Hi all,
The three-day Cambridgeshire meeting gets under way at Newmarket today with the feature race being the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes (2.45). The Andre Fabre-trained Trident, runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Morny last time, heads the ante post betting and will be tough to beat.
There is also the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl (3.20) and some interesting handicaps on offer from flat racings HQ. Across the Irish Sea the Listowel Harvest festival, featuring a 1m4f premier handicap (4.00). Perth, Pontefract, and Wolverhampton complete the day’s action.
Yesterday’s Kerry National had plenty of thrills and spills and ultimately produced an easy winner in the Joseph O’Brien trained Assemble.
Fairyhill Run couldn’t get into the race and you must feel sympathy for connections of the mare. Not sure it’s fair that one owner can have seven runners in a race like this.
I ended up going with Born By The Sea & Aramax. The latter made a mistake at the first and was on the back foot from then onwards. However, Born By The Sea sneaked into 5th so the each way bet was landed at 16/1.
Newmarket
The going is good to soft, good in places at Newmarket for the start of the Cambridgeshire meeting. Sadly, the ITV cameras won’t be there today although they will be covering the Friday action. I have had a quick look at a few of the Newmarket races starting with the feature race.
2:45 – Tattersalls Stakes (Registered As The Somerville Tattersall Stakes) (Group 3) – 7f
Prix Morny runner-up Trident is going to be tough to beat if improving for the step up to 7f. More progress does seem likely and trainer Andre Fabre thinks he could be a Dewhurst horse.
Modern Games made it 2-4 when winning a Class 2 nursery at Doncaster 15-days ago. He’s improved with each of his four starts. He needs to progress further to win this but that seems likely.
Cresta beat Modern Games on his race course debut at Leicester last month. He’s another capable of further improvement and could be the one to give the favourite the most to do.
Ribhi, a winner at Salisbury, showed his inexperience when making his effort 2f out in Listed company at Doncaster last time. He also didn’t get the clearest of runs 1f out that day either. Remains capable of better and has each way claims.
1:35 – Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Nursery Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Noisy Night has been well placed to win his last three starts all at Kempton. Up 5lb for the last of those wins but he’s going the right way and will be suited by the step up to a mile. If he handles the track is the one to beat.
Sed Maarib was no match for Modern Games when finishing runner-up to that one at Doncaster last time. He’s another who will be suited by the step up to a mile.
2:10 – British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Quickstep Lady is inconsistent she disappointed at Salisbury last time after winning at Windsor two starts back. Capable of a good run if in the mood.
Zim Baby might not be suited by the drying ground, all her wins have come on an easy surface but she’s been given a chance by the handicapper. She ran one of today’s rivals Gale Force Maya to ¾ length when 3rd of 6 at Pontefract 7-days ago and gets 3lb from that one here.
3:55 – Discover Newmarket Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 4f
Lostwithiel had looked set for a good season when finishing a ½ length 2nd of 7 here over 1m 6f in May. However, he’s disappointed on both starts since though. Has been given a 76-day break and needs that to have freshened him up.
Torcello made it 2-3 over C&D, won this in 2017, when making all to win May. The 7-year-old is 4lb higher than for his last win and may prefer softer ground these days. Osin Murphy who is 2-3 on the gelding is back in the saddle for the first time since 2017. There doesn’t like there is much in the way of pace so it’s likely he can get the run of the race out in front.
Away from Newmarket I like three at Listowel.
Listowel
4:00 – Very Excellent hasn’t had many goes on turf but in a career best on RPR’s when a neck 2nd of 15 at Galway 16-days ago. He gets 3lb from winner Church Mountain today and the first time cheekpieces are applied. The 3-year-old Church Mountain is going the right way and shouldn’t be far away again. However, at the prices I’m just with Very Excellent to reverse placings.
4:35 – Phoenix Cowboy an impressive winner at Gowran Park two starts back didn’t get the best of runs 2f out when bidding to follow up at Leopardstown last time. Was raised 9lb for his Gowran Park success but remains capable of better if as effective on easier ground.
5:40 – Petitioner seemed to bounce back to form for the fitting of the first-time tongue tie and the reapplication of the blinkers when a ¾ length 2nd of 13 at Tipperary last month. That was just the 7-year-old’s second start since a stable switch and although he’s been nudged up 4lb for that performance shouldn’t be far away again.
Betting Advice:
Newmarket
2:45 – Cresta – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
3:55 – Torcello – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Listowel
4:00 – Very Excellent – 10/1 @ Bet365
4:35 – Phoenix Cowboy – 11/2 @ Bet365
5:40 – Petitioner – 14/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John