Something for everyone today with one of my favourite meetings of the year at Stratford this evening but before that we have a cracking flat card from Goodwood to look forward to.
Last year’s Cocked Hat Stakes winner Storm The Stars went on to finish third in the Epsom Derby, second in the Irish Derby before winning the Gt Voltigeur at York‘s Ebor meeting. Prize Money (3.30) found the concession of 8lbs to Taqdeer too much at Newmarket at the beginning of the month but time might tell us that was an impossible task as I am a big fan of the winner.
The selection won his sole start as a juvenile but if this were a handicap he would receive 8lbs from Algometer who finished runner up to Midterm in the Sandown Classic Trial last month. That form looks flawed to put it mildly as the winner was a bitter disappointment on the Knavesmire in the Dante, although he might have injured himself, and the third was thrashed at Chester.
A bigger danger might come from northern raider Speed Company who should appreciate the faster ground today and Ryan Moore keeps the ride; that said I am a big fan of Prize Money and will be disappointed if he gets beat.
In the mile fillies’ handicap Aristocratic will have to settle better than she did at Chelmsford over 7f to get home over the mile but the weight of money for the filly last time suggested she is considered a decent sort and she is likely to be rated higher than 77 by the end of the season.
That said I also hope Persuasive (2.55) can make up into a decent filly and she belied her 16/1 odds when winning a Kempton maiden on debut back in November; the selection holds an entry in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting next month and I hope she can make it two out of two with Frankie Dettori taking over in the saddle.
There is the chance of a shower or two and a bit of rain would suit Parnell’s Dream (4.00) in the fillies’ handicap run over 12f; trained by Ralph Beckett the selection finished third off today’s mark at Doncaster on her reappearance and after just the six career starts may have a bit more improvement to come.
The Stratford feature is the Horse & Hound Cup and Paint The Clouds (7.50) is a confident selection returning to a left-handed track having jumped violently out to the left at Punchestown last time. The selection won this corresponding event two years ago and whilst he wouldn’t want the ground to deteriorate too much good to soft ground would be fine.
The selection has a bit to find with Irish challenger Marito who has finished runner up at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals; his could be an unwanted hat-trick of seconds. At 5/1 with BetVictor I take Paint The Clouds to reverse the form.
I wasn’t convinced about the stamina of Lilbitluso (6.45) prior to his Cheltenham win where his jumping when not particularly fluent but he still came home clear and, with a better round of jumping, he will be difficult to beat this evening. Broken Eagle looked a class act for much of the race on the same card over 2m and he will be a big danger if staying the 3m 3f trip.
An excellent card at Haydock too this evening; the listed Achilees Stakes looks a minefield but I’m looking forward to seeing the lightly-raced Baadi (8.00) have his second start for Charlie Fellowes having won a weak Windsor maiden on his reappearance. The selection has a good draw in stall two and promises to be suited by the step up in trip.
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