Hi all,
The first selections for the service since Goodwood and given last week’s efforts a break was needed. I’m back and raring to go.
The best quality race on Friday is the Listed Churchill Stakes (7:00) at Tipperary. As for the rest of today’s sport both sides of the Irish Sea its mostly Class 4 handicaps or lower.
Tipperary
7:00 – Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes (Listed Race) – 7 ½ f
A fascinating 2-year-old contest where three of the seven runners hold Group 1 entries. Deepone made it 2-2 when winning at Killarney last month. Both wins have come on a sound surface, but his sire had winning form on soft ground. He looks a smart prospect and the one to beat.
Breman, a full brother to Ribblesdale winner Warm Heart, built on racecourse debut promise when winning a Killarney maiden 25 days ago. Open further improvement and the type to make up into a 3-year-old.
Warnie wasn’t disgraced when 9th of 16 in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on his racecourse debut. Comfortably won a Bellewstown maiden 35 days ago and likely remains capable of better.
Brilliant the sole filly in the line-up has improved with each of her three starts and was too good for 12 rivals when winning a Leopardstown maiden (soft) 15 days ago. A half-sister to four time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free she should be bang there at the finish.
Verdict: The one likley winner is Deepone but at the prices I prefer Bremen and Brilliant and i’ve just gone with the latter.
Brilliant – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Newmarket
7:10 – Finest Order will be a warm order after wins at Wetherby and Newbury 36 days ago. The step up to 1m 2f has really suited the 3-year-old. He’s up 5lb and a notch in class but his present form means he’s got a favourites chance of landing the hat trick.
Still, the favourite is plenty short enough at 7/4 to want to take him on and the one I like is Palamon. The 3-year-old is a five race maiden, but once more shaped with encouragement when a 3 ¼ length 4th of 7 at Sandown 9-days ago. On pedigree the step up to 1m 2f could bring about more improvement. Not for the first time he was awkward away last time but provided he can get off on level terms can go close.
Palamon – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365
8:20 – Rathbone isn’t the easiest to win with these days but he’s now 11lb last seasons winning mark in the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton. He’s yet to win on eight starts since joining Michael Herrington but he went close off today’s mark when a ¾ length 2nd of 13 at Pontefract in June. Granted he does need to bounce back from a poor effort at Thirsk (good to soft) 15 days ago but quicker ground suits and he’s handicapped to go close on a going day.
Rathbone – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John