Claudio Monteverdi To Bash Beak?
UK racing fans are getting spoiled a little, this week. There is just so much action and there are another 5 meetings to look forward to, on Wednesday!
The big purses will be fought over at Epsom, where the Derby Trial takes place at 2.30. You have to go back a long way, to find any winner of this race that has gone on to win the Classic, but there are still plenty of useful prospects to look at here.
Hughie Morrison doesn’t get many winners on debut, so it was something of a surprise when Top Beak was first past the post at Windsor in October. That form has been franked, with Mountain Bell, G K Chesterton, Ennaadd and Loading all going on to win races.
However, Claudio Monteverdi look the one to beat here. Aidan O’Brien’s inmate was mightily impressive, when making all to win by almost 5 lengths at Leopardstown earlier this month.
John Gosden’s So Mi Dar looks a major player, as well. The Dubawi-sired filly also won at Windsor, first time out in October. She beat Ralph Beckett’s Golden Stunner by a neck, although the positions may well have been reversed if Golden Stunner had not hung left approaching the final furlong. Either way, she ran an excellent race and should be a force.
Slowfoot Quick Enough To At Least Place?
The City and Suburban Handicap is at 3.40, a 1m 2f encounter for 4-year-olds and over. Sennockian Star was the winner in 2014, but disappointed in last season’s renewal. Interconnection has yet to win a race at anything like this level, while Pacify’s only 2015 win came in a 2-runner race.
Dark Red looks to have a better chance, following a good win on the polytrack at Chelmsford City at the end of March. Clayton has won races over hurdles, while What About Carlo took the spoils at both Newbury and Salisbury last September.
German runner Slowfoot is likely to appeal to each-way backers. He’s a regular winner on home soil and cannot be ruled out. The handicapper has not been kind to Elbereth, but the course and distance winner has beaten the likes of Fire Fighting and Master Of Finance here and commands respect.
Mullins Eyes Novices’ Hurdle Cash
Only 4-runners will go to post for the Future Champions EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Perth, 3.15), but this should be a competitive affair none the less. There’s £11,261 on offer for first place and Willie Mullins has a couple of runners going after it, as he continues his battle with Paul Nicholls to finish as leading trainer.
Nambour and Up For Review are up against Gordon Elliott’s Fagan and Group 3 winner Barney Dwan. He beat the likes of Two Taffs, Alcala and Divine Spear to land the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown but may well start this race as the outsider.
Lavetta Must Do Better
The 4.35 at Catterick is a 7f Class 3 handicap so Lavetta will need to show more than he did at Redcar, when finishing as runner-up to Sugar Lump. Course and distance winner Comino and Brian Ellison’s Gerry The Glover look the more likely winners.
Evening Racing At Lingfield And Taunton
The evening racing is at Lingfield and Taunton. Bint Dandy and Early Morning take on Lovely Memory (Lingfield, 6.45), while Discay, Space Oddity and Justatenner will figure prominently in the betting for the 7.05 at Taunton. There’s also evening action at Fairyhouse, where the feature race is the Jumps Finale At Fairyhouse Rated Novice Chase (6.55).
Who’ll Scoop Group Honours, In France?
It’s another big day in France, with 5 black-type races scheduled. At Enghien, Shelford takes on Ozama and Polygona in the Listed Prix du Cher. The classy Orvaux looks to have a great chance, in the G3 Prix Hopper, although Prince De Bellouet also arrives with impressive form.
There’s an even better card at Chantilly, where Taareef will hope to land the G3 Prix du Fontainebleau. Trixia is a filly that has already triumphed in Group company and she’ll take on the impressive Antonoe this afternoon, in the G3 Prix de la Grotte. Meanwhile, the somewhat unkindly-named Burger And Fries will be amongst the favourites in the G3 Prix Noailles.
Thoroughbreds In Turkey Shoot For Glory
You’ve probably never had a punt on a Turkish horse race, but the more-adventurous bettors will be taking a look at today’s Istanbul card. The main encounter will be the G3 Istanbul Stakes. Turkish horse racing is growing in popularity, with big crowds and great action. At RaceBets, we offer betting on fixtures in over 40 countries. If you’ve only ever bet on UK races, it’s time to broaden your horizons!
