Racing Eye (2024)

17/06/2021

The uncertainty as to what the ground is going to be today, with only 2.4mm overnight, but rain for the last two hours leaves me cold about betting today. I am still trying to recover from the poor ride given to HAQEEQY by Jim Crowley after i had said he rides the track well. He chose to get stuck in traffic when he was well drawn and there was an enormous gap on the stands rail which ASTRO KING exploited. To be fair, he should have finished third or fourth, but, hopefully, ASTRO KING will go up a ton for his second and we wont see him in a big handicap again. The Cambridgeshire beckons for HAQEEQY.

2.30 CADAMOSTO sets the standard, however, on pedigree there must be a doubt that if the ground has soft in it, that it wont be ideal for him. GO BEARS GO and PROJECT DANTE are two first time winners that could win this with the former already showing that he can act on the course.

3.05 MOHAAFETH is the biggest talking horse in the country and if the ground softens, it will be interesting to see if Haggas is willing to risk him on it, after taking him out of the Derby because of the ground. This is not a betting race for me. ONE RULER does tick a number of boxes, but i am worried what effect running him in such an unsuitable race as the Derby last time, could have had on him.

3.40 NOON STAR is the obvious filly, the price is too tight for me. ESHAADA is the obvious alternative on the way she won the Listed race at Newbury. From that race, TWISTED REALITY is a filly to keep an eye on. She is better than her finishing position suggested and softer ground might suit her. AD INFINITUM was quite eyecatching in winning at Goodwood last time and is possibly overpriced at 20/1. She travelled through the race like a good filly.

4.15 This is one of the most interesting Gold Cups in recent years with a lot of more unexposed young horses running than normal. STRADAVARIUS, we all know about and he is a justifiable hot favourite looking as good as ever this year. NAYEF ROAD has a good record at this track, it is just difficult to see him winning and he has been disappointing this year. If the ground goes really soft, TRUESHAN is the obvious thinking person's bet. The problem is that he is plenty short enough and we do not know for sure if he will stay the 2m4f or not. SPANISH MISSION is very unexposed as an out and out stayer and would not be a shock winner. SERPENTINE, if he stays would justify the same words too. SUBJECTIVIST is quite classy and if he stays, he is a serious danger. If the ground gets really slow, you cannot rule out PRINCESS ZOE too, so the ew options are too numerous to evaluate with any confidence. The one that i might play for small stakes later is EMPEROR OF THE SUN, his form last time looks strong to me. One would have no clue if he will get the trip, though.

5.00 The ew terms of 1/4 the odds 4 places does not make this attractive enough to play in such a difficult race to work out. AERION POWER would be my number one choice and after yesterday the draw of 1 is not necessarily a disadvantage. There is pace in 2 7 and 9. AIR TO AIR gives an "air", excuse the pun, of a horse going places. MITHRAS looked destined for here after his win at Newbury. He will go on soft ground, the price has no real value before the race. PEROTTO is progressive.
SIAM FOX clocked a good time when winning last time. LIFFEY RIVER could be some value at a big price, if the rain gets into the ground.

5.35 Without knowing the ground, i have no comments on what is an impossible race anyway.

6.10 We will know by 6.10 how the rain that has finally arrived has affected the draw and the ground. JACKS POINT will supply the pace for the low numbers and would have an excellent chance of outrunning his 28/1 available today if the ground remains good to firm. The problem with him is that if soft features in the ground, he is certainly not as effective if the form in the book means anything. Come what may i think 8/1 about BOARDMAN is worth taking as he has been most impressive and seems to act on all ground. I have to admit i do have a concern that all his improved wins this year are on round tracks and stops me having a decent bet on him.
DANYAH is some ew value at 10/1 but does not do doing as something natural. He is bound to run well, my problem with him is that he just does not clock decent enough timefigures to win a race of this nature.
ALDAARY is the most unexposed horse in the field but his price reflects that. He is a likely winner of the race as i feel his last race at Epsom was a strong race on soft ground and he was given too much to do .PERSUASION is the horse that ratings companies all select as the top choice and he is progressive. DREAMLOPER did his form no favours yesterday and if the ground goes soft that wont help him. At a bigger price VOLATILE ANALYST is one to consider. I thought he won well last time, but he is just a few pounds behind the stronger prospects.

