Hi all,
I’m away until Monday which means my normal in-depth previews will be missing this weekend. However, there will still be selections on Friday and Saturday.
The racing at Newmarket goes up a notch on the second day of the Cambridgeshire meeting with Group & Listed contests.
The feature is the Group 2 Joel Stakes (3.35), where 2,000 Guineas second Master Of The Seas returns from injury and will take on fellow Godolphin runner Benbatl.
The other Group 2 on the card is the Rockfel Stakes (3.00) for the juvenile fillies. Where Sweet Solera Winner Majestic Glory looks set to go off favourite.
The ITV cameras are covering four races from Newmarket and two races from York. Worcester and Haydock also stage afternoon fixtures, as well and it’s another day’s jumping action at the Listowel Festival.
Newcastle and Dundalk provide the evening racings, with the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Diamond Stakes (6.45) the feature at Dundalk.
I’m mostly concentrating on races with selections.
Newmarket
The ground is drying quickly at Newmarket and the course will be doing some watering overnight to maintain the ground.
1:45 – Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day EBF Rosemary Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) – 1m
Fooraat, twice a winner on the all-weather has yet to win on her five starts on the grass but has put in several excellent performances, including a career best when a head 3rd of 7 in a York Listed race in July. That was over an extended 1m 2f but she’s equally effective over a mile and won’t be far away.
Dubai Love is having her first run since finishing 4th of 10 in Group 2 in Meydan in February. She’s had wind surgery since that run and looks a big contender, if ready to roll after an absence.
3:00 – Unibet Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) – 7f
Hello You has been consistent in some top fillies races this season and comes into the race with arguably the best form. However, the yard is struggling for winners coming into the race.
Majestic Glory has won her last starts, both on the July Course, including the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes last time. The runner-up Wild Beauty has since gone to win a Grade 1 at Woodbine (Canada) since the form is solid and she’s open to further improvement.
Jumbly has a bit to find with the two fillies just mentioned but there is a knocking that’s she won both career starts. Looked impressive when winning at Kempton three weeks ago and she’s capable of more progress. If she handles the track she shouldn’t be far away.
4:40 – Fireworks is sure to be popular on his handicap debut after his recent Beverley novice win. Trainer William Haggas’ record with last time out Beverley winners is 4 winners from 9 runners 44% +14 5 placed 56% which is another positive for the 3-year-old’s chance here.
Mashoor won a Nottingham novice on his seasonal reappearance before finishing runner-up under a 6lb penalty at Chelmsford the following month. Hasn’t been seen to best effect on either start in handicap company since but the good to soft ground probably didn’t suit him last time at Sandown. The drop back to 1m 1f could suit and he’s worth another chance.
York
2:05 – Cairn Island returned form a 2-month absence and a poor run at Chester to win at Newmarket 28-days ago. Looked in need of every yard of the 6f last time but he’s won over C&D as a juvenile, Up 3lb for his last win looks set for another big run.
Both Internationaldream’s career wins came last year and he looked in the handicapper’s grip this season. However, his ½ length 3rd of 12 over C&D, earlier this month, was a step back in the right direction. The first time cheekpieces seemed to do the trick that day and if the headgear continues to work, he shouldn’t be far away off the same mark here.
2:40 – La Rav is up in class here but the 7-year-old comes into the race in great form, winning over an extended 7f at Beverley two starts back before finishing 3rd of 11 back at the same venue 3-days ago. He wasn’t best placed that day after an awkward start. Doing his best work at the finish that effort suggests a mark of 82 is workable.
Listowel
There are several competitive handicaps at Listowel this afternoon. The best of which is Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (2:10).
2:10 – Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) – 2m
Top-weight Belfast Banter was a much-improved hurdler in the spring winning the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Aintree in April. Best to forgive his effort in the Galway Hurdle last time, made a bad mistake three out and his saddle slipped. Better expected here and provided he gets a strong pace to chase will be there or thereabouts.
Bua Boy put in a career best when ½ length 2nd of 17 at the Galway Festival on his last start. Finishing nicely clear of the rest at the line he was only beaten by an improver in Arcadian Sunrise. A close-up third in this race last season he’s been raised 4lb for his Galway tun and looks set for another good run here.
Betting Advice:
Newmarket
1:45 – 1pt win – Dubai Love – 8/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
4:40 – 1pt win – Mashoor – 8/1 @ Bet365
York
2:05 – 1pt win – Internationaldream – 14/1 @ Bet365
2:40 – 1pt win – La Rav – 12/1 @ Bet365
Listowel
2:10 – 1pt win – Bua Boy – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Belfast Banter – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John