Tag: Olivier Peslier

French 2000 Guineas Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Aidan O’Brien saddled Gleneagles to win the English 2000 Guineas and attempts to add the French equivalent on Sunday at Longchamp with Highland Reel.

Highland Reel was a late switch to Paris having been as short as 8-1 in the ante-post betting at Newmarket. He won his maiden by 12 lengths at Gowran Park to earn a tilt at the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Joseph O’Brien was in the saddle that day and he beat Tupi convincingly despite pulling hard in the early stages of the race. Ryan Moore takes over on Sunday and looks sure to play a leading role from stall 7.

Stable companion War Envoy would not be out of it if he can reproduce his fine run in the Grand Criterium in October. He was only a length behind Gleneagles that day in fifth place and the race also included Guineas runner-up Territories. However, he has not shown that level of form since and was soundly beaten behind Kool Kompany in a modest looking renewal of the Craven Stakes.

Charles Hills will have been left frustrated after Greenham Stakes winner Muhaarar was drawn in stall 18. He beat subsequent Guineas flop Estidhkaar at Newbury, although third home Ivawood ran creditably to sneak into the frame in the colts’ classic.

Frankie Dettori partners Karar in the colours of Al Shaqab racing, a six lengths maiden winner before finishing second to Territories here last month. That form has been boosted by the winner’s subsequent run at Newmarket and Karar has plenty of scope for improvement.

Andre Fabre is responsible for Territories and he saddles Make Believe and New Bay here. The latter is lightly raced but looks to have been given a tough task from stall 16.  Make Believe is by 2000 Guineas winner Mafki out of a mare by Suave Dancer and ran a sound race on his reappearance in the Prix Djebel.

He travelled comfortably just behind the lead for most of the race and was just beaten on the nod by Ride Like The Wind. That horse disappointed at Newmarket but Make Believe left the clear impression that he would come on a lot for the race. Olivier Peslier is ideally situated in stall four and should be able to get a nice lead before going for home at the furlong pole.

Make Believe @9-2 Betfair

Shergar Cup 2014 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Shergar Cup has survived a surprisingly long time. It was first contested in 1999 at Goodwood and move to Ascot the following year where it has remained. Whilst the idea of attracting jockeys from around the world may have had a novelty appeal back then, it is hardly a factor these days. That being said, it does fill a bit of a void in the racing calendar between Goodwood and York.

I’ve studied the form of the six races and come up with some selections that will hopefully bring us a return. On first glance, Olivier Peslier and Frankie Dettori seem to have benefitted most from the draw and should be among the winners. That should mean back-to-back victories for Europe if you’re contemplating betting on that particular market.

The opening “Dash” looks particularly tricky with Goldream the logical form choice. If the weather is the same down south as it is up here in Scotland, there should be some ease by tomorrow and that could change the complexion of the race. Peslier’s mount, Move In Time, handles softer ground and is my tentative selection.

The Frenchman is aboard Hassle in the Stayers race at 1.30 and this one ran well, although no match for Maid In Rio last time. He doesn’t find a lot off the bridle so could still be handicapped to go well and any overnight rain won’t bother him.

Dettori can claim the next aboard Grandorio who ran well at York, just going down in a three-way photo. He raced wide of his rivals and can be considered a little unlucky. Communicator should also run well for Europe but may find this trip on the sharp side.

Magic City ran a stormer in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood and would have won in another few strides. He is something of a Goodwood specialist but there seems no reason why he cannot perform well here and he is just preferred to Dark Emerald.

Dettori will fancy his chances on top weight Wrangler in the next. He was not quite as impressive as I’d expected at Haydock last time and he needs the rain to arrive. Trip To Paris won well here last time and I shall take a chance on his South African pilot doing the steering. The last race is Europe’s weakest link and I think this could go to the ROTW skipper Craig Williams aboard Remember. It’s a close call between that one and Golden Steps on Newmarket form.

Tips

Move In Time 12.55 at 11-2 Bet365

Hassle 1.30 at 5-1 Bet365

Grandorio 2.05 at 6-1 Coral

Magic City 2.40 at 4-1 Coral

Trip To Paris 3.15 at 6-1 Stan James

Remember 3.50 at 7-1 Ladbrokes

Specials

Europe to win @2-1 Betfair

Top jockey Olivier Peslier @6-1 BetVictor