The ITV cameras are at
Doncaster for the first day of their St Leger meeting this afternoon. William
Haggas introduces a well-bred newcomer Mohaafeth in the opener and fits Mayaas
(1.45) with first-time cheekpieces this afternoon in the 7f nursery.
The colt is 3lbs
better off with Terry Kent’s Ataser for the length he was behind that rival at
York last time when he compromised his chance with a slow start. He followed
the winner through on that occasion and could not be described as an unlucky
loser, but the hope is that the headgear sharpens the two-year-old up from the
gates. The son of Dark Angel has now been a beaten favourite in all three
career starts but the 5/1 with William Hill looks a fair price with a decent
draw in eight – stalls stands’ side.
The 1000 Guineas
runner up Cloak Of Spirits and Jubiloso – too free to do herself justice at
Royal Ascot on her reappearance – must go close in the feature Gp 3 Sceptre
Stakes over 7f but the each way vote goes to Invitational (3.15) who reared as
the stalls opened at Goodwood last time and lost all chance for a filly who had
previously gone from the front when running a big race in the Duke Of Cambridge
Stakes over a mile at the Royal meeting. Her finishing position tells us she
only beat two home – one of them was Jubiloso – but she led to just before the
furlong pole in that mile contest having gone off a shade too quickly. The ew
selection is 12/1 at William Hill who are betting 4 places on the race.
Strait Of Hormuz has a
moderate draw to overcome in stall 11 but I thought he ran a very good race on
his first start over 10f at Chester last time although they all finished in a bit
of a heap. The booking of Andrea Atzeni is a positive.
Things have not gone
according to plan for John Gosden‘s Hypothetical (3.45) so far this term but he
has been given plenty of time to get over a disappointing run at Royal Ascot
when he was far too free on soft ground. He had also been too fresh on his
reappearance when beaten less than 5L in Kempton’s Classic Trial – transferred
from Sandown Park. There should be no problems with underfoot conditions this
afternoon, he is well drawn in stall five and the hope is that he is more
amenable to restraint today. This extended 10f trip is as far as he wants to go
and it is possible that his future lies over shorter trips, but he remains a
colt of some potential and he is in the very best of hands.
The draw in stall
eight is a concern for Itkaann (2.25) but he is taken to follow up his recent
Salisbury success back on Kempton’s polytrack from a 7lbs higher mark. The colt
looked potentially smart when landing his maiden here back in December although
it would be foolish to get carried away with the form.
Sirobbie’s (4.10)
course record at Uttoxeter is 11162 with the second coming on his chase debut
on his reappearance. That form has already been franked by the good subsequent
efforts of the winner and third and the hope is that Harry Whittingham’s
six-year-old will go one better in handicap company against largely exposed –
but some inform – rivals.
Lock’s Corner (4.45)
could be called the winner from some way out at Southwell on his chase debut
last time and a 10lbs rise is justified despite the favourite – Lough Har –
running no race. The six-year-old has now won his last three starts, clearly
enjoys fast ground and has more to offer as a chaser.
New Quay is a horse I
still feel has lots of potential, but this looks something of a fact-finding
mission with stable conditional William Marshall taking over in the saddle. I
remember him winning over hurdles at Ascot and thinking he was one to follow
when sent over fences. That success was gained over two-and-a-half-miles on
good ground and he has similar conditions this afternoon.
The soft ground was no
help to Mustang Alpha (5.15) at Cartmel on his reappearance but this winning
point-to-pointer – on good ground – is potentially well treated despite the
steadier of 12st in the concluding novices’ handicap hurdle. Jamie Snowden’s is
a yard – like Charlie Longsdon – that I associate with good ground horses and
the yard have been amongst the winners again of late.
