Saturday's Meetings Newmarket Flat 7 Races 1:15-4:50p.m. York Flat 7 Races 1:30-5:05p.m. Chepstow N/H 7 Races 1:35-5:10p.m. Fairyhouse N/H 6 Races 1:40-5:40p.m. Hexham N/H 7 Races 1:55-5:25p.m. Naas Flat 7 Races 2:00-5:30p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 9 Races 4:10-8:20p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Newmarket 15,40 Premiere Ligne 16/1 e/w Lads and Coral five places, 14/1 WH and bet365 six places, 12/1 sky eight places
I hope so. I have to admit that lately my picks are not very successful, but the horse has run very well in his last races, although I'm a bit worried about the jockey. In such a difficult race, I would be happy with a top five finish.
Fascinating to see The Shunter trying to follow up last year's victory in the Ces and become the first horse to win the famous handicap in successive years. Wouldn't put it past Emmet Mullins to do it.
His trainer is quite astute and knows the value of 5lbs gained from a good apprentice in a long distance handicap. Also, he’s applying blinkers for the first time- which can go either way.
I was waiting from the beginning of the week to see who was the jockey, I thought it was going to be Hector Crouch or David Egan, but I saw that they were both going to ride at York. In the end, first thing yesterday morning I decided to bet on him because he was a horse I had been thinking about for more than a month for the race, although I would have preferred him not to have run in the trial so that he would have been more fresh.
Lovely card at Chepstow and the listed novice chase is worth watching with the notebook out as it has thrown up some good future winners over the years. For a small financial interest I have picked out the following each-way: 3.20 Patriotik - Evan Williams won this race twice with Court Minstrel so knows what is required. Gets a nice opening mark of 121 and with the trainer's very capable daughter taking off 3lbs he must go very close in this. 4.00 Homme Public - goes well fresh and mark looks workable 5.10 Bosko - more in hope than expectation Small stakes e/w Patent Best of luck everyone
Which of the slow old plodders will be taking the prize pot home to a NH trainer at some point just after 3:40? There is a good chance that it will be an Irish one as they have half the field. Heaven forbid that a British flat trainer could land it. Proceedings open with the Darley Stakes (1:15), with eight currently engaged. There is nothing in the form figures of Savvy Victory to suggest that he will be living up to that name today. Spirit Dancer has not seen a racecourse since finishing lame in Meydan in March so it seems unlikely that he will improve on last year’s fourth after such a layoff. Another one back after a long layoff is The Foxes, who has underwhelmed since winning the Dante as a three year old. Looking at runners back after a long layoff, that is more than a year for Peace Man. The Gosden’s gelding would have to have improved significantly for the removal of parts of his anatomy. The Gosden first string Lead Artist steps up to this trip after losing out to old boy Kinross at Doncaster but may find that the older horses here are too god for him. Al Mubhir has been running well over ten furlongs at Group 3 level after winning a Listed race at Sandown but others have better form than that and dropping back a furlong does not offer any obvious advantage. On recent British form, Cambridgeshire winner Liberty Lane should give a good account as he won easily that day over course and distance, suggesting he is better than his official rating. However, I am going to take a chance on the best horse in the race (on ratings), ANCIENT ROME. His third in the Arlington Million is the best piece of form of any runner in the field. The risk is how he is going to respond to wind surgery after his poor showing last time at Kentucky plus the stable seems to be turning out a lot of seconds lately. Write your piece on Friday night and then find on Saturday morning that the big race favourite is a non runner and have to rewrite it. Only five start in the Dewhurst with two from Ballydoyle and two from Charlie Appleby. Rock Of Cashel looks to be up against it based on his sixth place in the National Stakes, which is not good enough in this company. Expanded won a maiden race on debut just a week ago and could be anything but there is no form reason to back him. Seagulls Eleven was ahead of Rock Of Cashel in the National but prior to that chased home Ancient Truth in the Superlative over this trip. Shadow Of Light won the Middle Park after finishing second in the Gimcrack and is the only Group 1 winner in the field. No doubt the plan will be to hold him up again and come late. At the prices, I think I would rather take a chance on the Appleby second string Ancient Truth making it four wins from four starts on Newmarket tracks. As it is the race is a no bet. The original front two in the betting made him value at better than field odds given that he beat Wimbledon Hawkeye further than The Lion In Winter did at York; and it is anyone’s guess how the race will be run now. So much for the showpiece of the Future Champions Festival...
14:05 York - Have Secret e/w A Class-2 Handicap over an extended 1m2f on soft ground. Trainer thinks quite a lot of this Havana Gold gelding, but it does not seem to show the good form on the gallops when transferred to an actual race. He is in excellent nick, apparently, so will select him again after a disappointing effort LTO. A speculative choice, as IMHO, he might not see-out the distance on the forecast soft going. Don't like being so negative, but guess have to give him another chance. Billy Garritty rides for the Richard Fahey stable. 12/1 best price early-doors, in most places on the ATR site. Eventual SP might well be better! Have a good and successful weekend, folks!
Just watched most of the first race at York. No idea of the runners nor the prices but called the winner between just under 2 out without knowing who it was. Won fairly easily and couldn't believe the price when it came up. By the looks of it I would have never picked it before the race but it would be intetesting to know what odds were on offer about 2 out
