Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Face Off was a good third, at Navan on, Wednesday to land the each way money.

There are no Thursday selections so here is the week’s notebook.

We are heading into the final stretch as far as the flat season is concerned with the winter jumps season ready to click into gear.

It’s a busy weekend of racing. On Friday it’s day one Newmarket’s Future Champions Festival with the feature races being the Group 1 Fillies Mile on Friday and on Saturday the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes and of course the weekend’s big betting races the marathon Cesarewitch Handicap.

Wichita who I put up last week as 2,000 Guineas ante-post selection has been supplemented for the Dewhurst Stakes where he will take on the unbeaten Pinatubo. It will be asking a lot for him to beat Pinatubo now, but I would expect Wichita to give him a race.  Come next year’s 2,000 Guineas it will hopefully be a different story.

York’s season finishes this weekend with a two-day fixture starting on Friday. There’s a competitive looking card on the Saturday with the highlight being the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap over 6f. There’s some good jumps action to enjoy too with Chepstow hosting it’s first jumps fixture of the winter jumps campaign on Friday & Saturday.  In recent seasons this meeting has been the starting point for some of the winter games stars with the likes of Altior, Cue Card & Silviniaco Conti all racing here in the past. This year looks no different with the likes of Reserve Tank and McFabulous set to make their seasonal reappearances.

Plenty for both flat and jumps fans to look forward too and from an eyecatchers perspective the Chepstow racing should be useful viewing.

Before all that. Let’s look back on last week’s action. As I mentioned last week my eyecatchers at this time of year tend to be juveniles with next season in mind with the odd all-weather horse thrown in for good measure and of course increasingly National Hunt horses.

This week’s eyecatchers include a mix of jumps, flat and all-weather horses to reflect the period of the year. There are four eyecatchers plus another two who you might be worth adding to your trackers.

Eyecatchers – W/e October 6^th

Friday October 4^th

Dundalk

I got a rare chance to watch the Friday evening racing from Dundalk.

Nimitz, trained by Charles O’Brien, ran well in the final race on the card. Three of the 5-year-old’s career wins have come here on the polytrack and he once again ran a good race on the surface when 3^rd of 13 to the useful Girolamo. He’s on a competitive mark and will surely land a 1m 2f/ 1m 4f handicap here in the coming weeks. Whilst I recommend putting Nimitz in your trackers my Dundalk eyecatcher is:

London Holidays – Joseph O’Brien

The son of Kodiac had only shown moderate promise on his first three starts. Racing in the first-time blinkers for his nursery debut the colt showed up much better here. Coming from behind he made steady late headway to finish 4^th.  

Sent off an unfancied 25/1, in the hands of an inexperienced 10lb apprentice, he showed he can be effective on the surface and with stronger handling and more race experience will surely land a nursery off his present mark in the coming weeks.

Saturday October 5^th

Ascot

Call Me Ginger – Jim Goldie

Call Me Ginger, a half brother to the trainers Tommy G, made a highly promising handicap debut when running on from the behind to finish 6^th of 17, beaten just 1 ¾ lengths in the 5f handicap that concluded Ascot’s Saturday card.

The 3-year-old a winner over 6f at Redcar two starts back found things happening a shade to quick on his first start over the minimum trip. The soft ground posed no problems for him as his pedigree suggested given his sire Orientor’s best performances came on an easy surface and he also sired ‘mudlark’ Jack Dexter.

Looks the sort to improve with racing, this was only his 4^th career start, only his second since February. Showed he handled Newcastle’s tapeta surface when runner up there in February and will surely land a nice pot or two when returned to 6f, either on easy ground turf or the all-weather.

Newmarket

The 2-year-old’s took centre stage at Newmarket on Saturday.

Kinross, trained by Ralph Beckett put up an impressive performance to win the 7f novice race on his racecourse debut. In the process of his 8 (Eight) length win he beat some experienced rivals. The son of Kingman clearly handles some ease in the going. He will stay a mile and looks an exciting colt for next year.

