Alluringly Must Bounce Back from Chester Cup Disappointment
May 16th, 2017 | 
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Source: BBC Sport via Twitter
The Chester Cup presented an opportunity for Alluringly to enhance her reputation at the Cheshire Oaks. Trainer Aidan O’Brien was searching for his third win on the bounce at the meet, with Diamondsandrubies and Somehow triumphing in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
The Bay Filly had form on her side ahead of the race, having recorded her maiden victory at the Fillies Maiden in her last outing at the Tipperary Races.
As a result of Alluringly’s win in Ireland – she was expected to rise to the occasion and maintain O’Brien’s winning streak at the Cheshire Oaks by adapting to English conditions.
The American horse was considered a leading contender for the meet, being backed as one of Oddschecker’s tips of the day to string back-to-back victories together. However, despite a decent outing, she was narrowly beaten to the post by Enable, ending O’Brien’s winning streak at the meet.
The Irishman has a task on his hand to get Alluringly back to winning form for the rest of the season, with Epsom Downs on the horizon and the Investec Oaks showdown. O’Brien has done a solid job over the last year to get the Bay Filly into contention after a tough start to her career, which began last October.
Alluringly made her bow in a crowded field in Curragh at the Fillies Maiden and although she had talent, the American horse was not considered one of the leading contenders to taste victory. That showed in her performance as she struggled to match the pace of the leaders, although a decent finish towards the end of the meet yielded a seventh-place finish out of 25 competitors.
Source: AtTheRaces via Twitter
With only six days of rest, O’Brien threw the Bay Filly back into action to get further action under her belt ahead of an important 2017 season.
Alluringly did have an outside chance of victory with decent odds to claim her first win, but a slow start to the meet in Naas proved costly, and she finished slightly off the pace of the leading pack to come in fifth as Wayside Flower triumphed.
Following a six-month break, the American horse returned to action at Tipperary at the Fillies Maiden. The three-year-old was considered among the top two horses in the field alongside Dabulena, but on this occasion, she rose to the occasion with an excellent display to beat her nearest rival by four-and-a-half lengths with a strong finish down the final furlong.
As a result of Alluringly’s comfortable win in Tipperary, she was considered the favourite for the first time in her career at Chester. However, the three-year-old did not have the pace to match Enable – as Frankie Dettori and John Gosden snatched the victory from O’Brien and Ryan Moore.
There are important races ahead of the American horse this term, with the Epsom Downs and Ascot on the horizon. O’Brien has moulded the Bay Filly into a strong competitor and it would be no surprise to see Alluringly bounce back from the first disappointment of her career to claim victories at the prestigious meets later in the term.
2:30 – 5th May – Musselburgh Racing Tips EBF Maiden Stakes
Primo’s Comet made his debut in the Brocklesby and displayed inexperience with a slow star, swishing tail and bucking like a bronco. Unless a huge transformation looks unlikely to figure here. The odds illustrate no particular hope.
Hypnotic Dancer has raced twice and shown little ability.
Debutante Holmfirst is trained by Paul Midgley who has few winners on their racecourse bow.
The three major contenders follow.
David Barron is a trainer of note and someone to respect with debutantes. Shanghai Elastic This bay filly is a daughter of Swiss and 5,000G purchase at the yearling sales. This trainer from Maunby, North Yorkshire has respectable win and place claims when priced 13/2 & less SP. It is a slight concern that this youngster costs a small amount of money.
The two principle hopes have both shown a level of ability with respect to the opposition.
February foal, Faithful Promise, was originally entered to run in the Brocklesby Stakes but Mark Johnston opted for Wolverhampton. This daughter of Acclamation was relatively fancied but faded into sixth place. That was a strange race and the form has been somewhat patchy since. I had the feeling this filly was expected to have gone much closer and to that extent disappointed. That assessment seemed to hold water with a much sharper performance at Leicester. She finished second best to Capla Dancer who won at odds of 66/1. Such a huge priced winner does give the impression it wasn’t the strongest of contests. To be fair, that is probably part true. However, it is difficult to assess form at this time of year. Faithful Promise ran creditably and I feel the stable consider she has the ability to progress.
