Good morning all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the Aidan O’Brien yard. Plus, I have my first three flat turf horses for the tracker and a selection from Wolverhampton.
Aidan O’Brien
It’s fair to say that Aidan O’Brien has his horses well forward this season. In the past 14-day he’s had 6 winners from 9 runners 67%. The Master Of Ballydoyle had a treble on Sunday at Naas and the highlight of his three winners was the victory of Broome in the 1m 2f Listed Devoy Stakes.
The 5-year-old who finished 4th in the 2019 Epsom Derby, only had the two starts as a 4-year-old and on his last start was virtually tailed off in the Long-Distance Cup on Champions Day. Broome was back to his best on Sunday and could yet make a breakthrough at Group 1 level this season.
Granted Mogul was disappointing in the Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday. However, he took a couple of races last season to get into the winner’s enclosure and the 4-year-old likely needed the run.
The Three-year-old's
It’s the O’Brien 3-year-old’s that interest me most. As it looks like he could have a strong hand of classic generation colts & fillies this season.
He’s got the front three in the ante post betting for the 2000 Guineas in Battleground, St Marks Basilica & Wembley.
He’s also got the new favourite for the 1000 Guineas in Santa Barbara, and recent winners Empress Josephine & Joan Of Arc are also high up in the betting for the race.
High Definition is the 9/2 favourite for the Epsom Derby and Santa Barbara is also ante post favourite for the Oaks with stablemate Queen’s Speech also to the fore of the market.
Looking at the O’Brien Stable Tour with Kevin Blake on the At The Races website. He does give readers some positive updates about his 3-year-old’s.
All three of his 2000 Guineas contenders will head straight to Newmarket for the first colts Classic. Looking at his comments on his 2000 contenders. There doesn’t look much between the three.
As for the Derby. I’m a big fan of High Definition but there could be more value to be had with the likes of Bolshoi Ballet & Cleveland.
O’Brien was very positive about the filly Santa Barbara saying:
“She’s done unbelievably well in physical terms over the winter.. looks like a five-year-old colt. She goes through her work unbelievably well. She shows loads of speed and always worked with an awful lot of class”.
Not surprisingly after those comments she was cut to 3/1 for the first fillies Classic.
As for the Derby, I’m a big fan of High Definition but there could be more value to be had with the likes of Bolshoi Ballet & Cleveland.
Three for the Tracker
I’m a big fan of trainer David Menuisier and this week’s first horse for the tracker is one from his yard.
Soto Sizzler
Soto Sizzler twice a winner at Epsom in 2019 when with William Knight. The 6-year-old was having his first start for David Menuisier and his first start since September 2019. He ran a cracker to finish 4th in the Roseberry Handicap at Kempton on Saturday. Clearly retains plenty of his old ability and will be all the better for this run. The Great Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom which he won in 2019 looks a likely next start.
Mid Winster
Mid Winster, trained by Paul Midgley, twice a winner when trained in Ireland. The mare won her second start for the yard at Ayr last September. First run since a wind-op and seasonal reappearance, when 3rd of 15 behind Gunmetal, in the 6f handicap at Doncaster on Sunday. She showed plenty of speed and was only headed inside the final furlong. Capable of winning another handicap or two this season.
La Petite Coco
La Petite Coco who had shaped with a fair amount of promise when 6th of 16 in Curragh maiden on her racecourse debut last November. She was returning from a 142-days break when 4th of 19 behind the highly regarded Aidan O’Brien filly Empress Josephine at Naas on Sunday. The daughter of Ruler Of The World was travelling as well any between the final two furlongs but didn’t get the clearest of runs and can have her effort slightly upgraded. There is plenty of stamina on the dam side and she can improve further for 1m 2f+. Goes very well in the mud.
Tuesday Racing
Not many solid betting opportunities today.
Wolverhampton
7:40 – Libertine Belle, a winner over C&D back in September, finished runner-up in a Kempton nursery when last seen in action 132-days ago. Nudged up 1lb for that effort but capable of going close if ready to roll after a break.
8:10 – Makambe has run well on his last four starts and was only beaten ¾ length into third over C&D 10-days ago. Can race off the same mark here and can win off this sort of mark when all the cards fall right.
Tuesday selection:
Wolverhampton
8:10 – Makambe – 7/1 @ Ladbrokes or 13/2 – Gen
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk