Hi all,
Eight days of high-class racing begins today. Group 1 action returns in Britain at Haydock today with its feature race of the year, the Betfair Sprint Cup (3.30). There’s also Group and Listed action from the Merseyside track plus some competitive handicaps, including Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap (2:55).
The September Stakes at Kempton (2.05) is one of two Group 3s on a card, the other being the Sirenia Stakes (1:30). The seven-race card also features the London Mile (handicap) final (2.40) while Ascot seven-race card includes a 1m 4f heritage handicap (3:10) for the three-year-old’s.
The ITV cameras will be covering the best of the action from Haydock, Kempton, and Ascot as part of an eight-race programme.
On Sunday the attention turns to France where the unbeaten puts his reputation on the line on his first start in Group 1 company in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp (2:48). He looks set to face Poetic Flare, Snow Lantern and French 1,000 Guineas winner Coeursamba
This side of the Channel Listed Garrowby Stakes which was won last year by Starman is the highlight of a seven-race card on Family Fun Day at York. The rest of the action in Britain is over the jumps with meetings at Fontwell and Perth.
Haydock
2:55 – Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6 ½ f
Just the 12 go to post for this year’s renewal of the Old Borough Cup. For what doesn’t look the strongest of renewals.
Indianapolis is well handicapped on his best form but has become disappointing and the reapplication of the visor needs to galvanize him back to life. Stablemate Autumn War has hinted that there’s a handicap to be won with him off around his present mark.
Island Brave last two wins have come over 2m and he’s been running at 2m + this season. He will need a good pace to chase dropped back to 1m 6f but quick ground is a positive. Handy enough mark in the hands of Silvestre De Sousa who is 2-6 when riding for yard in the past 5-years and looks a shade overpriced.
Noble Masquerade has a handy light weight of 8-2 with Hollie Doyle booked for the ride. The 4-year-old has been a steady improver for the fitting of the blinkers on his last three starts and posted a personal best when winning at Windsor 19-days ago. Up 6lb for that win and in a better race but he’s going the right way and the step up to 1m 6f can bring out more improvement.
Verdict: I’m going with the lightly weighted and progressive Noble Masquerade with a saver on Island Brave.
2pts win – Noble Masquerade – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Island Brave – 16/1 @ Bet365
3:30 – Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1) – 6f
The forecast fast ground means July Cup winner Starman will go off the hot favourite. I would normally want to take the ‘shortie’ on in a race like this but given he’s the best horse in the race and pretty much ticks all boxes its hard to look beyond him. Maybe worth noting 4-year-olds are 0 winners from 52 runners 10 placed (29% of the total runners) since 2008.
For those looking for an each-way bet on a bigger priced. Summerghand comes into the race in great form and will like the quick ground.
Supremacy hails from the inform Clive Cox yard. The 3-year-old won the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes last season. He has been well beaten on both starts including the July Cup. However, he does go well on quick ground and if bounces back to his juvenile best would have each way claims.
4:45 – Betfair Be Friendly Handicap (Class 2) – 5f
Mondammej needs all the cards to fall right to win but when they do, he will pop up in a race like this.
Jawwaal, twice a winner on quick ground at Doncaster this season, bounced back from a poor run at Ascot two starts back to finish a 1 ¼ length 4th off 22 at York 17-days ago. Travelled like a career high mark of 99 wasn’t insurmountable last time. The harder they go up front the better his chance. Trainer had two winners at Pontefract last evening.
The speedy front running Jabbarockie seems likely to provide most of the early pace. The 8-year-old won his first two starts this season at Musselburgh & Chester but has three subsequent disappointing efforts to overcome. However, he’s now just 1lb above his last winning mark and contender if bouncing back to his best Quick ground is fine. William Buick is 1-1 on the horse and 3-4 + 11.25 when riding for trainer Eric Alston.
Verdict: If Jawwaal is on a going day he will go close. Jabbarockie has disappointed on his last three starts but better is expected here.
1pt win – Jawwaal – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Jabbarockie – 20/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Ascot
The ITV cameras are covering two races from Ascot both competitive handicaps.
3:10 – Lavazza Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – 1m 4f
Just the 10 runners have been declared but an intriguing 3-year-old handicap.
Wahraan wasn’t the best away and met trouble in the run 1f out when a 2-length 5th of 12 at York 14-days ago. The step up to 1m 4f can bring out more improvement in the colt and he looks a worthy favourite.
Champagne Piaff was all the better for his Goodwood seasonal reappearance when winning at Windsor (good to firm) 16-days ago. That success came over 1m 2f but he’s got the scope to improve for the step up to 1m 4f. Up 5lb for his Windsor win but very much in the mix.
Alfaadhel bounced back from a poor run at Royal Ascot seemingly appreciating the better ground when 2nd off 11 at Goodwood last time. Travelled through that race like he’s a well handicapped horse and if he stays today’s extra 2f should be there or thereabouts. Trainer Roger Varian has won the race three times since 2014, including the last two.
William Haggas saddles a couple of contenders in Chalk Stream & Candleford. The first named is on the upgrade and bids for the hat trick after wins at York & Ripon. On the latter occasion his beat subsequent Beverley winner Barn Owl by 2 ½ lengths. Up 8lb but should continue to give a good account. Candleford is one of the least exposed runners in the field, having just had the three starts. Comfortably saw off a subsequent winner when successful in a Windsor novice race (good to firm) 19-days ago. The step up to 1m 4f should suit the progressive colt who he gets the added assistance of 5lb apprentice Adam Farragher in the saddle for his handicap debut.
Verdict: Wahraan is the one to beat and a worthy favourite. However, he faces improvers in Alfaadhel who has stamina to prove. Champagne Piaff is progressive and shouldn’t be underestimated nor should the Haggas pair of Chalk Stream & Candleford who are going the right way.
1pt win – Candleford – 15/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
1pt win – Champagne Piaff – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:45 – Careys Foundation Supporting The Lighthouse Club Handicap (Class 2) – 7f
Previous C&D winner Top Secret was only beaten a nose by an improver and subsequent winner at Newbury last month. Up 2lb for that effort and should go close again. High on the shortlist for a yard whose runners continue to go well.
Documenting won this race 12 months ago off today’s mark. The 8-year-old wasn’t at that level of form on his first three starts this season but turned in a much better effort when a ¾ length 3rd of 8 at Doncaster three weeks ago. Likely to be spot of for his bid for back-to-back wins in the race.
Cliffs Of Capri likes quick ground and goes very well on Ascot’s straight course. Twice a C&D winner in the past he put in his best effort of the season when a 1 ¾ length 4th of 19 in the valuable International Handicap over C&D two starts back.
Via Serendipity is another who goes well on the straight course at Ascot. The 7-year-old returned from a short break to win cozily at Windsor last time. Up 4lb for that win but he goes well on quick ground and shouldn’t be far away.
Baashir will appreciate the return to 7f after seemingly not staying the mile at York last time.
Ripp Orf twice a winner over C&D in 2018, including this race, off 6lb higher and a neck second in the 2019 renewal has been a bit of a course specialist in the past. No show on his first start after a 686-day absence 14-days ago. Not sure how much of his old ability remains but he’s a well handicapped horse.
Verdict: Top Secret is at the top his game. Documenting & Ripp Orf are previous winners of the race with the former showing last time that he was returning to form. Cliffs Of Capri & Via Serendipity also go well here and won’t be far away.
1pt win – Top Secret – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Documenting – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Kempton
3:15 – Unibet London Mile Series Final Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
A typically competitive renewal of the race with 14 declared to go to post.
Tahitian Prince twice a C&D winner in 2021, the latter of those wins came off 5lb lower two starts back. Continued his run of good form when a short head 2nd of 12 at Doncaster last month. In the mix if stall 12 isn’t an inconvenience.
Fantasy Believer made it 3-4 over C&D when coming from an almost impossible position to win in April, off 1lb lower. Not so good on his last three starts on turf but a return to this venue is a big positive for the 4-year-old. Handy draw in stall 5 and should get the good pace he needs. Yard among the winners and he must be high on the short list.
Hieronymus was touched off by Via Serendipity at Windsor last time but he’s 3-7 here at Kempton, including over C&D and should go well again from stall 3.
Thunderclap showed he was well ahead of his mark when making it 2-2 over C&D 10-days ago. Up 6lb in a better race but he’s a 3-year-old going the right way and Saffie Osborne booked to take off a handy 5lb which negates most of his rise in the weights. Looks a big player from stall 4.
Giuseppe Cassioli is 0-4 here, but has placed three times and posted a career best effort when a 1 length 4th of 8 over C&D 17-days ago. Not out of this off the same mark as last time and interesting that jockey Martin Dwyer comes here rather than ride Top Secret at Ascot.
Verdict: Plenty on the short list. Thunderclap is a progressive 3-year-old. Fantasy Believer goes well over C&D. Although Giuseppe Cassioli has yet to win at Kempton, he ran well here last time and looks for a good run.
1pt win – Thunderclap – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Fantasy Believer – 7/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John