14.20 Doncaster Saddlers Rock - 10/3 (NAP) Winner of this race last year,can be forgiven a lacklustre performance when no match for Times Up, High Jinx and Askar Tau on easy ground in the Lonsdale Cup at York last month and a return to this sounder surface is certain to play to his strengths, that was surely a one-off looking at his overall record and he is taken to repeat last year's win
Saddlers Rock for me too. Cant see it getting beaten tomorrow with murtagh back on board and colour vision having to shoulder a group 1 penalty. Im also a big fan of Caravan Rolls On and think he rates a very good each way bet tomorrow
Keep things short and sweet. 2.55: CERTIFY 11/8 Some really nice form next to its name now and will absolutely relish an extra furlong and that is what will be the difference here. Exciting filly and lets hope Godolphin look after her better than some other similar talents. 2.20 SADDLERS ROCK 3/1 Possibly found York a touch too soon after gruelling races at Ascot and Goodwood. Doncaster is a much less testing track and 3/1 is ridiculous receiving weight from Colour Vision. John Oxx wouldn't waste a trip if he thought the horse would be below par again and he must be well in himself. Some good horses but he is the real premier stayer and can make it count here.
I've been a massive advocate of Saddlers Rock for quite a while now and 3s looks a stupid, stupid price. Return to 2m2f will be a major bonus and I think he's definitely going to employ waiting tactics like he did in the race last year as he definitely shot his load out in front when a huge disappointment at York. Massive, massive fan of this fella and I think he's got the potential to dominate the staying division for quite a while. I'd also recommend everyone watching his 3/4 brother Galileo Rock on debut at Leopardstown when absolutely bolting in. That horse is an absolute monster.
I think Richard Hannon Jnr's interview after Sky Lantern's win at The Curragh last weekend tells you all you need to know about Certify. He really, really thought that Godolphin had a monster on their hands with him.
I won't be plumping for Sadler's Rock tomorrow. I quite like Times Up but not enough to back against SR. A watch race for me.
I agree with Toppy and ROTO re Saddlers' prospects but after the completely unprofessional and incompetent balls up on the watering front by the Jon Pullin,I'm not betting on any top of the ground beasts until we get an accurate assessment from the riders after the first. It is akin to watering a big f***ing lawn and then pushing a big stick in!!!...why do we buy into the crap they tender when they f*** up?..Rant over..for now.. http://www.racingpost.com/news/hors...113541/related/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews
I'm inclined towards Times Up too Ron. Small stakes and doubling up with Hoyam. I also can't see Blue Bajan being kept out of the frame and at 12-1 a great ew bet. Certify IS a monster and will hose up.
Would hardly call Galileo Rock a monster for thrashing Hall Of Mirrors- who actually made the winner look more impressive by hanging all over the track. He is a rogue of a horse and wasted an easy oppurtunity the other day to win his maiden. Obviously it was a nice performance from Galileo Rock and he will improve once he gets a step up in distance but he beat nothing on debut and still has a lot to do before he can be called a "monster"
Didn't look testing by any means but it certainly doesn't look quick ground. The ground will be quite an important factor when I consider Michaelangelo's chances of making the frame in the St Leger. I think Saddlers Rock can certainly handle this ground- his concern is being too keen early. He pulls like a train and he sometimes gets away with it- at York he didnt. Hopefully they will settle him nicely because he won't lose on stamina if he does settle down.
I tipped SADDLERS ROCK for the Gold Cup earlier in the year to beat the hotpot *** and was laughed at by many on here, oh how times have changed. Not backing him tomorrow as I didnt like his York effort recently but he is in my two for the telegraph comp along with ASKER TAU who at 20-1 looks the value in the race to me!
Saddler's Rock is an out and out stayer, hates any cut in the ground and took three starts to win with. If his 3/4 brother shares the same characteristics, to win on soft ground over 1m on his debut tells me an awful lot about how good a horse he is. Fair enough the form doesn't look unbelievable but sometimes the visual performance is more important than what the paper reads. Plus, Hall Of Mirrors was making his 2nd start as well. Only time will tell how good he really is but I really think that he is an absolute beast which will be confirmed when we see him next.
Soft was in the description of the turf and shouldn't have been if we're honest.Several runners were withdrawn today because of the terrain and Ed Dunlop is considering pulling one tomorrow because the ground won't suit. We had 45 minutes of moderate rainfall yesterday and the going had deteriorated significantly. Given the gravitas of this meeting I really don't think the preparation of the track is acceptable. As stated earlier the job is simple....When one considers the work the green keepers do when preparing a major golfing championship,it puts this idiot to shame.
One at Donny for me that looks over priced in the first is MORAWIJ 7/1 E/W has run some decent races in good company before disappointing LTO, I am willing to forgive him his last run and have an e/w play at 7s. Best Of Luck All
Stick SR was a 9/2 second fav for the AGC against the marginally odds on shot F&G I doubt anyone would have laughed at the selection..even though it didn't win!
Have to give ROTO bragging rights on this one he'd been bigging him up long before the GC. I think he mentioned him before he was born even!
So is Certify most peoples idea of the banker tommorrow or is the better value with Ollie Olga who on paper is evenly enough matched. Interesting race could develop.
