Good morning all,
It’s not quite “Super Saturday”, we have that to look forward to the following week. However, we do have Group 1 action with the Coral Eclipse at Sandown (3:35). We also have a potentially good card at Haydock with the Lancashire Oaks (2:40) and the Old Newton Cup Handicap (3:15) the highlights of a seven-race card. You can see the best of the action from both courses on ITV Racing.
Inside today’s main piece. I'm looking ahead to Saturday's action and a 12/1 shot in the mile handicap at Sandown. Plus, I have a few of interest running at Thirsk this afternoon.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
Sandown
2:25 – Coral Challenge (Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m
Looking at the five-day declarations, is shaping up into being a competitive race.
Montatham hasn’t been seen since finishing 1 ¼ length 3rd of 11 in a Listed race at Doncaster on the first day of the flat season. A touch of class and won this race 12 months ago but is 7lb higher this time around.
Acquitted finished last in this 12 months ago. He’s a very in and out performer but he was on a going day when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 11 at Chelmsford 17-days ago. He’s on a competitive mark if building on his Chelmsford performance.
Magical Morning was having his first start for 9 months and his first since a gelding operation when a promising 9 ½ length 8th of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup. Looks on a workable mark and although he did win up first time up last season. He might have needed the run at Ascot.
Ransom, twice a winner on the all-weather, and wasn’t disgraced when 3rd of 10 over C&D last time. That was his first run on turf and likely the ground was plenty soft enough for him. Could be capable of better given his lightly raced profile.
Ouzo was back to something like his best when 4th of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup last time. Only 5th at Salisbury 7-days later though so has something to prove. Ryan Moore is booked up for the ride and trainer Richard Hannon saddled the winner of this in 2018.
Trais Fluors Looks Value
Trais Fluors took advantage of lenient handicap mark when winning a C&D handicap two starts ago. The 7-year-old maintained his good form when a 9 ½ length 10th of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot last time. He wasn’t the best away at Ascot and didn’t get the best of runs 2 furlongs out. Not subjected to hard race after his jockey realised his chance had gone. As short as 8/1 with William Hill & Ladbrokes, he can still be backed at 12/1 at Bet365 & Sky Bet which looks good each way value and the latter firm are paying four places.
Wednesday Racing:
Thirsk
3:55 – Commanche Falls made it 2-3 this season when winning at Ripon (good to firm) 28-days ago. Take away his three poor runs on heavy ground and he’s got a likeable profile of 6 wins from 10 runs. He’s now 6lb higher than for his last win but could yet rate a bit higher. Stall 1 isn’t ideal and they may not go the strong pace he needs but he’s the one to beat.
Wentworth Falls returned to form when 2nd of 11 two starts back. The 9-year-old didn’t run to that form at Nottingham last time but wasn’t well placed racing towards the stand side. Goes well on quick ground and is below his last winning mark.
4:30 – Singe Anglais was back to something like his best when a ¾ length 3rd of 11 at Beverley 8-days ago. A three-time winner as a juvenile. He struggled last season but has dropped down to a handy mark and back to sprint trips looks interesting.
Kodikova wasn’t disgraced when a 2 ½ length 4th of 15 over C&D last month. That was the filly’s reappearance and first start since joining the Julie Camacho yard. Entitled to be sharper today and this is a slight ease in class for her.
Wednesday Selection:
Thirsk
3:55 – Wentworth Falls – 9/1- Gen
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John