Best Of Bets

Tag: Kyprios

  • Four To Follow – A Trés French Weekend

    Four To Follow – A Trés French Weekend

    It’s a big weekend for Europe as all eyes train to France for a plethora of French Group One’s, culminating in tomorrow’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Today there’s not just two Group One’s in France, but one at Newmarket. Plus big handicap action at Ascot. Plenty of action on a busy Saturday.

     

    Longchamp

    King Of Europe

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    1:33 – Prix du Cadran (GROUP ONE) – Kyprios @ 4/11 (BetVictor)

    There’s only one horse to consider. It’s just a question of name the distance, given that Kyprios won the Cadran by 20 lengths when he won the race in 2022. William Hill will pay 3/1 for Kyprios to win over five lengths and that seems like a better bet than just an outright win for one of Europe’s top stayers.

    If you fancy the forecast, Trueshan makes a lot of sense. Despite only winning the Listed Coral-Marathon this year, Trueshan has won the Cadran twice in the last three years. He’s capable at the distance and soft ground suits him to a ‘T’.

     

    Vive La France

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    4:00 – Prix de Royallieu (GROUP ONE) – Caius Chorister @ 8/1 (William Hill)

    Despite training in West Sussex, David Menusier is as French as they come. Which is why he’s targeted his star filly to win in his native country. Caius Chorister came close to winning two Group Three’s at the start of the season and ran a good race at Chester last time out. She won over the same distance on similar ground last season at Saint-Cloud and has been targeted at this race by the trainer. It looks a weak Group One on paper and Caius Chorister possess a lot of talent.

     

    Newmarket

    French Fever

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    2:40 – Sun Chariot Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Tamfana @ 9/4 (General)

    Surface matters at this stage in the season, which, for me, rules out Inspiral and Nashwa who like firmer conditions. Tamfana could make it a big weekend for Mr Menusier. She dominantly won the Group Three Atalanta last time out, and the second, Doha, won yesterday so the form back up. She’s raced behind Sosie, who won next time out too and looks to be a Group One winner in the making.

     

    Ascot

    A Bit More European

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    3:35 – Challenge Cup (Heritage H’cap) – Germanic @ 6/1 (General)

    Three-year-olds do seem to perform better towards the end of the season in handicaps. Particularly if there a couple of pounds well-in on the handicap. Germanic is exactly that. He comes into this race two pounds well-in after finishing a close third to Telemark at Doncaster last time out. It’s clear he can handle soft ground which is another plus for him and can produce a similar run off an advantageous mark.

    Another horse off an advantageous mark is Golden Mind, who finished within a neck to Telemark in the same race. It’s clear he can handle both trip and distance and Northern trainers have a decent record in this race with David O’Meara and David Barron winning for the North in the last four renewals. Richard Fahey will be eager to add his name. 10/1 (General).

    One at a price to be considered is Popmaster. Despite a winless season, he’s only raced in one handicap this season. Clearly he isn’t a strong horse at Group level, but dropped from a Group Three could work out. Plus he finished a neck down in the same contest last year and is two pounds lower from that. He looks very overpriced at 20/1 (BetVictor).

     

    Best of Luck!

  • Irish Champion Weekend | Four To Follow – Sunday

    Irish Champion Weekend | Four To Follow – Sunday

    It’s Ireland’s richest weekend, with some of the biggest prizes on offer and chance to write themselves into the history books, alongside legends of the games. Today we’re at The Curragh for the two-year-old horses. The feature is the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, to crown the two-year-old champion of the year.

     

    Put To Sleep

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    3:00 – Moyglare Stud Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Bedtime Story @ 10/11 (General)

    If there’s any two-year-old that’s been impressive this season, it’s Bedtime Story. Four races and four wins, including an all dominant victory at Royal Ascot. However she was made to work by stablemate Exactly last time out over C&D, but is bred to go a bit further. She certainly has to be considered for each classic next season and can’t go opposed here.

