{mos_sb_discuss:2}
I am on a pretty unsuccessful run at the moment, with a lot of the horses from the list to follow getting in the frame but not too many winning.
The highlight on Saturday is the Eclipse meeting at Sandown.
The Group 3 sprint that starts the Sandown card at 2.05 has a couple from the list to follow in Reverence and the unlucky Benbaun. Reverence won the Temple Stakes here in May but all his career wins have been when there was some juice in the ground. Benbaun has been runner up in his last 3 outings, is a course and distance winner and acts on fast ground. He would seem the most likely of our pair on this occasion.
We also have two runners in the 2.35. Hinterland is already a winner this season and last time out was 4th in the Royal Hunt Cup, albeit from a favourable draw. My Paris is running off a mark of 101 and his highest winning mark is 98. He might need a bit of help from the handicapper before he wins again. By the way he is a half brother to My Line who was a winner on the flat and over hurdles and was (perhaps still is) trained by the Reveleys.
Ouija Board will be a popular winner in the Eclipse itself at 3.15. The main hope from our list to follow is David Junior. Although he was well beaten by Ouija Board at Royal Ascot there was no pace on that day and a stronger gallop should see Brian Meehan’s colt in a better light. Our other lister is Aussie Rules who won the French 2,000 guineas. Johnny Murtagh takes over from Kieren Fallon and although the horse has it to do on the book Aiden O’Brien runners always command respect.
The 3.20 at Beverley has some old familiar faces. Caribbean Coral won the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom in 2004 but has not won for over 2 years now. Of his 5 career wins 2 have come at 20/1 and he is one of those sprinters that will probably pop up somewhere when no one is looking. Likes fast ground. Trojan Flight is another on a long losing runn. His cause will not be helped by a low draw here. Bo McGinty won last time out and his stable is in form. He also has a good draw but to be honest is not one that can be relied upon completely.
There is an interesting card at Haydock where we have 2 listers in the 2.20. Peppertree Lane has already won twice this season but has been rather disappointing on his last 2 runs. His wins have come at a mile on soft ground and he is upped in trip here on faster ground. Futun is a lightly raced type and just the sort that his trainer does well with. He won a 10 furlong maiden at Leicester and should stay this trip OK.
Allegretto and Innocent Air are our duo in the Lancashire Oaks at 2.50. Allegretto won a maiden at Chepstow and would need considerable improvement to win this. But she is very well bred and comes from a stable that must always be respected. Innocent Air is John Gosden’s runner. He has won this race twice in the last 3 years. Innocent Air won a listed race at Newbury last season but disappointed this season on her reappearance on softish ground. May well do better this time.
The Old Newton Cup is one of the oldest races on the calendar. The list to follow is well represented with Signatory, Thunder Rock, Prince of Light, Consular and Ouininpohja. This is a very hot race indeed with Signatory just getting my vote over Thunder Rock. Ouninpohja has been second on all three runs this season and has been unlucky on a couple of occasions. He has a lot of weight to carry in this however and that is what just puts me off. Consular has been running well but seems just short of what is required to win here.
Indian Trail was a winner for the list to follow last week and seeks to follow up in the 4.05. Somnus is the likely danger if he can show his best form on a surface he probably does not enjoy.
We have 3 listers in the 4.35. Ryedale Ovation is yet to open his account this term and may just be a little high in the weights. I have just about given up on King Orchisios who has let me down a number of times this season. I suppose first time cheekpieces may do the trick but I don’t think I am going to bet on it. My tip goes to the 3rd of our list runners, Burning Incense who won in good style at Windsor. Further improvement seems likely and he will do for me.
Harrison’s Flyer represents the list to follow in the 5.10. He showed a return to better form last time when staying on well enough in 3rd at Newbury. He is best suited by big fields and he is well handicapped at the moment. Although he has top weight he has proved a good weight carrier in the past. In with a shout and rain would help his cause further.
At Leicester we have Kerriemuir Lass in the 4.10. This one has been second on both outings this season. She may lack a bit of toe so the fact that she is upped in distance may help. Very quick ground would be a negative.
It has not been a vintage year for our list to follow. One of those that is yet to win is James Fanshawe’s Sweet Emily. She won over course and distance last season though and is expected to put up a better showing.
In the 7.45 at Nottingham Conquest is the clear form pick. He obviously has bags of ability but does not quite seem to have the application to match. This should be a penalty kick for him but as we know they can sometimes be missed. Castano ran a pleasing enough race in 3rd on his debut and is the likely one to benefit should the favourite flop.
That is all for now. I will be back tomorrow evening.
ahorse 