Morning all,

I’m here again for the Monday column although I won’t be doing tomorrows. There were just two many good talking points from the weekends action not to do one. Two of them were equine the other one human.

You can read more inside today’s main piece. Plus, there’s a Monday selection from this evenings Windsor card.

Trueshan Triumph

It was a case of two Derby’s on Saturday one the Irish Derby at the Curragh the other the ‘Pitman’s Derby’ or the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. The performance of the weekend, the season and for a generation or more came not in Ireland but at Newcastle. As Trueshan put in one of the weight carrying performances in flat racing history to land the Plate under a welterweight of 10-8.  Although I hadn’t backed him, I was willing him to get up in the final half furlong which he did.

Given the amount of lead that Hollie Doyle has in the saddle, maybe 36lb, it was some achievement. If I had been training the horse, I would probably have gone for a top jump jockey to ride the horse to try to offset the dead weight. Not Alan King he went with Hollie Doyle who gets on so well with the 6-year-old. That’s’ why he’s a top trainer and I write the Monday column.

It’s performances like Trueshan’s that reignite my love for this fantastic sport.

Westover Waltzes to Irish Derby Success

Those who stuck with the Epsom Derby form over the Oaks came up trumps in the Irish Derby. As unlucky Derby third Westover pulverised his rivals to win the Irish version on Saturday. It was a no-nonsense ride from Colin Keane. He had the colt nicely positioned behind the front running French Claim. He could be called the winner 2f out and he was in total control from then onwards. Running out a seven-length winner at the line. He showed stamina was his game at Epsom and he confirmed it here. Giving the Epsom Derby form a nice little boost in the process.

He’s a big striding colt with a little knee action so the galloping Curragh track and the slightly easier ground really suited him. He should relish the extra distance of the St Leger. However, will that be his target after this authoritative success? Connections will surely be tempted to send him to Ascot for next month’s King George first and another exciting clash with Derby winner Desert Crown.  If he was to win, there the Arc would surely be on his agenda rather than the final English Classic.

Sadly, Tuesday didn’t run to her Oaks form. Ridden quietly at the back not the place to be in what was a reasonably rather than a strongly run race. She never got into the race from her position and could only finish fourth. I suspect that if Ryan Moore could ride the race again, he would have the filly closer to the Westover.  However, I don’t think she would have won even if he had. In truth it was a flat effort from the Oaks winner. Mind you it was her fifth race of the season so a few hard races may have caught up with her for now.

What Next?

Westover is a general 4/1 for the King George on the back of this win. Assuming he goes to Ascot I prefer him at the prices to Desert Crown.  

As for Tuesday. A nice little break and bring her back for something like the Yorkshire Oaks looks the way to go. She’s better than she was able to show on Saturday.

Lionel was one of the first of the bridle and eventually came home a well beaten last of the eight runners. He was weak in the pre-race betting, and he ran like something was amiss. He’s surely better than this laboured effort.

Frankie’s Back

I was thinking last week how long Frankie would continue to ride for the Gosden yard. We didn’t have too long to wait to find out. As it was announced late on Friday by John Gosden that Dettori would be taking a “sabbatical” from riding the yard’s horses. Ok, the door wasn’t fully closed on the pair combining again but I don’t see it myself.

It didn’t take Frankie long to get back into the winner’s circle. He had just the one ride at Newmarket on Saturday, and it was a winning one on Lezoo in the Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes. I had tipped up the horse for Consistent Profits subscribers, so I was very happy with the filly’s win. However, I was also delighted to see Frankie bouncing back with a winner. It looks like he will be spending the next couple of seasons going to ride around the world. His services will be in demand as they will be in big races here over the coming months.

Although Frankie grabbed the Newmarket headlines it would be remiss not to mention Lezoo's performance. A very useful juvenile filly and like on her racecourse debut she was strong at the finish on Saturday. She will be the one to beat in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes over C&D at next month’s July Festival.

Monday Selection:

I will be back in the hot seat on Wednesday. Until then here’s Monday’s selection which goes in the Windsor feature race the Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap (6:15).

Windsor

6:15 – Jockey of the moment Hollie Doyle stays in the saddle on Full Authority after the pair combined to finish short-head 2nd of 14 to Mr Wagyu at Epsom last time. Granted the selection is 4lb higher than last time and is on a losing run that goes back to October 2020. However, if he reproduces his last time effort, he can win this.

1pt win – Full Authority – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John