Hi all.
Sinjaari stormed home to win the John Smith’s Cup at York and Even So relished the step up to 1m 4f in landing the Irish Oaks. All in all, a cracking day profit which could have been better if Gulliver hadn’t been nabbed on the line by Romantic Proposal in the Scurry Handicap.
After last Sunday we have some better-quality racing today from York, Newbury with the Super Sprint (2:50) the feature race of a seven-race card and the Curragh.
At first glance plenty catch the eye today but there don’t seem to be the solid opportunities that were available yesterday.
York
2:30 – Acclaim The Nation likes to be at the head of affairs, no bad thing here over C&D, and has to be respected on his ½ length second to Celsius two starts back. The drying ground is in his favour. The problem is that he could have competition for the lead which slightly tempers enthusiasm.
Mighty Spirit a useful juvenile might just have needed her seasonal return when 5th of 21 behind Art Power at Royal Ascot. Seems ground versatile and should be sharper today. Drawn out wide in stall 13 isn’t probably ideal
Arecibo is going to pop up in one of these 5f handicaps it’s just a case of when. He’s on a bit of a losing run but bounced back to form when 5th of 11 at Doncaster two starts ago. The 5-year-old didn’t help his cause when slowly away at Ascot last time and didn’t get the best of runs on a couple of occasions when making his effort in the final couple of furlongs. The forecast strong pace will suit and if the cards fall right, he can win this.
Verdict: I’m expecting a big run from Mighty Spirit if her wide draw isn’t an inconvenience. Arecibo will need luck in the run but the anticipated strong pace will suit.
1pt win – Arecibo – 11/2 @ Bet365
3:35 –The booking of Ryan Moore for Ulshaw Bridge is an eyecaching one (first ride for the yard in the last 5-seasons). The 5-year-old has gone 13 runs since his last win at Doncaster in June 2018 but has run several decent enough races in the meantime. Made a satisfactory enough return to action when 5th at Haydock two start back but wasn’t able to back that up here over 1m 2 ½ f 10-days ago. Drop back to a mile a likely plus and he won here as 2-year-old.
Poet’s Dawn has decent form around here and is just 1lb higher than when winning here over 1m 1f last June. Might prefer slightly easier ground though.
Alfred Boucher has returned to action with a pair of solid efforts at Newmarket and Marco Ghiani takes off a handy 5lb and he shouldn’t be far away at the finish.
Spiorad was well placed to win three handicaps during a productive 2019 campaign. Not totally out of this but needs to bounce back from two underwhelming performances this season.
Straits Of Hormuz is the least exposed runner in the field, just the four career starts. The 3-year-old has won his last two starts including on his stable/seasonal debut for Jedd O’Keeffe at Haydock last month. He came from behind that day and showed a nice change of gear to win his race inside the final furlong. Up 6lb, but is going the right way. Stall 20 is a only slight concern but apart from that he’s a solid contender.
Verdict: Plenty to like about the claims of 3-year-old Straits Of Hormuz apart from stall 20. Alfred Boucher is a solid contender. The booking of Ryan Moore suggests a big run is expected from Ulshaw Bridge.
1pt win – Ulshaw Bridge – 6/1 @ Bet365
4:10 – Excellent Times won a C&D handicap last August and bettered that effort when winning at Thirsk the following month off today’s mark. Has been down the field on both starts this season and may to need another run to find her feet. That all said she’s handicapped to win again when finds her form and has each way claims.
0.5pts each way – Excellent Times – 18/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Newbury
Besides the Super Sprint the highlight of the Newbury Cup is the valuable Marsh Cup Handicap (4:00)
4:00 – Carnwennan didn’t enjoy the tacky ground when a well beaten favourite in this 12 months ago. He was set too much to do but was doing his best work at the finish when 6th of 18 in the Northumberland Plate 22-days. That was the 5-year-old’s first run since February and he should be spot fitness wise here. Provide the ground is good or quicker I’m expecting a big run from the gelding in the first time cheekpieces.
Rajinsky was just touched off at Ascot last time he should continue to run well although he’s 5lb higher in a better race.
Just Hubert is another who was set too much to do in the Northumberland Plate. Be can’t be totally dismissed being just 2lb above his last winning mark but needs to bounce back from a couple of low key runs this season.
Selino was a notable improver last autumn for stepping up to 1m 6f/ 2m. The 4-year-old showed he had trained on when putting in a career best when runner up to Fujaira Prince at Royal Ascot. The return to 2m looks a positive and although he’s been raised 5lb he’s progressive and looks the one they all have to beat.
Verdict: Selino is going the right way and is a deserved favourite here. If the ground dries out further, I’m expecting a big run from Carnwennan in the first-time headgear.
1pt win – Selino – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Carnwennan – 11/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Curragh
2:35 – She’s A Babe has gone 16 starts since her last win, although she was first past the post at Dundalk back in October. Bounced back to form when running on all the way to the line to finish 3rd of 14 at Bellewstown 17-days ago. That sharp tracking didn’t seem to suit so a stiff 7f on a galloping track should be in her favour. This looks a hot race but she’s got each way claims.
Royal Highness was another who didn’t look totally at home at Bellewstown last time and was three places behind She’s A Babe. She’s another who will appreciate a return to a more galloping track. There is a handicap in her of her present mark of 81 but she may need an extra furlong to do so.
Galtree Mist was twice a winner last season over 7f and shaped well enough when 6th of 18 here over 6f on her seasonal return nine days ago. Should be all the better for that run and shouldn’t be far away although she was a winner at the Galway Festival last year and I wonder if that’s her ultimate target again.
Verdict: Royal Highness has a race in her off her present mark. Galtree Mist should be competitive and She’s A Babe has each way claims if building on her recent Bellewstown run.
0.5pts each way – She’s A Babe – 20/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
Cheers
John