Hi all,
There are a couple of future winners inside today's main piece.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Review
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby didn't catch my betting interest initially, and I was underwhelmed by the lineup. However, it turned out to be a thrilling race. Ambiente Friendly, the runner-up in the Epsom Derby, went off as the 6/4 favorite, closely followed by Derby third Los Angeles.
Los Angeles positioned himself well behind the leading stablemates Euphoric and Grosvenor Square, who set a strong pace. Finding a perfect run through on the rail, Los Angeles took the lead with Ambiente Friendly challenging. Despite Ambiente Friendly looking strong, Los Angeles showed resilience and outstayed him in the closing stages.
While Los Angeles performed admirably, credit also goes to the Ballydoyle pacemakers who widened the straight, providing a clear path for the winner and ensuring the winners stamina came into play.
Los Angeles Shows St Leger Potential
Los Angeles's performance suggests he may be a contender for the St Leger and beyond. He's a strong galloper with potential to improve as a 4-year-old and could develop into a future Cup horse. With a strong pace to chase like he had on Sunday, he could continue winning races over 1m 4f.
Sunway, initially held up at the rear in his first step up to 1m 4f, showed improvement and finished well to snatch second place from Ambiente Friendly. He might handle longer distances and could be aimed at the St Leger, marking him as another promising contender.
Ambiente Friendly ran his race but seems more suited to well-run 1m 2f events. After his Epsom Derby run, I suggested he should have targeted next Saturday's Coral Eclipse, but he wasn't entered for some reason. Now likely to drop back to 1m 2f, races like York's International Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes will be on his radar.
Matsuri Shows Promise
The inexperienced Matsuri justified Roger Varian's decision to run him in a Group 1 after winning a Leicester novice in his previous start. Matsuri looked a bit green under pressure and didn't get the best run in the straight, which might have cost him a third-place finish. Nonetheless, he demonstrated stamina over 1m 4f and is a good prospect.
Future Winners Inside
Now, let's look at some potential future winners from Newcastle on Friday and Saturday. But before that, a few words on Sunday's Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh:
Henri Matisse is now priced at 16/1 with William Hill & Bet365 and 10/1 with Paddy Power for next year's 2,000 Guineas after winning the Railway Stakes on Sunday. A winner of a Curragh maiden on debut. The son of Wootton Bassett belied his lack of experience to run out a good winner. While not flashy, he has the potential to win a Group 1 race as a juvenile.
The Strikin Viking, the runner-up, made a strong impression when winning on his debut at York. Although he couldn't hold off the winner's finishing kick, he showed enough speed to possibly excel in races like the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Alternatively he shouldn’t be inconvenienced by a drop back to 5f.
Monsieur Kodi – Richard Fahey
Monsieur Kodi was a 2 ¼ length 5th of 13 to Bergerac in Friday's Gosforth Park Cup. Five furlongs is short for him but he finished his race off well and is now 3lb below last season’s winning mark. A return to rain-softened ground on turf can see the 5-year-old back in the winner’s enclosure.
United Approach – James Tate
After a 13-month absence, United Approach has returned with two solid efforts, most recently when a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 11 to Make Me A King at Newcastle. He proved his stamina for 7f in Saturday's race and on pedigree he could well stay a mile. His stable is going through a quiet spell, but he can be placed to advantage when they hit form. Both his career wins have come on soft/heavy ground so those underfoot conditions may be needed back on the grass.
Tuesday Racing
I put up Percy Shelley as a future winner after his solid 6th of 13 at York two races ago. He struggled with the undulating track at Epsom last time out. Since moving to David O’Meara’s yard, he's yet to find the winner's circle, but his best form from his days in France suggests he’s well-handicapped. Whilst he might be a tricky to ride, he drops in class for the 1m 4f handicap (4:15) at Hamilton. If he doesn’t deliver here, it’s hard to see him getting a better chance any time soon.
Tuesday Selection:
Hamilton
4:15 – Percy Shelley.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John