One who finished with promise in the Kinross race was:

Vatican City – Aidan O’Brien

The son of Galileo, a full brother to Gleneagles, was sent off a well fancied 4/1 at the off. He was too green to himself justice but made a promising racecourse debut in finishing 4^th. He was far too green to do himself justice on this occasion. He’s also got a nice frame that still needs to be filled out.

Given his strength in the market he’s clearly held in high regard by powerful connections. We won’t see the best of the colt until next year, but he’s got the scope to live up to his excellent pedigree and will probably prefer quicker ground than he faced here.

Earlier on in the card we saw another O’Brien horse run well.

Shoshone Warrior – Aidan O’Brien

Another son of Galileo and like his stablemate Vatican City he’s a colt with plenty scope for further improvement next season.  He built on the promise of his racecourse debut at the Curragh but still looked short on experience when 5^th to White Moonlight in the mile novice race. He wasn’t subjected to a hard race and should win races as 3-year-old.  He’s got an entry in the Vertem Futurity, but we won’t see the best of this one until next year.

Just one place behind Shoshone Warrior in 6th was the William Haggas trained Duck And Vanish. The son of Lope De Vega made a decent racecourse debut.  Given he’s from a family who do better with age and experience this run will have pleased connections. His dam won over 2m as a 3-year-old and her son will be seen to better effect next year over 1m 2f+. Maybe one for the notebook as a handicap project for next year.

Giving Glances – Alan King

The 4-year-old hadn’t looked particularly well handicapped coming into the 1m 4f Class 2 handicap, but she ran a good race in finishing 4^th of 12, beaten 1 ¾ lengths. It was her first start for 224 days, so she’s entitled to have needed the run although she gone well fresh in the past.

Given this was a career best on the level it bodes well for an autumn campaign back over hurdles. Two from four in juvenile hurdles last season, at her best on good ground so she’s one to note over hurdles before the deep winter ground arrives. A handicap hurdle mark of 122 looks workable and she could be up to Listed level against her own sex.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A couple of recent eyecatchers are running today.

Nottingham

1:25 – Recent Ayr Eyecatcher Asmund who couldn’t run on Monday, due to Pontefract being abandoned, looks to have found a winnable opportunity today. He also has an entry at Ayr on Thursday. The softer ground than he got at Ayr last time will be in his favour (heavy ground is an unknown). Plenty short enough in the betting for a race likely to be run on heavy ground. I was hoping we would see the juvenile in a nursery, but this looks a good chance of a win.

Navan

3:05 – Face Off was an eyecatcher at the Curragh two starts back and looks worth a go here.  The filly wasn’t disgraced when 5^th of 20 at Cork 8-days ago. The first three home that day where drawn on the stands side whilst Face Off raced on the far side.  In the circumstance she ran better than her final margin of defeat suggests.  Her sole career win came over C&D, off 8lb lower, back in June and she shouldn’t be far away here.

1pt each way – Face Off – 10/1 @ Bet365 or 7/1 @ William Hill

This week’s notebook will be with you either this evening or tomorrow morning.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

An eyecatcher from Ayr’s Western meeting runs this afternoon at Pontefract.

Pontefract

2:30 – Asmund carries top weight of 9-7 in this nursery handicap. The Karl Burke trained juvenile put in a career best when 3^rd of 17 in a 6f nursery handicap at Ayr 17-days ago. That was his first run since a gelding operation which seems to have had the desired effect. After his Ayr run I felt there was a nursery handicap in him before the season is out, especially when he gets ground easier than he had at Ayr.  

Whether Asmund wants the ground as heavy it will be today is an unknown? However, he he looks worth modest play at around 7/2.

1pt win – Asmund – 7/2 @ Bet365

That’s all for today.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Well the ‘less is more’ approach which has served us well of late didn’t come off yesterday. Melburnian got the each-way money when runner-up at Newmarket. However, two of the four races, that I didn’t tip in provided winners in Snow Falcon and Pendleton.

Despite yesterday’s results, going forward the less is more approach remains the way to go.

Well It’s Arc Day at Longchamp on Sunday. The world biggest middle-distance race is of course the highlight but there’s also good supporting card of five Group 1 races.

