THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN
WHOO WHOO! ROYAL SCOTSMAN TO RUN DOWN OPPOSITION IN 2,000 GUINEAS
Hello sports fans. I am using artistic licence in my headline this month to link the racehorse Royal Scotsman to the legendary steam engine, The Flying Scotsman, however the result will hopefully be the same in flat racing’s first two classics this year, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket next weekend. The trials have now all been run, and last week saw acceptable, but not phenomenal performances from Indestructible in the Craven and Isaac Shelby in the Greenham, which leaves me to conclude that the leading fancies who avoided the trials are keeping their powder dry. The obvious place to start is with Aidan O’Brien in Ireland who houses both the favourite and joint second favourite for the 2,000 Guineas. Reading between the lines I am sure Ryan Moore (stable jockey to Coolmore) will choose Auguste Rodin over Little Big Bear and listening to the master trainer himself I think he believes The Bear will be much happier over seven furlongs maximum, whereas Rodin is more of a 11
⁄4 /11 ⁄2
horse (see further down the column). The one horse that I was exremely impressed with was ROYAL SCOTSMAN in last year’s premier two-year old grade one – the Dewhurst, who nearly nailed the Hotpot (Chaldean)and surely would have done in another 50 yards. At a whopping 14/1 for this year’s Guineas he is nailed on for a place and might go that much better.
on the Rowley Mile, and I just can’t bring myself to back her. However, at a decent price consider as an each- way alternative Lezoo at 20/1. As detailed above, let me return to the Blue Riband of the English Classics, the Epsom Derby in the first week of June. Now is the time to back the Aidan O’Brien AUGUSTE RODIN for the Epsom showpiece at a juicy 3/1 at time of print. Make no mistake, back him prior to the Guineas as his price will shorten considerably after Newmarket. I have no opinion on The Oaks at this stage but will preview next month.
TENNIS Away from the turf, let’s go to the clay of Roland Garros and the French Open which begins later this month. Again the warm-up tournaments in Italy (the Italian Open) and Monte Carlo (the get-rich millionaire’s playground Open) will determine likely success on the clay in Paris and naturally Spanish clay court specialists of Carlos Alcaraz and RAFA NADAL will be at the fore. There is no question that Nadal is on the wane – but not in Paris and at a whopping 7/2 I think he is incredible value to defeat not only his compatriot but also the legend that is Djokovic.
The turf (I dishonour SW18 by calling it turf rather than grass) of Wimbledon is a different matter, which will again be previewed next month.
FOOTBALL
In the fillies equivalent – the 1,000 Guineas, victory can go to the winter antepost favourite, TAHIYRA for Ireland. I have no doubt that she will outgun Coolmore’s Mediate and the rest of the opposition. The only danger was Richard Hannon’s Mamma’s Girl who destroyed a decent field in the Nell Gwyn but the price has evaporated from a pre-race 50/1 to a post-race 7/1
PHTM MAY 2023
The Champions League has now reached the semi- final stage (at time of print) with the final unbelievably in June! However, I fully expect Manchester City to play a Milan team (Inter) so take the shade of odds-on now as Pep’s men will be 1/3 in the final
Until next time. Good Punting…
Bernie the Book 77
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