Deja Vu
3 May 2008
Nairobi — A year ago, Cockney Rebel landed the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas at 25-1. It won't happen like that on Saturday. New Approach 6-4, and Raven's Pass 9-4, are screaming loud for a dual forecast.
Add Aiden O'Brien's, Jupiter Pivusca, Peter-Chapple-Hyam's, Fireside, and, Godolphin's, Ibn Khaldin, for a fruitful permutation. Nineteen colts remain in the 200th Guineas.
Jim Bolger's, New Approach, is unbeaten to date. Raven's Pass faltered by only a short-head on his reappearance behind Twice Over in the Dewhurst. Trained by John Gosden, Raven's Pass is fully tuned by that fine run. Only stamina is under scrutiny up the Rowley Mile.
Like any decent thoroughbred, New Approach is not without quirks. His carefully curbed temperament requires that a pony accompany him to the Stalls. He also flatly refuses to walk under any arches.
The Stan James 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, is still volleying between Mathabura, Infallible, Nortagura, and, Spacious. They are each hemmed in at tight odds with bookies. Eighteen fillies have been declared.
Big Brown, 3-1, drew 20th position for the Kentucky Derby's Triple Crown, round one, over 2,060m at Churchill Downs. Colonel John 4-1, Pyro 6-1, Visionaire, 7-1, and Eight Bells, are better positioned. Cool Coal Man 20-1, has the worst spot on the inside where he could be holed in.
The jump season ended with veteran chaser, Monkerhostin (Richard Johnston 28-1), chiselling a superior BET365 Gold Cup win at Sandown. Royal Auclair 14-1, bagged second place, and, Hool La Baloo 9-1, pipped Scottish Grand National winner, Iris De Balme, for third.
Paul Nicholls - Champion Trainer, Antony McKoy - Champion Jockey for the thirteenth time in a row, David Johnson - leading owner, and, Ruby Walsh - Champion Irish Jockey. Believe it or not, a new season began 21 hours later.
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