Hi all,
The Richard Fahey trained Hartswood won Newcastle’s feature race on his all-weather debut. The surface at Newcastle was as deep as it’s been seen since they laid the tapeta surface. Hopefully they have had some rain overnight which should see the track quicken up for this evening’s card and of course Saturday’s Northumberland Plate meeting.
Both yesterday’s selections Kimifive & Fox Champion ran well. I thought Fox Champion was going to win but in the final 50 yds he was swamped by two closers.
Today’s feature race is once again at Newcastle. The William Hill Gosforth Park Cup Handicap (6:45). I have selections from Newcastle, Newmarket and the Curragh.
Newcastle
6:45 – William Hill Gosforth Park Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 5f
Copper Knight won this in 2018 and finished a ¾ length 2nd of 13 in 2019. He’s bounced back to form this spring winning at York back in May and has remained in form on two subsequent starts. Although he’s 5lb higher than when winning at York he’s still 15lb lower than when runner-up in this race two years ago.
Besides Copper Knight Tim Easterby also runs Count D’Orsay and Sunday Sovereign. The first named is having his first run on all-weather since joining the Easterby yard. Very effective on soft turf. He comes into the race on the back of a career best effort when a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 11 behind Kings Lynn in a Listed race at Haydock. He’s up 3lb for that effort so likely needs to improve again but won’t be far away if handling the surface. Sunday Sovereign is making his all-weather debut The lightly raced 4-year-old bounced back to something like his best when 2nd of 12 at York last time. He and his stablemates give the yard a strong hand in the race.
Kind Review’s form figures over C&D are 3111. A winner on turf at Redcar he comes into the race in the form of his career and although this a hotter race than he normally races in. The 5-year-old can’t be dismissed on racing on what are his optimum conditions.
Aljady was in tremendous form last season winning four of his seven starts. Hasn’t really built on a good reappearance effort when beaten a nose on his all-weather debut back in April on two subsequent starts. Back in handicap company today and Jim Crowley 1-1 on the horse has been booked for the ride.
Lahore was only 11/2 for this race last year. He didn’t get the strong pace he needed that day and today’s likely stronger pace will suit the 7-year-old but he needs to be at his very best to win this on first start for 258-days.
Verdict: A very competitive looking race. Tim Easterby has a strong hand with three lively contenders in Copper Knight, Count D’Orsay & Sunday Sovereign. Kind Review must prove he can mix it in this company but he gets his optimum conditions today. Aljady is on a good mark and should be in the mix if back to his best.
1pt win – Aljady – 6/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
1pt win – Kind Review – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Newmarket
8:35 – The lightly raced Passion And Glory and Mashhoor will be popular with punters in this Class 2 handicap. The latter looks capable of more improvement for the step up to 1m 2f for the first time on his handicap debut.
Data Protection is 2-3 on the July course, including C&D. He’s run well on both starts this season and although he’s handicapped up to his best and vulnerable to any improvers. The 6-year-old could well get an easy lead out in front and if he does could be hard to peg back.
1pt win – Data Protection – 6/1 @ Bet365
Curragh
5:30 – Ice Cold In Alex is on a losing run that dates back to August 2018. However, he does run well in this big field handicaps and the former C&D winner did put in his best run of the year when a ½ length 4th of 12 at Leopardstown 15-days ago. Has each-way claims if reproducing his last run.
1pt each way – Ice Cold In Alex – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
7:10 – Longbourn races beyond a mile for the first time since winning a Tipperary maiden over 1m 1f last September. He’s been in good form this season and should go well again here.
1pt win – Longbourn – 10/1 @ Bet365
7:45 – Fearless Girl improved for the step up to an extended 1m 1f when winning at Ballinrobe 4-days ago. Has a 6lb penalty to carry for that win but she’s going the right way and provided this run doesn’t come to quick has a good chance of following up here.
1pt win – Fearless Girl – 7/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John