3.10 York Sholaan 12/1 Quite like the look of Willie Haggas's 3 year old who I think could definitely be suited by both the softer ground, drop back in trip and application of first time blinkers. Although a well touted 2 year old who put in a couple of decent efforts to finish 2nd, he was ultimately a bit disappointing. However, he started off his 3 year old career with a bang with an all the way win on the AW at Wolves in a maiden to score impressively over the 7f trip by 2.5L on his 4th start. Utilising his excellent draw in stall 1, todays jockey Liam Jones led from the front and he was always travelling the best as they turned home. When Jones applied a bit of exertion to get more out of his mount, Sholaan began hanging left and then right showing signs of either inexperience or a bit of loneliness out in front but he still had more than enough in hand to win despite these quirks. The form of that race has worked out really well with the 2nd his two subsequent starts in handicaps including his last race off a mark of 83 and he is now rated 88. Furthermore, the 3rd Mizwaaj (5.75L behind) won a maiden on his next start before running a good 4th on handicap debut off a mark of 84 to finish 2L in the race won by Curzon Line. The 4th has also won a maiden on his only subsequent start in a race that has worked out well and he has been assigned an opening handicap mark of 85 so in retrospect Sholaan's handicap mark of 87 today looks rather lenient. On his last start and on handicap debut off a mark of 89, Sholaan was clearly very well fancied with Ryan Moore booked as he was supported into favouritism but he could only finish a 3.5L beaten 8th. From his wide draw in stall 13, Sholaan was pretty keen earlier on as he took a keen hold and I don't think he really came down the hill at Epsom's undulating track to well either. When asked to quicken with a few furlongs to go, Sholaan again showed some quirks as he veered a bit left and right and Moore ceased applying maximum driving inside the final furlong when he knew winning was beyond him and he probably could have finished a little bit closer if desired. Despite being a bit disappointing, he certainly isn't worth giving up on yet with a 2lb drop to a mark of 87 being a help. Blinkers being applied for the first time look ideal and should definitely help him focus and look certain to improve him quite a bit. He has a pedigree that suggests the drop back in trip will suit and he certainly looked to have enough pace for 6f when winning at Wolverhampton. Although the soft ground is an unknown, I think it could definitely bring about some improvement as he is a half brother to a soft ground Group 3 winner and his extra stamina should definitely help if the race becomes a war of attrition. Liam Jones takes the ride and he has been on board for 3 of his 5 starts to date and its his only ride of the day. Although he has a little over 2L to find with Van Ellis with only a 2lb swing from the last race, I think the aforementioned factors could help swing it in Sholaan's favour. The form of his victory certainly suggests that his mark of 87 shouldn't be beyond him and with only 5 starts to date he certainly is entitled to a fair amount of progression. Although Priceless Jewell is a worth favourite and should definitely prove to be a better horse than her mark of 90, I'm willing to take her on in the big field on what may prove unsuitable soft ground. Connections of Sholaan clearly felt he was good enough to win off a mark of 89 given the support LTO which clearly demonstrates they like him quite a bit. With a good draw in stall 4 and with trainer Willie Haggas having an excellent 26% strike rate at the track with his 3 year olds, I think Sholaan looks set to run a big race tomorrow being his in form trainers only representative of the day. I've also backed David Evans Pale Orchid 33/1 as I'm fascinated by the booking of Paul Hanagan. The trainer/jockey combination has yielded a 19% strike rate in the past 5 seasons and this represents his first ride on this 3 year old. In relation to the horse, he's been running consistently but not fantastically recently but he's fallen to a mark of 87 and he's only 3lb below his last winning mark. With Richard Fahey having a runner in the race that Hanagan has ridden plenty of times before, it may definitely be a case that the in form Evans believes he has his filly in top order and at a big price I'm definitely willing to have a small e/w if Hanagan being booked means business.
Not putting up GINGER TED @ 20-1 York 5.15 ROTO? I am surprised. Dropped again by the handicapper and looks to have an outstanding chance if he gets the run of the race! I have backed him EW on his own and in a double with VAN ELLIS 16-1 3.10 York who I think gets his optimum trip today and has a big chance. I am looking to retire.................LOL
Sholaan will love the ground, blatant soft ground action, has alot of ability, should be reasonably treated off 87 but I think hes a bit of a monkey and I cant see him winning this. Its such a competetive race but I think Priceless Jewel is different class and she can win in spite of the ground, pedigree gives her a decent chance of handling it, her half sister amongst others didnt mind it and alot of Selkirk's like cut but her action suggests to me she will prove best on good ground.
