Category: Racing diary

 

Goodwood

3.45 Expense Claim won a good handicap at Newbury to complete a handicap. A progressive sort he takes a step up in class here but could well be good enough.

4.20 Fanrouge ha done all his winning at Bath but was running on at the finish when 5^th at Newbury last time out and has won on firm ground.

Haydock

2.20 Fennell Bay carries top weight and is a horse in form with two wins to his credit this season already. The extra quarter of a mile here could bring out further improvement. Scrupul made no show last time at Doncaster but that was on heavy ground which may not have suited. He has come down 2 lbs for that defeat and could be well handicapped if we ignore the last run. Never perfect is open to improvement especially now he tackles 10 furlongs for the first time. He has won on heavy but should handle better ground. Watheeq is the type to improve with age and is one for the short list. Saffa Hill may improve for a step up in trip but Tallevu, who was on my list to follow at the start of the season has failed to sparkle so far.

This is a trappy contest with Fennell Bay very much the form horse. Plenty of others can b fancied and are open to improvement but at the odds I will go or Never Perfect.

3.30 Decision by one ran three times last season all at Wolverhampton winning on his final start. He was 6thy at Chester on his seasonal reappearance and should be fitter for that.

4.05 There are quite a few on my shortlist for this one. Farang Kondiew is an imposing sort with scope for improvement and he will do as my selection. Of the others Third Half probably didn’t relish the soft ground and could be a different proposition this time while Now My Sun should come on for his run at Ascot earlier this month.

 

Goodwood

2.35 Jupiter Storm won well at Brighton last season on good to firm. He probably ran better than his finishing position of 6^th of 10 would indicate at Newmarket last time on soft ground. He looks an interesting runner at a fair price. The twice raced Silver Lime won at Ffos Las last season on ground that may not have been ideal for him.

3.45 Gathering won a Newmarket maiden last season on her second outing. She is well bred, has scope for improvement and the ground should suit.

Haydock

2.55 Morawij makes his debut here and is reportedly doing well at home.

Salisbury

6.10 Pearl Bounty looks a speedy type on his pedigree.

7.15 Swan Song was a good second at Newbury in a race that has worked out well.

8.20 Burnham ran well at Windsor recently and could be well handicapped.

Sandown

7.05 Johnno has been a bit unlucky in recent races and remains on a decent mark.

7.35 Mubaraza was 4^th at Newmarket and will probably appreciate this better4 ground. Looks a potential improver. Willie Wag Tail won over a mile at Redcar last season and is another open to plenty of improvement. Mizbah had solid form last season but disappointed on his reappearance at Beverley when last of 11 on soft ground. Counsel is another probably undone by unsuitable ground last time but it would eb dangerous to write this one of yet. Mubaraza gets the nod with a small each way saver on Willie Wag Tail.

Picture courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall.

 

Lingfield

3.30 This does not look a very competitive affair and I think Scottish Vespers may prove good enough. On his only run since he was 3^rd to Rosslyn Castle at Windsor and that horse has won since.

 

Kempton

8.00 The Ukrainian

Nottingham

2.15 Gold Hunter

3.45 Al Jabraeiah

5.15 Arabic & Kung Hai Fat Choi

Leicester

7.20 Dream Ally could run well at a big price. He is well thought of by connections.

8.50 Again going for an outsider Richard Fahey’s Arley Hall has an each way chance.

Windsor

8.40 O’Gorman is a half brother to Temple Meads and looks on a fair mark.

 

Newbury

1.30 Essell was an 80/1 outsider when 8^th of 14 here on his debut. This longer trip could see him in a better light. Galleon showed promise when 8^th at Sandown on his only run as a juvenile and is bred to appreciate middle distances. Sun Central was making late headway when 7^th on his debut at Yarmouth last season. He comes from a family of winners and I am going to burden him with my selection.

2.30 Mac’s Power has been a little hard to win with but he is well handicapped if things drop right from him.

3.05 Trader Jack was a major disappointment on his seasonal reappearance but it is too soon to write him off. Thomas Chippendale won well at Leicester last season and looks well handicapped. Expense Claim has already won twice this season and there may be more to come. Almuftarris comes here on the back of a Lingfield maiden win. He is a good looking sort with scope. Finally, Tidal Way, a winner at Thirsk last season will strip fitter for his recent outing at Windsor.

Expense Claim, Thomas Chippendale and Almuftarris are my short list.

3.40 I can’t see Frankel getting beaten but this is a race to watch.

4.50 I will take a chance on Mossbrae who was 3^rd on his debut at Yarmouth last season. He should be suited by the ground as he would probably not want it too firm.

