A what might have been day on Tuesday with Russian Emperor and Glen Force the best horse in their respective races and birthday boy Ed Walker landing a gamble courtesy of Cap Francais. I presume the winner will be aimed at the Royal/Silver Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot next week. That stiff mile should suit although he may struggle to get a run in the big one even with a small penalty.
Five meetings across Britain and Ireland today and we start across the Irish Sea where there are a couple of listed contests at Navan.
Millisle may have disappointed for Jessica Harrington in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday but she bounced back to land a treble at Leopardstown on Monday and I hope to see her One Voice (3.30) run a big race in the Salsabil Stakes for 3-y-old fillies over 10 furlongs.
Harrington saddles two – also unbeaten Silence Please – but one would imagine Sean Foley had the pick and he has opted for One Voice an impressive winner of her second start at Leopardstown when eased down to win by 3L from subsequent winner Auxilia who reopposes today. The selection is 11/4 (from 5/2) with William Hill.
Ballydoyle’s Passion met trouble in running when well held in a hot May Hill at Doncaster back in September, but she was been niggled at when having her run stopped. This step up to 10f will suit and she is fitted with first-time cheek-pieces today. She represents a big danger, but One Voice is one of a number of potential top class 3-y-old fillies in the Harrington yard with, arguably, the best of the bunch Albigna favourite for the Irish 1000 Guineas on Saturday evening.
There is the possibility of showers at Pontefract, but the ground was described as good to firm on Tuesday morning and conditions are unlikely to alter before or during racing. Oleg is likely to be all the rage in the stayers’ handicap, but Paul Nicholls’ charge has been raised 13lbs for a win at Southwell at the beginning of March – his first race following a wind operation.
If the ground was good to soft or softer, I would certainly want to have Sassie on my side for Mick Easterby but first time out might be the time to catch Moon Of Baroda (3.20) at the foot of the weights. The grey has had his wind operated on since disappointing over hurdles back in January and Hughie Morrison fits his five-year-old with a tongue-tie for the first time. The stable are yet to have a winner since the belated start to the turf season, but they have had a number run very well in defeat. The each way selection is 10/1 with bet365.
I would be disappointed if there wasn’t more to come from the lightly-raced Shauyra (4.20) this season and she is taken to land the 10f handicap for William Haggas and Ben Curtis who gets the ride with stable jockeys’ Tom Marquand at Kempton and James Doyle at Yarmouth. The filly – a general 5/2 shot – pulled hard when third at Wolverhampton on her last start but a repeat of her third at Windsor on debut last season would make her tough to beat in this field.
I can pass on a good word for Astro King (4.10) on debut at Wolverhampton. The colt works with some good horses at Freemason Lodge and Ryan Moore has been booked for this son of Kingman’s first start. The 7/4 with bet365 was quickly snapped up and, at the time of writing he is a best priced Evens.
Asbaagh (4.45) was drawn badly and was slowly away when third at Lingfield over 7f on her debut and the hope is that she has benefited considerably from the experience. The step up to today’s extended mile should suit the filly who cost 450,000 gns as a yearling. He was put in at 6/4 with bet365 and, unlike Astro King, that price has not contracted in the early salvos.
The 3-year-old handicap over the extended mile is a cracker and Bavardarges looks sure to have his supporters having finished second at Newcastle last week. He has been raised a couple of pounds for that effort so is 2lbs well in today, but I am sure there is much more to come from Amir Kabir (5.20) who was given a moderate ride at Kempton last time – albeit claimer ridden from a poor draw. Jason Watson takes over in the saddle and I will be disappointed if he isn’t much better than a 72-rated animal come the end of the year. The 6/1 with William Hill didn’t last too long and he is now into 9/2.
At Kempton I hope to see a big run from Camouflaged (9.00) who was forced to cover ground when runner up at Chelmsford on his handicap debut back in March. Adam Kirby takes over in the saddle this evening and he should be able to get a good position going into the first turn from an ideal draw in stall four. The gelding – 5/2 with William Hill – is half-brother to four winners including Gp 1 scorer Royal Marine and a mark of 59 should not be beyond him. He looks the type who could run up a sequence for his powerful connections.
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