Author: Best Of Bets

13:50 – Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Handicap – 1m4f

This race has gone to the Johnston yard four times in the past decade and they look to have lined up another one here in LUMINOUS LIGHT.

The son of Iffraaj won here on debut 11-months ago and comes into this after a good effort when third at Ripon last time (1m2f). It’s probably no coincidence that the Johnstons have waited until this meeting to step him up to 1m4f and there should be more to come from him.

In my humble opinion there’s no one better at placing their horses than the brilliant William Haggas and he has a very interesting entry in Soulcombe. He didn’t show much in his first three starts but a gelding operation and the fitting of blinkers helped him to leave all that behind, when a soft ground winner at Haydock (11.5f) last month.

He then added an Ascot handicap win (1m4f, good to firm), albeit it without much of a step up on that previous effort. Unexposed, he looks to have solid claims now up another 7lb.

King George V Handicap winner Secret State (1m4f, good to firm) has now won three of his last four starts. A 7lb rise for that Royal Ascot success looks fair and the form is working out well. He is feared.

Others who can’t be ruled out include recent Newmarket scorer Adjuvant (who won for followers of this column) and Zain Nights, who is still improving and landed the odds in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury last time.

 

14:25 – Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3) – 7f

Things didn’t work out ideally at Sandown Park in Listed company for HEREDIA (nap) but this is not the time to down tools on the Sandringham Handicap winner.

That Royal Ascot success gave her a record of 4-4 and, at that stage, she had looked highly progressive. A smaller field induced a steadier pace at Sandown and that clearly did not suit her as well as at the Berkshire track.

With 17 declared for this race, she’ll very likely get the tow into the race that she prefers and I’m taking her to get back on track in this Group 3 contest.

The Ed Walker-trained Primo Bacio was third in last month’s Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot and her 6l fourth in the Group 1 Falmouth at Newmarket last time suggests that she has serious claims now back at this level.

Soft Whisper returned from a stint in Dubai with a career-best effort when scoring at Ascot (1m, good) in May, in a valuable fillies’ handicap. She didn’t need to be as good when claiming a Listed contest at Chelmsford (7f, AW) last time, when she won with more in hand than the official margin suggested.

With a record of five wins from eight starts in Britain, she is entitled to plenty of respect in this field, as is Oscula, if turned out again quickly, after an excellent effort when a close second to Jumbly in the Group 3 Valiant Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

 

15:00 – Markel Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) – 5f

The Hannons have won this twice in the past decade and they can make it another success with TRILLIUM, whose Newbury win suggested that she would be up to winning at this level.

It’s still very early days for the daughter of No Nay Never, who was runner up here in a small field maiden (6f, good to firm) on debut, before that impressive 4l win at Newbury (6f, good) recently.

Quite a keen-going sort, she looks likely to have the pace for this and she can make her first run at this level a winning one.

Irish raider Studio City has been on an upward curve since being a beaten favourite on his debut in a Cork maiden in May. A better effort at Navan followed, before he returned there (5f, good to firm) to win easily by 6l last time. His trainer won this race two years ago and this colt is feared.

Walbank romped home at York on his second start and, as favourite, ran well when runner-up in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. He could be even better suited by this track, which favours speedier types and he is on the shortlist.

C&D winner Rocket Rodney has run respectably in Listed grade since that April success and finished second in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot last month. That race is working out well and that was underlined when the David Loughnane-trained gelding was a comfortable scorer in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown last time. He is a player.

 

15:35 – Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1) – 1m

Officially the best horse on turf on the planet, BAAEED cannot seriously be opposed here, given his and his opponents’ achievements on the racecourse.

Officially 9lb superior to last year’s winner and back-to-form Alcohol Free, the William Haggas-trained colt has a BHA mark of 128, raised 3lb following another magnificent performance when he won the Queen Anne comfortably from Real World last month.

The mathematicians had that down as a better performance than his decisive success in the Lockinge at Newbury prior to that. He probably won’t need to be as good as that to win this with a bit up his sleeve and it will be a disappointment if he is beaten for the first time.

Should that surprise eventuate then Alcohol Free looks likely to be the one to clean up if, for any reason, the favourite is below par.

The Andrew Balding-trained filly had been well below the level of her win in this race last year in five successive starts but came back in fine style when bettering Naval Crown in the July Cup (6f, good to firm) recently and is not taken on lightly.

