Emirates Champion was an easy winner for my list to follow this afternoon but otherwise it was a frustrating day with Mubrook (13/2) amd Alrasm (18/1) both finishing 2nd from last night’s selections.
There is plenty of racing to go at tomorrow under both codes.
On the flat the main meeting is at Doncaster where the group 1 Racing Post Trophy tops the bill. The race has in the past thrown up some high quality winners, notably High Chaparral, Motivator and Authorized. Coordinated Cut has been something of a “talking horse” since he won his maiden and he is clearly well thought of by his trainer. He would be my tentative selection here although I note that the last 10 winners of the race have had a Racing Post rating of at least 114 and my selection falls well short on 99.
Judge ‘n Jury won the 2.20 last season and is now on a mark 5 lbs lower so has to be worth considering. The ground should suit him well enough. Captain Gerrard is on a 15 race losing sequence but is very well handicapped on his best form. Cape Vale is holding his form well and has only been out of the first two once in his last 6 starts, while Invincible Lad is another for the short list after some taking displays on the all weather. There is no doubt that Judge ‘n Jury is on an attractive mark and he gets the selection.
I know he is thoroughly exposed after a remarkable 15 starts this season but I quite fancy Archers Road to make the frame under Kieren Fallon in the listed race at 2.55.
Looking for some value in the 4.05 I have drawn up a short list of 3, Magicalmysterytour, Howdigo and Alcalde. Alcalde was a winner at Warwick a couple of runs ago and was not disgraced when 6th at Nottingham on his last start. He handles some give in the ground and tomorrow’s trip should suit him. Magicalmysterytour is a genuine sort that seems to act of any ground and is a course and distance winner. These two are respected but my selection is Howdigo who ran well enough in the Cambridgeshire and will appreciate this longer trip.
Beau Fighter won over 10 furlongs at Newbury back in May and can win again at that distance in the Doncaster 5.15, K Fallon has the ride which is a bonus.
At Aintree course and distance winner Nampour looks to have a solid chance in the 1.05 with a conditional rider taking off a chunk of weight. You could make a case for all 8 runners in the 2.15 but my fancy is for Tartak who has more scope for improvement that the others.
Noble Alan sets the standard in the 3.25 and appears to tick all the right boxes. Isn’t That Lucky rarely runs a bad race and he can land the 4.00 for Jonjo O’Neill.
In the 1.20 at Chepstow I would give 4 of the 6 runners a chance. Pterodactyl won 2 novice hurdles at the end of last season. He is worth a try in this but probably has a bit too much to find with some of his rivals. He will probably go novice chasing sooner rather than later. Aiteen Thirtythree comes here with a tall reputation from his wins in a pointy to point and a Newbury bumper. Reve De Sivola is still a maiden but ran some excellent races in defeat, notably when 6th in the Triumph Hurdle. Finally Frascati Park is well worth a mention. He won 3 of his 4 races in bumpers with the only defeat coming when runner up at the Galway Festival. He may well be better racing right handed however. There are some nice prospects in this but my idea of the value is Reve de Sivola.
I also have a short list of 4 in the 1.55. Mr Thriller, Alfie Sherrin, Bakbenscher and Argento Luna. Bakbenscher won twice from 4 starts last season and is very highly regarded by Alan King. His future will be over fences but he is a very useful hurdler and is capable of further improvement in that sphere. He also goes well fresh. Another exciting prospect for fences is Alfie Sherrin who won a bumper at Chepstow and a novice hurdle at Fontwell last season. He is also likely to be sent chasing soon. Mr Thriller is a half brother to Gaspara won at Bangor and Fontwell last season before finishing 4th in the Imperial Cup. Once again fences are the long term plan. Argento Luna was ultra consistent last season and could well be a danger to some of the more fancied runners as she has a good turn of foot. She would not want the ground too soft. Alfie Sherrin and Bakbenscher look the most likely winner and it is hard to choose between the pair. You can never ignore Paul Nicholls and I will just give the nod to the champion trainer’s runner.
In the 2.25 Brenin Cwmtudu was a course winner over hurdles last season and should go well.
At Kempton my only selection is the course specialist Dvinski each way in the 8.10.
Newbury next where the well bred Latansaa looks the best of the newcomers in the 1.30.
Pastoral Player made an impressive winning debut at Newbury but then refused to enter the stalls next time. If he behaves himself tomorrow who looks to have a good chance in the 2.05.
Harbinger had done nothing wrong prior to his flop at York and maybe there was just something amiss that day. If back to his best he would take all the beating in the 2.35. Chock a Block, another lightly raced sort who won a listed race at Newmarket on his last start could well be the danger.
Newcomer High Ransom is my tentative suggestion in the 4.20. Bab Al Salam represents my list to follow in the 4.55. After a hat trick of wins he was last of 3 at Newmarket. He is perhaps best watched after that run as maybe the handicapper has caught up with him.
I thought about C’Monthehammers in the Stratford 2.10 but the tight track may be against him. He also needs strong handling and I would rather see him ridden by a more experienced jockey.
Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Karen Davies.
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