With plenty of rain about the going at many tracks around the country is likely to change and we need to factor that into any selections over the weekend.
Starting with Haydock’s evening card Huntdown looks the obvious choice in the 8.10. If the heavens were to really open though last year’s winner Welsh Emperor would warrant serious consideration. Of his 12 career wins 7 have been on either soft or heavy ground.
Sir Mark Prescott’s team are starting to hit form and his Speed Dating would be my selection in the 9.10. He should handle some cut in the ground and the stable had a winner and a second today.
I would normally be interested in Palace Moon in the Newbury 2.20 but soft ground could be a problem as he has done his winning on good to firm.
The big race at Newbury is the Super Sprint at 3.25. My original each way fancy for this was Star Rover but his form is on fast ground. I suppose the same could be said of Archer’s Road (pictured below) but he is very tough and may be able to handle the going. The other one I like on the Newbury card is Dar Es Salaam in the 4.30.
I am keen on Splashdown (aptly named) in the Newmarket 2.35. She battled well to get the better of Apple Charlotte in a listed race at Newbury on her last start and there is every chance that she will be even better over the extended trip tomorrow.
There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in the 3.05, Sovereign Remedy and Bravo Echo. I think that Sunshine Always, a close second at Newcastle last time of soft ground may be too good for both of them.
Filligree runs in the 3.35 at Newmarket in preference to a couple of other engagements. She ran a cracker when 2nd at Folkestone despite losing a shoe. The concern would be that her form is all on firm ground.
In the 4.10 Paisley makes a belated racecourse debut. By Pivotal out of a dam that won the Lancashire Oaks she is certainly an interesting type on pedigree. A safer bet though may be Penitent, second on her debut in soft ground at Doncaster.
In the sprint at 5.20 Biniou should handle the ground, comes into the race on the back of a win and has Jamie Spencer booked to ride.
The going at Ripon is likely to be very testing. In the opener at 2.30 I am inclined to go with Beyond Desire who should go on the ground and is well thought of by connections.
My short list for the 3.30 consists of Distant Memories, Raaeidd and Mr Freddy. Of the trio Distant Memories has the proven soft ground form. Mr Freddy should not be discounted given the red hot form of the stable.
In the 4.00 Fortuni and Kings Destiny both make some appeal. Fortuni has perhaps the more obvious chance of the two.
At Lingfield Queen Eleanor has a bit of an each way chance in the 8.25.
ahorse 