Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I look at the best of today’s action at Newmarket.
Newmarket’s three day Guineas Meeting gets underway this afternoon. There are eight races each day. However, just 61 runners have been declared for today’s card with only one race having a double digit field. Hopefully the Saturday and Sunday cards will produce some bigger fields.
Given the course was described as good at final declarations that’s a disappointing turnout. Would it be harsh to say that a three day meeting just doesn’t seem to be working and going back to a two day meeting would be a sensible move.
It will be interesting to see how many racegoers are tempted to attend for a card littered with small fields. At this corresponding meeting 12 months ago, there were just 3,272 in attendance and that figure included Members and Complimentary Badge holders.
The ITV will be covering five races live from Newmarket and three from Goodwood on an eight race programme.
Newmarket
1:15 – Newmarket Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 2f
One of the more competitive races on the card with all eight 3-year-old’s capable of better.
Charlie Appleby has saddled the winner of this race three times since 2016 and he saddles two in this year’s race. His two in this year’s renewal are Castle Way & Victory Dance. The former won a C&D nursery last October and the latter ended last season with a 4 ¼ length 3rd of 4 to Nostrum in a Group 3 (7f).
Salt Bay who impressed when winning his racecourse debut at Haydock and ended last season with an improved 1 ¾ length 3rd of 7 in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud has been installed as the bookies early bird favourite.
Circle Of Fire looked a nice prospect when winning at Salisbury last September. It was quick ground when he won last time so underfoot conditions should suit the son Almanzor who’s bred to appreciate middle distance as a 3-year-old. Like Salt Bay he was due to make his seasonal return last in last Friday’s Classic Trial.
Waipiro built on a promising racecourse debut at Kempton last December with a decisive success in a novice race over C&D last month. The son of Australia has clearly improved from his debut and looks an exciting middle distance colt for connections. Granted he got the run of the race out in front last time but there was plenty to like about his professionalism.
Like A Tiger made an impressive seasonal return when winning a C&D handicap at the Craven meeting. That was an improved effort by the son of Farhh who should be capable of holding his own in pattern company. One to be interested in but he may need more ease in the ground.
1:50 – bet365 Mile (Group 2) – 1m
This looks a good opportunity for Native Trail on seasonal return. Last year’s 2,000 Guineas runner-up and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner has had wind surgery since a disappointing 5th of 6 to Baaeed in the International Stakes at York.
Light Infantry, a neck runner-up to Inspiral in last season’s in the Group 1 Jacques le Marois at Deauville looks set for another good season and must be respected.
Mutasaabeq made all to win the Group 2 Joel Stakes over C&D on his final start last season. He took to the first time blinkers that day and although he must give 3lb to his rivals looks set to get an uncontested lead.
2:25 – King Charles II Stakes (Listed Race) – 7f
Charlie Appleby saddled Noble Truth to win last year’s race and he has another live contender in Majestic Pride. The 3-year-old won over C&D on his seasonal return and this half-brother to Farhh. looks capable of more improvement. It was soft ground when he was successful last month, so he needs to prove he’s as good on quicker ground.
Iconic Moment a winner of his first three starts, all on the all-weather, was a shade unlucky in the run when a 2 ¼ length 4th of 10 at Chelmsford (1m) last time. The drop back to 7f looks a good move and if he’s as effective on turf as the synthetics won’t be far away.
Benacre steadily progressive as a 2-year-old made a solid return to action when a 3 ¼ length 4th of 11 in a Listed race (1m) at Newcastle last time. He’s trained on from two to three and should keep improving this season.
3:00 – Nyetimber Handicap (Class 2) – 7f
Persuasion’s last win came over the distance in April 2021, from 5lb higher. However, he ran well when 2nd of 15 in amateur order handicap at Ascot in September. Should be sharper for his return to action at Southwell in March. Billy Loughnane takes off a handy 3lb and the yard had a big handicap winner at Musselburgh on Sunday.
Final Watch posted a career best on RPR’s when beating Persuasion by 2 ¼ lengths at Ascot in September. The latter gets 3lb here plus the jockey claim so there shouldn’t be much between the pair. Not best placed when a 3 ¼ lengths 4th of 9 to Rebel Territory over C&D on return last month.
The Gatekeeper returned from a 625 day absence and a gelding operation to win on handicap debut at Newcastle (7f) in March. Not quite at that level on turf starts since but was a decent enough 4 length 4th of 11 to Gweedore at Musselburgh last time.
3:35 – Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 4f
West Wind Blows won the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton and gained a fourth career success in a Group 3 at Longchamp in September. Ran just as well in defeat the following month when a 4 ¼ length 3rd of 12 to Anmaat in a Group 2 (soft) back at Longchamp on his final start. He won first time up last season and given his winning form has come on a sound surface has to be respected.
Hurricane Lane was a disappointing beaten favourite when last of seven in the John Porter Stakes on his seasonal return 13-days ago. The first time cheekpieces are applied in a bid to revive the former Irish Derby/St Leger winner. Today’s better ground will suit the 5-year-old but he’s now a risky betting proposition. Stablemate Global Storm looks more solid on recent form. The 6-year-old wasn’t allowed his own way out in front in the Dubai Gold Cup last time. However, prior to that he had made all to win a Group 2 at Meydan. Likely to get the run of the race here and will like the good ground.
Goodwood
Three races from Goodwood on ITV this afternoon but only one of them appeals from a betting perspective.
2:35 – William Hill Pick Your Places Handicap (Class 2) – 5f
Whenthedealinsdone, a C&D handicap winner as 3-year-old, bounced back to his very best when winning a Ascot handicap (5f) last September. Not disgraced on when a 3 ½ length 3rd of 13 to Fast Response at Doncaster final start of 2022. Benoit de la Sayette takes off handy 3lb and should be in the mix if ready to roll on first start for 195 days.
Prop Forward made it 4-7 when returning from a 251-day absence to win a Kempton handicap (6f) last month. Three of his career wins have come on the synthetics but he’s 1-3 on the turf so no reason why he shouldn’t go well here. He’s just 4lb higher than ta Kempton and is going the right way. Drop back to 5f shouldn’t inconvenience the 5-year-old as he showed plenty of dash to make all last time.
Clarendon House, a progressive 5f sprinter in 2021, he found last season much tougher but still posted a couple of good RPR’s over C&D including when beaten a head 2nd of 10 to Raasel in this corresponding race 12 months ago from 3lb lower.
Reigning Profit comes into the race on the back of two Pontefract handicap (5f) successes. The latest of which came two days ago. The 4-year-old takes a step up from Class 5 company and has a 5lb penalty to carry but given his present vein of form another big run looks forthcoming and not easily dismissed.
Betting Advice:
Newmarket
1:50 – Waipro – 1pt win – 11/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral
3:00 – Persuasion – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral
Goodwood
2:35 – Whenthedealinsdone – 1pt win – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John