Newmarket

2.15 This would seem to be between Thought Worthy and Noble Mission. Thought Worthy is getting weight from his rival which could make the difference.

2.45 Mince is consistent and could turn out to be better than a handicapper. Definitely one to consider. Top Cop was a little disappointing here last month but remains an interesting runner. Pea Shooter was an easy winner of a York maiden and is another I like. Rafeej won both his starts last season but on his return last month he was well beaten when last at Sandown. It is too early to write him off. Mince is the selection with a small saver on Pea Shooter.

3.20 Aljamaheer looks open to improvement.

3.55 I have pencilled in 3 for this. Western Prize, High Jinx and Viking Storm. It looks an open race with High Jinx just getting the nod.

4.30 Captain Cat sets the standard on his 3^rd to Noble Mission at Newbury.

5.05 There is a good word for the unraced Greatest.

5.470 Wrotham Heath, Autarch and Aazif were my starting list for this one. Wrotham Heath was a bit too keen when beaten on his last start but he could well gain compensation here if settling better.

Thirsk selections

2.55 Pearl Ice (outsider Mass Rally)

4.05 Singeur

Doncaster

7.45 Lady’s First

8.20 Cape Classic

8.50 Shamahan (danger Lucky Henry)

Picture courtesy of the artist Sally Martin

 

York

2.00 Luca Cumani does well in the better handicaps and holds a leading chance here with Spifer.

2.30 Glen’s Diamond is the outsider of the 8 in this but stays well and could run into a place.

4.45 I am looking for an outsider in this open looking handicap. Rayvin Black could show significant improvement now he has been upped in trip. Daneking has been running on heavy ground and he will benefit from this better ground. Sirious Oss makes his handicap debut and is a big price given that he showed some promise on his debut run at Newcastle last season.

Daneking holds Group 1 entries and has to be the selection but the other two could run well at big prices.

Hamilton

8.00 Gulf of Naples was an excellent 3^rd in the Chester Cup and could well make all over this shorter trip.

8.35 I am going to take a chance with Jessies Spirit, an impressive winner at Leicester and Ripon last season.

Newbury

2.10 Firdaws, 3^rd in a Group 1 last season in the selection. Lacily is another worth considering.

3.45 Deia Sunrise was runner up in a decent handicap at Newmarket earlier this month and looks sure to go well. Expert Fighter was a good winner at Brighton over a mile last season and looks sure to improve for this step up in distance. These would be my 2 against the field.

4.20 Swiss Spirit impressed me when runner up at Newmarket last month and should improve for the run.

Newmarket

2.50 Haydock winner Twelve Strings is one for the shortlist. Fennell Bay may run well at a bigger price but for my selection I will take a chance on Lawn Jamil who looks leniently treated off a mark of 73.

3.55 Danadana has a chance here if Fallon can get him to settle.

4.30 Popular and Openly are worth considering.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

York

1.30 Racy doesn’t win too often but he has a god record at York and I am hopeful that he will go well.

2.30 Bonfire looks a worthy favourite and should go well. At a bigger price Fencing is an interesting prospect. He was 6^th in the Guineas after an interrupted preparation.

3.00 Mijhaar looks to be on a fair mark and could be good enough here despite this trip being on the short side for him.

3.35 A small field but most are in with a shout. Ponty Aclaim is a speedy type best suited by quick ground. Es Que Love is on a hat trick and seems to handle any going. Course and distance winner Pearl Secret has won both starts so far and will be hard to beat.

Newmarket selections

7.35 Moshaagib.

8.05 Starboard

Picture courtesy of the artist Jo Stockdale.

 

York

1.30 Gatewood, Labarinto and Kirthill look the trio to concentrate on. Gatewood has only had 3 career starts but is potentially well handicapped on the basis of his first two runs. Labarinto was a progressive sort last season and should be all the better for his run down the field in the Newbury Spring Cup. Kirthill finished last season with a win at Newbury and there may be further improvement to come. Not a lot to choose between these 3 but if pushed for a single selection it would be Labarinto.

2.00 York Glory won 4 times last season including one success on the Knavemire. He is the selection. Victoire de Lyphar had a poor season last term and has been below par on his runs this time. He is a course and distance winner though and would be a big danger if recapturing his old form.

2.30 The Fugue was running on at the finish in the 1,000 Guineas and should be suited by the extra trip here.

3.00 Hoof It, Mayson and Sirius Prospect form my shortlist. Mayson is just preferred to Hoof It.

4.45 Tartiflette was a good second at Newbury last month and can go one better here. Byronic Hero could run well at a big price.

Bath selection

8.10 Jawim

Lingfield selection

3.55 Tawaasul

 

Beverley

4.30 Warcrown

Kempton

8.50 Johnno