The Site

This blog was introduced on the 31st March 2010 to cater for the starters orders league.
The links on the right hand side relate to the events of the first starters orders 4 competition.

The site has been split into three sections, the UK Flat, the USA Flat, and National Hunt. Information about the players and league in general have been included for March 28 - April 4.
Subsequent weeks will only show specific league events.

As the league season progresses new links will be added to cater for individual tastes.

The site is produced by the players for the players with a number of writers giving up their free time to share their thoughts and experiences.
We would be grateful to anyone who can fulfill one of the many roles within the paper.

Please find time to send an e-mail to speight921@btinternet.com and put yourself forward.

Regards

Steve Speight (Editor)

Handicappers Blog (NHC)

Wk2 Previews - NHC

Week 2 - (Race 3) Old Roan Chase - Aintree 2m4f (£50,000)

Gd-Fm

Alasil (89) Flat track about the only positive for this horse today. Will be outclassed again.
Jockey: JW Farrelly, Trainer:Lami
Annathena (-) Dropping back in trip and switching to fences. Trainer believes him to be 'classy at times' will need to be at his best here.
Jockey: W Renwick, Trainer:Pepsi Boy
Cabotage (100) High rating considering awful jumping mistake last week. Hard to be confident but may run well at a big price.
Jockey:P Merrigan, Trainer: Laurel Racing PLC
Cannibal (115) Would surely have won but for a bad blunder at second last in week one. Another close battle with China Vase expected and one for the shortlist.
Jockey: N Fehily, Trainer: Fixit
China Vase (113) Best runner in a disappointing first week for veteran trainer. A shade unlucky not to get up last time out, and jockey booking suggests a big run is expected.
Jockey: AP McCoy, Trainer Colm O'Dea
Cross Keys (-) Never challenged over too short a distance last time out, this trip will suit but may struggle in this grade.
Jockey: K Tobin, Trainer: G Morgan
Dalaman (-) First race for this five year old mare. Comes from a decent yard who can get them fit enough for first run, but best watched here.
Jockey: D England, Trainer: DW Hinton
Emcee (113) Three mistakes cost this gelding dearly last time out. May want further than this but ground suits and could be good each way bet.
Jockey: J White, Trainer K Hargreaves
Hazy Bay (89) Two mile too sharp last week. Faces some classy opposition here and tough task ahead.
Jockey: F King, Trainer: SM Fisher
Indian Count (106) Quicker ground the only hope of reversing form with three of these.
Jockey: R Johnson, Trainer D Robertson
Monster Boolaroo (110) Trainer confident of place money, see at least three being too good for this four year old stallion here.
New Love (120) Strong performance saw this mare leave a few of these behind her last week, hard to see her not involved in the finish.
Jockey: W Marston, Trainer: L Cara
One Summer (94) Another one stepping up in trip but should have been aimed at a less competitive race - outclassed here.
Jockey: D Jacob, Trainer: Kevcon
Pacific Typhoon (118) Trainer a two-time runner up in the NHC, and had a string of seconds in week one. Could suffere same fate here.
Jockey: P Kinsella, Trainer: JP Burke
Payday (-) Unraced but poor first week for trainer suggests this horse is nowhere near capable at this level.
Jockey: R McGrath, Trainer: C McKenna
Rolling (109) Another involved in a close fought finish last week. Best hope is a place in this company.
Jockey: B Fenton, Trainer: C Dean
Shotover (101) Don't think this horse will win but comes from a shrewd yard that will be confident of a big run after prep race over two miles last week.
Jockey: L Treadwell, Trainer Dodgy Dave
Ultimate Force (94) Trainer hopeful of a better run this week, but I for one won't be expecting one.
Jockey: D Costello, Trainer: Hemz

VERDICT: A really competitive renewal of the Old Roan Chase and quite a few runners are in with a strong chance. New Love looks certain to be involved at the finish and will most probably run off favourite for this race, however a chance is taken with CANNIBAL to put forward a clear round of jumping and go one better than last time out. China Vase and Emcee are each way alternatives at the prices.

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Week 2 - (Race 5) West Yorkshire Hurdle - Wetherby 3m1f (£35,000)

Good

Adamant James (118) Given too much to do last time when running on well at the finish. Top jockey and extra furlong could make up for it here.

