Hi all,
It’s Shergar Cup Day. Sorry, it just doesn’t do it for me. I will probably watch the event on TV but It’s not a card I have looked at.
It’s also one of those few Saturday’s during the summer where much of the rest of the action doesn’t excite either. The fact that two of today’ selections run at Chelmsford and one over the Atlantic in Arlington Million says it all.
Newmarket
3:45 – german-thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
Ultra Violet put in a visually impressive performance when winning here on her racecourse debut 43 days ago. Steps up to 7f here but she should be suited by it. Sir Michael Stoute doesn’t have many first-time out juveniles but Soffika was a strong at the finish when winning over 6f Pontefract on her racecourse debut 48-days ago. The daughter of Zoffany should improve for this extra furlong and she’s also bred to better with racing. Ananya built on the promise of her racecourse debut when winning over C&D 21-days ago. She needs to improve again to win a race like this but has the potential to do so. It’s Ananya for me each way.
Ananya – 14/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – each way
Chelmsford
2:45 – Encrypted was an improved sprinter last season finishing runner-up in the Portland Handicap before ending the season with a win in a 6f Listed race at Lingfield in November. Hasn’t hit form in his two starts in 2019 but wasn’t disgraced when 4th in a Group 3 at Newcastle 42-days ago. The 4-year-old is 2-2 over C&D, the last of those wins coming off 10lb lower 12 months ago. Darragh Keenan takes off a valuable 5lb which could make all the difference at the finish.
Encrypted – 6/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power
3:55 – Crossing The Line disappointed in the Bunbury Cup but two of her three top RPR’s have come over C&D, including when finishing a length second behind recent Goodwood winner Billesdon Brook here two starts back. Has a big chance if she reproduces that run. Island Of Life was a length further back in 5th that day but Cieran Fallon does take off a useful 5lb. She doesn’t find it easy to win and hasn’t exactly been in form on her last three starts. Probably requires a strong pace to chase and would need all the cards to fall right if she’s to win this.
Crossing The Line – 17/2 @ William Hill
Arlington Park – Sunday Morning
12:12 – Arlington Million XXXVII Stakes (Grade 1) – 1m 2f
It says it all about today’s racing that I have selection here. Bricks And Mortar comes in to the race the strong Morning Line favourite in the US. The 5-year-old has won his last five successive races and has been aimed at this race by Chad Brown since winning a Grade 1 at Belmont Park back in June. He will take plenty of beating on his favoured fast ground.
At an each-way price I like the claims of French raider Intellogent. A Group 1 winner in France in July last year. He put in his best effort since that run when beaten less than 2 lengths in a Longchamp Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan, 77-days ago. Blinkers replace the cheekpieces he wore last time and if they have the desired effect, I can see him giving the favourite most to do. Despite stall 9, the 20/1 available with William Hill looks each-way value to me.
Intellogent – 20/1 @ William Hill – each way
Cheers
John