Hi all,
Both Thursday’s selection ran well but just failed to get into the places.
Onto Friday’s action and what a cracking day’s racing we have. Both on the flat and over jumps and of course both sides of the Atlantic.
Newcastle hosts Britain’s first Group 1 race ever held on the all-weather with the rescheduled Vertem Futurity from Doncaster. Mogul, highly regarded by Aidan O’Brien, takes on 11 rivals including impressive Newmarket winner Kinross. Mogul will need to be as good as his connections think if he’s to win.
It’s day one of the Charlie Hall Meeting at Wetherby but most jump fans will be looking to Down Royal and Samcro’s debut over fences in the beginners’ chase (2:55).
Over the Atlantic it’s the 36th Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. It’s a day for the juveniles at the Breeders Cup with all five juveniles’ races being run on the card.
There’s plenty of great racing to enjoy but I won’t be betting to heavily today. So, it’s a case of ‘less is more’ on fantastic Friday.
I do have three selections for you today running at Wetherby, Newmarket & Santa Anita.
Wetherby
3:05 – Last year’s winner Born Survivor and runner-up Guitar Pete are sure to be popular but it maybe worth chancing Catamaran Du Seuil who won over C&D last November and he’s 2 wins from 3 runs at the track. His C&D win came on his seasonal reappearance last year so he should be fit enough to run well after a 232-day absence.
1pt win – Catamaran Du Seuil – 5/1 @ Bet365 & William Hill
Newmarket
4:00 – Battered, went into the notebook when 4th of 12, beaten a length over, C&D. Not so good when down the field in a valuable handicap at Ascot 7-days later, maybe that race came to quick. Dropped a 1lb since Ascot he remains on a competitive mark based on his C&D run. Worth a final chance here.
1pt win – Battered – 17/2 @ Paddy Power & William Hill
Santa Anita
8:12 – Band Practice, trained by Archie Watson has won his last three starts. The most recent of those wins came when making all in a Listed race at Chantilly 32-days ago. A winner on good to firm at Musselburgh two starts back so underfoot conditions shouldn’t hold any terrors. Interesting that Archie Watson should bring his filly over for this sprint contest.
1pt each way – Band Practice – 16/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
This week’s eyecatcher will be with you later today.
Cheers
John