Hi all,

It’s a busy Friday, not only do we have Day 4 of the Punchestown Festival, but the Newmarket Guineas Festival also gets underway. There’s also racing live on ITV this afternoon with ITV Racing covering the best of the action at Newmarket and an additional three races from Goodwood on a seven-race programme.

At Punchestown there are another two Grade 1’s. Champion Hurdle winner State Man who is unbeaten on four starts at Punchestown will be a short price to make it five.

Stablemate and top novice hurdler Ballyburn will be an even shorter price to follow up his Cheltenham Festival success in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (6.35).

In truth I haven’t even bothered to look at either race as I think both State Man and Ballyburn just win.

Given both the Punchestown Grade 1’s look to be poor betting races and there’s just one handicap on the card but it looks a cracker.

Sire Du Berlais RIP

Sad news struck the racing yesterday as Sire Du Berlais suffered a fatal injury in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle, adding to the recent loss of Shishkin. It’s been a tough end to the season for the sport.

As I've mentioned previously, Sire Du Berlais can be a hard ride. However, yesterday, it was evident from early on in the race that he wasn't enjoying himself, and looking back, it would have been wise to pull him up.

Sire Du Berlais contributed significantly during his long career in the sport, claiming Grade 1 victories at Cheltenham and Aintree last year. Tragically, Kilbeg King also lost his life at Punchestown after sustaining a broken hind leg in the subsequent race.

Friday Racing

Heavy ground at Goodwood changes the dynamics for Friday's races. In the ITV events, Spanish Star (3:15) and Dream Composer (3:50) are aiming for back-to-back wins in their respective races and seem well primed to do so. While both perform well on rain-softened ground, the testing conditions could pose a challenge. Considering their preferences, Spanish Star, who stays further for longer distances, might still be worth a bet despite the conditions.

Newmarket

The going on Thursday evening was described as good for the start of the Newmarket Guineas Festival. However, there is a caveat with 14mm rain forecast for Friday. That’s probably not good news for one of main fancies at Newmarket English Oak in the 7f handicap (3:00). He looks like a good prospect for valuable sprint handicaps this season, but I think he’ll need a sound surface.

Any rain will be welcomed by Thunder Ball who likes ease in the ground and was close to a personal best when a 3 ¼ length 4th of 21 in Newbury’s Spring Cup 13 days ago.

Others who won’t mind a bit of ease in the ground are Zouky. Zouky needs to progress again to defy a mark of 92 back in handicap company but shouldn’t be far away if handling the track. At bigger odds last year’s third Persuasion won’t be far away. The 7-year-old won a Class 2 handicap at Thirsk last September and failed by a short head to follow up at Haydock.

In the Listed William Hill King Charles II Stakes (3:35), Jehangeer, trained by Kevin Ryan, has a bit to find on OR’s but has promise as a 3-year-old, and the 7f distance could suit him well. Meanwhile, Volterra, also trained by Kevin Ryan, competes in the 3-year-old mile handicap (4:45) and displayed potential as a juvenile, suggesting further progress on handicap debut. Keep an eye on The Camden Colt in the same race, who delivered a solid second in a C&D handicap last month, though I don’t think he wants ease in the ground.

Friday Selection:

Sadly, Thursday’s selection was fatally injured but hopefully some of you were on Pigeon House in the first at Punchestown who I said offered each way value in the first. Victor Value subscribers were on at 25/1.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the weather forecast at Newmarket and its impact on underfoot conditions, I can’t advise a bet on English Oak. That’s a shame as I’m expecting big things from the colt this season.  

So that leaves with the Kevin Ryan pair of Jehangeer & Volterra.  The first named has a bit to find on official ratings but is open to improvement as a 3-year-old. The latter sentiment is also applicable to Volterra and as he goes in a handicap gets the nod.

Newmarket Guineas Festival

4:45 – Volterra.

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John