The racing is a bit quiet this week with some tail-end flat meetings but it hots up again this weekend with the Breeders’ Cup. Europe has sent over a team of 20 horses in total and has a good record at Santa Anita so there should be a couple of big prizes coming our way. The following week is the eagerly-awaited Melbourne Cup and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Dandino and Simenon give me a run for my money at big ante-post odds.
In the meantime there are still a few tempting wagers as the flat turf season enters its closing stages. The old saying about following a filly in form could be the way to go at Nottingham on Wednesday with Eve Johnson-Houghton’s Amulet bidding for a quick hat-trick.
The grey has won three of her five starts and likes to bowl along in front but her most recent demolition of a good field at Newbury makes her nap material tomorrow. She bounded from the gates and was always going nicely for Shane Kelly, never having to be shown the whip as she strode further and further clear in the closing stages.
Not surprisingly, connections have opted to turn her out again quickly under a 6lbs penalty before she is reassessed. The main danger could be Topamichi with Kieren Fallon booked to ride for Mark Tompkins. This one was beaten over a mile and a quarter at Sandown last time when sent off favourite and drops back to a mile here. I would expect Fallon to try to keep close tabs on Amulet but that may be easier said than done.
First Post won narrowly at Goodwood last time and has more to do here whilst Invincible Hero has bits and pieces of form but generally looks in the grip of the handicapper. With the soft ground in her favour, I’m confident that Amulet can complete her hat-trick.
Over at Kempton, I like the look of Never To Be in the Nursery at 6.40. The son of Thewayyouare had proved disappointing previous to his latest win over course and distance but he won with plenty in hand and can repeat the performance. He had previously floundered in the mud at Goodwood but is clearly a different colt on this surface.
Amulet 2.00 Nottingham 7-4 Coral, Bet365
Never To Be 7.30 Kempton 85-40 BetVictor