Enable bids to make history by winning the Arc for the third successive year.  Can she be beaten?  Of course, she can. Will she be beaten? I hope not. Horse racing needs her to win, to enable, pardon the pun, the sport to go from the back page to the front page.

Longchamp

1:50 – Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Sponsorise Par Manateq (Group 1) – 1m

Victor Ludorum comes into the race looking for the hat trick after wins over C&D and latterly at Chantilly. He’s very much an improver and if he handles the soft ground, could be hard to beat. But he’s priced up on reputation and visual impression of his two wins.

Ecrivain has better form having than the favourite having won at Deauville and a Group 3 over C&D 28-days ago. He’s capable of better and given he’s by Lope De Vega he shouldn’t have any problem with soft ground.

Aidan O’Brien won this race in 2017 and he saddles the progressive Armory. The son of Galileo was not match for Pinatubo in the National Stakes, but he’s bred to appreciate 1m + and the one to beat on form.

1pt win – Armory – 9/2 – Gen

3:05 – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) – 1m 4f

I just hope Enable can make history. However, she has some tough opponents to overcome. Japan, winner of the Group 1 International Stakes at York can win this. The step up to 1m 4f will be in his favour but is he a better horse on quicker ground. Sottsass is the big hope of the home team. The colt won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) and returned to action with a facile win in the Prix Niel over C&D 21-days ago. Has a good chance but will need a career best to win! Magical chased home Enable in the Yorkshire Oaks. She’s since gone onto win the Irish Champion Stakes. The filly was well down the field in last year’s race when she was ridden to get the trip. I expect her to get closer this time around. For those looking for one each way then Magical looks the one.

4:30 – Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Group 1) – 5f

Battaash is odds on to win and on form you can see why. He was only 4^th in this last year to Mabs Cross although won the race in 2017 when it was run at Chantilly.

Mabs Cross will enjoy the soft ground which means she can get closer to Battaash than she did in the Nunthorpe at York. She may need 6f these days, but I think she can win this again. Especially given there should be a strong pace to chase.

Gold Vibe put in a career best when beaten a head by Mabs Cross in this race 12 months ago. He was 66/1 last year and is a big price again. If he can reproduce last year’s run, then he’s got each way claims again.

1pt win – Mabs Cross – 10/1 @ Bet365 & William Hill

5:05 – Qatar Prix de la Foret (Group 1) – 7f

One Master is a 7f specialist, she won this race 12 months ago at an unfancied 33/1.  Just the four starts this season and has likely had this race as a target all season. Was a 1 ¾ length 5^th of 15 in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on her last start. The step back to 7f is in her favour. Last year’s win came on good ground, but she did win on soft as a 3-year-old and shouldn’t be beaten by the going.

Wasmya is an interesting runner at bigger odds. The 3-year-old takes a big step up in class here, having won a Listed race at Badan 35-days ago.  She’s just had the four career starts winning three of them. Seven furlongs is her trip 2 from 2 over the distance and has won on heavy ground. A filly going the right way who could get into the money if she hasn’t reached her class ceiling.

0.5pts each way – Wasmya – 14/1 @ Bet365 or 12/1 – Gen

Besides Longchamp there’s a decent looking handicap chase at Kelso.

Kelso

3:20 – A field of seven go to post for this 2m 1f Class 2 handicap chase. Forest Bihan seems suited to smaller fields. He won this race in 2017, off 4lb higher, so needs respecting of this mark but would be of more interest on better ground. Simply Ned won this in 2014 & 2015. Granted he was shade below par in this race 12 months ago but despite being an 11-year-old looked better than ever last season winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on his last start back in December. Can never be ruled out in this race. Nuts Well won this race 12 months ago, off 2lb lower, and looks to have a good chance of back to back wins. Returns from a 164-day absence but won last year off an even longer layoff. The possibility of the ground easing significantly won’t be a problem and if he can cut out the jumping errors, is the one to beat.

