Tuesday was a bit frustrating with a number of near misses from the flat list to follow. Degas Art (2nd 14/1), Obe Brave (2nd 12/1), Giganticus (3rd 5/1). I did feature Speciosa though and the filly won at 9/1.
I am trying to cover the two year old races in more depth than last season. There is an interesting newcomer in the 2.00 in Fairfield Princess. Trained by Neville Callaghan this one looks worth keeping an eye on. Should stay further than this 5 furlongs in time.
In the 3 year old maiden at 3.45 Edaara sets the standard. This filly was placed in both her starts last season and is highly regarded by connections. The other one I like is Illumise, from Ed Dunlop’s stable, who showed promise on her only run last season.
I was impressed with Indian Trail when he won a decent handicap here beating Baltic King last season. He has now moved to sprint king Dandy Nicholls and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t win a race or two this term. He is 14/1 in the Racing Post for the 4.20. He is on a career high mark though so will need to find some improvement.
The Wood Ditton Stakes is for unraced 3 year olds so is largely guesswork. It is split into 2 divisions and the first race, at 4.55 features Archiestown, who has been the subject of some good reports.
In the 2nd division at 5.25 I will be watching out for Petrovitch who cost 150,000 gns and is well related.
At Beverley we have King’s Gait in the 3.55. His form last season has a solid look about it and his recent third at Southwell should have put him spot on. He is not particularly well drawn however and may prefer more cut in the ground.
We have a list horse in the 2.55 at Cheltenham with dual course winner Fork Lightning. He has put in some reasonable efforts this season without winning. The ground should suit and he does not seem unreasonably handicapped.
If you try hard enough you can drum up a chance for Cornish Sett in the 3.30. Monkerhostin has had a very hard season, Our Vic is inconsistent and prone to the odd stinker, Le Roi Miguel failed to get round in the Grand National and all the others are out of the handicap. A bit tenuous? Jumps well though, has R Walsh in the saddle and could go close.
Alan King trains Fork Lightning and he is also responsible for our list horse in the 4.05. Penzance has struggled a bit this season as winners of the Triumph Hurdle sometimes do in the following season. He is stepped up in trip here and it will be interesting to see if that works or not.
Alderburn and Lough Derg are runners from the list to follow in a tricky looking race at 4.40. I see that 2 tipsters go for Alderburn and 1 for Lough Derg. Good luck
ahorse 