Jockey: R Walsh, Trainer: K Hargreaves

Almahoud (-) Weakened disappointingly last time out, not sure the extra three furlongs will bring about significant improvement

Jockey: D Elsworth, Trainer: Colm O'Dea

Alone (109) Made late headway last time out and trainer thinks the world of her, any market move could be significant.

Jockey: T Dobbin, Trainer: Fixit

Auf Wiedersehen (-) Trainer would like further for this six year old and not a stable star, best watched here.

Jockey: J Moore, Trainer: Hemz

BA Baracus (100) Didn't display the tough attitude of Mr T in his first race and will again be too soft against this field here.

Jockey: JA McCarthy, Trainer Redhead

Geronimo (115) Closely matched with a few of these in the Chris Dean maiden last week and will be thereabouts again.

Jockey: J White, Trainer: D Robertson

Good Again (-) Trip too short for this type but, like last week, may pass a few tired horses towards the end.

Jockey: T Murphy, Trainer: Staresy 104

Julie Don't Live Here Anymore (84) Trainer fancies this horse in the right company, but that company is not this company over this trip - no chance.

Jockey: TJ O'Brien, Trainer: Pepsi Boy

Lady Killer (-) Switched to hurdles after a disappointing outing over fences last time, may bring about significant improvement but best watched here.

Jockey: K Tobin, Trainer: Dodgy Dave

Lautrec (-) Seven year old mare that will like this trip but has been thrown in at the deep end here and should be comfortable beaten.

Jockey: SJ Craine, Trainer: C McKenna

Laylas Spirit (88) Always at the rear during first race and this most likely be the same story here unless a change in tactics brings about improvement.

Jockey: W Hutchinson, Trainer: DW Hinton

Little Gap (83) Trainer believes this mare to be stables 'best hurdler' but was outclassed first time out and looks sure to be outclassed again.

Jockey: B Fenton, Trainer: Lami

Lord Thomas (93) Another horse well beaten by a few of these in the Chris Dean maiden, no obvious reason for a reverse of that form here.

Jockey: M Fitzgerald, Trainer Nick Driver

Manga In Motion (109) Trip too far for this five year old mare but trainer will be hoping for a fluent round of jumping.

Jockey: T Scudamore, Trainer Kevcon

Sir Rembrant (89) Poor run in the first week to climb in this makes this six year old mare another one with a mountain to climb in this standard.

Jockey: G Lee, Trainer: G Moore

Stydars Mullah (111) Best three mile hurdler in the yard but was beaten at the distance first time out. Should be involved again with ground to suit.

Jockey: T Siddall, Trainer: L Cara

Take Your Time (-) Six year old stallion dropped back in trip after weakening three furlongs from home last time out. May bring about improvement for leading trainer.

Jockey: PJ Brennan, Trainer: D Hooley

Trade (103) Four year old who led the Chris Dean until fading and passed by a few of these horses. Won't be good enough to win this.

Jockey: D England, Trainer: Laurel Racing PLC

VERDICT: Like the betting suggests, this renewal of the West Yorkshire Hurdle looks like a rematch between the horses who competed in last week's Chris Dean maiden. A number of the fiirst five horses in that race were staying on well at the end, suggesting that the extra furlong will suit. The booking of top jockey Ruby Walsh suggests that ADAMANT JAMES is expected to go one better this time out. Stydars Mullah, Geronimo and Alone are expected to chase the Kevin Hargreaves trained seven year old home.

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Week 2 - (Race 9) Haldon Gold Cup - Uttoxeter 2m1f Chase (£70,000)

Gd-Fm

Annasan (-) Slow start to the season for this stable and hard to be confident about this six year old.

Jockey: PJ Brennan, Trainer: Lami

Beaute Divine (-) The switch to fences will need to result in big improvement for this stallion to come out on top.

Jockey: P Buchanan, Trainer PepsiBoy

Chemistry (95) Failed to shine over in Ireland last week and faces another tough task here.

Jockey: JW Farrelly, Trainer: Fixit

Decelerate (92) Similar form to Chemistry, will struggle in this class.

