Sunday's Meetings Navan Flat 8 Races 1:15-5:15p.m. Punchestown N/H 8 Races 1:30-5:30p.m. Fontwell N/H 8 Races 1:50-5:50p.m. Kelso N/H 7 Races 1:57-5:25p.m. Uttoxeter N/H 7 Races 2:12-5:42p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Place a bet in the Virtual Betting shop here Good Luck
Cracking jumps card at Uttoxeter which sees (1) a very good line up for the Clarke Chase at 3.57 and (2) Sprinter Sacre's brother Flinteur Sacre making his handicap hurdle debut off a mark of 109 at 5.42. Has Lieutenant Henderson plotted this one up for JP in Jonjo style?
Longchamp sees the Group 1 Prix D'Ispahan, a race that has seen some good winners like Goldikova and Solow over the years. Won by Persian King last season, this year's renewal seems to rest between Skalleti and The Revenant, according to the betting. The odds are tight between the leading pair, with 6/4 and 13/8 respectively in some lists but there is some 9/4 on the Revenant in places. Hard to know what the going actually is at Longchamp, with some reporting it soft but connections of The Revenant are saying they are concerned it may be too fast for their horse. I went against the grain with my old pal Victor Ludorum. The Andre Fabre horse won the French Guineas nicely last season but was only third to Mishriff in the French Derby. He was disappointing a bit after that, running more poorly behind Mishriff again before being disappointing behind Persian King later. No disgrace being behind Mishriff in retrospect and Persian King ran really well in the Arc upped in trip. Andre Fabre spoke very highly of Victor Ludorum early last year but the horse tended to be too keen in his races. He made a satisfactory return when running third behind Duhail and I thought that was a decent effort. He should be in better shape now, as he needed his first race last year. At the odds I was hoping he might just be an improver at 4YO and have a chance of pulling off a surprise. 15/2 with William Hill looked worth a go, with other firms only going 5/1. 3.15 Longchamp Victor Ludorum 15/2 Saver on Skalleti/Victor Ludorum SF
Skybet are doing money back if your horse finishes second in this race. Might be worth looking at for you if you fancy Victor but think Skaleti could spoil the party
Punchestown 14,05 Flirting Lesa 14/1 e/w, four places with Sky and PP Uttoxeter 15,57 Pistol Whipped 11/2 Won by 14l lto, perhaps too much weight but ground and trip fine, yard on fire (11-17 last 14 days)
The 1.15 Navan sees Alice Springs have her first runner. The 3 time group 1 winning filly was paired with sire Dubawi and it would be hoped that their daughter Prettiest might turn out half decent. 2/1 for her race today, there is always the chance she might need this but I had a bet in the hope she is forward enough and the stable have had several first time winners in the 2YO ranks this year. 1.15 Navan Prettiest 2/1
I did consider Agartha because she was overpriced looking at 6/1 when I was weighing it up. I couldn't understand why Eternal Gold was two points shorter at that stage, when she was three lengths behind Agartha last time. Prettiest did it well considering this was her first start and the runner up had a solid look coming in. I would imagine Prettiest would go up in grade next time.
Skaletti made it but by god it was hairy. Just got up by a short head from Tilsit in a pretty messy race. Victor Ludorum didn't settle very well and was in a bad position when the race started in earnest. He failed to confirm form with Wally from their previous race and Andre Fabre's observation early on that the horse reminded him of Mill Reef looks the joke of the Century. I thought Skalleti might be vulnerable at short odds but he just got the job done, although supporters at 4/6 would be spending their winnings on new underwear. The Revenant didn't run and he seems a horse who would excel in equine swimming, such is his need for soft. Earlier on, the topically named Black Lives Matter won the 2YO race at a tasty 16/1. Given the George Floyd incident, I had said to my wife "Wouldn't it be ironic if Black Lives Matter won by a neck?" Would you believe it, Black Lives Matter won by a neck.
