Victor’s Friday Selections – June 11th 2021

Hi all,

There’s plenty of racing this weekend but quality wise it has a distinctly pre–Royal Ascot feel about it.

Following on from Thunder Kiss’s win in the Munster Oaks at Cork on Wednesday I have a few selections for Friday.

York

2:20 – Churchill Tyres Handicap (Class 4) – 1m 2 ½ f

Sandret ran well after a six-month layoff when a 2-length 3^rd of 8 at Redcar 11-days ago. Slowly away that day the 5-year-old wasn’t best positioned but was doing his best work at the finish.  Hasn’t won since September 2019 but is now 6ln below that mark now. Suited by quick ground and can win this but the yard is 0-23 in the past 14-days.

Emiyn, a soft ground winner when trained in Ireland by previous trainer Dermot Weld, shaped better than his 10-length 7^th of 17 here last month suggests. He ran well for a long way over 1m 4f and the drop back to 1m 2f looks a good move. Looks capable of being competitive of his mark.

Regal Mirage seems to have been revitalized by the fitting of cheekpieces and is form figures since they were applied are 122. Only beaten close home by a well handicapped horse at Hamilton 8-days ago and goes well on a sound surface. Up a notch in class but should go well.

3:30 – EBF Supporting Racing With Pride Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 6f

Noorban has been in good form of 5f, winning at Ayr (good to firm) two starts back before finishing runner-up at Redcar last time. Looks worth another try over 6f and won’t be far away.

The lightly raced Mejthaam won at the 4^th attempt when dropped back to 6f at Wolverhampton 16-days ago. Need to improve again to win on her handicap/turf debut but its highly possible the 3-year-old can.

Mid Winster runner-up at Musselburgh two starts back and ran almost as well when 4^th of 17 here in a stronger race last month. That run was over 5f but she’s just as effective over 6f. Back against her own sex here and high on the shortlist.

2pts win – Mid Winster – 4/1 @ Bet365 & Coral

4:35 – Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap (Class 3) – 7f

Danielsflyer a winner over the diatance at Redcar in April came up against the rapidly improving Boardman when 2^nd of 18 over C&D 28-days ago. Nudged up 2lb for that effort but should go close.

Firmament isn’t as good as he used to be and needs to bounce back after finishing last of 14 here last month. Always needs to be respected at York (three wins) and his form figures over C&D are 211. Has dropped to 3lb below his last winning mark. Needs a strong pace to come off and if he gets it won’t be far away.

Citron Major is another who needs to revive after three below par runs over 6f. A former C&D winner he gets the addition of the first-time blinkers today and his best form has come on good to firm ground. Could out run big odds if the new headgear has the desired effect.

Illusionist is useful at his best and shapes like he’s worth a try over 7f and can go well for a yard in hot form 6 winners from 14 runners 46% in the past 14-days.

1pt win – Firmament – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Sandown

3:20 – Sandown Park Breeders’ Day September 15 Handicap (Class 3) – 1m 2f

Russian Virtue settled much better in the first-time hood when a close-up 3^rd of 9 at Yarmouth last time. Looks on a competitive mark and trainer David Menuisier is 6-19 32% +15.50 with his 4-year-old+ runners at Sandown.

You’re Hired, goes well on good, good to firm ground. He’s having his first start since November but his record on his seasonal return on good, good to firm ground is an encouraging 1231. Jim Crowley booked and today’s likely the time to catch the 8-year-old.

Andaleep looked like needed the run when down the field at York on his seasonal reappearance last month. The 5-year-old is respected back over a C&D where his form figures are 211. Might not want the ground to quick though.

1pt win – You’re Hired – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Aintree

7:55 – Boagrius has dropped down to a winnable mark and shaped better than the distance beaten suggests when a 27 lengths 4th of 8 to Go Steady at Warwick last month. Ground versatile and looks set to go well for a yard among the winners.

1pt win – Boagrius – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Fairyhouse

4:55 – Follow Fairyhouse On Instagram Handicap – 6f

Fastnet Crown bounced back to form when only caught close home at Cork last time. Can race off the same mark here and is effective on good firm ground. First run at 6f but he showed enough dash over 7f to think he’ll cope with the drop back in trip.

Mrs Bouquet will like the quick ground but is maybe better over 5f.

Angel Palm hails form the inform Ger Lyons yard. The 3-year-old has only had three starts. A winner at Leopardstown over 7f (good) last August. She makes her handicap/seasonal reappearance back at 6f and could be well treated off a mark 92.

Mia Mento was a ½ length 3^rd of 19 at Ascot last September on her final start for Peter Chapple-Hyam. Two starts for Jessica Harrington haven’t been devoid of promise. Only 11^th of 14 at Gowran Park 4-days ago but was only beaten 3 lengths and didn’t get the best of passages inside the final furlong. Has each way claims of this race doesn’t come too quick.

1pt win – Fastnet Crown – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

1pt each way – Mia Mento – 22/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)

Cheers

John