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Not the worst weekend in the World. Glad to come out with a profit as Saturdays can often be very damaging to the old bank balance. Probably should have opted for the obvious one in the French Derby today but Morandi ran well enough to finish 2nd. It took him an age to pick up but once he did he finished off quite well. Maybe a further step up in trip is in store for him. White Waves never got a run and may have gone close had he not got boxed in on the fence. Gammarth also finished off his race well but wasn’t quite good enough to get there. Jamie Spencer is a lucky jockey getting that job… could be a lot of big wins for him to come this season.
+£660.94
7.30 Windsor Tioman Legend £100 EW @ 12/1 William Hill
This horse has only 1 to his name and has a very inconsistent profile but on his day he is very smart as he showed a few times last year. Good runs behind Mince and Jwala were followed with extremely poor runs behind Sholaan, Hamza and Heeraat. On his return to action at Ascot he ran a very encouraging race when finishing 8th of 15 but only a couple of lengths behind the winner. The form of that race has been franked by Tropics who is in opposition tonight. The trainer is in good form at the moment and this horse loves quick ground. If he can build on his reappearance run, then I can see him getting involved.
Norfolk Stakes – Green Door £100 EW @ 10/1 Bet365
I do like Coach House but he is very short now so I am going to take him on with the Olly Stevens inmate who has apparently been working all over Extortionist at home. The horse did really well to win the Windsor Castle on Tuesday so I would be confident of a big run from Green Door. I am actually pleased Spencer has opted for the other runner as he is in woeful form at the moment. Jim Crowley takes the ride and although he lacks big race experience, he is as strong as any in the weighing room. Green Door is drawn in the middle but I don’t see that being a problem as the American horse is drawn close by and should give him something to follow. The form of Green Door’s win at Newmarket was given a nice boost by Windfast and I would be hopeful of this horse at least getting into the places here.
Gold Cup – Simenon £150 EW @ 8/1 Paddy Power
This horse is yet to win above class 2 on the flat but to me he looks a cracking bet in this race. Last year he won twice at the meeting and both times he absolutely bolted up. He is an unbelievable cruising speed and ability to quicken up at the end of a race. He would have won the Chester Cup with a clear run but still managed to finish a close up 4th after finishing like a steam train from off the pace. He has been beaten by a few of these over 2m but I expect this extra half mile to help him reverse the form with the likes of Times Up and Saddler’s Rock. Johhny Murtagh keeps the ride after Chester, which is an positive and I am very hopeful that Simenon can go close in this. It’s one of the most open Gold Cup’s i can remember and hopefully Murtagh to can boot home another winner for the dominant Irish.
Britannia Handicap – Homage £75 EW @ 25/1 Ladbrokes
This looks a cracking renewal of this race with a few on here who could potentially be group class but I am going to take a chance with Homage. He progressed nicely last year to win on his final start at Kempton and then returned to action in May to gain a gutsy win at Haydock over 7f. He was then just narrowly beaten at Sandown when sent off a 7/4 favourite off a a mark of 85 but looked unlucky that day as he wandered about quite a lot. If he can run in a straight line today, he could be dangerous with Darren Egan taking off 3lbs putting him the same mark as his Sandown run. He is yet to run over a mile, which is a slight worry but he has looked as though a step up in trip would be no problem. He is also drawn low, which could prove advantageous as he has the likes of Maputo, Newstead Abbey and Shebebi to give him a good toe into the race. This is a bit if a punt as he has plenty to find with some of these but I will take my chances in a race that can often through up a nice priced winner.
Tercentenary – Van Der Neer £100 EW @ 12/1 Bet365
The big question mark is the trip but I am happy to ignore his latest run over in Ireland. For whatever reason plenty of horses just don’t give their running when travelling over to Ireland. If you take out his win on his reappearance at Lingfield, his last 3 runs on turf have all come in group 1 company. He managed a 2nd to Kingsbarns and a 3rd to Dawn Approach in the Guineas and as I have already said, I am happy to ignore his run behind Magician. In both of those good efforts, he was staying on at the finish to suggest he might get this trip. The drop into group 3 company should help offset the step up in trip, but if he does stay then he should prove very tough to keep out of the frame. The Hannon yard hasn’t had the best of meetings so far so maybe this one can get them their first win on the board.
Well it wasn’t the worst day in the World. Green Door wasn’t good enough but was pleased to see the American horse win. Both Simenon and Van der Neer placed so made a little profit with both of them and Homage was a non-runner. Really fancy Sheikhzayedroad tomorrow. Going to have a proper look now
Albany Stakes – Sandiva £200 win @ 11/4 Bet365
Richard Fahey deserves a change of luck after a few second places and he might just get that elusive win with Sandiva. Surely a repeat of her latest win over in Ireland would see her go very close. She travelled very well that day and quickened up nicely to win by a couple of lengths. The second horse battled on very well that day and races in this but I don’t see why she would turn the tables. There are plenty of potentially good horses in the race but Sandiva has the form in the book. Frankie Dettori takes the ride, which is a positive and maybe he can get his first winner of the meeting.
Coronation Stakes – Sky Lantern £200 win @ 5/1 BetVictor
Richard Hughes probably deserves a change of luck and he will do well to win this one on Sky Lantern from a wide draw but I am going to take a chance on her. She may have just needed her first run when finishing 2nd to Hot Snap but improved again to take the Guineas with a late flourish. She will require luck in running as will plenty of these but she has already beaten most of these. Only once has she finished out of the first 2 and then came at the Breeders Cup where she appeared to be very unlucky. The favourite for this may have needed the run in the Guineas but Sky Lantern has already beaten her and I will take her to beat this lot.
Wolferton Handicap – Sheikhzayedroad £200 EW @ 8/1 Ladbrokes
This horse has improved massively this year winning twice and finishing 2nd to the progressive Educate on ground that won’t have suited. Al of this horses poorer runs have come on softer ground and although he hasn’t encountered ground this fast before, I do think he will handle it. He certainly has his quirks however, which he showed again when winning easily at Epsom. He does tend to hang, which is a worry but this bigger field may just help him. He has been raised 9lbs for his latest win but he could have won with any amount in hand had he ran in a straight line. He is certainly worth his placed in this field and I would be very disappointed if he couldn’t at least make the frame.
King Edward VII Stakes – Greatwood £100 EW @ 9/1 Bet365
This is a cracking contest to have a bet in as you have an odds on favourite with the next best at 8/1 and you have the added bonus of having 3 places to play for. I don’t really fancy Battle of Marengo… to me he just lacks something that certain other Ballydoyle inmates have. Even though he ran well in the Derby, he was also well placed to do so. The one I do like is Greatwood who made a very encouraging return to action at Newmarket before disappointing in the Dante. I would put a line through that effort as he clearly wasn’t himself. He was slowly away that day and Fallon never ever looked happy on him. For whatever reason he just didn’t give his true running. The step up to 1m4f should really suit him here and Richard Hughes takes the ride on him. I was tempted by the Roger Varian horse in this as I backed him at Sandown and he was impressive there but I prefer the claims of Greatwood.
Good going Whorse. You keep a good thread. I’ll not stick my oar in as you’re going along nicely, and know more about winners that i do.
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