Ben Morgan shares thoughts on track prospects for his ‘August Arrows’
CARRYTHEONE. If there is any justice in the horse racing world (often there isn’t) then this lad must win a big one sooner rather than later. After such a promising run at Ascot where he was a fast finishing third, luck should have swung his way in the Bunbury Cup but Ryan Moore couldn’t find a big enough gap to slot through earlier enough to have a realistic chance of winning but he steamed home for third and left the impression that he must surely go in soon. Tracks like York and Goodwood which feature in August may not suit given they are both around a bend but, providing Michael Bell can find an opportunity over a straight track, I’m sure he is a winner in waiting.
STOP THE CAVALRY. I was surprised to see Ralph Beckett’s filly drift so much at Chester on her reappearance where she defied an absence to win very comfortably. A decent 2yo with a preference for soft ground, she was always going to appreciate the softer conditions at Chester but clearly the market thought the absence was too much to overcome. However, she defied that market weakness in no uncertain terms as she careered away up the straight to win easily. An 8lb rise seemed fair on that performance but I don’t think that will stop her next time out providing some cut and a good pace to aim at. On pedigree 7f would definitely be within her remit and I wouldn’t be averse to jumping up to a mile at some point too.
PONIROS. This horse has disappointed me the last twice and I’m hoping connections now decide to drop him back to 1m2f where we know he has strong form. After seeing his Newmarket run and then looking back to his Ascot run and also noting how well he travelled into the London Gold Cup I would be 80per cent sure he just doesn’t stay 1m4f and that a drop in trip might just unlock further improvement and justify connections’ faith in him. There is a nice 1m2f handicap at Glorious Goodwood which would suit and he would get in there off a decent weight and after two no-shows, he will undoubtedly be a good price. Last chance saloon time either way.
BREEGE. I was disappointed with Jason Hart and the ride he gave this filly at Chester last time out. Her draw, the ground and the sharp nature of the track was all in her favour if she popped the gates and used her track position to dictate the race. However, Hart was content with reigning her back behind the pace and allowing her rivals first run. The eventual winner made a mid-race move to take it up and never looked back, whilst Breege had to wait for a run and then stayed on for second. There is a nice 7f race at Glorious Goodwood for fillies which I anticipate her to line up in and if able dictate the pace around the bend I think she will have an excellent chance of gaining compensation.
Breege
LETHAL NYMPH. Paul Midgeley seems to be working his magic with this former Clive Cox inmate and despite a disappointing run at Ascot last time out I expect him to bounce back when encountering slightly softer conditions. A big run in a competitive handicap at the Curragh showed what sort of form he is currently in and he had put in some solid performances prior to that run on these shores. A mark of 84 looks workable and the 5f race at the Ebor meeting could also come under consideration providing suitable ground conditions as he has already some top form there this season.
Lethal Nymph
EPIC POET. Talking about York, this horse has been an eye-catcher there the last twice with another effort in between times at Royal Ascot. He definitely wants at least 1m4f but the way he finished at Ascot you could suggest he could even get further, if so then he must be a great bet for the Ebor at 20/1. David O’Meara does so well with the horses that he gets from France and this lad seems to be no exception to the rule as he has put in three big runs on the bounce which to me suggests he is ready to be winning, granted the right conditions. Any big 1m4f race in the next six weeks must be on the agenda and I will be holding maximum confidence in him wherever he goes.
SUMMERGHAND. Just when you think this horse might be showing signs of old age he pops up and surprises you. A big run over 7f at Newmarket recently showed his love for the game is still there and although he hasn’t won this year yet, I don’t think it will be long until he is capitalising on his low mark. If he can get into the Stewards Cup at Goodwood I think he is a massive price at 33/1 given the race owes him a slice of luck. A former winner of the race, he hasn’t been blessed with fortune in it since having been drawn on the wrong side or inconvenienced by the ground but if he could get a decent tow in the race on the right side then I think he will be picking them up late off a mark of 91. Connections will undoubtedly be eyeing up a late season streak with the Ayr Gold Cup surely on the agenda. Hopefully the streak can start in August.
TALIS EVOLVERE. Fast becoming a reliable option in the top mile races I think his turn could arrive sooner rather than later. The Goodwood Golden Mile would be my next port of call with him for which he is currently priced up at 50/1. This looks a huge price considering his form this season so far with the only disappointment being his run in the Hunt Cup at Ascot. He bounced right back to form at Newmarket last time where he just found the 7f too sharp but he did stay on nicely to grab 6th. A track like Goodwood may help him as it can inconvenience one or two and if granted a decent draw he could be able to sit handy and benefit from a decent track position entering the straight. He certainly won’t be 50/1 on the day.
CALANDAGAN. Ultra-impressive at Ascot where he pulled away in good fashion from a decent field, to me, he rates as the best 3yo around this season. Strong comments about a horse who hasn’t won a Classic this season I know, but he certainly looked the part at Ascot and after City Of Troy’s underwhelming performance at Sandown, the debate is definitely open. Unfortunately for connections, Calandagan doesn’t qualify for the Arc as he has been gelded so where connections send him the second half of the season is also up for debate. He holds an entry in the Juddmonte at York and I certainly wouldn’t put them off heading there despite having to drop back down in trip.
QUEEN OF THE PRIDE. A fast improving filly, I’m not sure where her limits lie at present. Depending on where she heads next, Lillie Langtry at Goodwood being a possibility, we will have a better idea as to how good she really is. What impressed me about her last time at Haydock was how she pulled further clear of Lady Boba who reopposed after their earlier Haydock tussle. Clearly she improved again for that initial experience as she won in good fashion and I personally think the form of the Lancashire Oaks is good form with Tiffany in second who is also a filly to follow.
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