Well day one didn’t’ exactly go according to plan so hopefully things will improve today although the fact that the first day is usually my best day of the week doesn’t bode well. An each way return on Muthmir and the short price win on Gleneagles resulted in a net loss of about 50% so we have a bit of catching up to do today. Night of Thunder and Shwaiman ran absolute stinkers but Orvar ran on well and is one to keep on side. Unluckiest bet of the day though was War Department who was practicaly knocked over at one point and was eased soon after. He will be winning again soon so any losses there are only lent.
On to today then and although Thursday is designated ladies day ttoday an equine female feel to it as three of the six races are .limited to fillies and mares. The opening Jersey Stakes at 2.30 isn’t one of them but a filly could still be the key for me. FADHAYYIL was well fancied for the 1000 Guineas and despite looking in need of the run ran on into fifth. She looks as though she will be better suited by todays 7 furlong trip and at likely odds is a better betting proposition than favourite Ivawood who not only has to concede weight for sex allowance but also a penalty. At around the 9/1 mark she looks good value.
The Queen Mary at 3.05 looks wide open with an array of unexposed speedy fillies in the line up. Mark Johnston’s two year olds have been going well and I keep getting drawn back to the unbeaten RAH RAH even though the straight course here is as far removed as the sharp turns of Chester where she won last time. Basharah is the other stand out for me but as Rah Rah is double the price she is the value bet.
Hopefully things should get a little easier in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at 3.40 and INTEGRAL is a confident choice to follow up last years win. Clearly the class act in the race she is capable of conceding the Group One penalty.
Although the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at 4.20 looks a fascinating race I am not so sure it has the class of a usual renewal. FREE EAGLE has been touted as something special and if he is as good as expected he needs to win handsomely today. The Grey Gatsby is no back number but seems to have two ways of running and is not one to rely on. Similar can be said of Cannock Chase who appears to prefer coming second. The interesting runner is the Japanese raider Speilberg. Many better judges than me think he can spring a surprise but we all saw yesterday how difficult it is for form to cross continents.
The Wokingham at 5.00 is as difficult as ever and if you ran it five times you would probably get five diferent results. Several look to have excellent chances and all will need some luck in running. I like Mondialiste who surely has a big handicap in him and is better suited by these large field charges as he showed in the Lincoln. He may just need to come down a pound or two in the weights though. Chill The Kite is another with a big chance and with a clear passage he could snatch it late. That clear passage is not guaranteed to arrive though. Gm Hopkins looks as though he could develop into somethng more than a handicapper and could also go close. However, after much deliberating and messing with slide rules the selection is YOU’RE FIRED. Just about the best in at the weights he is a tough nut and has the huge assistance of Graham Lee in the plate. He may not quite be up to winning a race of this quality but will certainly be on the premises and a good run looks on the cards. I will also be perming all four of the horses mentioned in forecast and tricast bets as tilting at the odd windmill is never a bad thing !
The concluding Sandringham Handicap at 5.35 is another fillies only event and ALWAYS SMILE looks to have an excellent chance and shoud hopefully see the day end with a victory although the odds are not likely to be spectacular. Mother’s Finest and Pack Together look lke the other main improvers in the field and they can follow her home.
2.30 FADHAYYIL
3.05 RAH RAH
3.40 INTEGRAL (NAP)
4.20 FREE EAGLE (NB)
5.00 YOU’RE FIRED
5.35 ALWAYS SMILE
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