I thought Frankie Dettori gave Lone Eagle a sensational ride in defeat in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday and he returns to the saddle for the first time since at Kempton this evening.
The Italian looks to have an outstanding chance on Before Dawn in the opener for Charlie Appleby but of more interest is Chiasma (6.35) who is taken to make it third time lucky in the 12f fillies’ novice event. The selection – 11/4 with BetVictor – is a sister of the great Frankel and steps up to this trip for the first time having finished runner up on soft ground at Goodwood last time over 10f. Frankel never tried 12f himself, but Chiasma’s other brother Noble Mission was a winner over the trip, and she is closely related to other middle-distance scorers.
Sea Sylph must give 7lbs to the selection having won at Windsor over 10f last time but she, too, is a promising type although she is drawn out wide in stall thirteen.
The following 12f handicap is a belter and Great Esteem is beginning to look well treated back down to the same mark as when a fluent scorer at Lingfield back in March. He has yet to run a bad race at this evening’s track, but he must put behind a modest run last time. Fame N Fortune was beaten less than a length at Lingfield last time but that track clearly suits and he was well beaten on his sole previous start at Kempton.
Rodrigo Dias (7.05) has been a revelation since being stepped up to 11f and beyond, winning four of his last five starts including a facile win over C&D back in September – albeit from a mark 23lbs lower than this evening. He looked to be still well ahead of the handicap when scoring at Doncaster from a 6lbs lower mark earlier in the month and he holds entries for two big handicaps on turf over the next ten days. By my reckoning he needs a penalty to stand any chance of getting into those early closing events. There was 13/8 available at the time of posting but he is 11/8 with MansionBet.
A change of tactics worked the oracle for Bucephalus (7.35) at Pontefract over a mile last time when he dictated his own gallop before scooting clear around the final bend. He has been hit by a 9lbs rise for that fluent victory but should get things his own way up front. His wide draw is a negative, but I hope jockey Sebastian Woods can get across to the rail after a furlong. The 9/2 with BetVictor is about right. Note he sweated freely before the run at Pontefract and it certainly didnt do him any harm.
At Worcester Kloud Gate (4.15) was pulled out of a similar engagement at Uttoxeter due to travel problems at the weekend and can land his hat-trick over timber having landed a couple of modest handicaps at Huntingdon. The selection – 10/3 with Boylesports – must prove his stamina for this three-mile trip, but he once finished runner up to recent Royal Ascot winner Stratum over two miles on the flat from a mark of 91, and he remains potentially well treated in staying handicap hurdles.
Haul Away has been in good form over fences of late and the form of last month’s win here last month was given a huge boost at Uttoxeter at the weekend. He looks well handicapped reverting to timber and represents a big danger to the selection.
At Thirsk Zagato (2.45) is taken to break his maiden tag in the mile novice event. The selection looked sure to get off the mark when beaten a head in first time cheekpieces at Doncaster last time when he travelled like much the best horse in the race. Rab Havlin keeps the ride, and he has a good draw in stall four. I expect him to leave his challenge to the last furlong on William Hill‘s 11/10 market leader.
