Hi all,
An excellent Sandown card for Coral Eclipse Day. Meanwhile up at Haydock it’s Old Newton Cup and the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks. It’s at the latter course that I start today’s betting preview.
Haydock
3:15 – bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 4f.
A maximum field of 17 have been declared to go to post for this historic middle-distance handicap.
The lightly raced Al Muffrih is having just his 6th career start. Last time out the gelding won the 1m 2f Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar in the first-time hood. After his win that day jockey Danny Tudhope told the Racing Post that the horse “probably needs a mile and a half”. The son of Sea The Stars is bred to get today’s trip but has been a bit of a hard puller in the past which could mean his optimum trip remains over slightly shorter.
First Eleven, trained by John Gosden, won a valuable handicap at York over today’s trip back in May. The top-weight is up 5lb from York, but the form of the race is strong and there are no stamina doubts with the 4-year-old.
At an each-way price Koeman trained by Mick Channon needs respecting. The 5-year-old was beaten just ¾ length into third behind Baghdad at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance off 5lb lower. He then was doing all his best work at the finish when runner-up at Kempton over 1m 3f. Granted his more exposed than the two other mentioned but can usually be relied upon on to give his running in these big field handicaps. Was only 7th in last years renewal but he’s a better horse now. There looks like there should be good pace to chase and that will suit, as will the likely good to firm ground.
Indianapolis is another capable of going well at a big odds. He looked a sure-fire future winner when finishing a four length 6th behind First Eleven at York. The 4-year-old gets a 6lb pull with the Gosden runner although he did slightly disappoint when only 8th 0f 14 at Ayr 14-days ago. The one furlong drop in trip should suit the gelding who didn’t seem to stay last time. A more patient ride like he received at York should see him on the premises at the business end of the race.
Verdict: Of the two at the head of the market I just favour the claims of Al Muffrih. While Koeman looks capable of getting into the places.
Al Muffrih – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Koeman – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – each way – (Paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Sandown
1:50 – Coral Charge (Group 3) – 5f
The Aidan O’Brien trained Sergei Prokofiev could well be suited by the stiff 5f he faces here. A Listed winner at Navan on his seasonal reappearance the 3-year-old was the 4th of 11 in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes on his next start before disappointing on rain softened ground in the King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He just heads the market from recent York Listed winner Garrus whose having his first start for Charlie Hills since switching from Jeremy Noseda.
The fast ground loving Muthmir was 4th in this race in 2017 and was beaten just a neck in last years race. The 9-year-old isn’t as good as he used to be but showed he remains capable of running well when 5th of 19 in the Epsom Dash on his seasonal reappearance.
Muthmir – 6/1 @ William Hill & Bet365
2:25 – Coral Challenge – 1m
A valuable handicap Class 2 handicap that has attracted a field of 14 runners.
Lush Life has a wide draw in stall 14 to overcome but is only 3lb higher than when winning over C&D starts ago. She failed to make the cut for the Hunt Cup but the filly looks a progressive handicapper from the Jamie Osborne stable.
Salute The Soldier has won two of his last six starts and was caught on the line by one of today’s rivals Petrus at Bath two starts back. He was too keen when sent off the 7/2 favourite for a valuable Newbury handicap 49-days ago. Ultimately well beaten by Bredan there but his jockey wasn’t hard on him when his chance had gone that day and better can be expected from the 4-year-old.
Petrus meets Salute The Soldier on 1lb worse terms today he’s better judged on that performance than his poor run in the Hunt Cup at Ascot on rain softened ground that wouldn’t have suited him. A fast pace, on quick ground will suit the 4-year-old but trainer Brian Meehan is only 1 from 20 in the past 14-days which is a slight concern.
Bredan has only been put up 2lb for his Newbury win and remains a live contender.
Mojito is the most interesting runner. The 5-year-old was a progressive handicapper in July/August 2017 winning three handicaps on the trot, including here over 7f. This is his first start for 637-days, but he remains on a competitive mark, if he’s overcome what kept him off the track for so long.
Verdict: A tricky puzzle for which Lush Life looks a major contender if stall 14 doesn’t prove an inconvenience. Plenty have each-way claims including Salute The Soldier and Petrus with a slight preference for the former. Mojito returns from a long absence and the booking of Frankie Dettori is an interesting one.
Lush Life – 8/1 @ William Hill & Coral
Mojito – 7/1 @ Bet365
3:35 – Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) – 1m 2f
This year’s renewal of this great race, which brings together the classic generation with the older horses, see the return to action of Arc heroine Enable. Despite the drop back to 1m 2f she remains the one they all must beat. Trainer John Gosden won this race last year with Roaring Lion and also with Nathaniel in 2012 who like Enable was making his seasonal return in the race.
Of her rivals Dante winner Telecaster could bounce back from a very poor run in the Derby and prove he’s true Group 1 horse rather than an average winner of the York race who just outstayed Too Darn Hot. It’s only his 5th career start and he’s got place claims in a race which plenty of his rivals also have question marks to overcome.
Verdict: Despite the drop back to 1m 2f, it’s hard to look beyond Enable for win purposes. Telecaster has each-way claims in what doesn’t look the strongest renewals of the race.
Telecaster – 14/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – each way
Cheers
John