St Leger is Thought Worthy for John Gosden

St Leger Thought Worthy for John Gosden

The St Leger this year has become a Thought Worthy matter for John Gosden on who should take on the unbeaten Triple Crown bound Camelot

For the last couple of months the St Leger betting has been dominated by a string of John Gosden challengers to Camelot with four of the top seven in the betting being trained by him. 

Today, John Gosden has revealed to the Racing Post that his challenge is likely to take the form of Thought Worthy and Michelangelo with Dartford making the pace.  Crockford believes that this news was probably greeted with some relief by Ballydoyle as the greater threat was likely to have come from the progressively dangerous Gosden filly Great Heavens who now looks Prix Vermeille bound instead. The other Gosden fancy Shantaram was denied his warm up run at York in the Great Voltigeur by illness and would appear not to be ready for the Doncaster Classic. 

This news makes the Triple Crown even more certain for Camelot (quoted at 1/3) with the value in the race appearing now to be each way with the unlucky Main Sequence who in many eyes should have beaten Thought Worthy in the Great Voltigeur. Runner up in the Derby (Thought Worthy only fourth) Main Sequence should come second again to Camelot at the attractive odds of 14/1 with Bet365. Crockford's only doubt would be if his stamina doesn't hold and if the ground is too soft on the day. John Gosden's entry for Thought Worthy in the two mile race on Champions day is a strong indication of his faith in his horse's stamina and is worth noting. Crockford does not rate the chances of his other probable runner Michelangelo who was soundly beaten in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood

The only other threat to the places may come from Guarantee the Melrose winner (who is not guaranteed of a run) and from Imperial Monarch but it is highly unlikely that O'Brien would let him take his chance. Punters need only think back to the Curragh and his removal from the Irish Derby to see that.

The St Leger looks the most straightforward for years given the muddling form all the others in the field - Camelot will get his Triple Crown

(Photograph - John Gosden at Glorious Goodwood 2012 by Stuart Rice)

Frankel, Camelot and Mars to be unbeaten champions this Autumn

This Autumn all the talk will be of the great unbeaten champions Frankel and Camelot - but do not overlook Mars Crockford warns

Mars could be seen again on the racecourse as soon as Saturday in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Trial at Leopardstown. So impressive on his debut at Dundalk he proved all of the talk from Ballydoyle to be true. Crockford believes there is a chance that he may even be better than his unbeaten stablemate the classic winning Camelot. 

Quoted as favourite for the 2013 Derby and second favourite for the 2000 Guineas, he holds entries in all of the key two year old autumn tests - The National Stakes, Royal Lodge, Beresford, Dewhurst and the Racing Post Trophy. 

One thing can be guaranteed which ever he runs in his price will tumble from 16/1 for the Guineas and 10/1 for the Derby by the end of the season.

(Video - Mars' racecourse debut at Dundalk 16 July 2012 - ATR Youtube)

Turkish Delight for Dettori and Hughes to master his rivals at Sandown

Master of War beaten to line at Goodwood by Heavy Metal

Richard Hughes has excellent chances to master his rivals at Sandown, whilst Frankie is off in search of Turkish delight

Crockford believes that any punter who follows the master Richard Hughes at Sandown could have a very profitable afternoon. Hughes will re-partner Glorious Goodwood second Master of War in the Solario Stakes this afternoon for his father in law (Richard Hannon). After riding him at Goodwood Hughes commented that further would suit this classy colt. This afternoon even though he has stiff opposition the trip will be in his favour. With bookings on Dank, Hip Hip Hooray, Law Enforcement, Kyleakin Lass, Juvenal and Miblish Hughes most feel confident of getting closer to the elusive champion jockey title. 

Good races in Germany, Ireland and Turkey have also caught Crockford's eye. Frankie Dettori will be in search of Turkish delight with his big race rides on Hunter's Light and Beatrice Aurore at Veliefendi, whilst Roger Varian stands an excellent chance of picking up the big fillies and mares race at Baden Baden with his ultra consistent Shimmering Surf.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Shimmering Surf (4.25 Baden Baden)

At the beginning of the season Crockford was warned of the ability of this horse and that she was set for a good season. It has been a good one as predicted with her winning and finishing second behind excellent horses such as Great Heavens. Her last outing in Deauville showed her continuing form and today's German raid looks a certainty.

