WITH the marvellous jumps season set to draw to a close at Sandown's Betfred meeting this weekend, attention is switching quickly to the new Flat campaign.
And inevitably at this time of year, the debate focuses on the first two Classics of the season, the 2000 Guineas and the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5 and 6.
Through the winter, everyone has been anticipating, in the colts' Classic, a renewa
l of the battle royals TEOFILO and HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR engaged in as two-year-olds.
But then Holy Roman Emperor was prematurely carted off to stud by the Ballydoyle hierarchy. And now doubts even surround Teofilo after he developed soreness behind his off-fore knee at a crucial stage of his preparation for the big race.
Trainer Jim Bolger insists the colt is OK now and he's "totally happy" with him. He also insists the plan is still to have a rare, old-fashioned crack at the Triple Crown with his Guineas bid to be followed by tilts at the Derby and the St Leger.
The Triple Crown has not been won since Nijinsky in 1970 and a fresh challenge would be some boost to Doncaster, home of the Leger, when it re-opens, new grandstands and all, later this year.
But the big question at the moment is: can Teofilo defy his injury-scare and land the first leg at HQ next week?
On all known evidence, the answer has to be yes. However it is never ideal to go into any Group 1 on the back of a setback and given that Bolger always stressed his charge would be a middle-distance colt this term, you have to wonder if he'd have the pace to handle a fast-ground Guineas.
Stamina and attitude, rather than speed, looked to be his strong suits when he won the Dewhurst Stakes last backend and I'm sure rivals who were behind him that day, HAATEF and STRATEGIC PRINCE, will improve on better ground.
Of the trials run this spring, ADAGIO and MAJOR CADEAUX were the most impressive winners.
The former won rave reviews after taking the Craven Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute. And there is no doubt that he picked up very easily after looking short of room on the rail.
Stoute is a master at producing horses just right for the big day. But Adagio is another who's very much bred to appreciate further than 1m and, of the two, I am more tempted by Richard Hannon's Major Cadeaux.
It could be argued, with some conviction, that his victim in Newbury's Greenham Stakes last Saturday, DUTCH ART, was never going to stay the 7f. But a steadily-run race turned into a sprint, which should have suited Peter Chapple-Hyam's much-hyped colt. Yet Major Cadeaux quickened and stretched away from him in terrific style. And all this on his first run for almost a year after he got jarred up at Royal Ascot.
His imposing appearance in the paddock suggested he'd developed physically during his absence. And providing the ground is not too fast at Newmarket, he is sure to take some stopping.
The fillies' Classic is much easier to solve, in my opinion.
FINSCEAL BEO looked something special last autumn and with her main rival, SANDER CAMILLO, so disappointing on her seasonal bow last week, she surely has the race at her mercy.
Bolger's filly looked a monster when powering home in the Rockfel Stakes last October. It was a performance that left a deep impression on me and I am perfectly happy with my voucher for 7/2.
Of her opponents, ARCH SWING has been running a temperature after struggling on her seasonal re-appearance. And I have more respect for the first two home in Newbury's Fred Darling Stakes last weekend.
MAJESTIC ROI needs to be supplemented for the Guineas but the manner of her victory cannot be under-estimated. Like her, the runner-up, INDIAN INK, also quickened and now connections know she's almost sure to stay 1m, she can be ridden more positively at Newmarket.
Finally it would be wrong to sign off without mentioning the last big race of the jumps campaign at Sandown on Saturday, the Betfred Gold Cup (formerly the Whitbread).
It goes against the grain to back the favourite in such a competitive handicap but I really can't see past Tony McCoy's mount, REVEILLEZ.
The eight-year-old grey can race off the same mark as the one he carried to victory so smoothly at Aintree two weeks ago. He will love the good to fast ground and while some question whether he has the stamina for Saturday's test, it is worth bearing in mind that connections were considering the Irish National for him at one stage.
My chief danger is the unexposed novice WEE ROBBIE, who lacks experience bnut is beginning to fulfil the potential he has always had and gets in here on a handy wight of 10-4.
SIX FOR THE NOTEBOOKWINKER WATSON (Newbury April 20)
One of the top juvenile events at Royal Ascot beckons for Peter Chapple-Hyam's strong, lengthy colt, who quickened in style to win his debut maiden.
WESTERN ADVENTURE (Newbury April 20)
The dogs were barking Michael Jarvis's impeccably-bred three-year-old before he powered home on his seasonal re-appearance – and he looks Listed class at least.
I'M DELILAH (Cheltenham April 19)
One for the next jumps season but worth remembering the name on the evidence of her silky-smooth win in a mares' Bumper for Nicky Richards.
DIAMOND TYCOON (Newbury April 21)
A win of such astonishing ease in a hot, competitive maiden by Brian Meehan's three-year-old colt that connections are even talking of a tilt at the 2000 Guineas next.
LUCARNO (Newbury April 21)
US-bred three-year-old colt who belied huge odds on his debut to confirm trainer John Gosden's high opinion of him.
SISTER ACT (Newbury April 20)
Almost the spitting image, on looks, of her high-class sister, Soviet Song, and sure to win races, judging by the way she battled when needing the run on her debut.
TIP OF THE DAYWednesday April 25
TIP OF THE DAY
Thursday April 26
PUNJABI (Punchestown 3.30) WIN
Not only does Nicky Henderson's four-year-old have the best form in the book, from Cheltenham and Aintree, he has also track and ground to suit here. A worthy favourite.
YESTERDAY: LUBERON UNPLACED
