The ground was described as soft at Haydock on Friday
morning with thew possibility of light showers for today's feature meeting
which includes the Group 1 Sprint Cup.
Hello Youmzain won the corresponding race 12 months ago and won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June before running a cracker in the Prix Maurice de Gheest behind Space Blues. Dream Of Dreams was very impressive in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last time, but I feel he needs a stiffer track over this trip although he looks sure to be finishing fast and late. Switch time zones with these betting offers on the Melbourne Cup in November.
Ryan Moore had been in lockdown in Tipperary ahead of next
week's Irish Champions weekend, but the Irish authorities have relaxed the
protocols surrounding sportspeople and he is now free to ride Lope Y Fernandes
who has run some excellent races in defeat so far this term.
The three-year-old generation have won three of the last
five renewals of this famous sprint and Art Power (3.15) can put behind a
disappointing run at York last time to give Tim Easterby a third win in the
race following the successes of Pipalong (2000) and Somnus (2003). The grey had
won his last four starts prior to the Nunthorpe and the softer ground and
additional furlong will, hopefully, see him in a better light this afternoon.
Favourite Moon is surely better than he showed at York in
the Melrose last time given he won his previous start over today's C&D on
soft ground. He is fitted with a first-time tongue tie this afternoon, but
preference is for stablemate Midrarr (2.15) who looked a filly of some
potential when winning at Chester over 1m 4f last time. Hollie Doyle takes over
in the saddle this afternoon and, while she is not guaranteed to appreciate the
additional quarter of a mile on breeding, she was certainly not stopping last
time.
Enable is the star turn at Kempton and it is a shame that
there will not be any spectators allowed to watch what is likely to be her last
race in Britain. She has been a wonderful race mare and this contest looks an
ideal stepping-stone as she concludes her preparation as she bids to regain her
Arc crown at Longchamp next month.
Mystery Smiles (2.00) lost his unbeaten record in the
Gimcrack at York last time but he is taken to return to winning ways in the Gp
3 Sirenia Stakes for Andrew Balding and Rob Hornby who takes over in the saddle
with Silvestre De Sousa required at Haydock.
The colt has a good draw in stall four and there should be plenty of
pace which should allow him to pounce inside the final furlong.
Seddon (3.00) can follow up his Cartmel success in the
two-and-a-half-mile novice chase at Stratford where he jumped well and improved
on his chase debut at Stratford over an extended two miles when he raced wide
and was tenderly handled. He can give weight to his six rivals.
The novice El Borracho (4.45) has won his last couple and
the form of his recent Southwell success was given a boost when the runner up
Leroy Leroy did us a favour earlier in the week. Top-weight Highly Prized has
been raised 10lbs for his recent win and St Gallen – one of three Olly Murphy
trained runners in the field – is considered the main danger.
At Fontwell on Sunday I hope to see Pagero (1.40) make it
four on the spin back up in trip for Jonjo O'Neill. The selection got up close
home at Newton Abbott over their extended 2m last time and today's additional
quarter of a mile will suit. A 4lbs rise for a shot head success seems harsh,
but I think there is more to come from the five-year-old at this trip.
