With the first UK classics of the season the flat finally replaces national hunt racing tomorrow. For tonight’s preview the starting point has to be Newmarket and the 2,000 Guineas. Of the horses that have taken part on the various trials already this season Delegator has been the most impressive. He was held up in the Craven over course and distance and quickened away from his field nicely. He sets the standard. Cityscape (pictured below) is an attractive colt who put up a taking performance when runner up in the Greenham. He will be fitter tomorrow and will also appreciate the step back up to a mile.
I am not convinced that Finjaan is a miler and I would rather think that 7 furlongs will turn out to be his trip. Evasive won his last two starts as a juvenile and has apparently wintered well. He certainly comes into the picture although he has had a couple of training setbacks according to reports. On Our Way is probably better than the bare form of his 4th in the Fielden Stakes last month but he has a fair bit to find with the main contenders on the book. Monitor Closely was 2nd in a valuable sales race over 10 furlongs at Newmarket last month so stamina is not a problem although he is another that would need to find some improvement. Sea the Stars is a half brother to Derby winner Galileo and landed the Beresford Stakes at The Curragh last season. I know it is rather a boring selection but I have to go with Rip Van Winkle in this, probably at the expense of Sea the Stars and Delegator. The stable have won the race 3 times in the last 4 years and the horse probably has greater potential than his rivals.
The Palace House Stakes at 3.45 sees the return of that great old warrior Borderlescott. He has won first time out in two of the last 3 seasons and I would again hope for a big run from him. Dandy Man is one to consider if the ground is riding fast while Judge ‘n Jury steps up, from handicap company and is an interesting runner, although more give in the ground would improve his chance while Chief Editor and Amour Propre are others with big chances. Borderlescott gets my vote though with Dandy Man and Amour Propre another that will love the ground the main dangers.
Palavicini and Our Old Pal both failed to live up to the promise they had shown last season when 4th and 5th respectively at Newbury a fortnight ago. It is much too soon to write the pair off and I will eb interested to see how they perform in the 4.55 tomorrow. For my selection though I am going for Spring of Fame. A winner twice on the all weather last year he lost nothing in defeat when a fast finishing 2nd at Kempton recently.
The big race at Thirsk is the Thirsk Hunt Cup at 4.15. With track and going in his favour Majuro should give us a run for our money in this and looks value at around 8/1. Dig Deep looks well handicapped at the moment and there should be a nice race in him before too long. He runs in the 4.50 but the form of the stable would be a slight concern. Last season’s winner Blazing Heights and the evergreen Bo McGinty are others to consider.
At Goodwood I would keep an eye on Mabuya. This colt showed a bit of promise last season in a couple of maidens and runs in the 5.15 tomorrow. After this run he will qualify for handicaps.
There is certainly no shortage of arcing tomorrow and there is an evening card at Doncaster. Cape Vale won on his first 2 starts as a juvenile but has not troubled the judge since. A half brother to Moss Vale I feel that there is more to come from him and he should be picking up some decent sprint prizes during this season. He runs in the 7.15 tomorrow. The 7.50 is an interesting little race. Border Patrol won on soft ground at Newbury on his seasonal reappearance e and looks a nice colt. That win was over a mile though and he drops back to 7 furlongs tomorrow. As he may also find the ground a bit too lively I will pass him by on this occasion. If the ground rides on the fast side as is expected then I would be interested in War Native who is a talented sort capable of better than he has shown on his last couple of starts.
Hawk Mountain, who is partly owned by Nick Luck, was a model of consistency last season. He looks one to consider in the 8.20. The other one that catches my eye in this race is Dansimar, trained by Venetia Williams, better known of course for her national hunt horses. Dansimar is on a mark of only 61 and hasn’t raced on the level for ages but his form over hurdles has been far superior and he might just be a blot on the handicap. He may need some give in the ground though so keep that in mind.
The Punchestown card looks pretty difficult. My thoughts are as follows; 1.45 Oscar Rebel and Shirley Casper; 3.30 Nenuphar Collonges: 4.05 Taravada and Smoking Aces.
Good luck
The photograph of Cityscape is by courtesy of British 2YO Racing. The top picture (parade ring at Thirsk) is by Ruth Buchanan and the second picture “The mile start at Goodwood” by Sarah Aspinall. My thanks to both artists for allowing me to use their work.
ahorse 