We all like to make money betting on horses and this list can do the business for us before the Flat season is out.
MOVE IN FASTER
(Third, 1m Class 6 handicap, Carlisle on Aug 13)
You don’t usually put handicappers beaten in Class 6 company in your notebook but Michael Dods’ four-year-old looks ready to pick up a minor contest. He was well away from the pace when making his challenge, which didn’t help, so he did well to finish third. This mile on testing ground looks just about right and his official rating of 58 means he can get into another 0-60 which can see him get his head in front.
DARGEL
(Second, 1m Class 5 handicap, Kempton on Aug 14)
Clive Cox’s three-year-old was unlucky to be denied a hat-trick of wins in this solid looking contest for the grade. He ended up half a length away in second after coming from a lot further back than the winning who stole a march on him. Another 50 yards would have seen him win and the handicapper would likely have put him up more than 2lb had he managed it. Provided he’s kept to this sort of company, he can make up for this disappointment.
THE LORDS WALK
(Second, 1m Class 6 handicap, Salisbury on Aug 15)
Another modest handicapper but one that’s clearly capable of winning again in this sort of company. He scored nicely at Epsom in July and followed up with a head second at the same track in an apprentices’ race a couple of weeks later. This time blinkers were on instead of the visor and young rider Thore Hammer Hansen let the winner slip too far away. Time ran out to peg him back but there’s another victory at around this trip in Bill Turner’s campaigner.
SHANDOZ
(Third, 1m Class 4 maiden, Newmarket on Aug 16)
Roger Varian introduced a nice son of Golden Horn in what looked a good maiden on the July course. He started over a mile but it’s already clear that middle distances will be the way forward next season. He was right in contention for this until the dying strides and he was half a length away come the line. Winner Sound Of Cannons and second Discovery Island also look like nice types that are worth keeping an eye on. You would expect all three of them to be successful before the campaign in out.
POUR ME A DRINK
(Fifth, 1m2f Class 4 handicap, Newbury on Aug 17)
Adam Kirby had a ride to forget on Clive Cox’s three-year-old although, to be fair, the horse didn’t give the jockey too much help. He was boxed in as the race started to unfold and was never in a position to lay down a decent challenge. There was lots left in the tank crossing the line over the 1m2f distance and it was reported afterwards that he’d been struck into during the race. This looks a suitable trip and he should make amends from this from a mark just 4lb higher than when winning at Haydock in April. A bit of cut in the ground seems to suit well.
PRINCE ROCK
(Third, 6f Class 6 handicap, Lingfield AW on Aug 19)
Just a modest performer, this Simon Dow gelding should really have lost his maiden tag but ended up beaten three-quarters of a length. He was coming back after just two days off and looked the winner until being blocked entering the final furlong when trying to make his challenge. This 6f trip is fine, although he stays a bit further. He’s no world-beater but looks capable of winning a basement-level handicap before too long.
MR CARPENTER
(Third, 1m Class 5 maiden, Kempton on Aug 20)
Trainer David Lanigan should be capable of placing this three-year-old to win now he’s qualified for handicaps. He started in a Newmarket maiden, which is a decent sign, and held his own when finishing fifth back in May. He was then put away for a while and reappeared for a modest effort over 1m2f at Windsor in late July. Another month passed before this effort which was promising. He dropped back to a mile and travelled well before just being run out of it late on. He reportedly lost a shoe during the race, which probably didn’t help his chances. From this evidence, it appears that going back up in distance may be a wise move and he should be able to pick up a modest handicap.
MASKED IDENTITY
(Second, 7f Class 4 handicap, Yarmouth on Aug 20)
This four-year-old was a tad unlucky to taste defeat after losing out in a photo to Queen Of Burgundy who had the benefit of Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle. He has dropped nicely down the weights and tried to cut out the pace coming back to 7f. Those tactics almost worked and he probably would have come out on top over slightly further. Stepping back up a mile — the distance of his last win in May — looks a wise move and his turn shouldn’t be too far away.
