Friday, July 11, 2008

York, Ascot and Chester

I still haven't quite got over the fact that on Wednesday Nahoodh won the Falmouth at 10/1 yet I didn't have a penny on...

The highlight of tomorrow's York card is the 49th running of the John Smith's Cup over one mile two and a half furlongs. Given the weather forecast, the going is likely to suit horses that prefer soft ground. Three year olds have a decent enough record in this but none have managed to make the cut this year! On eight occasions in the last ten years the winner come from a low numbered draw; two horses that have been well-touted horses during the week, Mutajarred and Proponent, are set to come from stalls eleven and nineteen respectively. In this most competitive event, I favour a small each-way bet on Ezdiyaad who is set to come out of berth three and should have no trouble handling the prevailing conditions.

Only seven go to post for the Ascot Summer Mile at 2.55, in which Ramonti, Cesare and Archipenko look the main players. This will be Ramonti's first run of the season following an injury; he was set to run at Royal Ascot but missed that engagement so is passed over here for course specialist Cesare who looked most unlucky in running when beaten just over a length in the Queen Anne three and a half weeks ago. Archipenko could be the fly in the ointment, looking a revitalised horse since moving to Mike De Kock's yard.

The two top-rated horses in Chester's five furlong City Wall Stakes, Borderlescott and Oldjoesaid, are drawn widest in stalls nine and ten respectively; that being the case, I'm tempted to take them on. Mick Quinn's yard has been in good form over the past fortnight and his Angus Newz in stall one will certainly handle the going. Angus Newz has a bit to find with the principals but looks worth an each-way interest at around the 10/1 mark.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

Both the each-way selections, Ezdiyaad (9/2) and Angus Newz (7/2), finished third having been backed to such an extent through the day that the SP price wasn't an each-way price. Angus Newz did well to rally and finish third; nonetheless she had the advantage of the best draw but was still run off her feet in the initial part of the race and looked to be going backwards two out. More cut in the ground may have served her cause better by helping to blunt the early speed of some of the others.
In receipt of five pounds, this had to be Cesare's (6/4f) best chance to turn over some Group 1 performers but he was slow to pick up on the ground and finished a somewhat disappointing third. I was amazed to Archipenko sent off 11/1; his jockey rode a fine race, getting first run as they turned into the short home straight and holding 50/1 shot Barshiba three quarters of a length at the line.