Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I have had a look at some good Sunday racing.
Flat racecourses are having their final fixtures of the 2023 season. Yesterday it was York and today it’s Goodwood. The best of today’s sport this side of the Irish Sea is at Ffos Las where the the highlight is DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle (3:20).
Across the Irish Sea at Naas there are two competitive big field Listed races Garnet Stakes (2:50) and the Bluebell Stakes (3:25).
The most valuable race on the Naas card isn’t either of the Listed contests it’s the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final (2:15) which has €70,800 on offer to the winner of this juvenile contest. The eight race card concludes with the Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap (5:10) which has €90,000 in guaranteed prize money.
Even Cork gets in on the action with the Listed Co-Op Superstores Handicap Chase (4:55). The feature race of an eight race card. I have a few selections at Naas & Cork which I have put up for Victor Value subscribers.
Goodwood
3:00 – William Hill Epic Boost Handicap (Class 3) – 6f
Probe won twice in the spring including a valuable 6f handicap at Newmarket in May. He’s struggled since and you would liked to have seen more from the 5-year-old when a 4 length 17th of 24 in the Ayr Gold Cup last time. Fine with ease in the ground, this does represent a drop in class from the races he has been contesting.
Spanish Star is 4-9 over C&D. Two of those successes having come in this race, and goes well on soft ground. The 8-year-old is 6lb higher than when winning 12 months ago but has won twice this season and is just 1lb above his last winning mark. Should be there or thereabouts.
Gisburn shaped with plenty of encouragement when 4th of 19 on seasonal return at Doncaster in April. However, he was well beaten on his next two starts. First run since finishing down the field at York in May. However. hes been gelded since and although the 4-year-old hasn’t won for two years he’s now down to a very good mark.
Monsieur Kodi won the Stewards Cup consolation race over C&D, from 2lb lower. Hasn’t been at the level of form on three starts sinc. However, he’s back on soft ground for the first time since winning here and must have a good chance.
Hierarchy overcame a slow start to win a C&D handicap 18 days ago. The leaders set a strong pace that day which helped, but he can’t afford a slow start today in this company. Only 4lb higher than last time and remains on a competitive mark.
Of those at the bottom of the weights Punchbowl Flyer is of interest.
The 8-year-old helped set the strong pace in the race won by Hierarchy and eventually finished 4th of 10. That was his best effort for some time and he’s more likely to get the race run to suit here. Has become well handicapped and is at his best on testing ground.
4:45 – This Class 2 handicap (1m) looks between Kathab and Grey’s Monument. The first named has been steadily progressive on his last four starts since going handicapping. And he posted a career best effort when a length 2nd of 14 at Kempton last time. Yet to race on ground worse than good and a flatter track may suit him better but he's the one to beat.
Grey’s Monument improved for the fitting of the blinkers when winning nurseries at Haydock & York last Autumn. He struggled in Group & Listed company on two starts in the spring. No easy task under top weight back in a handicap. However, he goes well on rain softened ground and rates the biggest danger to Kathab.
Ffos Las
3:20 – DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) – 2m
Nemean Lion did well novice hurdling last season and made it 2-4 over hurdkes when winning a Grade 2 at Kelso in March. Needs softish ground so the ground should be fine and he’s capable of more improvement on his second season hurdling. I think he win if he’s ready to roll afer a 225 day absence.
Top-weight Strong Leader won his first three starts over hurdles last season before being outclassed in the Supreme Hurdle at the Cheltenham. Ended last season with a 2nd of 12 in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April. Should be fit enough on his return to action and is respected but long term is future looks over fences.
Gin Coco won first time up last season and stamped himself a useful handicap hurdler when finishing runner-up in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last November. Might prefer slightly better ground but his record off a layoff means he’s got to be seriously considered.
Irish challenger Fiveonefive has improved since going handicap hurdling and can’t be discounted albeit soft ground might be not what he wants. Yard won last year’s race with Effernock Fizz who’s in the line-up once more and the mare should ensure a good pace which will at least suit her stablemate.
Sunday Selection:
Nemean Lion is capable of better over hurdles this season and I’m happy to go with him in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. I was expecting him to go off favourite. However, the early money has come in for Strong Leader which means we might even get 4/1 about him which would make him a solid bet.
Ffos Las
3:20 – Nemean Lion.
I will be back tomorrow with a look back at Newmarket’s Future Champions Festival.
Good luck with your Sunday bets.
John