The first day of Ascot‘s two-day September meeting is the pick of today’s action and on the eve of the Three Lions’ Euro 2016 qualifier against San Marino Charlie Hills‘ Englishwoman (2.10) can prove a fitting winner of the opener under Andrea Atzeni. The well-bred filly is a half-sister to the smart pair of winners Englishman and Merton Lady, both of whom scored on their first visit to a racetrack, and their sister can continue the fine family tradition in the silks of Qatar Racing.
Connections’ can score a quick-fire double with Sir Michael Stoute’s well-bred colt Indian Monsoon (3.10) in the maiden over a mile and a quarter. The selection wasn’t knocked about when sixth on debut at Newbury in the spring and the form of that race looks particularly strong with the winner Mr Singh now 5/1 with BetVictor for next weekend’s St Leger at Doncaster. The colt arrives on the back of an 139-day absence, however should be suited by both the step up in trip and the softer ground and can shed his maiden tag at the second attempt.
Luca Cumani’s Richard of Yorke left a favourable impression when scoring on debut at Windsor and has been well-supported in the market for both subsequent starts in handicap company at Sandown and Newmarket. He is respected stepping up in trip for the first time, however the son of Oasis Dream may struggle to stay a mile and a half on soft ground and he is overlooked in favour of Saeed Bin Suroor’s Keep in Line (3.45) under James Doyle.
Godolphin’s well-bred colt shed his maiden tag earlier in the campaign at Ripon and, after finishing down the field at Royal Ascot, bounced back to score under ‘the Doyler’ at Windsor. Despite disappointing last time out at Pontefract he boasts the ideal profile to bounce back and make full use of his favourable 10lb weight-for-age allowance.
Godolphin can double-up with Secret Brief (4.20) in the feature handicap over a mile for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. The son of Shamardal has been the model of consistency since returning from a six-month absence in the spring, placing in listed grade at Sandown and Epsom before finishing an excellent third in a competitive handicap last time out at Doncaster. The handicapper has upped him a pound for that performance but he should appreciate both the extra furlong and the cut in the ground to go close once more.
Pallister (4.55) can round off an excellent day for the Boys in Blue in the closing Classified Stakes over the straight mile. The selection was rated 97 as a juvenile with Mark Johnston and was narrowly beaten in both the Vintage Stakes and Solario Stakes at Goodwood and Sandown respectively. Having been gelded during the winter he has naturally taken a while to regain his sparkle but bounced back to form last time out at Sandown and can return to winning ways on his preferred soft ground.
There’s supporting action from Haydock where Clive Cox’s Our Joy (2.00) can shed her maiden tag under Adam Kirby. The speedily-bred daughter of Kodiac built on an impressive debut at Sandown when finishing down the field at Royal Ascot and, despite disappointing due to a poor draw last time out on the all-weather, remains unexposed and get off the mark at the fourth attempt.
Twelve go to post for the feature 7f Handicap with Northern trainers dominating the line-up. Alejandro, Steel Train and Big Time are all respected for the Fahey, O’Meara and Nicholls stables but a chance is taken on Captain Bob (4.10) for Charlie Hills and Martin Harley. The gelding is yet to register a success this term however has gone close in competitive handicaps at Ascot, York and Newbury and should go close from an unrevised mark.
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