Jockey: L Treadwell, Trainer: Redhead

Evelyn One (105) Ran into some good opposition in week one and it doesn't get any easier here - easy to oppose.

Jockey: C Williams, Trainer: Nick Driver

Grey Love (116) Solid round of jumping first time out saw this four year old go close in Ireland. Same needed again here to go one better.

Jockey: J Maguire, Trainer D Robertson

Lashing Out (118) Looked a class act when winning in week one and this mare could have a bright future - the one to beat.

Jockey: SJ Craine, Trainer: L Cara

Majestic Class (110) Ran a solid race in a good time last week and may go well at a good price here.

Jockey: T Siddall, Trainer JP Burke

Midas Way (-) Switching to the larger obstacles after a fifth place over hurdles last week. Interesting to see what impact it has.

Jockey: SP Jones, Trainer: Laurel Racing PLC

New Approach (114) Jumped well first time out but got beaten off some smart chasers. Will run his race again but a place is best hope.

Jockey: D O'Regan Trainer: G Moore

Penfold (-) NH flat race too hot for this stallion last week and will struggle again over fences in this company.

Jockey: MR Davidson, Trainer: Kevcon

Pontis (-) Beaten when fell three from home over hurdles last week. More needed over fences in this grade.

Jockey: D Jacob, Trainer: K Hargreaves

Power Girl (-) Finished fourth in a NH flat race first time oout. Hard to predict a win in this race but comes from a top yard that will be hopeful of a good run.

Jockey: W Hutchinson, Trainer D Hooley

Que Guapo (-) Similar form to that of Power Girl and another which will need to improve to place here - best opposed for this race.

Jockey: G Lee, Trainer: C Dean

Queen Of Rome (98) Trainer felt jockey was partly to blame for poor run last week. Will be left searching for excuses again after this race.

Jockey: N Fehily, Trainer: Staresy

Queens Counsel (102) Dropping one furlong in trip after fading at the finish in her last race. Could be worth taking a chance on this mare at a decent price.

Jockey: M Fitzgerald, Trainer: Dodgy Dave

Scrubz (104) Trainer sure of an improvement in this five year old mare but hard to be confident of a finish in the place money in this race - best watched.

Jockey: F Davis, Trainer: Hemz

Thunderous (-) Unraced eight year old stallion who will have to be the stable superstar to have a chance of figuring here.

Jockey: D Costello, Trainer: C McKenna

VERDICT: A decent prize fund on offer for the runners here and a fluent round of jumping will be imperative for horses hoping to win or place. Queens Counsel and Majestic Class are two which are capable of landing the prize, however the most likely scenario is to see LASHING OUT and Grey Love battling it oout in the final furlong for the second week running. The former is preferred to give Lee Cara his second consecutive victory in the Haldon Gold Cup.

Analysis for all three races supplied by Hurricane Run

Wk1 Reviews - NHC

Wk1 Tables - NHC

News - NHC

Handicappers Blog (Flat - USA)

Welcome to the USA handicapper blog.
Week One
A week full of maiden races with horse ratings ranging from 102 down to a low of 70.
Dangerously Strong is this week sitting at the top of the rating chart on 102 after winning a hotly contested maiden race.
Lemonscale is a point behind on 101.

The top nine highest rated horses are in the USA:

Dangerously Strong 102
Lemonscale 101
Secreto 100
Silver Steak 99
Slightest Hiccup 99
Foolish Feet 98
Strenuous 98
Wise Choice 97
Affairs Of The Heart 97

Dangerously Strong Top Rated In Week One

Wk2 Previews - Flat (USA)

Wk1 Reviews - Flat (USA)

Wk1 Tables - Flat (USA)

News - Flat (USA)

Handicappers Blog (Flat - UK)

f

Wk2 Previews - Flat (UK)

Silver Lance Stakes (£15,000)

Week 2 - (Race 12) 0-80 Handicap - 3yo+ Open

Actin Si - 3yo colt Geegee/R French 8-0 (60)
Outpaced over a furlong further last time but dropped in the weights, improvement needed.

Aine Deas - 3yo filly Padraig Hogan/E Ahern 8-8 (66)
Raced wide in maiden, running a furlong shorter in this affair and a better run would not rule this out of the shake up.

