PartialLogo
The Front Runner

A Ben Pauling sprinter and Listed Chantilly action - Peter Scargill's three things to note on Thursday

You can read three things to note and much more in our morning email The Front Runner, exclusively for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers.

Subscribers can get more great insight, tips and racing chat from The Front Runner every Monday to Friday. Those who aren't yet signed up for The Front Runner should click here to sign up and start receiving emails immediately!

Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to get 50% off for three months!

T&C's apply18+begambleaware.org

1. Will Concorde take flight again?

It was at Redcar last month that we all got a clear view of how much Concorde had in hand over the handicapper as he cantered to a four-and-a-quarter-length success as the odds-on favourite. This came after three quick runs the previous autumn when, it is fair to say, the horse showed very little. However, a five-month break and a gelding operation has appeared to turn Concorde inside out and he should have won all three of his races this term – his second place two runs ago coming as a result of jockey Pat Cosgrave gearing down too much just before the line at Chelmsford, resulting in him being nabbed in the final stride. 

Concorde bolted up next time and is up 11lb as a result of that success, albeit he actually runs off a mark just 8lb higher today in the mile three-year-old handicap (4.00) at Redcar. Concorde holds no entries beyond today, but may find himself competing in some quite nice races if he again wins in the manner he has been doing.

Silk
Concorde16:00 Redcar
View Racecard
Jky: Ben Curtis Tnr: George Boughey

2. A new sprint recruit for Pauling

After a record-breaking season over jumps, trainer Ben Pauling has to quickly turn his attention to the Flat with a major runner at Newmarket on Sunday. Pauling inherited Group 2 May Hill Stakes winner Polly Pott from Harry Dunlop when he stopped training last year, and the filly is set to contest the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at the weekend. Prior to that, Pauling and the Megson family, who own Polly Pott, have a runner at Salisbury today in the shape of new recruit Matty Too

Formerly trained by Tim Easterby, Matty Too has spent his time racing over sprint distances, unlike the majority of Flat horses trained by Pauling who run over further. As such, it would be no surprise if he has been assisting Polly Pott in her preparation for the 1,000 Guineas, particularly given the common ownership between the two. He lines up in the 6f handicap (2.45) and it will be interesting to see how he runs on his stable debut.

Silk
Matty Too14:45 Salisbury
View Racecard
Jky: Rob Hornby Tnr: Ben Pauling

3. Names to note in France

British and Irish runners are in action at Chantilly this evening, with Zoinnocent contesting the Listed Prix des Lilas (6.10), Regheeb lining up in the Listed Prix de Suresnes (6.45) and Wilderness Girl running in the Listed Prix Servanne (4.18). Regheeb is perhaps the most interesting of the three as he steps straight up into Listed company having broken his maiden at the first time of asking at Nottingham last month. 

Trained by Archie Watson for owner Sheikh Ahmed, Regheeb is taking on some equally unexposed and potentially useful rivals in the form of Swing Vote and Ace Impact. Still an entire horse, Regheeb might put himself into the picture for the Prix du Jockey Club if he can follow up his debut success with another victory this evening.

Silk
Regheeb18:45 Chantilly
View Racecard
Jky: Hector Crouch Tnr: Archie Watson

Read these next:

2023 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas tips: why these horses can win the big races at Newmarket   

'He’s in the form of his life' - Coltrane strikes to delight Murphy as Trueshan camp eye hurdles in autumn    

Subscribe today | Get 50% off your first three months  


Front runner promotional image

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.


inThe Front Runner

iconCopy