Hi all,
Everything came together yesterday. We had three excellent priced winners, including Ice Cold In Alex who won for the first time in nearly three years and a big profit on the day.
Its Irish Derby Day at the Curragh. The big race goes off at 3:45 and for the first time is being broadcast live on ITV.
This side of the Irish Sea it’s Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle and that’s where I begin today’s preview. Looking at the four races being shown on ITV.
Newcastle
1:45 – williamhill.com Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Woven has made a positive start to life the Michael Dods yard. The 5-year-old was runner-up at Redcar and then ran just as well when a 1 ¼ length 4th of 18 at York last month. Two decent efforts here for previous yard and he should go well if stall 3 isn’t an inconvenience.
Fleeting Prince is also drawn low in stall 4. The 4-year-old finished 4th of 13 over C&D in the Group 3 12 months ago. Third of 12 at Newmarket (7f) when last seen in action in April. He doesn’t hold any secrets from the handicapper but if the gelding operation has had the desired effect he could go close returned to 6f.
1pt win – Woven – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:20 – William Hill Chipchase Stakes (Group 3) – 6f
Jim Crowley likely had the pick of three here in Khuzaam, Khaadem and Tabdeed. He opts for the first named but I prefer the claims of Tabdeed. The 6-year-old hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound but he ran well on his seasonal reappearance at this meeting last year when runner-up to Glen Shiel in a handicap over C&D. First start for 294-days but should be fit enough to do himself justice and the yard is among the winners.
The 3-year-old Diligent Harry heads the market. Three wins from four starts, all on the all-weather, and was only beaten a short head by Wokingham winner Rohaan. Looked pattern horse when winning at Lingfield in April and capable of more improvement.
The mare Chil Chil has returned to action with two excellent efforts in handicap company this season. An easy winner at Newmarket last time she remains open to progress and deserves to take her chance in pattern company.
2:55 – William Hill Pick Your Places Northumberland Vase Handicap (Consolation Race For The Northumberland) (Class 2) – 2m ½ f
East Asia has won all three starts since joining Ian Williams. He can race off 2lb lower than when running out an easy winner at Goodwood 20-days ago. All three wins have come on the turf but he had placed form on the dirt when trained in the UAE. The one to beat granted luck in the run.
Zeeband remains capable of better and shaped like he could be suited by the step up to 2m here. A respectable third on his Newmarket seasonal reappearance and he’s interesting in the first time visor on his all-weather debut. Likely we haven’t seen the best of the 4-year-old yet.
Margaret Dumont is a consistent handicapper on the all-weather. The filly came up against a big improver when runner-up on the tapeta at Wolverhampton last time and should give her running once again.
Byron Hill seems to have improved from three to four and put in a career best effort when running out a comfortable winner at Yarmouth (1m 6 ½ f) 25-days ago. Unexposed over staying trip he looks worth a try at 2m and is just 5lb higher than for his Yarmouth success. Each way claims back on the synthetics.
Verdict: East Asia will be tough to beat if reproducing his improved turf form back on the all-weather. Byron Hill is going the right way and is a contender.
1pt win – East Asia – 4/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt each way – Byron Hill – 16/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:30 – William Hill Northumberland Plate Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 2m ½ f
Trueshan has a huge weight to defy but Alan King takes 5lb off the top-weights back with the booking of Rhys Clutterbuck. A Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot on Champions Day, He’s the class horse of the race and he did win on his sole all-weather start on the tapeta, albeit at Wolverhampton.
Dubious Affair has decent claims of being sent off favourite. The mare put in a career best effort when a head 2nd of 15 in a 1m 6f handicap at Royal Ascot last week. If handling the quick turnaround, she’s capable of winning this off her present mark.
Galata Bridge was 2 ¼ lengths back in 6th behind Dubious Affair at Royal Ascot. Needs to settle better on his first start over 2m. We probably haven’t seen the best of the 4-year-old who has each way claims.
Rajinsky was only 7th in this race 12 months ago but he’s improved since and was as good as ever when a length 2nd of 10 at Haydock last month. A wide draw in stall 19 to overcome for one that likes to be prominently but likely to give his running.
Verdict: Trueshan is the class horse of the race. Dubious Affair is on a winnable mark and the consistent Rajinsky deserves to win a nice pot.
1pt win – Trueshan – 4/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
1pt win – Rajinsky – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
ITV are covering three races from Newmarket’s July Course. The most competitive race is the Listed juvenile fillies race at 2:05.
Newmarket
2:05 – Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) – 6f
Desert Dreamer a winner on both sides on the other track in the spring. Was well fancied to complete the hat trick in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot 10-days ago. Her chance was gone when she was slowly away from her low draw. Wasn’t given the hardest when her jockey realised her chance had gone. I think she better than that form and can show it here.
Curragh
In addition to the Irish Derby there’s a good supporting card of races.
3:45 – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) – 1m 4f
It looks a decent renewal of the race. Here’s the race preview I wrote for Thursday’s Daily Punt.
