Back to the Flat - some Fancies for the 2008 season

Horses to follow

1, Spacious, will be my selection for the 1000gns at Newmarket without a doubt, this daughter of Nayef is 2 out of 2 last year and the vibes are right for 2008 also she is my idea of a Royal Ascot filly!Though she will be going to Newmarket without a run under her belt it should not be a hinderance and at a present 6/1 she is still the value bet.

2, Ravens Pass, Gosden reckons this fellow is his best chance of classic glory and i agree with him, won his first 3 in great style before encountering softish ground behind New Approach at HQ at the end of October. Was a fine 2nd on his reappearance at Newmarkets Craven meeting and was well clear of the third horse taking that into account he will have come on a bomb and if the ground is right (good) the 2000gns is his for the taking! Well the mile looks to have been a bit too far for him and connections are looking towards a sprinting season which would seem to be the right thing!

3, Confront, Another 2000gns prospect who is also fancied for the Derby but will have his work cut out to beat the afore mentioned at Newmarket and i think the Derby track at Epsom will not be his cup of tea but he is the ideal type for the Eclipse at Sandown if carrying on where he left off last season! Disappointed bigtime on his comeback at Newbury but he must be given another chance as that was surely not his true form! Well below par bigtime on his debut but should be given another chance as he is certainly better than that!

4, Comeback Queen, Unusual filly this being a grey daughter of Nayef! Trouble in running at Kempton on comeback after a bad ride when 2nd in a listed race over a mile,had to weave her way through that day and showed a great turn of foot over a distance too short,she has the hallmarks of a Oaks winner in the making. Had a terrible time on her latest run in York playing up in stalls and whatnot so we will have to wait and see what connections think as to where she goes next.

5, Tamayuz, Unbeaten french colt who has entries in both the English and French 2000gns who has courage for a fight as he showed last time at Longchamp when getting the verdict in a 3 way photo, connections seem to favour the french equivilant and he will be hard to beat if taking that route!Ran well in above mentioned from a bad draw finishing in mid-field but will improve for that run!

6, Alfathaa, Third to Spacious on his debut and then skated up in his maiden at Newbury (by 5 lgth) but then came unstuck on soft ground in a Grp2 event behind a horse which finished 2nd in a Grp1 later in the season. As with all Nayefs the better the ground the better their chances and this fellow has all the right entries!Ran well for a long way in 2000gns and will surely come on a bomb for that and cannot be discounted at top level!

7, Zarkava, French and fast and really top class! She will win the french 1000gns and more than likely anythingelse she contests over a mile and maybe a mile and a quarter but sadly the Oaks could be a furlong too far! Toyed with the opposition in French 1000gns and confirmed her position as the best filly in Europe at the moment!

8, Spinning Lucy, Great filly this tough as they come but i fear trying to get her to stay a mile will find her out! Maybe the Nell Gwynn over 7flgs will be up her street but anything further will not suit, could be top class if sticking to 6flgs.

9, Il Warrd, Well impressed with this one at Kempton in a listed race over a mile and he should win more races but the question is how good is the sand track form when talking about winning a classic? Well the runner-up he beat is well regarded by connections and is being aimed at the German 2000gns so that puts his win in a better light!Unplaced in French 2000gns but will be seen at his best in slightly lower company for sure.

10, Gaspar Van Wittel, As mentioned above he goes to Germany for their 2000gns and will come on a load for his recent 2nd to Il Warrd as he missed the break there and was well clear of the others so should be able to put his finishing speed to good use giving him a great chance abroad.Finished 2nd oncemore in 3 runner event and has since been btn in Listed company albeit in slowly run races! Best watched for time being maybe a straight mile at Royal Ascot could do the trick!

Older Horses,

1, Lucarno, Our idea of The Eclipse winner and will maybe end up as a good Arc prospect at the backend of this year, but he will win more group races this season whatever the distance!

2, Galactic Star, Nice looking son of Galileo who hasnt been over tried to date! he will be contesting all the top 1,1/2m races this year and hopefuly he can make the grade at that level, interestingly he also holds an entry for the Irish St Leger in September.

TO BE FINALISED SHORTLY!

3, Cape Hawk

4, Aqaleem

5, Coastal Path

6, Anna Pavlova

7, Satwa Queen

8, Getaway Very impressive on his comeback at Newmarket in the Jockey Club Cup and is now fav for almost everything hes entered in! King George, Arc, etc!