     

    Repeat Performance

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    3:35 – Flying Five Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Bradsell @ 7/4 (Boylesports)

    Bradsell was extremely impressive last time out in the Nunthorpe Stake at York and seems to have become a new horse sine his mid-season injury. He finished seventh in this race last year, but call that a blip and look at the performances from this season. He is top rated too, and clearly the one to beat. Just be mindful of his form at the Curragh, where he hasn’t been placed.

    That could leave the door open for Believing, who is yet to win a Group One in her career. However, her best result of her career did come over C&D when beating Beautiful Diamond in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes. She’s then lost by three-quarters of a length each time since, when placed in the King George at Goodwood and the Nunthorpe at York. Despite being second favourite, she is the other to keep onside. Will be worth having the reverse forecast as well. 3/1 (BetVictor).

     

    Champion City

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    4:10 – Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Aomori City @ 9/2 (William Hill, Boylesports)

    It’s surprising that Henri Matisse is favourite. Yes he’s three from three, but hasn’t impressed in any of his three runs, winning at most by a length. Aomori City, on the other hand, has won by more than a length and has the form backed up well, with Cool Hoof Luke. With Charlie Appleby winning this race three times in the last six years, it might be another British champion, in a rather weak National Stakes.

     

    The Stayers Champion

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    4:45 – Irish St Leger (GROUP ONE) – Kyprios @ 8/11 (General)

    There’s only one horse to consider. Thanks to Sweet William winning the Doncaster Cup on Friday, Kyprios’ form has been boosted no end. Not that it needed to, since he is an incredible racehorse. Let’s not forget that this time last year we were fearing we might never see him on the track again. But now he is, and out for vengeance.

    And don’t forget Willie’s in the bumper. Vauban produced a career best on the flat to win at York last time out. And with the form boosted by Grosvenor Square in the Curragh Cup back in July too, Vauban can have a crack at his first flat Group One in his native isle. But it will be a struggle against the very best. 7/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports).

    The very best of luck!

  • Glorious Goodwood 2024 | Kyprios with clear run-in for Goodwood Cup

    Glorious Goodwood 2024 | Kyprios with clear run-in for Goodwood Cup

    Glorious Goodwood. A traditional mid-summer marker for the flat season, which this year could confirm Kyprios as back to his very best.

    As West Sussex welcomes the racing world for five days of elite competition, Tuesday’s Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes opens the week in sparkling fashion.

    A race won recently four times consecutively by the great Stradivarius, one of his former rivals looks to get back what was his.

    And for Kyprios, a winner of this contest in 2022, his return to the throne can complete a superb comeback season.

     

    Return to glory

    It’s fair to say the 2023 season was a term of huge frustration for Kyprios. However, that gnawing itch now looks to have been successfully scratched.

    On the back of a six-race unbeaten campaign two years ago, Kyprios, was on fire.

    With the Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger and Prix du Cadran under the belt, the son of Galileo was arguably the best horse around.

    But after injury sustained at the end of 2022, Kyprios was forced to the sidelines.

    Absent for almost a calendar year, and having missed Goodwood last term, the 6yo made his comeback on home soil at the Curragh last September, before an end-of-season trip to Ascot for British Champions Day.

    His full return this year has seen Kyprios barely miss a step.

    With two wins on Irish soil, a return to Royal Ascot saw his ascent to the Ascot Gold Cup throne once more.

    This week, Kyprios looks to get back his other former prized possession.

    Given his showing at the Royal Meeting and given the firm and pacy ground set to welcome him on Tuesday, Kyprios is one of the big favourites of the week.

    The 4/9f for regain the Goodwood Cup, he will once more however, be in the company of some familiar foes.

     

    Reunions

    This year’s renewal of the Goodwood Cup has been whittled down to just six runners.

    Three of field lined up alongside Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup just over a month back, two of which ran in this race in 2022.

