Monday's Meetings Stratford N/H 6 Races 2:15-4:45p.m. Leicester Flat 8 Races 2:30-6:00p.m. Roscommon(E) Flat 8 Races 5:25-8:55p.m. Windsor(E) Flat 7 Races 5:45-8:45p.m. Pontefract(E) Flat 7 Races 6:05-9:05p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
Morning 4.15 Stratford-G'Day Aussie Each Way @ 9-1 [Paddy Power] Looks the right move going back to hurdles
Very slow on here today. Surprised Barney hasn't been on to lament the retirement of the real boss of Seven Barrows - Corky Browne. 77 years of age and 41 years with the Lieutenant (Corky not Barney). Some record and some marvellous horses over that time too. Prior to that a decade or more with Fred Winter too.
I thought Sand Share was worth taking on today over at Longchamp. Ralph Beckett's filly ran in the Musidora last time but she was disappointing there, not even managing to finish ahead of John Gosden's Sparkle Roll, who had run a stinker. I was of a mind that Sand Share looked vulnerable as 2/1 Fav today. Alain De Royer-Dupre saddles the second favourite Golden Box, who won last time after a debut third. That was just a maiden race though and was over 12F on very soft ground. The bare form of that does not look enough to my eyes and she drops in trip now, coming up in grade to Listed class. She looks tight enough in the betting to me. I went with Francis Graffard's Alimnia because she ran in a Group 3 last time when 4th. It looked that day as if a slightly stiffer test of stamina would help and she gets that today. The Graffard runners are going well and the trainer has a 42% strike rate coming into this week. Her form is well ahead of Golden Box for the moment and she is pretty unexposed herself. I thought she might have more pace than Golden Box, who is an assured stayer. Sand Share is one I am not so sure about from a stamina perspective so I decided on Alimnia at 7/1. You can still get 13/2 for Alimnia and I expect her to give a very good account at what looks value odds. 1.35 Longchamp Alimnia 13/2
The great SBC is probably on the blower to friends who can help meet his commitments to Ladbrokes over Great Bear.
It was De Royer-Dupre's other filly who prevailed in a tight finish. Sand Share didn't quite seem to see it out in third, while Alimnia looked to have plenty to do before staying on for fourth place. I didn't see the time of the race but it looked as if Alimnia could have done with a stiffer test of stamina. Winner Edisa had only won a maiden last time and with runner up Golden Box also just a maiden winner it was a bit disappointing for Ralph Beckett's Sand Share, who came in with an OR of 100 compared to the French fillies who finished ahead of her but only rated in the 70's on Racing Post figures. I was a shade disappointed that Alimnia could not build on her 92 RPR here.
I gave Ladbrokes £2 via Great Bear on Saturday. It was a disappointing effort from the Charlton colt, who seemed fairly devoid of pace. His Handicap mark will not go up after that and his next move may be a name change to Great Barge and a position as Third Favourite for next year's Boat Race behind Cambridge and Oxford.
stratford,2 45: rather modest fare here,but a race,in which MISTER LANDO can feature.hes one of very few with solid,fresh form in this,and his mark has tumbled down a long way since his last win last year at plumpton(albeit over hurdles).hasnt had many chances over fences,so it might eke out a little improvement,despite his age.
