Friday's Meetings Bangor-on-Dee N/H 8 Races 1-00-4:55p.m. Wolverhampton A/W 7 Races 1:25-4:50p.m. Glorious Goodwood Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Galway Festival(E) N/H 8 Races 4:00-7:45p.m. Newmarket(E) Flat 7 Races 5:15-8:30p.m. Bath(E) Flat 7 Races 5:25-8:40p.m. Musselburgh(E) Flat 7 Races 5:40-8:52p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
In the Golden Mile I thought Magical Morning might have more to come. I backed him last time and was quite confident in the closing stages that he was going to get there and he won with a little in hand to my eyes. Far from exposed, he looks sure to run well again and 13/2 seemed a fair price. Numerous dangers of course but I thought Magical Morning was worth keeping the right side of and I made him a 5/1 shot for this. 3.00 Goodwood Magical Morning 13/2
Suesa was a crazy price in the Commonwealth Cup last time. I had backed her ante-post for that race at 20/1 but 9/4 on the day was insane. Much was made of her winning on soft but it was Heavy at Ascot and I think 6F was too far on that surface. Dropping to 5F should help and she is 12/1 this time. The obvious starting point is Battaash and he has owned this race, now going for five on the trot it seems amazing he is 13/8 here, after winning at 2/7 last season. Of course Old Father Time catches up with them all eventually and he wasn't at his best at Royal Ascot but he is still a class act who needs respecting. Dragon Symbol was first past the post in the Commonwealth Cup but lost out to Campanelle in the Stewards Room. I backed him against Starman last time but he couldn't match the Walker horse, luckily for me he held on for second and landed my reverse forecast but he doesn't have much in hand over Art Power from his last start and is 2 lbs worse off now. In addition, he has only run at 5F once and although winning, it was in a lesser race at Hamilton. Art Power may be suited by the drop to 5F having probably burned too strong over 6F a couple of times. He doesn't win often enough for my liking but has place claims after decent efforts this season. Glass Slippers is a grand sort but seems to need her first race of the season and puts up her best performances later in the season. That is probably the reason she is 14/1. Arecibo has made big strides this season, coming from 91 to 112 on official ratings. He was runner up in the Kings Stand and then gave Came From The Dark a fright in the Coral Charge. Third home, Happy Romance won next time out and perhaps Arecibo is underestimated because he is 6YO and not getting credit for having improved a good bit for leaving David O'Meara's yard and joining Robert Cowell. 16/1 seems a big each-way price. Conclusion:- Battaash has drifted to 7/4 now and could go 2/1. That seems a big price. He was a bit disappointing at Ascot and looking back at last year's Nunthorpe it seems hard to believe that not one winner has come out of that race in 29 subsequent starts. I am not seeing Dragon Symbol as value at his odds, despite him and Campanelle being clear of the remainder in the Commonwealth Cup. Art Power has every chance of reversing their latest form on 2lbs better terms and is double the odds at 6/1. In the end I played Arecibo at 16/1 each-way for 4 places. I also had a saver on Suesa in case she does bounce back. I doubt she will be popular and could see her drifting to a bigger price than the current 12/1. I feel she is better than she showed last time and the trainer seems to retain faith in her. 3.35 Goodwood Arecibo 16/1 EW 1,2,3,4 and Suesa 12/1 win only.
Goodwood 13,50 The Grand Visir 9/1 e/w PP and Betfair six places, bet365 four. Galway 19,10 Smoking Gun 20/1 e/w five places with WH, PP and betfair, six places with Sky 18/1 First race for his new stable, now with D. Foster (Elliot), he has had two weak years but let's hope that the change of scenery feels good for him.
Willie's mare in the bumper at Galway looks a bit tasty - looking forward to seeing her again. Earlier on, the master of Closutton runs 4 in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle and jockey bookings (and the market) would suggest Stratum is his best chance. It is rarely that straightforward, however, and 5/1 is short enough about his chances. He is clearly a very classy individual but has been a bit "hit and miss" over obstacles. Although he won at Galway on hurdles debut way back in September 2017 (ridden by a certain R. Walsh) he has only 1 subsequent hurdles victory to his name in 11 starts. Stable companion Jazzaway could be the fly in the ointment - significantly up in trip and the jockey's claim reduces his impost by 3lbs. At the prices a small reverse forecast.
Bangor 3.55 G'Day Aussie Promising return from a long layoff in june when 3rd. Still on a good mark. Jockey Lee Edwards and trainer Dave Roberts have a good each way record at this track over the last 5 seasons. Small stable's last runner finished 3rd in a bumper one week ago.
Galway e/w's for today 5.00 Golden Spear - Tony Martin again - twice backing a TM horse when I swore I never would again 5.30 Lethal Steps 7.10 Mortal - hoping for a revival in form
Bangor 1.35 Northern Bound Beat the progressive Wasdell Dundalk from the Jonjo O'Neill stable at Fontwell in May. Wasdell Dundalk is now rated 118 after two wins so I don't think a mark of 113 is an impossible Task for Northern Bound today with the talented Luca Morgan taking off 5lb. Ben Pauling among the winners recently.
Good day to you all! Without embarrassing him too much, but a word of praise and thanks to the excellent input of Grendel with his daily analyses. I noticed he burnt the midnight oil yesterday evening, such are his contributions to this part of the forum. Everything is there for all to see in his analyses, no need to go crashing around the, often poor, efforts of the three main media channels. Some errors ATM makes, for example, are quite pathetic, even when one tells them of such-and-such an error, they are just too arrogant and lazy to make the correction. So, thanks again, Grendel, your efforts are appreciated by all of us who are genuinely interested in the 'Sport of Kings'!
In the big Galway hurdle [5.30] Botani Each Way @ 11-1 [Bet 365] 10 places [1/4] Good conditional rides her
Path of Thunder looks a worthy favourite in the next. Hollie Doyle has been riding so well I will have a little each way bet on Corazon Espinado at 33/1 who I think will go well on this track. Still can’t make up my mind for the sprint. I do think Battaash has the best chance but he is drifting in the betting. Art Power probably the best alternative….but again this might well be the day for Dragon Symbol. One of those 3 then
Typical - I had given up on Maydanny this season ok I’m going to stick with Jim Crowley this afternoon. Come on Battaash!
I have done a Patent. Just Hubert Maydanny - 9/1 Euchen Glen - 7/1 (Just seen the rule 4 for this race )
Copied and pasted from tomorrow's thread!!!! Telly Terrors GW 150 Elysian Flame 225 Baaeed 300 Maydanny 335 Dragon Symbol 410 Mogul Good luck all
Really like the chances of WINK OF AN EYE in the last at Goodwood, my only concern is the jockey, not one of my favs.