My exams have finished at long last so the Blog is up and running again. It has been a long time, too long in fact, since I last wrote about something I was interested in. Now that the tedium of University work is behind me, I can get back to what really matters; horse racing. Newmarket Racecourse have kindly given us students free entry to the July Course on Friday which is a fantastic initiative and just the sort of assistance we need to get people to come racing. I still maintain that racing sells itself if you can get people to come along for the first time. Let us hope that all the first timers enjoy their experience and want to return. Simply put, there is nothing better, but then I would say that.
To celebrate the end of exams I feel compelled to engage in a little bit of 'mug-punting'. I have next to no idea about the form that has played out over the past few weeks. Remarkably I have actually been concentrating on other things for a change. Nevertheless, an hour or so 'revision' this evening has given me something to go to war with tomorrow. At least this 'revision' was enjoyable even if I still feel as badly prepared as I did for my law exam on Monday. I head into battle more in hope than expectation but, nevertheless, I will give it a bloody good try.
1.40 - 2yo Maiden Fillies' Stakes (6f)
The two with previous racecourse experience bring a fair level to the table with preference for the Ed Dunlop trained Summer Isles. She finished 6th on the Rowley Mile last month when running green and just getting tired in the closing stages. She still wasn't beaten far and looks like she could well improve for the experience. Annie's Fortune showed up well for a long way on her debut at Haydock and is entitled to come on for the run. To add to the mix, there are plenty of potentially smart debutants but I would be inclined to take a chance with Summer Isles who could go off a fair price against the well touted newcomers. There is probably a good reason for that of course and she wouldn't be a strong selection. I am sure that paddock inspection will reveal a good deal more but I don't have that luxury this evening.
2.10 - 3yo Fillies' Handicap Div I (6f)
I don't think this looks the strongest of races on paper and I could certainly see Sir Mark Prescott's Athenian completing the quickfire hattrick, even with the burden of a 12lb penalty. Chief amongst the dangers is the Fanshawe trained Isola Verde who has just the one run and one win to her name. That was a most pleasing introduction and she hails from a good family and you would expect her to progress. At 5/2 she isn't much of a price but is taken to keep her unbeaten record intact.
2.45 - 3yo Fillies' Handicap Div II (6f)
Cheworee was a convincing winner of a Newbury maiden in May and looks to be on the upgrade. However, she was disappointing when tailed off behind Moonstone Magic at Leicester in April on soft ground. That was also her first and only try at 7f but soft ground is unlikely to be in her favour. The one who looks to be suited by conditions is Red Larkspur. She travelled well over 7f at Newbury last time and the drop back to 6f would look to be in her favour here. That run suggested that a mark of 78 would be within her compass.
3.20 - 3yo Maiden Stakes (1m4f)
It will be an almighty shock if Shantaram cannot open his account at the 4th time of asking having chased home Main Sequence, 2nd in the Derby last weekend, in the Lingfield Derby Trial on his last start. His odds will be prohibitive but he is all but impossible to oppose. Famous last words.
3.55 - 4yo+ Handicap (7f)
Quite a competitive little heat with Azrael, My Son Max and Mubtabi all making appeal at the prices. Marginal preference is for Azrael who is dropping down the handicap and found things happening too quickly on very fast ground over a sharp 6f at Haydock last time. The return to 7f and a little ease in the ground could be enough to see his head in front.
4.30 - 3yo Handicap (1m2f)
I am really looking forward to this race with some well touted sorts battling it out. Thomas Chippendale held a Derby entry until he met with defeat on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury last month. He is likely to step up on that effort but is priced up as if that is a given and I don't think that it is. Sheikzayedroad could be anything and looks sure to improve for the step up in trip and will handle the ground. I also thought the Hannon trained Valley Of Destiny looked on the big side at 16/1 but there are plenty in this open to any amount of improvement and I would think that there are others with more scope to progress. One of those is Jungle Beat who won well on his debut but found his mind drifting onto other matters on his seasonal reappearance. If he can keep his composure in the preliminaries then he could step up on that performance markedly which was a very decent effort under the circumstances anyway. Furthermore. the form already has a strongish look to it as well. The one concern is if the ground was too soft because he is a good moving horse. If it is riding very soft then preference might switch to Sheikzayedroad.
5.05 - 3yo Classified Stakes (1m)
14 3yo rated within 3lbs of one another and no time to watch their past performances means one thing and one thing only. I will be leaving this well alone, unless something particularly catches the eye in the paddock of course. Jeremy Noseda has Roxelana engaged so we should get the inside track on this ones chances in the morning.
5.40 - 4yo+ Handicap (1m2f)
In the 'lucky last' or the 'getting out stakes', whichever you prefer, the one I like is the Ed Dunlop trained Red Lover. He was stepped up to 10f for his handicap debut and was staying on in eyecatching fashion before being hampered late on. He can make amends here.
As I am mug punting I feel obliged to have a nice little EW Lucky 15 on the following: Isola Verde, Red Larkspur, Jungle Beat and Red Lover
Best of luck to everyone and, most importantly, have a fantastic day. That is what it is all about.
