Good morning all,
After all the excitement of Goodwood. The high-class racing in Britain takes a short holiday until York’s Ebor Festival. Which is now just two weeks away.
On Saturday, the Shergar Cup returns to Ascot after the 2020 meeting had to be cancelled due to Covid. For those punters who don’t like the Shergar Cup, there’s the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes (4.10). There’s also Group 3 action at Newmarket with the latest running of Sweet Solera Stakes (2.50) for 2-year-old fillies.
On Sunday it’s the second installment of Sky Bet Sunday Series at Haydock. Across the Irish Sea the Curragh hosts a decent card with the feature race being the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (4.10).
Racing League
The Racing League got underway last week at Newcastle. The Racing League is the sport's latest attempt at innovation, to change the way it is presented to the masses in the hope of attracting new audience. The prize money is great with £50,000 on offer for each race and you have to wish any initiative that brings new money into the sport well.
I’m not sure who thought it was a good idea to launch it in the same week as Goodwood & Galway. And on a Thursday evening at Newcastle with most of the top jockeys in the sport on duty at Goodwood. In fact, I didn’t even realise it had launched until after Friday, so low key was the launch.
What with baseball caps and team managers it has the spirit of F1. Maybe it’s me but I’m not sure Team Talk Sport or Team EToro have the glamour of a Ferrari or Maclaren. Some of the teams haven’t even got sponsors yet which is a bit of a concern.
It is of course early days and the league has of course the backing of Sky which has transformed other sports so maybe their promotion and innovation can turn the initiative into the racing T20.
Those involved in the concept are voicing the positives which you would expect. From a personal perspective it doesn’t do anything for me but then I suppose its not been aimed at the likes of me.
Shergar Cup
I’m not exactly a fan of the Shergar Cup either. However, its just once a year and does provide racing purists with an opportunity to spend a Saturday resting the mind during a busy summer of action.
I keep thinking I should try to take an interest in it. However, when the time comes, I never do. Maybe this year will be different?
Looking at the entries for this year's Shergar Cup. My interest for the event has been piqued by the fact that two of my recent eyecatchers could run:
3:10 – Recovery Run: Trainer Andrew Balding trained the winner of the race in 2018 so Recovery Run would be respected if turning out after his 3rd at Goodwood last week.
3:45 – Royal Scimitar: Was withdrawn from the Stewards Cup on account of the soft ground. He needs good or quicker ground to be at his best.
Wednesday Racing
A three-day summer meeting at Brighton gets under way today with a seven-race card. The feature race being the Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy (4.10).
There’s also flat action from Bath and Pontefract and evening racing at Kempton & Yarmouth. In Ireland Sligo hosts a seven race flat card.
I have a fancy in the Brighton feature race and a couple of interest at Pontefract where its Ladies Day.
Brighton
4:10 – De Vegas Kid won this last year off 2lb higher and he must have a chance of following up again this year. Four of the 7-year-old’s seven career wins on turf have come here and his record over C&D on good to firm ground is 3 wins from 3 runs.
He's up against several improving 3-year-old’s notably Kayfast Warrior from the very much inform Tom Dascombe yard and Mercurius Power who got the get better of Kayfast Warrior when the pair met at Chepstow 12-days ago.
Kayafast Warrior improved to again win at Sandown last week. However, I see no reason why Mercurius Power isn't capable of more progress and I think he can finish ahead of his old rival again.
Pontefract
I think trainer Tom Tate could have a good day at Pontefract. He sends three to the track for this afternoon’s meeting and they all have chances. The two I like are both previous C&D winners who are back down to winnable marks and will like the quick ground. Both can run well at decent prices.
4:20 – Destroyer a winner at Leicester last June from 1lb higher. He returned from a 9-month absence to finish 6th of 9 at Newmarket 11-days ago. The 8-year-old was likely in need of the run and did win second time up last season. A former C&D winner. Well suited to quick ground. He's got a decent chance if he can overcome his wide draw in stall 10.
4:55 – Young Tiger another Tate runner who won over C&D last July and was successful again at Doncaster in August. He can now race off 2lb below his last winning mark. Another 8-year-old he showed he retains plenty of ability when a 1 ¾ length 4th of 7 at Newmarket on his seasonal return. Not in great form on his last two starts but could easily bounce back here.
Wednesday Selections:
Pontefract
4:20 – Destroyer – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
4:55 – Young Tiger – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk