I certainly don't have Winter down as a banker for the reasons you state. Bit of rain forecast for Wednesday so I can see Frankie choosing So Mi Dar over Shutter Speed, assuming So Mi Dar is showing she's back to her best at home. Easy to forget how good So Mi Dar was and in what regard she was held in, but will be a big ask to come straight back and win this. Nezwaah is high class also. I guess Ribchester and Barney Roy would never have both been aimed at this race, agree though that I think it would have been a great race for him. I think they're trying to convince themselves that he's a 10f horse as godolphin have got Ribchester to mop up the best mile races currently. I do think Barney Roy will win the Juddmonte, and I think Ribchester will win the Sussex. Main danger possibly Zelzal as he hasn't got a great deal to find and connections are bullish that he's come on plenty from last year
Zelzal has the sort of pedigree I love. By a great horse Sea the Stars out a mare from one of the finest families in the stud book. The Joel family of Amuse, that gave us Humorist, Royal Palace, Fairy Footsteps and so many others. I've always meant to write a piece on the Joels but haven't found the time.
The main concern with So Mi Dar would be if she's fit enough. Judging by the run of her stablemate Persuasive today at Deauville I'd be worried. I thought they would have her fit enough when they ran her in a group 1 on her first start back but she definitely needed the run. She does look like she'd be the best suited of these by soft ground though but it would take massive performance to win in these conditions on her first run.
Zelzal's comeback race this year was taking as well. Held out the back, never asked really, yet still made up plenty of ground at the end. Very much a warm up with this race always the plan, and when Rouget brings one over you'd be shocked if it didn't go fairly close
Agree entirely, had an eye on that race today and Persuasive was disappointing. I'd assume So Mi Dar won't be fit enough to come straight back in and win a race like this, but if at her best I think she'd win. If not racing enthusiastically then I wouldn't be surprised to see her tailed off so happy to take a small stake punt on the win at 8/1. She must be showing something positive at home as Frankie was saying he was torn as to who to ride even before the unsettled forecast, but world of difference between showing it at home and being truly racefit for a hot race like this one
If I remember correctly she was one of your Royal Ascot ante post bets (can't remember which race - Prince Of Wales Stakes maybe?). Until she comes back and shows the talent is still there I wouldn't back her with anyone's money.
Yes I rate her that highly i've been waiting to back her wherever she shows up. 8/1 is an entirely fair price for a small stakes bet that she retains all of her ability
With the ground drying i cant understand why Limato is 4-1...... surely wont be out of the first 3 and a heavty ew bet to nothing.
For sure. Already on Librisa each way at 8s but had to have a saver on Limato. Ground should be fine and although you can get tied up in knots trying to assess the form of the opposition (with Spirit Of Valor's proximity to Le Brivido particularly baffling) I'd just reckon that these two are the only real Group 1 level performers in the field on current form. Running in a Group 2 they've got to be there at the finish. Hoping Spirit Of Valor and Home Of The Brave take each other on up front ensuring a good pace for Limato and Librisa Breeze to come off
Frankie has indeed plumped for So Mi Dar on Thursday. I would love it if she's back to her best and stuck it up to Winter
