Be in no doubt that when the chips are down and all appears lost, Corney and Barrow can fill the void with a small cheering glass. Thus, a few of the helpers (seven and two liggers) who usually make the whole Lambourn Open Day spin along gathered to commiserate over the abandoned day. A little light lunch, a pudding where the Sherry content was far from trifling, and all the phones out as we watched the last bids come in for the Silent Auction, the charity’s only hope of meeting the enormous costs of mounting the LOD.
Sadly, by then, the Captain had overdone the C&B, and as a result, I might have purchased a dozen signed tee shirts which had once encased the fragrant Megan Nicholls. At least, I think that was what the Captain said. Maybe they were tea towels signed by Constitution Hill. I simply can’t remember.
Unsurprisingly, and much like Musselburgh, I had to cancel the rest of the day with no further inspections planned.
2:05 HAYDOCK Challenger Two Mile Hdl Series Final Hcap Hdl Cl2 (4yo+) 1m7½f 10 run
This is a lot more open than might at first be thought. MR MACKAY is consistent and shouldn’t be underestimated. He is only 1lb wrong at the weights and, based on his last running, has podium possibilities. PLAYFUL SAINT must have a winner’s chance and looks well-treated on his best form—although I think the now non-running Milldam would have muddied the waters. BRENTFORD HOPE won at Newcastle 14 days ago, and his 5lb rise may not be sufficient on this preferred ground. I could make a case for EL JEFE, a previous course winner who likes the ground and is reliable. Only the unexposed The Famous Five was too good for him at Bangor LTO, and Alan Doyle has pilot figures of 5R 1W 2P. By the same token, THREE CLIFFS BAY whilst 4lb out of the handicap, caught the eye when winning over C&D in November on the same going. The favourite in that was beaten just a neck and is now running off a mark of 124. In other words, he is vastly underestimated by both market and handicapper.
MR MACKAY 3 pts e/w
2:40 HAYDOCK Challenger Stayers Hdl Series Final Hcap Hdl Cl2 (4yo+) 3m½f 13 run
With four places generally available, I fancy SECRET TRIX on the trends and who was in good form earlier in the season. He goes well fresh, and with luck in running with Sean Bowen on board, he could be involved in the finish again. The hat-trick-seeking SHOESHINE BOY is in good form with wins at Ayr and Kelso LTO. He’s only 3lb higher and the tongue tie is retained which seems to have sparked the upturn in form as it’s been on for the last two wins. I can’t be having PICANHA, who is a model of inconsistency.
SECRET TRIX 4 pts e/w
3:15 HAYDOCK Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Hcap Chase Finale Cl2 (10yo+) 2m4f 10 run
Market support for NUMITOR has pushed CHAMPAGNE MYSTERY out to a backable price. He went in my notebook for his third at Kempton LTO when he was 1½l behind Heltenham, who has won twice since, including at the festival, off a mark of 136. THOR DE CERISY has won two hurdle races, two chases, and a NH flat race from 2m to 2m 3f. A winner on his latest outing in a chase over 2m 3f at Chepstow earlier this month, he’ll be suited by course distance and going, but his price seems a little skinny for me. NUMITOR ran well for a long way when 4th on return from an 11-month absence at Exeter 11 days ago. He’s below his last winning mark now and should be capable of a big run. RIDERS ON THE STORM is well handicapped on his back form. Ran well, returning from wind surgery, when runner-up at Doncaster (2m ½ f) 28 days ago. The 11-year-old will be suited by the return to 2m 4f and is a definite contender for the win. LE LIGERIEN won at Kempton in November and has found life more challenging off higher marks since. However, he is now just 1lb above that last winning mark now, so it would be no surprise to see him run well this afternoon.
