Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I preview the best of Friday’s action at Newbury and Hamilton.
Friday Preview
It’s the first of two days of racing at Newbury. The Listed Rose Bowl Stakes (4:10) is the highlight of a seven race card at the Berkshire track.
The Listed BoyleSports Handicap Chase (3:40) is the highlight of the final day of action at Killarney’s July Festival.
Get All of John's SelectionsWhen you Trial his Victor Value serviceJust £7 for 14 DaysClick Here for Immediate Access |
The Scottish Stewards' Cup (7:05) and the Listed British Stallions EBF Glasgow Stakes (7:45) are the feature races on a valuable evening card at Hamilton. Add in meetings at the likes of Newmarket, Pontefract & Haydock and you have plenty of betting opportunities.
Newbury
The ground has dried at Newbury to good and apart from an isolated shower or two it shouldn’t be worse than that on Friday.
4:45 – Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed Race) – 6f
Asadna could only finish 9th of 20 in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Prior to that the colt had got the time/sectional aficionados purring after his racecourse debut success at Ripon. He’s set for his first start since switching to the Alice Haynes yard and looks a worthy enough favourite.
His biggest rivals for me look to be Shagraan and Dapper Valley. The former stepped up on his racecourse debut when winning a Windsor novice 20 days ago. There’s more to come from him and he’s a big contender from a yard who saddled the winner of this race in 2021.
Dapper Valley impressed when winning a maiden here (5f) on racecourse debut in April. His 9th of 10 in the Listed National Stakes can be excused as his rein broke soon after the start. He remains with potential and shouldn’t be far away.
Palmer Bay, from the inform Ralph Beckett yard, and Markakol are two last time out winners worth considering.
Hamilton
7:40 – British EBF 40th Anniversary Glasgow Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 3f
The most valuable race either side of the Irish Sea today with £31,332 on offer to the winner. Five have been declared for this year’s race and on the face of it a disappointing turnout for such a valuable prize. However, there were four runners last year and the average field size since 2008 is six.
You can make a case for four of the five runners.
The early bird betting is headed by the Simon & Ed Crisford trained Chesspiece. The 3-year-old won a handicap (1m 4f) at York’s Dante Meeting before finishing a 5 ¼ length 3rd of 14 to Gregory in the Group 2 Queen's Vase (1m 6f) at Royal Ascot last time. Slower ground should suit and the drop in trip shouldn’t inconvenience the colt.
Circle Of Fire was one place and 1 ¼ lengths behind Chesspiece in the Queen’s Vase. He’s another who should be suited by the drop back in trip and should go well for the inform Sir Michael Stoute yard.
Salt Bay was third in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud on just his second juvenile start last October. However, he was a bitterly disappointing last of 7 on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket 77 days ago. He’s surely better than he was able to show last time and would be a big threat if bouncing back to his juvenile best.
Sea Of Roses finished runner-up in a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud on her seasonal return. But the filly never figured in the Musidora and Oaks on her next two starts. A bit better last time when a 5 ¼ length 5th of 17 to Warm Heart in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. The slight drop back in trip and ease in grade can see her figure.
Friday Verdict:
Asadna could easily return to winning ways in the Rose Bowl Stakes but around 2/1 I want to take him on. Of his rivals I like Shagraan and Dapper Valley the most. You can put a line through Dapper Valley’s last run, and he had looked a nice prospect when winning here. The 11/1 available with Coral & Ladbrokes is very tempting. Shagraan’s trainer won the July Stakes at Newmarket last week and is 11 winners from 35 runners 31% +19.93 21 placed 60% with his juveniles this season. He could have another nice one on his hands with son of Sioux Nation. At the prices I have to go with Dapper Valley but I wouldn’t put anyone off Shagraan who could be worth a saver.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Circle of Fire was to finish ahead of Cheespiece in the Glasgow Stakes. However, the tentative pick at the prices would be the filly Sea Of Roses.
Newbury
4:45 – Dapper Valley – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John