Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m recapping Saturday’s Super Sprint Day and the Irish Oaks.
Saturday’s racing schedule? Let’s just say it made Shergar Cup Day look like Champions Day.
The Irish Oaks was a one-horse race — quite literally. Minnie Hauk showed up, to land the Oaks Double, with a hands and heels victory. It wasn’t a spectacular success, but she did what she had to do and in truth barely had to break sweat to win.
It was a very poor renewal of the Irish Oaks and I don’t get why the Irish Oaks is run this late in the season. It's like holding your birthday party a month after the cake went stale. Saturday's Irish Oaks seemed very stale to me and not a classic race.
Over at Newbury, the track was prepared for rain that didn’t turn up, well it did after racing had begun, which led to non-runners galore. The first race on ITV lost three before we’d even blinked.
At least the crowd showed up — though I suspect more came to see Sophie Ellis-Bextor after racing than the Super Sprint
Meanwhile, Market Rasen was doing its best impression of Cheltenham, well Cheltenham in summer dresses. Summer Plate Day plus Ladies Day equals a crowd ready for anything… except maybe horses. Sadly, the weather hadn’t got the memo with the rain starting to fall before the first live ITV race.
ITV Racing clearly knew what kind of Saturday they were dealing with — no Ed Chamberlain, no Francesca Cumani. It was a Sunday Series-style line-up, with Oli Bell and Leonna Mayor stepping in to keep things ticking over. Even Pricewise Tom Segal booked himself a rare Saturday off. Can’t say I blame him. I wish I had.
Newbury Super Sprint Day Recap
The Listed BetVictor Steventon Stakes was reduced to five runners after three withdrawals due to the ground. Rashabar, dropping in class and stepping up beyond a mile for the first time, tried to make all. He was only caught close home by Royal Dubai — the outsider of the field — who was making his stable debut for Owen Burrows. The switch in yards has clearly sparked some improvement in the 5-year-old.
There were also four non-runners in the two-mile handicap, leaving just four at the start. Despite the small field, it developed into a competitive finish. Almuhit set the pace and looked vulnerable coming to the final furlong, but to his credit, he found plenty late on to fend off both Scottish Anthem and favourite Artistic Star. It was the most hard-fought win of the day.
The Group 3 Hackwood Stakes held up better, with only one absentee — Kind Of Blue — and 11 going to post. Last year’s fourth, Regional, went off favourite, narrowly ahead of last year’s winner Elite Status, who was fitted with first-time cheekpieces. The headgear didn’t help; Elite Status ran below form again.
Regional broke quickly but was pressed by Diligent Harry, and the pair overdid things on the front end. That set it up for a closer. King’s Gamble, well-backed and returning off a layoff, looked a threat and grabbed second from Regional late. But the race was won by 33/1 shot Rage Of Bamby, who travelled sweetly and won ears pricked. The rain eased the ground which helped the winner but wouldn’t have suited Regional. That said it was no fluke success. Rage Of Bamby was the best horse on the day, albeit the early pace battle played into her hands.
Anthelia Denies Favourite in Super Sprint Thriller
Nineteen juveniles went to post for the Super Sprint after Our Cody was withdrawn after getting loose going to the start.
All eyes were on Royal Ascot winner Havana Hurricane, sent off the clear 6/4 favourite. He took a while to hit top gear but surged to the front inside the final furlong, looking set to end the long-standing hoodoo for single-digit horses. But charging down the stands' side, Anthelia wasn’t done. Digging deep under pressure, she rallied to get her nose down where it mattered.
In a dramatic finish, it was Anthelia who edged it — handing trainer Rod Milman his third win in this valuable 2-year-old contest.
Anyway, better days are coming. The King George is next weekend, and Glorious Goodwood just a few days later.
Hang in there — summer racing’s about to warm up for real.
Monday Racing
After a lousy weekend of punting, I took Sunday off and headed out into the countryside.
That’s my reset button. When the bets aren’t landing, I find getting outdoors clears the head. It gives me the space to stop overthinking and see things with fresh eyes.
I was up in the Yorkshire Dales on Sunday and, judging by the weather, summer might already be over. The rain was relentless — and by the looks of the forecast, there’s more on the way. Still, it’s hard to complain. The ground in this part of the world has been crying out for it.
The day’s standout contest is the Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap (3:30), with £15,462 on offer to the winner. A decent pot for a Monday, and the rain has helped boost numbers — 19 declared for this Class 3 sprint. I’m not sure how much they’ve had on the west coast, but if it’s been anything like Yorkshire, expect some ease underfoot come race time.
Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap (3:30) – Preview
Almeraq won on soft ground as a juvenile and didn’t enjoy the quick surface on his return at Yarmouth. He’ll welcome the rain and clearly has ability — he’s entered in the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup. If he’s anywhere near that level, a mark of 90 for this handicap debut looks very lenient. That said, 13/8 is tight enough, especially from stall 1 on the wing.
Three-year-olds dominate the early market. Wicket Keeper, now 2-2 since joining Ed Bethell, is progressive and makes appeal. He’s drawn out in stall 18 — the opposite flank to Almeraq — but if that’s not a disadvantage, he’s firmly in the picture.
Alpha Magic returned to form with a win at Hamilton on good to soft. He’s up 3lb in a stronger race but could be going the right way.
Among the older runners, Pals Battalion was knocking on the door in the spring and bounced back to form with a solid third at Thirsk last time. A strong pace over 6f suits him well and he’s capable of getting involved if things fall right.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John
Chamberlain and Cumani are no loss anyway.