This is becoming a daily update on the exploits of Sir Mark Prescott’s 3 year olds. He is having so many winners it is hard to keep tabs on them. After Alambic yesterday afternoon and Warsaw Pact yesterday evening Prince Picasso added to the tally today.
Prince Picasso stayed on well under Seb Sanders and like Alambic, he is another that you could picture going over hurdles. His one disappointing effort was on rain softened ground so perhaps he needs fast ground. I have 6 of Prescott’s 3 year olds on the list to follow and they have been amazingly consistent. Their form figures have been as follows, Phone In 42242, Alambic 621111, El Alamein 136, Prince Picasso 1511, Warsaw 12111, Liberate 4121221. I just think that is an remarkable training performance.
I have been looking back at some videos of this weeks 2 year old races. Stagehand made all in the nursery at Lingfield on Wednesday repelling the challenge of Tudor Prince. Frankie Dettori on the farvourite Tudor Prince looked as though he was just waiting to pounce on the leader but Tudor Prince couldn’t peg back the leader when Dettori asked the questions. Vital Statistics scored a deserved success today at Newbury after the filly had put up some consistent displays in her 4 earlier starts.
Our first list horse in action on Saturday is Sindirana in the 2.40 at Newmarket. This filly won the Lingfield Oaks Trial but the expert opinion is that she wont be good enough here.
Our other runner at HQ is High Reach in the 5.30. This sprinter has not found his best form since changing stables in the “close season” but his 5th to Wyatt Earp last week at York was an improvement on previous efforts.
Balthazaar’s Gift (Newbury 2.25) has been running really well without winning. He just failed to catch Les Arcs at Royal Ascot and of course the winner has franked the form in no uncertain terms since. Baltic King could be the main danger as he will have the fast ground that he thrives on. Eisteddfod will be one that is unlikely to be suited by the ground. Balthazaar’s Gift has just moved from Kevin Ryan to jumps trainer Tom George which is rather a strange one.
Mark Johnston’s Drumfire (4.00) won well on his debut at Beverley last month and should go well. There are good reports about the newcomer Striving Storm.
In the 4.35 Khyber Kim has the lowest rating of the 5 runners but showed enough promise in 3 races lasts season to warrant respect. His form has been with ease in the ground though so it remains to be seen if he handles thee quicker surface.
In the 5.10 Coup D’Etat may be close to his winning turn. He was squeezed for room when 3rd at Sandown last week.
As long as all 8 runners hold their ground I will tip The Italian Job each way in the 6.40 at Haydock. He was disappointing at Ripon last week when he may not have handled the track.
In the 7.10 Fishforcompliments runs for trainer Richard Fahey who has a good record in this race.
My main fancy at Lingfield is Kings Bastion in the 6.50.
I had Yes Sir on my jumps list to follow in the winter but he was a disappointment. He has rattled off a five timer in the summer jumps races though and with AP McCoy in the saddle he is my tip for the big chase at Market Rasen (3.45)
Strangest runner of the day is surely River City who makes his flat handicap debut in the 4.55 at Newmarket. He won a grade 2 steeplechase in April! He is fancied at Newmarket and it would not surprise me if he won.
I will be back tomorrow evening. Be Lucky.
ahorse 