At The Races

Tom Dascombe has come a long way geographically and professionally since he started as a young jump jockey with Martin Pipe.

From a successful rookie period training in Lambourn he has now consolidated his position at the state-of-the-art stables in Cheshire owned by Michael Owen.

The trainer made his name with precocious two-year-olds and has a speedy filly that could get him his first juvenile winner at the Royal Ascot. But while juveniles are still a staple of the yard he has a serious middle distance talent in last year's Royal Ascot winner Brown Panther who went on to run second in the St Leger.

Now rebuilding after a disappointing return in the mud at Chester's May meeting, Brown Panther has the season before him and his progress is discussed here along with the pick of the team Dascombe handles at Manor House Stables

Older horses

BLUE JACK
7 b g Cadeaux Genereux - Fairy Flight.
Useful sprint handicapper, latest of eight wins from 40 starts came off 109 at Chester in July 2010. Now off 94 and fair effort latest start when seven lengths twelfth of 14 to Confessional at Chester. Previous run solid when length and a quarter second to subsequent winner Mirza over five at Newbury.
"Had knee surgery last year so we try to pick his races and he ran well at Newbury earlier in the season with good horses behind him and the winner, Mirza, has won again since. He had little chase at Chester last time on soft ground from a wide draw. His trip is six on easy ground, five on faster. He ought to be winning of this mark and he's in a 0-95 at York on June 15."

BROWN PANTHER
4 b c Shirocco - Treble Heights.
Smart middle-distance performer, won 12 furlong King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot last year by six lengths off 91. Went to 109 and then rated 115 when second to Masked Marvel in St Leger. Back to that mark after disappointing reappearance when tailed off behind Memphis Tennessee in 13 furlong group three at Chester May 11.
"He came back wrong after Chester but nothing specific came to light. We took him to work over a mile after racing at Pontefract on June 11 and I was very pleased with him. He went on his own over nine furlongs at a good pace and in a good time, not too stressful but stressful enough. Touch wood, he was fine the following morning and was happy, turned out in a paddock after a swim. His options are likely to be a listed race over 12 furlongs at Pontefract on June 24 or the Grand Prix De Saint Cloud the same day. Longer term we'll be looking at the Irish St Leger."

JONNY MUDBALL
6 b g Oasis Dream - Waypoint.
Only 14 career-starts and won three, latest on reappearance at Nottingham in April beating Foxy Music a short head in five furlong conditions race. Stayed on same mark of 105 but disappointing next run when fifteenth of 16 to Mayson in Newmarket group three. Now 102.
"He'd been off for a year when he won first run back at Nottingham so it was pleasing even though he didn't beat much. I don't know what happened at Newmarket, either it was too soon after or the soft ground but he was hanging after a furlong. He seems fine now and heads straight to the Wokingham. Six is a good trip for him - he's run will in the Stewards and Ayr Gold Cups. Fast ground suits him."

JUNOOB
4 ch g Haafhd - Faydah.
Useful middle-distance handicapper, latest of five wins from 14 starts came on all weather at Lingfield in February beating Tinshu a length and a quarter off 95. Went from 99 to 101 after finishing second to Eternal Heart in 12 furlong listed at Doncaster early April but back to 99 after finishing last of six to Hawaafez in 13 furlong listed at Newbury May 19.
"Doesn't like soft ground which explains Newbury and I felt he should have won his race at Doncaster because he hit the front far too early. He'll go for the Wolferton over a mile and a quarter at Ascot and then he's probably off to Australia after that."

RHYTHM OF LIGHT
4 b f Beat Hollow - Luminda.
Decent filly over a mile, won listed handicap over seven at Royal Ascot last year off 94, went to 103 and was off 107 both starts at Meydan in February when failing to fire.
"Picked up a bug in Dubai and never ran a race. Has had a month off and has come back well and heads for the Windsor Forest over a mile at Royal Ascot."

Three-year-olds.

ANACONDA
B c Anabaa - Poretta.
Ability in two runs in France last season and easily won reappearance on all weather at Lingfield late March beating Cryptic Choice six lengths. Rated 90 on that.
"I'm hoping he might be Brown Panther Mark II. We saved him for the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot after his win in March and I'm hoping that he'll just squeeze in. I think he's pretty good and although I'd have liked to run him again I wouldn't want any more weight for Ascot in a very tough race to win. He's been working well."