Richard Fahey has been in exceptional form this season and Shobrom ran in a competitive maiden at Newmarket. This bay colt is a son of Acclamation and £70,00 yearling purchase. It was no disgrace to finish sixth, beaten by just four lengths.
Conclusion: Most look unlikely winners and the major three hopes are worthy of interest. David Barron is a trainer of merit and Shanghai Elastic but a cheap purchase. On statistics, she holds each-way claims. The price of the horse is a concern. Faithful Promise has probably proven and should run well but may be a short price. If starting big odds-on I would be careful. In truth, there may be one horse in opposition. Shobrom ran well on debut is what is likely to be a stronger contest than seen at Leicester with Faithful Promise. If Fahey’s representative drifted to a bigger price it may be worth a bet. If both are under 2/1 I would take a watching brief.
Jockey Profile: Willie Carson
Introduction
A thoroughbread horse racing jockey of some repute, Willie Carson was born in Stirling, Scotland. He was known for an energetic personality and an incredibly long career that seen him take to the course until he was the age of 54, retiring in 1996. An apprentice to Captain Gerald Armstrong, he became the British Champion Jockey an impressive five times between 1972 and 1983, and won an outstanding 17 British Classics. With 100 winners per season for 23 years, he totalled way over 3,800 wins by the end.
Career Summary
A career that seen Carson become the fourth-most successful winner in GB racing history is one well worth remembering. His best season arguably came in 1990, when he won close to 190 winners across the season. Indeed, he is one of just a mere four jockeys who managed to ride an impressive six winners in one sitting.
Sadly, he came 2nd in the year when he done so to Pat Eddery, who won with an unbelievable 209 winners. The majority of his main successes as a rider came under the tutelage and partnership with Dick Hern, who helped him train his horses. He rode his three Derby winners at this point in his career.
A career after racing seen him enter into everything from the Ampney Crucis Minister House Stud program to being a part of A Question of Sport, right through to co-hosting BBC horse racing with Clare Balding until 2012.He was also a pundit for the BBC, correctly tipping Camelot to win the Epsom Derby. For more free horse racing tips take a look here!
Achievements & Highlights
With trophy wins in 5 major nations, Carson has one of the most impressive trophy hauls in the history of the sport. With 5 Championships, 17 Classics, 23 Centuries and 3,838 winners in total, it’s safe to say that Carson has earned his reputation as a true legend of his sport.
Major Wins – 1,000 Guineas (1990, 1991), 2,000 Guineas (1972, 1980, 1987, 1989), Derby (1979, 1980, 1989, 1994), Oaks (1977, 1980, 1983, 1990), St. Leger (1977, 1983, 1988)
Associations – Cpt. Gerald Armstrong, Sam Armstrong, Bernard van Custem, Clive Brittain, Dick Hern. Bireme, Dunfermline, Sun Princess, Minster Son, Nashwan, Don’t Forget Me, Known Fact, High Top.
4.10 Lingfield, Friday, April 14
William Haggas’ progressive colt Second Thought has accounted for Sutter County twice already this season and there appears no reason why he can’t do so again in the 3-Year-Old Championship Stakes (4.10) at Lingfield on Friday and, in so doing, maintain Robert Winston’s 100% record for the Newmarket trainer on the all-weather. Like his sire, Kodiac, Second Thought appears versatile with regard to distance and remains open to further improvement aft just four career starts. William Haggas has a 30% strike rate with his 3-year-olds on the Polytrack at Lingfield in recent seasons and clearly has his string in good shape with three winners from five runners in the last fortnight.
Selection: Second Thought to win (6/4 with Sky Bet)