Hi all,
Well, I’m glad I got involved in this year’s Shergar Cup. After the first two races I had my doubts but Graphite, not sure how he was allowed to go off at 18/1 and Dashing Roger made the day a highly profitable one.
Sunday’s racing is more interesting than Saturday’s. We have the second Sky Bet Sunday Series at Haydock. I didn’t look at the first one at Musselburgh due to the proximity of Goodwood & Galway. However, I’m getting involved in a few of the competitive races on a seven-race card at Haydock.
Across the Irish Sea we have the juveniles taking centre stage with the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (4:10) the feature race of an eight-race card at the Curragh. You can watch that race plus all seven races from Haydock on ITV later this afternoon.
There’s also another Group 1 race at Deauville the Prix Maurice de Gheest (2:50). Of the 12 declared runners eight are trained in Britain or Ireland. Add in the Wesley Ward trained Campanelle and its almost complete domination for the overseas raiders.
I have previewed both Group 1’s and I have a few selections from Haydock and the Curragh.
Deauville: Prix Maurice de Gheest
The going description at Deauville is very soft which isn’t likely to suit July Cup winner Starman who wouldn’t want it any worse than good to soft. Campanelle won the Commonwealth Cup in the steward’s room at Royal Ascot. Lightly raced she won the Group 1 Prix Morny (6f) here last August. Goes well on soft ground and shouldn’t have an issue with today’s extra half furlong.
Glen Shiel was 2 ½ lengths behind Starman in 6th in the July Cup. That was a good run on ground that would have been plenty quick for the 7-year-old. If the ground is soft, he should get much closer to Starman.
Rohaan who won the Wokingham Handicap on soft ground at Royal Ascot. He finished 10th, 4 ½ lengths behind Starman in the July Cup but softer ground will suit him better.
Kinross has won both starts since a gelding operation, a Group 3 at Haydock and the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood 12-days ago. Both wins have come over 7f and this is the 4-year-old’s first start at less than 7f. Looks worth a try in Group 1 company and is well suited by give in the ground.
Law Of Indices & Thunder Moon were separated by a head when first and second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat here last month. That was over 7f and Law Of Indices made all that day and is more likely to be suited by the slight drop in distance. Thunder Moon reproduced his high-class juvenile for the first time this season. There shouldn’t be much between the pair again and both horses seemed well suited by the soft ground last time.
Curragh: Keeneland Phoenix Stakes
The best juvenile race either side of the Irish Sea so far this season was the Group 2 Railway Stakes over C&D on Irish Derby Day. Four of the first five home that day, including the winner Go Bears Go, run here.
I think Go Bears Go is the best juvenile colt we have seen so far this season. Prominently ridden that day he was too professional than his rivals that day and saw out the 6f well. The one they all must beat.
Runner-up Castle Star wasn’t the best away but ran on well to finish within 1 ½ lengths of the winner. Could get closer today if he breaks on level terms.
Dr Zemph was the least experienced of the field but that didn’t stop him being sent off the 15/8 favourite. His inexperienced showed as he the runner-up snatched a gap a furlong out as that one-edged right. To his credit he ran on into 4th 2 ¾ behind the winner.
Twilight Jet wasn’t quick away and was held up from his wide draw. He made good headway between the final two furlongs to finish 5th. He finished 4 lengths behind Go Bears Go but would have finished closer with a better start.
Prettiest is one of two runners from the Aidan O’Brien stable and the sole filly in the field. The last filly to win the race was La Collina in 2011. Prettiest looked useful when winning on her racecourse debut at Navan and then improved again when a 2-length 4th of 15 in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. A line can be drawn through her latest run as she was found to be in season after the race. The Albany form is strong, the winner Sandrine has since gone to win a Group 2, which makes Prettiest an interesting runner.
There’s a decent supporting card at the Curragh.
3:05 – Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Group 3) – 6f
William Haggas sends over Light Refrain. The 3-year-old won a Group 3 at York last time and must be respected here. It was good ground at York but she’s also effective on softer ground.
Gustavus Weston won a Group 2 over C&D (soft to heavy) two starts back and ran well when dropped back to 5f here last time. The return to 6f is a positive and he won’t be inconvenienced if the ground eases further.
Romantic Proposal was 2 ¾ length behind Gustavus Weston over 5f last time. Prior to that she had won a Listed race over C&D (good). The return to 6f is a plus and she does get 5lb from Gustavus Weston which should help her get closer today.
Power Under Me is the least experienced runner in the field. He’s placed in Group company on his last two starts. Finished a respectable third behind Order Of Australia here over 7f in a Group 2 last time. Might be capable of better back at 6f and won on soft ground on his juvenile debut last autumn.
A couple of tricky big field handicaps conclude the Curragh card.
4:40 – Bopedro wins more than his fair share of races. A previous C&D winner, he finished an excellent 2 length 3rd of 17 to Sirjack Thomas over C&D last time. A hold up horse he needs luck in the run but should be there or thereabouts if he gets it.
Comfort Line was a 1 length 3rd of 24 in the Irish Lincolnshire over C&D in March. Now 2lb lower but is recent form has been a bit disappointing. Probably needs softer ground than likely today but will pop up in a handicap sooner rather than later.
5:10 – Goodnight Girl is on a long losing run but must be respected on her ½ length 2nd of 17 over C&D three starts back. Dylan Browne McMonagle takes off a handy 3lb but the mare probably wouldn’t want the ground to ease too much.
Independent Missy a winner over an extended 5f at Navan back in April, followed that performance with an even better effort when a head 2nd of 16 over 6f at Fairyhouse. Not in the same form when 3 ½ lengths behind Goodnight Girl here last time.
Tresorier hasn’t been in great form so far this season but did pop up in a C&D handicap last August off 3lb higher. It was heavy that day so if the ground was to ease further, he’s handicapped to go close.
Miss Molly T’s best form has come over 7f but she was only ½ length behind Independent Missy at Navan on her seasonal return. Has run well in two 7f handicaps since and was a 1 ½ length 5th of 15 here last time.
1pt win – Miss Molly T – 8/1 @ Bet365 or 15/2 @ Paddy Power
Haydock
The going is heavy for the second Sky Bet Sunday Series. Given the ground not a card to get to heavily involved in.
4:25 – Illusionist took advantage of a good mark when winning at Hamilton (good to soft) in May. Hasn’t been in the same form on quicker ground since but the 4-year-old’s best form has come on soft ground and he’s got a good chance here off 1lb higher than at Hamilton.
1pt win – Illusionist – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
5:45 – Deep Sigh relished the heavy ground when beating three rivals at Doncaster last month. She’s only 2lb higher here and Saffie Osborne takes off 5lb. The one to beat if in the same form as last time.
6:15 – Mascat ran Brentford Hope to ¾ length here over a mile on heavy last October. Mostly disappointing since but did run Zabeel Champion to ¾ length at Ripon in April.
Just Hiss hasn’t been in great form on his last few starts but is well handicapped when he does bounce back. Handled heavy ground early in his career. Stall 17 isn’t great but he could run well at price.
6:40 – Eagle Court has yet to fire this season but he was an improver on soft ground last autumn winning at Redcar & Nottingham and has dropped to 1lb below his last winning mark. Wasn’t disgraced when a 1 ½ length 4th of 8 at York over 2m 15-days ago. It was good to firm that day and he seemed to be feeling the ground. A return to soft ground and a drop back to 1m 4f makes him interesting.
Vis A Vis could be a well handicapped horse on the flat but I’m not sure he will want the ground as heavy as its likely to be today.
1pt win – Eagle Court – 8/1 @ Bet365 or 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John