Monday's Meetings Kempton A/W 7 Races 1-00-4:20p.m. Naas Flat 8 Races 1:15-5:15p.m. Cork N/H 8 Races 1:40-5:30p.m. Ripon Flat 7 Races 1:57-5:20p.m. Newcastle A/W 8 Races 2:18-6:07p.m. Carlisle(E) Flat 8 Races 4:50-8:30p.m. Windsor(E) Flat 6 Races 5:45-8:15p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Hello, all. Hope everyone well. There is an unraced 4YO Sea The Stars filly due to run tomorrow (7.15 Windsor) that you may wish to cast a 2nd glance at. Namely RELATIVE for the Meade's. She's obviously had her problems, that much is obvious as the Flat bred is only making her debut more than half-way through her 4YO season, but I really love her pedigree. The dam is a half-sister to the Listed and Group 3 winner, Becomes You, and the dam is also a full-sister to Tin Horse who won the French 2,000 Guineas. Meanwhile, Relative's dam has, to date, produced one other foal that has run (the year younger, Jadoomi) who last season was a dual winner and finished 3rd in a Group 1. With that lineage Relative would be a fine addition to any paddock so the fact that connections have kept her in training, rather than dispatching her to the old breeding shed, indicates, to me, that they think she is capable of achieving a fair bit on the racecourse. I appreciate that this isn't a recommendation for everyone as (i) I've done a fair bit of surmising in the previous paragraph and (ii) you do have to take fitness on trust. But in saying that I would imagine connections would have Relative ready and won't be messing around in maidens (to achieve a lowly handicap mark) as there is only one thing that is going to increase this fillies, already considerable, worth and that is a win. And if she then went on to achieve black type - wahey they've hit the old jackpot! And a huge tick is the current health of the Meade yard. They have a formline, since July 14th, of -112712154184 (5/12, 42%). And the beaten horses include a 4th in a Group 1 and a gelding beaten a neck in a Listed heat. Attheraces, re Relative, are currently forecasting 8/1. People, am very, very keen to see what price she opens up later on with those old bookie chappies. Do like her, regular readers, and is one to look out for, methinks. Good luck all.
3:00 Naas - Aikido 9/1. Went into my tracker a couple of runs back so i was on it for its last run at York. It was very disappointing that day and i do believe that the horse is better than that. Therefore I'm giving it another go and hope that last time was just a poor performance. Decent price again tomorrow but still a bit short to go ew so win only for me.
Knock On Steel 10/1 - Cork 4.25. Past winner of the race, could prove hard to catch here if getting a soft lead.
Cracking race over at Naas with the 2.25 seeing 22 runners line up for the Median Auction race over 6F. The winning pot of almost 150,000 Euros has attracted raiders across the Irish Sea and there are several unexposed contenders. Sacred Bridge is 2/2 for Ger Lyons and is around about 2/1 to bring up the hat-trick. The daughter of Bated Breath won a Listed race over 5F last time but arguably her debut win over 6F from subsequent Group 3 winner Agartha catches the eye more with regards to today's race over the same trip. A bit skinny for me in a huge field though and with rivals who could be improving. I mentioned Bosh as a horse I was interested in for a Listed race he held an entry for but in the end he was pulled out due to the ground being deemed unsuitable. The son of Profitable has been progressive and I felt he might make up into a decent 6F horse this season. He was 7/1 last night but at 4/1 now I think he is a bit short with improvement needed and others arguably less exposed. Ever Given makes a quick return to the track after landing a Nursery three days ago. He was a pound worse in last time, having been due to drop to 84 but running off 85. That was no object though, as he ran out a ready winner by more than two lengths. That performance was rated 95 by the Racing Post and puts hom firmly in the mix, particularly getting two pounds from the filly who is favourite. Well backed today but too short for me at 7/2 making such a quick return to the races. Hadman is top on official ratings with his 99 rating. 3rd in the Group 3 Anglesey last time he could be involved at 20/1. I decided against each-way with the less than generous place offerings. I decided on two at bigger prices. Recurrent Dream was supported on debut and defied a tardy start to win well. More is needed but Ger Lyons runs him as well as the favourite, so presumably does not think he is too far away from the standard required. At 14/1 I felt he might run well. Tut Tut was runner up on debut, finishing well to finish half a length behind Velocidad who won a Group 2 next time. She was entered at a mile next time but didn't run and perhaps she would like it softer/more testing but it was an excellent debut and I thought she had a squeak if improving. 2,25 Naas Recurrent Dream 14/1 and Tut Tut 16/1
Absolute bugger of a race to try figure out and was intending to leave it well alone but have been tempted in by the quite ridiculous price available on Albion Square. 40/1 4 places with bet365. Dont need to risk much at that sort of price and too big to ignore for the very experienced and capable combo of Foley/Harrington. Small rev fc with the current favorite Sacred Bridge for good measure. Best of luck with yours mate
Don't fancy much today in the UK, and Irish racing is too much of a puzzle for me. However, will have a modest bet on the top weight in the 17:03 at Newcastle, Chinese Whisperer. Down in class, well-drawn, and hopefully will give a good account in this apprentice handicap. Laura Coughlan takes the ride for the William Bethell yard. Good luck today if you're having a punt!
Both of mine ran as if they need further. They stayed on from the back but just never got involved. The Fav won and Bosh was second in a race that, for once, pretty much went as expected according to the betting. I see one of my former selections, Aquamarine was 3rd at 50/1. I put him up on his second start and he absolutely stank the place out in 5th, running 10 lbs lower than his debut on RPR with a 70 performance. Last time out he ran to 85 and he has probably gone close to 90 today. Ever Given ran a fine race in 4th to earn a similar payday for winning at Goodwood. The first four home were drawn 20,19,17 and 18 and the low draws were no real factor. Kevin Ryan's Aleezdancer can perhaps get an upgrade on 10th place from box 4 and also stumbling at the start.
Another disappointing run. If it runs on softer ground i might possibly back it again. But thats another bad run today so the ground is unlikely to be the only factor
Not 100% certain yet the reason Knock On Steel pulled up but it likely was that he spat the dummy out once he was pressurised by several other runners, he was beat after 4 furlongs. Disappointing. The other jockeys were obviously aware he was gonna try front run and went with him early but they all paid a price for doing so, fading away to leave Sweet Sixteen come there and do it pretty easily.
I wanted to take Future on this evening but just couldn't see an angle. I suspect she may have won that with a performance of less than 80 there. The runner up had two 70's on RPR and Future herself had run to 70 and 72 on her first two starts. The Stoute filly in 3rd had put in a dismal 46 first time out and has runner better tonight but these looked a modest bunch. I would imagine Gosden will be thinking about Handicaps for the winner or very weak races. Relative was supported but showed very little in 7th place, beaten seven and a half lengths. I note that Aidan O'Brien is struggling at the moment on 3/40 and one of those wins only came because the original winner was the wrong horse. Somehow the Harrington runner ran instead of another horse in a case of mistaken identity. What a farce.
