Hi all,
Two winner’s courtesy of Kasbaan & The Swindler and a handful of placed efforts mean Saturday wasn’t as bad a day as first feared.
There’s a decent looking card at York, for Family Day, on Sunday and over the Irish Sea it’s start of the Listowel Festival. However, the days biggest race is the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.
Today’s selections at York and Longchamp.
Longchamp
2:50 – Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1) – 1m
The likes of Phoenix Of Spain and Circus Maximus need no introduction. Romanised won the Group 1 Jacques le Marois, at Deauville beating Shaman by 1 ½ lengths. He beat the runner-up on merit that day but has to show he’s as good on turning track. Unlike the first three mentioned Shaman has yet to win a Group 1 but besides his second in the Jacques le Marois, he also finished runner-up in the French 2,000 Guineas over C&D. Looks capable of winning at this level and given his liking for the track looks worth an each-way play here.
Shaman – 8/1 @ Paddy Power – each way
York
2:20 – There was plenty to like about Five Helmet’s win at Beverley 14-days ago. The 3-year-old was held-up off a slow gallop so in the circumstances did well to come from behind to win by ½ length. Up 3lb for that win and also up a couple of notches in class means the gelding has to find a bit more improvement. That improvement could well be forthcoming as he’s going the right way and should be better suited by a stronger pace to chase. Coolagh Forest drops back a notch in class here. The 3-year-old ran better than his final position of 8th suggests, beaten 3 ¾ lengths at the finish He would have finished closer but for being hampered two furlongs out. Steps up 2 ½ f in distance but should stay, has won over 1m 1f albeit it at Musselburgh. Trainer Richard Fahey has won this race three times since 2012 which means Coolagh Forest has to be respected.
Five Helmets – 12/1 @ Bet365 & William Hill – each way (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
4:30 – Roulston Scar is sure to be popular after his 3rd of 19 over 5f at the Ebor Festival. The step up to 6f isn’t an issue for the 3-year-old and he looks a solid market leader. Stablemate Yousini could give him most to do. He was 5th of 22 over C&D three starts back. Not so good on his last two starts but was possibly unsuited to the soft ground on both occasions. A reproduction of his length second at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance, off 2lb higher gives him solid each way claims. Jonah Jones won over C&D last Autumn. He hasn’t run well on either start this season but could well bounce back to form for a drop back to 6f.
Yousini – 11/1 @ Paddy Power & BetVictor – each way
5:00 – Black Kalanisi, a winner over hurdles made a winning handicap debut at Brighton 31-days ago. Albeit his win was achieved in the steward’s room after the race. Up 2lb but he’s unexposed in the sphere and could be up to defying his new mark. Irish raider Shamad has won two of his last three starts. Up 4lb for a win the Amateurs Derby at the Curragh 9-days ago. Interesting to see connections bring the 4-year-old over here rather go for a race at Listowel. He’s going the right way and looks suited to a sound surface.
Black Kalanisi – 13/2 @ Bet365 & BetVictor
Shamad – 4/1 @ Bet365
My next scheduled post is on Wednesday for day one of the William Hill St Leger Festival but there maybe a selection or two from Listowel on Monday & Tuesday.
Cheers
John