What a lovely thing to see young Jack Mitchell power ahead yesterday in the 3:55. He was always a good little jockey even when a kid doing Shetland Grand National, but he has really become very stylish. I just happened to see his ride yesterday and he has a good pair of hands but more importantly, he has a great racing clock in his head. Years ago I backed him in the lucky last apprentice race at Glorious Goodwood, and he made the difference between Croque Monsieur and Tournedos Rossini in Deauville, the following week. Jack is riding out of his skin at the moment and in the last fortnight, he has had 22 rides and 5 wins, 4 seconds and 3 thirds. If you’re shy a jockey – I would suggest you trust me when I say, he’s better now than ever before.
I had clean forgotten yesterday in my haste to get Newmarket out, that there was TV racing today. We had a winner which I backed at 5/1 which went off at 16/5, narrowly missed out on a 12/1 place and Eton College has, in every sense, had better days. So kicking on, here are today’s selections – some of which I mentioned yesterday.
1:50 NEWMARKET bet365 Hcap Cl2 (4yo+ 0-100) 6f 11 run
GUNMETAL Win – CHIL CHIL e/w – And the RFC for ½pt
2:05 CHELTENHAM Ballymore Silver Trophy Hcap Chase (G2) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4½f 9 run
Decent ground and he likes Cheltenham, if he runs as he did in the Caspian he wins
BENATAR e/w
2:25 NEWMARKET bet365 European Free Hcap (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo) 7f 7 run
I am changing my mind on seeing the price and going e/w. PERCY’S LAD was unbeaten until finishing 2nd in the Horris Hill Gp3 at Newbury and I suspect he’ll try and take this from the front. My concern is that NAVAL CROWN might try the same – as will AOB’s ONTARIO, who is the wrong price. Stick him with PERCY’S LAD for a RFC
PERCY’S LAD Win – ½pt RFC ONTARIO
2:40 CHELTENHAM Kingston Stud Hcap Hurdle Cl2 (4yo+) 2m4½f 12 run
In these troubled times, you cannot swerve BACK ON THE LASH. He runs well fresh and at 25/1 he’s way too big. JAVA POINT was mentioned to me the other day.
BACK ON THE LASH e/w – JAVA POINT e/w
3:00 NEWMARKET bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Gp 3) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m1f 4 run
Simply can’t see beyond this one. You could argue 9f is what SAN DONATO has needed – doesn’t get 8 and outpaced at 10 – but no, stick with what you’ve seen.
GLOBAL GIANT Win
3:35 NEWMARKET Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (Gp 3) (Fillies) Cl1 (3yo) 7f 10 run
Based on yesterday’s results, the draw looks perfect and C&D twice including a Gp 3. Up in class and with every chance.
SAFFRON BEACH Win
