I’ll start tonight’s preview at Newmarket and the listed race at 1.30. There are two runners from our list to follow, Unleashed, representing last season’s winning trainer Henry Cecil, and Wood Chorus, who is yet to be out of the first 3 in her career. Unleashed won a couple of races on the all weather before finishing down the field in the Queen’s Vase. Of the two I slightly prefer Wood Chorus as she comes from an in form stable and has shown a liking for cut in the ground. She has an each way chance.
Richard Hannon’s Prolific was 3rd in the Royal Ascot Norfolk Stakes and is likely to start favourite in the 2.00. Sayif, by first season sire Kheylef, is well thought of at home and could give the favourite most to do.
There are 4 from my list to follow in the 2.35. Dr Faustus was a winner at Newmarket on his first start this season but made no show when upped in class at Ascot behind Collection. He was 2nd to Spacious in a maiden last season with Redford in 4th which looks good form. He probably handles any ground but he does have a lot of weight. Age of Reason ran well behind Unefer at Newmarket in May and can be forgiven his last run at Ascot as the ground was probably too firm for him. Lazy Days has shown plenty of promise in his 4 starts He was 5th in the Britannia Stakes at Ascot despite running on ground that may have been too fast for him. He had earlier beaten Missioner a length at Yarmouth and the Mark Johnston colt is now 4 lbs better off. Missioner was well beaten at Ascot last time when stepped up to 12 furlongs. Back to a mile and a quarter here should see him more competitive. Age of Reason and Lazy Days would be my each way fancies.
In the 3.10 Anna Pavlova is proven on the ground and looks the percentage bet. St Leger winner Lucarno has yet to win with a “s” in the going description, something which can be said for a few in this field. Sagara was good enough to finish 3rd in an Arc and if returning to his best would be a major contender.
Alfathaar (4.20) was 6th behind Collection at Ascot last month in first time blinkers. He seems to handle the ground and his stable is going well so he should be in with a shout. Whitcombe Minister was a decent 4th in a listed race behind Bankable at Goodwood, handles soft ground and could run well at a working man’s price.
Northern Dare was 2nd in a big field handicap at The Curragh on his last run, he has won on good to firm and heavy ground. He is my selection in the 4.55.
If we get enough rain at Doncaster I would fancy Charles Parnell in the 9.10.
I put Sheer Bluff on my list to follow on the basis of a promising effort in a hot maiden won by Rio De La Plata last season. He started this season well enough finishing 2nd in a handicap at Great Leighs but he has done very little to encourage his supporters in his last 2 races. He runs off a mark of 71 which would put him in with a shout in the Folkestone 2.45 on some parts of his form.
At Nottingham Bollin Felix would take the beating in the 7.25. at Nottingham if the ground rides on the soft side. Yossi and Apache Fort would be others to consider.
Caribbean Coral continues to run well at the age of 9 and seems to act on any going. He has been dropped in the ratings a bit which might give him a squeak in the Warwick 2.55.
Dan Chillingworth makes his handicap debut in the 4.40 at Warwick. James Fanshawe does well with this type of horse and a good run is expected.
You may have noticed that I like to illustrate these pages with the works of equestrian artists. If you are interested there is a big exhibition of equestrian art coming up in London next week. See the link below.
http://www.equestrianartists.co.uk/
Bye for now
The picture of the unsaddling area at Newmarket is by courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.
ahorse 