Hi all,
Saturday was disappointing but Amhran Na Bhfiann landed the each-way bet in the Derby to save the day.
Today is arguably the best ever Sunday of horse racing in Britain. We have the Coral Eclipse at Sandown and the main supporting card at Haydock features the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks & the historic Old Newton Cup.
Sandown
3:35 – Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) – 1m 2f
Last years winner Enable will take all the beating here if fit enough for her seasonal return. However, she will need to be as she has two worthy opponents in recent Coronation Cup winner Ghaiyyath and Japan. It’s the latter who could take advantage should Enable lack any sharpness. Fourth in last years Derby the 4-year-old then went on to win the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris and the International Stakes over today’s distance before finishing a credible 4th, two places behind Enable in the Arc. He ran like the race was needed when 4th of 7 in the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stays further so a more strongly run race will suit at 1m 2f and he should be fitter of his Ascot return.
1pt win – Japan – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Haydock
1:30 – Well Funded looks worth an each-way play here. The mare was three-time winner last year at around 1m 6f and is 3 wins from 5 runs +12.84 4 placed when racing 1m6f+ with soft in the going description. The 4-year-old built on her Pontefract seasonal return, closely matched with one of today’s rivals Theatro on that running, when 4th of 13 here over 2m. Today’s softer ground will be in her favour as should drop back to 1m 6f. First time cheekpieces are applied for the first time and the filly should be set for a big run from stall 2.
1pt each way – Well Funded – 12/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
2:05 – Subjectivist caught the eye and looked a winner in waiting when 3rd of 17 in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot. A half-brother to last year’s St Leger second Sir Ron Priestley, who improved for the step up to 1m 4f/1 m 6f, he was bought steadily into the race from his wide draw and had every chance at the furlong post and stayed on well enough to take third. Step up to 1m 6f should be fine for the 3-year-old and he should be effective on today’s much softer surface.
1pt win – Subjectivist – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:15 – Sixteen have been declared for this years Old Newton Cup. As ever it’s looks a tricky race om paper. I’m just going to side with last time out course winner Babbo’s Boy. The 4-year-old looked to have improved for a winter gelding operation when quickening clear of his rivals coming to the final furlong for a decisive success 28-days. The handicapper has raised him 7lb for that success but the manner of his win suggests he remains on a winnable mark handling today’s much softer ground.
1pt win – Babbo’s Boy – 7/1 @ Coral & Bet365
3:50 – Cold Stare has two career wins to his name and both of them have come here, including C&D On his soft & heavy he’s 2 wins from 4 runs. A poor seasonal return, 33-days ago, could be explained by an irregular heartbeat that he was found to be suffering from post-race. Probably best judged on his best form here and is just 1lb higher than his last winning mark.
1pt win – Cold Stare – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John