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June 2010

BALCARCE NOV wasn’t beaten far by a back to form and Group 1 winner Rio de la Plata in a conditions stakes at Nottingham. At Ascot in the Royal Hunt Cup he was unsuited by the straight rtack.Rated 103, he will continue to contest the big handicaps/condition events on left handed tracks..

CELTIC SULTAN slipped to his lowest ever mark of 84 and took advantage of it by winning at Ayr over seven furlongs making all the running under Francis Norton. We decided to put the blinkers at the end of May over the same course and distance but he raced too freely and was headed inside the final furlong. Thankfully, he managed to get his head in front on this occasion but the handicapper put him up six pounds which makes life tougher.

I was delighted with DISTANT MEMORIES victory at York’s Charity meeting in a valuable nine furlongs handicap. He was winning his fourth race from only nine runs and even though he will have a big weight he could head back to the Knavesmire for the John Smith’s Cup provided the ground is suitable. As everyone knows, he doesn’t want it too fast but when he gets his conditions he is a very good horse.

KINGS GAMBIT, who won at Ripon during the spring, has run two excellent races since finishing a close fifth in a Group 3 event in Sweden before chasing home the progressive Rainbow Peak in the Listed Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot in second off a mark of 105. He is most effective over ten furlongs and heads for the John Smith’s Cup at York.

PRINCE OF JOHANNE disappointed at Haydock at the start of the month but bounced back to form next time when third at Newcastle’s Northumberland Plate meeting. Placed twice this season, he has the ability to win races and the handicapper is gradually relenting which always helps. He will try a longer trip next time.

QUITE SPARKY hasn’t got his head in front yet during his short career but he has been knocking on door including at Catterick over seven furlongs. We tried to make all but found one too good. He will hopefully gain compensation soon especially now the handicapper has dropped him three pounds since.

TING TING didn’t stay a mile and a half at the start of the season and has been seen in a much better light since reverting to a mile. A filly by Empire Maker, she won over eight furlongs at Redcar off a rating of 56 and was only raised four pounds as a result.

I have always liked WALVIS BAY and I thought he ran a solid race at Haydock last time having had a seasonal pipe-opener at Ripon. Six furlongs with a bit of ease in the ground is ideal and I am hoping he can add to his York juvenile success shortly. He looks fairly treated off 81 at present.

Amongst our two year olds, ON THE HIGH TOPS continues to run well having won on his debut at Newcastle. Third in the Brian Yeardley Continental Stakes at Beverley, we stepped him up to six furlongs for the first time at Newcastle and he wasn’t beaten far by the unbeaten Waltz Darling, despite finding the ground too firm.

FASTNET STORM, CALDERCRUIX AND BREATHLESS STORM  form a Northern challenge at the Newmarket July Meeting. All should run well.

MAY 2010

BALCARCE NOV, who won at Haydock last year, has been running very consistently this season staying on strongly after a slow start in the Thirsk Hunt Cup in third and then been beaten half a length by the Britannia Stakes winner Fareer in a Listed handicap at York’s Dante meeting. Officially rated 103, he holds an entry in the Royal Hunt Cup and is set to carry 9st 3lb.

We put blinkers on CELTIC SULTAN for the first time at Ayr and he set a strong gallop only to get caught inside the final furlong. A winner at Catterick last season, he is back to the same mark which is his lowest ever and I hope he will take advantage of it this summer.

FASTNET STORM had a very good year last season winning three times and we elected to drop him back to a mile at Haydock. Prominent throughout, he ran well and wasn’t far behind in third. He is four pounds higher than his last win but I don’t think his turn is too far away.

PRINCE OF JOHANNE is a new addition to the team this season and he ran his best race for us so far when three parts of a length second in a ten furlongs handicap at Haydock. We took him to Chester next time off a two pounds higher mark but he never really got involved. His Haydock run though suggested he is a horse with plenty of ability and hopefully it won’t be too long before he gets his head in front.

