Category: Racing diary

 

York 3.30 Striking Spirit

 

The big race tomorrow is the Sprint Cup at Haydock (3.35). Dream Ahead is the likely favourite after his win in the July Cup although he has disappointed since at Deauville. He has a 100% record over 6 furlongs and sets the standard. Bated Breath was runner up in the July Cup and has won both his previous starts over course and distance. Hoof It should have both trip and ground conditions to his liking. Of the trio I narrowly prefer Bated Breath with Hitchens my each way alternative at a bigger price.

I have 3 other suggestions at Haydock. Courageous (3.00) is on a long losing sequence but ran with promise last time, Ashbrittle(2.30) is slipping down the weights and Suhaili is a course winner with plenty of scope for improvement.

At Ascot Al Khaleej should give us a run for our money in the 3.15 while in the 3.45 the Luca Cumani pair of Fulgur and Spifer make most appeal.

At Kempton Modun should benefit from a drop in trip in the 2.15 where Harris Tweed is also respected.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.

 

Taqleed has been a big disappointment this season but has come down the weights as a result and may be worth one last chance in the Haydock 5.10 tomorrow.

 

Our only selection today was a winner at 3/1.

For tomorrow’s selection I will go with a well bred two year old trained by Ann Duffield, Midnight Tryst, that runs in the 5.05 up at Carlisle. See link below.

http://www.annduffield.co.uk/horse/display/55#1

 

Just one tentative selection for tomorrow.  Skuggsy Morant in the 4.30 at Goodwood.

 

Plenty of meetings tomorrow. None of them look easy!

At Epsom Picture Editor has some form that would put him in with every chance. Forte Dei Marmi is the other one I would consider. He has been well below par in most of his races this season but on last year’s form he would go close.

At Newcastle the well regarded Warcrown looks good for the opener at 2.15.

Spinatrix has done really well for me this season and I will stay with him in the Newcastle 5.45.

Other selections; Ripon 3.35 Xilerator; Warwick 3.20 Inler

 

Just a couple more horses to consider this afternoon.

Newmarket 4.35 Kirthill & Windsor 6.40 Forte Dei Marmi.

A fairly ordinary looking day at the races tomorrow. At Newmarket there will be a hot favourite in the 2.30. It might be worth taking on the jolly each way with Balty Boys and Mehdi.

Mac’s Power ran well in the Stewards Cup last week and is my selection in the 3.30.

Leviathan likes soft ground and looks each way value in the 4.35.

Another that could be value is Distant Memories in the Windsor 6.40. He is a previous winner of the race.

 

I start each season with a list of horses to follow and 3 from this year’s list are in action tomorrow.

Secret Witness has already rewarded me with a win at 9/1. He runs in the 3.40 at Ffos Las where he is 3 lbs higher in the handicap than when he won at Doncaster recently. He should be thereabouts and is worth a small each way interest at 8/1.

Spinatrix has been very consistent and should again be in the first 3 in the Newcastle 7.25. He would be value at 4/1.

Lastly Jack Smudge who runs in the Thirsk 4.25. A multiple winner last year he should some slight signs of a return to form when 4^th at Doncaster in June when wearing first time blinkers. No blinkers this time but might be worth a small each way wager at odds of 12/1.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Margaret Buchanan.

 

I have a bit of a theory about the 7.20 at Kempton (I should probably get out more!) Junket has been running quite consistently without quite getting her nose in front. She has dropped a pound in the handicapper and he jockey tomorrow is able to claim a further 3 lbs. So 4 lbs better off, my maths cam just about cope with that, she should go close to winning. She has already shown that she handles the track and her pedigree suggests the distance should suit her. That’s the theory anyway.

At the start of the season I was told that Sholaan was quite highly regarded by his trainer Willie Haggas. He makes his debut tomorrow at Kempton in the 7.50. The stable are in good form so I will burden him with my selection.

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