ANTON CHIGURH
B c Oasis Dream - Barathiki.
Ability in three starts and only beaten eight lengths on comeback when twelfth of 17 to Well Painted over seven at Newbury May 19. Debut mark off 74.
"I thought he was possibly quite harshly handicapped but I suppose he's run well. Would get a mile and a bit more. I've taken him out of recent entries because he wants good ground and I'll look for a 0-75 classified somewhere to limit the opposition."

BEAR BEHIND
B c Kodiac - Gerobies Girl.
Only one from 12 but fast and went from 99 to 104 after penultimate run when neck second of six to Ballesteros over five on heavy at Sandown late April. Too free to post and ran no race only subsequent run when well behind Stone Of Folca in five furlong handicap at Epsom June 2.
"Ran two very good races early on but after his run at Sandown he came back very buzzy - unlike him - and ran off down to the start with Richard Kingscote at Epsom last time so forget that. He's having time out and will be brought back later. He's got some decent form at two when he probably wasn't quite strong enough. When he comes back in we'll decide whether to press on or geld him for next season."

DECISION BY ONE
Ch c Bahamian Bounty - Intellibet One.
Won last of three starts last year in six furlong maiden at Wolverhampton and rated 81. Ran ok on reappearance off that mark when six lengths seventh of 11 to Jack Dexter in six furlong handicap at Chester and off 80 when winning next run on faster ground at Haydock May 25 beating Tip Top Gorgeous half a length. Now 82.
"Quite a nice sprinter that is reasonably handicapped so should be able to win a couple. Wouldn't want soft ground."

GAUL WOOD
B g Amadeus Wolf - Emly Express.
Second only starts last season and won reappearance at Lingfield in January beating Prince Gabrial a length and a quarter over seven. Unraced since and rated 78.
"He was declared to run at Sandown recently but the ground went very soft so he was taken out. He's had several serious injuries and I don't want to risk him on the wrong conditions. His mark is winnable over a mile or seven furlongs on decent ground or the all weather."

KENNY POWERS
B g Vital Equine - Alexander ballet.
Maiden but solid efforts at listed and group two level as a juvenile resulted on a rise from 91 to 98 when finishing length second to Gusto at Lingfield in March after two outings at Meydan. Now 106.
"He's been injured and won't be running for a while. The plan was to win a maiden and then go for the Jersey at Royal Ascot. Depending on how he wins his maiden when he comes back I'll make a plan. I always knew he was a good horse."

MULTI BENE
B g Multiplex - Attlonglast.
Ability in three starts, two in May over six furlongs. Debut mark of 62 looks winnable.
"Reasonably enough handicapped but injured himself after his two-year-old run. Came in very late this season and it's now a question of being patient and finding some decent ground. Even though he hasn't shown speed on the track he does have some. Will probably start at seven then go a mile."

SWITCHER
B f Whipper - Bahamamia.
Won debut at two in May and performed well at group level earning mark of 99. Well-beaten fourth of nine to Moonstone Magic in seven furlong group three at Newbury in April and now 98.
"Very disappointed with her at Newbury where the ground could take a bit of the blame but she didn't return home particularly well which is why she hasn't run since. She was a good fourth in the Albany last year and will go back for the Sandringham over a mile at Royal Ascot. She ought to improve on Newbury."

Two-year-olds.

"Some of our two-year-old colts have been disappointing and even those running well are a stone below where they should be. It is going to be a waiting game. The fillies seem to be running as well as they can. "

ATTENSHUN
Ch g Salute The Sarge - Southern House.
Ability on debt (blinkered) when seven lengths eighth of 13 to Reliant Robin over six at Lingfield June 7.
"Bone idle, hence the blinkers. Not naughty or anything like that and soft ground wasn't ideal but it's woken him up. Better ground over six or seven would suit him."

ARCHIE STEVENS
B c Pastoral Pursuits - Miss Wells.
Well behind on debut won by Tha'Ir over six at Ripon June 6.
"Hugely disappointing at Ripon where he got very wound up down at the start. Fat Gary did the same thing, ran shocking first time then won his next."

BACK IN THE FRAME
B f Dutch Art - Ile Deserte.
Second first two outings then seven lengths sixth of ten to Exceptionelle when upped to six at Kempton June 6.
"Probably a mistake to run her back on the all weather, taken off her feet and got murdered on the bend. Came home sore and will now wait for a nursery over a stiffer six on good ground."