16/06/2021

Not a great day for betting opportunities

2.30 Yesterday showed that the obvious does not necessary mean success in two year old races here. I think the Wesley Ward filly did impress me when winning.
i have no clue if it is good enough here though. QUICK SUZY has caught my eye and dropping back a furlong should certainly be the right move. If she acts on the fast ground, she sets the standard on form for the home brigade.
BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE was mighty impressive and clocked a good time when winning on heavy ground in her last race. If she can repeat that on the predicted ground, she has to be respected. NYMPHORA won the Listed that often houses one of the favourites for this race. She is an exciting prospect and clocked a time that makes her competitive. DESERT DREAMER is a filly i like, but her form is some 10lbs behind the best, but she may outrun that valuation. It is a no bet race for me, just too difficult.

3.05 This is simply too difficult and total guesswork.

3.40 CHAMPERS ELYSEES has been disappointing this season and i will wait until Colin Keane gets on board her before i take an interest in her. LADY BOWTHORPE has the best recent form but her price is quite tight. She is the filly to beat for sure as she has a great turn of foot. QUEEN POWER is finally getting her act together and she should get placed at least. BOUNCE THE BLUES is the one outsider that could be chanced ew at 25/1,a big price.

4.20 LOVE is making her debut and that makes betting a difficult proposition. She had a tremendous profile last year. I think her stable companion ARMORY could be some value against the obvious two. LORD NORTH is the other big horse in this race. At his best he is match for anyone. The prices are too tight and there is no value at all before the race.

5.00 i am very keen on HAQEEQY. He won the Lincoln like a serious horse. He relishes the fast pace that one gets in this sort of race and it is a slight pity that Frankie is on board but Jim Crowley ride this course very well. He has a serious turn of foot and i cannot see him out of the frame.There has been a massive gamble on MAGICAL MORNING. He does not have a profile that i like in this sort of race, rather like SKYRUNNER on last Saturday.
I have also played on LAFAYETTE, who won the Irish Lincoln on soft ground. If he can cope with the faster surface, he will make the 22/1 available look generous in the extreme. He has a good turn of foot and loves a big field.
GROVE FERRY was mighty impressive in winning at Chester in a very fast time and has to be a saver at the very least. I actually think he is a relatively skinny price. His form on a straight course is not quite as good as his last race, but he looked a very progressive horse last time.
FINEST SOUND ran a cracker in the Britannia and only his draw of 9 worries me. He is 15 lbs up from that run, but won well last time and he is only a four year old and is a serious danger. BRUNCH is a horse i really like, but have to admit he might have 3-4 lbs too much for this assignment.

5.35 I am leaving this race alone, again too much guesswork if you are just a form student.

6.10 Another race that does not interest me bettingwise.

14/06/2021

2.30 It is difficult to see PALACE PIER being beaten and i cannot see the obvious ew angle. LOPE Y FERNANDEZ was the nearest but he rarely runs the same race twice and is very difficult to predict. ORDER OF AUSTRALIA is very unexposed.

3.05 GISBURN is the two year old that has impressed me the most in this field. My one worry is if he leads, as this race is normally won by a horse that comes from off the pace. He did finish his race off really well last time and looks like a serious horse. I have had to have a little on him with the extra places with Skybet the most generous. EBRO RIVER is a very solid yardstick but being drawn 1 is a problem. I hate getting involved with horses drawn on the flanks. I had intended to back DHABAB, who also impressed me on his debut. I am staggered that Frankie has chosen their other horse TOLSTOY, so that has put me off. The Wesley Ward pick, KAUFYMAKER is not only a filly but also probably a front runner and is too short for my liking. MASSETO ran better than his second last time in the Marble Hill suggests, but this race is rarely won by a horse that got beat on its last run. THE ACROPOLIS is the choice of Ballydoyle but it is difficult to assess his win at Listowel last time. He could be anything, but is not a betting proposition to my eye at this stage.

3.40 BATTAASH will win if he comes here at the top of his form. He did, however, have an operation that could not be described as a matter of fact procedure, so there is some sense in finding an ew alternative to him. WINTER POWER comes into this race with by far the most progressive profile. My one niggling doubt is that her best form is at York and easier tracks, for such a confirmed trailblazer on this stiff track. Leading all the way, unless you are a BATTAASH, is not easy to do in this race too. She is some sprinter and i cannot put anyone off backing her each way. I have chanced an each way bet on OXTED. I think this stiff 5f might suit him and the fast ground is just what he needs. The problem with him is that his form since his scintillating win in the July Cup has left a lot to explain away, but at 8/1 he is worth chancing, i hope.

4.20 I have backed CHINDIT ew at 8/1 as i am convinced that he does not really act at Newmarket and i thought, in that circumstance, he ran a big race. I am pretty sure that the 2000 Guineas form is the strongest and the likeliest winner is POETIC FLAIR, who has done little wrong and will run his race again.
LUCKY VEGA has stall 11 to hinder him and so i am sticking to the two above for my portfolio. I know Ballydoyle think BATTLEGROUND will run a big race, however, he does not have the form in the book at the moment to justify me backing him. He will relish the fast ground.

5.00 An impossible race to be dogmatic about with Willie Mullins running a horse that has not shown any form beyond 10f for this 20f race. This has not stopped him before and he has another in RAYAPOUR, who has a similarly difficult profile for this race. All one knows is that Willie Mullins makes it look easy to win this even if he ran a selling plater from someone else for this sort of race.
I have backed ROCHESTER HOUSE at 20/1, who ran a cracker in this race last year when he missed the break and was tailed off, but rallied to such effect that he finished 5th. He will probably not win, however he will give ew backers a run for their money.
I have also backed CAPE GENTLEMAN, who turned the Irish Cesarewitch into a procession at the end of the last season. Trained by Emmet Mullins, the rise of 15lbs for that victory might not stop him. JUST HUBERT would have been another for the portfolio, but the draw of 19 is a killer.

5.35 This is a substandard edition of this race. I am pretty sure that the best horse is SOLID STONE. I have always wanted him to run over 10f. The problem is every time he has done so he has disappointed. His form over the mile would win this race. He clocked a very smart time when winning recently and he has smart form at Ascot, which is important. I am prepared to take another chance that he will prove me right as to the distance.
PATRICK SARSFIELD has put together an impressive number of smart performances as well as good times too and will be the main danger.

6.00 My main fancies for this race all need softer ground than what they will get. I like ARTHURIAN FABLE and think he is well over priced. I am disappointed they are not running him in the 12f handicap later in the week when there is rain forecast. He has not run on firmish ground, which is a concern. I think he is very unexposed over a longer trip, which he gets here. Some of his form suggests he is a serious player here and he will get a good ride from Jim Crowley. He has form at Ascot as well. The gelding operation during the winter is the thing that really attracts him to me, as he was rather keen last year.

18/03/2021

DAY 4 :

1.20 this could be some face. There are 3 horses with very big time figures in ZANAHIYR QUIXILIOS and ADAGIO......and TRITONIC, a high class flat horse trained by a man, who knows what a Triumph winning horse is.
This is another race to watch. It looks like one of the strongest Triumphs for a number of years. All four are capable of winning a normal Triumph. ZANAHIYR has looked a natural and can take any horse off the bridle. QUILIXIOS is more of a horse for the future, but make no mistake he has clocked possibly the fastest time and could be a big improver. TRITONIC looked awesome when winning the Adonis and he has real gears.
To be eccentric, I have played ADAGIO only because he is the biggest price and we know he acts on the track. 12/1 ew is big enough to chance a bet.

