The French 2000 Guineas looked under threat from the PMU strike but things did eventually get going at Longchamp where one of our list to follow, Aussie Rules, won for Aiden O’Brien at 4/1.
There are two runners from the in action on Monday as well as a couple of 2 year old races that might give some pointers to the future.
My best shot of the day is probably Prince Picasso in the 5.20 up at Redcar. This looks like a typical Sir Mark Prescott 3 year old “improver.” He ran away with a handicap at Yarmouth last week and a 6 lbs penalty seems unlikely to stop him scoring again.
I put Snark on the list to follow on the back of his win on the AW at Lingfield in November. He was quite disappointing on his seasonal reappearance at Windsor recently though and has something to prove now. He has dropped 3 lbs in the handicap though and I am hoping he puts in a better run this time. His stable are going fairly well at present.
There are a couple of juveniles making their debuts in the 2.20 at Redcar that could be worth a close look. Sophie’s Dream, trained by James Given, is out of a dam that was placed at 2 at this track. He is a first foal and is by Warning who has got winners at a variety of trips. On this occasion I prefer High Style of Richard Hannon’s. This trainer has an excellent strike rate with his 2 year olds and this one is a half brother to Godsend who was a winner at 2years old.
The opener at Windsor in the evening (6.00) has some interesting types as well. Cappanina is a half sister to 5 winners and based on that she is one to keep an eye on. Hoh Mike has the benefit of a previous run. He made a pleasing start to his career when 2nd here at Windsor last month and I fancy him to go one better in this.
The race that caught my eye from a betting point of view was the claimer at Redcar at 4.50. Million Percent has been in fair form of late. He won at Wolverhampton on May 8th and has since finished second in an amateur rider’s race when he hung across the track which didn’t aid his cause. He goes well for the apprentice that rides him here and he has also got a good record in small fields. He might not be far away but the two I prefer are CD Europe and Further Outlook. Further Outlook is a 12 year old now but has a recent win to his name. He normally shows his best with some give in the ground which is why I am inclined to oppose him. CD Europe won the Group 3 Coventry Stakes back in 2000 but has dropped down the scale a fait bit since those days. He won here over 7 furlongs earlier in the month and I fancy him to go in again.
See you tomorrow.
ahorse 