Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the best of Sunday’s action from the Curragh, Uttoxeter and Cartmel.
Here’s Sunday’s preview and my selections will be with you on Sunday morning.
Curragh:
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has attracted nine colts. It’s a purely Irish affair with no runners from Britain or France. It looks like a coronation for Epsom Derby winner Auguste Rodin. The race lacks depth and not much interest unless your involved with Coolmore. unless Auguste Rodin is below par, I can’t see him losing this.
The Epsom form is working out nicely and although I’m not one for smashing into odds-on chances isn’t for me, but if you could get 1/2 about Auguste Rodin those odds would look fair enough to me. Stablemate San Antonio was well beaten at Epsom but hated the track. Prior to that he had won the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester. If there’s a tailwind and he goes from the front he could hold on for a place at big odds.
I backed White Birch at Epsom he came from an unwinnable position to finish third. This track will suit the colt better than Epsom and I can see him giving his backers a good run for their money. However, he’s been slowly away on his last three starts and that must be a slight worry again.
1:50 – The Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes – 6f
Bucanero Fuerte was an excellent ½ length 3rd of 20 to River Tiber in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. The more in the ease in the ground the better his chance. If this race doesn’t come too quick, he’s the one to beat.
Aidan O’Brien has only won this race twice in the past 10 years. He’s got two with serious claims Unquestionable & His Majesty. The former made all to win a C&D maiden last month. He missed Royal Ascot, is open to plenty of improvement and is the pick of Ryan Moore. His Majesty did best of those who raced stands side when a 2 ½ length 4th of 14 to Valiant Force in Norfolk Stakes (5f) at Royal Ascot last time. The return to 6f will suit and he remains open to further progress.
I Am Invictus finished a 3 ¾ length third to Tiber River on his racecourse debut. Before finishing a neck third to useful filly Pearls And Rubies and Navan three weeks ago. Not open to as much progress as the other three mentioned but could get in the money.
2:25 – Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes – 6f
Commanche Falls, twice a Goodwood Stewards Cup winner, posted just about a career best on RPR’s when a 1 ¾ length 3rd of 10 Azure Blue in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes at York last month. He sets a high standard and looks a worthy enough favourite.
Mooneista has a decent enough record at the Curragh. The mare is a previous course winner over 5f and went very close, beaten ½ length, in a Group 2 over C&D last May for her previous trainer. Hasn’t been at her best on two starts since joining Joseph O’Brien. However, she’s more than capable of winning this if back to her best.
Of the rest Tango Flare comes into the race arguably one of the most inform contenders after wins at Cork and Fairyhouse. Looked a sprinter going places when winning last time and the 4-year-old is lightly raced enough to think he could be capable of better.
There are also four premier handicaps on the Curragh card.
3:00 – Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 5f
If it wasn’t for stall 1, I would be very interested in British challenger Sheikh Maz Mahood who won at Musselburgh last month and is lightly raced enough to think he’s open to further improvement.
Come From the Dark isn’t the sprinter he used to be but he’s down to a good mark and the Ed Walker yard is among the winners.
Loveday was much better than on her seasonal reappearance when a 1 ¼ length 3rd of 8 of at Down Royal 9 days ago. The visor is reapplied and she’s on workable mark when all the cards fall right.
Jon Riggens won a Navan handicap two starts and this previous C&D winner wasn’t disgraced when a ¼ length 4th of 15 over C&D last time. He did best of those who raced on the unfavoured far side that day. Now 1lb lower and possibly better drawn in 16 but may prefer softer ground.
Master Matt took advantage of a drop in the weights to win a Fairyhouse handicap 16 days ago. Up 6lb for that success but was a 2 length runner-up in this race two years ago and can’t be discounted on ground that should suit.
4:15 – Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 1m
Arniemac and stablemate Gambe Veloci have claims. The first named won a Killarney maiden 47 days ago. Just the three starts and the 4-year-old is open to further progress and looks on a good mark for his handicap debut. Gambe Veloci got off the mark at the fourth attempt when winning a Limerick maiden (soft) on seasonal return. A respectable 3 ¼ length 6th of 20 to Rahmi on handicap debut in a similar race over C&D. Didn’t see out the race as strongly as some who finished in front of her that day and the first cheekpieces applied.
Blues Emperor has returned to action in good form battling on to beat 12 rivals in a Naas handicap last time. A 3lb rise in the weight’s doesn’t look to harsh and he shouldn’t be far away once more. Stablemate Rahmi got up close home to win a big field handicap over C&D. The better ground suited him last time and although he’s up 4lb for that success looks capable of winning more races. A big contender from what could be a handy draw in stall 2.
Casanova has plenty of good C&D form, including when a ¼ length 3rd of 27 off today’s mark in the Irish Lincolnshire in March. He’s not the easiest to win with and is vulnerable to any better treated rivals but he should go well once more.
4:50 – Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 7f
The Joseph O’Brien pair of Adelaise and Yerwanthere were separated by a nose and one place when 4th & 5th in the Kensington Palace Fillies’ Handicap at Royal Ascot 11 days ago. I’m not sure the drop back in trip will suit either filly but Yerwanthere might be capable of more improvement given she’s only had four career starts.
If the pace holds up as it has for the previous two days of the meeting, then Aussie Girl could be better positioned than most. A good 1 ½ lengths 2nd of 11 at Naas (6f) 4 days ago she comes into the race in good form but maybe better over slightly shorter.
No Niki No holds her form very well and won a Leopardstown handicap (1m 1f) 17 days ago. A 7lb rise in the weight’s makes life tougher for the 7 year-old but she can’t be discounted.
Lan Cinnte won a Limerick maiden (1m) in decisive fashion 18 days ago. The daughter of Saxon Warrior shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the drop back to 7f on her handicap debut. Provided she’s not ground dependent, there was plenty of ease in the ground last time, should go close.
Transcendental seemed to improve for the drop back to 6f when winning a handicap here last month. Strong at the finish last time, the 5-year-old stays 7f and a 4lb rise in the weights doesn’t look too harsh. Should be in the mix once more for a yard among the winners.
6:00 – Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF “Ragusa” Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 1m 4f
Mr Escobar ran better than his 4 ¾ length 9th of 14 in a Lingfield handicap (2m) in April suggests on first start for Willie Mullins. Lightly raced for a 6-year-old he’s probably on a good mark if as effective on the grass.
Useful hurdler Brazil gets the first time tongue tie and cheekpieces and looks well treated for his return to the flat and the step up to 1m 4f.
Safecracker is a consistent sort who often runs well in big field handicaps like this finishing runner-up five times in Premier Handicaps. The 5-year-old posted a career best on RPR’s when neck 2nd of 13 on the Cork Derby (Handicap) 16 days ago. Up 3lb but likely to be bang there once more for an inform trainer.
Smooth Tom a Leopardstown winner last month showed he remains in form when a head 2nd of 15 here (1m 2f) 36 days ago. Looks worth a try over 1m 4f and won’t be far away if staying this longer trip.
Teed Up was a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 21 to Metier in the November Handicap when last seen in action. Handicapped to make his presence felt if fully tuned up for his seasonal return.
Chally Chute won a C&D handicap last October and followed up at Galway 18 days later to complete a handicap hat trick. Started the new campaign with a solid 2 ½ 3rd of 10 at Tipperary 73 days ago. Up 2lb and may prefer softer ground but not totally dismissed.
Uttoxeter
Besides the best of the action at the Curragh ITV are also covering the bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase (3:12) at Uttoxeter. There’s £39,023 on offer to the winner and the excellent prize money means sixteen runners have declared for this year’s renewal.
3:12 – bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 3m 2f
Cap Du Nord, Kinondo Kwetu and Twig are the three on my shortlist.
Cap Du Nord won the valuable Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot (3m) by 7 lengths in February. Now just 3lb higher here. It’s interesting that connections have kept him in training over the summer. A decent 3rd of 11 here (3m) last month. If he reproduces his Ascot performance, he would be tough to beat.
Kinondo Kwetu has developed into a very useful staying handicap chaser on good ground and was back to winning ways at Aintree (3m 1f) 44 days ago. Only prevailed by a neck last time. However, he did idle close to home and was worth more than the official margin of victory suggests. The handicapper has raised him 8lb. But even that rise in the weights might prevent him following up, albeit this is a deeper race.
Twig gained a first success outside the Hunter Chase ranks when winning a novice handicap chase at Warwick last September. Has been campaigned over hurdles since and was back to winning ways here (2m 7f) last month. Back over fences for first time since winning at Warwick in the autumn and is just 3lb higher. Definite claims, if staying 3m 2f.
Cartmel
There are two races from picturesque Cartmel on ITV this afternoon.
2:05 – Oakmere Homes Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 5f
Grey Skies got off the mark over fences when beating a sole rival at Sedgefield in March and followed up at Perth the following month. He proved his effectiveness at the track when a ¾ length 2nd of 5 over C&D 32 days ago. Good ground is fine and he’s a big player.
Irish challenger Arctic Ambition has been in good form over hurdles and fences this spring winning his last two starts over the smaller obstacles. He’s well suited to a sound surface and if handles the track shouldn’t be far away back over fences.
Arthur’s Quay improved for the switch to the Ben Haslam yard and completed a handicap chase hat trick at Sedgefield in January. Has been running well since and shaped like a step up in trip would suit when a strong finishing 4 ¼ length 4th of 6 (2m 1 ½f) here last month.
2:40 – Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 2m 1f
Hurricane Ali is a consistent handicap hurdler who was third in this race last year. The 7-year-old wasn’t disgraced when a 4 ¼ length 2nd of 6 to a very well-treated rival at Aintree 16 days ago. Needs good or quicker ground but if he gets his underfoot conditions will be bang there.
Band Of Outlaws has looked regressive but there’s no doubting he’s a well handicapped horse if he can return to form. Well supported (returned the 5/2 favourite) when a disappointing 7th of 10 at Hexham 57 days ago. This is the 8-year-old’s first run at Cartmel but the track could suit him.
Cheers
John