Having been away for a week I have had some catching up to do today looking back at the racing over the last 8 days.
Jim Bolger hasn’t proved too popular with the British Press of late but I don’t suppose he will lose too much sleep over that. I wasn’t convinced that his New Approach would stay the Derby trip but of course he did, winning an epic struggle with Tartan Bearer in the process. Tartan Bearer is a rapidly improving colt though and there are big races to be won with him as the season progresses. Saturday was not a bad day on the tipping front at Epsom, thanks to Conduit (11/8), Lady Gloria (7/1) and Holbeck Ghyll (15/2).
Elsewhere on Saturday Redford gave my list to follow an 8/1 win at Doncaster, ridden by Hayley Turner, while Navajo Joe won the mile maiden at Lingfield justifying favouritism.
Zarkava produced another breathtaking display to win the Prix de Diane on Sunday. She is an outstanding filly and undoubtedly the best of her age group in Europe.
The 10 furlong handicap at Pontefract on Monday saw an intriguing finish between the game galloper Missioner and the talented but perhaps quirky Formation. The latter was finessed home by Jamie Spencer but both will be interesting in future races.
At Redcar on Tuesday Kiwi Bay was an easy winner for Michael Dods. He was not winning out of turn as he has been running well all season. Party in the Park (pictured below) was second.
Patthepainter is a horse I have been keeping tabs on and he came good in first rime blinkers at Beverley on Wednesday. He made most of the running and actually fought back to lead again when headed a furlong out. In the evening meeting at Kempton Unleashed made it 2 from 3 starts and continues to go the right way. The in form Ted Durcan rode the winner. The horse to take out of the race might be General Ting who managed to finish 3rd despite running very green and not steering anything like a straight course.
There are a couple of horses to take out of the maiden at Nottingham on Wednesday over an extended mile. The Barry Hills trained Tourist (pictured below) got up to score a narrow victory. He has plenty of size and scope and there should be more to come. In 5th place I thought that Ascot Lime ran a promising race.
On Thursday Rosa Grace (pictured below) was a deserved winner on the listed race. She met all sorts of trouble in running but when Chris Catlin managed to extricate himself from the pack she picked up well to cut down the consistent Melodramatic.
Friday the 13th was certainly not an unlucky day for my list to follow as Mountain Pride (pictured below) gave me a 20/1 winner, while moving on to Saturday sprinter Corrybrough continues to impress and completed his hat trick at Sandown.
Tonight Majeen represents our list to follow in the 9.15 at Leicester. Certainly in with an each way chance although I am not sure of his ability to handle fast ground.
Tomorrow I see that the lightly raced Swop is in action in the 2.20 at Doncaster. This 5 year old has only had 2 career starts and may be a blot on the handicap.
In the 3.25 Mastership will appreciate the fast ground while Kashimin might be another to consider.
Fantastic Lass may not have taken to the all weather on her last run. She could do better in the 4.00 at Doncaster.
Pictures by kind permission of British 2YO Racing
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