Hi all,
There’s Group 1 action across Europe on Sunday. At Deauville it’s the Prix Maurice de Gheest (2:55) over an intermediate 6 ½ f. In Germany it’s Preis der Diana – German Oaks (4:00) where there’s £252,101 on offer to the winner. Fourteen fillies have been declared and Aidan O’Brien recent Irish Oaks runner-up Toy has been installed as the early bird favourite.
There’s £182,464 on offer to the winner of the Maurice de Gheest and the race has attracted a competitive field of 14 runners. Platinum Jubilee winner and July Cup runner-up Naval Crown heads the betting from Artorius and Perfect Power.
The racing week ends in Britain with racing from Haydock where it’s another round of the Sky Bet Sunday series with all seven races on ITV4.
In today’s preview I look at the big race in France and three races on the Sky Bet Sunday Series card at Haydock.
Deauville
2:55 – Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest (Group 1) – 6 ½ f
Naval Crown probably deserves to head the betting after his recent efforts and the drying ground is a plus. Looking at the RPR’s for the race seven of the fourteen strong field are separated by just 4lb. Which underlines the competitive nature of the race.
There was a time when you wanted to be drawn high in this race, but the last two running’s of the race have been won by horses drawn 1 & 3.
Artorius had finished third to Naval Crown in the Platinum Jubilee but closer to that one in the July Cup. The extra ½ furlong will suit the Australian challenger but it shouldn’t disadvantage Naval Crown either.
Perfect Power was very disappointing in the July Cup behind Naval Crown and Artorius but today’s extra furlong will suit him and it might be worth forgiving his Newmarket performance. He won here 12 months ago, and slightly easier ground will suit the 3-year-old.
Highfield Princess was a 1 ½ length 6th of 24 in the Platinum Jubilee she stays 7f well so today’s slightly longer trip will suit the mare. Each way claims if she produces her best this afternoon.
Accakaba gets all the allowances as a 3-year-old filly. Looks the best of then home team after her 1 ½ length 4th of 11 to Tenebrism in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat (7f) here last month. Interesting to see how she fares now back sprinting. If he handles it, she looks a big price and has place claims.
Haydock
4:45 – Sky Bet Sunday Series Sprint Handicap – 6f
Rambuso Creek is interesting on first start over 6f for 12 months. Unlucky in the run when a 1 length 4th of 10 at Beverley (5f) two starts back. He was only beaten a neck into second at Pontefract last month. Shaping that day like a step up to 6f will suit the 3-year-old.
Mister Bluebird gained his second success of the season when winning at Musselburgh two starts back. Not as good when a 3 length 4th of 8 at Newmarket last time. Raced alone that day and is probably better than effort. Returns from a 50-day break and Hollie Doyle 1-1 on the 4-year-old has been booked.
Ballyare is another returning from a short break. A winner at Chester when last seen in action. He’s 3lb higher in a deeper race but provided they go quick up front he will be doing his best work at the finish.
6:15 – Sky Bet Sunday Series Fillies’ Handicap – 1m
Given the form of the William Haggas yard you can’t easily dismiss Queen Aminatu who went close here (7f) two starts back before struggling in Listed company at Sandown last month. Not certain to stay a mile on pedigree but more likely her Sandown was down to the rise in class than the step up to a mile last time.
Tarrabb looked a much improved filly when winning at Ascot last month. She’s only been raised 4lb for that success which looks lenient. Another not certain to stay a mile but the way she finished off her race at Ascot suggests the 3-year-old will be suited by it. The one they all must beat for a trainer among the winners.
Of those at bigger prices Celtic Empress has each way claims. More exposed than Tarrabb but she was an excellent 2 ½ length 6th of 20 in the valuable Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot two starts back. Didn’t the clearest of runs between the final two furlongs at Ascot and would have finished closer if she had. Ran poorly when stepped up to 1m 2f at Chester last time. Back at mile will be more to her liking and if she gets a good pace to chase, then she appeals at the 18/1 available especially with some bookies offering a generous 5 places.
6:45 – Sky Bet Sunday Series Stayers Handicap (Class 4) – 2m
Charles Byrnes brings over useful handicap hurdler Run For Oscar. The 7-year-old is rated 62 lb lower on the flat and showed last time when a 5 ¾ length 3rd of 12 at the Curragh (2m) that he can land a staying handicap on the flat this season.
Arctic Fox made it 2-4 at Haydock when winning a 1m 6f handicap here last month. Comes into the race bidding for a hat track and although she has stamina to prove, given her present vein of form she must be respected even off a 6lb higher mark than last time.
Top-weight Frankenstella won over C&D in May 2021, from 4lb lower. Off for 12 month she was a respectable 7 ¼ length 3rd of 7 to Ahorsewithnoname at York in May. Off for another 87-days she stays very well and although she’s probably more effective on softer ground, it brings her stamina into play, I can see her running well provided the ground doesn’t get too quick.
Betting Advice:
Haydock
4:45 – 1pt win – Rambuso Creek – 4/1 – Gen and 1pt win – Mister Bluebird – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
6:15 – 1pt each way – Celtic Empress – 20/1 @ Bet365 (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
6:45 – 1pt win – Frankenstella – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Arctic Fox – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John