Not a desperate set of results on Friday and only really let down by the ground, fitness, speed, ability, horsemanship and skills of the participants and the stupidity of your correspondent. But for those small, inconsequential elements, we might very well have swept the board. We named the second and third in the first; and the winner and the third in the second – admittedly a four-horse race… but still. We had the 9/1 winner of the third and nothing in the fourth or fifth. We had the winner and the second in the fifth and the third in the sixth. Now that might sound pretty rubbish, but those horses were, in the main, 5/1 or better and included as mentioned a 9/1 and 12/1 winner.
We also picked up several new readers, including Mrs Horace Scatter-Cushion who asked: “My friend says you sometimes produce recipes. Where might I find them?” Well Mrs S-C, they feature under the tab Life and Living. Articles, where our team examine various issues, such as Turkey’s move on the Kurds, are covered in Just A Thought. These articles and posts are simply that. Merely an observation on our own probably fallacious view.
Much then like our tipping!
(As always BOLD CAPS is the first choice BOLD ITALIC the second choice)
1:45 DONCASTER MFB Group Franking Services Stakes (Registered as The Doncaster Stakes) (Listed Race) Cl1 (2yo) 6f
ART POWER looks a very decent type and his 5l spanking handed out to his rivals at York LTO on Soft, hints at much more to come. The colt is bred for further and Tim Easterby will almost certainly step him up to a mile after today. BRAD THE BRIEF caught the eye LTO and might handle this ground… might. I would have fancied TROUBADOUR but he’s carrying a stone more than his last winning mark.
2:00 CHELTENHAM “Matchbook Betting Exchange” Handicap Chase Cl2 (4yo+) 3m1f
Rated 150 over hurdles, WEST APPROACH finished third in this race twelve months ago off three pounds higher. COGRY could easily make the frame having won a G3 handicap over slightly further at Cheltenham in December last. He was beaten a neck in this race twelve months ago off four pounds lower and 7/1 isn’t an ugly price. Henry Daly’s BACK TO THE THATCH passes the key trends for the race and more importantly will handle any going changes with both wins and all placed efforts on Soft & Heavy. 20/1 seems overpriced and I shall have a small e/w dabble. I wouldn’t put you off BOB MAHLER who was impressive at Cheltenham in April, possibly signalling his Grand National abilities and I wouldn’t try to dissuade anyone from THE YOUNG MASTER who looked as though he were being laid out for this LTO.
2:20 NEWBURY Teddington RBL Poppy Appeal Stakes (Registered As The St Simon Stakes) (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m4f
This is an interesting St Simon and ROYAL LINE looks progressive. He was third in Champions day Long Distance Cup over 1m7f. He didn’t run out of puff so much as just looked as though he’d prefer coming back to 12 or 13 furlongs. I think he has a terrific chance of beating the favourite, Andrew Balding’s MORANDO. He dead-heated with Young Rascal in this last year, since when he’s won well at Ascot and Chester on rain-soaked ground.
2:35 CHELTENHAM Masterson Holdings Hurdle Cl2 (4yo) 2m½f
QUEL DESTIN had a five-timer last season, with the run ending in a fifth in the Triumph Hurdle. On the assumption he’s still got it in him, I think TORPILLO should respect him to the point that I think he might not win.
2:50 NEWBURY Cancom Stakes (Registered As The Horris Hill Stakes) (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 (2yo) 7f
Sometimes these end of season 2yo races can produce some wonderful horses. One such might be KINROSS who destroyed his rivals by 8 lengths – the second winning since. That ground was G/S and I sincerely hope he handles this ground. Ralph Be ckett thinks very highly of him. EMBOLDEN and GRAVITY FORCE could snatch some prize money at very long odds, purely on ground conditions.
3:10 CHELTENHAM Randox Health Handicap Chase Cl2 (4yo+) 2m
For some time McGROARTY was considered and proved to be a good gound summer horse, going up 12lbs for his 4 wins from 6 runs between May and this month. However, the last victory was on Soft ground, and with proven ability, 9/1 doesn’t look shabby. MASTER WORK won at Fontwell by 7 lengths LTO, but jumped very badly right and stared at the crowd before being bought back under control. Equally the 10/1 on offer for DUKE OF NAVAN is tempting, especially when considering that he is 4lbs shy of his last winning mark and 3lbs better than when 2nd in this last year.
3:25 DONCASTER Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) (Colts & Fillies) Cl1 (2yo) 1m
What nonsense – Aiden O’Brien has 5 of the 6 runners including 8/13 favourite, Mogul. Go and have a cup of tea. If you must have a bet take 28/1 or better about IBERIA for a very small stake
3:45 CHELTENHAM Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) Cl2 (4yo+) 3m
SUNSET SHOWDOWN isn’t the most straightforward type, but its hard to argue with his last 3 from 4 victories. He picked up a (hardly significant) 2lbs for his narrow victory in Novice company and while this is stiffer, don’t be surprised if Rebecca Curtis celebrates her new baby with a win today. AYE RIGHT just seems to keep defying the handicapper, and he looks like he could be a player in the last 100 yards.
4:00 DONCASTER Vertem Very Different Stockbrokers Handicap Cl2 (3yo+) 5f
DANZENO and MR LUPTON both e/w