Order Of Australia was well held by Baaeed in the Queen Anne but then went to the Curragh and produced a career-best when landing the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes, making all there.

He should be involved in the battle for the minors along with Modern Games, who won the French version of the 2,000 Guineas in May (1m, good to soft), before being put in his place by the subsequent Eclipse winner Vadeni in the Prix Du Jockey Club. He is not written off in terms of the forecast now back over a mile.

 

16:10 – European Breeders Fund EBF Fillies’ Handicap – 1m2f

A dual 1m winner at two, there should be more to come from the Gosden-trained NATASHA, who stepped up on that juvenile form when third in a class 3 fillies’ handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) recently.

Conditions will suit this Frankel filly and she looks the one to beat from the same BHA mark of 94.

Sea Speedwell took a modest Kempton fillies’ novice event (1m, AW) last December and made a sizeable step up on that when second to Oriole at Leicester (1m2f, good to firm) on her recent reappearance.

Peripatetic won a fillies’ maiden at Newcastle (1m, AW) last October and has improved on that in both subsequent starts. Although a beaten favourite at Salisbury last time, she blew the start there before coming home well and would surely have finished closer had it not been for being slowly away.

 

16:45 – British EBF Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes – 5f

It is hard to escape the nature of the win by THE PLATINUM QUEEN at York last time, when the Richard Fahey-trained filly made all with the choke out and still had almost 4l to spare over her field (5f, good to firm).

That was a significant improvement on her previous two efforts and if she can come close to it or improve again she should take a lot of beating.

She was a 66/1 chance in last month’s Queen Mary, when well held, as was All The Time, who was just a 12/1 chance that day, prior to finishing last of the 21 runners.

Star Of Lady M has seen plenty of action thus far and finished well beaten in the Windsor Castle last month. However, she bounced back with an excellent effort when scoring in eyecatching fashion at Musselburgh (5f, good) since then. She is now 4-6 and, although she has the widest stall to overcome, she is hugely respected.

Of the remainder, Cruise looks interesting. Trained by Richard Hannon, she was easy to back on debut at Newmarket’s July Festival, when despite racing keenly, she showed a fair degree of promise in the context of this race. With improvement likely given that experience, it would not surprise if she proved good enough to pick up some prize money.

 

17:20 – World Pool Handicap – 7f

An interesting handicap to conclude proceedings, with Dance Fever likely to prove popular given some strong handicap performances, including when the runner-up in a Class 3 contest at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time.

Wild Lion was a dual All Weather winner (7f/1m) last autumn. He hung badly right-handed when a close third on his recent reappearance at Leicester (7f, good to soft) and back on a sound surface, there could be more to come from him.

Windseeker was below par on being stepped up to 1m at Salisbury last time, when he didn’t appear to get home. The return to 7f should, therefore, be a positive and he is respected from same mark.

The Attorney is another who is also well worth a second look, after going close in a C&D handicap last month and also in a good Newcastle handicap after that. He wasn’t far off that level at Newmarket last time and can’t be discounted.

Stockpyle, will need a bit of improvement if he is to add to wins already this month at Chepstow (7f, good) and Wolverhampton (7f, AW) but the each-way suggestion here is AMOR VINCIT OMNIA.

Apart from one blip when favourite at Haydock (6f, good to firm) last season, he was an improver under the care of Tom Dascombe, winning the last of his four starts for that trainer when back at Haydock over 7f (soft) when last seen in October. That was his handicap debut.

Subsequently gelded, he reappears from a 6lb higher mark and with Ryan Moore up for the first time. He looks a big price at 16/1 given the jockey booking and his potential for improvement and he is a sporting suggestion to bring down the curtain on day two in style.

 

Bookmakers in Britain and Ireland are gearing themselves up for one of the biggest weeks of the Flat season as Glorious Goodwood takes centre stage.

As the early money is in, there has been plenty of support for Platinum Jubilee fifth Sacred, who is priced at 2-1 (from 20/1) for tomorrow’s Lennox Stakes, while Prix de Diane scorer Nashwa is now 4-5 (from 6/1) to land Saturday’s Nassau Stakes.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Free Wind has dropped from 6/1 to as short as 6/5 to extend her winning run to four in the Lillie Langtry Stakes.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest gambles of the week that’s attracting a lot of support just now is Roger Teal’s Whenthedealisdone, who’s gone from 25/1 to 10/1 to be the first one to cross the line in the Stewards Cup. It’s more than likely that by the time of the race comes around, the odds will be down to low single digits.

