The race that caught my eye this afternoon was the Newmarket 4.40 where Punjabi held off the fast finishing Mad Rush. Both horses look set for a profitable campaign, in particular the runner up who did not get a clear passage.
Moving on to Saturday I will tackle the meetings in the UK in alphabetical order.
With only 7 runners we can perhaps non pay quite so much attention as usual to the draw bias at Beverley in the 2.55. Utmost Respect ran pretty well in the Duke of York Stakes and although he is giving weight to everything else he gets my selection. 5 furlongs on fast ground suit Aegean Dancer but I am not sure that Beverley is necessary his sort of track.
Mr Crystal was an easy winner of a moderate handicap at Newcastle but has gone up 9 lbs as a result. He is only a 4 year old and may still be competitive off his revised mark. He runs in the 4.25.
I had a brief look at the Catterick 3.50. Dig Deep is decent on his day but may need to come down a few pounds. The same might be said of Sir Nod. In the end I decided to leave this one alone.
The 2.05 looks the sort of sprint handicap that we should eb abel to work out. The first thing that struck me about the top weight Indian Trail is that Frankie Dettori has won 2 from 3 on him. He is a course and distance winner and 6 of his 7 wins have come on good to firm. He is on a high enough mark though, as is Green Manalishi, another course and distance winner.
Northern Fling won at Doncaster last month in a race that has worked out pretty well. He seems to act on any ground and although he has gone up in the weights there may be further improvement to come from him. Knot in Wood is a horse I have followed in the last couple of years. I just get the feeling about him that he needs to come down the weights a little before he will win again. When Ebraam gets his favoured conditions, 5 furlongs and fast ground, he is pretty consistent and he is one for the shortlist. Indian Trail, Northern Fling and Ebraam are the 3 that interest me most.
Anna Pavlova who runs in the 2.35 won on this card last season. She is best on soft ground though. Maid to Believe should win races this season and could go well at a price.
Connections had high hopes for Endless Luck but he disappointed at Sandown behind Centennial. He reverts to a mile in the 3.05 and could be a different proposition this time. Tiger Dream was long odds on when winning at Thirsk but made rather hard work of it. Unbreak My Heart won twice last season and then looked a progressive sort when runner up at Sandown in the Esher Cup on his reappearance.
Fleeting Spirit was second to Natagora in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes last season. She is my fancy for the Haydock 3.35.
Cape Vale, a half brother to Moss Vale, was only beaten a head over 6 furlongs at Haydock a couple of weeks ago. He was staying on well at the finish last time and the extra distance may well suit him.
Stimulation was 7th in the 2,000 Guineas and before that had won the Free Handicap, and the second that day has won since. He looks the one to beat in the 2.50 at Newmarket. Calming Influence won his only start last season in a York maiden and looked a decent prospect that day.
In the 4.35 the 3 that interest me are Meydan Dubai, Toto Skyllachy and Glorious Gift. I will give the nod to Meydan Dubai.
Over at The Curragh I have a feeling that New Approach may be able to reverse the Newmarket form with Henrythenavigator, while Jupiter Pluvius could spring a surprise.
Pictures are by kind permission of Lisa Miller – Equestrian Art (see links)
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