Good morning all,
A shorter column than I had expected due to Wifi problems where I am at the moment.
As I mentioned yesterday, Wednesday’s for the foreseeable future will be when I look at the weekend’s big races to try to identify some ante post value. Plus I have an each way selection from Kempton for you.
Weekend ante post angle
There’s plenty of top-class racing this weekend both sides of the Irish Sea. At the Curragh it’s the Irish Oaks. There’s also good racing at both York and Newbury.
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At York we have one of my favourite handicaps of the season the John Smiths Cup. I have three or four on the shortlist for the race but I’m keeping my powder dry for now. If you want them and also my other weekend selections you can get them here.
I have a couple that I fancy at York and the Curragh on Saturday. The first comes in the Group 3 John Smiths Silver Cup (1:55).
York
1:55 – John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 6f
Moonlight Spirit improved for the step up to 1m 6f + last year and ended his 3-year-old season with an excellent second in a Group 2 at Longchamp. Highly tried on his seasonal reappearance in the Ascot Gold Cup.
The son of Dubawi has only had the eight career starts so he remains open to more improvement. He should be all the better for his seasonal return and the drop back in trip and a likely sound surface should suit.
The field could cut up at the final decs, so the 6/1 available about the gelding’s chance look good to this particular pundit.
Moonlight Spirit – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
The second runner to interest me at this stage comes in the Scurry Handicap at the Curragh.
Curragh
5:45 – Paddy Power Scurry Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 6f
Recent Limerick winner Laugh A Minute has been backed into favouritism for the Scurry in the last couple of days. The 5-year-old cost connections 100,000 when bought out of the Roger Varian yard. He's nicely handicapped on the pick of his form when trained in Britain and his claims are clear.
The one I fancy though is Tommy Taylor. The 6-year-old is on a very long losing run which goes back nearly three years. However, he’s shaped well on both starts since racing resumed in Ireland both over 7f. Drop back to 6f shouldn’t be an inconvenience.
On a winnable mark and looks capable of getting into the places in this valuable handicap. Only two bookies have so far priced up the race. The 14/1 available with Paddy Power looks fair value to me but there could be a little bit bigger available with other bookies when they release their prices.
Tommy Taylor – each way
Wednesday racing:
I have to say I couldn’t find many solid betting opportunities, but I do have one that looks a shade overpriced running at Kempton this evening.
Kempton
6:45 – Oh It’s Saucepot has won her share of races on turf – 5 wins from 16 runs, including two last year at Yarmouth and Newmarket. Yet to win on the all-weather on her six starts but she put in a career best on RPR’s when 5th of 12 over C&D 14-days ago. Can race off 1lb lower today and looks to have solid each way claims.
Oh It’s Saucepot – 12/1 – each way
Until tomorrow.