2.30 NORFOLK STAKES (GROUP 2) 5 FURLONGS
Another two year old sprint to kick off proceedings, and unsurprisingly the top two in the market come from the Hannon yard. Only two favourites have won since 2005 though, so it is a race to tread carefully with.
Both Hannon horses command respect, but the one that stands out on form is King Of Rooks, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori. He easily beat Buratino on his last start, and we all saw what he did here in The Coventry. It is no wonder that the bookies have him priced up at around even money. The big hitters will be steaming in on this one, and he is the one to beat.
I'm not usually one for tipping up even money shots though, and there is one horse in particular that is worthy of a second look. This horse is James Given's Jazz Legend, who is a son of Scat Daddy, a sire who is no stranger to success over this course and in this race. Jazz Legend absolutely hosed up on his only run at Haydock, a performance all the more impressive considering it was on easy ground, which he is not bred to appreciate. The bare form looks weak enough, but he could do no more than beat what was in front of him and his current odds of 20/1 look very attractive. He could easily run into a place as improvement should be forthcoming back on fast ground.
Selections: Jazz Legend (20/1) each way.
3.05 TERCENTENARY STAKES (GROUP 3) 10 FURLONGS
A good race for fancied horses, with three of the last five favourites doing the job for punters. This years good thing looks to be Time Test, and he is a colt that is difficult to oppose.
His form is solid, and he relished the step up to this trip on his last outing in the London Cup, winning easily off 93. His 2nd to Latharnach at the tail end of last season was given a big boost as well, with that horse finishing second to Gleneagles here on Tuesday.
He is also bred to be extremely smart, being a son of Dubawi and out of Passage Of Time, a super mare in her own right (Group 1 Winner) , and a half sister to Timepiece. This is undoubtedly a big step up in class for him today, but on pedigree and form he should be able to cope and his current price of 9/4 looks fair. The one to beat.
The interesting one at a more generous price is the Stoute horse Disegno. He will be ridden by Ryan Moore, who rode both Time Test and Cape Clear Island on their last starts. He has a piece of form with Derby hero Golden Horn that would give him every chance in this field. The fact Moore chooses him has to count as a positive too given the superb form he has been in this week. At 8/1 he could be the potential fly in the ointment.
Selection: Time Test (9/4) Disegno (8/1) each way (4 places powers).
3.40 RIBBLESDALE STAKES (GROUP 2) 12 FURLONGS
Having tipped up Pleascach to win the Irish 1000 Guineas, it is difficult for me to oppose her today. Her chance is obvious for all to see, but the bookies have taken no chances in pricing her up at around even money, with some even going a shade of odds on. The only doubt has to be the trip, but her facile win over 10F would suggest she should be fine.
The biggest threat could come from Curvy, who was successful in the Gallinule (Group 3) over 10F, beating Giovanni Canaletto who was subsequently fourth in the Derby. Her half sister has won this race so stamina should not be an issue for this daughter of Galileo. Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle and at 7/1 she definitely represents decent value. If the favourite fluffs her lines Curvy could be the one to capitalise.
Selection: Pleascach (evs) win Curvy (7/1) each way.
4.20 GOLD CUP (GROUP 1) 20 FURLONGS
Aidan O'Brien has won seven of the last ten runnings of this race, and supplied the winner last year Leading Light. Kingfisher is his sole entry this year, and he deserves plenty of respect given connection's record. However, there are major doubts as to whether this extreme test will suit, as there is a dearth of stamina on his dam side. 9/1 looks a bit skinny to me.
The Dermot Weld horse Forgotten Rules is currently the 3/1 favourite, but there are also doubts about this one on fast ground, a surface he has yet to encounter. The one I like at a price is Simenon for jumps maestro Willie Mullins. This horse has been undoubtedly aimed at this race, having finished 2nd back in 2013 and 4th here last year. He is a previous course and distance winner, he will relish the ground and he has the assistance of James Doyle in the saddle. At his current odds of 12/1 he definitely looks to be the value bet in the race.
Selection: Simenon (12/1) each way.
5.00 BRITANNIA STAKES (HANDICAP) 8 FURLONGS
30 runners go to post, and there are any amount with chances. The one I like each way is Emirates Airline for Saeed Bin Suroor, who rarely leaves this meeting without having a winner.
This horse absolutely hacked up in his maiden win at Chelmsford over a mile, and was stepped up in trip to 10F for his handicap debut off the same mark as he has today. He ran with credit that day, and seemed to be beaten more by the trip than by his mark. He pulled hard and travelled well only giving best in the final furlong and going down by a length and a half. The strong pace today should help him settle, and the drop back down to a mile should be ideal too. He sports a hood for the first time too, which could also help him relax better during the race.
Harry Bentley takes the ride and he has ridden plenty of winners for connections in the past. Emirates Airline could be another for him today, and he looks to be well worth supporting each way at 33/1.
