Lots on the line

Opinion Poll was among the placings, as expected, but Viscount Nelson was a no-show. The latter summed up a disappointing  meeting for the de Kock stable, in contrast to the Godolphin team which are pouring in the entries and getting the results, i.e. wins.

With their huge stable, it is no surprise that today the Dubai stable announced the recruitment of a 3rd jockey in their ranks, notably Barzalona, to help the causes of Dettori and the newly-recruited de Sousa. They were always going to attract the best jockeys to replace Dettori and the 2 new recruits are among the best in the business. Godolphin look to have renewed spring in their steps this year, and should be followed closely.

Racing Stateside, this week-end sees the running of the Santa Anita Handicap. Ultimate Eagle is the one to follow here; the son of Mizzen Mast looks to play a leading role among the older division this year after a demolition of the field on his first start on dirt. He should be in the first 3 and is recommended as a Place.

Moving East-wide, more particularly in Singapore, where the country's flag-ship horse Rocket Man makes his preparation for the Golden Shaheen in a few weeks time by running in a 6-furlong race in Kranji. He should win this, even though I don't think he's still as good as before (in other words, I don't think he will be a threat to Black Caviar if they were to meet). He's recommended as a Win.

In football, this looks like a week-end where Man City could distance themselves from Man Utd as the latter face a tough trip to Tottenham while City host Bolton. The Citizens should win their match against the Trotters and are recommended as a straight Win. If Utd can win at White Hart Lane, it would be massive for them and send shudders to their neighbours. A huge game it will be on Sunday and it could go either way.

Fulham host Wolves and I believe Martin Jol's men will pile misery on the visitors, who look primed for the drop, I believe. Fulham is a draw-no-bet selection.

Win: Rocket Man, Man City

Place: Ultimate Eagle

Draw-no-bet: Fulham

Week-end to remember

A huge week-end indeed it was as 9 out of the 11 recommendations worked wonders, 1 voided (Liverpool) and 1 lost (Barcelona to win). It would have been tops if the Blaugrana had won, but even so, the rest made up for a week-end to remember.

In football, Man Utd, Real Madrid, Man City, Aston Villa, Chelsea all won, Liverpool drew for a voided punt, and Barcelona only drew as well. It was a close shave for the Red Devils who only had to thank old team-mate Wes Brown for an own goal. Barcelona were undone by an unplayable field, that's one of the ways to stop them. Real Madrid are now 3 points clear and the Catalans will be mindful to mind the gap.

Racing was tops with Goldikova justifying the confidence of a Place result, and beating Strong Suit in a match-bet. Though jockey Peslier certainly caused trouble to the others with a petulant change of lane to give his mount clear daylight, I doubt that the affected horses could have toppled the Queen for the third place finish without the incident. Laying Strong Suit and Uncle Mo proved justifiable and rewarding, particularly that I don't usually recommend lays, unless they are that obvious.

Some of my other observations from the Breeders Cup. St Nicholas Abbey finally showed the form many, including I, were expecting him to run since his dominating juvenile year. He was simply outstanding and would have given the best middle-distance horses a run for their money on that day. A peach of a ride from Joseph O'Brien as well.

So You Think ran well and I thought he had a great chance entering the straight but in the end, his effort was very gallant, finishing not too far to the winner. The lesson yet again from those World Championships is that European runners are tough to beat on turf just as the dirt is the domain of the US runners. There are bound to be exceptions like Arazi, Johannesburg and Court Vision, but the greater probability will mostly prevail.

On the local scene, Paul Hanagan won his second consecutive jockey championship. But the jockey that met the eye this year was certainly Silvestre de Sousa. A fantastically powerful finisher, there's no doubt that he can improve up and bounds to become among the best in the business. He is certainly to be followed as from now on.

Ayr Thursday

The jockey championship race is getting more animated with long-time leader Paul Hanagan feeling the heat from the surging Kieran Fallon and de Sousa. That looks set for a great finale in a few weeks time. Certainly one way to look at the race-cards would be to look for those 3 names and try to pick out their best chances every day. I don't have any statistics to back this up, but these challengers are bound to have the busiest schedule till the end as their agents work round the clock to obtain the maximum number of good rides possible. Sort of banking on quantity so as to increase and maximize the number of wins.

None of the three are involved in the first race at Ayr on Thursday, where I expect the Galileo colt Never Perfect to give a good account of himself. The field is very average and Never Perfect had a very encouraging debut a little more than a month ago, finishing 4th of 10, around 4 lengths off the winner. If he's gotten the improvement he's been entitled to since that race, he should be among the finishers. Jamie Spencer riding should be a plus, and I recommend his mount as an each-way punt.

Each-way: Never Perfect