Weather Morning: 9°c Sunny spells Afternoon: 10°c Sunny spells

Sport

Frankie Dettori
Hot streak: Frankie Dettori, seen in the drive position on Kirklees, is a good bet to land tomorrow's Listed James Seymour Stakes

Kirklees can hit target for boys in blue

31 Oct 2008


Saeed Bin Suroor is enjoying a sensational end to the Flat season and his talented colt Kirklees can continue the run at Newmarket's final meeting of 2008 tomorrow.

Most trainers see winners dry up dramatically in the autumn months when the ground eases and fields are huge, but the Godolphin handler has a near 30 per cent success rate this month.

And that is not just on the domestic stage as last weekend at Santa Anita, four of Bin Suroor's five Breeders' Cup runners made the frame.

Kirklees had been off for over a year before making his seasonal bow earlier this month when a hugely encouraging third of 14 in a Group 3 contest over nine furlongs. The way he ran on in the closing stages suggested he would be better over further and tomorrow's 10-furlong Listed James Seymour Stakes (2.45) fits the bill perfectly.

Frankie Dettori is riding like a man possessed in the blue colours of Godolphin at the moment and has chosen Kirklees over stablemate With Interest, a winner at Musselburgh last time.

The selection was a Group 1 winner as a two-year-old, but carries no penalty for that success and, with the recent run certain to have brought him on, it is very hard to look beyond the four-year-old in this event.

The opposition includes Smokey Oakey, owned by Dame Judi Dench, and the four-year-old has enjoyed a great season with victories in the Lincoln and Brigadier Gerard Stakes. However, a 7lb penalty for those successes makes this a particularly arduous task.

John Gosden's Bronze Cannon was progressive in the spring, but has not run since disappointing on fast ground at Royal Ascot.

ENTICEMENT is a filly full of promise, judged on a winning debut at Nottingham and Sir Michael Stoute's charge can maintain the unbeaten record in the Montrose Fillies' Stakes (2.10).

The daughter of Montjeu gave the impression she can go on to considerably better things and could not be in better hands if that is the case.

BANKABLE has been very costly to follow this season with five successive seconds, but when you consider stars such as Raven's Pass and Eagle Mountain finished in front of him in some of those contests it would appear Lady Luck has not been on his side.

Luca Cumani's colt never runs a bad race and, with nothing of that calibre in the Ben Marshall Stakes (3.55), he can finally be rewarded tomorrow.

Hat-trick seeking Virtual looks the danger with Gosden another whose squad have remained in good form throughout the campaign.

MOYNAHAN has been taking on the very best milers in Europe this season, understandably with little success, so is sure to appreciate the huge drop in class into handicap company at 3.20.

Alan Munro doesn't ride for the colt's trainer Paul Cole too often, but having enjoyed enormous success together in the early 90s especially with 1991 Derby winner Generous this could be just like old times.

Reader views (0)

 Add your view

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Terms and conditions Make text area bigger You have  characters left.

We welcome your opinions. This is a public forum. Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.

For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.


 

 

  • Carlos Tevez back in the fold at Manchester City Carlos Tevez Carlos Tevez is beginning the task of winning back Manchester City's trust after ending his self-imposed exile to return to the club
  • Arsene Wenger will keep faith in youth for AC Milan clash Arsene Wenger Arsene Wenger has challenged his young Gunners to once again rise to the occasion when Arsenal tackle AC Milan in the first leg of their...
  • England's luck is in as Charlie Hodgson leads the charge Charlie Hodgson Fly-half never gave up on Test career and that spirit is serving the team well
  • I've played at Wembley, thanks to the JLS boys Phillips Idowu Phillips Idowu exclusive: JLS are a cool bunch of guys, I've got all their albums and I've followed them closely since The...
  • Roman Abramovich must bite the bullet and give Andres Villas-Boas some space Roman Abramovich James Olley: The problem for any manager playing Russian Roulette with Roman Abramovich is the slight rule change at...
  • Sean Dyche delighted with Valentine's Day victory for hard-working Watford Craig Forsyth Watford boss Sean Dyche hailed the Hornets' team spirit as they made it 10 points from 12 to continue their upward movement in the...
  • Bernie Ecclestone rejects notion that Bahrain Grand Prix will not go ahead Bernie Ecclestone Bernie Ecclestone sees no reason for this season's Bahrain Grand Prix not to go ahead despite violence flaring again on the island kingdom
  • Officials cost West Ham the chance to beat Southampton, claims Sam Allardyce Mark Noble Sam Allardyce felt referee Lee Probert cost West Ham the chance to move four points clear of Southampton at the top of the npower...
  • Dougie Freedman satisfied with Crystal Palace's draw at Bristol City Dougie Freedman Dougie Freedman refused to criticise his Crystal Palace players for surrendering a two-goal lead as they left Bristol City with just a point
  • Javier Hernandez ready to embrace Europa League Javier Hernandez It might be a Thursday night on Channel Five - but Manchester United's clash with Ajax does sound like a Champions League game
  •