Rio de La Plata and Ramonti will get plenty of coverage elsewhere after their stylish wins at Goodwood today so I will give a mention to one of the lesser lights to score this afternoon.
Secret Ploy took the opening handicap, which is one of the longest races on the calendar. He is supposed to be “quirky” but he showed plenty of courage today. He made nearly all, only being headed inside the final furlong by Afrad, but he fought back to win going away. Secret Ploy won the first 3 races of his career in bumpers ridden by Timmy Murphy and has since won over hurdles. It just shows what a versatile trainer Hughie Morrison is, bearing in mind he also trains top sprinter Sakhee’s Secret.
Moving on to tomorrow I see that Luca Cumani has rather pitched Pentatonic in at the deep end in the Group 3 that starts the day at 2.15. She won nicely enough at Folkestone last time out in a handicap but obviously has a lot more to do here. She has enough stamina in her pedigree to suggest that this step up in trip will not be beyond her.
I don’t have any particularly strong views about the 2.50. Tax Free has done well for me over the years and I am reluctant to desert him here. The other runner from our list to follow, Terentia, steps up, from handicap class and looks to have plenty to do. Enticing looks likely to go off favourite.
Gordieland, Finalmente and Allegretto finished 2nd, 4th and 9th respectively behind Yeats in the Ascot Gold Cup. They are my main fancies for the 3.25, probably in that order.
The 4.00 looks a very open race. Hearthstead Maison has proved a profitable horse to follow this season with wins at 25/1 and 9/1. He heads the weights after winning at Newmarket last month over this trip. He gets on well with his talented 3 lbs claimer and looks to have every chance. Halicarnassus has been running in listed and group company. He also drops down in trip after not getting home over further last time. The stable had a nice winner yesterday with Championship Point and this is another for the short list. Proponent was well beaten in the Dante but won both his starts last season. He comes back after a break here and makes his handicap bow. He is difficult to assess but is clearly well thought of and not without a chance. Ladies Best was 3rd to Hearthstead Maison at Newmarket and is weighted to be a lot closer tomorrow. Urban Spirit does not look an easy ride but has ability and won a decent maiden at Newmarket last time despite veering markedly left.
In the 5.05 Top Vision and Politeia who were 7th and 10th respectively in a Newmarket maiden last month should benefit from that experience.
Pacific Pride represents our ist to follow in the 5.40. He has not shown a great deal this season but probably needs fast ground.
In the 3.15 at Nottingham the booking of Kerrin McEvoy for Franchoek looks interesting.
Sagredo looks a comfortable winner at Pontefract on Sunday and should follow up under a penalty in the 3.50.
Duty Free, trained by Hughie Morrison, looks the one to beat in the 8.35 at Sandown. There was much to like about his win at Kempton last time.
See you tomorrow
ahorse 