Hi all,
The quality action continues today. All eyes again on the top two-year-old’s at Newmarket, this time the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes (2.55). There’s also the big betting race of the week the second leg of the ‘Autumn Double’ the Cesarewitch (3.35). There’s also another day of jump racing at Chepstow and York hosts it final fixture of the 2021 flat season. You can see the best of the action from Newmarket & York on ITV.
The good racing doesn’t end on Saturday either. On Sunday the focus switches to Ireland. There’s action for fans of both codes of the sport. It’s the Ladbrokes Munster National (4.30) at Limerick and the Curragh hosts the Irish Cesarewitch (3.05).
It’s a much-shortened preview today due to time constraints so I have just looked at the races where I have selections starting at Newmarket.
Newmarket
2:20 – Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3) – 1m
Coroebus is the form pick after his good effort when caught in the final few strides of the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes over C&D two weeks ago. However, at a price I’m going to take him on with one of Aidan O’Brien’s three runners United Nations. The son of Galileo made all to win on his racecourse debut at Naas 23-days ago. That win came over 7f but he’s bred to improve further over a mile and should go well.
3:35 – Together For Racing International Cesarewitch Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2)
You wouldn’t think that the draw would be important in a 2m 2f race with 30+ runners think again. There is just the one bend, about half way in the race, but it’s an important one. Looking at some of the recent race trends:
Since 2008 there have been 427 runners in the race. Of those drawn 25+ they have produced 1 winner from 133 runners with just seven placing. The sole winner was the Frankie Dettori ridden Never Can Tell who defied stall 36 in 2011.
There has been plenty of support ante post for the Willie Mullins trained M C Muldoon who proved his stamina for a marathon trip when a short head 2nd of 19 in the 2m 4f Ascot Stakes Handicap. Ryan Moore has already been booked for the ride. Another well fancied Mullins’s runner is Burning Victory. The 5-year-old won the Triumph Hurdle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival and has twice been successful in France on the flat over 2m+ since returning from a long absence. The mare will have the added assistance of William Buick in the saddle.
Micro Manage is another Mullins runner. A lightly raced 5-year-old. He doesn’t look as well treated as some in the line up but he remains capable of better and has an entry in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day. He placed in a Group 3 last season and was sent off only 8/1 when down the field in last season’s Irish St Leger. He returned from a 5 month lay off to win at Galway in August and he’s lively outsider.
Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor won the first leg of the ‘Autumn Double’ the Cambridgeshire and he’s got a live candidate with Live Your Dream. The 4-year-old seemed to prove his stamina for the trip when runner-up in the Cesarewitch Trial over C&D last month. He can race off the same mark here and with Adam Farragher booked to take off a handy 5lb, The Godolphin runner looks well treated but stall 35 is a concern.
Elysian Flame has 1 ½ lengths to find with M C Muldoon on their running in the Ascot Stakes. He’s since gone onto finish a 1 ¾ length 3rd of 20 to Calling The Wind at Goodwood. The 5-year-old is a thorough stayer and this track could well play to his strengths than Ascot or Goodwood.
Calling The Wind is a much-improved handicapper. Since his Goodwood win, he’s gone onto finish a head 2nd of 12 at Newbury over 1m 4f. He conceded first run to the winner that day and just failed to get up. He can race off the same mark here and is another big player although again stall 27 wouldn’t be the best looking at the stats.
York
3:15 – Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 6f
Laugh A Minute looks a worthy favourite after his recent 1 length 4th of 15 in handicap at the Curragh last time. He was doing his best work at the finish that day after not getting any sort of run approaching the final furlong.
Gulliver will appreciate the soft ground as he did when winning this 12 months ago off today’s mark. He showed he was still capable of going well in a big field handicap when a finishing a neck 2nd of 24 in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood. Never got competitive after a slow start in the Ayr Gold Cup but better expected on a return to a C&D that suits.
Magical Spirit was a 4 ¼ length 4th in last year’s race off 5lb higher. He shaped like he was set for a good autumn campaign when a head 3rd of 10 to Tis Marvellous at the Shergar Cup two starts back. Was a shade below par but still ran well when a 2 lengths 4th of 24 in the Ayr Silver Cup, a race he had won 12 months earlier. Looks to have a nice draw in stall 15 and looks set for a good run on ground that will suit.
Chepstow
3:30 – Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – 2m 3 ½ f
Proschema ended last season on a high winning good ground handicap hurdles at Cheltenham & Aintree in April/May. He only won by a neck at Aintree so has only been raised 2lb by the handicapper so likely remains on a competitive mark. Trainer Skelton has won this race twice since 2014.
Philip Hobbs had the first and second in yesterday’s Persian War hurdle and has lively contender here in Orby’s Legend. A winner of two of his three start in novice company last season. The 5-year-old lack’s the experience of some of his rivals but he’s open to more improvement for the step up to 2m 4f and although he’s yet to race on ground better than good to soft he should be suited by it on his handicap hurdle debut.
Betting Advice:
Newmarket
2:20 – 1pt win – United Nations – 9/1 @ Bet365
3:35 – 1pt each way – Micro Manage – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 7 places 1/5 odds),
1pt win – Elysian Flame – 18/1 @ Ladbrokes & Paddy Power and 1pt win – Live Your Dream – 12/1 @ Bet365 @ Paddy Power
York
3:15 – 1pt win – Magical Spirit – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Chepstow
3:30 – 1pt win – Proschema =- 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Cheers
John