The Duke's Eyecatchers 2009 - OHR

**The Duke** · **20-04-09**, **03:40 PM**

Recently I've been watching alot more races than normal and have noticed a few horses who have run better than their finishing positions suggest. So I thought I'd stick up my own thread much in the style of Mac's eyecatcher thread but with my own thoughts - hopefully this will be of use to some of you at some point throughout the season. I will also try to incorperate my variance figures to give you an idea of how the ground was riding, for future reference, they work on the following scale.

-5 to -3.5 = Heavy
-3.4 to -1.75 = Soft
-1.74 to -0.75 = Good To Soft
-0.74 to 1.75 = Good
1.76 to 2.5 = Good To Firm
2.6 to 4 = Firm
4.1 to 6.5 = Hard

State Fair
Age: 2
Trainer: Paul Cole
Venue: Newbury (17/04/2009)
Ground Condition: -2.36
Comment: This juvenile planted Jamie Spencer into the turf at the start before stalls entry, and proceeded to run upto the mile start before being caught by course staff. He was then allowed to take his chance in the race and ran an eyecatching race under Jamie Spencer. Switched to the far side upon leaving the stalls, he was held up off the pace before making good headway just after halfway, he then had to switch on heels before keeping on under hands and heels to secure 5th place and looks a smart colt to follow up next time with a win.

Edgeworth
Age: 3
Trainer: Brendan Powell
Venue: Doncaster (18/04/2009)
Ground Condition: +5.32
Comment: Held up early the Pyrus gelding made some eyecatching headway under George Baker in a race which favoured those drawn against the rails. He was trapped for room a furlong out and that allowed PJ McDonald to get first run on eventual winner Cornish Castle. When all was too late Edgeworth finally got half a gap to launch his assault and flashed home in good style to take third. Arguably had he not got into trouble he'd of won and is worth following again in similar sort of grade on this ground providing it's on a flat track like this.

Akmal
Age: 3
Trainer: John Dunlop
Venue: Doncaster (18/04/2009)
Ground Condition: +5.32
Comment: A horse that was strongly fancied by myself prior to his running in the closing race on Doncaster's Saturday card he got stuck in a pocket on the inside under Tadgh O'Shea behind a pedestrian gallop and couldn't extricate himself from that position until Chilly Filly had hit the front. One thing my race watching knowledge has taught me over the years if that when a Mark Johnston horse gets the advantage of first run, they're almost impossible to peg back (this also happend yesterday with Keenes Day at Lingfield). Akmal is by Selkirk so could be suited by the application of head gear in the future to help him focus, but he looks a horse capable of winning a race with the benefit of a stronger pace in the future.

Golden Games
Age: 3
Trainer: John Dunlop
Venue: Nottingham (18/04/2009)
Ground Condition: +4.37
Comment: A horse again which I'd backed on Saturday and thought would improve for the extra yardage and she was travelling well enough before taking what appeared to be a bad step under Tom Queally. She dropped out under minimal assistance in the saddle before keeping on again under hands and heels under the said jockey when all was too late. Not many people will have noticed this run as I kept my eye on her all the way to the line, but perhaps a little more juice in the ground over a similar trip next time could see this one score in similar class of race.

I will be updating this thread as and when I see anything that takes my eye in a race.

**kidoncricketer** · **20-04-09**, **05:03 PM**

this will prove profitable, as nothing beats the eye, not even the speed figures

**FMH** · **03-06-09**, **09:06 PM**

Just seen this mate. Edgeworth wins 25/1, Akmal wins twice, Golden Games 2nd @ 8/1 today and State Fair will surely win on its next run.

Good work

**The Duke** · **03-06-09**, **09:06 PM**

Haven't really been keeping this upto date but have added a few more horses below which are worthy of following. I'll probably think of more when I get my figures upto date to find out exact ground conditions but until then you'll have to make do with the following.

As for the horses I've stuck already we've had the following results.

State Fair - 2nd 7/4, 3rd 11/4
Edgeworth - UNPL 14/1, 1st 20/1
Akmal - 1st 15/8, 1st 4/1
Golden Games - UNPL 9/1, 2nd 6/1

Total Profit to £1 win stakes = +£25.87

Stone Of Scone
Age: 4
Trainer: Ed Dunlop
Venue: Nottingham (38/04/2009)
Ground Condition: -1.51
Comment: A horse which made up stacks of ground to get up close home under Ryan Moore. He looked in trouble halfway down the straight but really found his stride and kept on in eye-catching style to lead just before the post. He’s since run at York in a hot handicap in another good time, the course wouldn’t have suited this long-striding sort and he kept on well from an unpromising position to fill third. He’ll be better back on a straight track on softer ground where he will pick up more decent prizes this year.