    All three have failed to toppled their dominant adversary, but on their respective day, can figure.

    With no Trawlerman – who pushed Kyprios hard last time out – it is hard to decipher the stronger challenger, but Sweet William did come home third at the Royal Meet.

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    Coltrane, meanwhile, still waits to break a Group 1 duck, a fourth-placed finisher two years ago, whilst Gregory will still fancy the fast ground but needs huge improvement.

    There could be one other player in the contest, Trueshan, the most familiar with Kyprios, but again with no rain in sight ahead of a marquee contest, trainer Alan King looks likely to pull the 8yo.

    Al Qarem is the the rank outsider.

    Since his return, Kyprios has won three from five, and is three from three this term. If he makes it four, Kyprios could be on to equal his best year yet.

    It is hard to make a case against.

     

    The Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes takes place on Tuesday at 3:35pm UK time.

  • Royal Ascot 2024 | Notes From the Royal Meeting

    Royal Ascot 2024 | Notes From the Royal Meeting

    So another year, another Royal Ascot in the books, and as summer finally arrived on cue in Berkshire, the 2024 Royal Meet delivered and how.

    Once again throwing up big price winners and some expected and unexpected runners defending their crown, what did we learn from the past seven days?

    Lets rewind the clock…

     

    Blockbuster ‘Arc shaping up

    Two of the biggest winners of the Royal meet saw Kyprios and Auguste Rodin both return to glory.

    Regaining the Ascot Gold Cup and winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes respectively, both could now form a stunning line-up in this year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

    Currently, 73 runners are pencilled in for the Autumn showpiece, but punters may get quite the showdown.

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    As it stands, Kyprios, Auguste Rodin, City of Troy, Tower of London, White Birch, Continuous and Luxembourg are set to lock horns.

    That would be quite some morsel to chew on.

    Though it may be three months and more away, well after the Olympic circus has left town, Paris could be in for another 2024 hallmark diary date.

     

    Illinois eyeing Irish double

    Elsewhere, Ryan Moore may not have enjoyed the most sterling of Royal Ascots – Kyprios was one of only six wins – but Illinois was a huge fillip.

    Winning the Queen’s Vase by almost two lengths, the 3yo’s 7/4f tag lived up to the billing.

    Big things were expected from the son of Galileo, but winless since a Curragh debut at the end of last term, lingering doubts remained.

    However, lapping up the fast ground to hold off Highbury and the somewhat unfortunate Birdman, Illinois has taken a big career step.

    Trainer Aidan O’Brien is now likely to focus at home, with the potential for an Irish double.

    With the Irish Derby to come this weekend back at the Curragh, there may be a trip to Goodwood sandwiched in, followed by the Irish St. Leger as the big carrot in September.

    A horse who clearly has no qualms over any ground, Illinois could be set for a dominant run.

     

    Khaadem relishing underdog tag

    As 80/1 Rashabar in tow with Billy ‘The Kid’ Loughnane stole the show at Royal Ascot, just perhaps, it was Khaadem who took most headlines.

    Once again an unfancied runner in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, the 8yo gelding lined up to defend the crown and after another patented late surge, overhauled the game ever-consistent Swingalong to win for the second year on the trot.

    Khaadem may have only carried a fourth of his 80s SP from last year, but this was no less a surprise result.

    Ascot is clearly home from home away from his Shadwell Stable, but might trainer Charlie Hills now look to Goodwood for another Glorious trip?

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    Already with a Qatar Stakes and Stewards’ Cup to his name since 2019, the gelding is indeed two trips unbeaten at the West Sussex course.

    Before that however, the July Stakes on home Suffolk turf next month is penned in and with a fifth and fourth record in that race for two previous efforts, his price there will be intriguing.

    To date, he has only one victory on the July course – his second career race back in August 2018. In any event, the rest of Khaadem’s summer looks to be eventful.

