Winners have been thin on the ground of late but One Good Emperor (3rd at 20/1) was a fair shout today. We live in hope!
I fancied Northside Prince on Tuesday when he found one too good for him at Ayr. Although his sire was a miler, winning the Irish Guineas, he has quite a strong influence for stamina on his dam’s side. She was a full sister to Ionian Spring who did his winning over 10 furlongs or more and a half sister to Conduit and Hard Top. I half expected to see him upped in trip in search of that elusive first win but he drops down to a mile in the Hamilton 7.00 tomorrow. Clearly one of those occasions when the trainer knows rather more than us amateurs! It is a weak race with the main threat coming from recent course and distance winner Mohawk Ridge. The latter didn’t beat much though and has a 6 lbs penalty whereas Northside Prince has a good apprentice on board claiming 3 lbs. On pedigree Northside Prince should handle soft ground and may be able to break his duck here.
At Newmarket Cactus Curtsey represents my list to follow in the 4.35.After an encouraging debut when 3rd at Doncaster at July she has not really progressed and runs in a claimer tomorrow. Strictly on ratings she has a chance of making the frame but this is a poor race.
Another horse dropped in class is the frustrating Charles Parnell in the 2.00 at Thirsk. He did well on the all weather last winter winning a couple of times at Southwell. Although in theory he has been well treated on turf this year he has not been able to make it count and most recently was 3rd to Turnkey at Carlisle. He runs in the claimer at Thirsk but has a bit to find with Mutamared who was once rated 104.
My main hope of a winner tomorrow is Saga de Tercey in the 4.15. A former bumper winner he has been running consistently and with few miles on the clock he should have more improvement in him. Runner up at York last week he can go one better tomorrow.
Baybshambles has done well for his small stable winning 6 races at the minimum trip. He has shown that he goes well for an apprentice as he has had a claimer on board for 4 of his wins. He runs in an apprentice handicap tomorrow in the 4.45 at Thirsk where he is a course and distance winner. He has won on soft but may prefer a sound surface.
Today’s pictures are courtesy of Katy Sodeau (top) and Ruth Buchanan.
ahorse 