King Of Defence
Age: 3
Trainer: Michael Jarvis
Venue: Folkestone (30/04/2009)
Ground Condition: +2.44
Comment: A big strapping chestnut son of Kyllachy and one which evidently takes after the dam side of his pedigree lacking the explosive pace of his sire. Gelded after his last run as a two-year-old he was seriously well supported by some smart people but appeared to run far too free throughout the race and climbed under pressure. He’ll have come on plenty for that outing and off the same mark despite only being moderate can win a similar small handicap.

Jedi
Age: 3
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Venue: Chester (06/05/2009)
Ground Condition: +3.70
Comment: A nice scopey son of Pivotal from the Hi Calypso line being a half brother to the aforementioned and this horse ran a race full of promise around a tight Chester circuit on ground plenty faster than ideal and looks capable of winning races over further on softer ground. Tracks with long-straights look ideal for this long-striding horse where he can find time to find his stride and will improve as the season goes on.

**The Duke** · **22-03-10**, **12:55 PM**

Thought I'd bring this back beings as the flat season is about to start very shortly (woohoo!).

We did quite well last year with just a select bunch, and ended the year on...

State Fair - 2nd 7/4, 3rd 11/4, 3rd 15/2, 7th 5/1, 9th 16/1
Edgeworth - UNPL 14/1, 1st 20/1, 1st 14/1, 5th 4/1, 6th 8/1, 1st 4/1, 7th 16/1, 10th 12/1, 6th 16/1
Akmal - 1st 15/8, 1st 4/1, 2nd 9/4, 1st 9/2, 5th 11/1, 1st 8/1, 1st 5/4, 1st 3/1, 1st 9/4
Golden Games - UNPL 9/1, 2nd 6/1, 2nd 3/1, 4th 13/2, 9th 20/1
Stone Of Scone - UNPL 7/2
King Of Defence - UNPL 7/1, 2nd 9/2, 1st 11/8, UNPL 13/8, 2nd 11/2, UNPL 4/1
Jedi - UNPL 13/2

Total Profit to £1 win stakes = +£42.25

Will be back with the 2010 version in around a months time.

**Whitey** · **22-03-10**, **01:57 PM**

You still doing your speed ratings Duke?

**The Duke** · **22-03-10**, **03:36 PM**

I am indeed Whitey.

andthereoff · **22-03-10**, **04:23 PM**

Some serious profit there Duke, will be backing your eyecatchers this year for sure. thanks

20-04-09, 03:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Duke The Iron Horse Join Date: Mar 2005 Twitter: @OHRacing Location: West Midlands	The Duke's Eyecatchers 2009 Recently I've been watching alot more races than normal and have noticed a few horses who have run better than their finishing positions suggest. So I thought I'd stick up my own thread much in the style of Mac's eyecatcher thread but with my own thoughts - hopefully this will be of use to some of you at some point throughout the season. I will also try to incorperate my variance figures to give you an idea of how the ground was riding, for future reference, they work on the following scale. -5 to -3.5 = Heavy -3.4 to -1.75 = Soft -1.74 to -0.75 = Good To Soft -0.74 to 1.75 = Good 1.76 to 2.5 = Good To Firm 2.6 to 4 = Firm 4.1 to 6.5 = Hard State Fair Age: 2 Trainer: Paul Cole Venue: Newbury (17/04/2009) Ground Condition: -2.36 Comment: This juvenile planted Jamie Spencer into the turf at the start before stalls entry, and proceeded to run upto the mile start before being caught by course staff. He was then allowed to take his chance in the race and ran an eyecatching race under Jamie Spencer. Switched to the far side upon leaving the stalls, he was held up off the pace before making good headway just after halfway, he then had to switch on heels before keeping on under hands and heels to secure 5th place and looks a smart colt to follow up next time with a win. Edgeworth Age: 3 Trainer: Brendan Powell Venue: Doncaster (18/04/2009) Ground Condition: +5.32 Comment: Held up early the Pyrus gelding made some eyecatching headway under George Baker in a race which favoured those drawn against the rails. He was trapped for room a furlong out and that allowed PJ McDonald to get first run on eventual winner Cornish Castle. When all was too late Edgeworth finally got half a gap to launch his assault and flashed home in good style to take third. Arguably had he not got into trouble he'd of won and is worth following again in similar sort of grade on this ground providing it's on a flat track like this. Akmal Age: 3 Trainer: John Dunlop Venue: Doncaster (18/04/2009) Ground Condition: +5.32 Comment: A horse that was strongly fancied by myself prior to his running in the closing race on Doncaster's Saturday card he got stuck in a pocket on the inside under Tadgh O'Shea behind a pedestrian gallop and couldn't extricate himself from that position until Chilly Filly had hit the front. One thing my race watching knowledge has taught me over the years if that when a Mark Johnston horse gets the advantage of first run, they're almost impossible to peg back (this also happend yesterday with Keenes Day at Lingfield). Akmal is by Selkirk so could be suited by the application of head gear in the future to help him focus, but he looks a horse capable of winning a race with the benefit of a stronger pace in the future. Golden Games Age: 3 Trainer: John Dunlop Venue: Nottingham (18/04/2009) Ground Condition: +4.37 Comment: A horse again which I'd backed on Saturday and thought would improve for the extra yardage and she was travelling well enough before taking what appeared to be a bad step under Tom Queally. She dropped out under minimal assistance in the saddle before keeping on again under hands and heels under the said jockey when all was too late. Not many people will have noticed this run as I kept my eye on her all the way to the line, but perhaps a little more juice in the ground over a similar trip next time could see this one score in similar class of race. I will be updating this thread as and when I see anything that takes my eye in a race.