Archlight - 4yo stallion Sir Luke Wilson/S Drowne 9-0 (72)
Ran well in last race didn't get the pace, merits obvious place claims.

Authoritarian - 3yo gelding JP Burke/A Allan 8-11 (69)
Perhaps didn't give the best account of itself in maiden, dropped in class today so better run expected.

Christmas Cactus - 3yo filly Colm O'Dea/H Turner 9-3 (75)
Finishes the better of a few of todays participants and ought to be involved in the shake up.

Dunk Chunk - 4yo stallion Paul Tweddle/J Fanning 8-5 (63)
Ran wide on debut and made nice progress halfway, should run better.

Duplicity - 5yo stallion Hackett/R Hughes 8-11 (69)
Dropped too far behind in first race to be a factor in the finish, more would be needed here.

Fudge Bar - 3yo filly DW Hinton/R Ffrench 9-6 (78)
Has to be on the shortlist, good debut form, respected.

Holy Smoke - 3yo filly Dogan Melan/E Ahern 8-6 (63)
Will be looking upstaged and fight it out out the back of the pack.

Kinabalu - 3yo gelding Giddy/R Kingscote 8-2 (60)
Looks like to be outclassed in this race based on the evidence of its debut.

Pennechip - 3yo colt Dodgy Dave/T Hamilton 8-8 (66)
Very agitated and raced wide last time out, still came to dispute things early on. Small claims can be made.

Sally Slade - 4yo filly Kevcon/R Mullen 8-2 (60)
Unfortunately looks likely to be battling it out at the back, a new jockey booked and a vast improvement needed if to have any claims at all.

Saltino - 4yo stallion Steve/C Catlin 8-8 (66)
Trainer will be hoping for a better run for this four year old. Best watched.

Sarsum Corda - 3yo filly K Robertson/M Dwyer 9-0 (72)
In with a clear shout and should be there or thereabouts come the finish.

Thattinger - 3yo colt Mwesty/R Moore
Big jockey booking suggests a big run is expected from this trainer, market move significant.

The Great Sphinx - 3yo colt Vinny Gerrard/R Winston 9-0 (72)
Another who comes in to this race with a clear chance of breaking his maiden, may just find one too many here.

Tough Panel - 3yo colt Hurricane Run/L Morris 8-2 (60)
Didn't turn up in the first race and although better weighted against some of these today will struggle.

Unbreakable - 3yo filly ThunderDownUnder/L Morris 8-2 (69)
This Australian bred filly ran a decent race first time out but would need a marked improvement to be ahead at the line.

Viking Queen - 3yo filly SM Fisher/R Kingscote 8-1 (69)
Ran well in week one in a good race, this hold up horse could get himself in the frame with a better pace.

Vixen - 3yo filly Crazyboy/C Catlin 9-6 (78)
Yard on fire lately, agitated at start on debut suggesting an improvment is almost inevitable, one to beat.

VERDICT: A wide open affair with many chances in this Silver Lance Stakes Handicap. A strong gallop is expected with Fudge Bar or Sarsum Corda likely to set it. Christmas Cactus should go well for experienced trainer Colm O'Dea, but with his yard in as good a form as it is Crazyboys VIXEN is taken to be chased home with Fudge Bar and The Great Sphinx likely to be completing the trio.

Wk1 Reviews - Flat (UK)

WEEK ONE

Lead Story

Electric O'Sullivan Leads Championship Race

Michael O'Sullivan strode purposefully out of Wolverhampton on Friday night determined to realise his dream of winning the UK trainers championship for the first time. The stream of winners began with a scambling short head victory for Real Energy and ended with a rather more emphatic success in the shape of three year old gelding Mr Hope.

He leads the championship with ten winners all told, and is surely set for some top prizes over the coming months.

O'Sullivan knows however that there are some well known faces hot on his heels. Colin Pereira has been in buoyant mood over the strength of his stable this year, with some big owners turning up on his doorstep. His three winners put him fourth in the table behind John Reddis whose eight runners returned a fabulous six victories. Indeed the Australian trainer has yet to have a runner outside the first three.

