The horse racing broadcaster offers his picks for this weekend’s racing, including two from Ascot and two from Shergar.
A bumper ten races on ITV4 on Saturday, built around the Shergar Cup and supported by two each from Haydock and Newmarket.
In the Shergar Cup, Alberto Sanna looks to have a good book of rides and could be worth supporting for the Silver Saddle for leading rider with one of his mounts SOLOMON
13/8
(15:55 Ascot) bypassing Sandown to run here after winning at Haydock. The fact that was an apprentice race means he escapes a penalty and steps up to 1m 4f for the first time. Given the steep early descent, he may be best ridden quietly from stall 9 as he can be on edge in the preliminaries.
Earlier on, Billy Loughnane’s experience of Ascot can be an asset for JARRAAF
13/8
(15:20 Ascot) who looked ahead of the handicapper when winning over course and distance last time. Owen Burrows continues to do well with a limited number of horses and he can defy an 8lb rise in the weights.
At Haydock, there was lots of money last time for NAOMI LAPAGLIA
6/1
(16:45 Haydock) at Ascot where she was backed down from as big as 100/1 to 16/1 before finishing third. That also doesn’t tell the whole story as she was not best placed tactically in a steadily run race and then also met a bit of trouble when trying to improve. She shaped like the second-best horse that day and whilst she won’t be anywhere near as big a price this time around, it will be interesting to see if she can back that big run up here.
PERSUASION
/
(18:25 Haydock) goes well at the track and had little chance against subsequent Royal Ascot winner English Oak here back in May. He has been kept busy since but remains in form, and his form figures at Haydock are 1322.
JOCKEYS FOR COURSES
Haydock – Jim Crowley (57/313, A/E 1.22) has five rides including four-timing seeking Salamanca Lad, who will be attempting to make all in the 16:10.
Newmarket July – Oisin Murphy (47/243, A/E 1.25) has six rides with Mount Teide, who can dictate the pace in the 16:15 and comes from a solid form race at Sandown last time.
Redcar – Franny Norton (45/344, A/E 1.35) has just the one ride on Grey Nyle in the 16:55.
STABLE TRACKER UPDATE
No runners this weekend but a total of six – and a high level of frustration – from last week!
Original Outlaw (second, 9/1) looked in control until the final few strides at Goodwood in the nursery. Placed on all three runs for the tracker but the win proved elusive. Had three runs, so now off the list.
Vaunted (second, 2/1) and We’re Reunited (third, 7/2) ran in the same race. Vaunted now removed after three runs, one more for We’re Reunited who remains competitive.
Knightswood (unplaced, 14/1) was the most painful as he got no run in the Goodwood handicap he had been specifically added for. That was also the last of three runs, so again he’s let go, although on that run alone he could have been added in again.
Boadicia (first, 7/2) bounced back after being slightly disappointing since being added, so will take that, and having done the job is removed.
Consolidation (third, 2/1) placed for the second time since being added, and one more run left.
Goodwood always creates some horses to follow, and there are six to be added mainly due to the sectional time analysis available from race IQ.
ENFJAAR – Quite an obvious eyecatcher having been caught too far back but still only just failed. Likely to step up to pattern company next time.
REAL GAIN – A more hidden good run having been keen early, so restrained to rear which was a very poor position tactically.
STOP THE CAVALRY – Was fastest for the three of the middle four furlongs having had to cross behind the field from a wide out gate.
WISPER – Didn’t travel early but was running on strongly when getting his path blocked inside last. A more strongly run race will suit even better.
TROPICAL STORM – Went too hard in the Richmond where the pace collapsed. A race back at 5f like the Flying Childers or the Cornwallis at Ascot both look sensible targets.
THE STRIKING VIKING – was sent for home too early given the strong pace and got run down. He was the best horse in the race, and compensation awaits.
Removed: Original Outlaw, Vaunted, Knightswood, Boadicia
Added: Enfjaar, Real Gain, Stop The Cavalry, Wisper, Tropical Storm, The Striking Viking.
COLUMN PERFORMANCE 2024
Selections: 42/41.73, A/E 1.01
Stable Tracker: 22/23.57, A/E 0.93
Jockeys For Courses: 41/43.97, A/E 0.93
Total: 105/109.27, A/E 0.96
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