Hi all,

In today’s main piece, I'll share my insights on the Easter Weekend’s racing action.

For those who are new to the column, I typically review the weekend’s racing on Mondays. However, due to yesterday’s Irish Grand National, which demanded extra time, I didn’t have the opportunity this week. Therefore, Tuesday’s column is a look back at the weekend’s racing combined with a future winner or two.

All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle and the Vase at Lingfield on Good Friday drew good crowds, which was heartening to see. However, as I mentioned last week, if crowds don’t turn out for such competitive racing, then it's uncertain when they ever will.

Despite competitive racing it wasn’t a day for value punters fishing for big-priced winners. For example, the biggest priced winner on Lingfield’s seven race card was just 7/1. It was better at Newcastle with two winners returned 10/1 and one at 33/1.

Elegant Performance

The standout performance on Good Friday belonged to Elegant Man, who showcased his class by winning the All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap. Taking the lead early on, he maintained a steady pace before kicking on at the 3-furlong mark. Despite being challenged in the final furlong; he held his ground to defeat Penzance and Hooking. With only four career starts under his belt, Elegant Man is still progressing. While he has the potential to succeed on turf, his American dirt pedigree suggests that connections may have their sights set on taking him stateside for Graded races this summer.

The other taking performance at Newcastle came from Fivethousandtoone in winning the All-Weather Sprint Handicap.  Not the best away the winner got a good tow into the race and Osin Murphy produced him perfectly inside the final furlong to win with plenty in hand from Misty Grey who was unlucky to come up against rejuvenated winner.

Fivethousandtoone had been highly tried earlier in his career and endured a two-year victory drought before triumphing in a Goodwood handicap in September 2022. Despite missing the entirety of last summer, the 6-year-old showed promising form towards the end of 2023. The addition of a visor at the beginning of 2024 appears to have revitalized him, with two consecutive wins under his belt. Now that he has regained his confidence, it will be intriguing to see how far he goes on turf this summer.

Betting on Good Friday proved to be disappointing. With just two places secured thanks to Misty Grey (16/1) and Hooking (15/2). Apart from those, it resulted in a loss of 8 points.

Meydan: World Cup Night

Saturday's Queen’s Cup card at Musselburgh was lost due to waterlogging, a rare occurrence for flat racing at the venue. In fact, since 2008, only one flat fixture has had heavy ground in the going description. The persistently wet winter and now spring means heavy ground at the end of one season (tired horses) and the beginning of another (fresh horses).

We desperately need some dry, sunny weather to dry out the racecourses, especially with the upcoming Classic Trials in mind. The loss of the Musselburgh card meant that racing on these shores was mediocre at best. Fortunately, we had the World Cup card at Meydan to provide some high-quality racing action.

While there was undoubtedly some good racing and huge prize money on offer at Meydan. I must admit that I came away from it feeling a little underwhelmed.

Most of the racing may not have direct relevance to the upcoming flat season. But there were some intriguing performances, with one particularly standing out on the evening.

Tower Triumphs

The Dubai Gold Cup (2m) appeared to be a highly competitive renewal, yet Tower Of London emerged as the clear victor. Not helped by a wide draw, Tower Of London was held up in the rear in what was a steadily run race. However, Ryan Moore timed his move perfectly, unleashing the colt on the outside in the straight. Tower Of London then displayed an impressive turn of foot inside the final furlong, securing victory with plenty in hand at the line.

Tower Of London's unique ability to quicken sets him apart, especially among stayers who are typically one-paced. His impressive turn of foot makes him a formidable contender in Cup races this summer. However, it appears that Aidan O’Brien will opt to drop the colt back to 1m 4f distances rather than pursue the staying route. Well-suited to a sound surface, Tower Of London continues to improve and emerges as a fascinating contender for middle-distance Group races this summer, potentially even Group 1 events.

Auguste Rodent

Tower Of London’s stablemate, Auguste Rodin, was anticipated to perform well in the Group 1 Sheema Classic. However, the five-time Group 1 winner once again disappointed by finishing last of the 12 runners.

