Could not summon up any enthusiasm for the first day of the St Leger meeting, with the ‘Legends’ race won by somebody whose short career mostly featured armchair rides on blue-bloods trained by his father.
Thanks to the meddling of Racing For Change, most of the decent races are crammed into Saturday, so I could not see me travelling the 40-odd miles to Doncaster for Thursday’s fare; however, I can manage a few hundred yards to the bookies...
Ryan Moore may start the day with a winning favourite but Glitter Girl is a little short for one giving weight all round on ground she has not encountered.
The May Hill represents the annual dilemma at this time of year: maiden race potential Blending versus solid juvenile form Kilmah. At the odds, I would be more inclined to go with the tough consistent Johnston filly under Franny Norton; however, she is unlikely to be allowed to steal this like last time by the four that re-oppose today and slow ground may be against her.
Simple Verse is ducking a Group 1 engagement at the weekend to run in the Park Hill, suggesting exasperation with her poor form this term by choosing a drop in class over the course and distance of her greatest triumph. Ignoring her rating, this is very open with only seven pounds covering nine of the other fillies and mares. Abingdon is a three year old going in the right direction but California is also improving with her races but the concern with both is that neither has won on easy ground.
With give underfoot, I cannot be having Central Square in first-time blinkers or Poet’s Word off a 10lb higher mark than last time in the 4:15. Whilst Bermondsey has an obvious chance on his close fourth to Baydar at Sandown, the one that jumps out at me is the twice-raced bottom weight LUSORY, who won comfortably on debut on easy ground.
