A profit was secured on the opening day thanks to Mutakayyef coming home in front in the Queen Anne without Ribchester. On to Day 2 and there’s plenty to be interested in, with interests in 4 of the 6 races.
2.30: Jersey Stakes
A Group 3 over the specialist trip of 7 furlongs sees a mix of horses coming here, from Guineas runners to rapidly improving handicappers. Typically, horses that are stepping down from a Group 1 hold sway and that leans us towards the Guineas runners which actually accounts for the front 3 in the market.
Dream Castle acts like a miler and I’m particularly enamoured by the booking of Josephine Gordon to ride whilst Daban should go well but might struggle to defy her penalty. Despite there being question marks over the ground, I cannot ignore the French raider Le Brivido.
His trainer doesn’t send them over for nothing, especially in races below the very top class, so that’s a tip in itself. He’s been seen just 3 times, winning twice without coming off the bridle before taking a massive hike in class to contest the French 2000 Guineas. Looking all over the winner, he was collared close home by Brametot who has since gone on to win the Prix Du Jockey Club. The pair pulled 3 lengths clear of the rest and a repeat of that form, especially over a furlong shorter, should see him in the winners enclosure. The only concern is the fact that run was on soft ground. He looks a worthy favourite and I’m happy to invest.
Of the bigger prices, I like the King Charles II winner, Taamol. He is another who has to prove himself on soft ground but he’s from a very shrewd race who has targeted this race for a while. After that Newmarket win, he earned quotes of 10/1 but is now over double that price which is too big to ignore. He won despite hanging badly left so I’m hopeful the cheekpieces will make a difference. His form has been solid enough, running well on the all-weather before patently not staying the mile. He looks a decent each way bet in an open heat.
Tips
WON – Back Le Brivido for a 2/10 stake at 4.33 Ladbrokes BOG
Back it here:
Back Taamol (e/w) in the ‘w/o Le Brivido market’ for a 0.5/10 stake at 17.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
3.05: Queen Mary Stakes
A big field for these 2 year olds racing over 5 furlongs but I just cannot see beyond the US raider, Happy Like A Fool. Her trainer is very excited by her chance, he’s booked the best jockey around to ride and she couldn’t have convinced more winning easily at Keeneland in April.
Admittedly, her price is skinny but she’s drawn well too and her trainer has won the last 2 runnings of this. In my opinion, she’s hard to oppose but I’ll be doubling her up with one in the next race.
3.40: Duke Of Cambridge Stakes
Despite the 15 runners, the market has this between 4 and I’m inclined to agree that the winner will come from here. In fact, I think Smart Call has something to prove despite her South African form whilst Usherette has it all to do to follow up last year’s win on this better ground having disappointed on her start on firmish ground.
Qemah won here 12 months ago but is another who might not appreciate the ground so I’m siding with the fast improving Laugh Aloud. She has won 3 from 3 on firmish ground including a very impressive Listed win at Goodwood 2 starts ago. Since then, she was arguably even better at Epsom in winning a Group 3 by 5 lengths. She will love the ground and the track will suit as she’s a galloper and will keep going all the way to the line. Her trainer has a strong hand today and I’m convinced this is his best chance of a winner.
Tips
VOID – Back Laugh Aloud for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG
Back it here:
3.05 Queen Mary Stakes: Back Happy Like A Fool & 3.40 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes: Back Laugh Aloud to finish in the top 3 double for a 2/10 stake at 3.51 with Paddy Power
Back it here:
4.20: Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
The big race on Day 2 but not one to get too involved in. It’s hard to separate the front 3 in the market although preference is for Jack Hobbs. That said, I wouldn’t put anyone off either Highland Reel or Ulysses so a watching brief is advised.
5.00: Royal Hunt Cup Handicap
30 runners over this straight mile and, whilst it might be obvious, I’m sticking with the market leaders as it’s proved to be a good guide in this race. In addition, the unexposed improvers and, therefore, 4 year olds hold sway so I’m taking 2 such types.
Fastnet Tempest, the winner of the Victoria Cup, is our first selection. He looked all over the winner in the Spring Cup but was collared inside the last. I’m not certain it was the trip but more the fact he hit the front too soon. That theory was backed up with the way he ran all the way to the line in the Victoria Cup and, whilst this is over a furlong further, he wasn’t stopping that day. He is improving at a rate of knots and the way he quickened last time out at Chester having been trapped out the back was impressive. His mark is continuing to go up but I feel he’s still ahead of his mark and will surely be in the shake up.
The 2nd selection is the well backed Abe Lincoln who is drawn well today. He’s been off the track for a year but this is the shrewdest of shrewd stables who’s been responsible for landing previous gamble with horses like Forgotten Voice and Laddies Poker Two. This has a similar feel and he’s so lightly raced and has so much potential, he’s very likely to be a Group horse lurking in a handicap. He was 2nd in the Britannia here last year so goes at the track but this ground is riding faster. Comments coming from the yard like “he’s training well” and “in top order” are good enough for me and, whilst he has something to prove, there’s no chance his trainer would be running him if he didn’t think he was up to landing the prize. From a yard in form (last 2 runners have won), he’s not one to dismiss.
Tips
Back Fastnet Tempest (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 Betfred BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
Back it here:
Back Abe Lincoln (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 Coral BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
Back it here:
5.35: Sandringham Handicap
Trying to solve 2 handicaps in one day is too much so, after the Hunt Cup, I’ll sit this one out. Sibilance would be the one if I was playing but, by this race, I’m hoping our pockets are full ready for Day 3.
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