1pt win – Nuts Well – 9/2 @ Paddy Power or 4/1 – Gen

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Two exciting days racing. It’s Arc Weekend at Longchamp which culminates tomorrow with the world’s best middle-distance race the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Over this side of the Channel it’s the Group1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

Ascot hosts a competitive day’s racing with the betting highlight being the bet365 Challenge Cup Handicap over 7f.

It’s Redcar’s most valuable days racing of the season with big race being the Two-Year-Old Trophy with £99,243 on offer to the winner.

Over the Irish Sea, Gowran Park plays host to a good jump’s cards with the highlights being a Grade 2 Chase over 2m 4f and a big field handicap hurdle over 3m.

Let’s begin at Newmarket where the going is described as soft on Friday lunchtime.

Newmarket

3:25 – Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies & Mares) – 1m

Nine fillies & mares have been declared for this year’s renewal. An ability to act on the rain softened ground will be important which is why I’m taking an each-way chance on I Can Fly. The 4-year-old tends to be more the bridesmaid rather than the bride but two of her three best RPR’s have come on soft ground, including when beaten just a neck by Roaring Lion in the Group Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day last October. Her best form in 2019 came when 3^rd of 8 behind Too Darn Hot and stablemate Circus Maximus in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Granted she was well behind Iridessa & Hermosa in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown but on soft ground she should be much closer to that pair this time. My initial fancy was Lavender’s Blue, but she might be better on a sounder surface than likely here. You can’t rule out last years winner Laurens although she doesn’t come into this year’s race in the same form as 12 months ago.

1pt each way – I Can Fly – 14/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes

4:35 – British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 4f

I have to say I thought Ahorsewithnoname had a good chance here, but she’s now been declared a non-runner.

Irish raider Melburnian won on soft ground when trained in France but has yet to win since moving to Tony Martin earlier this year. That said, she’s on a competitive mark based on her best form in Ireland and it looked like her turn may not be far away when 4^th of 14 at Listowel on soft going 22-days ago. Strelka, trained by Ralph Beckett, is a half sister to Derby/Arc winner Workforce. The daughter of Kingman showed a nice turn of foot to win a Kempton novice 24-days ago and makes her handicap debut of a workable mark and given this will only be her fourth career starts she’s open to further improvement. Soft ground is an unknown, but pedigree does offer some hope she can handle it.

1pt each way – Melburnian – 7/1 – Gen

Ascot

3:10 – bet365 Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) -7f

A field of 18 have been declared for this year’s race. Now I maybe reading this handicap all wrong and to be fair I have plenty of times this flat season, but I only see four or five strong contenders on the prevailing soft ground.

John Gosden won last weeks Cambridgeshire Handicap with an unexposed 3-year-old. He saddles a similar type in Casanova. A winner at Sandown on his handicap debut 22-days ago. He’s up 6lb for that win but given his lightly raced profile could be capable of defying it. Soft ground is an unknown but he’s by Frankel whose progeny seem to go well enough with dig in the ground and the drop back from a mile should be negated by the soft ground.

Raising Sand has his optimum conditions soft ground and 7f. He won this race 12 months ago but off 12lb lower. Ripp Orf was runner-up last year but gets a 13lb turnaround in the weights. He’s another who can’t be ruled out back at his favourite venue. Kynren never seems to win but will surely be in the money again. Soft ground and a stiff 7f in a big field are his optimum conditions. I might regret leaving him out of my bets here.

I won’t be deserting Battered, who I tipped up last week for the 7f handicap that concluded the Cambridgeshire Meeting last Saturday. The 5-year-old had made a promising return to action when 5th of 8 at Doncaster 15-days previously. Unfortunately, the anticipated rain didn’t materialise last week, but he still ran an eyecatching race to finish 4th of 12, beaten just a length. The gelding is 2-2 on soft ground, form figures with soft in the going description being 1512. He looks set for a good run here.

Now three races on the Ascot card that I haven’t got official selections in but if you fancy any of these runners, I won’t you off.

