Hi all,
A very busy Saturday to get through first, but arguably the best card this weekend is at Longchamp on Sunday.
Arc Trials Day at Longchamp is a week earlier than usual which means it won’t clash with Irish Champions Weekend. The card features Group 1 Prix Du Moulin over 1m, as well as the three Arc Trials, the Group 1 Prix Vermeille for fillies & mares, the Prix Foy and the Prix Niel for 3yo colts, all over the Arc Distance. Whilst the latter three races are considered Arc Trials, they are good races in their own right and Moulin looks a good race.
Saturday’s principal meeting is at Haydock where it’s Betfair Sprint Cup Day. The ground was good, no quicker, on Friday. A dry day is forecast, but you’d hope they didn’t water overnight. All will be revealed in the morning.
Inside today’s main piece I’ve turned the spotlight on one of the ITV races from Ascot.
Ascot
On Friday, being drawn low wasn’t the place to be in the big-field handicap. Jockeys were keen to head over to the stands’ side. It’ll be worth watching to see if the same bias plays out again on Saturday.
There are several large-field handicaps on Ascot’s straight track this afternoon, and the one under the big race microscope is the Schweppes Handicap (2:40).
2:40 – Schweppes Handicap (Class 2) – 7f
Leadman wasn’t the best away and was dropped in at York (1m) last time, never getting into a position to challenge. Better judged on his head second at Newbury on his penultimate start. The drop back to 7f is a plus and there’s another handicap in him when it all drops right, though his best has come on quicker ground, so conditions may not be ideal.
Afentiko had no chance from his wide draw in the Golden Mile at Goodwood and possibly didn’t take to the track. He’s better judged on his length third of 12 at Haydock (1m) on his return. The 3yo goes well with ease in the ground and looks a player if the step down to 7f suits.
Strong Warrior was outclassed in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup here last time but remains lightly raced. He went close on handicap debut at Windsor (6f) two starts back and this looks more realistic. On pedigree, 7f should be fine, though soft ground is a question mark.
Thunder Roar was due to run here on Friday, but he’s shown before he can back up quickly, having won off a two-day turnaround last October. First past the post in the Spring Mile at Doncaster in March. All four career wins have come on testing ground and he looks set to get conditions in his favour. Very much on the shortlist.
Mirabeau is 2-2 on soft ground and returns from a break after three underwhelming runs over further this season. Back down in trip and with underfoot conditions to suit for the first time this year, he could bounce back, though stall 2 might not help.
Saturday Free Tip
Manaccan, a dual C&D winner,shaped like plenty of ability remains when a 1 ¼-length 4th of 10 to Vintage Clarets over C&D at the Shergar Cup on his penultimate start. Predictably outclassed in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York last time. He’s back in calmer waters here and with ease in the ground can go well from stall 12.
As the betting bank has dropped to £80, stakes are reduced today to £1.60.
Ascot
4:55 – Manaccan – 16/1
Running Total: £78
I’ll be back on Monday to look back on Saturday’s big race action.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John
I’m at a loss re the tragic event at Ascot yesterday in the last race.
Surely Callum Shepherd must face some form of disciplinary action.
His initial manouver on the winner, caused the knock on effect that resulted in a very dangerous and ultimately, deadly situation.
I accept that as a jockey, you have to make split second 50-50 decisions, which do not always work out, but this was poor judgment at the very least and I would argue, dangerous riding.
A beautiful animal lost it’s life and connections must be devastated and it could have been so much worse.
I have not read anything as yet to indicate that CS has even been spoken to, or, if he has made any comment.
Doesn’t this need to be addressed?
I think you need your eyes checked Rick. The problem came from Oisin trying to find a gap and got squeezed out, Callam was involved in a seperate bit of trouble that was nowhere near the main issue. If you are going to slag a jockey off get your facts right.
Disagree..Callum’s manouver dictated that Murphy was pushed further forward than he wanted to be.
My eyes are fine.
Looked again.
I’m wrong..you are correct.
It was a separate issue with Nordic Norm and Murphy was indeed the protagonist.
My apologies to CS..previous comments taken back.
Hi John, been following your free tip challenge and taking that the £5 win on Theoryofeverything that you posted on the 5th was a misprint then actually that was your 11th tip anyway which should have been a £1.60 stake ( After the 10 losers at £2 ) which meant the Betting Bank before that tip was at £80.
After yesterday’s result I make the Bank now £76.80.
10 losers at £2 and 2 losers @ £1.60.
Hi Gerry,
Yes, my mistake. I was cutting and pasting and forgot to change.
John