Hi all,
The weekend ended on a profitable note with Real Appeal’s win at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The flat season moves into Classic gear this week. It started at Leopardstown on Sunday with its Guineas Trials and the action continues at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting for the next three days and then moves on to Newbury and the Curragh at the weekend.
Newmarket Craven Meeting
The feature race of day one of the Craven Meeting is bet365 Feilden Stakes (3:20). A race that Golden Horn won in 2015 on his way to Derby success. There are also three interesting looking handicaps.
2:45 – Pat Smullen Memorial Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
My of my initial fancies Dogged is now a non-runner.
Overwrite isn’t the most consistent of horses but he’s likely to get an uncontested lead and prominent runners can be hard to peg back here.
Hortzadar was right back to form when 3rd of 18 in the Lincoln on his seasonal return. Can race off the same mark here and looks the one to beat.
Makram came from behind to win at Ascot last July. He was then slowly away and poorly placed on his next start at Sandown. Better judged on his Ascot performance than last time. Capable of better as a 4-year-old but might not be suited by today’s pace set up.
Maxi Boy was highly tried as juvenile. Just the one start last year, finishing a close-up 3rd of 9 at Lingfield. There was plenty of promise in that Lingfield run and he looks worth a try at mile. Looks on a competitive mark and yard are among the winners.
Verdict: Makram should be able to win a race off his present mark but slight preference is for Maxi Boy.
1pt win – Maxi Boy – 5/1 – Gen
3:20 – bet365 Feilden Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 1f
Aidan O’Brien brings over Arturo Toscanini. The son of Galileo won a back end 7f Curragh maiden on heavy ground on his sole juvenile start. Today’s distance will suit as should today’s sounder surface.
New Treasure, from a yard that has won this race three times since 2015, has the best form and must be respected but is vulnerable to any unexposed types.
Youth Spirit & Fancy Man also bring good juvenile form to the race. The latter must give 3lb to the rest of the field but isn’t out of it, if he’s as effective on quicker ground.
Secret Protector improved on juvenile form when winning at Meydan in February. The quick ground should suit the son of War Front and he needs respecting.
If there is a Golden Horn in the field it’s likely to be Royal Champion, trained by Roger Varian, a winner on his sole start here over a mile last season. The son of Shamardal could be a very smart 3-year-old.
3:55 – Price Promise At bet365 Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Recent Musselburgh winner Eton College will have his supporters. As will Eastern World who ran below market expectations when 5/2 favourite in the Lincoln.
My pick here though is Double Or Bubble. Trainer Chris Wall won this race in 2017 with Mix And Mingle who is the selection full sister. Double Or Bubble won her last two starts last season, Seasonal reappearance for the 4-year-old here but she looks a nice prospect who could be a Listed filly this season.
1pt win – Double or Bubble – 6/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
4:30 – bet365.com Handicap (Class 3) – 5f
Prominent racers are usually the ones to concentrate on here over 5f.
Rewaayat might be a 6-year-old but he doesn’t have many miles on the clock. A winner first time up last season. He’s on a winnable mark and wasn’t suited by the rain softened ground when dropped to 5f at Salisbury on his final start of last season.
Illusionist can win a decent sprint handicap this season but he might need his seasonal reappearance and this run could put the 4-year-old spot on for York.
Han Solo Berger looked as good as ever when 3rd of 5 at Kempton last week and is rated 3lb lower on grass. He should be in the mix again.
Secretinthpark is the old man of the field at 11 but he showed last season, when beaten only ½ length over C&D on his seasonal return, that he’s still capable of being competitive in this type of race. Back from a 114-day lay off today. Goes well on a sound surface and he won’t be far away if reproducing last seasons C&D form, off 6lb lower.
Verdict: Rewaayat is the most likely winner but at present prices is short enough for me. Han Solo Berger comes into the race in good form and Secretinthepark could run into the places at big odds.
1pt win – Han Solo Berger – 11/2 – Gen
1pt each way – Secretinthepark – 28/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John