Hi all,
Angel Power & Moss Gill (3rd) provided a decent profit on the day. Apart from yesterday’s final race I have been happy with my workings this week.
It’s Ebor Day today and the York card is a good one. There’s also a decent enough Sandown card and ITV are covering three races from the Surrey track on Saturday.
York
2:25 – Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m 6f
King’s Charisma has been well placed to win all three starts this season and put in a career best when stepped up to 1m 4f for the first time at Thirsk 24-days ago. He was doing his best work at the finish that day and should stay today’s extra two furlongs. Up 6lb but his progression may not have ended just yet
Midnight’s Legacy is another seeking the four timer after wins at Bath and Haydock (2). Another who was doing his best work at the finish over 1m 4f at Haydock. Up 2lb for his last win but he’s bred for the further than 1m 4f and the step up in trip should bring out even more improvement in the colt.
Verdict: King’s Charismawinning run may not have ended and he’s feared. Midnight’s Legacy is an improving colt who should be suited by the step up to today’s distance and looks to have the right profile for this race.
1pt each way – Midnight’s Legacy – 10/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
3:40 – Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m 6f
Trainer Roger Varian has already had a couple of winners here this week and he saddles ante post favourite Fujaira Prince. The 6-year-old is very lightly raced for age, just the seven starts, winning four of them. He’s certainly improved for the step up to middle distances and last time out won on his first go at 1m 6f at Royal Ascot. Handicapper has raised him 9lb for that that win but he’s earned it and is very much unexposed over the distance. A 64-day break isn’t a problem, as he goes well fresh.
Ghostwatch won the Melrose Handicap over C&D in 2018. Has returned from a long absence with three starts and showed he retains plenty of his old ability when runner-up to Cape Coast at Newmarket two starts back and has since finished 3rd of 7 in a Listed race at Deauville. His Newmarket run was a career best by the 5-year-old and is an each-way contender.
Trushan’s chance will be enhanced should the showers arrive before racing. An improver as a 3-year-old he’s maintained that progression on his two starts this season and last time out won a 1m 4f Listed race at Haydock (good to soft). Another one who’s unexposed at the trip and open more improvement over it.
Jeremiah looked improver when winning an Ascot handicap over 1m 4f two starts back. Wasn’t suited by the slow early gallop back at the same venue two weeks ago but wasn’t beaten that far at the line despite finishing 8th of 12. Another each way contender on going that shouldn’t be too quick.
Irish raider Pondus should appreciate a good gallop and must be on interest on his first start at 1m 6f.
Top weight Deja relished the soft ground when winning the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last month. He’s improving but is 7lb higher than last time and stall 23 isn’t helpful to his chance. If he was to win off 9-12, he would be bordering on Group 1 class. The step up to 1m 6f should be within his stamina range and any more rain won’t inconvenience the 5-year-old.
Verdana Blue surely need the ground to dry out even more. Whilst Monica Sheriff would probably prefer softer ground on her seasonal reappearance but can win races this autumn.
Verdict: Deja is improving with racing but it would be some weight carrying performance if he was to win this.Fujaira Prince is a solid favourite and has been aimed at this race since winning at Royal Ascot. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jeremiah was to run well. Trushan has had this race as his target all season and should go close on easy ground. Previous C&D winner Ghostwatch has each way claims.
1pt win – Fujaira Prince – 13/2 @ Coral & Bet365
1pt each way – Ghostwatch – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – Trushan – 8/1 @ Bet365
4:40 – Cape Cavalii looked an improver when winning over C&D two starts back (good to soft). Not so good at Goodwood last time but he had to be dropped in from his wide draw and race favoured those racing prominently. It may pay to ignore that run.
Fifth Position finished one place ahead of Cape Cavalli at Goodwood. The first-time blinkers he wore that day have been removed and prior to that had finished third in the John Smith’s Cup Handicap over C&D.
Derevo was 4th in the Goodwood race and has run with promise on both this season’s starts. Did well to get as close as he did from a wide draw. Races off the same mark here as last time and is another who has claims. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute is 6 winners from 10 runners 60% +31.75 with his handicappers over C&D since the start of 2016.
1pt win – Cape Cavalii – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Derevo – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
Sandown
I also have one selection from Sandown.
3:15 – Raaeq is the most interesting of the 14 runners in this mile handicap. The son of Kingman had shaped with promise when third on racecourse debut last September before going onto win a Newbury novice 18-days later. He hasn’t been seen on the racecourse for 336-days and is having his first run on ground worse than good to firm. Well-being must be taken on trust and the going is an unknown but he could prove a better horse than a mark of 89 on his handicap debut.
1pt win – Raaeq – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
There’s more racing on ITV tomorrow and I no doubt will have a selection of two for you.
Cheers
John