The second day of the festival sees a very promising card, more appealing to this pair of eyes than the Thursday card certainly. From the opening maiden to the concluding 5f handicap, there was something that caught my attention. However, as regular readers will know by now, that is not my style. I just hope that if I have read any of the races right that they are the ones I have included!!
The opening contest, while not a betting race for me personally sees an interesting one from the Charlie Appleby stable. Noble Truth was third behind July Stakes winner Lusail over course and distance on debut and in my opinion that rates close enough to the form of Chesham fourth Sweeping to suggest they should be closer in the betting than they currently are.
The following handicap is the first port of call in terms of selections and I believe the Mark Johnston trained King Frankel is worth another chance after a string of good efforts. He was a good second in the London Gold Cup at Newbury before filling the same position once again at Epsom. On that occasion, virtually everything that could go wrong did go wrong and the fact that he was only beaten the minimum suggests he could still be well handicapped off a 3lb higher mark. The winner of that contest subsequently finished second, while the soundly beaten fourth won next time. King Frankel was unable to do his bit for the form when finishing fourth at Ascot in the Golden Gate Handicap, won by the re-opposing Foxes Tales.
Once again, the race didn't really go to plan and while he might just become one of those horses, I believe there is more ability there than his current mark suggests. If he can settle better and enjoy a smoother trip through the race, I think he can go very close here. He enjoys a 9lb swing with Foxes Tales who benefitted from an Oisin Murphy masterclass in that contest and I would be surprised if he doesn't turn that form around at least. Of course, it looks wildly competitive but I think he is worth a small investment at the current odds available.
The Duchess of Cambridge sees the rematch of Sandrine and Hello You from the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. While the former came out on top rather comfortably on that occasion, I wouldn't be surprised if Ralph Beckett's filly gets a lot closer on this occasion. Having said that, at the prices, I am happy to take a watching brief. I cannot say the same for the Falmouth Stakes however, with the first generation clash among the top mile fillies and mares. It promises to be an informative contest going forward. The three-year-old's are hard enough to figure out at this point but in this instance they might have the upper hand on the older horses here in receipt of weight. Trying to figure out which one of Mother Earth, Alcohol Free and Snow Lantern will win that mini battle this time is difficult in itself.
I believe that the value lies away from that trio in the shape of Primo Bacio. She certainly needs to improve taking her form literally but I find it hard to displace the visual impression she left on me at York. It may of course have been that Snow Lantern beat herself on that occasion having raced keenly. There is certainly an element of Richard Hannon's filly underperforming but the difference between the two suggests that even at her best she might have struggled with the winner. Primo Bacio missed the Ascot race on account of the ground (might be a blessing in disguise) and I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt despite the marked step up in class. I love a horse with a sharp turn of foot on good ground and she certainly has that in her armory, boasting some impressive closing sectionals at York.
0.5pt win King Frankel (13/2 General) Newmarket 1.50
0.5pt win Primo Bacio (6/1 General) Newmarket 3.35
Current P/L since June 2020:
Total Staked: 99.5 points
Total Returned: 145.3 points
Total Profit: 45.8 points
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