The success in the Stewards’ Cup seems a long time ago now as we are suffering from something of a losing run.
Villefranche is a nice little bay in the South of France with a decent restaurant near the sea front that does wonderful salads. Michael Bell introduces the 2 year old Miss Villefranche tomorrow in the Doncaster 2.50. She comes from a winning family who all have names connected to the same area France. Miss Villefranche is out of the mare Miss Corniche who was a listed winner at 10 furlongs and her full sister Miss Eze won first time out as a juvenile, although that was on soft ground. Miss Villefranche is certainly an interesting runner.
In the 3.25 The Scorching Wind has dropped to a winnable mark if he can recapture his form. Mistoffelees won well at Yarmouth before disappointing at Ascot. He is worth another chance in the 5.45.
Dangerous Midge was a runaway winner of the Old Newton Cup at Haydock and may be able to take the step up in class in his stride in the Newbury 2.30. Fast ground does seem to suit him best however so we will need to take that into account.
Bated Breath should continue his winning sequence in the Newmarket 3.20 where Deacon Blues looks the danger.
The big race at Ripon is the 3.30. Noverre to Go has run well in a couple of big handicaps since his win at Newmarket in May. He comes into the equation but would probably not want the ground too soft. Johannes is a course and distance winner and taking into account the 3 lbs that his able rider can take off is on a mark where he could be competitive. Course specialist Tajneed must have a major chance for sprint king Dandy Nicholls while Wildcat Wizard and Tiddlywinks who were 3rd and 4th at Goodwood last month should both go well. Tajneed will take some beating here as he has everything in his favour even I suspect the draw. Looking for a spot of value though I will go for Tiddliwinks who ran well at Goodwood when not well drawn.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jo Stockdale.
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