Despite notable victories in the Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes, and Breeders Cup Turf last season, Auguste Rodin has a history of inconsistent performances, having also underperformed in races such as the 2,000 Guineas and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot. His profile suggests a pattern of either winning or flopping. He’s not a horse you can back with any confidence.

The race was won by Rebel’s Romance, another former Breeders Cup Turf winner. Jockey William Buick had Rebel’s Romance ideally behind leader Point Lonsdale in a modestly run race. Buick made his move 1f out, allowing Rebel’s Romance to run out a comfortable winner. The winner benefited from some subpar rides from the losing jockeys, compounded by the favourite’s underperformance.

Well-fancied Japanese challenger, Liberty Island, found herself out of position as the leaders made their move for home. However, the mare made significant headway inside the final two furlongs to finish within 3 lengths of the winner in third place. A well run race and she would surely have beaten Rebel’s Romance.

Do Deuce Looked Unlucky

I thought my weekend was going to take a spectacular turn in the Group 1 Dubai Turf. I backed Namur (25/1), and inside the final furlong, it seemed the mare was going to secure the win. However, she narrowly lost out by a short head after a sustained duel with the French horse, Facteur Cheval. I won’t come closer to a 25/1 winner all year.

Arguably the unlucky horse in the Dubai Turf was the Japanese horse, Do Deuce. The 5-year-old was traveling like the winner but didn’t get a clear run 1 furlong out and had to be switched to make his effort. Despite doing his best work at the finish, he ended up just 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner in fifth place. With a clear passage, he would have gone close.

I was going to have a look at Monday afternoon’s Pontefract card, but the ground is heavy and I have no idea how the draw will pan out so it’s probably wise to leave it alone.

Raffles Steals Irish Grand National

Intense Raffles, making his handicap chase debut, appeared to be on a good mark, and so it proved as the 6-year-old delivered trainer Thomas Gibney a second win in the race.

Given the testing ground, it's unsurprising that the pace was modest, but Intense Raffles found himself ideally placed in a prominent position. Despite a bad mistake four out, his jumping was otherwise assured, and even that error couldn’t stop him.

It's clear that the testing ground suits the 6-year-old well, and it will be intriguing to see if he can compete in Graded company next season. Alternatively, connections may consider targeting him for races such as the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and Aintree.

Runner-up Any Second Now almost turned back the years. With two previous placings in an Aintree Grand National, the 12-year-old would have preferred a more gruelling stamina test and couldn't quite catch the winner close to home.

Minella Cocooner performed admirably under 11-12 to finish third on ground that would have been plenty testing enough. Race favourite Nick Rockett didn't appear to stay the trip on the demanding ground but do better next season. Similarly, Senior Chief also struggled with the distance and may be better suited to races back at three miles.

Smaller Irish Trainers Triumph: Victory for Gibney Marks Positive Trend

The victory was a good for Irish racing, particularly for smaller trainers, following Jimmy Mangan's Grade 1 success on Sunday. It was encouraging to witness prominent owners like Simon Munir & Isaac Souede entrust the winner to Thomas Gibney instead of opting for trainers like Willie Mullins. If more big owners distribute their horses across various yards rather than concentrating solely on Mullins and Elliott, it will greatly benefit Irish jump racing. Both Gibney and Mangan have demonstrated their ability to deliver when given the opportunity.

If more big owners distribute their horses across various yards rather than concentrating solely on Mullins and Elliott, it will greatly benefit Irish jump racing. Both Gibney and Mangan have demonstrated their ability to deliver when given the opportunity.

Ups and Downs of Betting: Easter Weekend Punting Reflections

I've already shared my less-than-ideal punting experiences from Friday and Saturday. However, I was able to secure small profits on Sunday and Monday. Even Sunday's profit could have been better if I hadn't talked myself out of backing Plumpton winner Sea Invasion. Nonetheless, I made sure not to let one of my previous eyecatchers, Our Champ, go unbacked.

One week you're up, the next week you're down; that's the nature of betting. I'm considering Sunday and Monday's small profit as a small positive because sometimes you just need to hang in there.

I had planned to analyse Pontefract’s Tuesday card. However, with the ground heavy at the West Yorkshire track and uncertainty regarding the draw after last season, it's prudent to adopt a watching brief in these circumstances.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John