Hi all,
The Listed Rose Bowl Stakes (3.18) at Newbury is the feature race of an eight-race card at Newbury. There are also afternoon fixtures at Haydock and Nottingham. It’s the final day of Killarney’s Summer Festival
The best of Friday’s action is the evening at Hamilton where the Listed Glasgow Stakes (7.47) and Scottish Stewards’ Cup (7.17) are the highlights of a seven-race card. There are also evening meetings at Newmarket, Pontefract and Kilbeggan.
It’s a case quantity over quality but despite that I have a few fancies across Britain & Ireland.
Newbury
3:53 – Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed) – 6f
Chateau, seems likely to go off favourite, a winner of Beverley minor race two starts back. The colt went on to finish a 3-length 4th of 24 to Little Big Bear in listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. The step up to 6f could bring out more improvement in the colt.
There was plenty to like about Rogue Lightning’s Newmarket racecourse debut success 22-days ago. The son of Kodiac is open to plenty of improvement and he looks a nice prospect.
New Definition runner-up on his first two starts on turf went one better when beating five rivals at Kempton last time. Not sure what he beat there but the time was decent enough and there was plenty to like about his attitude at the finish. The step up to 6f suited him and he remains capable of better. Has solid enough each-way claims and its interesting given how much he found for pressure last time that trainer James Tate opts to fit the first time cheekpieces.
Hamilton
7:17 – Scottish Stewards’ Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Not the strongest of fields for this year’s renewal and just 11 have been declared to meet the starter. The three that interest me most are Snazzy Jazzy, I’m A Gambler, and Music Society.
Snazzy Jazzy ended a losing run that stretched back to 2019 when winning over C&D on his penultimate start. He backed up that performance on his next start when a 2 ¼ length 7th of 29 to Inver Park in Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. He was bang in contention at the furlong mark but found his stamina running out in the closing stages of that 7f contest. The drop back to 6f should suit the 7-year-old and Ben Curtis is back in the saddle.
I’m A Gambler was 3-3 over C&D before finishing last of ten to Snazzy Jazzy last month. The 3-year-old has finished 10th of 20 in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot, failed to stay the mile that day, and its best forgive to his latest effort when 17th of 18 in the Bunbury Cup last Saturday. His blindfold was removed too late, and he lost many lengths at the start. Hard to know what to expect here but the yard’s runners can often bounce back from poor runs.
Music Society was beaten a nose in last year’s race and is now 1lb lower. The 7-year-old returned to winning ways at Catterick three starts back. He hasn’t been quite at that level on his last two starts, had a wide draw and wasn’t well placed at Pontefract and was to keen and got no cover at Ayr 11-days ago. He’s better than he was able to show last time, and a better run is expected this evening.
Killarney
2:50 – Finches Cross, a six race maiden over hurdles, put in a career best effort in the sphere on handicap debut when 2 ¾ length 5th of 16 at Tramore 12-days ago. This is slightly better race, but he could be an improver and won’t be far away if he is.
4:00 – Kells Priory put in a good effort when a 3 ¼ length 3rd of 10 at Roscommon last month. He might have finished closer if jumping the second last better. More likely to give his running than most and if the first time cheekpieces have the desired effect he won’t be far away.
The one I really like at the prices is Smitty Bacall. The 11-year-old won here in 2019 and was a good 3 ¾ length 5th of 17 on his only other visit last August. He ticks the boxes marked going, course and distance and he’s now 6lb lower than when running here last season. He shaped like the run was needed when 9th of 17 at Tipperary 15-days ago. That was his first start for 9 months and since switching yards, he’ll do for me with Jack Kennedy booked. Sadly, all yesterday’s big prices 20/1 + are gone but the 12/1 still available with one firm is still a bit of value.
4:35 – BoyleSports Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m 1f
Just the seven go to post for the most valuable race on the Killarney card. You can make a case for most of them. Trainer John Patrick Ryan has two of them in The Dara Man & Ferdia and they both have claims. The latter makes his handicap chase debut, is in form and could be the pick of the Ryan pair.
Espion Du Chenet has been a real credit to his yard winning 6 of his 27 starts over fences. The latest of those came at Punchestown in May when he also showed he was effective on good ground. A previous C&D winner, he had no real chance at the weights but still ran respectably when a 7 ½ lengths third of 4 to Easy Game at Listowel last time. Now 6lb higher than for his last win but he should be far away provided they go an even gallop.
Unexpected didn’t build on Tipperary beginners chase success when with Willie Mullins. Now with Padraig Roche (still owned by J P McManus) he probably needed his first start for 182-days when a 7 ¾ length 5th of 8 to Espion du Chenet at Punchestown last time. Might prefer more ease in the ground but he’s well treated if his new trainer can coax the 6-year-old back to something like his best.
Betting Advice:
Hamilton
7:17 – 1pt win – Snazzy Jazzy – 9/2 @ Bet365 and 1pt win – Music Society – 7/1 @ Ladbrokes & Paddy Power
Newbury
3:53 – 1pt win – New Definition 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Killarney
2:50 – 1pt win – Finches Cross – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
4:00 – 1pt win – Smitty Bacall – 12/1 @ Bet365
4:35 – 1pt win – Espion Du Chenet – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Unexpected – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John