After the Ebor Festival we resume some normaialty. But it’s all about the two-year-olds at Sandown with the Solario Stakes. Plus sprint action from Beverley and big handicap action over in Ireland too. It’s a normal-ish Saturday on Four To Follow
Sandown
Tam-fantastic
2:25 – Atalanta Stakes (Group Three) – Tamfana @ 11/10 (BetVictor)
Dropping down from three Group One’s to a Group Three seems dramatic. So does stepping down half a furlong. But David Menuisier seems to be taking the right approach with Tamfana. She came close to winning the French Oaks, but maybe the Grand Prix de Paris was a bit too much for her. But don’t worry about her credentials over this trip, as her mare only ran at this mile. Plus, champion jockey-elect Oisin Murphy has been given the leg up. All positive signs for the French filly.
Two Shakespearean
3:35 – Solario Stakes (Group Three) – Royal Playwright @ 5/2 (William Hill, BetVictor)
This two-year-old race has produced some decent individuals in recent years. The likes of Masar, Too Darn Hot and Reach For The Moon come to kind. But Royal Playwright looks a good type. From the same family as Strensall Stakes winner See The Fire, he’s got a reputation with good black type in his pedigree. He won by three lengths on debut, on similar ground that it is at Sandown. The second got to within a neck of the winner at Goodwood, to suggest the form might pay dividends.
Beverley
Royal Household
2:05 – William Hill Beverley Bullet (Listed) – Clarendon House @ 11/2 (William Hill)
It’s surprising that Clarendon House has had a little drift at time of writing. Even with a penalty he’s still top rated and is dropping form a Group One to Listed level too. His last win over five at the Curragh was in Listed company. He loves firm ground too, but his draw could be a letdown. However, due to the lack of runners in the Beverley Bullet, draw shouldn’t matter that much as he’s drawn in the one next to outside stall. But top rated, and able to go on ground puts him in pole position.
The Curragh
Genuine Contender
4:35 – Irish Cambridgeshire (Premier H’cap) – Genuine Article @ 15/2 (General)
Irish handicaps can be a tricky minefield to navigate. But luckily one stat is proven. Favourites rarely win. Last year saw the shortest priced winner in 10 years at 8/1, so it makes sense to look elsewhere for a bit of value.
Genuine Article was last seen finishing second at the Galway Festival, after finishing third the time before. This signalled some attention when it came to this race. Only up three pounds, but a useful claimer takes three pounds off to leave him at the same mark as his last run, which should say he should go close. Good ground will suit him, and form suggests there’s been some preparation for this race.
Johnny Murtagh always seems to target the big races as a trainer, just like he did as a jockey. Blues Emperor has been, very handily, reduced three pounds by the handicapper. But not only that, he has a five-pound claimer who got a winner five days ago. The son of Gleneagles finished a really narrow second this year and is five pounds lower too. There are signs he’s been campaigned with this race in mind. 14/1 (General).
But it’s not one. It’s two for Mr JP Murtagh. Shayzaan for the Aga Khan also looks to have had this race in mind after he finished within a neck to Snellen of level weights. Before that he finished third in the big €52k Nasrullah handicap and has risen two pounds in his last two races. Quiet consistency and has preferred jockey Ben Coen on board. Interesting at 14/1 (William Hill).
The very best of luck!
