Clan Wars » the other side made sure that was enough

Sky Sports News Alex Hammond marks your card for the weekend and more as she tackles the latest hot topics in racing. What are we to make of Air Force Blues flop in the Qipco 2000 Guineas and could you give the horse another chance when we see him again? How do you assess Galileo Golds victory? That was a surprise wasnt it? The only concern I had about Air Force Blue beforehand was a potential lack of stamina, but he was beaten before that even came into play. It is probably one of those performances that has to be put down to experience. It was interesting to see Aidan OBrien fit a tongue tie for the first time though, which suggests they may have felt it would help keep his airways clear, but we will never know. The Ballydoyle team will have examined him to within an inch of his life and maybe something will transpire. I think you can always put one bad run down to experience and maybe next time we will see a different animal. Prior to his reappearance OBrien had intimated that a drop to sprint distances could be an option for this son of War Front and he has been given an entry into the July Cup over 6 furlongs.The win of Galileo Gold went some way to cementing Hugo Palmers burgeoning reputation and the colt did all that was asked of him, but he isnt the most straightforward to deal with. He won in a good time given the ground, but I dont expect this was a really vintage Guineas. Hugo Palmer has to decide if he steps his speedily bred colt up in trip for the Derby and it appears they are resorting to science to help make that decision. A DNA test can apparently predict to within 90% accuracy the likely stamina of an individual. Obviously you cant have too much information and Ill be interested to see what the test reveals. A scientific approach is one thing, but its just one piece of the jigsaw and sometimes a horse defies its pedigree. Personally I think they have nothing to lose by running in the Derby as they can always drop back to a mile, but my gut instinct is that hes a miler through and through on both pedigree and temperament.Minding, the heroine of the 1000 Guineas, is now likely to head to Epsom (possibly via the Curragh), but what do you make of the suggestion that it could be for the Investec Derby rather than the Oaks?Whereas the 2000 Guineas threw up a surprise winner, the 1000 Guineas did not. What an achievement for Aidan OBrien to saddle the first three home and what a filly Minding is. As a backer of Ballydoyle I was pleased to see her stay on in taking fashion having not had the clearest of passages, but even with a clear run she wouldnt have beaten her stablemate. She wasnt stopping as the line approached and there will be good races to win with her too. Mindings dam, Lillie Langtry, was top class over a mile, but the influence of sire Galileo means this years 1000 Guineas winner looks capable of staying further. Her running style suggests that too. Ballydoyle is by the same sire and her dam was unraced with a speedy pedigree. Ballydoyles full sister is Misty For Me who won the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2011 and was effective up to a mile and a quarter. Im not sure if the lads will want to aim for the Derby with Minding if they have a colt with a realistic chance of winning the Epsom Blue Riband. Mindings value to the Coolmore team wont be enhanced if she wins the Derby over the Oaks, but obviously its crucial in a potential stallions future career. Did any other performances from Newmarket take your eye with a view to the future?Sir Michael Stoutes Exosphere jumps off the page in answer to that question. He was an impressive winner of the Jockey Club Stakes on 2000 Guineas day. Sir Michaels horses invariably improve for their first run of the season and you get the impression the manner of his win was a bit of a surprise. Obviously a lot of the focus in this race was directed towards the performance of Jack Hobbs who pulled up with something amiss, although he has apparently been ok since. Exosphere has clearly improved from three to four and Im looking forward to seeing him in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.Usherette looked magnificent when winning the Dahlia Stakes for Andre Fabre. It sounds like we will be seeing much more of her as the options for her in France are apparently limited. Arabian Queen was a good yardstick in second; in fact you have to wonder what the runner up has to do to get the acclaim she deserves. The winner is likely to run at Royal Ascot next before a tilt at the Falmouth Stakes on the July Course.Swiss Range looks like a filly that will be going the other way across the Channel. She is trained in the UK by John Gosden and has the French Oaks (Prix de Diane) as her next target. She looked smart when winning the Pretty Polly Stakes on just her third start. The mile and a quarter trip at Chantilly looks her likely optimum.I was delighted to see Englishman win a competitive six-furlong handicap for Milton Bradley on 1000 Guineas day. Milton is a whizz with his sprint handicappers and Id expect this horse to be astutely campaigned. He has improved for the removal of a chip in his knee and there should be more to come. His new trainer picked him up for just 20,000 Guineas in October 2014 and his patience has paid off and its worth remembering that as a juvenile this horse was highly regarded by former trainer Charlie Hills.Does anything take your eye from among the entries for Saturdays action?One of the races Im looking forward to watching this weekend is the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock. Its a strange time of year for fans of jump racing, but this competitive handicap hurdle should fill a hole for fans of the winter game. Paul Webbers Gwafa has plenty to recommend him. The five-year-old was a smart middle distance handicapper on the flat for Marco Botti in 2014 before switching to Webber for whom he made his debut after a layoff on Boxing Day. Hes a half brother to a horse Webber knew well in Australia Day and whilst this horse has his quirks, he also has plenty of ability. He was unfortunate to unseat his rider in the Grade 1 Top Novices Hurdle at Aintree through no fault of his own and he makes his handicap debut over hurdles in Saturday off a mark of 137, which may not be unreasonable. There could be much more to come from him and he has a chance in an open race for a stable that have been amongst the winners of late. Hes 9/1 with Sky Bet at the time of writing having been supported this week.The Victoria Cup at Ascot is the other big betting race at the weekend with a big field guaranteed for the seven-furlong handicap. Mutawathea is one to keep on the right side of for Simon Crisford who has booked the useful Eddie Greatrex to take 5lb off his back. Its debatable if seven furlongs is his optimum as hes also effective over a mile, but the 7 at Ascot should play to his strengths. To date he has done all his winning on the all weather, but he has gone close a couple of times on the turf including in a competitive race over this trip at Goodwood last summer. At 20/1 (with Sky Bet) he offers each way value and should be staying on at the finish. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports Cheap NFL Jerseys China Online . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Cheap NFL Jerseys Factory . 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