The Prince of Whales Grade I

The Prince of Whales
Grade I
A mile and one quarter
Firm Turf
$500,000
All horses, 4 years old and up

Welcome to the second of your reporters articles from the Downs this week and we’re now going to take a look at the feature race, The Prince Of Whales, over 10f on turf for older horses. A short field but not short on class-

TETE NOVEMBRE(IRE) (NOVERRE (IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS x BLUSHING GROOM(FR)) therion

A late maturing sort who has won 12 races, including 6 Graded races and has six recent sp’s of more than 100 with a recent best of 104. This is his trip and there’s no reason for him not to run a 102-104 as he’s ultra consistant. Big threat.

POSITIVES- Multiple graded winner, has his trip and surface, ultra consistant.

NEGATIVES- Best recent sp of 104 is very good but not stellar

RAPID GREY (TACTICAL CAT x WITH APPROVAL x BOLD RUCKUS) champions4

The short priced favourite having won 16 of 26, including 10 Graded races, with five wins in a row. Shouls still have plenty of racing in him and has been running sp’s of 102-113 recently with every recent run at this trip producing a 110 sp or better. If he runs another 102 the others have a chance, another 113 and they are buried. Should take all the beating today.

POSITVES- Five graded races won in a row, 113 sp’s what more do you need?

NEGATIVES- Ehhh?- Might get bored with all this winning malarkey !

MANNART TORNADO (STORM CAT x A.P. INDY x SILVER DEPUTY) ashworth

Lovely breeding and has won a graded race recently over 9f . Throws in the odd big run that makes him look a world beater but then several runs that are just very good, which isn’t enough at this level against some of these. Should still reach the money but I can’t see a win.

POSITIVES- Graded winner, some big sp’s.

NEGATIVES- First try at trip for a long tome, bombed at previous tries beyond 9f, sometimes just doesn’t do enough.

TEE JAY ‘S GREAT (KRIS KIN x KAHYASI(IRE) x DIXIELAND BAND) les333

Has won 11 of 28 but only has one graded victory although that was in this race last year. Often seems to falter at this level and that win appart hasn’t always looked as though he stays this trip. Best recent sp of 107 over 8f. Should run his race but I can’t see a top three (although I think I said the same thing last year).

POSITIVES- Previous winner of this, consistant.

NEGATIVES- Only onr graded win, doubts about trip, improvement required.

INDY DESIGN (SADLER’S WELLS x STORMIN FEVER x SEEKING THE GOLD) unshaded99

An outsider who’s ben struggling to win stakes races and had a best recent sp of 96 over 9f. Should stay the trip but is not in the same class of some of these. Will struggle today.

POSITIVES- Gets the trip, by Saddler’s Wells

NEGATIVES- How long have you got?

FLUSHING WATERS(IRE) (HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x MONASHEE MOUNTAIN(IRE) x SHAHRASTANI) pm

Hard to get a handle on this one, lightly raced with a best recent sp of 103, some runs he looks like he doesn’t syat this trip and in others he looks as though 12f is too short. Being by High Chaparral, I think he probably wants the 12f or more. No grade wins and will be up against it today with some big runners lining up here.

POSITIVES- Lightly raced, this is his surface.

NEGATIVES- Not won at this level, probably wants further.

TETE THE UNDEAD(AUS) (TESTA ROSSA (AUS) x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x DIESIS(GB)) jacobsson

Has won 9 races but hasn’t won a graded race at this trip since his allowance days as a three year old. Has only two recent sp’s above the 100 matk and looks up against it here. Has been running as though 8f might be a better trip.

POSITIVES- Loves the turf, has won at the trip.

NEGATIVES- Doesn’t look to get home at this grade, recent runs not good enough.

ROSENTHAL(IRE) (ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) x CAERLEON x MILL REEF) simsters8

Has won 6 of 20 but no graded wins and only one stakes win. Still lightly raced so could improve and did run a 105 in a stakes over 11f recently. That makes him a danger here and he could run into some money if repeating that run. Looks sure to win graded races but maybe not this one.

POSUITVES- Breeding, seems to get the trip, last two runs

NEGATIVES- Just one stakes win, needs to improve.

OVERALL- The favourite is a short price but it looks about right and I can only see one winner- RAPID GREY