Tag Archive for: George Scott

Rocket Rodney shoots for glory in Westow Stakes

There could be plenty of pace on show in York’s British EBF 40th Anniversary Westow Stakes where Rocket Rodney attempts to return to winning ways on reappearance.

Trained by George Scott, the speedy son of Dandy Man was an ultra-consistent performer last term, with the only blot on his copybook coming in his final outing of the year when making a raiding mission to France.

A Listed winner in the Dragon Stakes at Sandown last season, he also placed in a whole host of high-class five-furlong events, including when beaten a neck by Little Big Bear in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and runner-up in the Group Three Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.

Scott reports his charge to have strengthened up from two to three and is eager to see if he retains all the sprinting attributes which made him so successful as a juvenile.

“He was a very capable two-year-old throughout last year and his final run didn’t reflect his season in any way, so we have got to put a line through that,” he said.

“I’ve been pleased with his work in the spring. He’s done very well physically from two to three, he hasn’t grown a huge amount but he’s definitely matured.

“I think there’s always a question mark over precocious two-year-olds that have had a relatively busy season as to how they train on, and you don’t know until they get to the track. But he’s ready to get started and I have a plan for him this season, and this is very much day one.

“It’s a track he has run well at and it looks a very sensible starting point for him. I would expect him to come on for the run, but he’s more than ready to do himself justice.”

David Loughnane’s Walbank was a place behind Rocket Rodney in third when the pair locked horns in the Molecomb last July, with the talented son of Kodiac finishing no worse than third in four outings during 2022 – a CV which also includes a silver medal in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

His Goodwood outing was the final time he was sighted at two and the Amo Racing-owned colt returns following 295 days off the track at the scene of arguably his finest hour, on the course and distance over which he shed his maiden tag in fine style.

“He was a very good two-year-old,” said Loughnane. “He had a slight setback which took a bit of time and we’ve given him every chance. He’s come back a bigger horse and I’m pleased with him.

“He’s in good order and wears a tongue-tie first time, and obviously he’s going back to where he won his maiden and hopefully we get a similar result.

“He was just outside the time of the last five Nunthorpe winners – he was very impressive that day and the track definitely suits him. He’s a nice horse and one to look forward to.”

Kevin Ryan’s Silent Words went down by a head to the well-regarded Tajalla at Musselburgh earlier this month and is one of two for owners Clipper Logistics, alongside Karl Burke’s Pillow Talk, who won the Marygate Stakes over track and trip at this meeting 12 months ago.

Burke trained the one-two in this last year and is also represented by Looking For Lynda, with Richard Fahey’s hat-trick-seeking Great State and Declan Carroll’s unbeaten Changeofmind adding to the Yorkshire-trained challenge.

Pillow Talk winning the Marygate Stakes on the Knavesmire in 2022
Pillow Talk winning the Marygate Stakes on the Knavesmire in 2022 (Tim Goode/PA)

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien will bid to land a blow for Ireland with Hispanic. The son of No Nay Never won only one of his four starts last term, but showed plenty of class when doing so, romping to an eight-length victory at the Curragh.

“I haven’t sat on him in a race, but he stepped up well when fitted with blinkers at the back-end, winning by a wide margin at the Curragh and running OK in Listed company at Doncaster,” jockey Ryan Moore told Betfair.

“Hopefully he can progress this season and be suited by the better ground he will encounter here. He likes to get on with it and he can go a bit judged on his Curragh win.”

Rogue Spirit (Tom Clover), Katey Kontent (Clive Cox) and Michaela’s Boy (Mick Appleby) are the others engaged in the five-furlong contest.

Stat of the Day, 18th January 2020

Friday's pick was...

6.45 Newcastle : She's Easyontheeye @ 4/1 BOG 3rd at 15/2 (Raced keenly, chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace over 1f out)

Saturday's pick runs in the...

7.15 Chelmsford :

Before I post the daily selection, just a quick reminder of how I operate the service. Generally, I'll identify and share the selection in the evening before the following day's race and I then add a detailed write-up later on that night/next morning.

Those happy to take the early price on trust can do so, whilst some might prefer to wait for my reasoning. As I fit the early service in around my family life, I can't give an exact timing on the posts, so I suggest you follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook for instant notifications of a published pick.

Who?

Strawberry Jack @ 5/2 BOG

...in a 7-runner, Class 4, A/W Handicap for 3yo over 1m on Polytrack worth £5,434 to the winner...

Why?...

This 4 yr old gelding has finished 121 in his last three starts, culminating in a course and distance win here 16 days ago under today's jockey Ben Curtis despite losing his whip in the closing stages, taking the horse's record on the A/W to include of relevance today...

  • 2/5 in handicaps
  • 2/4 on Standard going
  • 2/4 going left handed
  • 2/3 here at Chelmsford
  • 2/3 under Ben Curtis
  • 2/3 in a visor
  • 1/1 over a mile
  • 1/1 over C&D

Meanwhile, over the last seven months, jockey Ben is 5 from 10 (50% SR) for 40.98pts (+409.8% ROI) when riding for trainer George Scott, including...

  • 4/7 (57.1%) for 38pts (+534.4%) in handicaps
  • 4/7 (57.1%) for 11.7pts (+167.4%) at evens to 5/1
  • 3/6 (50%) for 33.67pts (+561.2%) on the A/W
  • 2/4 (50%) for 6.17pts (+154.3%) at Class 4
  • 2/2 (100%) for 34.5pts (+1725%) here at Chelmsford
  • 2/3 (66.6%) for 33.28pts (+1116%) with horses wearing a visor
  • 2/2 (100%) for 34.5pts (+1725%) here at Chelmsford
  • and 2/2 (100%) for 5.41pts (+270.3%) over 1m

...giving us...a 1pt win bet on Strawberry Jack @ 5/2 BOG as was offered by SkyBet & Unibet at 8.10am Saturday morning (but please check your BOG status first). To see what your preferred bookie is quoting...

...click here for the betting on the 7.15 Chelmsford

Don't forget, we offer a full interactive racecard service every day!

REMINDER: THERE IS NO STAT OF THE DAY ON SUNDAYS

Here is today's racecard

P.S. all P/L returns quoted in the stats above are to Betfair SP, as I NEVER bet to ISP and neither should you. I always use BOG bookies for SotD, wherever possible, but I use BFSP for the stats as it is the nearest approximation I can give, so I actually expect to beat the returns I use to support my picks. If that's unclear, please ask!