Yesterday was one for bursting reputational bubbles, and sadly for my wallet, some of them went without much of a pop, more the raspberry of a flabby balloon. Yibir will go to Belmont for The Jockey Club Stakes and the ground and new riding tactics of just keeping him “buried” as Charlie described it, and the application of a hood, all worked to show his true colours. Mishriff is the best 10f horse in the world and holds that title across countries, surfaces, and might possibly compete for the all-age 12f title if the Stud doesn;t beckon. Champions Day, The Arc and Breeders Cup now await. I was wrong about him. Royal Patronage reminded us/me thyat no horse knows its reputation or price, and a genuine enthusiasm will win races. He burst three bubbles.
Over at Parliament, the Special Relationship bubble was burst, when grandstanding swivel-eyed loony liberals, sanctimonious and often side-tracked Scots, and incoherent socialists were joined by a maximum of a dozen reasoned and reasonable Tories, chief amongst them the admirable Tom Tugendhat in commenting on the folly of US policy. Trump did not listen to any arguments from any allies with regard to his Taliban concord; Biden did not think through the impact of the withdrawal of US Air Cover; and none of them remembered just how quickly the Russian vaccuum was filled and the repercussions in human terms. I found most of the debate speeches yesterday unedifying, ill-considered, irrational and in many cases based entirely on the half-dozen cliches their PPS’ had garnered from their politically-supportive rag.
I remember once reading a paper that suggested the entire basis for the last 150 years of US foreign policy was to divide, destabilise and change. It had nothing to do with conquering or winning, merely in slowing down or better yet, eradicating entirely, any threat to US growth and power. When you think back over the years, that seems a pretty reasonable summary. We only got unequivocal help in WWII when their own power was threatened and nearly entirely destroyed, only avoided by some small measure of luck. The Vietnam withdrawal, it could be argued, allowed the US to refocus on growing issues with both Afghanistan and Russian, The Middle East, the Iran issues and the call for support from Israel. Yes, the US withdrawal has been a cock-up, will be seen as a catastophe for the population, unhelpful and inconsiderate of US allies needs, but it does allow the US to focus on the far-more urgent issue of the growing power-base in Asian waters and on at least three continents, of Chinese economic, military and (don’t forget their jabs) medical power.
Kicking on for Day 2 selections
13:50 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Fillies’ G2) 2YO only, 11 Run, C1, 6f
SANDRINE would be the fifth filly in the last 21 years to win under a penalty, but she’s a bit short. I think Mark Johnston’s OUTSIDE WORLD looks a decent e/w bet who was a recent C&D winner and their previous four winners in this race finished 2271. ZAIN CLAUDETTE won well at Newmarket two starts ago and and then had a close win in the Princess Margaret at Ascot last month. Despite officially having 8lb to find, (on a line through DESERT DREAMER), she receives 3lbs here and has less than 2 lengths to find with SANDRINE.
ZAIN CLAUDETTE Win – OUTSIDE WORLD e/w
14:25 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes 2YO only, 22 Run, C2, 6f
The trends give me a shortlist of EVER GIVEN – MOJOMAKER – RED POWER – SYSTEM. The latter is trained by Richard Hannon who has won four of the last five runnings of this race and runs a quartet here. EVER GIVEN has experience of these big-field sales races having finished fourth in the Ballyhane Stakes at The Curragh at the beginning of the month.
SYSTEM Win – EVER GIVEN e/w
15:00 Clipper Logistics Hcap 3YO plus, 20 Run, C2, 7f 192y
ASTRO KING – BEDOUIN STORY – YOUNG FIRE all e/w for 6 places
15:35 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (F&M G1) 3YO plus, 7 Run, C1, 1m 3f 188y
SNOWFALL Win
16:10 OR8wellness EBF Stallions Nursery 2YO only, 16 Run, C2, 7f
ASWAN Win
16:45 British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (F&M Listed) 3YO plus, 12 Run, C1, 1m 3f 188y
PENNYMOOR – PORTFOLIO Dutch the pair to win
17:20 British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Hcap 3YO plus, 15 Run, C2, 7f
IMPROVISED Win – AGINCOURT e/w