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20-04-09, 05:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
kidoncricketer soccer guru Join Date: May 2005 Location: scotland	this will prove profitable, as nothing beats the eye, not even the speed figures

03-06-09, 09:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
FMH Back From The Dead Join Date: Sep 2006	Just seen this mate. Edgeworth wins 25/1, Akmal wins twice, Golden Games 2nd @ 8/1 today and State Fair will surely win on its next run. Good work

03-06-09, 09:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Duke The Iron Horse Join Date: Mar 2005 Twitter: @OHRacing Location: West Midlands	Haven't really been keeping this upto date but have added a few more horses below which are worthy of following. I'll probably think of more when I get my figures upto date to find out exact ground conditions but until then you'll have to make do with the following. As for the horses I've stuck already we've had the following results. State Fair - 2nd 7/4, 3rd 11/4 Edgeworth - UNPL 14/1, 1st 20/1 Akmal - 1st 15/8, 1st 4/1 Golden Games - UNPL 9/1, 2nd 6/1 Total Profit to £1 win stakes = +£25.87 Stone Of Scone Age: 4 Trainer: Ed Dunlop Venue: Nottingham (38/04/2009) Ground Condition: -1.51 Comment: A horse which made up stacks of ground to get up close home under Ryan Moore. He looked in trouble halfway down the straight but really found his stride and kept on in eye-catching style to lead just before the post. He’s since run at York in a hot handicap in another good time, the course wouldn’t have suited this long-striding sort and he kept on well from an unpromising position to fill third. He’ll be better back on a straight track on softer ground where he will pick up more decent prizes this year. King Of Defence Age: 3 Trainer: Michael Jarvis Venue: Folkestone (30/04/2009) Ground Condition: +2.44 Comment: A big strapping chestnut son of Kyllachy and one which evidently takes after the dam side of his pedigree lacking the explosive pace of his sire. Gelded after his last run as a two-year-old he was seriously well supported by some smart people but appeared to run far too free throughout the race and climbed under pressure. He’ll have come on plenty for that outing and off the same mark despite only being moderate can win a similar small handicap. Jedi Age: 3 Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Venue: Chester (06/05/2009) Ground Condition: +3.70 Comment: A nice scopey son of Pivotal from the Hi Calypso line being a half brother to the aforementioned and this horse ran a race full of promise around a tight Chester circuit on ground plenty faster than ideal and looks capable of winning races over further on softer ground. Tracks with long-straights look ideal for this long-striding horse where he can find time to find his stride and will improve as the season goes on.

22-03-10, 12:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
The Duke The Iron Horse Join Date: Mar 2005 Twitter: @OHRacing Location: West Midlands	Thought I'd bring this back beings as the flat season is about to start very shortly (woohoo!). We did quite well last year with just a select bunch, and ended the year on... State Fair - 2nd 7/4, 3rd 11/4, 3rd 15/2, 7th 5/1, 9th 16/1 Edgeworth - UNPL 14/1, 1st 20/1, 1st 14/1, 5th 4/1, 6th 8/1, 1st 4/1, 7th 16/1, 10th 12/1, 6th 16/1 Akmal - 1st 15/8, 1st 4/1, 2nd 9/4, 1st 9/2, 5th 11/1, 1st 8/1, 1st 5/4, 1st 3/1, 1st 9/4 Golden Games - UNPL 9/1, 2nd 6/1, 2nd 3/1, 4th 13/2, 9th 20/1 Stone Of Scone - UNPL 7/2 King Of Defence - UNPL 7/1, 2nd 9/2, 1st 11/8, UNPL 13/8, 2nd 11/2, UNPL 4/1 Jedi - UNPL 13/2 Total Profit to £1 win stakes = +£42.25 Will be back with the 2010 version in around a months time.

22-03-10, 01:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Whitey Low Grade Handicapper Join Date: Apr 2005	You still doing your speed ratings Duke?

22-03-10, 03:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
The Duke The Iron Horse Join Date: Mar 2005 Twitter: @OHRacing Location: West Midlands	I am indeed Whitey.

22-03-10, 04:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
andthereoff Banned. Join Date: Oct 2008	Some serious profit there Duke, will be backing your eyecatchers this year for sure. thanks

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