It’s a strange old world as in things to do are like buses – nothing in my mundane existence since the outbreak of you know what, and then this week, a pool three-day tournament, people on holiday, builders in the house, deliveries due, and a few days golf next week which I feel is richly deserved – even if no-one else agrees with me.
Tine is therefore at a premium, and although I was considering a “No Article This Week” header akin but nowhere near as good as “Jeffrey Bernard is unwell”, I have found just about enough time to look at three of the top races at Newmarket, so here we go.
Saturday
Newmarket 1.45pm
The best racing remains on the flat this weekend, but the rains have changed the going and we need to bet sensibly, with the majority of the youngsters form based on a far quicker surface.
Although it seems obvious these days that William Buick gets first pick of the Godolphin horses, I have to wonder if he has made a mistake in the Zetland Stakes by going for Hafit and ignoring Goldspur who I feel is overpriced and solid each way value. A once raced son of Dubai, he was sent to the lead a furlong out at Sandown and soon quickened clear for a close to seven length success despite looking as if he would improve mentally for the experience.
That race was only a novice stakes, but it was run on soft ground and unlike the majority of this field, we know he handles it and does so well, and that is what makes me think he has a decent chance of remaining unbeaten after today, even with the big step up in class.
Newmarket 2.20pm
I am really hoping I haven’t picked the wrong Godolphin horse for a bet today, but I just cannot have Coroebus at odds on for the Autumn Stakes and am hoping I have found a spot of value elsewhere. He may well end up as the best of these in time, but he was stopping over the mile here last time when caught close home in the Royal Lodge, and that was on good to firm ground.
If he does have any stamina issues in this class (I know he has won over a mile but that was in a novice), then there has to be a chance he won’t get home on this ground, and I can’t take the short price for that reason. Looking for an each way alternative, and United Nations catches the eye. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, he is a really imposing sort who will stand out in the paddock even in this company, and he really does look like he has what it takes to gone to be a decent three-year-old next season.
A son of Galileo, he made all the running to come home alone at Naas on his debut and was never in any trouble while looking as if he just has to improve with more experience. He has a lovely attitude about him as well (can you tell I really like him yet?), and I am struggling to see him failing to at least make the frame this afternoon.
Newmarket 4.45pm
If Barney Roy handles the softer ground then he ought to prove tough to beat and could yet give Godolphin yet another winner on the card, but he is seven now, and hasn’t been seen since winning the Grosser Preis Von Baden in September last year, which has to be of some concern to his supporters. He does historically go well fresh, but he has to give 4lb to the much younger Mostahdaf, and that looks a big ask. The suggestion has now won four of his five career starts, the only disaster when tried on faster ground at Royal Ascot in the St James’s Palace Stakes, and this looks easier than that regardless. It seems pretty clear he prefers going with plenty of give in it which he seems likely to get this afternoon, and although this is anything but a two horse race, I will be a surprise and a bookie’s benefit if the winner isn’t one of the two named here.
Sean’s Selections: (by the way two out of two last week, just saying)
Goldspur 1.45pm Newmarket
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