Good morning all,
Carlisle, Leicester, Redcar and Windsor will play host to paying spectators for the first time in 2021. It’s a return to a bit of normality for racing fans who couldn’t attend racecourses for most of last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fingers crossed.
I think we can safely say the flat season is starting to hit top gear. We had three good days racing at York last week. Big fields and competitive racing what more could you ask for.
Inside today’s main piece, I’m looking at five horses who we should be hearing plenty more of this season. Plus, I have fancies from Windsor & Redcar.
Five Saturday Highlights
John Leeper
Overcame a slow pace and keenness in the early stages to win the Listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket at Saturday.
An impressive winner at Newcastle on his seasonal return. His inexperience was clear for all to see a furlong out. However, once hit the rising ground stamina came into play and he proved too strong for Tasman Bay.
As a Derby Trial its was an unsatisfactory race and the worth of the form is hard to assess, with the winner doing plenty wrong in the race but still coming out on top.
By Frankel out of that great race mare Snow Fairy. John Leeper should make up to Group horse this season and on pedigree should be suited by a step up to 1m 4f. However, does he have the required experience for a Derby? It’s an open looking race so why not and I would be surprised if connections didn’t roll the dice with the colt and head to Epsom.
Bellosa
Bellosa so impressive when winning at headquarters on her racecourse debut. Took the step up to Listed company in her stride when making all to win at Newmarket on Saturday.
Despite being a little ‘gassy’ in the early stages of the race and hanging across the track to the stand rail she was far and away the best filly in the race.
There should be more to come from her going forward and she could go for either the Coronation Stakes over a mile or stay over 7f and head for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Given the pace she has showed in her races, the latter race looks the more logical target. In fact she wouldn’t be disgraced if dropping back to 6f especially against her own sex.
Al Aasy
Al Aasy made it 2-2 at Newbury this season when winning the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes on Saturday.
The colt tracked Logician down the middle of the track in the straight and cruised past the 2019 St Leger winner like he was handicapper. Jockey Jim Crowley never had the colt out of first gear and it proved to be no more than a morning gallop for the winner.
Described by his jockey “As a monster of a horse”, he’s improved plenty physically from three to four and his improvement may not have levelled out. Is he a Group 1 horse? He looks like he could be and we’ll soon find out as he’s now a strong favourite for next month’s Coronation Cup.
Logician who didn’t reach the level of his best 3-year-old form on his two starts in 2020 looked badly in need of the run-on Saturday. He eventually finished third and he’s not one to give up on just yet.
Palace Pier
Palace Pier showed why he’s the best miler in Europe when comfortably winning the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes on Saturday.
Travelling supremely well with Frankie looking behind to see where market rival Lope Y Fernandez was. He went for home two out and the race was over. Frankie probably could have kept hold of him for longer given how well he was going. However, it didn't matter as the race had been won.
He’s now likely to head for Royal Ascot and the Queen Anne Stakes. It’s hard to see him getting beat there and it won’t be too long before he’s tried over 1m 2f either in the Eclipse or more likely the International Stakes at York.
Lady Bowthorpe ran a cracker to finish second and maintained her improvement. She’s likely a bit flattered to have finished within 1 ½ lengths of the winner. Who wasn't doing much in the final 100yds. That said she’s more than capable of winning in Group 1 company against her own sex this year.
Bay Bridge
The London Gold Cup may only be a handicap but it’s often a race that provides plenty of future winners. Indeed, five of the last six winners of the race went on to win a Group 1 or 2 during their career.
This year’s winner was the Sir Michael Stoute trained Bay Bridge. A good winner on the tapeta at Newcastle on his seasonal return. He showed he was just as good on turf. Making nice headway coming to two out he had to be switched right to get a run but once in the clear he strode off his rivals to win by 4 lengths.
Much the best horse in the race it was a comfortable success for the colt on his handicap debut. He will now surely head into pattern company and has an entry in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (1m 4f) at Royal Ascot or they could keep him at 1m 2f for now. The colt will win more races although he’s yet to race on quick ground.
The well fancied Dubawi Sands & Highland Rocker had looked capable of further progress on their handicap debuts. Both ended up well beaten but it’s likely they didn’t like the good to soft ground.
In tomorrow’s column I will be looking back at some that caught my eye at York.
Monday Racing
A couple of interest today at Redcar and Windsor.
Redcar
4:15 – Savalas is on a losing run that goes back 3-years but post an encouraging effort on his first run for a new yard when 3rd of 10 at Thirsk 16-days ago. Back in 7th that day was Eah Bah Gum. The 6-year-old likely needed the run last time and he’s dropped to 15lb below the mark when 4th of 19 in the 2019 Epsom Dash. Slight concern that the ground might be too soft but there’s doubting he's on a tempting mark.
Windsor
7:10 – Aplomb will be tough to beat if reproducing his short head 2nd of 7 at Newbury just 3-days ago. Well suited by some ease in the ground that was a good first effort for new trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam and he should be capable of winning off around his present mark. Clearly has a favourites chance with Ryan Moore booked.
Previous C&D Punchbowl Flyer rates the danger. The 4-year-old probably found 5f an inadequate test at Ripon 10 days ago and will be suited to a return to 6f. He’s another who’s best form has come with plenty of juice in the ground so any showers will be welcomed. Should be capable of hitting the frame at the very least.
Monday selection:
Windsor
7:20 – Punchbowl Flyer – 13/2 @ Bet365
Good luck with your Monday’s bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk