Sunday's Meetings Tramore N/H 8 Races 1:45-5:30p.m. Curragh Flat 8 Races 2:00-5:35p.m. Pontefract Flat 6 Races 2:25-5:00p.m. Southwell A/W 7 Races 2:35-5:40p.m. Sandown(E) Flat 7 Races 3:45-6:45p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
There is a numerically disappointing card at Pontefract this afternoon with several of the races featuring seven or fewer runners. The feature race at 3:25 is an exception to that with eleven still lining up chasing £33k for the winner as I write. My problem is that the favourite is second-top rated Gale Force Maya, who was runner up in the race last term (failing to get near a three year old that made all) but has become a bit of a cliff horse, with one place in five runs since last September, including when beaten by stablemate Azure Blue at HQ. The finale of the Sunday Series at Sandown has numerically better fields but that is hardly surprising as only the maiden race is worth less than £18k. I have done some cash on a couple this year that seemed to be looking a gift horse in the mouth, so I will leave Sir Michael Stoute’s filly Zarga alone in the fillies’ handicap at 6:15 as it looks short enough at around 2/1. Normally I am loath to bet on apprentice races as the contenders frequently seem to be out of form sorts being used to educate virtually unknown jockeys; however, today I find I actually know most of the jockeys in the 5:15. It is easiest to eliminate Wisper as his best effort in the last three races was a third at Windsor whereas every other runner has won at least once in its last three. Junkaroo won on his only start this year in May but now has 7lb more to carry and will not find it as easy underfoot today. Graignes was behind in fourth that day and won on the kitty litter in June but got hiked 8lb for that and his apprentice only removes 3lb of it. Whitcombe Rockstar opened his account at the sixth attempt last time over today’s course and distance with Mia Nicholls now claiming 2lb less and the horse raised 4lb by the handicapper; however, the Burke yard is still churning out winners so he cannot be totally ruled out. Three year old Bint Al Daar also opened his account last time but at the seventh attempt, is 5lb higher today (however, the jockey claims 7lb) and steps up in trip in a better race. Nine year old Trais Fluors continues to run consistently well and was last seen finishing third in June. Can Jack Channon win this for his dad? Having never won beyond nine furlongs, I think he is an each way play at best. Marco Botti’s Silver Gunn is not especially consistent and seems to love running at Windsor (six of last nine starts). He won there last time, for which the handicapper has handed him 4lb extra (that today’s pilot will more than remove with his 5lb claim) but he has won over course and distance so he has a good chance. Perhaps the best apprentice in the race Benoit De La Sayette rides Derry Lad, who is chasing the £100k bonus for three Sunday Series wins after victories at Hamilton and Pontefract. He failed to land it last time at Haydock carrying 7lb more for the Pontefract win and has been dropped 1lb; however, in front of him that day was AULD TOON LOON and I see no reason why Kevin Coleman’s charge will bridge a more than two lengths gap with David O’Meara’s four year old when just 3lb better off. AULD TOON LOON had won his previous start at Chester on soft ground but has won on quick ground. If I am wrong, I hope Coleman’s gelding takes the bookies’ money!
In the Sunday Series Apprentice Handicap at Sandown (17:15), over a distance just short of 1m2f on the expected good ground, I am hoping that trainer Jack Channon can win for his dad who is the owner of the 9-y-o Dansili gelding, Trais Fluors. Negative is he is inclined to dwell in the stalls, so needs a positive start to have any sort of a decent run. Otherwise, the old boy is suited by the prevailing conditions. Rose Dawes (3) on board for the Jack Channon stable. 14/1 (Bet365/Wm.Hill) is the best price at time of writing. E/W best option at these odds,
The good racing is at Deauville today. If Amanda wasn't living it up in Majorca (VIP in top night club) we would be there today
Vandeek, who won a Class 5 maiden on debut last month at Nottingham and then went to Goodwood earlier this month and won the G2 Richmond, won the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville today, beating the French hotpot Ramatuelle by a sht nk with River Tiber 2l back in 3rd and Sacred Angel a further 2½l 4th. No wonder he went off Evs fav on debut
Wow, so is Vandeek the best 6f 2yo in Europe? Didn't Crisford say at Goodwood that they were thinking about 7f but keeping him to 6f for now?
On that ground, he could be. Not much in it https://www.attheraces.com/atrplayer-popout/VOD/1379943/true?showResult=yes
Yes the ground is most likely very significant. Noticed the Romanet winner has only once run on good ground (1 out of 12 attempts!).