Crockford's Whisper - Miblish (4.00 Sandown e/w)

Richard Hughes is excited about the prospect of riding for Clive Brittain this afternoon and believes that his mount has form to match any of his rivals. Such a whisper from a master of the turf has to be heeded especially when the horse in question is 22/1.

Archer selects Drive Time

Archer's Selection - Drive Time (3.50 Killarney)

The shrewd Archer would listen to advice especially when it came from the trainer. Mr Mullins told Crockford himself at Glorious Goodwood that Drive Time would win the Galway Hurdle and that he was one of the best he had. Having been brought down in the Hurdle whilst travelling well this flat race would certainly be now in the scope of the unbeaten Mullins favourite.

Crockford's other gambles around the courses today:

Chester - White Coppice (1.55), Area Fifty One (2.30), Galician (3.05 e/w), Sohraab (4.20 e/w), New Youmzain (4.55 e/w) and Economic Crisis (5.30)

Beverley - Chapter Seven (3.15) and Borderlescott (4.15 e/w)

Bath - Captain Oats (4.35), Prime Exhibit (5.10) and Night Carnation (6.10)

Sandown - Master of War (2.50), Dank (3.25), Miblish (4.00 e/w), Law Enforcement (4.30), Juvenal (5.05) and Hip Hip Hooray (5.35)

Kilarney - Tandem (2.10), Count of Limonade (3.20), Drive Time (3.50) and Rattan (5.10)

Baden-Baden - Shimmering Surf (4.25)

Veliefendi -  Hunter's Light & Prince Alzain  e/w (5.30) and Beatrice Aurore  & Survey (7.00)

(Photograph - Heavy Metal beating Master of War at Glorious Goodwood 2012 by Stuart Rice)

Quest for the Melbourne Cup

Quest for Peace next stop the Melbourne Cup?

Quest for Peace will join Mount Athos to make a strong Luca Cumani challenge for the Melbourne Cup

Punters learnt today that last year's winner Dunaden will be travelling down under to defend his crown in the Melbourne Cup. However, he is not currently the favourite amongst the Eurpoean challengers - Luca Cumani's Mount Athos is and he now looks to be joined by his useful stablemate Quest for Peace on his trip down under to Flemington. 

On Saturday Quest for Peace added to his Glorious Goodwood win by winning the March Stakes at the course and in so doing making him a genuine contender for "the race that stops a nation".  Crockford noted that his temperament and style of running will be suited by the two mile handicap and as Richard Hughes commented after his win on him "you can put him where you want and switch him off".  Match this to his evident stamina and turn off foot the 25/1 on offer with Ladbrokes for The Melbourne Cup looks good value.

Godolphin expect to send two challengers to the race; one of which may well be Saturday's Ebor winner Willing Foe who is currently only quoted for the race by WBX. The odds given by World Betting Exchange (WBX) of 86 indicate not only his chances in the race but the view of others on his likelihood to be one of the two chosen amongst options that include the Gold Cup winner Colour Vision, Lost in the Moment and Cavalryman.  Crockford thanks OddsChecker for finding him this price as he thinks that it may well tumble as the days go by and the race and quarantine come closer. 

Melbourne Cup prices with Ladbrokes - Mount Athos 12/1, Dunaden 16/1, Red Cadeaux 20/1, Quest for Peace and Colour Vision 25/1.

(Photograph - Quest for Peace before the March Stakes at Goodwood 2012 by Stuart Rice)

Richard Hughes - Will 2012 be his year?

Producer of winners: Hughes heads to weigh in after another winner

As Hughes edges ahead in the leading jockey's table with five wins this weekend -  Crockford asks could be this be his year.

