocked. Given he has only ridden 14 winners

over here (from 55 rides) Kielan Woods is still able to make use

of a 7lb claim, which will set him in good stead for the course

of the 2011/2012 National Hunt season, and his stylish

technique can only be improved with further race riding and the

young pilot looks an exciting prospect to keep on side.

SHANE FOLEY KIELAN WOODS

Words | Jamie Taylor


racing17

So without further ado, I’m going to hopefully provide you withfive of the most promising young pilots in the game at themoment, and ones I believe are worth following over the nextseason or two over both codes, flat and jumps.

One of the most talented

conditionals around the northern

circuit at the minute, and probably

over jumps on the whole. Henry Brooke made a low-key start

to his career as a jockey, with a few rides for Kate Walton and

other small stables in the first three years but has since made

terrific progress since joining Donald McCain. Henry wasted

little time gaining his first success for the yard just four weeks

after joining, and the graduate from the northern point-to-point

circuit improved leaps and bounds throughout last season, with

Donald McCain giving a massive vote of confidence, allowing

Henry to ride Any Given Day to success in the Silver Trophy at

Chepstow, winning by ten lengths. He looks a sure bet to

continue his race-riding progression curve and taking into

account his 5lb claim, he looks a young pilot to follow

throughout the 2011/2012 National Hunt season.

The French teenage sensation, and

second jockey for Andre Fabre

behind the equally talented

Maxime Guyon, 19-year-old Mickael Barzalona was

recommended by Monsieur Fabre to Godolphin two years ago

as a rising star in the sport of kings. Mickael got his lucky break

when heading out to Dubai for further education earlier this

year, and partnered Khawlah to UAE Derby success with an

excellent last-ditch effort to run down Master Of The Hounds.

Mickael then returned to his native France, before next

appearing in the UK, to ride for Godolphin at Newmarket,

notching two winners from his first three rides, signalling his

intent to prove himself on the biggest stage. He didn’t have to

wait long until he did, as Pour Moi put Mickael firmly onto the

world stage, when landing the Epsom Derby (G1) for his

retainer Andre Fabre – a race that will live long in the memory

as a young Mickael swept by bolt upright, celebrating a stride

before the winning-post. He looks set to land one of racings top

jobs in the next couple of years, and he remains an immense

talent and one to follow closely.

No young jockey in the last few years has impressed me like Harry Bentley has, and this youngster looks a future Champion Jockey in the

making if he continues his rise through the apprentice ranks into the pros. His tactical nous and placement during his races is that of a

seasoned professional and he can only get even better with age. He looks set for a very lucrative career in the sport of horse racing. After a

quiet start in 2009 with no wins from eight attempts, Harry Bentley rode ten winners in his first full season as an apprentice from 136 rides,

to around a 10% strike-rate. After a promising start he went out to Dubai in the winter of 2010/2011 to further his education in the saddle,

and quickly put himself on the map riding a double figure amount of winners, the pick of those an impressive success aboard Navajo Chief

in a valuable mile handicap for his retainer Alan Jarvis. On his return from Dubai, Bentley has continued to impress throughout the 2011

flat campaign, and finds himself just 4 winners off the lead, in the race for the Champion Apprentice on 46 winners for the year with a

strike-rate of around 13%. He is certainly one to follow closely over the next couple of years, and it shouldn’t be long before he is snapped

up by a big racing yard, he is cracking value for his 3lb claim.

HENRY BROOKE MICKAEL BARZALONA

HARRY BENTLEY


Straight to the PointSo, what is Point-to-Pointing? In a nutshell, Point-to-Pointing is horse racing over jumps foramateurs. That means no professional jockeys, or those who hold an amateur or conditional licence(pros in training!) can ride in Points.

The racing may be for amateurs, but the riders need to be just as fit (and brave!) as their professional counterparts. A standard Point-to-Point race is run over 3 miles, although someMaiden races (for horses which have never won before) are run over 2 and a half miles.

Most Point-to-Points are held on farmland by generous permission of the landowner. This mightmean it’s best to leave the heels at home, but apart from the more relaxed attire (wellies are a popularchoice) going Point-to-Pointing is just like a regular day at the races - have a drink at the bar, watchthe horses in the parade ring, place your bet and then cheer on your steed!

A few Pointers to keep you in the know__ The name is taken from centuries gone by when gentlemen would race their horses from one‘point’ to another. Each ‘point’ was generally a church, from which also descends the term ‘steeple-chasing’.

__ There are several different types of race at Point-to-Points, including Maiden races, Restricted(the next step up), Intermediate, Open (for which all can enter, as the name suggests), HuntMembers, Club Members and Confined (only open to those from a small number of local hunts).

__ Unlike racing ‘under Rules’ where you can find out the runners and riders before you arrive,declarations for Point-to-Point races are made on the day. Keep your racecard at the ready, so youcan mark off exactly which horses and riders will be running from the list of all who entered beforethe meeting.


racing1919 POINT-TO-POINTING

A Point in the right directionThe only way to really understand what Point-to-Pointing is all about is to experience the day firsthand. This year the season runs from November to June, and with 208 meetings scheduled, thereare plenty of chances to catch the action. Whether you’re in Plymouth or Perth, Huddersfield orHastings, there’ll be a meeting close by to give you a taste of this exciting sport.

Not only is Point-to-Pointing a chance to see racing at its grass roots, those who simply want toenjoy a day out won’t be disappointed. Alongside the bar and caterers, most Point-to-Points nowalso host trade stands, combining wonderful scenery with great fare and shopping!

