“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” John Stuart Mill 1867 (PS: not Edmund Burke!)
1:55 AYR Virgin Bet Doonside Cup Stakes Cl1 (3yo+) 1m2f
PLATINUMCARD had put together a hat-trick until he took the 4th spot at Hamilton over 12f. He then came 2nd LTO having raced vigorously but he simply lacked the gears to beat his table mate Chichester. That was a decent race, and he meets the winning profile of a horse aged under 6 (23/23), with a top 4 finish LTO (19/23) (22/23 Top 6). On similar grounds, I quite like THE FLYING GINGER who gets the Saturday handicap Queen in the plate, Hollie Doyle. Be careful with the Juans here – I would rather have a little on JUAN DE MONTALBAN in preference to the very short 5/4 JUAN ELCANO. Long-shot JUAN DE M. ran well in the March Stakes at Goodwood LTO, just outstayed late in the day. Prior to that, his form includes a 2nd in the Italian Derby. A spot of rain won’t matter and he doesn’t have too many miles on the clock.
PLATINUMCARD E/W – THE FLYING GINGER E/W – Add JUAN DE MONTALBAN for ¼pt exotics with the aforementioned.
2:15 NEWBURY Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (G3) Cl1 (3yo+) 5f
KINGS LYNN looked as though he needed a break LTO. I think he is progressive and the two month holiday will help. His Wokingham 3rd directly after his impeded progress in the Kings Stand to finish a 3¼l 7th in a bunch finish, show he has talent, heart and an engine.
KINGS LYNN Win
2:30 AYR Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Hcap Cl2 (3yo+) 6f
BLACK FRIDAY has a perfect score here of 3/3 admittedly in less frenetic company. Still he has a draw that will allow him to go whichever way works best, providing he doesn’t run into any traffic. He races prominently which will help. RATHBONE gets 7lbs off his back from Oisin McSweeney which makes him competitive, has a high draw, races prominently and has some decent form. MAGICAL SPIRIT comes back to repeat last year’s victory and his last run 42 days ago in the Shergar Cup Dash, showed he still has bags of ability. The winner Tis Marvellous has come out and won a Listed sprint since and the race has also produced King of Stars. From the same yard BERGERAC has also been freshened up and this could easily fall to him if the low draw numbers prevail. Clive Cox runs ROYAL SCIMITAR which meets a number of trends and Tim Easterby has BOARDMAN who would be no surprise. In other words anything could win.
MAGICAL SPIRIT Win – BLACK FRIDAY e/w – RATHBONE e/w
2:50 NEWBURY Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes (G3) (Formerly The Arc Trial) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m3f
AL AASY Win
3:05 AYR Virgin Bet Firth Of Clyde Fillies’ Stakes (G3) Cl1 (2yo) 6f
HEAD MISTRESS has obvious claims after taking a Curragh Listed race last month on just her second run. However, I think SCOT’S GRACE offers more value if only based on her run in the Sirenia. Traffic problems, various tactical moves that would have unbalanced a lesser animal, meant she arrived at the line a strong finishing 5th 3½l behind the winner. She is a good deal better than the paper form suggests. Do not be surprised by a bold showing from DESIGNER. If you can get 6 places for around 66/1, I’d take it
SCOT’S GRACE e/w – DESIGNER 6 places 66/1
3:25 NEWBURY Dubai Duty Free Hcap Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 1m2f
ARAMAIC Win – PIVOINE e/w
3:40 AYR Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Hcap Cl2 (3yo+) 6f
SNAZZY JAZZY won the Silver Cup in 2018, is now only 4lbs over his last winning mark and has 3lbs off his back thanks to Laura Pearson. He has plenty of winning Black Type, and he looks too big. Kevin Ryan has won the Ayr Gold Cup three times in the last ten years and his BIELSA is the market’s talking horse. Only 2¾l shy of winning in The Stewards Cup, he won’t mind any cut. SUNDAY SOVEREIGN and POPMASTER are both trend horses.
BIELSA and POPMASTER dutched to win. – SNAZZY JAZZY e/w – SUNDAY SOVEREIGN e/w
4:00 NEWBURY Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (G2) Cl1 (2yo) 6f
DHABAB WIn – MANACCAN e/w
4:15 AYR Virgin Bet Hcap Cl2 (3yo+ 0-100) 1m
Clive Cox runs DANCE FEVER a Sir Prancealot gelding owned by the inestimable Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds. I get their newsletters and I read of their hopes – but I simply don’t see him taking this. David O’Meara has sparkling figures for this race in the last ten years of 2W – 4P – 8R. Pay attention to his SHELIR. HONG KONG HARRY has had the quirks in his character removed, as well as his nuts, and it has been transformational in every respect. He looks well treated on previous form. Dutch all three to get even money about your bet
DANCE FEVER (4/1) Dutch Win – SHELIR (7/1) Dutch Win – HONG KONG HARRY (5/1) Dutch Win