Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at this afternoon’s Grassroots Series Final Day at Nottingham. Plus, there’s couple for the tracker from last week’s Ayr Gold Cup meeting.
Irish Cesarewitch 150/1 Shock
First a quick look back at Sunday’s big race the Irish Cesarewitch which was run in atrocious conditions. Perhaps it was not a surprise that the race produced a shock result. If you managed to find the 150/1 winner Magellan Strait, then my hat is firmly tipped in your direction.
It paid to be prominent with few getting into the race from midfield or further back. The only one to do so was Falcon Eight who was a shade unlucky ½ length second. The 8-year-old had to be switched inside the final furlong and but for that would probably have got up to win.
Thorough stayer and stablemate of the winner Dawn Rising finished a ½ length third under a big weight of 9-12. He could have a profitable winter in handicaps over hurdles. However, there’s a chance he could come over for the Cesarewitch at Newmarket beforehand.
I was on My Mate Mozzie and Chally Chute. The last named never got competitive but My Mate Mozzie finished an honourable fifth. He was travelling best of all when going for home two out, but he was headed 1f out and his stamina for 2m 1f just gave way. If this race had been run over two miles, I think he may have held onto win. He’s another who could land a nice handicap hurdle pot over the winter.
Tower Of London was sent off the 18/5 but the St Leger fourth could never get into the race. The ground would have been plenty soft enough for him and this race may have come to quick for the 3-year-old after Doncaster.
Last year’s runner-up Echoes Of Rain was fancied to go one place better but was another who never got in to the race.
More shooting fish in a barrel
I mentioned in yesterday’s column the bookie overrounds for the Ayr Gold and Silver Cup. Well, it was in evidence again in the Irish Cesarewitch with an overround of 150%. I know it was a 30 runner handicap but 150%, come one that’s taking the proverbial.
Future Winners:
We’re entering the final couple of months of the flat season and it’s just a month or so until Cheltenham’s first jumps fixture of the new season. While I don’t intend to get my NH head on just yet. It does mean that am starting to wind down on my flat tracker horses. From next week I will be concentrating on the juveniles with next season in mind.
This week I have two that ran at Ayr’s Western Meeting.
Montassib – William Haggas
Montassib was having his first start below 7f since is juvenile debut on 2020 when a 1 ¼ length 5th of 24 to Significantly in the Ayr Gold Cup. He was doing his best work at the finish and with clearer run inside the final furlong would have finished closer. A return to 7f could see him back in the winners enclosure and there’s a Heritage Handicap over that distance at Ascot next month. Probably doesn’t want the ground to soft so a dryish autumn would be favourable.
Snazzy Jazzy – Seb Spencer
The 8-year-old shaped with plenty of promise on his first start for new connections when a 3 length 5th of 25 in the Silver Cup. He’s not the horse he once was. However, he’s now 7lb below the mark he won off at Hamilton (6f) last summer. Softer ground isn’t a problem and if he can build on this encouraging effort, he can win a 6f handicap before the season’s out.
Tuesday Preview
After Monday’s poor fare we have some better racing to look forward to this afternoon. At Nottingham it’s Grassroots Series Final Day. There are five finals over a variety of distances and all five races have field sizes with ten or more runners. For a Tuesday what’s not to like.
Nottingham
3:15 – Grassroots Series Final Nursery Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Knicks was back to form when a ½-length 3rd of 10 at Carlisle 13 days ago. He would have gone close to winning with clearer run inside the final furlong. Best form has come with soft in the going description so underfoot condition should be ideal for a big run with Buick booked.
3:50 – Grassroots Series Final Sprint Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Likely favourite Pinafore has solid claims but is unproven on ground softer than good. She’s a previous C&D winner though and should go close. Fantasy Master gained a third course success when winning last year’s corresponding race. He’s 6lb higher this time around but did win at Doncaster in July. Has a high enough mark to contend with but shouldn’t be far away. Havana Rum gained a second career success and a first on grass when winning a Catterick handicap (soft) 14 days ago. He’s 3lb out of the weights here but the 3-year-old will handle the ground and is seemingly going the right way.
4:25 – Grassroots Series Middle Distance Final Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
Top-weight Golden Maverick, a five time winner this year already,looked to be coming with a winning run on the home turn before eventually finishing a 3 length 4th of 10 at Chester 10 days ago. His stamina for an extended 1m 6f might have run out that day and the drop back in trip should suit. Stablemate Gordon Grey found his stamina stretched when 4th of 10 at Newbury (1m 4f) last month. He’s better judged on his ¾ length 2nd of 9 at Newmarket on handicap debut three starts back and the fitting of the first time cheekpieces make him of interest.
5:00 – Grassroots Series Stayers' Final Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6f
Alhambra Palace looked a big improver when winning handicaps at Ascot and Sandown. Found the ground to quick when 5th of 13 in the Melrose Handicap at York last month. Travelled last time like he remains on a winnable mark and will appreciate the return to softer ground. He’s the one they all must beat. His biggest rival could be fellow 3-year-old Roost who posted a career best on RPR’s when winning at Ffos Las last month. He looks held by Alhambra Palace on their Sandown form but improved plenty last time and seems to be going the right way.
5:00 – Grassroots Series Stayers' Final Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6f
Alhambra Palace looked a big improver when winning handicaps at Ascot and Sandown. Found the ground too quick when 5th of 13 in the Melrose Handicap at York last month. Travelled last time like he remains on a winnable mark and will appreciate the return to softer ground. He’s the one they all must beat. His biggest rival could be fellow 3-year-old Roost who posted a career best when winning at Ffos Las last month. He looks held by Alhambra Palace on their Sandown form but improved plenty last time and seems to be going the right way.
5:35 – Grassroots Series Mile Final Handicap (Class 2) – 1m ½ f
Equion, a winner on the all-weather, got off the mark at the fifth attempt on turf when winning over C&D 54 days ago. It was heavy when he won here last time so soft ground isn’t a concern. Now 2lb higher and in a deeper race but should go well. Strongbowe is another who’s effective on easier ground. The 7-year-old wasn’t well positioned when a running on 1 ½ length 6th of 13 at a Racing League Fixture at Southwell 13 days ago. He’s just 1lb above his last winning mark and shouldn’t be far away.
5:35 – Grassroots Series Mile Final Handicap (Class 2) – 1m ½ f
Equion, a winner on the all-weather, got off the mark at the fifth attempt on turf when winning over C&D 54 days ago. It was heavy when he won here last time so soft ground isn’t a concern. Now 2lb higher and in a deeper race but should go well. Strongbowe is another who’s effective on easier ground. He wasn’t well positioned when a running on 1 ½ length 6th of 13 at Southwell 13 days ago. Just 1lb above his last winning mark and shouldn’t be far away.
Tuesday Selection:
Nottingham
3:15 – Knicks – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John