Thursday's Meetings Newmarket Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Carlisle Flat 6 Races 2:10-5:03p.m. Doncaster Flat 7 Races 2:35-6:00p.m. Leopardstown(E) Flat 7 Races 5:10-8:30p.m. Newbury(E) Flat 6 Races 5:50-8:45p.m. Epsom(E) Flat 6 Races 6:05-9:00p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
A very disappointing start to the July Meeting at Newmarket with small fields and easy ground (nothing they can do about the weather). I am going to guess that my Derby ante post Ancient Wisdom is taking in the opening Bahrain Trophy with a view to targeting the St Leger. With just four in the field as I write, my expectation is that Buick may be looking at setting the fractions, that Portland is here as a marker so that Ballydoyle can gauge the value of the form; and there is no reason to think that Royal Supremacy will reverse Royal Ascot running with Space Legend, who looks the most likely threat to the favourite. With six in the July Stakes, punters can decide whether they want to go with the form horse, Whistlejacket, or go with shock Coventry runner-up Electrolyte, from a race where a small blanket would have covered the first eight home. The obvious one is Windsor Castle winner Ain’t Nobody stepping up a furlong and the market will indicate how well regarded Aomori City is by Godolphin on the back of a debut win in a minor six runner affair. This looks one to just watch for future pointers. Predictably my horse is a non-runner in the 3:00 so that leaves the six runner feature, the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes. This really does only look to revolve around three of the field. Maxi King is a handicapper and looks out of his depth today. The Frankel gelding Outbox won the Jockey Club Stakes beating favourite Time Lock, will probably do so again even with a penalty and is probably the pace angle here. Giavellotto has won back to back Yorkshire Cups but nothing in between and drops to twelve furlongs here with a penalty. He should give a good account but ultimately he has done most of his winning on quick ground over further so he needs the two principals to have an off day. Hamish won the John Porter to extend his winning run to five, a race in which Arrest led with a quarter of a mile to go but ran out of steam. Subsequently Hamish was second in the Coronation Cup (Time Lock last of five) to Luxembourg, but I think that he was flattered by the length proximity as the winner was eased. Arrest took on the Ormonde Stakes and was well beaten by Port Lonsdale on quick ground. The balance of form suggests that Arrest wants today’s easy conditions (won Chester Vase, second St Leger) but he would only be a sporting bet to overturn Hamish and I can wait for better opportunities.
Briefly, in the (20:25) at Epsom Downs, a Class-5 Handicap over an extended 1m on soft ground, the Golden Horn mare, Chips And Rice, has a sound chance to make the winner's enclosure. Should be suited by the prevailing track conditions. Daniel Muscutt rides for the James Fanshawe yard. 9/2 best price early-doors in just about all places, on the ATR site. (Chips and Rice for supper sounds absolutely awful, certainly not for me! Yuck!)
It’s a culinary delight for indecisive folk like me Swanny. Chilli con carne with half rice, half chips is a winner
Love a good Chili con carne, Chan, but with rice and all the trappings from a good recipe. Have to 'pass' on chips this time, though! Missus makes a pretty good CCC, must say.
