EAAA vs Epsom Downs Residency Challenge — Owner Restricted-Alw Open 10F Dirt for 3yo+ The inaugural EAAA v Epsom Downs Residency challenge gets underway with what is normally considered the Blue Riband event on the European circuit. Indeed the quality of charges from both residencies mean there are NO inferior races in the series and whilst many of the horses will never be world beaters, they are all here on merit. The format of the competition is quite straight forward \u2013 each residency chose 4 race classifications and a maximum of 10 entries per race from each side is allowed. Points are scored based on position and the winner claims bragging rights for 12 months. On to the entries: EAAA FINAL NOMINATIONS
<\/SPAN>Quiet in the wings<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/A> (hawkk1<\/I>) \u2013 A great example of what you can find if you look hard enough. Broke her maiden over the sprints and was considered surplus to requirements by her previous owner. Just 4 races later, hawkk1 looks to have found her niche and her last race must put her in the hunt.
Bucking Bronco<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (coolk2<\/I>) \u2013 Multiple Stakes winner and has a Group 3 victory over the trip. Anything from a stable beginning with \u2018cool\u2019 will frighten the life out of the competition and this one is no exception. A shrewd placing LTO saw her on the lawn for the only time in her career and the surface switch will galvanise her.
Risky Venture<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (kevoman<\/I>) \u2013 Possibly the only thing worse that seeing \u2018cool\u2019 at the start of a stable name is coming up against a horse from one of the kevoman<\/I> yards! This one has been nurtured and brought through the ranks fulfilling all the conditions before moving up to try Stakes company. This didn\u2019t prove too successful but triple digits over the distance and a time below <\/SPAN>
Eternal City<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/A> (kevoman2<\/I>) \u2013 Likely pacemaker, <\/SPAN>
Senor Roberto<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (kevoman4<\/I>) \u2013 The residency 10f specialist trainer sends out another multiple stakes winner but he might find this a furlong or 2 short. He comes into the race off just 2 weeks rest but his preparation coming into the race has been quite comfortable and it would be a brave man to write him off!
Independent State<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (kevoman4<\/I>) \u2013 The second entry from the kevoman4 stable and (surprisingly) this one is not a stakes winner. Having said that, he has recorded a couple of sub <\/SPAN>
Fragrant Son<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (kevoman4<\/I>) \u2013 A hat trick of runners for the kevoman4 stable and one that has never been tried at the distance! It shouldn\u2019t be a problem for this Mtoto x Sadler\u2019s Wells colt and even if he doesn\u2019t figure, the shrewd trainer will have one of the remaining questions about his charge answered.
Gold Bullet<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (londoner<\/I>) \u2013 Quite comfortable on both surfaces but probably shows a slight preference for the dirt. Ran a great race two back to just lose out when a speed dual worked against him and he was caught by a deep closing sort. It could happen again if the race develops into a battle of the speedsters.
PJ Fully Paid<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (cooldude<\/I>) \u2013 After 2 seasons of lawn racing, the trainer took a bold decision and stuck him on the dirt. He was instantly rewarded with the horse\u2019s first 3 digit run and hasn\u2019t looked back since. He needs to time his race to perfection \u2013 if he hits the front too early, he will idle and throw the race away but too late on the gas and he will have too much to do. A good jockey booking is crucial.
Free Of Pain<\/STRONG><\/FONT><\/A> (scootboy<\/I>) \u2013 Rounding out the EAAA entries is scootboy\u2019s improver. Has run a couple of decent races over an extended mile but looked to be begging for further LTO when quicker horses were going past him in the straight after 9 furlongs. He\u2019ll appreciate the step up and will provide solid support to the EAAA team.
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<\/SPAN>EPSOM DOWNS FINAL NOMINATIONS
<\/SPAN>Griblee<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (robscoobi2<\/I>) \u2013 Nice looking colt saddled with a ridiculous name! Either the owner is a keen climber or a national lampoon\u2019s fan with a memory problem. Despite the name, robscoobi2 seems to have made the most of his bargain breed and if he reproduces his form from 4 races ago, he might just spring a surprise.
Code Of Dixie<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (epsom<\/I>) \u2013 Normally, I\u2019d say the drop back in class would suit but this is no typical Allowance race \u2013 it\u2019s a Stakes race without the prestige and even though the preparation looks good, you have to feel that this one is on the wrong side of the hill and will struggle to keep up.
Oxys<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (euroalien<\/I>) \u2013 Nothing wrong with the pedigree \u2013 Woodman x Ela-Mana-Mou \u2013 and this one is going to be challenging for an early lead but with so much speed in the race already, this one could end up with the other also-rans as the deep closers sweep past in the latter stages.
Thrilla Villa<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (CPU or New Player<\/I>) \u2013 Not sure how this got into the Epsom Downs nominations, but suffice to say that it\u2019ll be a non-runner.
Angel’s Fling<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (crackpot<\/I>) \u2013 A wonderful example of \u201cit\u2019s not the winning but the taking part!\u201d Picked up for a very reasonable $4000 two back, this one will undoubtedly earn the trainer plenty of BPs but he might have been better placed in a small starter allowance.
Thunder Rainbow<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (shooter4<\/I>) \u2013 Another useful claim by the owner\u2026from one of the EAAA stables! Londoner rarely lets a good one go and even though the new owner found a nice spot to grab some easy BPs in that vital first race for a new yard, it will be a big surprise if he is good enough to repeat the effort here.
Mr NPK<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (court1<\/I>) \u2013 I usually try to find something positive to say about each horse I write about for the BTB \u2013 but the Epsom Downs residency is pushing my skills to the very limit! About the only thing I can say is that court1\u2019s loyalty is to be admired!
Between A Rock<\/FONT><\/STRONG><\/A> (jeremyf<\/I>) \u2013 You have to go back 5 races to find form that could take this race. A repeat of that race, run in 2:02 and change would certainly put him in the mix but more recent runs show he would be far better suited with taking advantage of his NW2x conditions than attempting to keep up with these.