WELSH EMPEROR made his seasonal reappearance in a Listed race over seven furlongs at Haydock showing all his old enthusiasm until getting tired late on. He finished fifth and wasn’t beaten far. He is eleven years old now and always needs a run or two. I am sure he won’t let us down because he never has in the past.

CALDERCRUIX has made a very good start to this three year old career winning twice at Redcar over eight and nine furlongs and, despite an eight pounds rise, he acquitted himself well at Newmarket over a mile and a quarter finishing second to Monterosso. He enjoys fast ground and I hope he will continue to improve.

MUSIC OF THE MOOR is another progressive three year old who only just missed out at Ripon last time. Five pounds higher than when winning at Beverley, he just failed by a nose to beat the Michael Jarvis trained Yashrid. The Rock of Gibraltar gelding appears to enjoy some give in the ground and he ought to get further than a mile and a quarter.

QUITE SPARKY has earned an official handicap mark of 77 having finished fourth on his reappearance at Ripon over a mile. We will try and win a maiden with him, starting at Redcar in early June, before turning our attentions to handicaps.

We tried TING TING over a mile and a half on his return to action at Pontefract but he didn’t stay hence the drop back to a mile last time at Redcar. Running off a rating of 53, she wasn’t far behind in fourth and there should be a race or two in her this year even though the handicapper has put him up three pounds.

I have been pleased with the way the two year olds have been performing. BREATHLESS STORM is a lovely individual who seemed to lose concentration on his debut at Doncaster before finishing fifth. He showed signs of inexperience next time, too, but still came out on top at Ripon over six furlongs. The runner-up was narrowly beaten next time at Carlisle. I think he will be a better suited by 7 furlongs.

ELAND ALLY made an encouraging start to his career when a running on fourth in a six furlongs maiden at Newcastle. A son of Striking Ambition, he kept on well in the closing stages and ought to win races on that evidence.

I have a soft spot for MY SINGLE MALT who made his debut at Haydock over six furlongs. I thought he performed well considering he found himself on the outside and could have done with some cover. I would expect him to improve as the season goes on over a longer trip.

ON THE HIGH TOPS has run two solid races winning first time out at Newcastle in a race which has worked out well. The runner-up has won since and finished third in the Listed Woodcote Stakes at Epsom. He then finished a close third in the Brian Yeardley Continental Two Year Old Trophy at Beverley. There should be more to come from him.

THE TEAM FOR 2010

OLDER HORSES

BALCARCE NOV (ARG) 5 br h Romanov (IRE) – Rosada Fitz (ARG)
A winner at Haydock last season, This Winter he ran three times at Meydan finishing third to Calming Influence, who has won the Group 2 Godolphin Mile since. I was not sure that he handled the surface very well and think that he is better on turf. Officially rated 100, his target is the Thirsk Hunt Cup in May and he will then be aimed at all the good one mile handicaps.

CELTIC SULTAN (IRE) 6 b g Celtic Swing – Farjah (IRE)
He is a tough honest handicapper who won at Catterick last season. He is ready to run and will follow a similar programme being aimed at seven furlongs handicaps on fast ground. We may have to look at the all-weather programme if the ground isn’t suitable on the turf.

DISTANT MEMORIES (IRE) 4 b g Falbrav (IRE) – Amathia (IRE)
A talented horse who won a couple of times at Ripon last season before second in a Listed event at Leopardstown on his final run. Soft ground is the key to him and he will be targeted at Listed/Group 3 races. He could start off in the Listed Alleged Stakes at the Curragh on the 11th April. Although he finished second in a good handicap over twelve furlongs at Haydock last season, I don’t think he stayed. A mile and a quarter suits him well but he has a lot of speed and could even come back in trip. I think he will improve again this year.

FASTNET STORM (IRE) 4 br g Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) – Dreams
I was very pleased with him last season winning three times. He is a such a game horse, he always tries his best. Rated 91, he needs to improve again but I hope he will. The plan is to start him off over ten furlongs at Pontefract in April. He appears to handle any ground.

FRENCH APPLAUSE (IRE) 4 b g Royal Applause – A Ma Guise (USA)
Runner-up on his first two runs at Ripon and York, he was lame after finishing fifth last time at Doncaster. Back in work now, he should be running by the end of April and I think he is a grand horse. A big strong individual, he will be running in seven furlongs handicaps.

KINGS GAMBIT (SAF) 6 ch g Silvano (GER) – Lady Brompton (SAF)
He only had four runs for us last year but ran some good races at York and against Twice Over at Doncaster in September. Rated 110, he will be aimed at Group races and may have to go abroad at some stage. He has been running over a mile and a quarter.

PRINCE OF JOHANNE (IRE) 4 gr g Johannesburg (USA) – Paiute Princess (FR)
A three times winner last season for Jeremy Noseda, he joined us at the end of last year. Officially rated 84, he has settled in well and I like him. Despite being by Johannesburg, he has been winning over ten furlongs and may stay further. Fast ground seems to suit him and, all being well, he will be running in around a month.

REGAL LYRIC (IRE) 4 b g Royal Applause – Alignment (IRE)
Placed three times last year, he has had a spell over hurdles during the winter. The intention is for him to go back on the Flat and run in ten and twelve furlongs handicaps.

SUITS ME 7 ch g Bertolini (USA) – Fancier Bit
He has been a fantastic horse for us all over the years, particularly on the all-weather during the Winter. Runner-up in both the Trial and the Winter Derby at Lingfield behind Gitano Hernando and Tranquil Tiger respectively. His owner is keen to have a crack at a Listed/Group race on the turf before he has a break. A mile and a quarter is his trip and he appears to be a ten pounds better horse on the all-weather than the grass.

WELSH EMPEROR (IRE) 11 b g Emperor Jones (USA) – Simply Times (USA)
I think this year will be his swansong but he has been a wonderful horse for us winning 13 races and £400,000 in prize-money. He escaped injury at Doncaster in October and thankfully was as sound as bell afterwards. He will be aimed at Conditions races and could start at Warwick on Easter Monday.

THREE YEAR OLDS

CALDERCRUIX (USA) b g Rahy (USA) – Al Theraab (USA)
A well bred sort, he is ran a good race at Doncaster last time when third. He has done well during the winter and is a big strong type. I hope he will do well in ten furlongs three year old handicaps.

GOLDEN TIGER b c Kyllachy – Roxy
He has had three runs on the all-weather at Southwell during the winter and has been placed each time. We have been running him over seven furlongs but I think he could benefit from going up in trip. He has shown enough to suggest he can win races.

LEVIATHAN b c Dubawi (IRE) – Gipsy Moth
A nice horse who won twice last season including at Doncaster on his final run. We sent him to France for a Group race in November but the weather stopped him crossing the Channel. I am hoping he will stay a mile this year and we will aim him at three year old handicaps over seven and eight furlongs.

MOLON LABE (IRE) ch g Footstepsinthesand – Pillars of Society (IRE)
He had three runs as a juvenile running particularly well on his final start when runner-up at Nottingham. He has progressed physically since and I think he will make his mark in ten furlongs plus handicaps this year.

MUCH ACCLAIMED (IRE) b g Sulamani (IRE) – Much Commended
He has done well during the winter. Runner-up first time out at Redcar, he then finished sixth in a good maiden at Doncaster at the backend. Although he is by Sulamani, he is a half-brother to Dabbers Ridge and appears to have the speed for seven furlongs and a mile. He goes a good gallop and I hope he will build on what he showed last season.

MUSIC OF THE MOOR (IRE) ch g Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) – A La Longue (GER)
A tough horse who I felt was unlucky not to win last year. We discovered that he needs to be held up in his races and I think he will stay well this season. He should get a mile and a half OK and, rather like Kudu Country last year, I hope he will go juvenile hurdling for his owner in the Autumn.