Experienced trainer Lee Cara lies in third place with four winners including the impressive stayer Easy On The Eye.

For the official Flat Racing (UK) trainer championship table - click the link on the right of the page.

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Robertson Reveals Derby Hope

Trainer Kenny Robertson was in a world of his own on Friday evening, after his imposing three year old bay gelding X The Unknown surged through to take the Gold Stables maiden stakes division two at Wolverhampton. "We thought nine furlongs was going to be on the sharp side for him, and with Baker carrying 2lbs overweight we weren't confident. He will be entered in the UAE Derby after that run, but we might be brought down to earth against some stronger opposition", he suggested.

Stable lad John Campbell had been more hopeful. "He has been flying on the gallops this week working with South China and Hernando - two very progressive middle distance three year olds. He will go to Dubai with every chance", he smiled

Top rated for the race at present is Mr Hope from the powerful Michael O'Sullivan stable. Other runners to watch for include Lilly Langtry who finished an unlucky second in the Gold Stables maiden division one contest.

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Banks Hill Opens His Account For Jacob Cohen

London based trainer Jacob Cohen is looking to cash in on his middle distance older aged stallion Bank's Hill, after claiming the Lisa Huff Is A Bomb maiden stakes over twelve furlongs.

Held up behind a wall of runners early, he made good progress to be just on the heels of the leaders half way. As the field quickened approaching the two furlong marker, Bank's Hill was temporarily checked in his run and had to be switched off the rail. He ran on in determined fashion to hold the late challenge of Aqaleem in a desperate finish.

"Banks Hill was bred from Quest For Fame and a French horse called Money Hills who won a host of twelve furlong contests including the Arc and Sheema Classic. In turn he has sired a three year old I have called Parisian Sunrise, who finished third on debut over twelve furlongs, and my best three year old filly, Midday who will debut next week".

"The plan before Bank's Hill ran was to go to the Sheema Classic, and after his win, he will definitely go there now. Any future engagements will depend on his performance in Meydan" said Jacob Cohen.

Notebook Entries

Jacob Cohen later ran through a couple of promising stable inmates.

I like Spanish Steps, second on debut ans she now goes for the Cammidge Trophy with heavy ground no problem, and Dancing Brave who is my not so secret weapon who makes his debut iin week two in the Ledger Path Maiden".

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Ballyhaunis Makes The Transition In Iron Horse Maiden

Colm O'Dea was in his element after the stables well bred stayer Ballyhaunis forged a victory in the Iron Horse maiden stakes - over the punishing two mile three furlong course. Always in the firing line the three year old filly took control as they turned into the straight and battled on gamely to score by three parts of a length from the Rich Coates trained Dr Sharp.

Post race O'Dea was upbeat in his assessment:

"Ballyhaunis is a true stayer. The longer the better, and has the ability to keep finding more. She's happy on changing ground conditions, although good or a little cut in the ground would probably be her ideal surface. Her sire was a Gold Cup and Queen Alexandra winner, which is where she gets her stamina from. Her Dam was very good over two miles, and boasted above average speed and turn of foot for that distance. I've been lucky to have some great stayers in the stables in the past seasons, but they just missed out on the big targets. She could rectify that record"

"Her main target for the season is the Gold Cup and Prix Du Cadran, and perhaps a few of the regular pattern races en-route to these targets. I wouldn't rule out a drop to two miles or two miles one furlong". Colm O'Dea trainer of Ballyhaunis.

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Wk1 Tables - Flat (UK)

News - Flat (UK)

Stable Tours - NHC

Stable Tours - Flat (USA)

Stable Tours - Flat (UK)

Classic Encounters

Hall Of Fame - Jockeys

Hall Of Fame - Horses

Hall Of Fame - Trainers

Tipping Competition

Meet The Trainers

General News

What's It All About

For all your game information click on the link below:

http://www.startersorders.com/

Information about the UK (Flat Racing) league can be found here

http://gallopracerseries.yuku.com/forums/359

Information about the USA (Flat Racing) league can be found here

http://gallopracerseries.yuku.com/forums/360

Information about the UK (National Hunt Racing) league can be found here

http://gallopracerseries.yuku.com/forums/361

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