By Charlie McCann
There’s top class flat racing from Newbury with High Church (2.25) fancied to go in again for the in-form Roger Charlton yard after scoring impressively just ten days ago at Leicester. The selection cruised to a comfortable three lengths and can continue his 100% record with the excellent James Doyle under a 6lb penalty.
Code of Honor (3.00) impressed for Henry Candy last term and should be too strong for his three rivals in the Conditions Stakes over nine furlongs. The 4-y-o shaped with promise on both starts since his switch to Godolphin and, If fully wound up on his first start for over six months, should get the better of Jeremy Noseda’s progressive 3-y-o Sloane Avenue.
Godolphin’s Pinzolo won the 2-y-o Conditions Stakes on the corresponding card last season and the stable look to have another smart one with Best of Times (3.35). The son of Dubawi made his debut in one of the warmest maidens of the season at Newmarket and made full use of the experience blitzing a smart field at Goodwood on his next start. Saeed Bin Suroor’s colt is entered in the Racing Post Trophy and looks the ideal type to continue improving. He is taken to get the better of last time out winners Gibeon and Snoano, both colts representing powerful connections.
The second day of Ayr’s three-day Gold Cup meeting brings those who were unlucky to miss out on both the Silver and Gold cups on tomorrow’s card and Layla’s Hero (2.40) can give trainer Dandy Nicholls yet further success in the Bronze. The 7-y-o won over course and distance earlier in the season and has held his form well thereafter, winning at Catterick and placing at Hamilton and Doncaster. Under a 5lb penalty he is officially 3lb well in at the weights and can continue Nicholls’ excellent fine record, at a meeting that has traditionally been very kind to the Yorkshireman.
David Brown’s Mind of Madness (3.45) should take all the beating in the feature Harry Rosebury Stakes over the flying five furlongs. The Azamour colt carries a 3lb penalty for his listed success at York two starts back when fending off Mick Channon’s smart Moonraker and despite disappointing in the G2 Flying Childers last week at Doncaster, can return to winning ways under Jamie Spencer.
We’re treated to two excellent cards of jump racing with afternoon action from Newton Abbot and a twilight card at Worcester. AP McCoy heads to the latter with an excellent book of rides and Saint Helena (7.00) his best chance of riding a winner. Jim Best’s mare was backed into 11-10 favourite on her handicap debut last time out at Southwell and despite making several jumping errors went on to win by a very comfortable length. The 6-y-o has been raised 8lb by the handicapper however, as the gamble suggests, she is likely to have plenty more in hand, likely to improve further with the application of a visor for the first time.
McCoy rides Temple Lord for Jonjo O’Neill in the feature handicap chase over the extended two miles however Ulis De Vassey (4.25) looks the most unexposed in the field and is chanced for the team of Nick Williams and Richard Johnson. The selection was third last time out at Stratford when a well-backed favourite in what looks, in hindsight, a warm renewal with the 6-y-o was unfortunate to bump into the in-form pair of Nikos Extra and Drumlang. Ulis De Vassey was having his first start for eleven months and with a pipe-opener under his belt, and a further pound taken off by the handicapper, should remain competitive.
For all the latest odds and more head to BetVictor.com
Be Lucky
