My two antepost selections Fields Of Athenry (stall 22) and Arabian Comet (stall 2) had contrasting fortunes with the draw for Saturday's Ebor and it is fascinating to see Aidan O'Brien's son Donnacha has been booked to take the ride taking off a valuable 7lbs although he is drawn near the A64.
The feature race on Friday is the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes and the filly Acapulco (3.40) is bidding to become the first juvenile to win the contest since Kingsgate native back in 2007 but such was the manner of her Royal Ascot success that she is hard to get away from.
Yes she was already built like a 4-year-old back in June but she receives 24lbs and more than her 19 rivals and, if in the same mood, will be very hard to beat. Her price (2/1 at BetVictor) is very short for a 20-runner event but the weight-for-age allowance and Queen Mary form makes her difficult to ignore.
I am still kicking myself for deserting Muthmir at Goodwood last time and trainer William Haggas has always suggested this was his main objective this term. He will have the race run to suit and if there is overnight rain Mecca's Angel would certainly enter the equation but the American trained Acapulco for me.
One interesting footnote the filly will be ridden by Irad Ortiz who was the jockey on board Stephanie's Kitten who was involved in the interference with Jamie Spencer that led to the disqualification of Ralph Beckett's Secret Gesture on Saturday night in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park. Spencer has been particularly uncomplimentary in his criticism of the jockey and Ortiz might be nest served getting out in front on Acapulco.
The first Group race on the card is the Lonsdale Cup and a rematch between the first three home in the Goodwood Cup Big Orange, Quest For More and Trip To Paris who meet on identical terms with the latter again having to give 4lbs to the winner and second. All three have their chances in a magnificent race, arguably, better than the Ascot Gold Cup won by Trip To Paris back in June.
If the ground turned soft then Clever Cookie would have to enter calculations stepping back up in trip having been outclassed but not disgraced over 12f in the King George last time. Tac De Boistron is another for whom further significant rain would be a positive but I am convinced there is a big race in Mizzou (2.30) who hasn't been seen since finishing in mid-division in the Gold Cup back in June.
The selection had begun the season with a smooth win in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot and will be hoping that Big Orange makes it a decent test of stamina. It is one of the finest stayers' races I can remember for many a long time and Mizzou at 15/2 ew with BetVictor gets the nod.
Paul Hanagan has chosen Fadhayyil (3.05) over Tanzeel in the City Of York Stakes and the filly is taken to put behind a modest run at Goodwood last time when drawn wide and failing to give her running. The form of her second in the Jersey Stakes is cracking form in listed company and she has a good draw in stall four. At 10/1 with BetVictor she is another ew suggestion.
Dermot Weld brings over a rare runner to these shores, certainly for a maiden, but there are few £50k maidens in the racing calendar and Palmetto Dunes (4.20) has already shown a decent level of form. Soft ground was, arguably, the difference between victory and a half-length defeat for the selection at Galway last time and this American bred colt does not want any more significant rain.
As you can imagine for the prizemoney on offer there are any number of beautifully bred animals in opposition including Godolphin's Very Talented (not knocked about on debut) and Luca Cumani's Beautiful Morning (trainer won this corresponding race last year).
There is a listed race at Salisbury this evening and I thought Tony Curtis (7.05) ran a Great Race at Newmarket last time and will be no Outsider this afternoon. You Can't Win ‘Em All but I will be disappointed if this Richard Hannon trained runner doesn't appreciate this extra furlong and stiff track. Apologies for the Tony Curtis puns!
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