Newmarket Tips: Can Faaraaj give Jarvis a fitting farewell?

Cambridgeshire / Graham Cunningham / 21 September 2011 / Leave a Comment

Michael Jarvis - who passed away on Tuesday

"Anyone who makes a few quid punting this weekend could do a lot worse than throw some of their winnings in the direction of Macmillan or Cancer Relief and raise one final glass to the memory of two men who knew exactly what it meant to treat triumph and disaster just the same."

A sombre atmosphere is guaranteed when the Cambridgeshire meeting starts on Thursday. As HQ pays tribute to Michael Jarvis, who passed away on Tuesday, Graham Cunningham feels that memories of the great trainer might be evoked when Faaraaj lines up for the Somerville Tattersall Stakes.

Farewell to two truly great racing characters

Getting fired up about something as essentially trivial as a horse race isn't easy after a week like this one.

Old men die, we all know that. But when old men who have achieved what Ginger McCain and Michael Jarvis achieved pass away on consecutive days then it's only right that the game takes a back seat.

McCain and Jarvis could hardly have been more different in many ways, the one a bruising heavyweight knockout merchant who never pulled punches and the other a subtle craftsman of a middleweight who compiled a superb record through patience and precision.

But both men were revered for staying true to what they believed in during long and sometimes turbulent training careers and the one thing that unites them both is that they eventually succumbed to cancer.

Yes, cancer. For all that people talk about the disease more openly than they used to this is a subject that too many of us still shy away from through awkwardness and sheer fear.

But it's a fair bet that every single person reading this has either lost someone dear to them through cancer or knows someone who is fighting its ravages at the moment.

Many tributes have been paid and will continue to be paid to Ginger and Michael. But talk, though honourable, doesn't help those who are striving to beat this dread disease.

Someone will find a cure someday.

In the meantime, anyone who makes a few quid punting this weekend could do a lot worse than throw some of their winnings in the direction of Macmillan or Cancer Relief and raise one final glass to the memory of two men who knew exactly what it meant to treat triumph and disaster just the same.

* * *

Farraaj and Crusade the two to focus on

If Fate has any sense of timing the there is only one winner of the Somerville Tattersall Stakes at 15:55.

Farraaj carries the colours of Michael Jarvis's longtime patron Sheikh Ahmed and is trained by his former assistant Roger Varian from the yard where former Jarvis heroes like Rakti, Carroll House and Ameerat all learned their trade.

More importantly, Farraaj is the clear form choice for this Group 3 contest after powering clear of two useful rivals in a Sandown Listed contest just eight days ago.

The Sandown runner-up Tell Dad gave the form a swift boost by landing a valuable Sales race here at Newmarket last weekend and Farraaj looks the sort who will progress again and relish the stiff Newmarket finish. Is he tremendous value at fairly short odds against a clutch of horses who could be open to major progress?

Probably not is the short answer, but Farraaj looks the safe choice here with Crusade nominated as the danger given how well his Curragh win over six is working out.

* * *

Times Up to strike in the Rose Bowl

Three horses catch the eye away from the day's main event and each of the trio appeal for different reasons.

Times Up catches the eye in the 16:30 on the basis that he might just improve again on his first run over two miles.

John Dunlop's gelding has enjoyed a fine season over shorter trips and was probably facing an impossible task trying to give 12lb to Census and Brown Panther at Newbury last time. This looks a more suitable target and the fact that he is related to a very strong stayer in Give Notice suggests this trip could be just what he needs nowadays.

Cill Rialaig appeals in the 15:20 for the simple reason that she holds fine claims at the weights and is highly reliable. Hughie Morrison's mare looked a shade unlucky in France last time but a clear passage here ought to make her hard to beat.

Last but not least this Thursday, a positive word for Kid Suitor in the 14:45. Richard Hannon's colt has created a good impression on both his starts so far and should be an each way price in an open nursery.

Recommended Bets
14:45 Back Kid Suitor each way
15:20 Back Cill Rialaig
16:30 Back Times Up