Captain's Blog

Fall guy: Tomy McCoy will perform a bunjee jump in aid of charity
14 April 2012

A visit to Ballydoyle at this time of the year is always a pleasure and a way of getting the jumping enthusiast's brain back into flat mode.

Aidan O'Brien was patience itself as he revealed his plans for the upcoming flat season - despite the equivalent of losing his finest player in the form of Holy Roman Emperor.

Captain Heath sensed that if there is a Classic horse among his 50 or so three-year-olds (25 of whom are still unraced) it is Motivator's full brother Macarthur, who is having the same Derby preparation accorded to Galileo and High Chaparral.

However O'Brien's eyes gleamed when he spoke of his 83 two-year-olds, all of whom are bred in the purple.

At this time, most of them remain unnamed but he spoke particularly enthusiastically about a colt by High Chaparral out of Mountain Holly and a Kingmambo colt out of Dietrich. Both are likely to be seen sooner rather than later and could be Royal Ascot types.

Other early sorts to watch out for are a Johannesburg colt out of Saratoga Honey and an Oasis Dream colt out of Grail.

Brave Fleet Street may have Ayr shot

I hope blog watchers were paying attention last week as my two tips obliged in the form of Fleet Street (so game in winning the Greatwood Hurdle at Newbury on Friday) and Karello Bay who won the Mares' Final on Saturday.

Fleet Street, in whom I have a small share, must be a candidate for the bravest horse in training as he overcame not only two severe tendon injuries, but also the equivalent of equine MRSA which almost left him dead.

It was only his second race in three years. He blew up as he entered Newbury's testing straight but once he saw a gap in front of him at the final hurdle he went for it.

The Scottish Champion hurdle now beckons provided the handicapper is not too unkind.

My tip for this week is Invasor in the Dubai World Cup - in the belief that the fragile Discreet Cat may not stay the 10 furlongs.

Lambourn opens its doors

Lambourn's Open Day on Good Friday is warmly recommended for those who feel that they need an equine presence in their life on a day when betting shops are shut.

Most of the local trainers open their stable doors to the public and there will be a chance to see Fondmort up close and personal.

The 10-year-old, who broke his pelvis when in training for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, has made a terrific recovery, although he'll most unlikely ever to be able to race again.

Marcus Tregoning will be one of several trainers to open their yards to the public and other attractions will be a Tony McCoy charity bunjee jump and a schooling demonstration with Richard Dunwoody.

Callan can be top jock

Within 48 hours of viewing the cream of Ballydoyle's thoroughbreds Captain Heath will be examining the strength of arch rival Godolphin at their Al Quoz stable in the Dubai desert.

Godolphin have made a very slow start to their season during the Dubai Carnival, although the horses trained by Ishmael Mohammed, so successful since Christmas, have now joined the boys in blue.

Frankie Dettori has decided to remain in Dubai until the end of April so that he can ride in all the trials.

He has effectively waved goodbye to any hope of winning the domestic championship this season.

My idea of the champion jockey this year? Try an outside bet on Neil Callan, who has just been crowned King of the All Weather and is riding better than ever.

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