1pt win – Battered – 8/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes

1pt win – Casanova – 9/1 @ Paddy Power or 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

2:00 – UK Hi-Fi Show Live Rous Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) – 6f

Michael Dods saddles the inform and likely favourite Dakota Gold & last year’s winner Intense Romance. The latter always needs respecting on soft or heavy ground, but she doesn’t come into the race in the same form as 12 months ago. If she was to bounce back to form, she would be interesting.

2:25 – Property Raceday Targets £3M Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 4f

Like the previous race it’s one of those contests where the ground has come for a horse but there are doubts about his general wellbeing. The horse is Wells Farhh Go. The 4-year-old looked set for a good season when winning a 1m 4f Listed race at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance back in June. Since then he run away with his jockey in the Goodwood Cup and was never sighted in the Ebor Handicap on his last start. The drop back to 1m 4f and soft ground will be in his favour. But which colt will we see today? If he runs to his Newmarket form, he will go close but if he races like he did at Goodwood he will finish nearer last than first.

4:50 – McGee Group Handicap (Class 3) – 5f

Pendleton did best of those who came down the stands side in Ayr’s Bronze Cup when finishing 5th of 24. The 3-year-old can win off his present mark and the drop back to a stiff 5f could do the trick.

Gowran Park

4:25 – PWC Champion Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f

The rain that’s fallen this week means there’s an eight strong field for what looks a good renewal of this Grade 2 Chase. Not a race I have had a bet in, but Snow Falcon can go well if back to his form of last Autumn, with further rain likely to be in his favour. However, this is a race to watch rather than bet in.

3:50 – Kilkenny Racing Festival Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) – 3m

Elwood is a horse whose been on my radar since he finished 2^nd of 14 over 3m at Cork 198-days ago.

The 5-year-old was a winner on soft ground when trained in France. He’s yet to win for present trainer Gordon Elliott but has just had the three starts and his last run suggested that it wouldn’t be long before he won a handicap hurdle. No issues with the distance and a further easing of the ground should be in his favour. Granted fitness has to be taken on trust but his Cork effort did come off a 102-day absence which is encouraging.

1pt each way – Elwood – 12/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The betting weekend starts here.  I have a couple of selections running at Ascot and a recent eyecatcher running at Dundalk.

Ascot

2:35 – With the going at Ascot likely to be soft at best It’s worth chancing Tribal Craft, trained by Andrew Balding. The filly had been progressing until a poor run at Chester, didn’t seem to handle the twists n turns. This more conventional track will suit her better and she did win on soft ground at Salisbury in July. Almania is said to have worked well on Tuesday and is a big player but the soft ground is an unknown. Hereby is a filly on the upgrade having won handicaps at Chester(twice) and Pontefract. Needs to improve a bit more to win this but that’s highly possible.

1pt win – Tribal Craft – 7/1 – Gen

3:45 – Three-year-old’s have won six of the last ten running’s, from 20 runners, of this 2m handicap. There are just three of that age group in this year’s race: Platform Nineteen, Laafy and Landa Beach. At the prices I’m going each way on Landa Beach. The selection had looked moderate but seems to have improved for the fitting of cheekpieces and gelding operation on his last two starts. Beaten just a neck at Haydock (soft) 28-days ago, off 1lb lower. He shaped that day like a step up to 2m would suit and could bring out a bit more improvement in him. Trainer Andrew Balding won this race in 2013.

1pt each way – Landa Beach – 8/1 @ Bet355 or 15/2 & Coral & Ladbrokes

Dundalk

8:45 – I wouldn’t normally be looking to tip one on a Friday evening at Dundalkbut recent Leopardstown eyecatcher Edification runs here.  The 6-year-old did best of those drawn in a single figure draw when finishing best of all to take 4^th in the valuable “Petingo” Handicap. Twice a winner this season, this was a career best on the flat by the 6-year-old who’s now 1 win from 4 runs 3 placed when racing over 1m 4f +. He’s got plenty of ability and holds his form well but does need things to fall right. Being covered up in a big field suits him well and he should remain competitive in big field handicaps. Won here back in January so no issues with the surface. If they go a good gallop, he’s got the class to go close. Dalileo, trained by Johnny Murtagh, is joint top weight with Edification. The 4-year-old continues to run well, finishing 2^nd of 14, beaten ½ length over C&D 7-days ago. He’s been nudged up 2lb for that effort but won’t be far away if in the same form as last time and could be worth a saver.

1pt each way – Edification – 12/1 @ William Hill & Bet365

1pt win – Dalileo – 6/1 @ William Hill & BetVictor

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Beringer came agonisingly to landing the Cambridgeshire for us yesterday. Still 22/1 each way is nice return but it could have been even better.

The Sunday racing in Britain doesn’t appeal and the card at the Curragh looks a real minefield.

So nothing from me today.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Some high-class racing action on offer on the final day of the Cambridgeshire Meeting. Haydock was abandoned yesterday, and it seems unlikely given the weather that they will race today so I won’t look at that meeting but besides Newmarket I have selections at Haydock & Ripon.

Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting – Day 3

3:00 – Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) (Colts) (Class 1) – 1m

Nine have been declared for what looks one of the best Middle Park’s of recent years: Earthlight, Mums Tipple, Threat, Siskin, Golden Horde even the Aidan O’Brien pair of Monarch of Egypt and Lope Y Fernandez all have chances.

On jockey bookings Lope Y Fernandez seems to be the stables second string. The colt won a Group 3 at the Curragh 29-days ago. He was dropped back to today’s trip last time which seemed to suit. This is tougher but there might be a bit more to come and he’s got each way claims especially if the going eases further.

0.5pts each way Lope Y Fernandez – 16/1 @ William Hill & Coral

3:40 – bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m 1f

The big betting race of the meeting. It’s hard enough to find one to finish in the first seven never mind the winner but its fun trying. The Cambridgeshire Handicap is the first leg of the ‘Autumn Double’, the second leg is the Cesarewitch Handicap held here in two weeks.

Thirty-three have been declared to go to post for todays’ running of the race and the big field should set a good pace. The top five in the betting are all 3-year-olds.

Hughie Morrison has the well backed ante post Le Don De Vie vying for favouritism with the Andrew Balding trained Good Birthday.

Another Morrison trained runner is Korcho. The 3-year-old was runner-up on the July course two starts back before finishing 6^th off 11 behind Forest Of Dean over 1m 2f at Goodwood. Shaped like the this 1m 1f could suit at Goodwood and has each way claims.

I put Beringer up in my Daily Punt column on Monday. The 4-year-old’s form figures on the Rowley Mile are 21, won here in May over a mile. He’s won twice at 1m 2f and his best RPR came when beaten a short head by Jazeel at Sandown over that distance, off 1lb higher, back in July. He can meet Jazeel on 6lb better terms here and is arguably one of the better handicapped of the older horses in the field. Has a disappointing run at York last time to overcome but there may have been an excuse that day as his trainer reported that he came back jarred up due to the quick ground.

The intermediate 1m 1f could be ideal for the gelding who finished 4th of 19 in the Lincoln Handicap. Trainer Alan King has booked promising 5lb claimer Thor Hammer Hansen for the ride.

Fifth Position, trained by Roger Varian makes his handicap debut off what looks a competitive mark of 100. This is just his 6^th career start so he’s open to a bit more improvement and a strongly run race at the distance could be ideal for the 3-year-old.

0.5pts each way Korcho -18/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 7 places 1/5 odds)

1pt each way – Beringer – 22/1 @ Ladbrokes & Paddy Power ( both paying 7 places 1/5 odds)

1pt each way – Fifth Position – 12/1 @ William Hill (paying 6 places 1/5 odds)

5:20 – Battered, returned from a 493-day break and a switch of stable to run a race full of promise at Newcastle back in January before disappointing at Chelmsford a month later. Another promising return to action from the 5-year old when 5^th of 8 at Doncaster 15-days ago. The ground would have been plenty quick enough given he’s twice a winner on soft for his previous trainer. He’s a big contender back up to 7f.

