The big race tomorrow is the Ayr Gold Cup at 3.10.
Initially the expert opinion tended to favour those drawn high but that view was not borne out by the result of the Bronze Cup today where runners from a low draw dominated. It seems to make sense to select one horse from either side. Hitchens hasn’t won since landing a 4 runner event at Thirsk in April but he ran well enough when 6th in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last time out. He has been coming down the weights gradually and is one to consider of those drawn high. He has done his winning at fastish ground. For my high draw selection though I prefer Redford who is drawn 26. He is something of an enigmatic character and has not always produced the results that his apparent ability suggest he could achieve. He has twice been placed in heritage handicaps at Ascot this season but they were over 7 furlongs. This shorter trip could be what he needs however and he has been working well at home according to reports. Evens and Odds, runner up in the Stewards Cup comes out of stall 3 and is my other selection. He is trained by Dandy Nicholls and ridden by son Adrian.
The Silver Cup at 2.05 may give some further pointers to any draw bias. My original fancy here was Green Manalishi off bottom weight and I will stick with him. I will again go for two in this race with the in form Cape Vale turned out again quickly after his success in the week being my other choice.
Nanton won the Mallard Stakes at Doncaster last week and was certainly not winning out of turn as he had put up many excellent efforts in prestigious handicaps at varying distances over the last 12 months. He tackles listed company tomorrow in the Ayr 4.25 and he travels so well in his races that he must have a chance.
Scuffle won 3 races last season but has not yet managed to get her head in front this term. Her last couple of runs have been encouraging however and she is my fancy for the 5.00. In the 1.35 I am going for a couple that I feel may run well at decent prices, Alrasm and Aattash.
Charm School was becoming expensive to follow until coming good in a conditions event at 6/1 on the all weather. He has always had ability and now that he has got his head in front he may well go on from there. He runs in the 2.50 at Newbury tomorrow and 12/1 does not look bad value. I am going to oppose him on this occasion however with the consistent Antinori who has only been out of the first 3 once in his career – and then he was 4th on his racecourse debut. Antinori comes from a stable that won this race in 2006 and he should give us a run for our money. Broomielaw, Mick Kinane’s mount, will be a danger to all if at his best.
There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 3.25. Look Busy may have had enough for the season while Captain Gerrard has only rarely produced his best form this year. Triple Aspect looks the best of the 3 and is the selection. He is lightly raced, consistent and his form has a very solid look about it.
Glass Harmonium was an impressive winner at Royal Ascot and looks the form pick in the 5.10 while my two against the field in the 5.45 are Zero Money and Block Party.
Newmarket next where there are a few with chances in the opener at 1.45. Fleeting Star a winner at Brighton last time is put forward as a tentative suggestion.
The majority of the tipsters go for Brief Look in the 2.25 but I am inclined to look for value elsewhere. Annice Stellato and Cascata were both second on their most recent outings. Cascata has always been well regarded by connections and this step up to a mile and a half should not present a problem. Annice Stellato somes from a stable in very hot form and if settling, which has tended to be a problem, would be in with a chance.
In the 3.40 Alanbrooke is a tough sort and hasn’t done a great deal wrong this season. He is looking a bit exposed though and I just prefer Saga de Tercey who looks on an upward curve.
At Catterick in the 3.35 Takaatuf is dropping down the weights and could run well at a price but the selection is Wicked Daze who I tipped last week when he was second at Goodwood last Sunday.
Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.
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