Today’s horse racing preview comes from Newmarket and Windsor. Just the one winner to end the month, it’s been a tough one indeed but still hitting profit.
So another month starts and we have some great racing coming up, Glorious Goodwood, The Eclipse, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Also this weekend the Irish Derby takes place. Can Wings of Desire add to his glorious Epsom win?
On the continent we have the Prix Jean Prat and the Grand Prix de Paris, so a feast of good quality racing, lets hope the weather permits from our current soft conditions which is as usual throwing very abnormal results.
14.05 Newmarket – Betway Fred Archer Stakes (Listed) (12f)
Wiliam Buick is riding at present with purpose, the inform jockey rode an impressive treble at Doncaster yesterday afternoon and comes in for the first time ride on Sir Michael Stoute’s Midterm who is this afternoon’s selection. Buick has won this race twice which included last year on the smart Bateel who has gone on to better things. The trainer won this back in 2015 with Gospel Choir and has two adversaries to go to war with here with the other being Platitude.
Platitude gets the services of champion jockey Jim Crowley who is only 1-11 since mid may when riding for Stoute and looks on bookings the second string. He has not been seen since finishing third in the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot over 14f, the closest he has come to winning over today’s index was when runner up in last years King George V Handicap, won over 14f at Goodwood on his penultimate run when landing the Listed March Stakes.
Realistically he could definitely set good fractions for Midterm here to pick up the pieces; Platitude will be in better light once stepping back up in trip. Midterm should really get a good toe in to this, his attitude this year has been poor by his ability, however I think he was caught napping in the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes last time when giving Hawkbill and My Dream Boat far too much of an easy lead. For a four year old he is still relatively lightly raced and with the drop in class and two in form counterparts he should be hard to beat.
Second Step won well when landing the Listed Tapster Stakes at Goodwood to record his second career win over the index and first success in the UK. Even though that win came on good racing ground, this just might come up too much on the soft side.
MIDTERM : 2pt Win @ 5/2 (BOG)
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15.15 Newmarket – Betway Criterion Stakes (Group 3) (7f)
James Doyle this afternoon has a good book of rides which includes Elizabeth Bennett in the race prior to this, he could be hitting a quick fire double when he rides Hugo Palmer’s Home of the Brave who won nicely for today’s pilot when taking the Listed King Richard III Stakes at Leicester back in April when beating Tasleet who has gone on to win the Group 2 Clipper Logistics Stakes and followed up when running a blinder to finish runner up in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot last month.
Home of the Brave’s form on ground with cut shows good reading stats of 1011 with a disqualification in there also, for me the one to beat and a confident selection he can follow up his Leicester win. It’s been thirteen years since Sir Michael Stoute won this race with Arakan and sends last years Bonham Stakes winner Thikriyaat. He was seen at York last time when finishing third in the Ganton Stakes going behind by one length.
Winner of what is looking an average conditions race over course and distance last year, his wins have been too and far between and will have to show more tenacity to overcome the selection. Last years winner Breton Rocks is looking to become only the second winner to return and retain the race since Libranno back in 2012.
He comes into this in the exact form as last year, not so sure he will get the heavy ground this time around, but does relish cut in the ground and a very eye catching booking of Oisin Murphy who seems to ride live TV winners on a Saturday.
Thikriyaat and Breton Rocks will get the respect they deserve, however Home of the Brave looked to have blown the cobwebs away last time and can carry on his good fortune at the expense of Breton Rocks who is the main danger returning to retain.
HOME OF THE BRAVE : 2pt Win @ 9/4 (BOG)
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16.25 Windsor – sunbets.co.uk Midsummer Stakes (Listed) (8.1f)
Andrew Balding can stamp his authority on the Listed event when he saddles Here Comes When who is coming off a good win in a large field in the Listed Hambleton Stakes. Timeform once more suggests most of these are exposed types, I would not say 1111211 stats on soft ground is overly exposed and I am sticking with the seven year old, Richard Fahey’s seven year old won this race last year so not impossible that age can conquer.
Morando struggled on his last run on ground to fast, returns to lighter conditions which saw him win a 0-105 handicap at Ayr on soft ground, however I thought his Chester run was far superior than anything he has shown since and could see him returning. Stormy Antarctic would have to bring his last seasons Ascot win on heavy ground if he wants to reproduce any form as that was his last recorded win, Jamie Spencer takes the ride so expect a late plunge.
HERE COMES WHEN : 2pt Win @ 9/4 (BOG)
Best of luck , Gamble Responsibly
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