I am sadly unable to go to Newbury and see Tom Jones post-racing today. I just feel as though TJ’s voice is now better-heard in some New Orleans blues bar, sitting at a table with a beer, Katherine Hepburn and Jools Holland, rather than surrounded by Doris’ Hen Night and some leery lads, in the Vomitorium.
Newbury 1:50: FOX CHAIRMAN had an awful run in The Hampton Court at Ascot. This is the second time he’s been caught up in trouble, (Dee Stakes before Ascot), and if you can get evens, sell the dog and the wife and lump on.
Newmarket 2:40: Surely between Dance Legend, KESIA and Sparkle Roll. Gosden’s charge won a decent Ascot race first time out, and she looked the business despite being, on appearance the stable’s second string. My only niggle is whether she idles in front. Time will tell.13/2 is a decent price.
3:00 Newbury: KHADEEM ran flat in the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot, and I wonder whether that might have been something to do with the riding instructions. He was certainly restrained unlike previous eye-catching races and maybe being held up doesn’t suit him, He’s a very decent animal and worth a 7/1 punt today.
Market Rasen 3:20. Casablanca Mix is now 5lbs higher than his last winning OR and I like the look of the favourite Gortroe Joe, bar a concern I have over any horse who has suffered from atrial fibrillation (back in March at Ludlow). Dan Skelton’s charge has a 7lb rise for a 12L victory over CD LTO and all 3 career wins have come under today’s conditions However I think Ian Williams’ ROYAL VILLAGE with two CD wins and a drop back to a better distance than his Perth run LTO. He’s high on my trends rating and is the right price at 10/1
Ripon 3:30. JABBAR caught the eye recently at Hamilton, where he was a neck 2nd to Lever du Soleil. Slowly away and behind by some ten lengths, JABBAR made up the lost ground easily enough and looked as though he was going to cruise clear. The in-form favourite, however, battled back and given the weight, concession it was a good performance.
3:40 Newbury The Supersprint: NEVER IN PARIS looked initially green, but quickly cottoned on to the task to make her impressive winning debut. She was well on top at the line and might even have had a bit to spare. David O’Meara has two in the race who both meet the trends Great Dame and Manolith and both are prices bigger than 66/1. Great Dame is certainly too big.
The Curragh 5.10 Irish Oaks: Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds are very keen on the Lope de Vega line, as they have I believe a couple of his in training. Thus we can expect Sam Hoskins et all to be cheering on ANTONIA DE VEGA Ralph Beckett’s filly who still loke as though she has something still to give after four decent runs. Ralph has patience in spades and he now has her up past the mile mark. She shaped like an Oaks horse and her LTO win by 4L over 1m2f was eye-catching after a long layoff. I could also make an argument for stablemate Manuela de Vega. I shall dutch the two on Betfair as they are both around 10/1 and will get around 7/2 the pair.Newbury