Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way Mr Brightside (105) – A disappointing effort from the nine-time Australian Group 1 winner who was reported by connections to have overraced in behind the leaders. He looked to hold serious form claims before the race, but the new experience of racing outside Australia for the first time since his career debut in New Zealand proved too much for him. A situation that demonstrated how experience travelling abroad is so important in these big Group 1 races. It was right to look outside the short priced favourite Voyage Bubble (113) who just went down by a short head to 90/1 shot Red Lion (114), although backers can feel a shade unlucky having failed to have the result overturned following an enquiry. Unfortunately, the obvious second favourite in the betting couldn’t show his best form finishing a well beaten thirteenth of thirteen eight and a quarter lengths last.
0.75pt e/way El Vencedor (105) – A similar scenario to the one above where the selection raced too keenly, but out in front this time. Champion jockey Zac Purton reported that “He just went too hard, he thought it was a 1000m race.” It was right to take on Goliath who found conditions too short over the 2000 metres, and the going too fast. The selection had every opportunity from the front having had an uncontested lead, but came home tenth of eleven beaten nine lengths. Unfortunately, Japanese champion Liberty Island suffered a fatal injury during the race having broke down over a furlong from home. She was a much loved mare, and will be sadly missed by all.
Today’s Advice
COLLECTIVE POWER (5f 205y Hcap) – Naas has seen some dry and breezy weather lately with the going now described as Yielding (Good to Yielding places in the Straight) with a dry day ahead. It may well be worth concentrating on those contestants that may prefer a sounder surface. The selection fits into that category with his three career wins on turf coming on Yielding and Good ground. He has been in fine form lately with a win at Dundalk under today’s jockey Sorcha Woods (who had a winner on Saturday for the stable on Beano Power). The handicapper has raised him four pounds for tonight’s (6.10) Naas, and while he is now racing off a career high mark he has placed off handicap marks just a couple of pounds lower than today’s on softer than ideal going. He looks the right price for a sporting interest.
EXPERT WITNESS (10f Hcap) – This five-year-old mare has been in decent form since switching to the Patrick Chamings stable in March. Last time out at Leicester she finished best of all from the rear in a well-run contest over the extended eleven furlongs to finish in second place a length behind the Dylan Cunha trained Fireblade. Her three career wins have come over ten furlongs, and the handicapper has left her unchanged since her latest effort.
There doesn’t appear to be a lot of pace on for tonight’s (6.30) Windsor, so we will be hoping that jockey David Probert can ride her a bit more forward on a track that suits more prominent racing. She has raced more prominently in the past, and has been noted as racing in touch with the leaders on many occasions.
Dangers include the David Menuisier trained favourite Promethean who will appreciate the step back up in trip having been denied a clear run through last time out at Doncaster in the Spring Mile when wearing a first time hood, and the classy Dancing In Paris who hasn’t been seen since finishing third in a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham but has plenty of solid form in Class 2 company over further.
BISHOPTON (8f Hcap) – This three-year-old created a favourable impression when last seen on the all-weather at Dundalk behind an impressive debutant winner in Cee En Gee (who has won again since). On that occasion he raced prominently, and took up the running two furlongs from home before getting collared near the line. He was a non-runner at Gowran Park recently on Heavy ground, and should prefer today’s better surface. He has decent form on the turf from last season at Ripon when finishing ahead of the Tim Easterby trained I’m Next (who has won since), and he looks a shade overlooked by the market at the prices on offer.
Obvious dangers include the Aidan O’Brien trained short priced favourite Mississippi River who made most over the mile at Navan recently, and easy Heavy ground Gowran Park winner winner Scott Key who carries a 7lb penalty for that win and may find today’s conditions less to his liking.
0.5pt e/way Collective Power (18/1 Paddy Power, 16/1 Unibet, Betfred, Boylesports 5 places) 6.10 Naas
0.5pt e/way Expert Witness (6/1 Ladbrokes, Coral, 11/2 Paddy Power 4 places) 6.30 Windsor
0.5pt e/way Bishopton (14/1 Paddy Power, Boylesports, 12/1 Betfred 5 places only) 7.40 Naas