Producer provided Richard Hughes his fifth winner of the weekend and 106th of the season so far. Typical of his rider's style he was produced just at the last moment to deny The Cheka in The Supreme Stakes this afternoon. The win helped edge Hughes ahead of his rivals in the jockey's table and make him 1/6 favourite to secure the title for the first time. Having narrowly lost the title race to Paul Hanagan back in 2010 many asked if his chance had gone, now the weight of those memories could be lifted with a genuine leading chance of him securing his just deserves the title of Champion Jockey.

Hughes has a brilliant ability of "nursing horses" through races, waiting with them and producing them almost effortlessly to take the lead within the final strides. Just looking back over this weekend we need look no further than his win on Wentworth at York on Friday, My Sharona at Goodwood yesterday and Producer today to prove this point. 

Hughes waits with My Sharona to ensure his third win yesterday

There are parallels in his waiting style that can be drawn with the great George Fordham who reached the zenith of his career with 165 wins in 1862. At the time Fordham was called a "genius" and "on the greatest jockeys to have ridden" - both comments worthy of Hughes 150 years on. Like the great Champion Fred Archer at 5ft10 Hughes has had to battle his weight to continue to ride.  This year Crockford believes that he will be finally rewarded for his struggle by taking the championship with probably less wins and certainly less rides than when he lost out in 2010. 

BetVictor offer Richard Hughes at 1/6 for the championship ahead of Ryan Moore and Silvestre De Sousa both at 7/1

(First Photograph - Richard Hughes heading to the Weighing Room after his victory on Producer at Goodwood by Stuart Rice)

(Second Photograph - My Sharona winning at Goodwood 25/8/12 by Stuart Rice)

Ebor Meeting Day Three - Saddler's Rock & Motivado to confirm Glorious Goodwood form

Glorious Goodwood form will point punters to the the big race winners on the final day of the Ebor Meeting.

Ever since Motivado crossed the line at Goodwood backers have favoured him to pull off another coup for Sir Mark Prescott in the Ebor. In with a low weight he has outstanding chance of claiming the one mile six furlong handicap but he will not be without competition from a host of others fancing their chances of similar coups -  Cambourne, Sense of Purpose, Hammerfest and Qahriman. Dermot Weld provides the biggest threat and is a master of landing prizes as already shown with two good winners at the meeting this week. Crockford feels with that in mind the 20/1 on offer for Sense of Purpose is worth a second look.

Saddler's Rock  showed his true credentials at Goodwood and Crockford thinks looks certain to follow up again today in the Lonsdale. He may have the most trouble from the improving Cumani horse Ibicenco who holds an interesting entry in the Melbourne Cup and who has recently undergone a change in his training regime. As Willie Mullins told Crockford on Goodwood Cup day Simenon has alreday done enough for connections this year with his Royal Ascot wins and Crocford feels he will not reverse placings with the other favoured horses.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Saddler's Rock (Lonsdale 3.05 York)
Impressive at Glorious Goodwood in the 200th Goodwood Cup. Today he will show he will be the unrivalled champion stayer this year. Crockford believes that 6/4 is a big price about this horse.

Crockford's Whisper - Arnold Lane (2.45 Goodwood e/w)
Pricewise also tips up this whisper today in the Racing Post. Crockford thinks he is right to do so as Arnold Lane's low weight and second in a competitive Glorious Goodwood contest (course and distance) makes him a very attractive each way proposition.

Crockford's Goodwood and Ebor meeting gambles:

York - Gordon Lord Byron (2.00), Guarantee (2.30), Saddler's Rock (3.05), Motivado (3.40), Fire Eyes (4.15), Bold Prediction (4.50) and Pea Shooter (5.20)
Goodwood - Sky Lantern (2.15), Arnold Lane (2.45 e/w), Chachamaidee (3.20), Beautiful Story (3.55), Quest for Peace (4.30), My Sharona (5.05) and Kashgar (5.40)

Market Watch - Steuben (6.25 Newcastle)

Crockford strongly suggests that punters watch the markets closely for any moves for Steuben in the (6.25 Newcastle). If a move is made follow it. This race looks ripe for a bounce back for this Barney Curley horse.