Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’ve got a couple of future winners to add to the tracker.
The racing — and the weather — both heat up as the week goes on. Thursday sees the start of the Debenhams July Festival at Newmarket. I’ve only been to the July Course once, a few years ago. It’s not a track I’m especially fond of — mostly because you’re never quite sure which part of the track the jockeys will favour in the big field races.
That said, while I tend to avoid the July Course for most of the summer from a betting point of view — unless there’s a strong handicap or pattern race — I had a look at my records and was surprised. It turns out I’ve got a decent enough strike rate at the July Festival itself. Maybe I should be paying more attention the course than I do.
One thing to watch: Newmarket has form for overwatering the July Course. The forecast is hot and sunny across the three days this year, but I’d bet they will have watered to produce ground nearer good than good to firm. We’ll see.
As it’s Tuesday, it’s time to highlight a few for the tracker…
Two for the Tracker
Two for the tracker this week — and by coincidence, both come from the William Haggas yard in Newmarket. They each ran on Saturday, and both shaped like there’s more to come.
Valiancy
After winning a Hamilton maiden, Valiancy was sent off 9/4 favourite for a 1m4f handicap at Haydock. He could only finish 3rd, beaten 1¾ lengths by Polestar, but that doesn’t tell the full story. He was slowly away but stayed on nicely and was doing his best work at the finish. A mark in the low 80s looks very workable given he remains a work in progress and is one to follow.
Treasure Time
Treasure Time had already gone into the tracker after his final run last season at Doncaster, and he confirmed he’s worth adding again after a solid seasonal reappearance at Sandown. He finished 5th of 12, beaten just over four lengths by Classic, in a competitive mile handicap. That should put him spot on fitness-wise for his next outing. The Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood or a valuable handicap at the Ebor Festival look logical targets — and don’t be surprised to see him aimed at the Cambridgeshire later in the season. It’s worth remembering he won a valuable 3-year-old handicap at York’s Ebor Festival last season.
Tuesday Racing
Pontefract’s feature race is the Listed Weatherbys Hamilton Pipalong Stakes (3:10), but it’s the Class 2 sprint handicap (3:40) that catches my eye.
Initially, Rousing Encore looked the one — but a glance at the Ruth Carr yard’s form (0-43 in the last 20 days) was enough to put me off.
Badri is fairly treated and should be in the mix, especially with Tom Marquand a notable jockey booking.
City House is also of interest. He improved to win a couple of handicaps in Bahrain and placed in a Group 2 (7f) over the winter. Has a chance off top weight.
Musical Touch should find this easier than some of the races he's contested recently. Didn't look like winning when 3 lengths sixth at York but looked a winnable mark the time before at Chelmsford. Down a pound since — a contender, but at 3/1, he’s short enough.
Verdict: Rousing Encore and Musical Touch have obvious claims but are worth taking on the front of the market. Stall 7 isn’t ideal, but City House looks the value play at 10/1 especially if the market speaks in his favour pre-race.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John