     

    Stick with BestofBets throughout the flat season for all the best coverage, tips, and news.

  • Royal Ascot 2024 | Kyprios burning to regain Gold Cup crown

    Royal Ascot 2024 | Kyprios burning to regain Gold Cup crown

    As Royal Ascot‘s centre piece – on both the schedule and in hierarchy – Thursday’s Gold Cup is once again the jewel in the crown. A crown Kyprios wants back.

    Traditionally the mid-way marker of the Royal Meet, a race established in 1807 has seen the likes of Sagaro and Lester Piggott win three years on the trot between 1975 and 1977, whilst Yeats went one better between 2006 and 2009.

    And more recently of course, the mighty Stradivarius between 2018 and 2020.

    This week, Kyprios will still be some way off the legends of this race, but even with a blockbuster field, his chances of a return to glory are strong.

     

    Success

    Since the untimely retirement of the great Stradivarius to stud in 2022, the Ascot Gold Cup has lost a little of its sheen.

    However, his former rival can add that bit of sparkle back.

    A winner of this race two years ago, Kyprios missed Royal Ascot 12 months ago and having seen Courage Mon Ami take the throne, he and trainer Aidan O’Brien are fairly keen to reclaim it.

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    The King of Ballydoyle trained Yeats to a four-year tenure of the Cup, but in the last decade still trails John and Thady Gosden 3-4.

    2024 can see the scorecards leveled up.

     

    Absence

    Royal Ascot 2024 will be Kyprios’ first trip to the Berkshire showpiece in 24 months.

    Having edged Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star in the 2022 edition – a race where Stradivarius came third – Kyprios went unbeaten in six during that year.

    With a Goodwood Cup and Irish St Leger part of the Chestnut’s spoils, then came an untimely absence from the track through injury.

    Almost a calendar year later – 344 days to be exact – the 6yo returned to defend the Leger crown, but was taken down by Eldar Eldarov.

    Perhaps significantly, his final run of last year in the season-closing Long Distance Cup then saw Trawlerman become the latest to pip Kyprios to a first win in over a year.

    We say significantly, but in his two runs this term, Kyprios has looked his old dominant self, returning to his roots in the Vintage Crop and Levmoss Stakes on Irish soil last month.

    Kyprios may be back to his impenetrable best.

     

    Familiar foes

    Kyprios’ designs on another Ascot Gold Cup will be met by the face of familiar foes.

    Not least least Trawlerman, as the only runner in the field to have beaten Kyprios, as documented.

    Despite beaten into third on his last appearance in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan, the 6yo of Godolphin had won the three contests prior.

    In his only Royal Ascot outing, an 11th place in the Edinburgh was far from memorable but Trawlerman returns for Act 2 a different horse and an 8/1 fancy with BetUK.

    In the absence of Kyprios, Coltrane has become the new kid on campus and looks a tidy threat at price.

    Fourth to Kyprios in their only meeting at Glorious Goodwood 2022, Andrew Balding’s 7yo was fourth however, since then, was runner-up to Courage Mon Ami last year.

    Already boasting a bullish 2022 Ascot Stakes win, Coltrane’s most recent trip saw a victory in the Sagaro Stakes – named after the three-time winner.

    The ground will be very different on Thursday, but we have already seen that is not an issue. Looks a smart alternative at 14/1 with QuinnBet.

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    Then there is the returning warrior that is Trueshan.

    Yet to make his Royal Meeting debut due to the going year-in-year-out, the fortunes of Hollie Doyle and the journeyman 8yo have become something of a lottery.

    With the ground on Tuesday fast and slick, there will be no rain in sight by the time Trueshan arrives in the parade ring.

    It is very possible that the gelding will again be named a non-runner, but if he does run, do not bet against the heart of a horse and her mount at a tall 33/1 with Betfred.

     

    The Group 1 British Champions Series Ascot Gold Cup takes place on Thursday at 4:25pm UK time.