1.55 This is up to its usual standard and the handicaps this year have been very difficult to find a winner from. GANAPATHI is a Grade 1 quality animal that might make this race a procession.I was staggered that he ran in a 2m6f race last time as I saw him as a 2miler.
Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins have monopolized this race for done years now, so it is no shock that THIRD TIME LUCKI looks a real danger to all. In this race, you need a horse that travels and pounces after the last. Front runners are a sheer fire way to ruin. He fits the bill.
FIFTY BALL travels for fun and came there looking like the winner of the Betfair Hurdle only to weaken close home. 14/1 is a price I could not resist with Paddy paying 7 places and Skybet 8 places. He should take a hand in the finish.
THYME WHITE was another that was a massive eye catcher, on the bridle and having an interrupted passage through the same race. He looked like a horse that was bound to feature in a race like this one. 25/1 was also irresistible with Paddy.
Two others from the same race are likely players MILKWOOD is one to follow, he travels through his races like he will win a big one soon. EDWARDSTONE is one that looks very appealing for 8 places. He is unlikely to win but has an excellent chance to come in the first 8.
ECLAIR de BEAUFEU is a very dangerous horse and CAYD BOY is a nice horse to keep an eye on, if the money comes for him.

2.30 a very competitive affair and difficult to see an angle. STATTLER is an out and out stayer. ADRIMEL does not do losing, whoever beats him will know they have been in a fight. TORYGRAPH is a serious horse. FAKIERA is better than his finishing position last time suggests.
STREETS OF DOYEN is a stout stayer who will thrive on the faster ground and could be the overpriced one.

3.05 AL BOUM PHOTO is a bit like PAISLEY PARK without the holes in his firm. He is not spectacular but he wins and most certainly sets the standard. He went be easily beaten. A PLUS T**D is to my eye the classiest horse in the race and I have always thought that if he stays, he can win.
CHAMP has also got that touch of class and if the bounce factor does not affect him would be a worthy winner.
NATIVE RIVER win like the horse that won this race but the suspicion is the ground has gone against him. SANTINI could plod on into a place with so much pace in this race. KEMBOY is good enough but Cheltenham does not look like the track for him.

3.40 BILLAWAY has the most ability but his jumping still remains a worry especially here. I have taken a chance on STAKER WALLACE at 9/1, who finished second to the fav last time. If the favourite's jumping let's him down, he could land the spoils.
STAND UP TO FIGHT is a big message for this race and I cannot put anyone off wanting to take the 14/1 available. PORLOCK
Is no 33/1 shot, he is one that could get into the first 4 if ridden to get placed.

4.15 This seems to be between ELIMAY and COLREEVY. The thinking man's play must be to go ew on COLREEVY and for ELIMAY to beat her in a forecast.

4,50 Not for me as I cannot get a handle on the Irish plot horses such as GENTLEMAN de MEE and GALOPIN Des CHAMPS. There is a tip also for GABYNAKO and that is without LAGER DAN, who looks the likeliest winner at the weights but a dubious stayer.

17/03/2021

DAY 3 :

1.20 ENVOI ALLEN is unbeaten and deserves to be favourite. On Timefigures, he has not clocked the mega timefigures that the big Irish bankers had recorded before their wins on the first two days. One could argue that he has not been asked to do so. It is a slight ni**le at the back of my mind. This is a competitive affair and strictly on the form book he is the clear winner.
FUSIL RAFFLES has a progressive profile and is the one to beat of the rest. He has good form here, which helps. I think if he stays, BLAKBOW will outrun his odds and could be a speculative ew play. I keep watching his races and keep thinking there is more in the locker. I just wished he had been declared for the Grand Annual. CHATHAM STREET LAD is one that could run into the place too.

1.55 I have thought for some time that CHAMPAGNE PLATINUM was the bet ew for this race. He has not looked busy in any of his races and looks very fairly treated. His Irish equivalent THE BOSSES OSCAR, who also looked like he has only one target for the year here, has been dealt a mortal blow by the English handicapper, who gave him a mark a full 13 lbs higher than his last rating in Ireland and 13 lbs higher than when 5th in Martin Pipe last year. Presumably, that was in retaliation for the inevitable export ban on the Pfizer jab by the EU against the nasty Brits.
IMPERIAL ALCAZAR has been touted as a Grade 1 handicapper in a handicap. He has an obvious chance but I really think many are in front of the game and I will chance leaving him out of my portfolio. There are others that could be considered but I am happy to go with one horse here.

