I had hopes for the horses on my list to follow today but apart from Alexandrova and Glistening they were largely disappointing. The 2 year olds featured on the site have been doing OK lately and Conquest won the Gimcrack on his trainers 46th birthday, while Inflight won the opener at Kempton this evening.
Turning to Thursday York starts with the St Leger Yearling Stakes at 1.45. Six of the last 8 winners started at 9/1 or bigger so this may well go to an outsider. Dazed and Amazed has a couple of wins to his name but is giving weight all round and there are probably better options. He also ran today so probably will turn out to be a non runner. I have been looking around for something at a decent price for this and decided on Fishforcompliments and Lipocco as a couple of possible. For my final selection I will opt for Fishforcompliments who looked to have scope for further improvement when winning a fortnight ago at Haydock and is well drawn.
The Lowther Stakes has been won by some decent fillies in the past including Russian Rhythm in 2002. I don’t have any strong views on this year’s renewal. Once again looking for value I wondered about Indian Ink who may just have been a bit squeezed for room when 4th t Ascot last time.
The Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at 2.50 is difficult to gauge without knowing the state of the ground. There are 3 runners from our list to follow and they all have a chance. Benbaun deserves to win a race having finished runner up in all 4 of his races this season. Moss Vale has done us proud this season winning 3 Group races but ridden by Kieren Fallon on each occasion. He seems to go on any ground but may be better at 6 furlongs. Reverence is an improving sort and won the Temple Stakes at Sandown earlier in the season. He would have a serious chance if the ground is riding soft.
We have 2 list horses in the 3.25 in Lincoln winner Blythe Knight and the disappointing Rohaani. Blythe Knight acts well on soft ground but is not well drawn. There are a few old favourites in this from earlier Russellform lists to follow, notably Zero Tolerance, recent winner Audience and Another Bottle who had a successful time of it last season. Zero Tolerance is a course and distance winner that acts on soft ground and tomorrows jockey Jamie Spencer has won twice on him from 3 rides.
There are also 2 from our list to follow in the 4.00 but I cannot put up a strong case for either Arminius or Mostashaar. The former has shown little this season and has been gelded while Mostashaar has also failed to live up to expectations. Quito and Somnus are a couple of real old warriors that will relish a bit of give in the ground while Dabbers Ridge seems very much on the upgrade. Quito has as good chance as any here I would say.
At Musselburgh Roger Fisher’s Muncaster Castle is dropped to selling class in the 2.35 and looks value at around 7/1. Old Smokin’ Beau should give you a run for your money in the 3.10. Claimer Victoria Behan takes 7 lbs off the top weight.
That is all for tonight folks.
ahorse 