Hi all,
I hope you enjoyed a relaxing Bank Holiday — the next one in England isn’t until late August, so make it count!
It’s Tuesday, so time for the weekly look at future winners from last week’s action. But before diving in, a quick word about the going descriptions over the weekend.
At Haydock, Thursday and Friday were officially “good to firm,” and the times supported that. On Saturday, the going changed to “good,” and again, the times backed it up. It's unclear whether rain or overnight watering softened it slightly, but it wasn’t as quick as the previous two days.
Goodwood produced genuine “good” ground on both Friday and Saturday — and the times confirmed it.
Beverley was listed as “good” on Saturday, though race times suggest it was riding more like “good to firm.”
Over at the Curragh, the official going for 2,000 Guineas Day was “good,” but on times it was definitely “good to firm.”
Which brings me to James’s Delight, who landed the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes. Here’s the Racing Post’s analysis of his performance.
Source: Racing Post.
According to Racing Post analysis there was ease in the ground, but the clock suggests otherwise. That means those of us — myself included — who thought he didn’t handle quick ground were clearly wrong. He proved on Saturday that he does.
On Sunday at the Curragh, the official description was “good (good to yielding in places).” Yet again, the clock tells a different story. There was no yielding to be found. Indeed, I’ve got Los Angeles, winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup, running to what approximates to a firm ground time.
We’re in for some unsettled weather and what could be plenty of rain. So with well-watered racecourses going conditions will change quickly.
Future Winners
Both of this week’s eyecatchers come from Saturday’s strong card at the Curragh.
Retracement – Johnny Murtagh
Shaped with promise on stable debut when finishing a 2¼ length fifth of 19 behind Apercu in a 1m2f Premier Handicap. He was keen early and dropped in at the rear, but stayed on well, doing his best work late. A maiden winner for William Haggas at Pontefract last summer, he looks the type to pick up a handicap for his new yard this season.
Akecheta – Kevin Thomas Coleman
Well backed (9/2) on her return from a short break in the Emerald Mile Premier Handicap, this lightly raced five-year-old ran better than her sixth-place finish suggests. She didn’t get the clearest run two out and lacked the gears late but was only beaten 3¼ lengths by Skukuza. Off a mark of 91, she looks well treated. A step back up to 1m2f should suit, and she’s one to keep firmly on side.
Tuesday Racing
It’s a modest day of action, but Masterinthewoods is of a bit of interest at Leicester in the 1m2f handicap (4:35). The top weight shaped well when third of ten at Goodwood 25 days ago, seemingly improving for the step up in trip. This would be first try on good to firm ground — if he handles it, he’s got a solid chance in a weak looking contest.
In tomorrow's column I'll be looking ahead to the weekend's big race action.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
Thanks as always ,John.Note that there was a fierce strong tailwind on day 2 and 3 at The Curragh which would have suggested good to firm per times recorded but the reported good going would be more accurate and the weather was pretty foul on both days.