Hi all,
The big race action crosses the Channel to France on Sunday where it’s 1,000 & 2,000 Guineas Day at Longchamp.
It’s another leg of the Sky Sunday Series at Hamilton on Sunday with all seven of the races being shown live on ITV4.
Over at Killarney it’s the first of three day’s racing at Ireland’s most picturesque racecourse.
Longchamp
There are three Group 1’s at Longchamp this afternoon. In addition to the first two French Classic’s there’s also the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary (4:10). The latter race although a good race is often seen as a stepping- stone for the Prix Diane (French Oaks).
2:50 – Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Group 1) – 1m
The French version of the 2,000 Guineas gets the classic action underway.
American Flag completed the hat trick when winning a Group 3 over C&D in April. The bookies ante post favourite (13/8). Capable of more improvement and he’s proven his effectiveness on the likely testing ground.
Isaac Shelby comes into the race top on RPR’s after last months win in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury. He was 5/1 a couple of days ago but is now a best priced 3/1. He’s got a handy low draw in stall 1 and goes well on soft ground. There’s plenty to like about his chance and he would be my favourite.
Valimi impressed when winning over C&D 24-days ago. That was an improved performance from the colt, but he will need to progress again to win this.
3:30 – Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) – 1m
The first French fillies classic of the new season. Top French juvenile Blue Rose Cen is a strong favourite. Last season’s Prix Marcel Boussac winner showed her well being when winning a Group 3 over C&D on seasonal return last month. The testing ground suits her well and she has the best form on offer.
Never Ending Story also made a winning return to action in the 1000 Guineas Trial (7f) at Leopardstown last month. She proved she trained on from two to three and I was impressed with her win last time. has improved from two to three. The step up to a mile will elicit more improvement from the daughter of Dubawi and I think she will go well.
Lindy runner-up to Blue Rose Cen last time is open to improvement. As is Quckstep who won over C&D last time.
Ritournelle ended her juvenile campaign with improved wins at Lyon Parilly and Saint-Cloud. The daughter of Camelot was unlucky in the run when a head 2nd of 14 in a Group 3 at Deauville. Another filly going the right way and she makes each way appeal at double figure odds.
Hamilton
Here are my thoughts on the best of the Hamilton action.
5:15 – Pisanello is a consistent handicapper who was a good ¾-length 2nd of 15 to Northern Express in the Thirsk Hunt Cup 8-days ago. Up 1lb but eased slightly in class here. Not the easiest to win with but is a worthy favourite.
Mostawaa is on a losing run of 17 but his best performance came in this race last year when a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 13 to Eilean Dubh, from 6lb higher. Likely needed his seasonal return at Kempton 11 days ago and can go well over a C&D that suits.
Course & distance winner Shaladar ran well on his seasonal reappearance when a 2 length 2nd of 9 at Redcar last month. The cheekpieces which were left off last time return and he won’t be far away even though he’s got a career high mark to defy.
5:45 – Spoof is a sprinter in form and could easily complete the hat trick after wins at Windsor and Ascot. Up 5lb for his latest success but Billy Loughnane takes off 3lb which negates most of the weight rise.
Huddle Up returned from a 10 month absence with an encouraging 1 ½ length 2nd of 11 at Thirsk (6f) 22 days ago. He’s now below his last Irish winning mark and looks set for a big run if building on his Thirsk performance.
Object was back to form, dropped back to 5f, when a 2 length 3rd of 10 at Thirsk 8-days ago. Just the two starts since joining Tim Easterby and will surely be placed to win a handicap like this before too long.
Ramon Di Loria returned from a 4 month absence to finish a 6 length 8th of 15 to one of today’s rivals The Thin Blue Line. He didn’t get the best of runs 1f out which probably cost him two lengths and will be better with that run under his belt.
6:15 – Haizoom had Captain Haddock a neck back in second when winning this race last year. Captain Haddock is 9lb better of this time and showed his well being when a ½-length 2nd of 12 at Doncaster last month, a race he finished third in last year before coming here. Haizoom has also had the same preparation as 12 months. The mare was 6 ½ lengths 6th of 10 to Postileo on her seasonal return over C&D 7-days ago, a race she was 7th in last year, again on seasonal reappearance.
Ravenscraig Castle was back to form on his seasonal return when 2½ lengths second of 14 to Fairmac at Musselburgh (1m 4f) last time. He’s back down to handy mark and the return to 1m 5f will suit the 5-year-old.
Geremia isn’t the most consistent of handicappers and is 0-17 on turf (three wins on the all-weather). However, the 5-year-old was on a going day on his seasonal return when a ½ length 4th of 16 to HMS President in better race at Newmarket 7-days ago. Not for the first time he was slowly away last time if he can get off on terms with his rivals there’s a handicap in him of his present mark.
Betting Advice:
The service is going through a quiet spell and could do with going into York’s Dante Meeting in winning form. I have selections from Hamilton and Longchamp for you this afternoon.
Hamilton
5:15 – Mostawaa – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:45 – Huddle Up – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Ladbrokes
6:15 – Haizoom – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Geremia – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Longchamp
3:30 – Ritournelle – 1pt each way – 20/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook.
I will be back for day one of York’s Dante Meeting on Wednesday
Cheers
John