Tanya Stevenson
Tanya's Blog, October 16
Pocket Aces big day at Cheltenham, the better half is probably box-walking right at this moment, as normal he’s giving it – I don’t expect him to do very well line – Every time Pockets runs he says it and spends his time talking the horse and himself out of having a good day. Luckily I’m at Newmarket away from all the stressing. The only worry I have with Pockets is that he is too keen running into a fence and then over jumps. He is best when fresh and I can see him reaching fourth.
On to Newmarket and at the time of writing at 10am it is raining again which helps Dream Ahead in the much anticipated clash in the Dewhurst, the French raid in the Champion and what better than to kick off the card with a winner from Frankie and Delegator. Then it’s the Dewhurst billed with every superlative accompanying it and let’s hope it lives up to expectation, Dream Ahead is my pick. Champion Stakes and if you were watching the Morning Line you may have heard me mention Wigmore Hall, he has the ability to mix it with the best but has to be produced at the last minute. Vision D’Etat should win but if he fluffs his lines Wigmore Hall will be waiting to pounce.
My racecard tip for the Cesarewitch is Gala Evening yet his draw was gutting, still he stays and can act on any going. Gala Evening aside Dermot Weld could well be taking the prize back to Ireland, which I told the better half and he has gone to back Majestic Concorde and I meant Universal Truth.
The calendar is now printed and up for sale in aid of the Retired Greyhound Trust, it can be checked out on www.greyhoundgirls.co.uk
POINTERS
Since 1988 of the last 11 Champagnes Stakes winners to run in the Dewhurst, three have won and three have come second
Since 1988 the last three Champagnes Stakes winners to compete with the Middle Park winners in the Dewhurst have all finished in a superior position
Great names beaten in the Dewhurst which have bounced back the following season are 2009 Dick Turpin 6th, 2008 Rip Van Winkle 7th, 2007 Raven’s Pass 3rd, 2006 Halicarnassus 14th, 2003 Three Valleys 2nd, Haafhd 3rd, 2001 Where Or When 4th, 2000 Mozart 4th, 1999 King’s Best 5th, 1998 Stravinsky 3rd, 1989 Royal Academy 5th
Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning have won three of the last four Dewhurst Stakes
Irish-trained runners have won the last four Dewhurst Stakes
Nine of the last 18 Dewhurst winners had come to the race unbeaten
Nine of the last 16 Dewhurst winners had won at least three races
Sixteen of the last 20 Dewhurst winners had won on their last start
The last Newmarket-trained winner of the Dewhurst was back in 1993
18 of the last 20 Dewhurst winners had run at least three times
Nine of the last ten Cesarewitch winners were drawn no lower than stall 17
Seven of the last ten winners finished no worse than fourth last time out
Only four times in the last twenty years was the Cesarewitch winner priced above 16-1
Nine of the last 12 Cesarewitch winners had a prior win over hurdles
Only two of the last 50 three-year-olds to run in the Cesarewitch since 1991 has won.
Only three winning favourite of the Cesarewitch over the last 20 years
French Challengers have won the Champion Stakes 21 times since 1945.
Of the last 14 occasions the French have been represented in the Champion Stakes they have only twice failed to finish in the first two and have won the race seven times.
Fillies have won nine of the last 25 Champion Stakes
Only five winners of the Champion Stakes since 1945 have been aged five or over
