Hi all,
Not great yesterday, particularly after last weekend’s efforts.
The pre-Royal Ascot weekend tends not to be the strongest. However, we have been so starved of racing recently that were happy to take anything that comes our way. The Irish don’t let us down though. At the Curragh it’s the Irish 1000 Guineas and there’s a strong supporting card of seven races. Let’s begin Saturday’s betting preview at the Curragh.
Curragh
4:00 – Dalton Highway finished runner-up in last season’s Irish Cesarewitch over C&D. He was no match for the easy winner in the that race but would have run out a decisive winner of the race if the well handicapped winner hadn’t been in the field. He then finished strongly to finish 4th November Handicap at Naas over two furlongs shorter. Has since won over hurdles and goes well off lay off. Bumper winner Jerandme relished the step up to 2m when running out a cosy winner of a handicap at Dundalk in February. Just 2lb higher for his return to turf and Colin Keane has been booked for the ride.
1pt win – Dalton Highway – 7/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Jerandme – 8/1 @ Bet365
5:45 – It may be worth taking a chancewith the nicelyhandicapped Art Of Unity on his seasonal return. Both the 5-year-old’s career wins have come over the minimum trip and he’s now 4lb lower than when staying on well to be beaten just a neck into third at Cork last September.
0.5pts each way – Art Of Unity – 16/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
6:15 – The booking of Colin Keane for Lariat takes the eye. The 4-year-old is having his first start for Aido McGuiness and looks on a decent mark for his seasonal return. Top-weight Verimli is having for run for Joseph O’Brien since moving from France. The 4-year-old won three of his four starts last season and was just beaten in a 1m6f Listed Race at Deauville when last seen in action. A chance is taken with the Jessica Harrington trained Lynwood Gold who won a heavy ground maiden hurdle at Navan back in March. If he can replicate his improved hurdles form back on the flat, he’s on good mark.
1pt win – Lynwood Gold – 10/1 @ Bet365
7:15 – The Irish 1000 Guineas – We saw a good winner in yesterday’s first colt’s classic. Will we see a good filly win the fillies equivalent? Albigna won the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac last season and is the clear pick on juvenile form. The Aidan O’Brien trained pair Peaceful & So Wonderful could easily have improved from two to three and could give the Albigna most to do.
Newbury
2:25 – Miss Celestial was a consistent in Listed races last season without winning. Putting in a career best when runner-up at Ascot on her final start of 2019. Should be all the better for her recent 5th of 13 behind Liberty Beach at Haydock 6-days ago.
1pt win – Miss Celestial – 5/1 @ Bet365
Sandown
2:25 – Impressor won a Salisbury maiden on his second start last season before disappointing when upped to Group 2 company here in August. Proved that running all wrong when 3rd of 12 in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket in November. Any further easing of the ground will be in his favour and he looks on a workable mark for his handicap debut.
1pt win – Impressor – 4/1 @ Bet365
3:15 – Solid Stone was a consistent enough handicapper last season and ran well twice around here. Maybe better over slightly further than a mile but he’s been gelded over the winter and it’s interesting he stays in training with top connections as a 4-year-old. Exec Chef made a decent return to action when 4th of 12 at Newmarket 7-days ago. He’s well handicapped on his best form and although he’s another who may be better now over slightly further looks a big player.
1pt win – Exec Chef – 5/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John