Hi all,
An interesting afternoon and evening action with Listed races at both Goodwood and Haydock. Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to the best of Friday’s action.
They always used to say that Goodwood’s Predominate Stakes, now known as the Cocked Hat Stakes (4:10) was the last Derby Trial, and the Lupe, now known as Height Of Fashion Stakes (3:00) was the last Oaks Trial.
At Haydock there’s also Listed action with Cecil Frail Stakes (3:15) the feature race of a seven race card.
The big race action switches across the Irish Sea this evening. It’s a bumper eight race card at the Curragh for the start of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival. For me it’s the Curragh card with four good handicaps to get stuck into which holds most of my betting interest.
My record in Irish flat races so far this season hasn’t been great indeed I’m not even sure I have had a winner yet. Despite that I’m taking a flyer that I can turn things around today.
Most of the horses I like today at Goodwood & Haydock are too short to get involved in apart from one in the lucky last at Goodwood.
I was out and about enjoying the sunshine yesterday, so today’s main piece is shorter than normal.
Goodwood
5:20 – Yorksea, a useful hurdler for Gary Moore, is unexposed on the flat and looks on a good mark with Hollie Doyle booked. However, at the prices I’m with Hydroplane. Four from 19 on the flat and 3-9 on turf, with his last win coming at Chester, from 6lb lower, last June. Ran a bit better than his 2 length 4th of 7 to Novel Legend last time at Kempton suggests and on a going day can go close.
Curragh
7:00 – Touching Clouds got off the mark at the fourth attempt when winning a maiden (7f) at Gowran Park last August. That day she showed that 7f was her trip and she is effective on quick ground. First tun since here but ran well first time up last season and looks on a workable mark for her handicap debut. Verhoyen comfortably landed this 7f handicap last season and is 4lb lower this time around. The 8-year-old showed he could still perform well in this company when 2nd of 18 over C&D two starts back. Big chance from a handicapping perspective of back to back wins in the race but drying ground would be a slight worry.
7:30 – Tosen Wish looked in need of today’s distance when an eyecatching 3 length 5th of 19 at Cork (7f) 21 days ago. One of the least exposed of the 20 runners (four career starts) and has just had one start for new trainer Adrian McGuinness. Stablemate Pierre Lapin isn’t the most consistent of handicappers but on a going day he’s got claims. The 6-year-old has produced some of his best turf performance over C&D including when a 1 ½ length 4th of 27 in this corresponding race 12 months ago, from 4lb higher.
All Lies Ahead won at Leopardstown in April and has finished runner-up on her two starts at Gowran Park and Cork. It was a career best at Cork last time. Possibly capable of better but drying ground does ask another question of her.
Point Gellibrand has just had six career starts, but his sole win did come on good ground at Leopardstown last July. The 5-year-old makes his reappearance. Handicap debut here and looks on a workable mark if ready to roll after a 286 day layoff.
8:00 – Dream Today has been running consistently well over the winter on the all-weather and was a solid 3 length 3rd of 14 to one of today’s rivals Dandyville at Naas 20 days ago. Today’s better ground should him better and he’s got a good chance.
Stablemates Jon Riggens and Heavenly Power have chances. Jon Riggens had Heavenly Power 4 lengths back in fifth when winning at Naas (5f) 13 days ago. The winner seems to be improving but 6f and quicker ground would be a concern. Heavenly Power, a previous C&D winner, was making his seasonal reappearance at Naas and on 7lb better terms today is entitled to get closer.
Stag Night is the least exposed runner in the field, having had just four career starts. We haven’t seen the 5-year-old since he won a C&D handicap on seasonal return last April. Despite his long absence should make his presence felt.
8:30 – Facethepuckout did best of those held up when a ¾ length 3rd of 13 at Naas 5 days ago. Doing his best work at the finish the 7-year-old has solid claims of the win if this race doesn’t come too quickly.
Betting Advice
Goodwood
5:20 – Hydroplane – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Curragh
7:00 – Verhoyen – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
7:30 – Tosen Wish – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Pierre Lapin – 1pt each way – 25/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (paying 5 places) and Point Gellibrand – 1pt win – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
8:00 – Stag Night – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Heavenly Power – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John