Well, if you followed yesterday’s selections you would, by and large have had a run for your money. In fact a few actually won!
I overlooked a couple of horses thinking that the ground might not suit them, notably Zaahid in the Victoria Cup, and Cartimandua at Nottingham. The latter could well be capable of winning at a higher grade. There was a sad note to the day’s racing as Geoff Wragg’s Ivy Creek had to be put to sleep after suffering a serious accident. The winner of that race was Spanish Moon who came with a real rattle down the outside. This was only Spanish Moon’s 3rd career start so if he can be kept sound he looks one to follow. Incidentally, he is a half brother to Spanish Sun who won the Ribblesdale a few years back. She only ran 3 times so they seem rather a fragile family.
It was nice to see Reverence get back to winning ways at Haydock where he held off the challenge of the consistent Machinist. There was also some quality jumps racing at Haydock where the two big hurdles races were both won by ex flat horses, Liberate and Blue Bajan.
Racing tomorrow has an international flavour with some important races in Ireland, France and Italy. In the Leopardstown Derby trial at 3.55 we will get the opportunity to assess the Epsom credentials of Washington Irvine, while the 4.25 sees the reappearance of the exciting filly Katiyra. Trained by John Oxx she won her only start last season.
At Longchamp the big race is the 2.50 where Rio de la Plata has his first run of the new season. He is badly drawn though and the stable are not firing yet. I see that Kevin Ryan sends Alexander Castle over for this. He was 5th to Twice Over in the Craven.
It impossible to oppose the unbeaten filly Zarkava in the 3.25 and Modern Look could be the one to chase her home. Finally, the big race in Italy is their Derby at Capannelle where Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Bouguereau looks to have every chance.
ahorse 