Soft ground at Newmarket for today's eight-race card with
the ITV (3) cameras in attendance. There is the prospect of further showers
during racing.
Saffron Beach is the only unbeaten filly in the line-up for
the 7f Oh So Sharp Stakes having scored readily over C&D last month. She
was well on top in the end, but those in behind her had only shown a moderate
level of form previously and it may not have been a vintage renewal of what is
often a good maiden.
Aidan O'Brien has only saddled the winner of this Group 3
juvenile contest once previously and that was fifteen years ago, but I feel Thinking
Of You (2.25) can take this for Ballydoyle as long as Ryan Moore makes
plenty of use of his American Pharaoh filly who didn't get the clearest of
passages in a similar contest when third at the Curragh last time. The
selection will get further in time, but she can fend off the challenge of Roger
Varian's Nazuna who was no match for Isabella Giles in the Rockfel Stakes last
time with Ballydoyle's Monday a beaten market leader. O'Brien should know where
he stands regarding Nazuna.
The feature race is the Gp 1 Fillies' Mile and there is a
strong Irish challenge with Aidan O'Brien doubly represented and his son's
Joseph and Donnacha also having leading claims. Note Ryan Moore rides Shale for
Donnacha although on today's forecast ground, I feel Pretty Gorgeous might be
the best of the Irish and reverse Moyglare Stakes form with Shale.
I cannot desert the unbeaten Indigo Girl (2.35) who
did us a favour when easily landing the Gp 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last
time when she came from last to first under Frankie Dettori. The Italian is
unable to take the mount this afternoon having ridden in Paris at the weekend.
Rab Havlin – who was in the plate at Yarmouth on her debut- takes over in the
saddle.
The Old Rowley Cup shortlist is long but my two against the
field at Doubling Dice and Brilliant Light (4.10) with preference for the
latter who is 5lbs higher for scoring at Sandown last time over 10f when he
hinted that a return to this afternoon's mile-and-a-half would see him in an
even better light.
At York there is every chance that Prince Alex make it six
handicaps on the run but he has little in hand of King's Charisma (2.40) on the
revised terms for recent Haydock running when the selection met trouble in
running. He had previously disappointed over today's C&D which is a concern
in the Melrose handicap but 14/1 looks a fair each way price.
A terrific jumps card at Chepstow and in the Veterans' Chase
I feel there are more races to be won with 10-y-old Strong Pursuit (2.55) who
is lightly-raced for one of his age and looks well handicapped for his seasonal
reappearance. The Hobbs yard have not yet hit their straps this term, but first
time out might be the time to catch this inmate who has run well fresh in the
past. Joe Farrell failed to get home in the Midlands National when last seen
back in March and finished third in this corresponding race 12 months ago when
he was just behind On Tour who is 1lb worse off this afternoon. They are
considered big dangers.
Soaring Glory (4.25) has been off the track since finishing
runner up in a listed Ascot Bumper back in December. The selection had won his
two previous starts and is a novice hurdler of some potential.
The Fergal O'Brien yard continue to go from strength to
strength and I am looking forward to the chase debut of Ask Dillon (5.25) in a
Novice Chase that wouldn't look out of place in one of Cheltenham's autumn
meetings. The selection is a winning pointer who has always promised to leave
behind his decent hurdles form when he tackles fences. Conor Brace last rode
the selection at this corresponding meeting two years ago when the selection
finished runner up to McFabulous in a Bumper.