As for tomorrow, despite a tough Gold Cup race back in June, Stradivarius has taken 39% of bets across the market and there’s no surprise to see the 8 year old crowed the people’s horse tomorrow. However, since his performance at Royal Ascot, there’s a perceived vulnerability in him now that wasn’t really there before.

But the serious money ahead of tomorrow’s racing is going on Ryan Moore and Kyprios. Moore’s fantastic track record this season has catapulted him into top jockey status however, bookmakers don’t appear to be running scared at all as the Moore accumulator is being marketed aggressively. And should he win five out of his seven rides tomorrow, he would send the bookies running for cover.

As it stands, the Moore five timer would pay about 2661/1.

 

13:50 Coral Chesterfield Cup – 1m2f

Just Fine won by a wide margin at Sandown this time last year (1m2f, good to firm) but the handicapper took his measure. He’s has run creditably in some good 1m4f events this year and was luckless at York 17 days ago (extended 1m2f, good to firm). A repeat of that or better, of which he is probably capable, suggests he could be a big player.

Caradoc tends to produce his best on a sound or fast surface. He was second in this (heavy) last year, which given the conditions was a good effort. He’s better off at the weights with Moktasaab than when the latter beat him over C&D in April (good to firm) and ran with some credit at York last time.

Given all of that, he’s entitled to plenty of respect here but it is hard to get away from MOKTASAAB, who impressed with how he drew clear that day. He looked as though he didn’t handle Epsom last month and then perhaps Royal Ascot last time came a bit too soon for him. He is not one to down tools on just because of those last couple of runs and back at this venue and over this trip, he can run a huge race.

Others of interest include Just Fine and Brilliant Night, who both ran well at York last time, while Arqoob was a good winner at Sandown Park last time and is far from discounted in what looks to be a fascinating handicap.

15:00 – World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

The return to 7f can prove beneficial to SACRED, who is taken score for the third time in Group company over this trip.

The William Haggas-trained daughter of Exceed And Excel ran a cracker to be fifth (beaten 1l) in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, over a stiff 6f and given how few races she has run, there is still scope for improvement.

Her main danger could prove to be Ever Given, whom followers may recall I tipped when he scored at Chester’s May meeting. He’s not had all his own way since then but did win the Listed Surrey Stakes over today’s trip at Epsom’d Derby meeting. Hxe is unexposed over this distance and looks to be value at around 20/1 for each-way players.

Lusail has been keeping elite company of late, being placed against his own age in Group 1 races on her last two outings (he was narrowly beaten in the St James’s Palace Stakes last time) and, having twice won Group 2 races as a juvenile, he could have a huge say back at this level.

Of the remainder, Kinross (who won this last year on soft) can’t be ruled out after a decent effort in the Platinum Jubilee and his form with Pogo, who has made all in Group 3s on his last two starts, suggests that he too has to be much respected.

16:10 – Nicholson Gin Handicap – 5f

The favourite Dusky Lord remains of interest and he met with some traffic when beaten by CELSIUS at Newmarket last time. The former now sports first-time cheekpieces, which may be that extra little boost that he requires to get his nose in front.

However, the Tom Clover-trained Celsius made his own luck under Jack Mitchell at the July meeting, racing up in the vanguard in his group throughout and once asked the question, he ran on well and was always in control. That was back up close to a personal best effort and this lightly-raced C&D winner looks capable of defying a 5lb rise and winning again.

It’s easy to see why Dusky Lord’s Newmarket followers might stick with him this time, given his 5lb pull with the winner that day and the fitting of that new headgear. He is two years the junior of Celsius and, after just eight starts, is open to more improvement. He is much respected.

Last year’s winner Lord Riddiford is back for a second attempt. He hasn’t scored since that success 12-months ago, when 1lb higher. Although it was soft that day, he is versatile with regard to conditions and as a dual winner at the meeting, I wouldn’t worry about what has gone on in-between. Trainer John Quinn will have him cherry ripe for this.

