In Newbury’s Group Three Arc trial, John Gosden’s Eagle Top might represent some value at 5/6 against opposition already making excuses. Connections of Sky Hunter and Ooty Hill have played down their chances, insisting they’ll need the run. That leaves last year’s out-of-form winner, Hillstar, and The Corsican to seriously challenge.
None can match Eagle Top for form, with his King George second to Postponed looking even better since the winner won an Arc trial at Longchamp last week. The Corsican is a good horse and threatens the most but, with both acting on today’s soft ground, there’s no obvious reason he can make up the five pounds needed on official ratings.
Over at Ayr in the 15:10, the favourite Mutakayyef has leading claims on just his second start of the campaign. He went down by a neck to Mondialiste who himself followed up by winning a Grade 1 in Canada recently. The issue is his three-year-old form really doesn’t add up to much with just one win from six and I’m not sure how competitive the racing is in Canada.
Our twice-tipped Scottish runs again at 6/1 and himself can claim some strong collateral form with North America. He was an excellent 1½ length second to Highland Reel at Goodwood before the same horse landed Grade 1 honours at Arlington. The issue, though, is his dud run at Deauville where he trailed home in a Group Two. Both those defeats were at 12 furlongs and his best run this season was over today’s ten, so we fancy him to get back to winning ways with conditions no issue.
1pt win (double) Eagle Top (Newbury 13:45), Scottish (Ayr, 15:10) @11.69
0.5pts win Scottish @6/1, Ayr 15:10