It’s been a very busy week I am sorry to say (and I mean that – I hate work!), so some of you (not all) will be delighted to know that I have had no time to look at the stories of the week or to have any opinions on the – not even a chance to do a bit of bookie bashing, which some would say is my very favourite hobby!
What I have allocated time for is to have a look at the weekend’s racing – hopefully that will keep you happy until I have a bit more time (and mental energy) to spare.
Racing this weekend:
Saturday.
Goodwood 1.50pm
Starting off in Sussex at one of the Country’s favourite courses (when the sun shines), and this looks one of the most competitive events on the card. Eleven two-year-olds are set to go to post, three of them a winner last time out including my idea of an each-way play in Andrew Balding’s Wilderness Girl, who looks overpriced to me on the betting forecast at least. Fourth on her debut at Newmarket when only beaten a couple of lengths, she showed the benefit of that experience with a course and distance win at the end of last month, scoring by close to two lengths with a long way back to the rest of the field. That was an 18 runner Class Two event and they invariably take some winning, and although this is a step up to Listed company, she should give a good account of herself for her in-form stable with Cieran Fallon in the saddle.
Newmarket 2.45pm
Not the strongest looking Listed sprint I have ever seen, but one that may well go the way of Tabdeed from the Owen Burrows stable. Lightly raced so fat this season with just the two starts, he came home a neck third at Newbury in a Group Three last time out and quite frankly, that may well be good enough to take this event. Royal Crusade returns from a gelding operation and if that brings any improvement, as it can, then he may well prove to be the biggest danger to the selection though this is not a race I like at all and if I bet at all, it will be to the smallest of stakes.
Goodwood 3.00pm
Nagano did win readily enough last time out to suggest he can go well here but I agree with others who feel that the step up in class and trip may yet find him out, and at odds-on, he is not for me. I am intrigued by the presence in this field of Juan De Montalban, a well-travelled son of Lope De Vega who started his career with Andrew Badling, moved to Italy for just the one start, and is now back in the UK with David O’Meara. His new stable are pretty astute at improving other stable’s “cast-offs”, and he is worthy of a tentative bet just in case he is as good as they once hoped.
Beverley 3.15pm
Dakota Gild is a personal favourite of mine and ought to find this a lot easier to cope with than his last start when well beaten in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes and I wish him all the best. Sadly, he hasn’t won since November last year and may need to find a little bit more to cope with Hurricane Ivor who looks a value alternative. Only beaten a length when third in a decent looking handicap at York despite being bumped at the start and failing to get a clear run, and at odds around the 6/1 mark, he will be carrying my money each way here.
Goodwood 3.35pm
Benbatl is the class act here but he has a long time off to overcome (337 days to be precise), and the betting suggests he may well improve for the outing. Chindit has come home fifth on his last three starts, all at Group One level and behind horses of the calibre of Poetic Flare and Palace Pier, and although put in his place by those rivals, nothing remotely close to that standard is in opposition now. Dropped in class to a more realistic level, the Hannon colt has his best chance of a success since winning on his return at Newbury, and looks well worth a bet this afternoon.
Windsor 6.00pm
Teona has been competing in top grade recently including the Espom Oaks which is presumably why she heads the market here, but she was beaten an awfully long way that day (28 lengths) and I am less convinced by the bookmakers that she should even go off favourite here, though her earlier form certainly means she warrants plenty of respect. Sadly, I could not find a realistic opponent dropped in to this class, and she will be my selection, though if she remains as short as 2/1, I may well leave the race alone.
Windsor 6.30pm
A bitterly disappointing four horse field for this Group Three contest but I am quite sweet on the chances of Bangkok here, who may be better known for his all-weather exploits, but is more than capable of winning on grass as well as proved last time out when he came home in front in the Group Two York Stakes on the Knavesmire. He may be capable of shrugging off his 5lb penalty for winning at that level here, though the chance of a farcical pace in a small field is of some concern, and I will only be adding him to any multiple bets this weekend for that reason.
Sean’s Suggestions:
Wilderness Girl Each Way 1.50pm Goodwood Saturday
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