Having previewed the Irish Derby earlier in the week I am happy to stick with my opinion that Ruler Of The World should follow up his Epsom Derby victory. I would expect Libertarian and Galileo Rock to follow him home and we should at least have a clearer indication of the likely St Leger winner by tomorrow evening.
The Northumberland Plate has turned into the ante-post punters nightmare. Several key non-runners including Tiger Claw because of the likelihood of fast ground (now good to soft). I suppose there was an element of poetic justice in the fact that the connections “stand-in” Lieutenant Miller failed to make the cut by one. The leading fancies have been drawn in the car park so most punters have switched their allegiance to some well-drawn hurdling types instead.
Whatever the fate of my Pitmen’s Derby selections, there are plenty of other good races to look at on Saturday. My first selection is for Godolphin’s Lost In The Moment in the Fred Archer Stakes. I’ve followed this nag from his handicapping days and even put some hard earned cash on him at huge odds for the Melbourne Cup in 2011. Rather like Godolphin, I am yet to enjoy success in that particular race but he did his best in finishing sixth.
I could probably write a small book about the fun I’ve had following Lost In The Moment. I tipped him strongly for the Goodwood Cup when he flew home and just failed to catch Opinion Poll. I fancied him for the Ebor but he suffered a lousy draw and could only stay on through beaten horses. All water under the bridge! Tomorrow he’s back in a five-runner listed race over a mile and a half and if he’s fit enough he can gain his first victory since 2011.
Another old friend is my selection in the Criterion Stakes, Jim Goldie’s Hawkeyethenoo. He has done nothing wrong this season in top quality sprint races. Either Graham Lee has been giving him too much to do or (giving Lee the benefit of the doubt) he needs to step up to seven furlongs. I can’t remember the last time I backed a winner ridden by Jamie Spencer but he has a chance to make amends tomorrow.
My third tip for the meeting is Nabucco in the 4.05. I followed several of Gosden’s horses at Royal Ascot and they all ran well. This fellow came up against a good sort in Niceofyoutotellme last time and Ryan Moore has been booked tomorrow. He holds a Magnet Cup entry so JG clearly thinks he has a big handicap in him this season.
Lost In The Moment 11-2 Totesport
Hawkeyethenoo 4-1 Paddy Power
Nabucco 4-1 Paddy Power