2.30 I find ALLAHO a hard horse to get my head around. I think he looks like a three miler that does not look like he stays the trip and has to run in the 20f bracket instead. As a result he has to lead and leaves him open to setting up it up for others at this Grade. If the ground had been softer, I would be keen on SAINT CALVADOS, who I think is good enough to go one better than last year. I am concerned that they have been insistent in keeping trying to win 3 mile races with him and that might have done some damage.
For me it is not a betting race with MIN also holding serious claims too. MELON cannot be discounted also although I favour the other two.

3.05 PAISLEY PARK is technically the best horse in the race, but he is not a horse that excites me for betting purposes. He never does any decent times and his profile is not what I look for in such a race.
SIRE DU BERLAIS loves the track and might outrun his price. FLOORING PORTER has had a wonderful year but I do not like front runners over hurdles on this track. VINNDICATION might be the unexposed horse in this race and has to be respected.

4.15 I have backed ROSEYS HOLLOW and HOOK UP. ROYAL KAHALA looks to have the beating of ROSEYS on their latest run together, but rather like ROKSANA, there is some doubt that she wont be as good at, in her case, the shorter distance. ROSEYS travelled for fun while ROYAL KAHARA was off the bridle and despite the turnaround in the weights, I fancy ROSEYS to confirm the form.
GAULOISES who finished third in that race could improve past them. The market will tell us if that can happen tomorrow. I will be surprised if the winner comes from outside these three and my other bet HOOK UP.
She was an excellent 4th behind APPRECIATE IT. The main worry is that Paul Townend has chosen GAULOISE so I will be doing forecasts the three of them.
The two remaining handicaps I will do an update tomorrow as I have not come to firm decisions on them.

17/03/2021

Day 2 :

1.20 This is definitely not a betting race as the top three in the market are all very serious racehorses. BOB OLINGER was wildly impressive in his last race and many top judges in Ireland believe he is the best novice in Ireland, full stop. I was really impressed by GALLIARD DU MESNIL when he won his latest start. He travelled like a top class prospect. BRAVEMANSGAME's form is absolute top grade and he will most certainly put it up to the other two.
On top of this BEAR GHYLLS is a rapidly improving animal, who could be anything. A real spectacle awaits us even if there are only 7 runners.

1.50 MONKFISH has been breathtaking this year and to date is as exciting as SHISHKIN. If he stands up, I cannot see him being beaten. EKLAT de RIRE impressed me last time and is progressive. SPORTING JOHN won in a very fast time in his most recent race and for those that want to oppose the favourite could be chanced for a fun bet.

2.30 One could mention many horses without trying, so I am going to concentrate on ones I am going to back. I particularly like GUARD YOUR DREAMS, who caught the eye in the Betfair Hurdle. He is very unexposed and in such a hot race ran better than his finishing position suggests. He looked every bit like a horse that needed to go further. He gets a chance today and 12/1 looks fair. BIRCHDALE is fascinating. He has had very few runs in the last two years but also caught the eye in this race last year and it may be significant that Nico has chosen him to ride, when he could have ridden CRAIGNEICHE. The latter looks very unexposed but did take a whack in the weights after his stylish win at Ascot. A possible 25/1 outsider to consider is WITNESS PROTECTION. He is an unexposed novice that could have sneaked into the race off a lenient rating. BOREHAM BILL won the Lanzarote well and at 28/1 for 6 places represents some value.

3.05 CHACUN POUR SOI has been the stand out performer at 2 miles this year and the only negative is that he has never run here. The ground has gone against SCEAU ROYAL, who should not be underestimated going forward on decent ground. POLITOLOGUE is the obvious ew alternative to the fav and should run his race. I can't separate the likes of PUT THE KETTLE ON, who loves Cheltenham, NOTEBOOK and hugely impressive new kid on the block, NUBE NEGRA, who was mighty impressive last time.

