The good news is that our ante-post bets for the weekend all still stand after the 48 hour declarations. That includes 20-1 about Mars in the Eclipse who will be partnered by Ryan Moore. I think I probably deserve a free bet for managing to correctly guess which race Aidan O’Brien would run him in!
The Ballydoyle maestro pulled another rabbit out of the that this week by announcing that Declaration of War would join Mars in the race. In his defence, the horse has winning form over a mile and a quarter so it is not like he is running a sprinter. Wouldn’t it be typical if he turns out to be the one to beat Mars!
Anyway, moving over to Haydock and the Old Newton Cup. I tried to fathom this one out earlier in the week but decided to put it in the “too difficult” tray until the running plans are known. The Highclere team has decided to let Opinion take his chance under top weight but I remain sceptical about the form of the Ascot race.
Ustura certainly did nothing for the form this week and it is going to take a mighty effort under 9st 10lb. I am convinced that Mark Johnston’s horses are coming into peak form ahead of the Newmarket July meeting and Glorious Goodwood. Nothing unusual about that of course but I was hoping he would help me out by reducing his entries for this race.
No such luck! He has left all five in the race. I thought Scatter Dice put in an eye-catching run in the Northumberland Plate last week and briefly looked to have gone ahead in the dash to the line. Fennell Bay is another tough nut to pass on his day but both horses seem to have been running every week. Star Lahib must also have a squeak after some consistent efforts but none of them scream out at you.
I fancied Quixote for last week’s Plate as a lively outsider but Clive Brittain decided to divert him here instead. Hayley Turner is an interesting booking having last ridden him at Southwell last year. His run against Montaser was sound enough and he could be worth each-way support.
I just cannot work up any enthusiasm for Luca Cumani’s Franciscan and Strictly Silver might have had a chance but for a lousy draw. I am going to have an each-way on Scatter Dice, a name that seems wholly appropriate for a mind-boggling race!
Quixote 16-1 Ladbrokes
Scatter Dice 20-1 Skybet
