The Neighsayers - Flat Horses To Follow Season Review 2023
The Neighsayers – Flat Horses to Follow 2023 Review
Espionage (Galileo x Even Song)
Trainer – A P O’Brien
Rating – 112/109 (-3)
The horse that could have been. Highly promising at 2yo but an early season injury just after we published the document scuppered any chances of him hitting the hights we once thought.
Did make a more than good enough comeback at Roscommon, where he took out a listed race in very nice style, shaping Asif the further he went in trip the better. Went on then to run at Glorious Goodwood but his fragilities were easily exposed as he trailed in a disappointing last. Clearly not been right as he hasn’t been seen on a track since, what is a shame as he had bags of potential. One that got away.
Lakota Blue (Sioux Nation x Thiel)
Trainer – Nigel Tinker
Rating – 85/85 (0)
Whilst the horses rating has maintained throughout the year, this was one fantastic shout by Swanny. On our Horses to Follow Twitter Spaces call, He highlighted the track and time of season where he would have expected Lakota Blue to go and win, and he truly obliged at a nice EW price of 9/1.
Regarding the rest of the season, he has more than paid his way for connections, and in our opinion was unlucky not to pick up another race or two in the process. His run at Goodwood where he came from miles back on very testing ground, only to be beaten by a very progressive type, was a clear career best for me and it was a shame he couldn’t get his head Infront again. Perfect model of consistency
Burglar (Cracksman x Hidden Hope
Trainer – John & Thady Gosden
Rating – -/85
One of the horses who maybe didn’t hit the hights we expected. Beat at rather short odds early season, but then was very good in winning an above average novice at Redcar, putting his rivals away very easily. Didn’t win a race after that but was running consistent RPRs without getting his head Infront again. In the HIT sales, will be interesting to see where he goes. Could potentially go Juvenile hurdling, what potentially could be very good for new connections.
Banderas (Lope De Vega x Glamorous Approach)
Trainer – Michael Bell
Rating - -/80
Bitterly disappointing season from Banderas in my opinion, as I had him down as a potential Stakes horse this year. After being beaten at Odds on in an early season Southwell novice, I came away from the racecourse rather deflated, but looking back that was a hell of run, finishing behind Saint George and Sweet William. Backed him again at Newbury and it was just pain, travelled like the proverbial good thing, 1.01 in running for fortunes, looked doggy off the bridle, and found little to nothing, getting chinned on the line, the whole of Thirsk racecourse laughing at me with my head in my hands cos he was beat. Won a Chester maiden after that but he was probably expected to win that on the bare form. Then on his last run he bombed out over 1m6, but he was apparently not right after the race and was ruled out of the rest of the season.
Bitterly disappointing season, no surprise to see him gelded after Chester, as I was starting to have serious doubts about his attitude and mentality. Would like to see him away from Michael Bell’s and sent to Australia, as that’s where I feel they will get the best out of him. I’ll still hang my hat on him being very useful, just needs a change of scenery.
Concorde (Sixties Icon x Silica Chiave)
Trainer – George Boughey
Rating – 55/91 (+36)
Where do we start with this one. Great spot early season, and we knew we was onto a winner before his Handicap debut as everyman and his dog already knew how well in this horse was. Made a mockery of his opening mark (what was dropped 2lb btw before he even made his 3yo debut), then he rocked up on the AW 3 days later in what we thought would have been a nice easy stroll around Chelmsford under a penalty, obviously we all knew what happened and we can all laugh at it now, but I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. No chances taken at Pontefract 4 days later, where he won by the length of the straight, recording an RPR of 93 off a mark of 61, incredible scenes.
He went on to win 2 more races after that but looks like he may have hit his ceiling at his current mark of 91, who knows with this one. Mental season following him, but it has been entertaining to say the least. In the HIT, could we see him over hurdles next year? Or will the Roy’s go back to the well with this proverbial cash cow.
Gambe Veloci (Caravaggio x Neutral)
Trainer – Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Rating – 73-86 (+13)
Had an okay season, but have been slightly disappointed as a whole, mainly due to his facile maiden win at Limerick, where I was mightily impressed with his turn of foot. I expected him to kick on into a very nice handicapper, but he never really reproduced his best in the middle of the season, running okay but not to the level I expected.
Did pick up a race at the back end of September, where he did make a mockery of his mark of 76, winning by 5l easily. Assuming this was his last run for connections as he is also in the HIT sales, so it probably the plan to get a win into him before heading to new connections. I had him down as 90+ horse and hes not too far away from that, so on a whole hes had an okay season.
Mascapone (Massaat x Capelita)
Trainer – David Simcock
Rating - 91/91
Unfortunately, hasn’t made the track this season, what’s a shame after showing a degree of promise at 2yo. He would have made up into a nice 3yo but I’m guessing hes had a major setback of some sort. In the dark slightly with his whereabouts, and has been out of training since the 5th September. An update on the horse’s health/whereabouts would be greatly received if anybody knows anything.
Military Order (Frankel x Anna Salai)
Trainer – Charlie Appleby
Rating – 0/109
Very mixed season for Military Order. We were getting very excited with Antepost Derby slips, after Elliot made a very good case on why the 33/1 on offer was great value at the time. He bolted up on seasonal debut at Newbury, putting away some very good horses with ease. The Lingfield Derby trial was next on the agenda, what was no normal Derby trail, as it was moved onto the AW as the turf track was un-raceable. In my opinion, he didn’t really handle the track and AW that day, but he still managed to put away a very useful adversary in Waipero.
It was all downhill from there on unfortunately, after being sent off 9/2 for the Epsom Classic, he trailed in 14thof 14, not handling the track whatsoever. He came away with a setback after the race so his run could be excused, but his return back to the track at Chester in September left some scratching their head as he was sent off a strong Even money fav but trailed in 5th of 5 in what a very weak listed race was. Gelded after that and not seen since unfortunately, hopefully he can bounce back next season and back up his early 3yo promise.
Courage Mon Ami (Frankel x Crimson Ribbon)
Trainer – John & Thady Gosden
Rating – 98/118 (+20)
Cracking spot from Elliot finding this one. Not often you see such an inexperienced horse go onto win the Ascot Gold Cup, but that is pure testament to the horse’s ability. Rocked up at Goodwood off a mark of 98, what has turned out to be a complete handicap blot, was then chucked in the Ascot Gold Cup after 3 runs, what was a bold move from the Gosden’s, but it truly paid off, as he won very well providing the Inglorious Italian with another G1.
Didn’t run to form in the Goodwood cup but we all know the race was a complete non-event. Showed up at York for the Lonsdale Cup, where he finished a good 2nd to Coltrane. The winner had much better track position and If Courage Mon Ami was better positioned, he would have won and I’m sure of that. Not been seen since York due to minor setbacks close to anticipated targets, what’s a shame but that’s racing unfortunately. He is gelded so I’m sure we will see a repeat bid to retain his Ascot Gold Cup crown next season, I’ll be intrigued to see if any of the young pretenders will be able to put it up to him next year, as on his day he is very very good. Great Selection.
Desert Hero (Sea The Stars x Desert Breeze)
Trainer – William Haggas
Rating – 94/113 (+19)
Another great selection from the lads. Progressed with distance and racing this one, competing at the top table come the end of the season. Made a slightly below par seasonal debut in the competitive London Gold Cup, but that was a very hot race and we expected much better. As stated in his write up, he went on to make a mockery of his current Handicap mark, when he came from miles back to take the valuable King George V handicap at the Royal Meeting. He then went on to win the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, where he really stamped his solid Leger credentials, after showing the step up in class was no problem. Showed up in the Leger and ran a belter, finishing 3rd only beaten 3 ¼L.
Massive improver and would love to see him stay in training next year. Has got a Melbourne Cup entry, how sure I am that he will take that up I don’t know, would be nice to see him run as he would have a great chance.
Artistic Star (Galileo x Nechita)
Trainer – Ralph Beckett
Rating – 0/106
Made a great start his season, taking out a very competitive Sandown novice out in very good style. Was then thrown into the Derby, where I feel he was given an impossible task from his track position, ran well in the circumstances. Picked up G2 black type at Royal Ascot but was ultimately found out in Group company. Has been gelded since his last race, indicating he will be staying in training next year. Not sure what they will do with him next year, as I feel he is stuck in-between a rock and hard place in regard to ability/Handicap mark. Might be competitive in listed races.
Carzola (Lope De Vega x Janicellaine)
Trainer – Ralph Beckett
Rating – 77/91 (+14)
Progressive staying handicapper, who improved immensely for a set of blinkers. Took out the AW Vase Marathon handicap for now potent combo of Ralph Beckett/Rossa Ryan, did that well enough that day and was value for the winning distance.
He then rocked up at Doncaster for a small field handicap, where she looked to love the testing ground that day, showing her capabilities were far beyond the AW surfaces. Travelled like a complete good thing that day and stayed the trip very well. GF ground caught her out on his last run in my opinion and has been off since May. Is still in training with Ralph so we could see her more this season on the AW. Nice progressive handicapper this year and made it a clean sweep of solid selections for Luke.
Ararat (Kodiac x Recife)
Trainer - David Simcock
Rating - 77/85 (+8)
I can confidently say, good horse, poor campaigning here. Straight tracks obviously his bread and butter, winning 2 handicaps at Newmarket easily amongst other decent runs over C&D there. 2 runs away from there, Chester and Haydock ran poorly.
Wouldn't be surprised to see him continue improving as a 4YO if campaigned right. Won at 17/2 and 5/2, so more than paid his way in 6 runs.
Tony Montana (Kingman x Mischief Making)
Trainer - John & Thady Gosden
Rating - -/87
Bitterly disappointing, thought he could end up one of the top 3yo colt's but that wasn't to be. Beaten at odds on in a Newbury maiden first time up this year and it only went downhill from there too. They tried a number of trips, surfaces and ground conditions with him but nothing ever produced the promise of what he did on debut.
Now gelded and with Michael Bell, would be interesting to see if he can come back to any sort of form but for me, I wouldn't be taking him forward at all.
All The Time (Kodiac x Mistime)
Trainer - Michael Bell
Rating -/-
Everything was quiet regarding this filly and never turned up on the track. Later found out she was sold privately to Highclere Stud as a broodmare.
Summary
In terms of actually following the horses throughout 2023 and this is just a very crude indication of figures. 66 runners, 22 winners (33%) and a £10 level stake (£660) on each horse would've returned £1058.40 which is +£398.40 (60.36% ROI)
The highlights of our horses to follow were Courage Mon Ami becoming the Ascot Gold Cup winner. Desert Hero winning the King George V handicap at Royal Ascot and 3rd in The Leger and finally Concorde, for providing facile victories and a colourful moment at Chelmsford...
We might've set our selves an impossible task, but we look forward to building on this in 2024, which will be released Monday 18th March.
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