The well bred 2 year old Evasive was well backed on his debut at Kempton but after having a bit of trouble loading into the stalls ran rather green. He finished well in third though and should certainly benefit from the experience. He would be my choice in the Newmarket 1.00 in a race where the stable were successful back in 2004 with the enigmatic Rob Roy. Of the unraced horses Halfway House is one to keep an eye on. His dam won the Italian Oaks. Gerard Butler introduces Trojan Reef who is related to several winners and is another newcomer to note.
Bankable has won 4 of his 7 starts over a mile so is certainly one to take seriously over that trip in the 2.05 at Newmarket tomorrow. He has finished 2nd on his last 3 starts but as two of those defeats were to Passage of Time and Raven’s Pass he was hardly disgraced. If he handles the faster ground OK tomorrow he should go well. The other runner from my list to follow in this race is Calming Influence, a winner in listed races at Newmarket and Deauville this season. The stable have won this race for the last 2 seasons and if he settles, he has raced too keenly at times, then Calming Influence would not be without a chance. Bankable is my idea of the likely winner though.
Bushranger showed plenty of speed to land the Prix Morny at Deauville in August and looks the one to beat in the Middle Park Stakes. He fits the profile of recent winners such as Dutch Art, Oasis Dream and Amadeus Wolf in that speed seems to be his strong suit. Finjaan, winner of the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood over 5 furlongs has given the impression that the additional furlong tomorrow would be in his favour and he may give the Irish challenger most to do.
Emirates Roadshow who runs in the 3.45 holds a number of Group 1 entries so appears well thought of by his connections. He was 6th on his debut at Yarmouth and should come on for that run.
There are 4 runners from my list to follow in the 4.20. This race presents plenty of problems to the would be tipster. For example to what extent has Regal Flush recovered the form that saw him finish 4th in the St Leger last year? He has been largely disappointing this season until winning a small race at Salisbury. Now that may have restored his confidence but the overall form of the stable is a concern as is the trip which may be on the short side for the Godolphin horse. Speed Gifted is also difficult to assess. He has had problems in some of his races recently. He had to be re-shod before the start at Longchamps and was then brought down at Chester. His runs in Group company suggest he is up to winning at listed level but he has not always shown a willing attitude. Duncan is the dark horse of the race. He has only had 3 career runs, a couple of 2nds culminating in an impressive runaway victory in a Pontefract maiden over 10 furlongs. He is entitled to improve on what he has done thus far, not least because he is bred to appreciate the extra quarter mile tomorrow, but he does have to improve considerably on his form so far. The fourth runner from my list is Whistledownwind. Only beaten a neck in the Sandown Classic Trial he was then 4th of 6 in a listed race at Goodwood before appearing not to stay in the St Leger.
This is a very tricky little race. Regal Flush should win but I would be reluctant to take short odds. I am inclined to take a chance with the improver, Duncan, as the others all have question marks against them for one reason or another.
Ascot Lime has looked a progressive horse for Sir Michael Stoute and has displayed a willing attitude. He is my selection in the 4.55. The other runner at Newmarket from my list to follow is Stow who has an each way chance in the 5.30.
I have had some success of late following the in form trainer William Haggas and I quite fancy his Silvanus in the 4.10 down at Lingfield.
There is jumping at Hexham where According to Pete makes his chase debut in the 2.50. He was third in handicap hurdles at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last spring and if taking to fences looks an interesting prospect.
Howard Johnson has been among the winners in the last couple of weeks and has a powerful string lined up for the coming months. He runs On Raglan Road in the 3.00 for his main owners Graham and Andrea Wylie. The County Durham trainer paid £320,000 for On Raglan Road who won his only point to point in Ireland and then won a Punchestown bumper on his rules debut. He is bred for the job as his dam is a half sister to Therealbandit and The Bajan Bandit and comes from the family of Andy Pandy.
The 4.30 looks interesting, not least because of the participation of Alfie Flits, a dual listed winner on the flat. Also in this line up we have Solent, an impressive winner at Bangor and Khachaturian from Donald McCain’s stable. Alfie Flits had the class and could be hard to beat.
The Portonian, a half brother to the ill fated Calymore is held in high regard by trainer Malcolm Jefferson and runs in the bumper at 5.40.
Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Karen Davies (see links).
ahorse 