Of course as the term progresses, paying for essentials like food and bills may take priority over afaux fur hat or novelty socks, but rest assured, you’ll get great value for money at a Point-to-Point.Many meetings charge per vehicle rather than per person, so help your bank balance - and theenvironment - by filling your car (passengers in the boot are not recommended however- not onlyis it illegal, they might squash the picnic!).

Tempted? Now all you need is to keep an eye out for local meetings. The fixture list (calendar) canbe found on pointtopoint.co.uk, and lists all meetings throughout the season. Alternatively, sign upto the free weekly ‘Go Pointing’ newsletter; delivered straight to your inbox, it contains details of allmeetings the following weekend, including directions and entry costs.

Finally, wrap up warm and enjoy the day!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

www.pointtopoint.co.uk

LOOKING FOR MORE INFO?

We’ve goteverything

you need to know -and more!


20 SPORTS TIPS

BYE BYE BLACKBURNBLACKBURN TO GET RELEGATEDEVENS LADBROKESSitting in last position, Steve Kean is their worst everPremier League manager - that's what the stats sayanyway. Evens across the board is starting to look nicerand nicer and with relegation contenders Norwich andQPR still picking up points its making life much harderfor Blackburn. With high flying Newcastle and away atChelsea within their next three games things certainlyaren't getting any easier. They're rock bottom and aren'tgetting away from that any time soon.

FERNANDO IS BACKFERNANDO TORRES TOP GOALSCORER 33/1 LADBROKES

£50m man Fernando Torres is finally hitting theheadlines for the right reason. He's found thattouch and the electric pace that saw him at hisbest at Liverpool. With United really failing tofire it's easy to oppose favourite Wayne Rooney.Van Persie would be a great bet at 10/1 if hewasn't made of glass. At the time of writingTorres is currently 33/1 with Ladbrokes who arepaying 1/4 odds for a top-4 finish. You'd have tobe crazy not to have a cheeky flutter. The manfrom Spain is definitely back on top of his game.

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information21

MIDDAYBREEDERS CUP F&M TURF WINNER7/2 CORAL

Midday is a horse with a huge history in the Breeders Cupand is one of the toughest horses in training. She's had apoor season by her standards but it's important to noteshe's been in much harder races. She's picked up well over£2 million in prize money during her career and can takethat to just below the £3 million marker here. She won thisrace in 2009 and was 2nd last year when very unlucky.She's the one to best yet again this year and the 7/2available should be snapped up and should pay for a few ofthe drinks when everyone is out celebrating later that night.

SO YOU THINKBREEDERS CUP CLASSIC WINNER 7/1 LADBROKES

So You Think is the ultimate globetrotter,having run in England , Ireland, France andAustralia. It's typically a hard race forEuropeans to win but the 7/1 available couldjust prove to be huge. He's constantly beenbacked for the race and looks to have aprofile of a horse who should run a big race.

BET THREE BET FOUR

SEA MOON BREEDERS CUP TURF WINNER4/1 BET 365

Sea Moon is a horse with a huge future. Unlucky last time when he was a close 3rd in the St Leger he hadpreviously bolted up at York by an astonishing 8 lengths. With a strike rate of 50% in his races he looks agood bet here. 4/1 is far too big and you'll be laughing out loud when he cruises past the post in 1st.

BET FIVE


22 REST OF CHAMPIONS DAY

THE BEST OF THE REST BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAYThe first race of the day was the LongDistance, run over 2 miles. ThisGroup 3 saw Irish Derby winnerFame and Glory, and winner of thisyear’s Ascot Gold Cup over themarathon distance of 2 ½ miles, lockhorns with multiple group winnerOpinion Poll. The race was ultimatelydominated by these two in the end,with Fame and Glory making most of

the running, and gamely holding offOpinion Poll by a length and aquarter, confirming their previousAscot form, with an eye catching laterun from Colour Vision in 3rd.


Words | Sam Haggas

The 2nd race of the day saw some ofthe fastest horses in Britain and inEurope come together for the SprintStakes. Golden Jubilee winner SocietyRock returned to the scene of hisfamous win in June, and he facedFrench filly Moonlight Cloud, who hadon her last start romped to anemphatic 4 length success in Deauvilleand the vastly improving Deacon Blues.The action ultimately proved to be onthe near side rail, with Hooray settinga blistering pace up the stands rail.Johnny Murtagh sat on the favouriteDeacon Blues in Hooray’s slip stream,before taking up the running 2 furlongsout, and recording an impressive 1 anda half length success from Frenchraider Wizz Kid.

The 3rd race of the day was the Filliesand Mares Stakes which broughttogether many of the best femalemiddle distance horses over the 1 mileand a half trip. The field saw thematching of two very exciting up andcoming fillies, in the form of Vita Novaand the Roger Varian trained Ferdoos,who had shown massive improvementin each of her 4 career starts. Upagainst these two was dual Oakswinner Dancing Rain, who once againteaming up with Johnny Murtagh, ledfrom pillar to post, holding off Irishfilly Bible Belt in taking fashion by 2lengths, with her two main rivalsultimately disappointing.

racing23


Darley+353 (0)45 527600+44 (0)1638 730070www.darleystallions.com

Something beginning with Sea...After Ouija Board’s brilliant Oaks victory, Cape Cross was sent the damof Sea The Stars. And after Sea The Stars’ spine-tingling Derby-winningseason, CAPE CROSS was sent 104 Stakes winners/producers – quitethe best book he’s ever had. That crop, with perhaps Cape Cross’s nextsuperstar, are at the foal sales soon...


student racing magazine november 2011

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best of champions day

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