I signed off the last note, “Onwards, ever onwards”. My concept of the S de Souza’s front-running ability wasn’t far off the mark, but it did feel lateral rather than progressive. We had you might remember a ½pt e/w Yankee for 11pts total and a 2pt win on his CITY WANDERER. We had a winner (9/2) and two places (10/3 & 10/1) giving a profit of 2.37 pts. We then spent 2pts on our only loser, giving us a profit on Day 3 of the return to racing of +0.37 pts.
I know – I shouldn’t carp, and as my old stockbroker used to say, “Nobody ever went broke taking a profit,” but I had rather hoped for a bigger result. More work is needed I think on the theory – which I shall save for another day. Meanwhile, ITV Racing is back and I shall have to stifle my infuriation with the soapy guff that Ed wassisname spouts. He can heap patronising platitude upon cliched insincerity without even breaking into a trot. We should I suppose be grateful it is there at all.
But I digress – here are my thoughts on today’s TV racing.
2:05 LINGFIELD (AW) Betsafe Racing From Over 40 Countries Handicap Cl3 (3yo 0-95) 7f 11 runners
VERBOTEN was thought good enough for the G1 Futurity on his second time out and this drop-in class and his inherent speed make him look like value.
2:25 NEWMARKET Betway Abernant Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo+) 6f 7 runners
The favourite BRANDO might be beaten by EMARAATY ANA who is a front runner and who could easily take this from the front.
2:40 LINGFIELD Betsafe Top Price All Runners Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo) 1m3½f 9 runners
HEART REEF will relish the going and she looked liked she’d also relish this trip.
3:00 NEWMARKET Betway Paradise Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m 10 runners
Bamboozled that MYTHICAL MAGIC is wearing the No 2 Godolphin colours but Buick takes the ride. Also, his four top RPRs have all come in Meydan. Gosden is in top form, so Frankie could win and SANGARIUS looks exciting for Sir Michael Stoute but maybe is not ready just yet. So I’m going to suggest a small e/w punt on VALE OF KENT for Mark Johnson. He’s not won a Class 1 yet, but he’s a front runner, who will be fit.
3:15 LINGFIELD Betsafe Derby Trial Stakes (Listed Race) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 (3yo) 1m3½f 8 runners
ENGLISH KING will get the 12f trip and I think the going won’t matter either. His Newcastle race has produced winners since.
3:35 NEWMARKET Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup Stakes (Group 1) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m4f 7 runners
It’s hard to ignore GHAIYYATH who recorded the second biggest winning margin (14l) in a G1 last year at Baden Baden. Ran like a donkey on Arc day, but today could be his if he gives it some welly from the off. However, on purely emotional terms, I suggest STRADIVARIUS.