As I said earlier in the week in ‘Richard Pitman’s Derby’ (3.50 Newcastle) I think TROPICAL BEAT is a massive price at 22/1 and looks a must each-way bet to my eye. Although he’s only won 2 of his 18 races this one has some very creditable placed performances to his name and should relish the step up to 2 miles in this event. The good to firm surface should also cause him few problems as when the word ‘firm’ appears in the old going descriptor his form reads -2423. He’s ridden by Silvestre De Sousa who has won on 2 of his last 3 rides for Tropical Beat’s yard (at 33/1 and 7/1!). Meanwhile, the horses one run to date, this term, saw Tropical Beat stay on most eyecatchingly over 14 furlongs and I would expect a very big run from him ‘ooooooooooooooop’ North. In the Listed affair at Royal Windsor (3.40) I want to be with CUSTOM CUT. I think this horse is seriously underestimated and has the potential, at some point, to win a really big ‘un when everything falls right for him. Custom Cut won 5 races when trained in Ireland from 2011-13 and has some nice form to his name in the UK this season finishing just behind animals such as Fencing, Guest of Honour, Breton Rock and Graphic. A similar level of performance should make him difficult to beat across the county line. Meanwhile, I shouldn’t see the Good to Firm ground causing him a problem as it was ‘Good to Firm in places’ when he ran so well, last time, against Guest of Honour and old boy Fencing. Both are trained by David O’Meara but this is merely coincidental. I haven’t got some mole in the yard or heard any whispers. Both are merely old faves who I expect big runs from of the morrow.
My weekend banker is very very fluid , when it wants to run it runs when it flows it flows . This one will surely put a dampner on the field I can see it causing a few to withdraw ! RAIN
Alas uncle - work is indeed the curse of the drinking classes. Just popped open one of these beauties though:
