While football mania sweeps across England it is easy to forget that there is a decent race meeting beginning at Newmarket on Thursday. The July Meeting gets underway with a decent card and a look through the racecard has thrown up one bet.
Alongside that, there is plenty of other good racing on the schedule on Thursday and a scours through those cards have thrown up an evening bet over in Ireland giving us two to get stuck into on the day.
4.45 Newmarket
Preview
The last race on Day 1 of the Newmarket July meeting sees a field of 16 head to the start for this 1 mile handicap. De Sousa rides the favourite in the shape of Migration who was 4th of 12 at Salisbury on his only start after almost 2 years off the track but there is a question mark over whether he’ll back that up especially as he has an 1lb to carry. Oisin Murphy’s mount Legendary Day has won his last 2 in lower grades & smaller fields but is up another 6lbs & has it to prove in a competitive heat. I like the chances of Path Of Thunder who should be in the mix for Charlie Appleby & James Doyle.
Betting
My selection, however, is Power Of Darkness who is a 6 year old with 4 wins from 13 career starts. He’s won 3 handicaps in a higher grade than this & off marks of 84, 91 & 94 but gets in here off a mark of just 90. It’s worth saying that he’s finished midfield in both the Cambridgeshire & the Spring Cup, both of which are much better races than this & last time out, when dropped into this grade, he was less than a length 3rd off this mark. He was slowly away that day and granted a level break, is expected to be closer this time. He sported first time cheekpieces that day & they are retained today so looks a decent each way price in a race where extra places are available.
Tips
Back Power Of Darkness (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 10.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
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6.40 Leopardstown
Preview
A 17 runner Premier handicap over in Ireland is the scene of our 2nd bet, a race over a mile and a quarter with Hollie Doyle riding Baby Zeus for Willie Mullins the likely favourite. He won a similar event at the Curragh last time up but has a 9lb higher mark to contend with here. The runner up Mirann reopposes but he himself is up 7lbs although does have a 10lb claimer on top which should help if his inexperience isn’t a hindrance. Tauran Shaman is another running really well but continues to see his mark rise, with similar comments applying to both Mosala and Vultan.
Betting
At a price, I’m going to take a chance on 3 year old Baton Rouge. His best run as a juvenile was when 3rd behind Group 1 winner Thunder Moon & this season he’s shown promise amongst some disappointments. He won on reappearance in fine style, that was a maiden at Dundalk before running 2nd to Benaud on his next start when giving the now 103-rated winner & Group 2 placed horse 5lbs. That looks even better with our horse in here off 96, just 2lbs higher than for that run. He then went off favourite for a similar handicap to this at Navan but ran below par before Royal Ascot, the very soft ground, a bad draw & an odd ride meant a complete no-show. Conditions here are very different; he has a good draw in 2, is the only horse likely to go forward in a race with no pace & racing on better ground, he could prove a tough nut to crack. At the price, I’m prepared to see whether he can repel challengers up the straight.
Tips
Back Baton Rouge (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 William Hill BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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