We had some success on a busy Saturday with a couple of nice winners at Newbury and Dandino‘s victory in the American St Leger. I could not believe the price of Glen Moss (5-2) so I hope that you managed to get some of the early 11-2. Our ambitious 33-1 Dandino for the Melbourne Cup gives us something to dream about through the Autumn!
York’s Ebor meeting is always a mixture of top quality Group races and impossible handicaps and Wednesday’s opening day card illustrates the point perfectly. What better way to kick off the meeting than with a 20-runner five-furlong handicap? I’m going to take a stab at this one with Alan Jarvis’s Lady Gibraltar who was just touched off here by Secret Asset. Two runs previously she ran another blinder on this course when beaten only 3/4 of a length by Kingsgate Choice with subsequent Royal Ascot winner York Glory just behind. She clearly runs well here and sneaks in at the foot of the handicap. She is in the middle of the pack so the draw shouldn’t be her downfall and she’s worth an each-way punt at 14-1.
The Acomb Stakes should be interesting with the unbeaten First Flight and The Great Gatsby taken on by Clive Brittain’s Brazos. First Flight lost eight lengths at the start first time out but still won by three! If he starts off on level terms here he must have an outstanding chance whilst The Great Gatsby is an imposing grey who overcame greenness to deny Brazos here last time. I think 2-1 might be a shade generous for the Godolphin colt.
Some of the criticism of one-time Derby hope Telescope appears to have rattled the cage of Sir Michael Stoute judging by his comments earlier this week. In fairness, the colt only won an egg and spoon race by 24 lengths previously so it was no mean effort to finish second at Haydock. He was staying on well at the end and gets an extra two furlongs here. As I’ve backed Excess Knowledge for the Leger, I’m hoping that the form gets a boost from the Gordon Stakes. If Excess Knowledge was unlucky, then so too was Secret Number and it is not impossible that he can turn the form around with his stable companion.
The Juddmonte International looks more of a race to watch that get heavily involved in. Al Kazeem should win because it is his distance but the pace may be false unless Trading Leather is given a positive ride. I am surprised that Toronado is being turned out again so quickly after his epic victory at Goodwood.
I’m not quite sure what Lisa Allpress was trying to do on Broxbourne at Ascot last time but she stayed on all too late behind Homeric. With Fanning back in the plate I would expect to see the form reversed tomorrow and she could be a decent bet at 6-1 or so.
Lady Gibraltar 14-1 Boylesports
First Flight 2-1 Coral
Secret Number 5-1 Ladbrokes
Broxbourne 6-1 Ladbrokes
