Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to the best of Thursday’s action.
It’s the third leg of the Racing League at Windsor this evening. However, the best of the serious racing takes place at Salisbury and Leopardstown. At Salisbury the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes (4.10) is the feature race of a six race card at the Wiltshire track. Meanwhile across the Irish Sea the Group 3 Desmond Stakes (6:05) is the highlight of an eight race card at Leopardstown.
Looking Ahead To The Weekend – Part 2
Once again there's uncertainty on the weather front this weekend and into next week. Since the end of June we have two months of this and it's driving me mad.
Newbury
The most valuable race on Saturday is Newbury’s Group 2 Hungerford Stakes (3:35). The last two winners of the race Jumby (2022) and Sacred (2021) could line-up for this year’s renewal. Indeed, Sacred has been installed the ante post favourite (7/4). Runner-up in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot last time. The mare’s optimum trip is 7f and she’s 2-2 over C&D. You can see why she’s favourite and only softish ground seems likely to stop her from winning the Newbury feature.
The first of four races from Newbury live on ITV4 is the Group 3 BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (1:50). Kemari is the 9/4 favourite with William Hill. The 5-year-old was back to his best when winning a Listed race at Newmarket 49 days ago.
Jack Darcy was back to his least time when a 4 length 2nd of 7 to Hamish in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood 15 days ago. He got a good front running ride that day, but it was a clear personal best by the 4-year-old and could represent better value than the likely favourite.
Thursday Preview
Salisbury
4:10 – Mighty Ulysses developed into a useful 3-year-old last season, winning a Listed race at Newmarket last July, and looked to have the physical scope to do better as 4-year-old. He made a respectable return to action from an 11 month layoff when 5th of 9 at Ascot last month. A return to quicker ground and with that run under his belt he should be capable of landing what doesn’t look the strongest of Group 3’s.
Leopardstown
6:05 – Thornbrook was back to her juvenile best when winning a Listed race at Chantilly two starts back. And the filly bettered that performance when a length 3rd of 9 to Random Harvest at Ascot 19 days ago. A reproduction of her Ascot run here would see her go very close.
Previous C&D winner Villanova Queen was back to winning ways in the Kensington Palace Fillies' Handicap at Royal Ascot. A strongly run race and quick ground suited the filly last time and she another big run is expected here.
Alfred Munnings didn’t look he was crying out for a drop back to mile when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 4 in a Group 3 (1m 1f) here 28 days ago. Still, it was a good effort by the 3-year-old. However. hopes are pinned on the first time cheekpieces and return to a sound surface seeing the colt in better light back in trip.
Shayzann built on the promise of racecourse Gowran Park debut fourth when winning a Naas maiden 50 days ago. Needs to find plenty of improvement on what he’s shown so far to beat the principals. However, the colt has plenty of potential to do better and has each way claims.
Thursday Selection:
On good or quicker ground I'm hoping that Mighty Ulysses can return to winning ways in the Salisbury feature.
Salisbury
4:10 – Mighty Ulysses – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John