3.40 With the easing of the ground, EASYLAND certainly looks like the likeliest winner. POTTERS CORNER ran well on his debut over this course and should repay ew support. TIGER ROLL is hard to predict on this year's form. SOME NECK could pick up the leavings, if one of the vastly superior horses blows out.

4.15 I don't like this race as a betting medium. If I had to have a bet, it would be EMBITTERED. It looks like the normal plot and he has kept exalted company and not run that badly. The man and his wife has told me that ENTOUCAS is the other plot and he has the time figures to win this. The problem is i have been doing my money through the winter on him due to poor jumping. Unless they have been deliberately making him do the mistakes, he could find it difficult at the speed they will be going. However, he did run better last time but 6/1 each of two is too tight for me.
IBLEO has been a revelation this year and despite going up 14 lbs for his last two runs, he is not out of it. CHOSEN MATE won this in fine style last year and is 9 lbs higher. Too difficult!!

4.50 Bumpers are too impossible.

16/03/2021

Allan’s thought on Day 1.

CHELTENHAM Day 1

1.20 Despite all the big pundits led by Tom Segal and the likes of Paul Kealy suggesting that APPRECIATE IT is the worst favourite in living memory for the Supreme, there is little in the formbook that supports that theory. I think he is plenty short enough but is, undoubtedly, the horse to beat. He keeps finding whenever he is challenged nd it is hard to know how good he could be. Unfortunately, the 10mm of rain that fell through Sunday has probably compromised the chance of BALLYADAM, who did show much improvement last time out, when second to him. I am pretty certain that he will be better on decent ground.
I have backed METIER ew and think his form and certainly his timefigure when winning the Tolworth is the best going into this race. Being a decent flat horse that operated on very soft ground will help him. The stable has had all sorts of problems this year with the health of their horses, but he has to be the biggest threat to the favourite otherwise.
SOARING GLORY is a legitimate alternative ew bet, as he was so impressive in winning the Betfair Hurdle. The problem is that he won off 133 and it will take something out of the ordinary to improve enough to win a Supreme. There might not be enough pace for him to show his maximum ability and the ground might not help, as i am convinced the better ground at Newbury was the catalyst for his performance. It is worth pointing out that he did beat BRAVEMANSGAME earlier this season, so he is a contender. To get some perspective of what he is trying to do, MY TENT OR YOURS, when winning the Betfair Hurdle, won off a mark of 149 and was equally impressive but still only managed to come second in the Supreme afterwards.
BLUE LORD is an improver, who could outrun his odds. He should not beat the favourite but has been placed in two Grade 1s already.

1.55 It is hard to see SHISKIN not winning this race. He has been incredibly impressive in all his wins and has clocked times that could win many Champion Chases. ALLMANKIND is an outstanding jumper of fences and clocked a fantastic time in his last race. He would win many Arkles in a normal year. He cannot be discounted but he could be taking on a superstar. With 3 places, he would represent an excellent ew bet. FRANCO DU PORT, again, in a normal year would be a strong contender to go close, my suspicion is that he would be better going further. CAPTAIN MCGUINNESS is no mug too, if his jumping holds up. In the unlikely event something falls and brings down SHISKIN, he would be a worthy winner too. He is not to be totally dismissed.

2.30 This is a very substandard Ultima with the absence of LIEUTENANT ROCCO and several obvious Gigginstown runners that held excellent chances in this race along with the absence of GOLAN FORTUNE, another that could easily have been involved in the finish. I will not be having a bet in this race in normal circumstances. AYE RIGHT has some strong performances in the book and is in calmer waters and is bound to be involved coming down the hill. I would not put anyone off him. I think the race for him will be the Scottish Grand National.
HAPPYGOLUCKY is unexposed and was a good 4th last year in the Martin Pipe and won last time at Cheltenham, to show he handles the track. His price is a tad tight at 7/2 but is the obvious favourite. He looks like he has been laid out for the race.
ALNADAM will relish the rain they have had and remains a progressive chaser. OK CORRAL was a good winner of the Skybet Chase last time out, but is unraced this year. If he attracts money it would have to be respected. MILAN NATIVE won the Kim Muir last year and is 8lbs higher in this. If he really is the pick of the ex-Gordon Elliott's entries, would have to be noted, as i really fancied three others that were left in recently in this race, two of whom i was going to have decent bets on them.