PINK FLAMES (IRE) ch f Redback – Flames
Well bred being a full sister to Lahaleeb, I think this filly could be similar in that she may need a few runs before she shows her true ability. She injured herself after her debut run at Thirsk hence we were unable to get another run into her last season. Back in now, she won’t run until a bit later but she is a nice good topped filly who may prefer some cut in the ground.

QUITE SPARKY b g Lucky Story (USA) – Imperialistic (IRE)
Runner-up last time at Thirsk in a seven furlongs maiden, I think the form is quite useful. He will be qualified for handicaps following one more run and I hope he will pay his way over seven furlongs and a mile.

SADLER’S MARK b c Sadler’s Wells (USA) – Waldmark (USA)
A lovely big strong horse I like. We gave him a couple of runs at Nottingham with Robert Winston riding him on each occasion. He felt the soft ground didn’t suit him and believes he will be much better suited by a sound surface. I think a mile and a half will bring out the best in him on fast ground.

THINK ITS ALL OVER (USA) b c Tiznow (USA) – A P Petal (USA)
A big tall horse who won his second start at Hamilton over a mile. He has done well physically from two to three and I think he is a lovely horse. Fast ground suits him and I don’t think he will have a problem staying ten furlongs this year. We will aim him at a suitable mile and a quarter handicap in the spring to begin with.

TING TING (USA) b f Empire Maker (USA) – My Sweet Heart (USA)
Third on her first two runs at Beverley and Redcar, she isn’t the quickest but is bred to stay. Micky Fenton, who rode her last season, believes she won’t show her form until tackling a mile and a half. I am hoping the step up in trip will bring about improvement.

WALVIS BAY (IRE) gr g Footstepsinthesand – Limpopo
A half-brother to Pipalong, he is a nice horse who will hopefully make his mark in three year old handicaps over six and seven furlongs. I was pleased with his progress last year winning at York. Like his sister, I think he prefers some cut in the ground and his handicap mark of 83 is fair.

TWO YEAR OLDS

BREATHLESS STORM (USA) ch c Storm Cat (USA) – Takesmybreathaway (USA)
Fifth on his racecourse debut at Doncaster at the start of May, he is a horse with a lot of ability. Unfortunately, he appeared to lose his concentration in the closing and would have been much closer had he not done so. It was his first run so will hopefully have learned from it. He is very well bred being a half-brother to the former Aidan O’Brien trained and subsequent Grade 1 winner in the US, Frost Giant. I like him.

DEFENCE OF DURESS (IRE) b c Motivator – Ultra Finesse (USA)
A very nice unraced colt by Motivator, he is one for the second half of the season. All being well, he will be running over seven furlongs by the middle of the summer. He is a half-brother to winners such as Dramatic Quest, Proceed With Care and Debonnaire.

DOWNTOWN BOY br c Kheleyf (USA) – Uptown (IRE)
A nice Kheleyf colt who ought to be running by mid summer. I think six furlongs will suit him.

ELAND ALLY b c Striking Ambition – Dream Rose (IRE)
He is working nicely at home and the plan is to start him off in June. I think six furlongs will be ideal.

HOBBESIAN WAR b c Danehill Dancer (IRE) – Bold Classic (USA)
A lovely colt by Danehill Dancer, he has plenty of scope and is one to watch out for in June or July. I have been pleased with him.

LOOSE QUALITY (USA) b c Elusive Quality (USA) – Djebel Amour (USA)
He is another nice unraced colt and one for the second half of the season. All being well, he will out around July/August and will appreciate seven furlongs.

MY SINGLE MALT (IRE) b c Danehill Dancer (IRE) – Slip Dance (IRE)
A well bred colt being out of the dual Listed winner Slip Dance, he is nearly ready to run. A big strong individual, he has a great temperament and I like him. He will run over six furlongs.

