Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking back at Saturday’s big race action highlighting an impressive race performance or three.
Northumberland Plate Day: Ellison's Joy
Saturday’s big betting race, the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap at Newcastle, was won by the Brian Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator. The horse lived up to his name with the manner of his success, demonstrating an impressive race performance.
As you can see from the Racing Post’s results page below, the first six home were midfield or ridden even further back. This shows the leaders set an unsustainable gallop, setting the race up perfectly for the closers.
I thought Duke Of Oxford was coming with a winning run towards the stands side 2f out. However, the eye was drawn to tapeta specialist Onesmoothoperator, who cruised past Duke Of Oxford a furlong out to win with some ease.
There were great scenes in the winner's enclosure as trainer Brian Ellison celebrated his birthday with a success in the race he’s been wanting to win since he took out his trainer's license. Ellison had won the Eider Chase here earlier in the year and completed a unique Newcastle double on Saturday.
Backers of the favourite Trooper Bisdee (5/2) will feel aggrieved with the ride he got from Hollie Doyle. He fluffed the start badly, and then Hollie rushed the favorite to keep up with the strong pace. It wasn’t her best ride; especially given she had been seen to good effect on winning favourite Alphonse Le Grande in the Vase just 35 minutes earlier.
I gave Victor Value subscribers two selections in the race: Onesmoothoperator and runner-up Evaluation. Not bad going for a 20-runner handicap. I didn’t play the exacta, but I know some did, and they were rewarded with £520.20 for a £1 stake.
For those who joined me for Royal Ascot it was a fantastic end to the month. When will the purple patch end? I don’t know but it will end sometime.
Montassib's Triumph in the Chipchase Stakes
Montassib bounced back to winning ways and made it 2-2 on the all-weather to land the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes. Montassib came from the rear to head Kinross close to home, delivering an impressive race performance. He might be able to land a Group 1 over 6f this season, but he’ll need plenty of juice in the ground to do so. The Champion Sprint at Ascot in October would give the 6-year-old his best chance of getting his favoured underfoot conditions.
Kinross was making a belated seasonal return and will be spot-on for the July Cup at Newmarket. He’ll face some progressive 3-year-olds, and it's hard to see him bettering last year’s third-place effort in the race at the age of seven.
Pretty Polly Stakes: Bluestocking's Group 1 Breakthrough
Saturday’s top-quality race was the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, and it certainly lived up to its billing. Bluestocking emerged victorious, narrowly defeating Emily Upjohn in a thrilling finish, adding another impressive race performance to Saturday's action.
Bluestocking, who had been tricky to win with last season, has now triumphed in both of her starts this season. Her finishing effort was impeccable, finally achieving a breakthrough at the Group 1 level.
Initially, it appeared that Emily Upjohn, returning to form, might have stolen the race when she surged ahead 2f out and kicked on a furlong out. However, Bluestocking wore her down in the final 50 yards. The rain that fell played to Bluestocking's advantage, likely assisting her in reaching top gear in the final furlong
Some have criticized Kieran Shoemark for making his move too early on the runner-up, but I believe she was simply beaten by a filly who has matured mentally from three to four. Kieran’s strategy nearly paid off, and I don't think he made a significant error.
Emily Upjohn was on a going day, bouncing back from a subpar run in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and showing great spirit in defeat. Her future targets are uncertain, but she seems to be performing 4lb to 5lb below her best form, making it challenging to see her winning a Group 1 as a 5-year-old.
Bluestocking is likely to head for the Nassau Stakes next, followed by a return to 1m 4f at the Yorkshire Oaks. She’ll be a formidable contender in top-tier filly races between 1m 2f and 1m 4f for the rest of the season, although the suitability of Goodwood remains a question.
In Tuesday's column, I'll review the Irish Derby and highlight some potential ‘future winners' from last week's action.
Monday Racing
Will we see another impressive race perfromance on Monday. Monday’s most valuable race is the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Spindrifter Fillies' Novice Stakes (3:15) for the juveniles at Pontefract. Additionally, there's another Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier (7:15) at Windsor.
Pontefract
3:15 – Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Spindrifter Fillies' Novice Stakes (Class 2) – 6f
Ardeur made all to win over this course and distance three weeks ago. She’s likely to dictate the pace again and will be tough to beat. If you can get evens, she looks like good value to me.
Windsor
7:15 – Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap (Windsor Sprint Series Qualifier) (Class 2) – 6f
Shagraan will be popular after finishing 5th in the Palace Of Holyrood House Handicap (5f) at Royal Ascot last time. He was well-backed for that race and can win off his current mark, but the 3-year-old might be better suited to the minimum trip.
Katey Kontent is 2-2 at this course, having won here two starts back, and was a good fourth at York last time.
Aramis Grey, a course and distance winner, ran well when finishing ¾ length 2nd of 14 at Haydock 23 days ago. She should be competitive again from just 1lb higher.
Haymaker has returned in top form and bids for a hat-trick after wins at Nottingham and Goodwood. He’s up 3lb and steps up a couple of class levels. Given his current vein of form and his past success at this C&D, he’s got to be seriously considered. He could be the key to solving this interesting puzzle.
Monday Selection:
Windsor
7:15 – Haymaker.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John