TODAY
We enjoyed a good first day to the July
meeting at Newmarket and I'm hoping I can bag at least one winner today.
There
were many hard luck stories at Royal Ascot and one that sticks in my mind is GROUP ONE POWER in the 1m 4f handicap.
It was a strong race and the form has been working out well but despite this
lad finishing 4th, I think he could have finished closer. He endured a rough
passage through and probably lost a good few lengths trying to find a passage but
he did stick on well to finish a close fourth which suggested he had plenty of
mileage in his mark. A 2lb rise is very fair and I think he has to go close
here off this mark.
I
haven't seen Frankie slim down to 8'8 too often but he does for CAPE COAST which suggests Mark
Johnston's horse is expected to go close here. I was a big fan of his before
his injury which ruled him out of last season and he showed plenty of ability
when 2nd on his return at Thirsk. The step up in trip should bring about further
improvement and he should have come on for that opening run. I do worry about
the bounce factor but I'm willing to take a chance at 14/1.
The
3.35 looks a good handicap and Hughie Morrison reaches for the cheekpieces in
order to try and encourage Kipps to show his best. It looks as if he saves a
bit for himself but he's got all the help you could wish for today with the
cheekpieces and Ryan Moore in the saddle. I'm still not convinced though and am
willing to take him on with HMS
PRESIDENT who is virtually running loose today. He meets Global Storm on
better terms here than when the pair met at Royal Ascot and I expect him to
reverse that form, granted a clearer run. Eve Johnson-Houghton's charge has the
form in the book and will handle any cut in the ground which makes him a solid
each way bet off bottom weight. Georgia Dobie is very capable and I hope she
gets her big day in the Sun today.
Newmarket 12.10 – Group One Power – 2pt win
Newmarket 3.00 – Cape Coast – 1 pt e/w
Newmarket 3.35 – HMS President – 1pt e/w
Sat 11.7.20
A jam packed
Saturday of high quality action and it's almost a problem of knowing where to
look when it comes to putting your money down. I'm slightly disappointed with
the Ascot card as it threatened to be a lot better but it is still a good card.
First tip comes at
Newmarket though and it comes in the shape of ROSADORA who represents the in form Ralph Beckett yard. I tipped
her a few weeks ago at Kempton where she got backed heavily before off but
refused to enter the stalls. The move was pretty telling however and I do still
believe she is well in off her mark. She was a good, hardy two year old and if
improving over the winter like I think she has she should be going close in a
‘weakish' race like this. It's interesting that connections have waited for a
nice pot like this.
Next up is HUDSON RIVER in the Superlative whose
debut win was pretty impressive. Fair enough, he dictated his own pace before
using his Mother's turn of foot in the closing stages but it was a nice first
day at school and clearly no fluke. I'm not sure how strong the British team
are and I think Aidan O'Brien will have a good handle on some of them so it's
interesting he sends him over. At the time of writing you can get plenty of 4/1
and I think that is a solid bet for this impeccably bred son of Galileo.
The July CUp looks
an intriguing race and I've already stated I don't rate the older sprinters too
highly and I think a good three year old could beat them. As it happens I think
we have an exceptional three year old in the shape of GOLDEN HORDE who showed everyone at Royal Ascot just how good he
is. There were whispers beforehand about him being the best horse Clive Cox has
trained, which is some statement, and it's always nice to see those whispers
come to fruition. Obviously he has to step up again not only to beat these but
also to be regarded as the best horse Cox has had but I think he will. Take
Kimari out of the Commonwealth Cup and he has absolutely trounced them which
isn't a bad prep run for this. He will come on for that and should take all the
beating here.
Over at Ascot I am
going to fire 2 darts at the board in the 3.50. JUSTANOTHERBOTTLE is a cliff horse of mine but looked rejuvenated
last time out and teams up with his old friend Ger O'Neill here who takes off a
handy 5lb. Kevin Ryan is a dab hand with sprinters and if he can eek a bit more
out of this lad then he could be dangerously handicapped.
My other dart is WEDDING DATE who has been performing
admirably without winning. She faced an impossible task giving weight to recent
Newmarket winner, Chairmanoftheboard, at Windsor before just failing at
Newmarket, again in a strong race. The drop back to 5f and the booking of Thore
Hammer Hansen looks positive and I hope she can finally get her head back
infront.
Newmarket 2.25 –
Rosadora – 1pt e/w
Newmarket 3.00 –
Hudson River – 1pt win
Newmarket 3.35 –
Golden Horde – 3pt win
Ascot 3.50 –
Justanotherbottle – 0.5pts e/w
- Wedding Date – 0.5pts e/w