Stone Of Destiny and Embour are others who could get involved if bringing their ‘A’ games.

16:45

CELTIC CHAMPION is a half-brother to the top sprinter Dragon Symbol and after blowing the start at Windsor on debut, there was plenty to like about how he recovered to finish third. A line through the winner Bluelight Bay suggests that he likely favourite here, Mischief Magic has a similar chance but the latter is over a point shorter in the pre-race markets and the value surely has to be with the Andrew Balding-trained runner.

Supreme King was sent off as the favourite on debut at Haydock recently and looked a decent sort, despite being beaten. He is from a prolific family and could come on plenty for that effort, so can’t be ruled out.

Chartwell House ran well when going close last time behind Eminency, who has entries in both Listed and valuable sales company. That suggests that the William Knight-trained colt is also potentially smart and he could again be heavily involved.

Of the newcomers, Atomic Impact, a brother to 1m winner Dandy Maestro and half-brother to five winners, out of Group 1 Coronation Stakes winner Maids Causeway, makes a fair bit of appeal on pedigree.

17:20 – Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Fillies’ Handicap – 1m

This looks a good piece of placement by Sir Michael Stoute, who saddles CRYSTAL CAPRICE for her handicap debut.

The daughter of Frankel was very impressive in dotting up against a field of maidens at Yarmouth last time (1m) and on that evidence she may have got in lightly here off a mark of 87.

Breaking Light returned from wind surgery to win on her handicap debut (7f) at Haydock recently, when she drew clear and suggested she’d have even more to offer over this trip. She is up 5lb for that but is feared.

Wilderness Girl was a maiden winner here last year and put up a good effort at Haydock last time. That was an improved performance and she’s only seen the racecourse on five occasions, so there looks sure to be more to come from her, especially now back up to a mile.

15:35 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes

The roof would be raised here if Stradivarius proved good enough to win yet another Group 1 to add to his magnificent career and if he does so it will be without the services of Frankie Dettori in the saddle.

The much-publicised disappointment of owner Bjorn Nielsen at Frankie’s ride on Stradivarius in last month’s Ascot Gold Cup has cost the Italian the mount on his old favourite, with Andrea Atzeni taking the reins.

Of course, we can’t rule out the great stayer from another, possibly final, glory day but the signs have been there in the past year that he is a little past his best.

That should clear the way for KYPRIOS to add to his Gold Cup win and continue his own upward trajectory. Vastly inferior to Stradivarius in terms of experience – he has run just seven times – the stayers’ world currently looks to be his oyster.

The relatively slow pace in the Gold Cup looked like it might suit him, given his form over shorter but, in fact, his sustained effort up the home straight there suggested that he would have won by further off a strong pace.

Either way, this drop back to two miles should be ideal and he is open to more improvement, which has to be a concern to all eight of his opponents.

Last year’s winner Trueshan could again have a major say, especially if there is any ‘soft’ in the going description, while Coltrane absolutely dotted up in Listed company at Sandown Park last time and is another improver who cannot be discounted.

 

14:25 Japan Racing Association Vintage Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

HOLLOWAY BOY was pitched in at Listed level on debut in the Chesham Stakes last month. He was nibbled at in to 40/1 before being played late to land the odds in fine style, showing plenty of promise in the process.

You’d have to expect the son of Ulysses to improve on that performance and, if that proves to be the case, he should prove very difficult to beat.

Mysterious Knight is an improving performer whose staying-on third behind Persian Force in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket last time was a good performance in the context of this race. He would still need to better that if Holloway Boy repeats his debut effort but after just three runs himself, he may also improve.

The Charlie and Mark Johnston-trained Dear My Friend won a modest Carlisle novice event going away on debut (6f, good) and stepped up significantly on that when making virtually all to score at Beverley (7½f, good to firm) by 5l under a penalty last month. That excellent effort suggests that the Pivotal colt should not be dismissed lightly.

Stable companion Dornoch Castle has put up two similar performances in winning novice events at Haydock (7f, good) and then, under a penalty at Ayr (7f, good), when the 1/6 favourite.

It would have been good to see him step up on his debut effort last time but there is still plenty of time for him to step up on that and he can’t be ruled out.

Galeron made big strides on his Goodwood debut effort when returning to that track and scoring in maiden company (6f, good to firm) last time.