ON THE HIGH TOPS (IRE) b c Kheleyf (USA) – Diplomats Daughter
He is set to make his debut at Newcastle at the start of May and is quite forward. He has shown speed at home hence he starts off over five furlongs.

PINK DIVA (IRE) ch f Giant’s Causeway (USA) – Saoire
A quality filly with a touch of class, we bought her at the Goffs Orby Sale last year. She looks sharp and could be running in June/July over six or seven furlongs.

WILD HYSTERIA (IRE) gr c Verglas (IRE) – White Wisteria
A half-brother to three times winner Bodyguard, he was bought cheaply at Doncaster last August. He is all set to run over five furlongs at Catterick in early May.

Unnamed b c Librettist (USA) – Fiveofive (IRE)
From a good family being a half-brother to dual US Grade 2 winner Medici Code, he will hopefully be running by June or July. He looks a six furlongs horse at the moment.

APRIL 2010

I have been pleased with the start we have made to the turf campaign sending out 4 winners including CALDERCRUIX on his reappearance at Redcar. Tackling a mile for the first time, he was racing off a mark of 71 and ran out a comfortable two lengths winner. Hopefully there will be more to come but we will see what the handicapper does with him before making any further plans. He will improve as he gains in experience and is a nice prospect.

MUCH ACCLAIMED is another decent three year old prospect and I was delighted with his victory at Ripon. He, too, was stepping up to a mile and ran out an easy five lengths winner and has been granted a rating of 88 as a result. He is due to make his handicap debut at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting at the start of May over ten furlongs and it will be interesting to see how he fares.

MUSIC OF THE MOOR was unable to get his head in front last year but couldn’t have started his three year old campaign better with a win at Beverley in a mile and a quarter handicap. Staying on well in the latter stages. I hope he will continue to be competitive off his revised rating of 75.

KING’S GAMBIT was also a winner during April beating the highly regarded Michael Jarvis trained Almiqdaad in a Ripon conditions event. Always prominent, he ran on strongly under Micky Fenton to score by a length and a half. He looks ready for a step back up in class and, all being well, heads to Chester in May for the Group 3 Huxley Stakes.

SUITS ME continues to run consistently having finished second in the Winter Derby in March. Fifth in the Magnolia Stakes at Kempton during the same month, he wasn’t beaten far last time at Lingfield in a conditions race behind the Godolphin owned Storm Ultralight. Having won 11 races and nearly £175,000 in prize-money, he doesn’t owe us anything. He is due a Summer break now.

I thought DISTANT MEMORIES ran very well on his return to action at Pontefract chasing home Richard Fahey’s Albaqaa. The ground would have been plenty fast enough and he was conceding eight pounds to the winner. He was due to tackle the Suffolk Handicap at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting but the ground was too quick. Like King’s Gambit, he has an entry in the Huxley Stakes at Chester but the underfoot conditions will determine whether he runs or not. He is very effective with ease in the ground.

ACROSS THE SEA, who only had one run last season, made an encouraging return to action at Newcastle in a twelve furlongs maiden. Only beaten a length and a half, he will be qualified for handicaps following one more run and hopefully he will pay his way. A sound horse and staying is his game.

MOLON LABE made his handicap debut at Pontefract towards the end of the month finishing third behind the progressive Beat The Rush. We elected to step him up to a mile and a half and he ran well for a long way. Perhaps he may prefer easier ground.

I think THINKS ITS ALL OVER will benefit from a step up in trip having kept on in the closing stages over a mile at Haydock. Beaten two and a half lengths by Layla’s Lexi, he was outpaced when the leaders quickened but I thought he stayed on well enough late on.

Comments by MARK HOWARD, Racing UK and author of Ahead On The Flat and One Jump Ahead

Castle Farm Stables, Hazlewood, Tadcaster, N.Yorks, LS24 9NJ