To me the 2011 Flat season, really has the makings of one of the best ever and the Qipco 2000 Guineas marks the start of the quality stuff.
With some seriously good three-year-olds, from last season kept in training as older horses, taking on some potentially top notch ones this year, there should be some magical clashes later in the season when the young pretenders take on the older brigade.
With the 2011 Flat Totesport Ten To Follow Competition about to start this weekend with the Guineas meeting at Newmarket, its time to air my own particurlar fancies. Every year I have a pop at this comp and the value for money, for a season's long entertainment you will find very hard to beat. I have also set up our own version of the competition, which will give some of South London's finest bar stool tipsters a bit of fun throughout the season and ultimate bragging rights.
So here goes, my ten to go to war with and with all my hopes and dreams pinned on, are as follows;
1.FRANKEL(pictured above) a 3-y-o colt trained by Henry Cecil.
Not original but was top class last season as a 2-y-o and wrapped up a stellar season by taking the Dewhurst in convincing style.This followed his demolition job at Ascot at the QEII meeting, which marked him down as something special. There have been many of these spectacular 2-y-o's that have flattered to deceive and not delivered the goods at three, but I definitely think that this horse is not one of those.He has come out and won the Greenham this season, despite still looking green, in need of the race and having his pacemaker fail to set a strong enough pace for him to settle. The fact he still won marks him down as the real deal, he will come on stacks for that run and surely looks head and shoulders above his rivals for the 2000 Guineas. Trained by the master Henry Cecil, who rates him one of his best ever, he can mop up some top races before he clashes with his elders later in the season. I am not sure that he is an Epsom Derby horse, but that won't stop him winning some big pots this season.
2.WORKFORCE(left) a 4-y-o colt trained by Sir Michael Stoute.
A Derby and Arc winner, kept in training as a 4-y-o by a trainer who has a magic touch of improving horses as they get older is a must have selection. Shown here bravely battling on to win the Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, he can only get better as he ages and given his physical scope for improvement can win some top races this season. Though in the same ownership as Frankel I hope they meet in races like the Eclipse or King George later in the season. That would be a sight to behold.Will be trained to defend his Arc crown in the Autumn.
3.MISTY FOR ME(below) a 3-y-o filly trained by A.O'Brien
Was twice a Group 1 winner last season in the Moyglare on quick ground and the Prix Marcel Boussac on very soft ground, showing herself as very adaptable. Definitely one to watch this season and should run very well in the 1000 Guineas this weekend.Whether she will be ready first time up, is one thing, but she should go close as all she did was improve last backend. Beat the smart Helleborine on her final start last year and with her normally slow starting stable in good form early this season has got a real chance in the fillies classic. Could develop into an Oaks filly, either here or in Ireland.
4.RODERIC O'CONNOR a 3-y-o colt trained by A.O'Brien
There was no shame in finishing 2nd to Frankel in last season's Dewhurst as he did pull clear of the third that day and wasn't beaten too far. Went on to win a Group 1 in France after that run, despite hanging all the way to the line.Can only improve this year and though should run well in the 2000 Guineas where he should finish in the first three, I think 1m2f plus will be his trip. Like his chance in the Epsom Derby as looks more likely than Frankel to be suited by that course as he is not overly big.
5.SEVILLE a 3-y-o colt trained by A.O'Brien
Ran a cracker to finish 2nd to Casamento in last season's Racing Post, where he stayed on really well over the mile trip that day. Bred to stay middle distances, I think this one can go really well in either the English or Irish Derby's, but actually fancy him to develop into a serious St Leger horse later in the season.
6.CANFORD CLIFFS a 4-y-o colt trained by R.Hannon
What a top notch miler this one was last season and added to the way jockey Richard Hughes rides him, is as good a traveller in a race, that I can remember.Will surely win a decent prize this season and races like the Lockinge and the Sussex Stakes are his for the taking.
7.GOLDIKOVA a 6-y-o mare trained by F.Head
Admirable French mare who won some really top races last season, this year will be geared up much the same, with all roads leading to another Breeder's Cup bid. Can shine at Royal Ascot and Longchamp in what could be her final season before heading off to the paddocks to stud.
8.LILY OF THE VALLEY a 4-y-o filly trained by J.C.Rouget
Top class French filly last season which included a stylish win in the Group 1 Prix De l'Opera getting up late to win easier than the winning margin showed. Her style of running tells me she should stay 1m4f and this one can land some nice races in her native France before coming over for Royal Ascot. Can clean up against her own sex.
9.SO YOU THINK a 5-y-o colt trained by A.O'Brien
Aussie superstar who ran an absolute cracker to finish 3rd in the Melbourne Cup last year over the 2 mile trip. However his best trip could be 1m2f, a distance he hasn't been beaten over yet. Bought by connections out of Australian legend Bart Cummings' stable to run in Europe, he must be a strong fancy to win some top class Group 1 races. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has excelled with Aussie imports in the past such as Haradasun and Starspangledbanner.
10.WIGMORE HALL a 4-y-o gelding trained by M.Bell
A real definite improver and can progress into an established Group 1 performer. Started this season in great fashion winning a Group 2 in Meydan and even though the 3rd that day Presvis has turned the form around in a Group 1 since, I think Wigmore Hall was unlucky in running that day.Due to run in Sha Tin in a Group 1 on Sunday and can hopefully run well before running in some top class races in Europe this summer.Can see this one catching out a few of the established stars and get better and better as he gets older.
RESERVE: SNOW FAIRY a 4-y-o filly trained by E.Dunlop
Would have made the original ten but has suffered an injury which will keep her out until Royal Ascot at least in June. A tough filly who won four Group 1's in four different countries last season,she is likely to improve with age and will be one to keep on the right side later in the season. Her performances last year mark her down as an exceptional talent and she can follow in the hoofprints of the great Ouija Board who was also trained by Ed Dunlop. We can sub her in in July.
So there you have it, a finer team I doubt you will see! Well thats what I always feel before the comp starts,anyway! I am sure these will pay their way and hope to make a profit out of them, but whatever happens, it will be interesting to see how they perform. This is surely my year.
You can follow my tips on the great Olbg tipping site, where there are real cash prizes on offer for free, as well as a great community feel to the website. Just google Olbg and sign up.
Also if you like the photos, please check them out on my website Randy Rann's Racing Images (http://randyrannracing.foliopic.com/).
Good luck and enjoy the races.
Randy Rann.
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