Good morning all,
Sadly the internet at the digs isn’t playing ball, as I was going to do a video but uploading it would take about four days. It’s a short and sweet Saturday Punt today then, concentrating on the big handicaps at York and Newmarket (having covered off Chepstow yesterday).
3.35 Newmarket – Cesarewitch Handicap
Most will look at this race and simply start with the Willie Mullins runners, which isn’t a bad way to start, and of his battalion I do find Whiskey Sour quite interesting. Another long absence isn't really of any concern when you’re talking about one of Willie’s, and Whiskey Sour himself came back off a near two-year absence to go close in a valuable handicap at Punchestown in April. He was well beaten in this back in 2018, but as one of the unfancied Mullins horses he’s going to keep drifting, and at 40s and bigger he’d be on my list.
I’m a big fan of Buzz over hurdles, and Nicky Herderson has won this twice in the past, but I worry whether Buzz will truly see this trip out. There were similar doubts over Caracciola when he won it back in 2008 as to whether he’d stay or not, so he can defy the stats, but I do feel this strong-traveller will move into contention before finding one or two others too strong.
Both Live The Dream and Platform Nineteen figured highly in my list in the week, but some shocking draws for both mean they don’t make the cut. So, in the hope of finding something at a big price to hit the frame, both Land Of Winter and Cayrili are worth a second look.
The former has ground to make up on Platform Nineteen on Beverley form, but a pair of cheekpieces transformed him on his next start, and then he found the ground too quick at Haydock. 100-1 looks a bit of an insult to his basic ability.
Cayrili seems to thrive off a long break, and goodness knows how he got beat at Goodwood when last seen, as he cruised through the race only to find little off the bridle when asked for his effort 110yds out. It isn’t hard to see a similar scenario here, but even if that’s the case, it ought to see him nail a place, and he too looks a big price.
York 3.15 – 6f Coral Golden Sprint
The one I want to be with here has sadly been smashed up somewhat in the market, and that’s Laugh A Minute.
He’s a very strong traveller in his races, and looked very much like he was on the way back to some of his best form when fourth at The Curragh last time. The harder they go up front the better his chance late, and having watched Illusionist come with a strong run up the far rail to win the sprint today, it’s clear you can win held up off the pace, and the far side is no disadvantage. Hard to see how he’s not in the four with a clear run, and he simply must go close.
You’re all sick of hearing about Snazzy Jazzy week in week out from me, but this strong-run 6f should suit and from stall 4, wherever Laugh A Minute goes he ought to be following him through. It surely isn’t an unimaginable scenario they finish 1-2. Or am I just dreaming…?
4.25 York – 2m Handicap
There’s a few of these that have question marks against them regarding the trip, and it’s not hard to shave this down to a handful pretty quickly.
Gumball is a really interesting one on first start for Fergal O’Brien, as he wouldn’t have looked out of place at Chepstow this weekend yet they come here to try and take advantage of what looks a very fair Flat mark. But will he stay this 2m? He does over hurdles, but that doesn’t mean he’s a given to do so on the Flat.
The jury is out on the likes of Buriram at the trip too, and Midraar now needs to bounce back after a shocker at Wolverhampton. I’m looking at an each-way bet on Solo Saxophone, who would have needed his two outings this autumn after a break, and there was just enough in his latest outing to suggest he still has something to offer. He’s starting to fall back to a workable mark now, and with the visor back on, is worth a small each-way investment.
Today's selection – Laugh A Minute (e/w) 3.15 York
Good luck with all your bets today,
David.