1pt win – Battered – 7/1 – Gen

Ripon

3:20 – Bossipop a three-time winner here in the past, including two over C&D, has been inconsistent form wise, disappointed again at Chester last time but is respected on his nose runner-up at the same track two starts back. Stablemate Flying Pursuit is better fancied in the betting after his good run in the Ayr Silver Cup but Bossiop has each way claims.

0.5pts each way – Bossipop – 10/1 @ Bet365

Chelmsford

6:20 – Commander Cole, trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, returned from a 355-day break to finish 3^rd of 8 over a mile here 15-days ago. Form figures 113 on the all weather and a return to 1m 2f will be in the gelding’s favour.

1pt win – Commander Cole – 7/2 @ Bet365 & William Hill

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Dogged at a generous 14/1 BOG did us a favour when winning the nursery on day one of the Cambridgeshire Meeting.

Once again apologies for the lack of this week’s notebook. I have had just so many things on yesterday That I wasn’t able to get it done. I will put any outstanding eyecatchers inside next weeks notebook.

There are plenty of good races on today’s seven race card but there seems lack of value betting opportunities

Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting – Day 2

3:00 – Daahyeh is a short-priced favourite for the Rockfel Stakes. The filly won the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing runner-up to Raffle Price in a Group 2 at the July Festival. She returned to action after a 65-day break to finish runner-up in the Group 3 Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh 12-days ago. The one they all must beat.

At an each-way price, it maybe worth chancing the Aidan O’Brien trained Blissful. The filly looked average on her first three starts but she’s since gone onto win twice most latterly a Listed race at Leopardstown. The step up to 7f has really suited and has bought about her recent improved form. Takes a step up in class here but she’s going the right way and her trainer knows what’s needed to win this race, having had 2 winners from 3 runners 67% +5.25 in the race in the past 10-years.

1pt each way – Blissful – 9/1 @ Paddy Power or 8/1- Gen

5:20 – Shadwell Farm Handicap (Silver Cambridgeshire) – 1m 1f

A really poor turnout for the Cambridgshire Consolation race with just 8 runners set to meet the starter.

Data Protection, a winner at Epsom three starts back, has remained in good form since finishing runner-up back at Epsom and last time at Pontefract 8 days ago. The top weight was beaten just a head that day and can race off the same mark here.

Escape The City, is a filly well suited by a good gallop. The 4-year-old was 6^th of 19 in this race 12 months ago and can race off 8lb lower today. More out than in this season but returned to winning ways with a victory at Brighton 18-days ago. Up 4lb for that win but Angus Villiers takes 7lb off the fillys back which negates the weight rise.  Trainer Hughie Morrison is 0 winners from 17 runners in the past 14-days but several of his runners have gone close.  Nicely handicapped on her best form and looks worth a go.

1pt win – Escape The City – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Not the most competitive of days complicated by the possibility that the going easing a bit further due to more rain.

Apologies for the lack of this week’s notebook but I had internet problems yesterday and I will try to get it to you later today.

Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting – Day 1

2:25 – Dogged, put in a much-improved effort on his third career start when 2^nd of 13 at Sandown 13-days ago. The colt makes his nursery debut of what looks a workable mark and can win races of it. Any further easing of the ground would be an unknown, but he looks worth an each way play here.

1pt each way – Dogged – 10/1 @ Paddy Power or 8/1 – Gen

3:00 – If the rain does arrive then it may be worth going with Molls Memory in this 6f handicap. The 4-year-old has been generally progressive this season with some juice in the ground. Arguably she put in a career best when beaten just a short head at Haydock 20-days ago. That performance came over 7f but the drop to 6f shouldn’t be an issue and she remains one to be interested in.

1pt each way – Molls Memory – 7/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes

4:45 – Original Choice, won a 3 runner 1m 3 ½ f conditions race at Lingfield 12-days ago. Not sure how reliable the form is, given the race turned into a bit of a sprint for the line. Stamina for a truly run 1m 4f has yet to be tested but the 5-year-old shapes like he will stay. Return to handicap company off a competitive mark based on his form for previous trainer William Haggas and he used to be effective with cut in the ground.

1pt win – Original Choice – 8/1 @ Ladbrokes & Bet365

Cheers

John