".....Dylan Thomas was penned as 2006 Arc winner after his Derby run, unfortunately, and as always, I was a wee bit premature. Regarding Manduro, I think that the best of Dylan Thomas' runs last year takes care of his best form, a defeat to Ouija Board arguably his best, and he has shown this season to be in fine fettle. Many will discuss his defeat to the hands of Notnowcato, yet the post race quote from AOB is interesting:
He ran a great race and we have no excuses.
Maybe he wasn't as cherry-ripe as I should have had him, and we'll see how he is after this - Aidan O'Brien, trainer.
It's not very often that AOB comes out and says that he may not have brought his runner to the boil on the day, and I think that showed he had bigger races in mind, this and the Arc. Not only is the 11/4 tempting for this race, you could work a trade in the Arc market.
Notnowcato has beaten Dylan Thomas twice now, and due to this has to be deemed the danger to Dylan Thomas. However, I feel that a trip in excessive of this would be beneficial, as would easier ground. Red Rocks is another to appreciate further in my opinion, and even though accounted for Mashaahed over this trip relatively easily, a mile and a half is his optimum.
Sir Percy has alot to prove now, and I couldn't back him following his last run, yet trends do suggest a prominent run in the Dubai Sheema Classic is a plus, and he has this to his name, as does Red Rock. Kandidate will once again run his race, but that race will not be good enough. after the clean up operation was landed with excellent art on
Tuesday, Wednesday looks even easier. I am taking on the big two in the jersey with tariq. won the race that jeremy won last year before taking this, and ill prob look pretty stupid as us ranger and major cadeaux are well clear on the book but
I don't think we've seen the best of tariq yet.
manduro looks solid in the princess of wales. ok, he's never won a group one over 10 furlongs but looks an improved horse this year. red rocks is probably the biggest danger.
Sir percy is gone, he'll be joining detroit city in the knackers yard soon. dylan thomas and notnowcato will prob have another titanic head bobber fighting it out for third place.
in the lottery, sorry the hunt cup, im taking a chance with trafalgar square. the fact that he won first time up with the two horses clear is a pointer to his chances. the queen mary looks fairly open, but it seems significant that hills has decided against running the highly regarded jannina and prefers to run monzallah instead. take the tip. sweepstake is probably the biggest danger.
in the last chantilly tiffany looks a huge price or am I missing something? of course dangerous to take on an unexposed 3 year old filly trained by michael stoute but her speed figures and form are nothing special. i would also give a squeak to truly enchanting, as she seems to be getting the hang of the game now......
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