Isle Of Jura (GB) | Horse Racing Free Tips

Box To Box Has Sights Set on Turf Series Bonus Prize

A $40,000 bonus prize is up for grabs when the fifth and final round of the 2023-24 Bahrain Turf Series takes place at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club on Friday, February 16.

The bonus is awarded to the leading points scorer in the middle-distance division which is currently the George Scott-trained Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) with 25 points, ahead of old rival Lucander (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) on 22 points. However, neither horse is eligible to run in the Vision 2030 race (sponsored by Beyon), the final points-scoring opportunity in the middle-distance division, following rises in their handicap ratings.

Ranked third with 18 points, Box To Box (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) therefore has the potential to leapfrog the two horses above him and secure the bonus if he was to win or finish second in the Vision 2030 race. Likewise, Parlando (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) still has a chance of landing the prize having already amassed 13 points, though only a win would be good enough for him to jump to the top of the standings.

Trainer Hugo Palmer said of Box To Box, “He had five long weeks between his second and third runs and as a consequence of him training on the flat terrain and enjoying the sunshine, he did a little too well in the interim. He definitely needed the run last time out. Indeed, beforehand he was heavier than he has ever been for a race but he's lost all that now and is back to where we want him. Getting him back down to his racing weight and the step back up to 2000m will be in his favour.”

In the sprint division, Brazen Bolt (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) holds an unassailable lead on 40 points heading into the final round and is guaranteed the $40,000 bonus, worth $25,000 to the owners and $15,000 to the trainer.

The feature race on Friday's card is the His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup (sponsored by Bapco Energies) in which Isle Of Jura and Lucander are set to go head-to-head for a fourth time this season. Lucander won the 2023 running of the Shaikh Nasser Cup but has found Isla Of Jura too strong in two of their three previous meetings, latterly in the Listed Crown Prince's Cup earlier this month.

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Nine Runners Declared For Crown Prince’s Cup

Three British-trained runners, plus two in the Godolphin blue, feature in a nine-strong field for the Listed Crown Prince's Cup (Sponsored by Cebarco) at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club on Friday, February 2.

Charlie Appleby, who won the race in 2023 with Warren Point (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), saddles a leading contender again this year in the shape of the four-year-old Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was last seen running out an emphatic winner of a handicap at Meydan. His vanquished rivals on that occasion included the same owner's Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who will be back in familiar surroundings in Bahrain as he tries to reverse the form in the Crown Prince's Cup. Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, Passion And Glory was second in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy in 2022 before winning the Listed His Majesty The King's Cup the following year.

The British challenge is made up of three horses who will also be familiar to local racegoers having taken part in the Bahrain Turf Series during the winter. The Ian Williams-trained Duc De Kent (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) has been beaten in his two starts, but Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Lucander (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) have both been among the winners for George Scott and George Baker, respectively. Lucander came out on top by a short head when the pair met most recently, but Isle Of Jura is better off at the weights in the Crown Prince's Cup, leaving Scott optimistic of another bold showing in the familiar colours of His Highness Shaikh Nasser's Victorious Racing.

“Isle Of Jura has not surprised me in terms of how well he has done in Bahrain,” said Scott. “He has really thrived in the conditions and the lovely fast ground was always going to suit him.

“The plan was always to progress from the Bahrain Turf Series to the Cup races and this [2000m] is his distance, so I am very hopeful of a big run. It would mean a great deal to His Highness Shaikh Nasser to win a race as prestigious as the Crown Prince's Cup.”

Rollajam (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) will also sport the silks of Victorious Racing and is one of two runners for leading local trainer Fawzi Nass along with Bahrain Turf Series winner Zagato (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The home defence is completed by Allan Smith's American Flag (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the Jaber Ramadhan-trained Sovereign Spirit (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) on another significant day in the Bahrain racing calendar, with two Bahrain Turf Series races and the Bahrain Derby and Bahrain Oaks also featuring on the card.

The declared runners for the 2024 Crown Prince's Cup can be found here.

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Godolphin Draft Dominates Tattersalls Ascot March Sale

One-time starter Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 64) brought £150,000 from JS Bloodstock and George Scott Racing to top the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale on Wednesday.

The top 14 lots were all part of the Godolphin draft, with Isle Of Jura one of five to break the six-figure barrier. A full-brother to multiple Australian Group 1 winner Cascadian (GB), as well as a half to GI Summer S. hero Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the 3-year-old gelding ran fifth in his only start at Wolverhampton in November. His price marks the most expensive horse-in-training sold at the venue.

Billy Jackson-Stops said of the relative of Classic runner-up Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), “He has been bought for an owner who already has horses with George. He is a big, raw horse with loads of promise. He was green on his first run and he needs some time but he will get that–let's hope he is as good as we want him to be. The mare has been amazing, all her runners have been rated 95+ and she has produced two Group 1 winners.”

Trainer Ian Williams signed for lots 100 and 103, a duo of Dubawi (Ire) geldings in Parlando (GB) and Yantarni (GB), who made £105,000 and £100,000, respectively. The former, out of G3 Sweet Solera S. heroine Discourse (Street Cry {Ire}), has won on turf, and was placed on the all-weather from two runs. Rated 87, he is a full-brother to two stakes winners led by G3 Jebel Ali Mile hero Blown By Wind (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

Bearing more experience, Yantarni is a winner from six runs, with four placed efforts and is rated 89. A full to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Vancouverite (GB), the 4-year-old is also a half-brother to dual Dubaian group winner Khawlah (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), now best known as the dam of G1 Derby victor Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}).

Overseeing G2 Dubai Gold Cup entrant Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) in Dubai, Williams, who was the sale's leading buyer after signing for an octet, said via What's App, “The eight have all been bought on spec–you can't win if you are not in and the first place you need to win is in the sale ring.

“They are all horses who I think will progress–they are nicely bred, have good form and are horses who can go on this summer in Europe and will then suit the Middle East next winter. I inspected the draft at Godolphin, they have been vetted and my assistant Angus Adams was at Ascot overseeing proceedings.”

Rounding out the top four was lot 105, the Sea The Moon (Ger) gelding Mond (Ger). Jamie Osborne signed the ticket on behalf of Pardus Wealth Stud for £105,000 for the son of Maricel (Ger) (Silvano {Ger}). A winner at Deauville on the all-weather, the 5-year-old gelding ran fifth in both the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange and in the Listed Prix Nureyev last year.

“He has a fair amount of ability and has been bought for Greg and Lauren Bryce, who have horses with me and are keen to collect some horses who could potentially go to some nice meetings in Europe and run internationally,” said Osborne.

“Hopefully, we can get him right and have some fun. We had vettings done in the week; this horse was our number one pick and we are delighted to get him.”

TJ Kent shelled out £100,000 for lot 104, the winner Cosmic Desert (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The first foal out of listed winner Blossomtime (GB) (Shamardal), the bay gelding is from the same clan as Group 1 winner Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and is rated 91.

At the close of trade, the gross more than doubled to £1,661,100. The average rose 71% to £17,485, and the median increased 140% to £6,500. The clearance rate also rose by 6% to a sparkling 90% for 95 sold from 106 offered.

Matt Prior, Tattersalls Head of Sales, said, “Our thanks must go to Godolphin for sending such a superb draft of horses to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale. All horses looked in great order and were a credit to the team; we are delighted that owners and trainers responded so well to the opportunity.”

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