The last few days have been remarkable, not only for the number of my losing selections, but for the number that have actually finished last! The only way is up?
With 6 flat meetings tomorrow there is plenty for the punter to go at – in fact there are more meetings than we seem to get on bank holiday Mondays nowadays.
The Newmarket 1.30 involves one runner from my list to follow, Throne of Power, who won at Doncaster in May before finishing down the field in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. He is now rated 95 having been raised 10 lbs for the Doncaster win and that may just make life a little difficult for him. The other two that I thought about for this were Perks, who created a good impression earlier in the season, and Unbreak my Heart. Perks was a 20/1 winner at Doncaster in April and was a good 3rd at Newmarket after that. He was also down the field in the Britannia. The secret to Unbreak my Heart may well be the ground as his better runs have come on rain softened going. These would be my 3 against the field.
In the 2.35 Mine looks to win the Bunbury Cup for the 4th time at the age of 10. He probably goes on any ground but has his best form on good to firm. Course and distance clearly suit him rather well! Smart Enough has been out of form but is capable on his day as shown by a 5th in the Cambridgeshire off a mark 2 lbs higher than his current one. Diamond Tycoon’s only career win so far was in a Newbury maiden last season when he beat Locano who of course has gone on to much better things. Dhaular Dhar has been in great form this season following up a win at Doncaster with a close second at Royal Ascot. He has gone up the weights as a result of recent successes though. He wants softish ground.
Zaahid won the Victoria Cup at Ascot off a mark of 92 and has gone up 6 lbs for that. Although he won on fast ground that day he is probably better with some give. John Quinn’s Mastership comes here on the back of a promising second at Doncaster. That was over 6 furlongs which may be his best trip although he has won over 9 furlongs. He has a chance here but may be best on fast ground. Artimino was 4th in last season’s Britannia Stakes and had a wind op over the winter. He was an encouraging 3rd behind Dhaular Dhar on his seasonal reappearance and is certainly one for the short list. Zaahid gets my selection in front of Artimino and Mastership.
The 3.10 looks interesting. Utmost Respect won a Group 3 at Newcastle on his last run where the runner up, Zidane, was perhaps a little unlucky as he was travelling well when his run was blocked. Utmost Respect is at his best on soft ground in fact he has never one with an “f” in the going description. Jamie Spencer would presumably have had the option of riding Zidane but has chosen the other Fanshawe runner Sir Gerry instead. That seems significant. Sir Gerry was 3rd to Kingsgate Native in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot where a number of others in this race were in the shake up, notably War Artist and US Ranger. Three year olds have won this 4 times in the past 10 years and I am going to take Kingsgate Native to continue the trend.
Ann Duffield sends the consistent Just Lille (pictured below) to Ascot for the 3.00.
Just Lille has been an excellent servant for connections winning 7 races and cannot be ruled out here. All her best form has been on fast going and if getting her ground could well make the long journey South pay off.. William Blake won his first 3 starts but has come down to earth somewhat since then and has been off form on last couple of starts and it may be that the handicapper has his measure. Formation won at Pontefract beating Missioner, who has not exactly franked the form since. Formation hardly came off the bridle on that occasion but does look at though he needs a bit of coaxing along. He almost certainly has the ability to win this if he has the application to match his talent.
Roaring Forte created a very good impression on his 2 starts as a juvenile and does not look on a bad mark for his handicap debut in the Ascot 3.35 tomorrow.
I had Oceana Gold down as a likely big handicap winner this season but he has not lived up to expectations. I see that he is fitted with first time blinkers for the Ascot 4.45 tomorrow.
My regulars will know that I have been following Tudor Prince this season, without any financial reward I must add. He is not getting much respite from the handicapper unfortunately and he may need to go down the weights a bit before he can get his head in front. He runs in the 8.05 at Chepstow.
Regal Step showed plenty of dash last season winning on his racecourse debut at Nottingham. He has failed to build on that promise though and I see he has a first time visor in the Chester 7.45.
Fujin Dancer was generally adjudged an unlucky loser when 2nd at Hamilton last time and he looks to make amends in the Chester 8.50.
Triple Cee made a promising debut when 3rd to a decent juvenile of Henry Cecils and she may well go one better tomorrow in the 6.20 at Newbury. A newcomer to note is Ballyalla a filly that has been the subject of some encouraging reports.
Kiwi Bay represents my list to follow in the York 3.20. He slammed a moderate field at Redcar last time beating Party in the Park by 5 lengths. A 10 lbs rise in the weighs seems a bit harsh for that but he looks a progressive sort and runs against mainly exposed types here so cannot be written off.
Birkside has only been out of the first 4 once in his last 17 races, quite an amazing achievement. He is not surprisingly on a career high mark but he may still be able to hold his own in the 3.55.Strategic Mount would be interesting if getting fast ground while Black Rock is another I like in this.
West with the Wind represents my list to follow in the 4.30. He is still a maiden and need to put a disappointing effort at Newbury behind him but he tries a longer trip which may bring about some improvement.
That will do for tonight I think.
Pictures of Chepstow and the pre parade ring at Newbury are by courtesy of Lisa Miller.
Photo of Just Lille by courtesy of Ann Duffield racing.
ahorse 