High Definition, trained by Aidan O’Brien, heads the market. The colt looked potentially high class when coming with a late run to win the Group 3 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last season. Unbeaten on both starts as a juvenile, he ran with plenty of encouragement when a 2-length 3rd of 10 in the Dante on reappearance. Missed Epsom but he can take time to hit top gear as we saw last year here and at York.
Aidan O’Brien seems likely to saddle a few more in the race. Van Gogh shaped like he needed further when 3rd of 11 in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. However, he never got into the race from the rear in the French Derby. Surely, he’s better than that run and better performance can be expected from the colt. Carlisle Bay is bred to appreciate 1m 4f and shaped like the run was needed when last of six in the Lingfield Derby Trial on his seasonal return. Promising on both juvenile starts he looks like type do better as 3-year-old and can’t be written off just yet.
Other Irish Contenders
Mac Swiney bounced back to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas on soft ground but was only 4th of 11 in the Derby on good to soft. Maybe he needs really soft ground to be at his best or perhaps he doesn’t stay 1m 4f. If it’s the former he would be big contender if the ground was too ease.
Earlswood realised the stamina test when winning a Group 3 here over 1m 2f (soft to heavy) last time. His dam finished runner-up in the Ribblesdale on soft ground so there’s a good chance that he can find further improvement for the step up to 1m 4f. The more rain the better and he can get into the places if it was to come up soft on Saturday.
The English Raiders
There looks likely to be strong contingent most English trained runners:
Hurricane Lane had High Definition back in third when winning the Dante. Although he did have race fitness on his side that day. He’s since run third in the Derby but didn’t seem totally at home on the Epsom undulations and this track should suit him better. Clear claims on his Derby performance.
Mojo Star finished one place ¾ length in front of Hurricane Lane in the Derby. The Sea The Stars colt has finished runner-up on all three starts and is the best maiden in training. He might have been flattered by his position at Epsom but he’s a high-class colt and has been supplemented by connections for the race rather than go for a maiden.
Lone Eagle was a high class staying juvenile, winning the Group 3 Zetland Stakes at Newmarket on his final start of 2020. Fourth in the Classic Trial at Sandown on his seasonal reappearance. Looking that day like he needed a stronger stamina test. As expected, he improved for the step up to an extended 1m 3f when making all to win a Listed race at Goodwood last month. He handled the soft ground better than his rivals that day but he’s still a smart colt. Plenty to like about his attitude but like a few he might need easy ground to make this a real stamina test.
Verdict:
A lot depends on the weather. If the going was ease significantly then the likes of Earlswood and Long Eagle would come into the mix. High Definition could still turn out to be special and we know the track suits him. You rule out a Jim Bolger colt out at your peril so Mac Swiney must be respected. The English Derby form will be tested here but it looks the best on offer and both Mojo Star and Hurricane Lane are strong contenders for taking the winner prize back across the Irish Sea.
2:30 – Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 7f
The Aidan O’Brien trained 3-year-old More Beautiful is sure to be popular with punters and could be nicely treated on her handicap debut. The filly was a 4-length 4th of 13 to stablemate and subsequent French Oaks winner Joan Of Arc two starts back. And wasn’t disgraced when 5th behind Sonaiyla in a Group 3 here last time over 6f.
French Rain put in a career best effort when a ½ length 2nd of 11 at Limerick two weeks ago. Up 4lb, the third won a handicap here last evening. and the 4-year-old looks on a winnable mark.
Sindhia, Miss Molly T & Deidra were separated by just ½ length when 3rd, 4th & 5thin a 7f Gowran Park handicap last time and all three have claims here. At the prices Deidra looks a bit of value with the first-time blinkers replacing the visor she’s worn on her last two starts.
1pt win – French Rain – 8/1 @ Bet365
5:25 – Dubai Duty Free Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 1m
Coill Na Sionainn put in a career bets effort when winning a mile handicap at Leopardstown 9-days ago. Up 10lb for that success but she’s in form and capable of another big run here.
Hale Bopp is getting better with each start. He’s up 12lb for winning on his handicap debut at Cork 50-days ago but he’s a 3-year-old who’s only had four career starts and is capable of more improvement.
Dream Tale beat French Rain at Limerick last time. The 5-year-old is up 7lb and faces some improvers here but should continue to run well.
1pt win – Coill Na Sionainn – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:55 – Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF Handicap – 2m
Arcadian Sunrise made it three from seven over hurdles when winning at Punchestown 28-days ago. The 7-year-old has only had three starts on the flat and won a maiden Thurles in October. Need to improve on his flat form so far but is lightly raced to think he can.
Dalton Highway never really got into the race from behind in the 2m 4f Ascot Stakes 11-days ago. He’s better than he was able to show at Royal Ascot and won this race 12 months ago off 2lb lower and Sam Ewing takes off a handy 5lb.
Jake Peter has dropped to 2lb below his last winning mark and raced like he was returning to form when 6th of 9 at Limerick 8-days ago. Could run into the places at big odds.
1pt win – Dalton Highway – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Cheers
John