Afternoon all
Some belting racing today
1.20 Newmarket – HEZMAH 9-1 & TUSCANIA 6/1 (BOG) – A good start to the Newmarket card and I have backed both Hezmah and Tuscania. I really liked the performance Hezmah put up on debut at Newbury and I am more than willing to forgive her last run as I feel it was too soon for her. The only problem is the clown that is riding her, but 9/1 does seem a fair price. I have had to back Tuscania also due to the fact she also looked a nice prospect on debut before running 5th when on the wrong side in a listed heat at Newbury. I will be disappointed if I don’t get the winner here but the obvious danger to both is Instance who could be well handicapped. She looked unlucky in running last time out and should benefit from the step up to 7f.
1.50 Newmarket – COEUS 14/1 E.W (BOG) – A really competitive race but I do feel there is some value in this Sir Mark Prescott gelding. He should benefit from the return to 6f; he finished behind the current favourite Steps on his last outing which was also at this track. He is 5lbs better off with that rival now though and the selection was briefly outpaced before staying on again over 5lbs, there was only 1 ¾ lengths between them at the finish and I expect a big run at a decent price here.
2.25 Newmarket – PINK SAPPHIRE 25/1 E.W & RUSSELLIANA 7-1 (BOG). A very good renewal of the Cherry Hinton and I feel at the prices Pink Sapphire offers some good E.W value, she was beaten 10 lengths behind the current fav Shumoos when the pair met on their debuts but it was interesting she was sent off just at 10-11 for that heat, she shows plenty of speed and made no mistake at the second time of asking when winning at Salisbury although it was a golden opportunity for her she made it look very easy. She represents top connections and Richard Hannon seemed positive enough about sending her here on his site, at 25-1 she is worth a small e.w in my opinion. The other horse I am backing is Russeliana, she landed a monster punt on debut at Leicester having been matched at over 20-1 on betfair early in the morning she was sent off 7-2 and won really nicely. The 3rd home that day was Pearl Diva who has since finished runner up in a listed heat and won a maiden at 1-16 yesterday. The selection was Sir Michael Stoute’s first 2yo runner and it is interesting he steps her up in class so soon as he certainly doesn’t rush his 2yos. She could be anything and for me is worth a dabble.
3.00 Newmarket – RIVER JETEZ 10-1 (BOG). A cracking turn out for the Falmouth and it is not easy picking the winner but I just don’t understand why this mare is 10-1, she has some cracking form and is held in the highest of regard by Mike De Kock. A lot of people are saying she will not be suited by the drop to 1m, but she showed plenty of dash to beat a very decent stablemate at Meydan over 9f (Reem). She has also filled the runner up spot to both Presvis and Gitano Hernando and that is stand out form here. Sahpresa is no stranger over here having won the Sun Chariot twice and looked as good as ever when running away from the highly regarded Moonlight Cloud last time out, she looks the main danger.
5.20 Newmarket – MY FREEDOM 5-1 (BOG) - Tricky race but I feel that My Freedom is potentially really well handicapped off a mark of just 86. He has plenty of ability for sure and shaped really nicely after a 290 day lay off when finishing 2nd in just a fair race at Newcastle. He didn’t have the best of luck in running that day under Ted Durcan and also should have come on a bundle for that effort. Will be a small bet for me but one I will look forward to watching.
2.35 York – DEVER DREAM 7-1 (BOG) – I would have preferred more rain for my selection here but I do believe William Haggas will only allow him to run if he feels the ground is right. He was pulled out last week and the trainer had plenty of positive things to say about the horse when a guest on the Morning Line . He clearly hasn’t been at his best so far this season but is worth another chance in a race I feel he would win comfortably if returning to his best.