It’s another super Saturday of Channel 4 racing and with decent conditions under foot we are hopeful of some big results before the Arc meeting. So let’s make a few bob and invest heavily in Europe’s best middle distance race.
2:15 Newmarket British EBF Fillies´ Series Sprint Handicap Cl2 6f
This is a new race in the calendar so trends are no help here at all. Traditionally you would say sprinter don’t reach their prime until 4 but in this race which has a welter of 3yo’s, suggests one or two are lot better than their current mark already. Stellarta has run well this year and surely is at the top of her game. The problem is we don’t think there is much more to come. Sweet Dragon Fly is definitely of interest after her Lingfield success and her mark still seems workable. Owaseyf for Roger Varian drops back to sprinting and this could unlock her ability. Sixties Sue’s stable is firing now and we are reluctant to ignore her given that she ran well in this class of race before, when the stable weren’t banging in the winners and she is one of our two selections.
1 unit e/w Sixties Sue | 1 unit e/w Sweet Dragon Fly
2:30 Ascot – Gigaset Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 1m4f
David Simcock’s new recruit, Sumbal is of interest. At his best he could give them something to think about but he has been off for 118 days and might just need this run although interestingly his best run was after a lay off but that was over 10f no this 12f trip. Western Hymn could have a say but again we are not as impressed over 12f with this “nearly” horse. The race is probably between Kings Fete and Arab Spring but in reality if you saw Arab Spring stroll home last time out at Kempton then you, like us, will be all over Sir Michaels more favoured runner.
4 units win Arab Spring
2:50 Newmarket – British EBF Promoting Fillies´ Series Handicap Cl2 1m
Muffri-Ha may be on the road to recovery after a decent third last time out but the carrying of top weight dulls our enthusiasm, not so with Haley Bop who seems to be sparkling for Mark Johnston and must have a chance after a win and good second at Ayr. However, the handicapper seems to have underestimated the efforts of Lincoln Rocks when winning at Musselburgh and its possible she has a few pounds in hand off her revised mark. Farandine for Luca Cumani is of interest as she is the least raced and seems capable of stepping up in this grade. We think she will.
1 unit e/w Lincoln Rocks | 1 unit e/w Farandine
3:05 Ascot – John Guest Bengough Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 6f
This race revolves around one horse – John Gosdens, Shalaa. The unbeaten 2yo was off with a Pelvic fracture and makes his long awaited re-appearance. Stable reports are positive but it’s doubtful the
horse would be wound up first time back. Perhaps class might carry him through. Ridge Ranger was undone by the combination of 5f and soft ground and he will be a different prospect at Ascot under these conditions. His front running style will test the youngester. He and Mobsta represent the biggest danger to a successful return and if Shalaa is 90% he will win. The safe bet is Ridge Ranger.
1 unit e/w Ridge Ranger
3:15 Redcar – Two-Year-Old Trophy Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 6f
This two year old trophy is worth over £100,000 to the winner and the weight distribution makes it a real conundrum. Let’s start with those capable of winning a decent race and then look at the weight they carry later. We think there are 5 horses who have the profile. Medici Banchiere has mixed it with the big boys and this will be easier for Karl Burke’s runner, Orewa won a similar big pot in Ireland so definitely has the class, Mazyoun is the least exposed and looks to have a touch of class about him and Repton has run a big figure on the likely quick ground over a furlong further so this style of race might really suit. The one we are most interested in is Wick Powell who was just beaten in Ireland by Orewa giving him 2 lbs. Today they meet under very different circumstances as the David Barron runner is just one from bottom weight and look to be primed for this race.
1 unit e/w Wick Powell | 1 unit e/w Medic Banchiere
3:25 Newmarket – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies´ Series Middle Distance Handicap Cl2 1m2f
Sagaciously has run some big figures in her short career and for that reason she carries top weight. She will have to improve again to win this on the best of her form. Sharja Queen was very disappointing last time out at Salisbury and without explanation from trainer Roger Varian would be hard to back but if back to form is capable of winning. The most exciting horse over this trip is Haggle for Luca Cumani, who has only been tried over a mile so far and steps up to 10f with breeding suggesting she is crying out for this trip. She hasn’t been far away on any of her runs and her last 6th was arguably amongst her best. It’s likely this race was the first proper target some time ago and we expect her price to shorten all day. Get on
2 units e/w Haggle
3:40 Ascot – Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap) Cl2 7f
This is a quality and compressed 7f handicap with only about a stone between top and bottom and a lot of proven 7f, big field horses. The Swedish runner, Coprah deserves a second look as he has contested some decent races back home. Donncha loves these type of races and deserves a win for Robert Eddery but his problem is he is just too consistent. Right Touch may be just that. He handles Chester well and has delivered two top quality runs back to back. He won’t mind the close quarter racing and fast pace. Librisa Breeze rewarded supporters two runs back over this trip and recorded a career best in doing so and might still have more to offer back in a handicap after a good showing in a Group 3 at York. Which brings us finally to the most improved horse in racing this year – Growl. It’s probable that he improved to finish second in the Ayr Gold Cup because that is not his ground. He runs equally as well over 7f, as was seen at Newmarket so he has to be in our reckoning.
1 unit e/w Librisa Breeze | 1 unit e/w Growl
4:00 Newmarket – Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 1m
This is a really interesting renewal. Arabian Queen hasn’t been able to reproduce that shock form that saw her turn over Golden Horn on softer ground at York last year and it’s doubtful a mile is right for her. Ervedya was just behind Ribchester last time out and that is rock solid form. She is a good horse for Jean Claude Rouget and will run a big race. The South African Superstar Smart Call tries her hand before going to the Breeders Cup but she will have to improve again to win this race, as good as she is on home soil. Alice Springs surprised everyone when winning well at Leopardstown over this trip after a lack lustre run in Deauville. Did that come too soon after the Guineas and if so might the same happen again today? She will be a short price to win on a track on which she has already triumphed. It seems the value lurks at the bottom of the card with Volta. She has got closer than most to Europe’s best 1 mile filly, Qemah and she is lightly raced this year. She would have to improve about half a stone to win but we think that might be within her grasp and her stable are relishing the challenge.
1 unit e/w Volta
4:15 Ascot – Ascot And Camra 10th Anniversary Rous Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 5f
A good sprint to round of a belting day. Double Up, Kimberella, Willytheconqueror, Priceless and Iffranesia will all have their supporters but in what may prove to be his last race the old boy Sole Power is fancied to come out on top. This is his easiest assignment this year and the first time that he hasn’t run on rain affected ground in 2016 in the UK. Even at 9 if he gets quick ground he can find his way through this lot up the Ascot hill. So let’s cheer him on and celebrate in style.
2 units e/w Sole Power
