Afternoon chaps-Off to leopardstown tonight so have done early double.Good luck to katie taylor in the boxing later,some nasty stuff coming out of her opponant so hope she gives her a good hiding!! 5.55 Battle of marengo 17/2. O'brein horse out of galileo and enterted in next years epsom derby. 8.05 Zalanga- Ran third in debut at Dundalk last month and JM takes the ride which is a plus
3.50 Brighton Filun 33/1 With the ground drying out all the time, I think Anthony Middleton's 7 year old looks vastly overpriced at 33/1. After a problem with Ulcers, Filun really came to fruition when landing a C+D event in fantastic style at the end of April last year when sauntering to victory off a mark of 48. He was clearly very well handicapped after overcoming his issues and he subsequently ran out an impressive winner when he was raised 8lb for winning on his next start at Lingfield 20 days later. Filun continued his rapid rise by landing a hat trick 8 days later, this time off a mark of 62, as he again ran out a very impressive winner over C+D. In the 3 runner event, Filun travelled extremely well before quickening up decisively in the final furlong to score by 3.5L. The form of that race is strong with the 2nd twice in August and she is now rated 11lb higher than she was when playing second fiddle to Filun. After this, Filun was raised by 9lb and ran a very respectable 3L beaten 3rd off a mark of 71 at Salisbury at what has become his standard 12f trip. Once again, he travelled extremely powerfully into the race and just couldn't pick up when asked in the final furlong. The form of that race is strong with the winner Danvilla winning off an 8lb higher mark subsequently and he is now 12lb higher. Furthermore, the 4th Eshtyaaq ran 3 excellent 2nds on his next 3 starts and is now rated 8lb higher than that day. After this Filun was given a 1lb hike in the weights from the handicapper and he again put in another excellent performance when going down by 1L at the end of June at Epsom. He travelled in his usual ominous way and jockey Liam Keniry waited as long as he could before he played him but the winner made all that day and he just couldn't pick him up. The form of that race isn't anything of note but it was still an encouraging effort. On his last start last year he ran a shocker at Epsom and considering he was absent for a long period after I'm willing to ignore that effort. Filun's first start this year came at Windsor after an 8 month break and he clearly needed that run. He travelled pretty strongly until about 2f out but found absolutely nothing when asked for an effort. His 2nd start this year came over todays track and trip off a mark of 70 when he came an excellent 2L beaten 2nd. He travelled into the race extremely impressively and looked the winner all over. After trading 1.07 in running, he just couldn't get past the very game front running St Ignatius. That winner has boosted the form significantly by winning his next two starts and it was a rather useful performance. Filun's last 2 starts have also come at Brighton but he's been disappointing in both. The first came 9 days after his excellent 2nd and the only explanation I have is that he just had an off day. His last start was on unsuitably soft ground so I think you can excuse it. He returns to Brighton off a mark of 68 and he clearly loves it round here, with a record of 3311245. He's clearly on a good mark based on his last win and place efforts and the drying ground conditions should hopefully prove ideal come race time. William Twiston Davies is a very encouraging jockey booking as his 7lb claim allows him to race off an effective mark of 61 which makes him look very well handicapped. I think its also worth noting that if using all of his allowance Twiston Davies will be getting down to 8-6 which is 1lb below his lowest weight of the past 12 months. He may have no issue getting down to this weight but I thought it was worth pointing out and its also his first ride for the trainer. Anthony Middleton hasn't had a winner in 11 months but that isn't a huge concern to me given that he went 13 months before Filun rattled up a hat trick last year. Moreover, Filun has already run well once this year so he isn't completely out of form. Although he's got to bounce back from a couple of poor runs, he looks madly overpriced given his record at the track. On a good weight, if Willie Twiston-Davies can play him right he could go very close to landing this competitive event. It is definitely worth noting that he often travels into his races, looks like he can't lose before not finding much of the bridle. I'd definitely recommend laying off your stake if he gets very short in running.
Aaarrrggghhhhhh who was it on here last week slating Queally and saying how weak he is? Just goes to show there.
Very decent maiden just taken place for Yarmouth, i feel the first four home woth following next time as they all ade each other work and all were not unfancied in the betting.
3.10 Haydock Compton 5-1 All the money is for Touch gold but Compton has been running at a far superior grade and at 5-1 is a must bet.
I'm on Touch Gold and Emell double. But after seeing Queally on the first one i dont have much confidence with him on this one.
3 seconds for Hughes! On Varnish in the next!! Was waiting on Hanagan for a treble with Joust and hanagans winner in the 1st!!!
I'm a bit outside my comfort zone with 33/1 chances but I think THE LODGE ROAD is massively overpriced in the 17.10. May have a small and only play of the day ew.
