Sunday's Meetings Goodwood Flat 7 Races 1:30-4:50p.m. Listowel Flat 7 Races 1:55-5:10p.m. Kilbeggan N/H 7 Races 2:10-5:25p.m. Perth N/H 7 Races 2:20-5:35p.m. Musselburgh(E) Flat 7 Races 3:45-6:45p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Whilst I generally like the concept of the Sky Sunday Series, today’s card was obviously planned for Jubilee weekend and could not escape being very much second fiddle to the Derby meeting. I know that the idea is to give the smaller yards and lesser name jockeys opportunities to pick up some decent bonuses. The problem therein is that other than the Listed race, the rest of the card is Class 4 handicap events except the opening maiden and the calibre of horse that it has attracted very much suits the sponsoring bookmakers. In a couple of the races it is immediately obvious which is the form horse and that is reflected in the betting. With the biggest field only twelve, the bookies are going to struggle to offer loads of extra places to try and persuade mugs to search for ‘each way value’. In the Stayers Handicap (5:15), several look like they can be ruled out having no recent form of any merit. Why is Gordon Elliott’s Tronador around 11/2 after plodding round Sligo on the first of May and never putting in a challenge? Its hurdling form this year does not justify the price even off bottom weight with an apprentice. There has to be a strong chance that Mark Johnston’s Baileys Derbyday will set out to make all here stepped up in trip by half a mile. The key form race for this occurred at York, where Diocletian and Haizoom were well down the field, Geremia was a staying on third after finding trouble and EVALUATION won completing a hat-trick. That ‘unlucky’ third is now 5lb better in with the winner but Paul Mulrennan is on Jim Goldie’s other runner today. EVALUATION has risen 16lb in the handicap since his hat-trick started, is clearly continuing to improve and may be able to confirm the York form. Notable that the current owners picked up this horse at the sales as it was bred by HM from Gold Cup winner Estimate by Dubawi and ran for Sir Michael Stoute last year. Ascot Adventure may win the opener at Goodwood but it is no value at 5/2.
In the Qatar Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly (15:00) trainer J C Rouget has 4-runners. Of the four, I like the chance of the Almanzo colt, Lassaut, best. Rouget has booked the services of top French jockey, Mickaël Barzalona, to ride. Conditions are surely ideal for Lassaut, i.e. form is very good and conditions seem ideal. Will certainly stay the trip on the forecast good-to-soft ground, whereas, on breeding, one or two of the other fancied runners in the race have a question mark against them in this respect? Around 17/2 is the price offered by UK and Irish bookmakers at time of writing. Looking forward to the evening racing on ITV from Musselburgh too. Have a good day folks!
At the current price of 7/1 on offer for the 18:15 at Musselburgh this evening, Mister Bluebird, is a sporting bet and has a squeak in this extended 7f event. The capable young jockey, Marco Ghiani, takes the ride for the Heather Main stable.
Thank you, GB. Unfortunately, chose the wrong Rouget horse in the big one at Chantilly. Never mind, Mister Bluebird certainly made up for it. A real family affair this one was. Trainer Heather Main's husband and team drove some 7-hours from their yard in Wantage, Oxfordshire, to Musselburgh. Deserved the win for the support they have been giving to this special Sunday series. Bravo! Nice one too, QuarterMoonII, with Evaluation!
Could there possibly be a more appropriate winner on the last day of Jubilee weekend than a horse bred by The Queen? What was Sir Michael doing running it on the sand over a mile and a half last year? Gelded, sent to the sales, run over a trip since – unbeaten. I have to say that I swerved all the pattern races at Chantilly today as there were three odds on shots and I could not see Poulains winner Modern Games winning from his draw. He tried to make all but the Aga Khan’s horse won as he liked. I would love to see Vadeni take on Desert Crown but I doubt it will happen as Rouget is inclined to stick to ten furlongs. It is up to the Aga Khan if he wants to go up against The Derby winner or even contest the Arc.
