Hi all,
ITV Racing threw their weight behind jumps on Saturday, highlighting Cheltenham’s card over Doncaster’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes. Cheltenham’s October meeting used to be a quieter midweek affair – competitive but modest by today’s standards.
Newbury’s Horris Hill meeting has evolved too. It used to span three days: the Horris Hill ran on Thursday, with a jumps card on Friday, and Saturday headlined by the St Simon Stakes. Another reminder of how much racing schedules and priorities have shifted over the years.
Hotazhell Too Hot for Futurity Rivals
This year’s Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster wasn’t a classic renewal in my view. Wimbledon Hawkeye set a solid form standard, though there were some unexposed rivals with potential. But in the end, it wasn’t the newcomers fighting out a thrilling finish—it was the Irish duo Hotazhell and Delacroix, with Hotazhell narrowly prevailing by a nose from the favourite.
Royal Lodge winner Wimbledon Hawkeye, who was keen early on and not as well placed as the front pair, did well to claim third on ground that was likely too soft for him.
For those backing a horse held up, the race was over early—the first two were up with the pace from the start. Given the ground, it’s worth taking a cautious view of this form. Traditionally, the Futurity is won by a future 3-year-old star, but some years it throws up winners who don’t shine the following season.
Only time will reveal the true worth of this year’s form, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of Saturday’s unexposed runners prove better 3-year-olds than Hotazhell and Delacroix. Hotazhell showed plenty of grit to win on testing ground, but I don’t see him as a Classic contender next year.
La Bellota Strikes Gold in Doncaster Stakes After Bold Front-Running Ride
Earlier on the card, jockey Oisin Murphy let the blinkered La Bellota stride on in front in the Listed Doncaster Stakes. La Bellota quickly opened a gap, leaving the field to chase. Diego Ventura kept on well, closing to within a neck, but the winner always looked in control.
La Bellota, a six-race maiden before this, had been running in stronger company in recent starts, making this a well-deserved first success. There was also solid market support for Bounty, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who went off the 5/4 favourite. He ran respectably in third on just his third start, and that support suggests connections rate him highly.
Although the most experienced in the field, La Bellota is a big horse with scope and should progress further as a 3-year-old.
Mud Masters: Max Vega and Make You Smile Triumph at Newbury
After a Friday inspection, Newbury’s heavy ground produced some attritional finishes. In the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes, Yaroogh led but was too keen early. He was edged out at the line by Make You Smile, who’d won over C&D on heavy on debut. Yaroogh’s backers were left disappointed, as he likely would have held on without his early exertions.
In the Group 3 St Simon Stakes, Max Vega, a previous race winner on heavy, showed his strength at Newbury. Sent off at 22/1, the 7-year-old outstayes Danielle and Al Aasy. Al Aasy travelled strongly but found nothing, while Danielle was outstayed. Max Vega’s resilience proved key in testing conditions.
Lays on Point, But Back Bets Missing the Mark
My lays are still on point but as far as my back bets are concerned, my money can stop a train at present. Not even my backing could prevent Kamsinas from winning at Aintree on Sunday, though. Interestingly, he drifted dramatically in the market from an early 3/1 to a starting price of 8/1.
Wimbledon Hawkeye was a poor pick on soft ground in the Futurity Trophy. He had only beaten Royal Playwright a non-winner on his previous run in the Royal Lodge. So, the form wasn’t strong enough in hindsight. Meanwhile Hotazhell and Delacroix had been going off favourite in Group races and Hotazhell beat four last time out winners when winning a Group 2 Beresford Stakes last time.
Meanwhile the races I don’t end up playing in provided winners such as La Bellota, Max Vega and then on Sunday Minella Drama at Aintree. Maybe I should tell you my selections when I’m not betting on them. It’s a funny old game and a frustrating one at times.
Monday Racing
I haven’t dissected Monday’s cards, but keep an eye on Revich, who runs in the 3:40 at Redcar. Revich was a recent eyecatcher for the column after his latest run at Ayr. He doesn’t typically run a straight mile, but he’s adaptable and should handle the track without issue.
In Tuesday’s column, I’ll dive into Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting recap. Let’s just say it involves our old friend: low sun.
Good luck with your Monday bets!
John