Hi all,
Racing from Doncaster, Goodwood & Newmarket and Leopardstown.
Let’s begin the Sunday Preview at Doncaster which is today’s principal meeting.
Doncaster
2:00 – Camacho Chief won a similar handicap over C&D 12 months ago, off 1lb lower. A reproduction of that run would see the 5-year-old win this. Made a pleasing seasonal reappearance when 4th at Newcastle 12-days ago. That run will sharpened him up nicely for this. The only niggle would be drying ground as his best form has come on soft ground.
Tanasoq on the other hand would want the ground to dry out further. The 7-year-old beat El Astronaute in a Conditions race at Musselburgh on his seasonal reappearance last year. He’s a 5f specialist at his best and he normally goes well in the first half of the season. Indeed, his record over 5f between April & July is 5 wins from 8 runs +32.51 6 placed. He could surprise if the ground dries out.
0.5pts each way – Tanasoq – 25/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Camacho Chief – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Coral
2:35 – Dakota Gold improved all last season moving up from handicap company to win two Listed Races and finish runner-up in a Group 3 at Newbury. He has to give a 3lb penalty to his five rivals but he’s got a touch of class and if he’s fit enough for his return, he will take all the beating.
El Astronaute is a real speed ball and can be hard to pass if he gets an uncontested lead.
Lady In France won on her seasonal return last season and is 2 wins from 2 runs when racing 60+ days since her last run. The 4-year-old won a Fillies only Listed Race at Ayr last September. Should be fit enough for her reappearance but probably wouldn’t want the ground to dry out.
Tarboosh seems to hold Copper Knight on two bits of form last Autumn and he seems at his best in small field sprints.
Copper Knight has the benefit of a recent run at Newmarket 8-days ago. He ran a cracker to finish runner-up in Class 2 handicap, beaten just a short head. That was a career best on turf from the 6-year-old on RPR’s so he’s clearly returned to the track in great form. Six of his eight career wins have come when racing 8 to 15-days since his last start so he should be spot on here. Drying ground will suit and a reproduction of his Newmarket run would see him go close.
1pt win – Copper Knight – 9/2 @ Ladbrokes
Leopardstown
3:35 – Ilikehim is the first reserve in this 1m 4f handicap. He’s still a maiden after 14 starts on the flat but last August was beaten just ¾ length when 2nd of 13 here over 1m 5f. He can race off 2lb lower today and a useful apprentice takes off a handy 7lb. First time blinkers are applied and if the headgear works could surprise at big odds.
0.5pts each way – 14/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
5:15 – Gatsby Cap was in good form this time last year, winning a mile handicap at Gowran Park off just 1lb lower. Trainer has had a couple of winners since the resumption. Trish’s Company looked really green when winning a maiden at Dundalk in November. That was just her third career start and she make’s her handicap debut off what looks a good mark.
0.5pts each way – Gatsby Cap – 20/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – Trish’s Company – 5/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John