Awesome Azamour keeps delivering!

Azamour: He just keeps the autumn prizes coming!!

An interesting day for 'NTF sire watch' yesterday.

COCHABAMBA (Hurricane Run) ran an average race in 6th and never looked like reaching a place.

PEARL ICE (Iffraaj) ran a blinder in 2nd on debut, coming with a late run to almost collar the winner.

LOVING SPIRIT (Azamour) who I thought had a tough task for his debut ran away with the 7f maiden at Newmarket. I had a tickle in the place market only, this run exceeded even my expectations of the Azamour colt.

WADE GILES (Azamour) ran a stormer to almost land the Grade 3 at Dundalk, going down by a neck in 2nd to Gitano Hernando. I did express concerns about the yards form beforehand but earlier in the card they sent out 2 runners to finish 3rd and 1st and this was a clear indication they were back firing.

Azamour was clearly the star of the show yesterday and his excellent Autumn record just keeps on rolling!

Today there are plenty more runners for us to ponder over -  

IFFRAAJ

1.55 Newmarket - 7f - Soft

MUSHARAKAAT & KALAHAAG

7f good - Ground, bad. You would want conditions to be in your favour in a 20 runner field and I don't think this 2 have the correct conditions. Of the 2 Kalahaag has run OK with cut in the ground before and is currently trading at a huge price on the exchanges.

3.20 Redcar - 6f - Good

NASHARRA & FORJATT

6f OK - Ground, suitable. Both wouldn't want the ground to get any softer and both also have to give weight away to the rest of the 23 runner field. Both yards also have below average strike rates at the track. Certainly not impossible for this 2 to win but I think they have a job on their hands.

HURRICANE RUN

1.55 Newmarket - 7f - Soft

MOHEDIAN LADY

7f OK - Ground, suitable. Solid run on her debut but not convinced step back to 7f is ideal. Strong pace should at least help to bring her stamina influences into play.

3.50 Epsom - 1m - Soft

TIME TO WORK

1m good - Ground, suitable. Course and distance victory to his name already and trainer and jockey both have a decent record at the track. Ability to handle the track an obvious bonus. 

AZAMOUR

2.05 Epsom - 1m2f - Soft

TOGIAK

1m2f good - Ground, suitable. Been disappointing of late but handicapper has dropped him a couple of lbs. May be enough to see him get competitive here.

2.10 Redcar - 7f - Good

ZOOWRAA

7f OK - Ground, OK. Weak-ish looking race with only a few others in the race with any real chance.  Definite chance but yard have an average recent strike rate at the track.

5.00 Epsom - 1m2f - Soft

PIANO

1m2f good - Ground, suitable. Consitent in her 3 runs so far and every chance here.

6.15 Redcar - 1m2f - Good

OPENING NITE

1m2f good - Ground, OK. Finally got off the mark last time out but this looks tougher. Not convinced step back up in trip will suit although he did stay on well last time out.

AZAMOUR also has an representative over hurdles tomorrow at Fontwell (2.20) in the shape of LAND OF PLENTY. I'll happily watch this one....

Plenty of runners on show on a busy days racing and it up to you if you want to back, watch or ignore any of these guys. I won't be getting heavily involved today, the ground is changing and that can leave us with some pretty unpredictable results so I'll have a closer look at the horses highlighted here and see if anything catches my eye or stands out at the prices.

I'm going to take a look at the bumper at Fontwell and take a look at some sire and trainer analysis for the race. If I get anywhere and find anything interesting I'll post up a few comments on Twitter; if you want to follow me there you can find me under @narrowthefield. 

I'll be back with some hefty Arc trends and stats for us on Sunday to see if we can nail what is arguably the most prestigious race in Europe. At the moment I still don't have a strong fancy so will the NTF trends point me clearly towards 1 of the 20 runners?

Find out tomorrow.

Ben (NTF)