Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you’ll find some future winners for the tracker.
Shergar Cup Crowd Slumps
August has started well. Four points profit on Saturday. Another four points profit on the Sky Bet Sunday Series card at Haydock. After a couple of poor months, that’s a welcome change. Most of my weekend selections also ran well, which is another positive sign.
The £100,000 Sky Bet Sunday Series bonus was won for a second year running. Last year it was Letsbefrank. This year the Paul Midgley-trained sprinter Spring Is Sprung landed the prize.
Last week I said I don’t expect the Racing League to return next year. Now I’m wondering whether Flutter will keep sponsoring the Sunday Series. Sure, they get publicity from the bonus, but giving away £200,000 in two years probably wasn’t in the plan. If they do continue, I suspect they’ll make the bonus harder to win.
I wrote yesterday about the Shergar Cup still attracting the crowds. Maybe I was too quick to say that. In Monday’s Racing Post, Lee Mottershead pointed out that “across the last three years, the crowd total has steadily dropped, from roughly 24,000 in 2023 to Saturday’s 18,000.” That’s still a solid turnout, but a 25% fall is hard to ignore—especially given the weather was good. Unless the quality of riders improves, next year’s event will only see those numbers drop again.
Future Winners
Even if the Shergar Cup isn’t your thing, it’s worth watching for horses to add to the tracker. Maureen Haggas questioned the standard of some riders this year. She had a point. Every year there are a few ropey rides, and they often lead us to future winners.
Manaccan, back in a handicap for the first time since winning the Shergar Cup Dash three years ago, was well backed at 5/1 for this year’s race. He shaped like plenty of ability remains when a 1 ¼-length 4th of 10 to Vintage Clarets. This was only his third run since placing in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in May 2023. He’s better with more ease in the ground. If he builds on this, an autumn win looks possible.
Dramatic Star (William Haggas)
Dramatic Star wasn’t well placed in a steadily run race when 6th of 10 to Night Breeze, beaten 2 ¼ lengths. That was his first start in 10 months so should strip fitter. He stays 1m4f well, worth another try over further, and is open to progress as a 4-year-old.
Prince Of India defied top weight and an 11lb rise to win the Shergar Cup Sprint. His form has improved on quick ground, and he still must prove himself on slower going. He hasn’t hit his ceiling yet though, and trainer Marco Botti agrees—he’s entered for the Group 1 Champion Sprint at Ascot.
Team Player (Gemma Tutty)
keeps improving for Gemma Tutty finishing a neck 2nd to Tenability in the Shergar Cup Classic. Admittedly he got a clearer run than the winner, but this was a stronger race than he needs to contest. A small rise in the weights is likely, but a mark in the mid-70s should be workable when dropped a notch in class.
One to note from the Curragh
Greek Flower, on a losing run of 11 but on a mark, she can win from when she gets softer ground. She was finishing her race off well, as usual, when 5th of 7 over 5f on Saturday. Needs a solid pace to chase and a bit of luck with the draw and she can return to the winner’s enclosure.
In Wednesday’s column I’ll be looking at Saturday’s Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John