Hi all,
We can safely say the jumps are back after Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting on Friday and Saturday. The two-day card drew strong fields and competitive racing on good ground. It was an informative start to the season and should provide plenty of clues for the months ahead.
The National Hunt scene is now moving into top gear. Big races are coming thick and fast, starting with next Saturday’s Grade 1 BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal and the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
Before the Flat season finally draws to a close, there’s still top-class action to enjoy. The Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar next weekend kicks off a fantastic spell of international flat racing.
Despite the competing claims of Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting. In today’s main piece, I’m reviewing the weekend’s big-race action on the Flat.
Hawk Mountain Leads Ballydoyle Futurity 1-2-3
While much of the focus was on Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting, Saturday’s main event on the Flat came from Doncaster. The Group 1 William Hill Futurity Trophy attracted just five runners after Item was withdrawn due to heavy ground.
Aidan O’Brien saddled three of the five, and predictably, it was the Ballydoyle trio who dominated. Hawk Mountain, highlighted here last week as the most likely winner, came out on top by half a length from stablemate Action.
As expected, the winner made the running and controlled the race throughout. He had been the weakest of O’Brien’s trio in the betting, opening at 9/4 before drifting to as big as 4/1 just before the off. I didn’t manage the 4s, but I did get on at 7/2 – cracking value given he’d won on soft previously.
Benvenuto Cellini, the mount of Christophe Soumillon, was sent off the 7/4 favourite. The testing ground proved against him, and he was the first beaten. That left Action as the final challenger to the long-time leader, but Hawk Mountain kept finding inside the last furlong to repel him. You couldn’t knock the winner’s attitude, though he did wander about a bit and carry his head high — probably still down to inexperience. With his high knee action, he might not want the ground too quick.
Derby Dreams Ahead
Hawk Mountain is a sizeable colt, certainly compared to Benvenuto Cellini, and looks sure to improve as a three-year-old – especially when stepped up to 1m2f and further. Unsurprisingly, he was cut to 10/1 for next year’s Derby after this performance.
The runner-up Action also shaped with promise and should progress over middle distances next season. And despite finishing only third, I wouldn’t be shocked if Benvenuto Cellini turns out the best of the trio once he gets back on quicker ground.
More O’Brien Colts Impress in France
Aidan O’Brien’s dominance of the juvenile Group 1’s continued Sunday over at Saint-Cloud.
Firstly, Puerto Rico followed up his Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère win with another comfortable success in the Criterium International (1m). This was his eighth run of the season, so his scope for improvement at three is open to debate. Still, he’s clearly thriving since being allowed to stride on and dictate from the front.
Later on the card, Pierre Bonnard made it three wins from four with a decisive victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1m2f). He handled soft ground well after winning on quick going at Newmarket last time, proving his versatility going wise. Now a best-priced 8/1 for the Derby, and after Sunday’s win and it’s easy to see why as he has an excellent change of gear which you watch here.
I’ll be looking at the top juveniles, both colts and fillies, in the column later this week. Spoiler alert: Aidan O’Brien has most of them.
Monday Racing
Friday was good, but Saturday and Sunday weren’t. Thankfully, my lays are performing well, so I’m in front for the month. Not much catches my eye on Monday, though I do have two lays for Consistent Profits subscribers, which you can find here.
The best race this side of the Irish Sea is a Class 3 handicap at Redcar (3:45). La Trinidad isn’t the force of old, but the 8yo drops in class and is now 6lb below his last winning mark. A previous C&D winner and should go close if it isn’t too soft. At bigger odds, It’sneverjustone appeals. The 3yo improved to win at Ffos Las and Galway but hasn’t been at his best on his last two starts. If he stays the mile and returns to his Galway form, he has each-way claims.
Over jumps, Audacious Annie looks well placed to strike at Bangor (3:20). The mare ended last season strongly, winning her final two hurdles. She looked in need of her run when 6th of 15 on handicap debut at Uttoxeter last month. If she takes the expected step forward, she’s on a workable mark.
In tomorrow’s column I’ll be looking back at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting and there'll be some eyecatchers for you.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John