It has been a dire week for my tips over the last few days with the steady stream of losers only matched by the rain outside which has turned the going in the back garden to soft, heavy in places!
Once again there are plenty of meetings over the weekend and with the current weather conditions the going will no doubt continue to play a major part.
I will start tonight’s preview of the weekend racing with the 4.00 at Ascot. Sandbuch had a progressive profile last season and there was much to like about his first run this season when he finished 3rd at Newmarket despite not getting a clear run. The runner up in that race, Halla San was subsequently only beaten a head in the Northumberland Plate so the form looks OK. Sandbuch has shown his best form on fast ground but it was good to soft when he was 3rd at Newmarket so he seems to handle some give in the ground as well. He tackles 2 miles for the first time here and provided he gets the trip, and I think there is a fair chance he will, he should give us a run for our money. Ryan Moore has the ride which is another positive.
There is a runner from my list to follow in the last race on the Ascot card, at 5.45. Hereford Boy has been kept busy running 7 times already this season, winning once, at Folkestone. That win was off a mark of 75 and he runs off 79 tomorrow. He has never won with an “f” in the going description.
The evergreen Blythe Knight (pictured below by courtesy of Tracy Roberts, TurfPix) runs in the Chester 2.25. He is suited by a bit of give in the ground but he has never won at this specialist trip of 7 furlongs. Vanderlin is a course and distance winner but he really needs fast ground. The lightly raced Tasdeer has won on soft ground and along with Welsh Emperor and the Barry Hills trained Captain Marvellous looks worth considering. Army of Angels acts on soft ground but has to overcome a long absence from the track and a wide draw.
Oldjoesaid is my selection in the 3.35 as he has ticks in (almost) all the right boxes. He has only been out of the first 2 twice in 9 career starts; he handles soft ground and comes from a stable bang in form. The only negative is that he is drawn 10 of 10. Unfortunately that is a pretty significant negative.
President Elect remains a maiden after 6 starts but he has put in some decent efforts in defeat. He runs in the 7.40 at Hamilton and as he has come down 4 lbs in the handicap I think he may be able to break his duck.
Merrion Tiger represents my lit to follow in the Nottingham 2.35. Although clearly not a world beater he runs off a very modest mark and has a 7 lbs claimer on board. He has shown some signs of ability and has an each way squeak.
There are a couple of runners that interest me in the 3.40. Fearless Warrior runs over 14 furlongs for the first time and appeals as the type that will improve the further he goes. The other one that I like is General Ting who ran very green indeed last time at Kempton but still managed to finish 3rd and should be much better for the experience.
The York card starts with a very competitive looking handicap at 2.10. Osteopathic Remedy comes into the race in tip top form having run up a sequence of 3 wins, the most recent being in the Carlisle Bell. He is steadily climbing up the weights but he couldn’t be in better form and he handles any ground, so certainly one for any short list. Swop is another interesting runner. Although a 5 year old he has only run 3 times so the handicapper has not got much to go on when assessing him. If he handles the likely soft ground then he must have a great chance.
In the 2.40 Zomerlust will handle the ground and is well drawn. Baby Strange is another with a good draw that should appreciate the going.
The Magnet Cup at 3.15 is as competitive as ever. 8 of the last 10 winners have been drawn in single figures so I am going to concentrate mainly of those with a favourable draw. Ezdiyard, last years winner Charlie Tokyo and Heaven Knows all have form on soft ground. Of those drawn higher Monte Alto and the mud loving Mutajarred make most appeal. Superseus, Flying Clarets (runner up last year) and Championship Point all come into the race on the back of a win which adds spice to the selection process. Four year olds have a good record in the race and for my final selection I am going for Ezdiyard.
Solent is a runner from my list to follow in the 3.50. He should be fitter for a recent run.
With plenty of rain falling in the North West the going looks like being testing at Haydock on Sunday. There are two runners from my list to follow in action, Tudor Prince (3.20) and Kashimin (3.50). The latter ran well over course and distance when only beaten a neck 10 days ago.
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/
A copy of the picture "Unsaddling at York" is included by king permission of the artist Katy Sodeau.
Bye for now
ahorse 