**** me. Timeform going through the card here. Race 1. All 3 reserves are interesting for different reasons, but at this stage the thriving Goldream looks the answer having chased home a handicap blot at York last month. Move In Time is feared most, though Swan Song would be a very popular winner and she is a definite player. Won 7/2 Race 2. Edge of Sanity is interesting on debut for Brian Ellison, though a strong test at 2m will put stamina at a premium, while Earth Amber's C&D second when last seen in April reads well in the context of this, but Retirement Plan could be the one here. He's low mileage for a 4-y-o, and this step up in trip will likely suit. Won 7/1 Race 3. Communicator was last seen posting a sound effort in the Chester Cup, but this is a fair drop in trip, so Semeen could be the answer in the hope he'll leave his first 2 starts this year behind him. Bantam is another to consider. Won 6/1 Race 4. Magic City will doubtless be very popular following his eye-catching run in defeat at Goodwood last week, but there is a sense that he may have missed the boat, so at the likely prices, the well-handicapped Don't Call Me is offered instead back over 1m. Ingleby Angel completes the shortlist. Won 5/1 Surely they can't have another Race 5. Wrangler was going the right way when last seen in the spring, and having been kept away from the summer ground since, is taken to continue the progressive thread and complete the hat-trick. C&D winner Trip To Paris is an obvious threat, whilst it's far too soon to write off From Frost on turf.
Wrangler is the favourite, ridden by Frankie. Got to have a saver on Astronereus as Emma Jayne Wilson rides him (she's in cracking form at this meeting), holds an entry in the St. Leger. The trainers of both horses feel they need cut underfoot.
I think I am just going to give up putting my money on my selections this year. Vancouverite was held up last and never improved on that position the entire race whilst the horse that narrowly beat him last time made all and won. At Glorious Goodwood, I tipped half a dozen winners at least but the selections that I actually put money on managed just a couple of places between them so I never backed a winner all week. I was able to highlight the mug treble with the three bankers in last Saturday that produced zero winners, so maybe I should just stick to tipping the ones to avoid!
I think Wrangler may have given them the 5 timer there Ron but Frankie gave it a shocker. Ran his race mid-race and not surprisingly had nothing left in the final furlong and a half. He should know better really. You do not make up that amount of ground mid race unless the pace is exceptionally slow, especially after travelling wide for four furlongs whilst you thought about it. That's the problem with these foreign jockeys in the Shergar cup, no experience of the track and pace.
Fella on twitter just told me that Emma Jayne dropped her whip near the finish, may have made the difference!
Had it been an ordinary British race, I would have fancied Wrangler strongly. This race illustrated why I do not bet on the Shergar Cup. South African S’manga Khumalo went off far too fast on Trip To Paris which faded early in the straight, setting up the race for the late challengers whilst finishing off those like Dettori who had been stupid enough to try and lie up near the pace. If I had been betting on the photo finish I would have bet on the Canadian bird because it looked like she had prevailed on the nod but I guess the TV camera is not exactly on the line as technology gave the nod to the Frenchman.
Lucky 31 at Ayr for intrest Ewell place dark crystal red forever classy anne underwritten hope you have all had a good day and good luck if you play