Decent meetings both on the flat and over the sticks tomorrow. Starting at Beverley there is a competitive sprint handicap at Beverley at 3.30. How’s She Cuttin’ won 3 times last season and is sure to attract some support. She is 6 lbs higher than her highest winning mark however and 4 of her career wins have come at Musselburgh where she is a bit of a course specialist. It might pay to wait for her to drop a few pounds in the handicap and catch her on a visit to Scotland! Melalchrist is a course and distance winner and is respected – particularly if the ground were to ride soft. Wyatt Earp has dropped to a fair mark and is worth keeping an eye on this season but he is best on fast ground. Fire up the Band comes here on the back of a couple of wins but this race looks tougher. John Quinn saddles both Dig Deep and Caribbean Coral. He has possibilities as he looks another on a winnable mark. I am tempted to go for the veteran Caribbean Coral who is on my list to follow this year but he does seem to show his best form on sharp tracks and Beverley may not be ideal for him. Tough one this but at a working man’s price Dig Deep could be an each way proposition.
A safer bet could be Mark Johnston’s William Blake in the 4.30. This full brother to Into the Dark has won twice on the all weather this year and there may well be more to come.
In the 5.05 I had a look at Rossini’s Dancer from the Richard Fahey yard. This one has shown some ability but has been running off rather a harsh mark. A 3 lbs drop in the weights should help but the number 1 draw is far from ideal.
The jumpers are in action at Cheltenham where I will concentrate on the horses from my list to follow. In the 2.55 Blue Splash has been dropped 5 lbs in the ratings I see. He is best on heavy ground and for that reason I will pass on him tomorrow.
Abragante has plenty of talent but is not always the most resolute. He won the Badger Ales at Wincanton at the start of the season very easily but is now 10 lbs higher and finding life a bit more difficult. He likes good ground and I also see that he has been dropped in trip. He has an each way chance.
Michael Muck goes in the 4.40 but he has been largely disappointing of late and on jockey bookings does not look to be the stable’s first string.
Our list is represented by Runthatpastmeagain and Commander Vic in the 5.15. This is a very competitive race and while both have some sort of chance there is no particular reason to tip them. It is worth pointing pit though that Runthatpastmeagain has not yet been out of the first 3.
The flat season steps up a gear with the meeting at Newmarket. In the 2.00 there are some interesting newcomers but of those with 2 year old form Savarain looks the pick. He ran with promise on his debut at Newmarket but was then disappointing on soft ground at Newbury.
In the 3.10 Stimulation and Royal Confidence are the two that interest me. Stimulation did little wrong last season ending a 3 race campaign by finishing a close up 2nd in the Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury. Royal Confidence did win over 7 furlongs last season but may just be better at sprint distances.
Infallible was a course and distance winner on her only run last season and looks the one to beat in the 3.45. Quiet Elegance takes her chance here after winning at Leicester last week. She is a half sister to Reverence.
Kandahar Run looked a nice type when winning twice for Henry Cecil last season and is my idea of the winner in the 4.20. There are some promising types in the 4.55 including Skadrak who was only beaten a short head on his only run last season at Ascot.
In the 5.30 I looked at Crystany and Kashimin. Crystany ran some good races last season including a second to Royal Confidence (see above). 6 furlongs looks the ideal trip and this one is respected. Kashimin won his only start last season and looks a good prospect. In time he may be better over further.
Bye for now
ahorse 