A stellar cast has assembled for Arc trials day at Longchamp, and the Group-One Prix Du Moulin over seven furlongs looks an excellent renewal. The mare Esoterique ran a blinder in second behind the peerless Muhaarar in the Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville before going one better the following week…
Author: Joel Roberts
2pts win Golden Horn, Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown 17:45
Golden Horn ran a blinder in defeat to Arabian Queen at York and has plenty of excuses to draw confidence from. The two drew well clear of the rest – with the same winning margin over The Grey Gatsby as in the Eclipse – and the filly is simply a very…
0.5pts win Tupi @40/1, Doncaster 15:10
An excellent renewal of this seven-furlong Group Two, helped by the ever-rarer presence of good(ish) ground. The overnight rain hasn’t had a huge effect on the going so we shouldn’t see too many withdrawals. Limato immediately jumps out, with this his first run since chasing home Muhaarar in his Royal Ascot romp. He…
1pt win Simple Verse @9/1, St Leger Stakes, Doncaster 15:45
All in all, this is a disappointing renewal of the famous race, with only a handful of Group-level wins between them. It’s tough to split the top two in the market, Storm The Stars and Bondi Beach, but the former makes most appeal as he came out on top in…
1pt ew Log Out Island @14/1, Doncaster 13:55
Richard Hannon has a really strong hand of two-year-olds in this five-furlong Group Two, with both runners making appeal. Gutaifan looks the form pick, after an excellent 1 ¾ length second to leading juvenile Shalaa at Deauville. He can also boast the scalp of Gimcrack Stakes winner Ajaya, and a…
1.5pts win Pure Diamond @9/4, 0.5pts win Light Up Our World @10/1, Doncaster 15:40
A tricky race, with Godolphin’s Pure Diamond heading the market after a hugely impressive win on Kempton’s all weather. That was just her second start and, with the promise of more to come, she could be anything. The horse she thrashed into second, Kasseopia, franked the form next time out by winning a maiden by nine…
0.5pts ew Marsh Hawk @40/1, Doncaster 14:30
Richard Hannon’s Marsh Hawk looks good value to outrun her odds in the Group-Three Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes, so is worth a small wager at 40/1 – with bigger prices available on Betfair. She’s not fulfilled the promise of her two-year-old campaign, where she won a couple of nice races, including routing…
1pt win Fontanelice @8/1, Longchamp, 15:40
A chance is taken on Criquette Head-Maarek’s Fontanelice at Longchamp this afternoon. Twice a Group Two winner in Italy, her last three appearances have come at the highest level in the French Classics and Muhaarar’s Prix Maurice De Gheest, so this seven furlong Listed contest represents a significant drop in class. She’s not alone in…
1pt win Balty Boys @3/1, Superior Mile, Haydock 14:00
Richard Hannon has declared Ivawood a non-runner for the 14:00 at Haydock, presumably due to ground concerns. Also removed is Godolphin’s unexposed Let’s Go, who was feared as the most likely improver, leaving only seven in a weak-looking field for this Group Three. It leaves Balty Boys, a horse we’re really keen…
**Void** 2pts win Ivawood @3/1, Betfred.com Superior Mile [Haydock, 14:00]
We’re really keen on last year’s second, Balty Boy’s, in the Group Three Betfred Superior Mile on Saturday. Last weekend he wisely swerved an encounter with star three-year-old Kodi Bear at Goodwood and looks set to take his chance again at Haydock. The horse that beat him last year, Captain Cat, did…