Yesterday’s Review

My Mate Mike (100) – A fine effort from the selection who looked to have everything covered entering the home straight having had the perfect trip around. Unfortunately, he was caught by the enigmatic favourite Touchwood (101) who has plenty of ability but is a difficult one to catch right, and Jackson Street (100) near the line. Result 3rd 5/1 adv…3/1 SP.

 

Today’s Advice

WHIRL (12f 6y Gp1) – The (4.00) Epsom Oaks revolves around the unbeaten favourite Desert Flower and whether she can stay today’s extra four furlongs. At the prices I am happy to let her win, and will have a small interest on the Musidora winner. Her dam is a full sister to 12f Group 1 winner Hydrangea, so the family looks to have plenty of class and stamina.

Her latest win at York looked very impressive on the clock, and it is a surprise that stable jockey Ryan Moore sides with Chester winner Minnie Hauk instead. She raced prominently at York, and took up the running over three furlongs from home before stretching 5.5 lengths clear at the line. Connections were surprised by the manner of her victory, and perhaps she saves her best for the track. The extra distance is a question mark, but trainer Aidan O’Brien seemed confident that she would stay, and her dosage index of 0.85 plus the way she galloped to the line at York would indicate that she is well worth a try at today’s trip.

 

TWO TEMPTING (8f 113y Hcap) – The (4.35) Epsom looks an interesting contest with two course debutantes in Mirsky and Ebt’s Guard at the head of the market. As we know Epsom is one of the trickiest courses and some horses simply don’t take to it. On form the selection will struggle to reverse Newbury form with Ebt’s Guard, but Epsom is not Newbury and Rob Hornby’s mount won this race last year in a very fast time. Although he is rated 13lbs higher by the handicapper he has justified that rise with three wins since, including a Class 2 handicap win at Chester last time out.

There is the possibilty that the front two in the market could take to today’s venue, but at the prices I will side with the course form of the likeable son of New Bay. The Karl Burke trained Flight Plan returned to form last time out when taking the Thirsk Hunt Cup from the front, and although his previous form has an uneven look to it, he is still well treated on last season’s best form.

 

MISS INFORMATION (7f 3y Hcap) – This four-year-old filly won nicely last time out at Newmarket over 7f by three quarters of a length from the Pam Sly trained Physique. The handicapper has raised her four pounds for that effort, but her profile has a progressive look to it. The main reason for her selection, however, is her course and distance romp last July when recording a (111) speed figure in coming home 3.5 lengths clear of Guiteau.

Course form is the number one factor I look for at today’s venue, and a reproduction of that form would see her very hard to beat. The favourite Rhoscolyn is another one who likes the idiosyncratic nature of today’s course, and if he is in the mood he will be a tough one to overcome but we know he can be a bit hit and miss sometimes.

 

HAPPY PHAROAH (10f Mdn) – This three-year-old is a well-bred son of the great US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and it would be fair to say that he does not possess the ability of his father. He did show improvement last time out on the clock though when coming home in fifth place five and three quarter lengths behind a real improver in Scandinavia at Navan over the extended ten furlongs.

He raced prominently on that occasion before taking up the running after a couple of furlongs. He eventually gave best over two furlongs from home having raced down the inside of the home straight. It was another step forward from his debut at Cork, and it will be interesting to see if he can come forward again in tonight’s (7.00) Fairyhouse.

The favourite Local Lad has solid Racing Post Rating figures in the high 80’s, but he is trying tonight’s distance for the first time and at the prices I will take a chance on the stronger stamina of the selection

 

0.5pt e/way Whirl (7/1 Ladbrokes, 13/2 William Hill/Betvictor) 4.00 Epsom

1pt e/way Two Tempting (10/1 William Hill, 9/1 General) 4.35 Epsom

1.5pts win Miss Information (7/2 General) 5.10 Epsom

0.5pt e/way Happy Pharoah (8/1 General) 7.00 Fairyhouse