CHAMPAGBNE MYSTERY 4 pts win – LE LIGERIEN 2 pts e/w
MEYDAN
12:05 Race 2 – Godolphin Mile Sponsored By EMAAR (G2) (Dirt) (3yo+) 1m RTV 13 run
SAUDI CROWN 4 pts Win
12:40 Race 3 – Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors (G2) (Turf) (3yo+) 2m RTV 16 run
Aiden O’Brien’s best chance of the night is TOWER OF LONDON. He has shown consistent performance and recent success, winning the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh over the same distance and similar ground conditions as this race. With Ryan Moore aboard and a victory in his latest outing, Tower of London enters this race with confidence and momentum, making him a strong contender for the win. The draw is my biggest concern. SISKANY was beaten a neck by Broome in this race 12 months ago. He’s won both this year’s starts (1m 6f) at Meydan and will be happy to take on the extra 2f here. TRAWLERMAN is drawn out widest of all in stall 16 but is another with a chance on ratings. I am bamboozled to see a British Champions Day Long Distance Cup winner at such big odds. If he’s allowed to dictate the pace here then he might well take some pegging back. The beating of Kyprios on Champions Day is some of the best form on display here. The English St Leger winner (2022) & Irish St Leger winner (2023) ELDAR ELDAROV would have a good chance on his best but probably needs some cut.
TRAWLERMAN 3 pts e/w
1:15 Race 4 – Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By AZIZI Developments (G1) (Turf) (3yo+) 6f RTV 12 run
STAR OF MYSTERY 5 pts Win – DANYAH 2 pts e/w
1:50 Race 5 – UAE Derby (G2) (Dirt) (3yo) 1m1½f RTV 11 run
Japanese colt and Saudi Derby winner FOREVER YOUNG has an advantage of race fitness, and is 5bs better than AoB’s best. Anything else is a guess.
NO BET
2:25 Race 6 – Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored By Nakheel (G1) (Dirt) (3yo+) 6f RTV 14 run
Just over a length covered REMAKE, SIBELIUS and HOPKINS in this race last year and with NAKATOMI finishing a close-up 3rd behind SIBELIUS on his latest start, there is nothing separating the top of the market. This I give you IGNITER who runs from Stall 1 and has previously beaten REMAKE in the JBC Sprint.
IGNITER 2 pts e/w
3:10 Race 7 – Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (G1) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m1f RTV 16 run
MEASURED TIME 4 pts Win – NAMUR 2 pts e/w
4:00 Race 8 – Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m4f RTV 12 run
AUGUSTE RODIN should Win – LIBERTY ISLAND might win – EMILY UPJOHN is hoping to win – REBELS ROMANCE is the wrong price and probably won’t win. That’ll do for me.
NO BET
4:35 Race 9 – Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) (Dirt) (3yo+) 1m2f RTV 12 run
Twelve are set to run in the evening’s feature race, and we might see a possible double for last year’s winner, USHBA TESORO. The 7-year-old was a head runner-up to SENOR BUSCADOR in the Saudi Cup last time and looks set for a good run from stall 5. Bob Baffert has a strong record in this race and NEWGATE looked to relish the distance when winning the Big Cap last time. I’m no expert, but I think this race lacks pace, which will work to Frankie’s advantage – who retains the ride? He will need to improve again to win this, but there is no better race clock in any jockey’s head even today. DERMA SOTOGAKE was 2nd in the BC Classic over the distance and was 2¾l behind SENOR BUSCADOR in the G1 Saudi Cup (1m 1f) 35 days ago. If the latter gets that strong pace again he will go close.
NEWGATE 3 pts e/w
One Response
23.8 pts PROFIT THIS POST
2:05 MR MACKAY 3 pts e/w 4th 15/1 -6 -6
2:40 HAYDOCK SECRET TRIX 4 pts e/w WON 11/1 +52.80 +46.80
3:15 HAYDOCK CHAMPAGNE MYSTERY 4 pts win F 11/2 -4 – LE LIGERIEN 4th 12/1 2 pts e/w -4 =-8 +38.8
MEYDAN
12:40 TRAWLERMAN 3 pts e/w 3rd 8/1 +1.8 +40.60
1:15 STAR OF MYSTERY 5 pts Win 2nd 11/8 -5 – DANYAH 2 pts e/w 9th 6/1 -4 =-9 +29.80
1:50 NO BET +29.8
2:25 IGNITER 2 pts e/w 5th 16/1 -4 +25.80
3:10 MEASURED TIME 4 pts Win 4th 4/1 -4 – NAMUR 2 pts e/w 2nd shd 25/1 +8 =+4 +29.80
4:00 NO BET +29.80
4:35 NEWGATE 3 pts e/w 9th 9/1 -6 +23.80