3.45 York I believe SAAMID deserves another chance and his price could end up looking very big. Firstly, he may have just suffered from the bounce factor- the poor thing had been off the track a year before he returned at Kempton and failing by a nose to nab Sri Putra, who made it a stamina test over 1m, is actually a very high standard of form and showed ability remains. If you put a line through his last run, he would have a terrific chance at these weights given his ability. I believe there might be a reason behind his flop last time- his two starts on fast ground have both resulted in him bombing out and back on a kinder surface up at York today he might rate a nice bet at 5/1. Ascot- will we get soft ground?
Morning all, the usual for me... York: Leg 1: Eagle Rock (14) Leg 2: Dubai Dynamo (5) / Classic Colori (9) Leg 3: Top Cop (6) / Tioman Legend (7) / Glen Moss (12) Leg 4: Tullius (1) Leg 5: Jonny Lesters Hair (2) / Musnad (12) / Moheeb (19) Leg 6: Marahaba Malayeen (5) / Orions Hero (8) 36 @ 50p £18 Sandown: Leg 1: Takeitfromalady (3) Leg 2: Leviathan (5) Leg 3: Ballesteros (1) Leg 4: Interakt (6) Leg 5: Tartiflette (2) Leg 6: Moonglow (10) 1 @ £15 £15 5/1 may seem pretty skinny odds to back EW, but Ballesteros will be impossible to keep out of the frame in the 3.25 Sandown. He flopped because of the fast going at Beverley and returns to the ground he relishes. This is a step up in class, but he's won at the track before of very soft going and should be a strong account.
Saamidd wont go a yard in the ground today. Infact, hes a non runner, probably due to the ground. Rockinante is interesting, Hanagan could steal it from the front but I wont be involved in the race.
I have noticed King Kieron is doing 8st 6lb on Gabriels Lad today, i do not know what his riding weight is but this does seem quite low for him. I think he has an outstanding chance on Navejo Chief as well, whilst anytime he is booked by the Northern Trainer Jim Goldie it usually means its having a proper go. Due to all this i will be having a fun e-w yankee on his four rides today with singles on Gabriels lad and Navajo Chief. York 2.35 Navajo cheif 5-1 3.10 Gabriels Lad 12-1 4.15 Rustic Deacon 12-1 5.15 Go Go Green 16-1 all best odds
Just one for me today - Bouncy Bouncy 4.00 Sandown. Good luck all and well done England - for taking 20 years off my life expectancy last night
According to RP its his joint lowest weight in the past year, but no clue how often he does it. He's 2-8 for Coakley so I'd say its significant to get down that low, although he doesn't look overly well handicapped to me. Was also tipped on The Morning Line apparently but no clue what was said
Morning all. A little ew dabble on Veiled Applause in the first at York. A good record on soft (2311), trainer in good form. The jockey has only had 1 spin on the flat but has a decent record so far in NH so hardly a negative. Veiled Applause 25/1 ew Good luck all
Today didnt have much time to look so backed all the selections from the RP write up guy! Different approach/small stakes as usual! 205y Cape Safari 235 Navajo chief 310 Tioman Legend 210b Ryedale lass 240 majestic red 310 valumina 225H three white socks 300 bollin dolly 335 crackerjack lad 635 belle voir 705 danzoe 735 invincible beauty 520 royal empress 555 probably 655 Rose Garnet Singles and a treble at each meet! Happy punting! Why are the Czechs such a big price? I think they are nailed on, but I also thought Gomez was a donkey after Champs League so backed Holland
Many thanks for the info ROTO. I have backed him and in the yankee as well so heres hoping, very difficult race however. Victor Chandler are offering a free £20 bet at Royal Ascot to anyone placing a £20 bet on this race, so is worth a roll.
Afternon all, Another not a great days racing. but will have a little play to keep intrest this afternoon, Anyone watch the programme on ATR just now - very intresting all about sales etc...
