Before getting stuck into tomorrow’s racing I will just take quick look back at some important results from this week’s meetings. The Great Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom went to Sunny Game who is trained by Michael Bell. It was a comfortable victory and Sunny Game looks the sort to win again. Harlestone Times, a winner twice last season came with a late run to finish 2nd but was disqualified and placed third. I think he will also pay to follow this season.
Another impressive winner on Wednesday was Danadana up at Newcastle. This 3 year old looks a very nice prospect and I will be following his progress with interest. Other winners over the last week that have gone into my notebook are Belgian Bill, World Domination, Modun and Dandino.
Tomorrow sees the last day of the UK flat season with a quality card at Sandown. The Bet365 Gold Cup (formerly the Whitbread) at 3.10 is the feature. Last Season’s winner Church Island has once again been aimed at the race. He was 4th in 2009 and clearly likes the track. He is 8 lbs higher than when successful last season but he can’t be written off. Faasel is a quirky sort but decent on his day. He was runner up in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. There are several others with Cheltenham Festival form. Baby Run won the 2010 Fox Hunters, while Poker de Sivola won the 2010 National Hunt Chase. Others with big race form are Gentle Ranger who was 4th in the Midlands National while Maktu was 5th in the Welsh version and they both command respect. Briery Fox would have won this race two years ago but for an inspired ride by AP McCoy on the winner. The horse is 13 now but not out of it. On the stats side 7 of the last 10 winners have been priced at 10/1 or bigger and only two have carried more than 11 stone.
The two I will put forward are Aimigayle, 2nd in the Byrne Group Plate and Meanus Dandy, winner of the Badger Ales at Wincanton. They should both handle the ground.
Cityscape is a horse to follow on the flat this year but he may find the ground a bit quick in the 3.45 at Sandown so I will side with Mick Channon’s Music Show. Elsewhere on the Sandown card I like Afsare in the 4.20 and Treble Jig in the 4.50.
At Musselburgh my selections are Glen’s Diamond (3.05) and Striking Spirit (4.15)
My thanks to Sue Malkin for today’s picture.
ahorse 