Saturday's Meetings Thirsk Flat 8 Races 12:30-4:30p.m. Bangor-on-Dee N/H 8 Races 1:10-5:05p.m. Newbury Flat 7 Races 1:15-4:45p.m. Newmarket Flat 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Navan Flat 8 Races 1:55-5:55p.m. Uttoxeter(E) N/H 7 Races 5:15-8:20p.m. Doncaster(E) Flat 7 Races 5:35-8:35 p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Place a bet in the Virtual Betting shop here Good Luck
Can't wait to see the Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury. Hope it turns up a lively contender for the Oaks, in particular Sea Empress, but any of the one raced winners could add some interest to the betting
The 2.40 Newmarket is an interesting Listed contest with a few possibilities. Devilwala is well known to us now and I am not sure why they ran him in the 2000 Guineas because it seemed obvious he doesn't stay the mile trip. No feature in the Classic he drops to 7F and has first time blinkers on now. He is highest rated on official figures but is receding from his peak. Bellosa hosed up by 7 lengths on her debut but the other joint fav with her that day was very poor and the opposition who had official marks coming in were at best rated in the low 70's and this will be a lot tougher. I'll pass at 7/4 fav in the early betting. Fundamental was of a certain level but not one of Gosden's leading lights. He was 5th to Chindit in the Greenham but was a bit off the 1-2-3 in that race. May have a chance to feature here but he seems a bit static, rather than on an upward curve. I thought Cloudbridge was worth another go. He made an impressive debut last season and was backed for the Acomb as if defeat was out of the question but he flopped badly in last place. When next seen he went down by just a nose in the Sirenia Stakes to Mighty Gurkha and although that race has not worked out great in terms of winners plenty have placed from the Group 3 contest. Cloudbridge ran in a first time hood in the Sirenia and perhaps there was a problem, as he was gelded a few days after the race. If he has learned to behave himself better now he may have unfinished business and the stable have had plenty good 3YO's this season. I played Cloudbridge at 9/2 and took Fundamental for the forecast spot. Bellosa seems too short after winning a weak contest well and Devilwala looks too short at 11/4 as a horse who hasn't won since his debut and he was beaten more than 18 lengths in the Guineas. 2.40 Newmarket Cloudbridge 9/2
That William Buick is staying at HQ rather than going to Newbury is almost a tip in itself. His two rides at HQ are both first time out and it seems reasonable that Cloudbridge in the 2:40 is his reason for passing up rides on Creative Force (1:50), Tamborrada (3:00) and A’Shaari (4:10) at Newbury. A’Shaari is running in a hot race but at least strips race fit whereas her main rivals Sea Empress (won Newcastle maiden on only start) and Twisted Reality (won Nottingham maiden) come with unproven potential and Eshaada is a big price for her connections. Creative Force receives 3lb from Tactical as he pursues a hat-trick stepping up from small field handicaps but I would rather be with the Free Handicap winner stepping down a furlong as he has quite a bit in hand on ratings. TAMBORRADA, however, comes into the London Gold Cup unbeaten, most lately winning a Doncaster handicap. His main rivals as indicated by the betting are horses that have won maiden/novice races and make their handicap debuts. The likes of Bay Bridge, Dubawi Sands, Highland Rocker and King Frankel could be Group horses in a handicap (winners are often) but that could equally apply to the Godolphin runner even though he is second top weight. Topweights in three year old handicaps should always be respected, so River Alwen is not to be ignored only conceding two pounds to the selection. If there is going to be a superstar miler this year, it is probably Palace Pier and I expect him to win the Lockinge with the minimum of fuss and remain unbackable the rest of the season.
Cloudbridge is the Timeform selection and, on the face of it, looks to have the beating of Bellosa on the clock. But Bellosa was very impressive on debut and clocked a decent time (relatively slightly faster than Master of the Seas on the same day) despite running freely, drifting left and becoming unbalanced in the dip. I expect her to lead all the way and maybe just hold off a fast finishing Cloudbridge. Also I wouldn't be surprised if Cloudbridge starts fav which could make Bellosa an attractive price
Saturday's Super Slugs! Nby 150 Creative Force 225 Logician 300 King Frankel 335 My Oberon ew - Love Palace Pier, but not at the price for a financial interest. Nmkt 205 Fancy Man 240 Bellosa 315 Jadwal ew Good luck all
I was swayed slightly towards Bellosa (see above) but I have a habit of overlooking the long shots in these races. Bellissime is 25/1. On debut she was 6/14 btn 8½L by Miss Amulet, having dwelt at the start and in rear for some way (2nd in that race was Sacred). Miss Amulet then got btn ½L by Alcohol Free and was only a nk behind Mother Earth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. On her 3yo debut she won going away after repelling a strong challenge. That form wasn't anything special but it showed her well being. On her 2yo form I wouldn't have thought she was the 25/1 outsider of 6
He was the reason I didn't nap it .. I always try if I can to nap one that no one else has, otherwise you are just treading water. Usually of course it means napping one of your less fancied selections! Fancy Man next
Well John Leeper won despite himself there! It seems to be a common trait that these Frankel’s want to bowl along (as seen in Snow Lantern yesterday) but so far most trainers appear to want them held up.
Definitely! That’s 3 decent Epsom contenders for Frankel now - John Leeper, Mohaafeth and Hurricane Lane - plus Godolphin might still run Adayar and Juddmonte have the Fabre-trained Media Stream who has been mentioned as a possible.