Hi all,
There are a couple of interesting Class 2 handicaps on offer today. One is a five runner 1m 4f handicap at Newmarket (6:38) where last time out winners Makram and Boss Power take on course winner Zabeel Champion. Boss Power’s best form has come on the all-weather but he seems fine on quick turf ground. Makram has been steadily progressive this season and won at Sandown last time. It was good to soft that day but he’s also run well on a sound surface. Up 6lb for his Sandown win but is going the right way and looks worth a try over today’s longer trip.
The other Class 2 handicap is on a decent seven race Musselburgh card. This one is for the speedsters over 5f and has attracted a small but very competitive field.
Musselburgh
3:45 – Lord Riddiford showed he could be as good on turf as the all-weather with a decisive win at Goodwood 10-days ago. A fast pace suits as he came off a strong gallop to win last time. Any rain is welcome and he will be tough nut to crack under a 5lb penalty, if in the same form as last week.
Sunday Sovereign is another who will appreciate any rain but he was 3 ½ lengths behind Lord Riddiford at Goodwood and will need to improve plenty to finish in front of that one here.
Mokaatil won the Epsom ‘Dash’, off 4lb lower in June a reproduction of that effort would see him go close here. Another who like a strong pace but he’s not the one consistent of sprinters and he’s run well below his Epsom form on his last three starts.
Jabbarockie made it 2-2 over C&D when making all to win a valuable handicap in April before going in again at Chester the following month. He’s a real speedy horse who might get an uncontested lead with Ornate now a non-runner. However, he wouldn’t want the ground to ease much before post time.
Makanah won a Conditions race over C&D last October and shaped well enough when a 1 ¾ length 4th of 12 at York in May. Finished last at Ascot in the first time cheekpieces, discarded today, at Ascot last time. Needs to bounce back here but is competitively weighted and the yard had a welcome winner on Sunday.
Verdict: The inform Lord Riddiford will be tough to beat under his penalty. With Ornate now a non-runner Jabbarockie could now get an uncontested lead and if he does will be hard to pass. The ground versatile Makanah is on a competitive mark and if he bounces back from a poor run at Ascot can win this.
1pt win – Makanah – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
3:10 – Bodyline a useful middle-distance handicapper makes a belated seasonal reappearance. His best form has come on quick ground so the forecast rain isn’t a positive. He needs to win this to have any chance of getting into the Ebor Handicap.
The seemingly ground versatile Dark Jedi who bounced back from a poor run in the Old Newton Cup to beat five rivals at Ripon 20-days ago. He won cosily enough that day and a 3lb shouldn’t be enough to prevent the 5-year-old from following up here.
2pts win – Dark Jedi – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John