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The Top Four Year Olds to Look Out For in 2011
02/03/11

With the 2011 Flat season fast approaching, thoughts are turning to horse to follow for the forthcoming campaign. In recent years, there is a trend emerging towards keeping top class horses in training beyond three years old and as a result it is time to take a look at some of those who thrilled us last year and have been kept away from heading to stud for at least another year and should contest the leading Group races for older horses over the coming months.

 

Workforce

Workforce
Workforce

Easily the biggest name ahead of the new season, Workforce, who won both the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year will be looking for a repeat of his Longchamp success as his main target for the season. His trainer, Sir Michael Stoute has deliberately only lightly raced the colt who has had only five career starts to date. For many, it is still a mystery how he ran so poorly in the King George at Ascot, finishing 17 lengths adrift of stablemate Harbinger when, after winning the Derby six weeks earlier and 10 weeks before his incredible ‘Arc’ victory. However, forgetting the one blip in his form, this Colt is certainly the one to beat and expect him to go for the Coronation Cup, King Geroge VI & Queen Elizabeth stakes before once again heading to Longchamp.

 

Cape Blanco

Many flat racing fans expressed surprise when Aidan O’Brien kept Cape Blanco in training following his poor run in the Arc de Triomphe but the 2010 Irish Derby and Irish Champions Stakes winner is an extremely good horse on his day but whether he will improve enough as a four year old is open to doubt but if he is and any success this season will seriously enhance his value at stud in the future.

Many question marks were raised when he defeated stablemate, Rip van Winkle, and English Champion Stakes winner, Twice Over, in the Irish Champions Stakes last season but he won that race by over five lengths after setting the pace from the start and became a win that earned jockey Seamus Heffernan high praise from O’Brien. It’s likely that 1m 2 furlongs is his favoured trip and targets are likely to include the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot and Eclipse before making any further decisions.

 

Canford Cliffs
© racing-images.co.uk

Canford Cliffs
Canford Cliffs

Trainer Richard Hannon has gambled on the fact that his star miler, Canford Cliffs, can improve as a four year old and bring in plenty of prize money. There is absolutely no reason why not based on his performances in the Irish 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes looked sensational at times and earned an official rating of 127 just a pound behind Workforce. Hannon has confirmed that the horse will be a bigger and better as a four year old and will have the top mile events in his sights including the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury as his first priority with the major target for the season being the Breeders Cup.

 

Dick Turpin
© racing-images.co.uk

Dick Turpin
Dick Turpin

Stablemate of Canford Cliffs and another great miler, Dick Turpin, has an official rating of 124 and has been kept in training to add strength to the stable’s intention of aiming for the big prizes over a mile. His last run he was a very creditable third behind Goldikova and now retired stablemate, Paco Boy in the Prix De La Floret on Arc day. Hannon has said that like Canford Cliffs he has improved enormously as a four year old and a big season is expected but may have to settle for less valuable events with Canford Cliffs the Hannon yard’s flag bearer.

 

St Nicholas Abbey

It was a big surprise to everybody when Aidan O’Brien announced that his champion two year old from 2009, St Nicholas Abbey would be kept in training as a four year old. The horse who at one time had been a hot favourite for both the 2000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby has not been seen on course since disappointing in his only start as a three year old in the 2,000 Guineas

According to reports from Ballydoyle, the Colt has come on very well after a series of setbacks and he is likely to be seen next in a Listed or Group Three in Ireland early season and whilst a lot of hope will be pinned on to his wellbeing early on in 2011, it would be no surprise to see him emerge as a serious threat over middle distances and the 33/1 about winning the Arc may not be around too long if he finally realises the hype.

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