Marbaan is another improver, though not at the rate of some aforementioned runners, while Dark Thirty’s Group 2 Superlative Stakes third suggests he’d be no shock winner either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the eve of the summer classic that is Glorious Goodwood, the global eyes of racing will be centred on West Sussex this week.

As five days of elite flat racing lay in wait from Tuesday, here, we take a look at one of the favourites to win Jockey of the Week: Ryan Moore.

A native of Brighton along the coast in neighbouring East Sussex, the 38-year-old three-time Champion Jockey’s was again crowned Leading Jockey at Royal Ascot last month, taking seven wins and four runners-up placings across the five days in Berkshire.

With eight wins during the last fortnight, seven of those, however, have been on Irish soil at Leopardstown and The Curragh.

Retaining his rather inconsistent record on home turf this season and having taken just one win during the July Festival at Newmarket, might another five-day stint resurrect his fortunes?

Here are our pick of Ryan’s confirmed rides.

 

Kyprios, Goodwood Cup, Tuesday, 15:35

The highlight of not only opening day but perhaps the week is the Goodwood Cup, as once more Kyprios and Stradivarius lock horns.

With Frankie Dettori replaced with Andrea Atzeni on the might Stradi this time around, revenge will be on the menu for the Gosdens but Kyprios was dominant in the Ascot Gold Cup and will take some beating here.

Hollie Doyle and Trueshan will also supply a significant threat but Moore’s mount looks the class apar. Looking to make it four for four this season, set to go off at around 6/4f.

 

Crystal Caprice, Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Fillies’ Handicap, Tuesday, 17:20

Opening day also sees another strong hope for Moore with Sir Michael Stoute’s 3yo riser.

With just three races under the filly’s belt, a win at Yarmouth last time out could prove the yardstick for the daughter of Frankel.

It could be double delight on Tuesday with Crystal Caprice at around 9/4.

 

Order of Australia, Sussex Stakes, Wednesday, 15:35

A horse who has been on BestofBets tracker for a while, A P O ‘Brien’s 5yo comes into Wednesday’s main event fresh from winning the Romanised Minstrel Stakes for a second year on the bounce at The Curragh just over a week ago.

Impressing in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, Order of Australian came home third at a massive price of 18/1 behind Baaeed and Real World.

Baaeed will again be the overwhelming favourite here at around 2/11 but Moore could push both Jim Crowley’s ride and the July Cup-winning Alcohol Free hard here.

At the very least merits e/w investment at 11/1.

 

Migdam, Kincsem Handicap, Thursday, 13:50

An impressive French colt, Moore and Stoute are set to team up once more at Goodwood this week with Migdam.

The 3yo has lost just once in four – as a debutante – but seen victory in the last three entries and been a handsome winner by at least 1½ lengths on each occasion.

Winning the only race this season at Doncaster last month, there is slight asterisk to this pick with Moore potentially opting to go with Operating in this race instead but if he is the mount, 6/1 looks a good bet.

 

Hoo Ya Mal, Gordon Stakes, Thursday, 15:00

Though without a win this term, all three of Hoo Ya Mal’s outings have been not without huge positives.

Beaten by expected 5/2f Desert Crown in the Cazoo Derby, the 3yo’s astonishing 150/1 price would have left many in the ring grinning from ear-to-ear.

Here, a 3/1 price for Andrew Balding sees vastly different expectations and with New London his main rival, it could though be fourth time lucky for trainer George Boughey.

LEZOO may have had her colours lowered by Mawj at Newmarket’s July meeting but she remains on an upward curve and can make this drop back into Group 3 company count.

The form of both her 6f Listed win at that track last month, as well as that Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes run, are both the strongest on offer in this field. She remains open to more improvement, despite the slight lowering of sights here and this should work out as a really good piece of placement by trainer Ralph Beckett.

Glenlaurel is certainly not dismissed in opposition but needs to find around 20lbs to trouble the selection and that won’t be easy. Even so, the manner of her fillies’ novice success at Thirsk on debut suggests that she is potentially smart.

Kinta stepped up well on her Lingfield debut win when adding to that at Kempton last time. She makes her turf debut here and is respected but two others might perhaps be worth a look for potential each-way players.

