There are some old favourites in action in the Doncaster 3.25 including Pawan and Somnus. Pawan has been in fine form for trainer/jockey Ann Stokell and thoroughly deserved his success at Warwick recently. Somnus was a great servant for Tim Easterby, winning 3 times at Group 1 level. He has his first run for his new trainer John Quinn tomorrow. He has been off the track for 280 days so will probably need the run. His best form has been with cut in the ground. My selection for this race is Floristry who ended her 2 year old campaign with a hat trick of wins. This course and distance winner has been off the track for 280 days as well but comes from a stable that can get one ready first time up, and as a 3 year old has more scope for improvement than some of her older rivals.
Peruvian Prince has a good handicap in him somewhere. He is just creeping down the weights a little and I would give him a reasonable chance in the 4.00.
Sortita was a beaten favourite on her last run when 3rd behind Savarain in a Goodwood maiden. The form of that race has worked out quite well and Sortita can record her first win in the 5.10.
Stow was a winner for my list to follow at Bath back in May and has since run well in third from an unfavourable draw at Sandown. He has only had 6 runs in his life and could be open to further improvement. He has gone up a further 3 pounds for finishing 3rd at Sandown but could still be competitive off his new mark. He looks each way value at around 8/1 in the 2.05 at Goodwood.
Alfathaa and Atlantic Sport represent my list to follow in the 2.40 and both have something to prove. Alfathaa was quite highly tried after winning a Newbury maiden. He was well down the field in the 2,000 Guineas and then wore blinkers on his next couple of starts, finishing runner up in a conditions race at Newmarket on the second of these. He has tended to race a bit keenly but if he is able to settle he would be in with a chance. Atlantic Sport is held in very high regard by his trainer Mick Channon. He started the season well enough with a win at Newbury over 7 furlongs but he was then a costly failure when returning to the Berkshire track. After travelling well he found little in the finish. He is upped in trip to a mile tomorrow and he should have no problem as far as stamina goes. I am prepared to give him another chance and he is the selection.
In the 3.15 the 3 year olds Muthabara and Cape Amber will both need some rain to give them a chance. Passage of Time came back to form when beating Bankable last time out and she would be my choice as long as the ground is no firmer than good. On fast ground the Irish raider Lush Lashes would be interesting.
The draw is likely to play an important part in the Stewards Cup at 3.50. The sprint handicap today was won from stall 13. The top 6 finishers were from stalls 13, 21, 10, 20, 19 & 16. It does seem sensible to ignore those drawn in single figures so I have reduced the field to a short list of 5, Buachaill Dona, Bentong, Northern Fling, Knot in Wood and Barney McGrew. Buachaill Dona is in good from as he comes here on the back of a win at Newcastle. He has done most of his winning over the minimum trip which I suppose is a negative. Bentong is not badly handicapped and his stable has been showing signs of a return to form recently. Six furlongs on firm ground is probably his ideal. Northern Fling has not been at his best since winning on soft ground at Doncaster in April. He was running on over 5 furlongs at Ascot last time out though, he handles any ground and he is a course and distance winner. Knot in Wood has a 3 lbs penalty for his win at Hamilton last month when he just edged out Baby Strange, who ran so well today. He is on a career high mark but is a talented individual and I wouldn’t rule him out. Lastly, Barney McGrew has been one of my fancies for this since he finished and eye catching 4th in the Hamilton race won by Knot in Wood despite the handicap of a bad draw.
Up at Hamilton first time blinkers may do the trick for Astrodome in the 7.35.
The only runner from my list to follow at Newmarket is Fearless Warrior in the 5.45. He has shown bits of form and has been slowly coming down the weights. He has an each way chance.
Up at Thirsk Mike Channon introduces Straight Sets in the maiden at 4.15. This filly is a half sister to the useful Championship Point from the same stable.
There are some decent meetings on Sunday. At Chester Mark Johnston runs Proclaim in the 2.20. He is a half brother to Dhaular Dhar, himself a winner 3 times round the Roodeye. Proclaim should strip fitter for this, his second racecourse appearance and is well drawn.
Impressible is a half sister to the top class sprinter Reverence. She makes her handicap debut in the nursery at 2.50. She will be ridden by David Allan, himself no mean sprinter as he recently won the jockey’s “dash” showing a fair old turn of foot to win easing down!
Reverence himself runs in the 3.25, but is badly drawn and the same can be said of Aahayson. The latter has not run since finishing 5th in a listed race on dirt in Sweden. Last years winner Green Manalishi comes out of stall 2 and looks the one they all have to beat.
The only other runner from my list to follow is Hereford Boy in the Newbury 3.50.
My thanks to Lisa Miller for use of her picture "the final bend" and to Paul Myers-Bennett for the photo of Chester racecourse.
That is about it for tonight, I hope that you find a winner or two over the weekend.
ahorse 