3.05 HONEYSUCKLE has done nothing wrong and has clocked her best timefigure in her last race and goes into the race as the legitimate favourite for the race. There is plenty of pace in this race and this might set up for EPITANTE, who, if she arrives in the same form as last year, is the one most likely to trouble the favourite. I will chance her and do a forecast HONEYSUCLE to beat her. GOSHEN came back to form last time and makes this a fascinating race. I am not totally convinced he is as good as the other two. He must be respected, nevertheless. SHARJAH is a good ground horse but did finish second last year on ground that was pretty deep. He could be the thinking man's ew alternative. SILVER STREAK has upped his form this year to the extent that if it was being run at Kempton, i would have backed him ew. He will finish closer than his 6th last year and will threaten the minor places.

3.40 CONCERTISTA has looked an improved mare this year and strictly on form, it can be argued has performances up to 10-12lbs above her win in this race last year.
ROKSANA, likewise has done well this year against geldings but over 3 miles. She might find coming back in trip a slight problem, as she showed last year in a very much stronger renewal of this race that she lacked the finishing kick in a disappointing 4th. She is technically the second best on ratings, otherwise.
I am going to chance backing DAME DE COMPAGNIE at around 8/1 on the exchanges, who was really impressive when winning the Coral Cup last year from BLACK TEARS, who has advertised that form this year. The latter is 4lbs better off for a 2 1/4 length beating. She won with a bit in hand to my eye though. I am also having an ew bet on BLACK TEARS, as she is even bigger at 14/1. She has form over hurdles this year at least and is very consistent.

4.15 This is very competitive and is a minefield for betting purposes. I have chanced HOMME PUBLIQUE at bigger prices, but 14/1 6 places Paddy/ Betfair Sportsbook could be interesting. He was highly regarded in France and has caught my eye in his races as one that could still have some mileage at his current handicap mark. HOUX GRIS is the favourite at 5/1 and looks like Nicholls has been guarding his handicap mark. They are closely matched on their French form together.
I like CABOT CLIFFS, but front runners rarely win this race, unfortunately. He has also run a moderate race here earlier in the season. That may apply to SAINT SAM, who led last time. He would be dangerous if held up. The other horse i will probably have something on at the exchanges is COLTOR. He is a pure guess, as his hurdle form might not be good enough. However, Dermot Weld is a master at this handicap lark and his flat form makes him well in. He is one of the few potentially seriously unexposed horses in this race. He beat ZOFFANIEN, who has franked the form since and is better off at the weights today. Interestingly, he won his race on the flat with first time visor and the trainer has gone for the same headgear for the first time over hurdles. SAGE ADVICE looks like another that has been aiming at this race from his shrewd handler.

4.50 This looks like a four horse race. At the prices, I am backing REMASTERED at 8/1 4 places. He has been an immaculate jumper of fences and while one would not know if he will stay, he certainly ran up the hill at Ascot as a true stayer. His form is not as good at face value as NEXT DESTINATION and GALVIN and the latter, in particular, has a proper staying pedigree and is bound to go close. REMASTERED remains relatively unexposed and is worth risking. NEXT DESTINATION has won both his races this year and has the strongest form. He looks like he needs more than 3 miles and i cannot put anyone off him. ESCARIA TEN had some very inviting opportunities in the handicaps, but they have chosen this option. Normally with Jamie Codd on board in an Amateur rider affair, he would have been very attractive. The 4-5 lbs he has to find with the big two would have been an irrelevance

Racing Eye

17/06/2021

16/06/2021

14/06/2021

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