Selection: Emirates Airline (33/1) each way (6 places powers)
5.35 KING GEORGE V STAKES (HANDICAP) 12 FURLONGS
Another cavalry charge, with 19 horses taking their chances in a wide open race. The one I like each way at a price is Putting Green for the Hannon yard. He has been running over 10F this season, and whilst he hasn't won he has shaped as if a greater test of stamina would suit.
He gets an extra two furlongs today, and young claiming jockey Cam Hardie takes off a valuable 3lbs too allowing him to race off an effective mark of 80. I can see Putting Green flying home late on, and he should make the frame at 20/1.
Selection: Putting Green (20/1) each way.
3.05 TERCENTENARY STAKES (GROUP 3) 10 FURLONGS
A good race for fancied horses, with three of the last five favourites doing the job for punters. This years good thing looks to be Time Test, and he is a colt that is difficult to oppose.
His form is solid, and he relished the step up to this trip on his last outing in the London Cup, winning easily off 93. His 2nd to Latharnach at the tail end of last season was given a big boost as well, with that horse finishing second to Gleneagles here on Tuesday.
He is also bred to be extremely smart, being a son of Dubawi and out of Passage Of Time, a super mare in her own right (Group 1 Winner) , and a half sister to Timepiece. This is undoubtedly a big step up in class for him today, but on pedigree and form he should be able to cope and his current price of 9/4 looks fair. The one to beat.
The interesting one at a more generous price is the Stoute horse Disegno. He will be ridden by Ryan Moore, who rode both Time Test and Cape Clear Island on their last starts. He has a piece of form with Derby hero Golden Horn that would give him every chance in this field. The fact Moore chooses him has to count as a positive too given the superb form he has been in this week. At 8/1 he could be the potential fly in the ointment.
Selection: Time Test (9/4) Disegno (8/1) each way (4 places powers).
3.40 RIBBLESDALE STAKES (GROUP 2) 12 FURLONGS
Having tipped up Pleascach to win the Irish 1000 Guineas, it is difficult for me to oppose her today. Her chance is obvious for all to see, but the bookies have taken no chances in pricing her up at around even money, with some even going a shade of odds on. The only doubt has to be the trip, but her facile win over 10F would suggest she should be fine.
The biggest threat could come from Curvy, who was successful in the Gallinule (Group 3) over 10F, beating Giovanni Canaletto who was subsequently fourth in the Derby. Her half sister has won this race so stamina should not be an issue for this daughter of Galileo. Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle and at 7/1 she definitely represents decent value. If the favourite fluffs her lines Curvy could be the one to capitalise.
Selection: Pleascach (evs) win Curvy (7/1) each way.
4.20 GOLD CUP (GROUP 1) 20 FURLONGS
Aidan O'Brien has won seven of the last ten runnings of this race, and supplied the winner last year Leading Light. Kingfisher is his sole entry this year, and he deserves plenty of respect given connection's record. However, there are major doubts as to whether this extreme test will suit, as there is a dearth of stamina on his dam side. 9/1 looks a bit skinny to me.
The Dermot Weld horse Forgotten Rules is currently the 3/1 favourite, but there are also doubts about this one on fast ground, a surface he has yet to encounter. The one I like at a price is Simenon for jumps maestro Willie Mullins. This horse has been undoubtedly aimed at this race, having finished 2nd back in 2013 and 4th here last year. He is a previous course and distance winner, he will relish the ground and he has the assistance of James Doyle in the saddle. At his current odds of 12/1 he definitely looks to be the value bet in the race.
Selection: Simenon (12/1) each way.
5.00 BRITANNIA STAKES (HANDICAP) 8 FURLONGS
30 runners go to post, and there are any amount with chances. The one I like each way is Emirates Airline for Saeed Bin Suroor, who rarely leaves this meeting without having a winner.
This horse absolutely hacked up in his maiden win at Chelmsford over a mile, and was stepped up in trip to 10F for his handicap debut off the same mark as he has today. He ran with credit that day, and seemed to be beaten more by the trip than by his mark. He pulled hard and travelled well only giving best in the final furlong and going down by a length and a half. The strong pace today should help him settle, and the drop back down to a mile should be ideal too. He sports a hood for the first time too, which could also help him relax better during the race.
Harry Bentley takes the ride and he has ridden plenty of winners for connections in the past. Emirates Airline could be another for him today, and he looks to be well worth supporting each way at 33/1.
Selection: Emirates Airline (33/1) each way (6 places powers)
5.35 KING GEORGE V STAKES (HANDICAP) 12 FURLONGS
Another cavalry charge, with 19 horses taking their chances in a wide open race. The one I like each way at a price is Putting Green for the Hannon yard. He has been running over 10F this season, and whilst he hasn't won he has shaped as if a greater test of stamina would suit.
He gets an extra two furlongs today, and young claiming jockey Cam Hardie takes off a valuable 3lbs too allowing him to race off an effective mark of 80. I can see Putting Green flying home late on, and he should make the frame at 20/1.
Selection: Putting Green (20/1) each way.
No comments:
Post a Comment