Friday, August 08, 2008

Ascot's Stayers and Haydock

Nobody seems to know for certain what happened to Shergar all those years ago and, in similar vein, nobody seems to know for certain what happens at Ascot's Shergar Cup meeting. One thing for certain is that racegoers will get the chance to see two jockeys, Jorge Ricardo and Russelll Baze, both of whom have ridden over 10,000 winners, ride in this country. Mick Fitzgerald, who announced his retirement from race-riding today, will no doubt be envious.

The race I'm interested in is The Stayers which is run over two miles and is due off at 2.55. This looks a tight handicap. Nicky Henderson's Caracciola is just the top-rated horse but at eleven years old is likely to be vulnerable. The changeable weather forecast means I've concentrated on horses that will handle cut in the ground. Highland Legacy has been out of sorts this term and was unplaced when sent off favourite for the Northumberland Plate. Bogside Theatre, third in that race and then placed over course and distance last month, looks the percentage call. Desert Sea is feared if the rain doesn't materialise.

Over at Haydock, I'm tempted to take on likely favourite Multidimensional with either Smokey Oakey or Flying Clarets in the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes. Both will handle cut in the ground. Flying Clarets has been on the go this year while Smokey Oakey comes to this fresh and is marginally preferred.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

while 100/30 favourite Bogside Theatre could be considered unlucky to be pipped a head at the post by Gee Dee Nen (5/1), 11/4 shot Smokey Oakey failed to show and finished a disappointing sixth of seven runners at Haydock. 2/1 favourite Multidimensional dug deep on the heavy ground to take this.