BARRACUDA BOY
B c Bahamian Bounty - Madame Boulangere.
Ability all three starts, best on latest when three lengths third of six to Foray when back from six to five furlongs at Leicester June 4.
"Been disappointed with him, thought his first run would put him right to win but he ran badly at Haydock. Dropped to five at Leicester and ran a bit better last time but in hindsight he's probably not an early two-year-old. He'll get some time, wait for better ground over six."

BRAZILIAN CLOWN
Ch g Captain Rio - Chaukao.
Ability first two outings over five but tailed off latest over six in race won by Hiddon Coin at Redcar May 12.
"First run was ok then disappointed so he's been gelded and will be back later."

CAPO ROSSO
B c Red Clubs - Satin Cape.
Improved on debut when three and three quarter lengths third of seven to Botanic Garden over five at Chester June 9.
"Hated the track and ground but still managed to run well at Chester last time despite quite a few of the colts not showing what they are capable of.

CEILING KITTY
B f Red Clubs - Baldovina.
Improving filly has won last two of four starts, latest in five furlong listed at York beating Mayfield Girl two lengths May 18.
"Didn't get home on soft at Beverley, came back and won well at Kempton despite getting no run. Did well to win at York, still improving and has got to take her chance in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. She might be good enough to run very well."

DEAUVILLE PRINCE
B c Holy Roman Emperor - Queen Of Deauville.
Improved on debut when two and a quarter lengths second of ten to Master Of War over six at Haydock June 1.
"Same as the majority of the other colts, he's not running as good as he is. He's pretty good when he's right and will come back in August after a break."

DREAM MAKER
Ch f Bahamian Bounty - Pointed Arch.
Bettered debut six furlong debut when length and a half third of 11 to Lucky Lodge in five furlong event at Redcar June 4.
"Came in very late at the end of March, got upset in the stalls but well up to winning a five furlong maiden at Catterick or Ripon."

FAT GARY
Ch c Dutch Art - Suzuki.
Left debut behind when staying on gamely to win five furlong maiden by a short head from Mandy Lexi at Chester May10.
"Ran terrible on debut at Pontefract when I thought he'd run well but responded to a very good ride from James Doyle at Chester when he made the horses mind up for him. Bred to get further but will go for the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot then he'll go over seven."

PIPPY
B c Exceed And Excel - Gandini.
Well held first two starts but stay on well to finish five lengths second to Joey's Destiny over five at Folkestone June 11.
"Got very wound up in the stalls at Chester first time and missed the break but he was very disappointing at Carlisle after that. He's done nothing wrong at home and I was pleased the way he stayed on to finish second at Folkestone last time and we're on track now."

PREMIER STEPS
B f Footstepsinthesand - Primissima.
Ran seventh on debut in solid maiden won by Englishman at Newbury in April and won next start over five at Ascot beating Equitania a length on May 11.
"Cracking filly that going for the Albany at Royal Ascot. It was a good maiden at Newbury and she's now got experience of the track at Ascot. I don't think she particularly needs soft ground and won despite it."

THIS IS NICE
Ch f Exceed And Excel - Spanish Quest.
Debut when three lengths fifth of 11 to Yes Two looks better than second run when ninth of 11 to stablemate Ceiling Kitty over five at York May 18.
"Useful but still a little weak. Plenty more left in her and she'll get further but shows bags of speed at home."

TRINITYELITEDOTCOM
B c Elusive City - Beal Ban.
Improved on debut when length and a quarter second of five to Dashing David over five at Nottingham June 6.
"A really nice two-year-old but just hasn't fired yet, like quite a few of the colts. He just stopped dead inside the last furlong at Nottingham. I was gutted and need to get to the bottom of that."

UPWARD SPIRAL
Ch f Teofilo - Welsh Cake.
Smart winner on debut at Sandown May 24 beating Jubilee Diamond a length and a half.
"Probably the best filly I've ever had. She was just off the track record at Sandown and she's been sold to Sheikh Fahad and will go for the Queen Mary. I think she's progressed from Sandown but in all honesty I don't think she needs to."

NOBLE BACCHUS
B c Acclamation - Vintage Tipple.
Unraced.
"Not early but he might be something for July and August over seven."

DOUBLE DISCOUNT
B c Invincible Spirit - Bryanston Girl.
Unraced.
"Worth waiting for over seven furlongs, I think he's better than average."

SMOOTH HANDLE
Ch c Dutch Art - Naomi Wildman.
Unraced.
"Ready to run but doesn't want it soft, has shown good potential."

Un-named.
B c Manduro - Treble Hights.
Unraced.
"Brown Panther's half brother who I'm given plenty of time. Hasn't done much but you know he's a racehorse."