It might be just a mundane Tuesday for many, but I think it’s a terrific day’s racing with something for everyone.
Good ground at Newbury for this evening’s twilight card and I’m looking forward to seeing Sense Of Duty reappear in the opening 6f maiden fillies’ stakes although she may not be much of a price. The William Haggas trained filly holds entries in the Rockfel and Cheveley Park later in the year and looked an unlucky loser over C&D on debut. There was 10/11 available on Monday evening but that was quickly snaffled up and he is 8/13 with William Hill at the time of posting.
The valuable mile handicap would not have looked out of place at York last week and there are likely to be several winners come out of the race in the weeks to come. Troll Peninsula looked one to follow when scoring at Kempton earlier in the year but his near five-month absence from the track is a concern and he must prove he is as effective on turf.
Power Of Darkness and Imrahor are much respected but Bear Force One (5.45) has been dropped a couple of pounds since finishing in mid-division in the Shergar Cup last time. The each way selection has dropped to the same mark as when scoring at Newmarket last summer and, after just three starts this term, I feel there is more to come from Roger Teal’s 5-y-old. Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle. The 12/1 with William Hill looks fair.
Beowulf (7.15) has looked well ahead of the handicapper in winning a couple of minor events at Ffos Las in recent weeks and a 7lbs rise may not prevent his hat-trick bid although this is a much stronger contest than the ones he has hovered up of late. The selection is 2/1 with Boylesports.
Haggas has few horses in his care who are rated in the 60s and Just Jacob is bred to be better than his current mark. If he ever learns to settle, he will be difficult to beat off this mark. Modestus is another who is potentially well treated, and the form of his recent Salisbury run has been given a boost by the win of the fourth home – Dartington – at Brighton at the weekend.
Albasheer (6.05) makes his eagerly awaited but belated reappearance at Salisbury having been off the track since down the field in the Dewhurst at Newmarket on soft ground back in the autumn. The selection – 6/4 with 10Bet – has yet to race over today’s 6f trip, but he looked a speed horse to my eyes when just touched off close home in the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster back in September.
Jumby carries a 4lbs penalty for scoring at Newmarket back in May, but he looks sure to run his race having ran a terrific race in a good handicap on the July course last time. He is the barometer but if Albasheer is as good as I think he is, then I think it will be asking too much of Jumby to give weight and a beating to the Owen Burrows trained colt.
At Yarmouth I hope to see Farhh To Shy (3.00) get back to winning ways having looked to be crying out for an additional furlong when beaten a short head over 6f here earlier in the month. The filly is bred to be decent and after just three career starts – allied to the additional furlong – she can improve past her more exposed rivals. Note the form of her second here last time took a knock when the winner blew out at Chepstow on Monday. No surprise if she drifted out to bgger than 11/4 with MansionBet.
Wishfull Dreaming is penalised 7lbs for scoring over C&D at Bangor-on-Dee last week but my two against the field in the 3m handicap chase are Alan King’s Outonpatrol and Organdi (2.10) with preference for the latter who has been dropped 1lb for what I thought was a terrific run at Uttoxeter last time.
That was only in a four-runner race but the second – Thistle Do Nicely – would have won at Worcester but for capsizing at the last with the race at his mercy leaving the door open for Rhythm Is A Dancer who was behind the selection in fourth at the Staffordshire track.
That run was only the mare’s second start over fences – fell on her first start on soft ground – and today’s good ground is ideal. Richard Phillips’ mare – 6s with Boylesports – must prove her stamina for three miles, but she was staying on over an extended 2m 6f last time and she gets the each way vote with the dead eight due to go to post.
No Comment has yet to win over fences and has not won a race of any description since January 2017, but he is potentially well treated, and he faced a difficult task trying to keep tabs on Presentandcounting at Cartmel last time.
He must go close, but Tanarpino (3.10) is another who has dropped to a very attractive mark, and he looked ready for a drop back in distance when beaten just 6L over 3m here last time in first time blinkers. Jennie Candlish swops the blinkers for his usual visor and at 11/1 with William Hill he is another each way recommendation in another race where eight are due to go to post.