A decent Saturday’s racing once again, with plenty of action
across the UK and Ireland, with meetings at Bath, Beverley, Chester, Market
Rasen, Newton Abbott, Sandown and Wexford (IRE). So there’s a fair few chances
to try and beat them bookies to get the weekend off to a perfect start.
I’ll begin with a look at the opening race at Beverley (13:55), the Class 4 maiden fillies’ stakes over 7f 100y. ADELE was one who impressed me on her debut at Thirsk (8f – g-s), finishing 2/12, and was added to my tracker. She could have been considered a little unlucky when hampered slightly 2 furlongs out, by the winner, and third place, and still managed to close strongly at the finish, but always just being held. She looks likely to open odds-on favourite here, and has every chance if taking to the race in the same manner, in a relatively ordinary looking maiden.
Hollie Point was much improved last time out, upped to 7f
(beaten ¾ lengths), following a couple of disappointing runs to begin her
career (6f). She was beaten by Supreme Occasion and Abbey Angel who have gone
onto win their handicap debuts since. She should be Adele’s biggest challenge.
Next we’ll move down to Sandown, and a look at the Group 3
Solario Stakes over 7f 16y (14:40). Ryan Moore hops back on board AKTABANTAY,
who has been in very good form, with figures of 2212, with his latest effort a
big step up, in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes (7f g-s) at Newmarket in July
(William Buick the jockey that day). Trainer and Jockey have a 40% strike rate
when teamed together this year, and I expect that to increase here.
Pallister is another I have been impressed with, although a
little disappointing last time out in the Group 2 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes,
first attempt at 7f. Trainer’s son, Charlie Johnston, has said he expects the ground
to be no problem from this colt by Pivotal. I do expect him to go close and
challenge for the win.
The Godolphin-owned Future Empire is another that can’t be
ruled out, and currently lies second favourite. He won well in maiden debut at
Newmarket over 7f, on faster ground. In-form James Doyle takes over from Harry
Bentley who rode him to that victory. Trainer, Suroor, is quoted as saying, he
needs good ground.
The next race at Sandown is the Group 3 fillies’ and mares Atalanta
Stakes over 1m 14y (15:15). Fintry is 6/4 favourite but I think I’m willing to
go against her for this one, having read the quotes from top class trainer,
Andrea Fabre, who says she has had a serious cough, and went onto say she would
probably need the race after 3 months off. He also said that this was a
comeback, with the view to the Group 1 Sun Chariot in October.
Favour is instead, for DIAMOND DOVE, who came 2/12 4 weeks
ago in G3 Deutsches Stuten-Derby in Germany. Soft ground should be ideal, with
hopes it doesn’t dry out too much. Jockey, Frederik Tylicki in good form of
late.
Water Hole is another who is open to further progression and
can come close under William Buick. He won by 2 lengths last time out on soft
ground, and is on a hat-trick of turf wins here.
And lastly a quick look at the Class 4 Nursery Handicap over
7f 16y (still at Sandown) (16:25). A tough one to call but SISTER OF MERCY
looks the one to beat and hopefully there’s more to come, having won well last
time out, in second attempt at 7f. Previous start (7f), came 3/10, beaten by
recent Group 3 winner Malabar. Again, it’s in-for James Doyle who takes the
ride.
Mark Johnston-trained Assault On Rome has been in decent
form without winning in the last 4, but should come close.