Palm Lily is another Beckett inmate who scored first time out at Kempton Park last month. She is another who needs a leap forward but it is encouraging that her trainer feels she is up to this. She could be capable of picking up some black type and the same applies to the William Haggas-trained Royal Charter.

This daughter of Expert Eye was held up on debut, before being produced late by Stevie Donohoe to win a fillies’ maiden on Newmarket’s July Course (6f, good).

She too needs to step up plenty on that but, like Beckett, Haggas doesn’t throw them in at this level without thinking plenty of them.

While I am no advocate for backing several on a regular basis, I like the chance of LEZOO for the win, but for those looking for value, the 8/1 about Royal Charter to make the frame looks very tempting.

 

15:00 Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – 7f

This looks like another typical big field Ascot sprint handicap and a very good one at that, with the BHA top-rated Accidental Agent the best in the field on a mark of 112.

That runner’s stablemate Jumby comes into consideration, after going close in both the Wokingham and the Bunbury Cup on his last two starts. He has plenty going for him and should again be thereabouts.

Tactical was comfortably held when upped to Group 2 level here in the Summer Mile earlier in the month. He’d previously run well over this C&D in the Buckingham Palace Stakes and his jockey that day, Ryan Moore, is back on board.

He is feared but preference is for RHOSCOLYN. He bombed out when last seen in the Bunbury Cup and was virtually pulled up by James Doyle. He’s owned by the Horse Watchers, who include TV pundits Chris and Martin Dixon, a couple of great lads who would not be running the four-year-old so soon if he wasn’t 100 per cent.

However, he would have a very good chance if back to the form of his Buckingham Palace Stakes third behind Inver Park last month, when he ran on well in a first-time tongue-tie. That is back retained for this race, and this stiff 7f on fast ground clearly suits.

I’m prepared to forgive him that latest aberration and side with the David O’Meara-trained runner.

 

Just half a dozen go to post for a race that is always one of the most eagerly anticipated of any Flat campaign.

The three-year-olds take on the older horses and this race is littered with great performances and fantastic renewals, the one that everyone points to being that famed clash between Grundy and Bustino way back in 1975, which was dubbed the ‘Race of the Century’ at the time.

We’re in another century now but that tingle of anticipation doesn’t fade, for this time we have the Irish Derby winner and Epsom third, Westover, taking on the brilliant filly Emily Upjohn, while the magnificent Mishriff and last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso are also among the field.

At longer odds, neither Broome, who represents Aidan O’Brien, nor Pyledriver, who won last year’s Group 1 Coronation Cup, can’t be written off.

So who is going to write their name into racing history this time?

I was at the Curragh when WESTOVER won the Irish Derby and he was very impressive, in bolting clear of his field and he could probably have won over further. Colin Keane, who rode him that day as a theoretical one-off because it was at a track he knows well, has retained the mount in  a

Hornby had been on board when Westover was slightly unlucky to have to settle for third in the Derby at Epsom last month. He made rapid strides that day and confirmed that was no fluke in Ireland.

At these weights, he has to be the pick. He’s still on an upward curve, has yet to be fully extended and looks capable of a fair bit more improvement.

You’d have to be respectful of the chance of Musidora winner and Oaks second Emily Upjohn. Frankie Dettori retains the mount, despite coming in for criticism for his ride on her at Epsom, when the flew home late but could not peg back Tuesday.

More than anyone, Frankie will want to get it right this time and, with all the allowances, the filly cannot be ruled out. This stiff circuit should, arguably, be even more to her liking than either York or Epsom.

Mishriff has a string of top prizes to his name, including last year’s Dubai Sheema Classic and Juddmonte International on the Knavesmire. I was at Sandown Park for the Eclipse recently and put this horse up each-way, as I thought he was a silly price for what he’d achieved, despite conceding weight.

He duly ran a cracker, though it always felt like it was a prep race of sorts for this. In selecting Westover, it is this Gosden runner that I fear the most. He’s a world class performer who will be cherry ripe for this and he should go very close again.

He’s not really backable each-way at 7/2 in a six-runner field, but it might be prudent to back him as a win ‘saver’ to recover your Westover stake, should he prove good enough to beat the three-year-old.

Conditions will be vastly different from the heavy ground on which Torquator Tasso won the Arc, and there is no doubt that he would be a much shorter price if the was any ‘soft’ in the going description. Hugely respected though he is – he won a German Group 2 last time on good to soft – he is not going to be seen to best effect on the fast ground forecast for the Berkshire track.

The Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes winner Broome is priced up at 18/1, but that was a C&D success and on fast ground. Aidan O’Brien is unlikely to be sending him back if he didn’t think he had some sort of chance. That Hardwicke win was a career-best, so he may still be eek out a little more from the Australia colt and he can’t be written off.

Pyledriver is a very good horse on his day. His form is perhaps a bit less consistent than some at this elite level and he too would prefer slightly slower ground than forecast to be seen to best effect.

Cartmel 12:30 – William Hill Racing Radio Handicap Hurdle (3m1½f)

This looks competitive despite the field being only seven strong and it’s one of those races where you could make a case for most of them. That suggests that there is value to be had.

Four of the runners won last time, so they are bound to be fancied by someone and, more importantly, the bookies are bound to shorten them as a result.

That means that Jelski, who dotted up here (2m6f, good to soft) on his penultimate start by 25-lengths, has slipped under the radar.

Admittedly, he was pulled up back here last time over that same trip, having gone up 11lbs. However, the manner of his win on June 1 suggests that he still has claims here, provided you can forgive him that latest effort.

There was no explanation for it following a vet’s examination but, the ‘will he, won’t he bounce back’ question is reflected in odds of 12/1.

Trainer Jimmy Moffatt loves having winners at his home track and he’d not have him back here three weeks or so after that run if he didn’t feel he is ready to do himself justice.

He looks an each-way play at 12s and if you can get three places with anyone, then that may be prudent.

Cartmel 13:00 – Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle (2m6f)

There are 14 declared for this staying handicap hurdle, which has an open look to it.

I quite like the look of a sporting each-way play on the 16/1 chance Dan Gun, who represents Simon Waugh.

Already a C&D winner in May, when just 3lb lower, he acts well on a sound surface and has a feather weight to carry by comparison to plenty of opponents who are shorter in the market.

Although he weakened out of it back over C&D last time, that was on slower ground and he is significantly better when conditions are as forecast, good.

With so many in the field you’ll get the first three placing and may even be able to find four places with some bookmakers. He must have an excellent chance of that.

 

Cartmel 13:30 – ABF The Soldiers Charity Handicap Hurdle (2m1f)

Another 14-runner handicap hurdle, this time over shorter and I’d like to put up another each-way suggestion here in Calliope, who is 10/1 at the time of writing and knows her way around here.

She won here over 2m6f last year when conditions were described as good but she is versatile with regard to trip and has been third back here over this C&D on her last two starts.

She’s been dropped another 1lb since one of those third-placed efforts, in a mares’ handicap hurdle on Saturday, she rarely runs a bad race at this track and she looks value against one or two shorter-priced runners in the field.

 

 

Ayr 13:50 – Ayr Sunday Market At Ayr Racecourse Apprentice Handicap (1m5f)

A modest turnout and this looks a good opportunity for Graces Quest to make it a third win since joining Jim Goldie, who has already prepared her to score at both Musselburgh (1m4½f, good to firm) and Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm).

The four-year-old filly has been particularly consistent in four of her last five starts now and is running to a level that suggests there is another win in her from this current BHA mark of 67.

She gets the sound surface that she thrives on and, if it dries even more, then that will be even better for her.

This is a very slight step up in trip for her but you’d have to say that, from the way she runs, she is highly likely to get home and although she’ll probably go off as the favourite, she does look to have a favourite’s chance.

 

Ayr 15:00 – Jordan North @Scottish Sun Ladies Night Handicap (6f)

I’m going for a Jim Goldie double at Ayr and horse in question in this second leg goes by the name of Classy Al.

The Fountain Of Youth gelding sprang a 22/1 surprise over this C&D (good) in April, which was a career-best at the time.

He flopped when back here next time on soft ground, with jockey Paul Mulrennan describing him as running too free.

Having taken a step back in the right direction at Hamilton next time, he returned to this C&D a couple of weeks ago and produced another ‘PB’ when scoring from a mark of 60.

The ground was good again that day and that remains the case for Monday. He has only gone up 3lb for getting his nose in front and Goldie, who is excellent at squeezing extra bits of improvement out of his inmates, can probably raise the bar again.

At around 9/2, he looks to have a seriously good chance.