The main meeting on Friday is at Newbury where the first 3 races are for maiden fillies. I gave Ballyalla a positive write up prior to her debut at Newbury but she could only finish 9th of 13. She started 3rd favourite that day though so must have shown something at home. She lines up in the 1.30 tomorrow and may be worth considering, especially if she attracts market support. Ed Dunlop’s newcomer Demeanor is a half sister to some decent types, such as Sugar Ray and Gaspar Van Wittell. Sharpener made a promising start to her career when 3rd of 8 at Newmarket and looks the pick on form.
Greensward is an interesting debutant in the 2.35. She is a full sister to the smart Firenze and half sister to the sprinter Zidane. The dam won the July Cup and this is a family line I have followed for some years.
Atlantic Sport, who runs in the conditions stakes at 3.40 won over course and distance a couple of weeks ago. That was a muddling race and the form may not be reliable but the horse has only had 3 runs in his career and may have scope for further progress.
Veterans Desert Opal (who is an 8 year old) and Smokin’ Beau (aged 11) were 4th and 5th last time out at Kempton in the “Donkey harness racing here next Wednesday handicap” (catchy title or what!) That race was won by Fairfield Princess who is pregnant! You don’t get such snippets of information on other web sites yoi know. They have both had their moments winning 31 races between them. These two admirable old timers should both be there or thereabouts, while another veteran, the 9 year old Pick up Sticks, who likes the ground like a road, would be interesting on fast ground.
At Nottingham Henry Cecil’s Montbretia looks the likely winner of the 3.50. She was runner up to Clowance on her seasonal reappearance and her conqueror went on to finish 4th in the Oaks.
Hamilton stages a valuable sprint handicap at 8.00. Knot in Wood won this race last season without coming off the bridle. He hasn’t won since but has not been in bad form finishing 4th in the Wokingham 2 runs ago. He is only 3 lbs higher than last year and that extra weight certainly wouldn’t have stopped him that day. He is a major player. Zomerlust is the form horse having won at York on Saturday, for which he has a 6lbs penalty. He must have soft ground so if we get rain he would be a factor but he may have an unfavourable draw. Valery Borzov was in great form earlier in the season but was a bit disappointing on his last run when he may have gone a bit too quick too soon. It is hard to assess the bottom weight Tawzeea. He has won twice this season with both wins coming on good to firm ground. Barney McGrew won on fast ground at Newcastle before disappointing on his return to the same track. The ground might be important to him as well as he seems to be better on fast ground. Pawan could hardly be in better form but he has recently had a bout of colic which you would imagine will have interfered with his training. I will go for Knot in Wood as my selection.
Sin City is a 5 year old but has had injury problems so is quite lightly raced. He has always looked a horse with ability and with his trainer in form he looks worth following in the 8.30.
Sir Mark Prescott does well at Hamilton and he sends a typical 3 year old improver Alteatricis up to Scotland for the 9.00 in search of a hat trick. He is hard to oppose. Trip the Light looks the one most likely to chase him home.
The provocatively named Cute Ass runs in the 7.15. Name apart this one is interesting as she is a half sister to Peruvian Chief. This sprinter had an amazing set of results back in 2002. He won at 12/1 on his 18th outing. The bare facts don’t tell the whole story however. He was 2nd at Newmarket at 33/1, beaten a short head. He was also beaten ¼ length when 14/1, 1 ¼ lengths at 9/1 and was third to Needwood Blade beaten 1 length again at 9/1. Anyway, I digress. Cute Ass has an each way chance in a race where Hoh Mike will take some beating.
Glorious Gift and Albarouche represent my list to follow in the Newmarket 7.50. Albarouche was an expensive yearling and did get off the mark on the all weather last time out. A full sister to Derby runner up Dragon Dancer, Albarouche has only run 3 times and may have some improvement, although she will need to find some to take a hand here. Glorious Gift has been running quite consistently over a mile without winning. He steps up to 10 furlongs here but is not guaranteed to stay. I have slight doubts about both these two so although I hope they run well I am not going top burden them with my selection.
Although Sheer Bluff finished 2nd at Folkestone he did not seem to relish a battle so I am keeping a watching brief on him for the time being. He runs in the maiden at 8.20 where I am going to put forward a couple of unraced horses, Aflaam and Duncan. Both take the eye on pedigree with Aflaam the most likely over this trip at Duncan has more of a stamina laden pedigree.
Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Jane Dunn
Good luck.
ahorse 