The listed Pipalong Stakes is the feature race at Pontefract this afternoon a mile contest for fillies’ and mares’ which will be run on ground described as good on Monday morning although there are heavy overnight showers predicted for the area overnight and conditions are unlikely to be any better than good to soft come the start of racing..
Waliyak (3.00) cannot be considered an unlucky loser in the Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot given she constantly gives herself too much to do at the start of her races, but she made eye-catching progress from the rear and was only beaten a length. Had she broken on terms she would have won in my opinion, and I hope to see her break better this afternoon. The selection – 2s with BetVictor – has run well with plenty of ease in the ground in the past although the prospect of a tactical affair tempers confidence given there is no guaranteed pace in the race.
Delgrey Bay refused to settle and was ultimately readily brushed aside here last week and, especially if the rain arrives, I think he might be worth taking on courtesy of Delph Crescent (4.10) who was in good form on fibresand earlier in the year and has been running well on ground faster than ideal of late.
The each way selection – 9/2 with 10Bet – has won off higher marks at Southwell and is down to a mark just 3lbs higher than when scoring at Musselburgh back in October.
There is rain due overnight at Uttoxeter and that is, arguably a concern for all seven runners in the 2m handicap chase. There is only 5lbs in the weights between the top and bottom weights, but I thought Rose Sea Has (7.15) ran a terrific race at Worcester back at the minimum trip last time and a repeat will make him hard to beat. He would, ideally, not want conditions too testing although the grey does have a win next to his name on soft ground. The recommendation is 3s with Boylesports.
At Wolverhampton I thought Electric Blue (2.10) would have gone very close with a clear passage over today’s C&D when finishing fourth last time and she is taken to make amends from a 1lb lower mark. Luke Morris, who was in the saddle last time, keeps the ride and he has a better draw in stall two this afternoon than was the case here four weeks ago. The ew recommendation is 6s with MansionBet.
Keeper was taken out of a race at Ripon yesterday to wait for what looks a good opportunity to follow up her recent Brighton success for the inform Roger Charlton. The Frankel colt has been put in short enough, however, at 5/4 given both Imperial Son (5.15) and Midfield are bred to come into their own over middle distances and the former gets the vote. The selection is a half-brother to the St Leger winner Harbour Law, and he looked in need of an extra couple of furlongs when third at Nottingham over 10f on handicap debut – well backed favourite – last time. Note Keeper was withdrawn again on Monday evening and Imperial Son is a best price of 6/4 with William Hill.
Midfield is a typical Sir Mark Prescott horse who has been given four runs over inadequate trips -7f & 8f – to get a mark. She begins life in handicaps off a mark of 60 and is out of a half-sister to Confidential Lady who won the French Oaks for the same connections. It goes without saying that a market move would be worth noting although at the time of posting she is back out to 6/1 having been nibbled at first thing.
