Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way Oh Cecelia (98) – When we see a wide margin winner it is normal to think that something outstanding went down. In this case Royal Bay Cen (112) relished the conditions and put forward a performance that was 4 lengths per mile faster than par. With all the rain beforehand it looked like conditions were ideal for the selection and she would have a massive chance if she could repeat her previous effort. Indeed, she was well backed into second favourite. Unfortunately, she curled up when asked to step forward and barely clung on to make the frame. It will be interesting to see if she will ever reproduce her previous best going forward. Result 3rd 6/1 adv…7/2 SP.
0.75pt e/way My Highness (105) – With the negative pre-race vibes surrounding the favourite Precise this was an ideal opportunity for the selection to stamp her class on a race like this. Unfortunately, she got worked up in the paddock beforehand and the signs were not good down at the start either. The race itself didn’t go to plan as she was forced to make her own running and weakened into ninth place beaten just over 5 lengths. It was a pity she didn’t enjoy her day over from France and it will be interesting to see if the brilliance she showed last season at Deauville can be brought out of her back home.
Today’s Advice
SARGENT DENNIS (6f Mdn) – The (3.10) Kempton has a nice shape to it with the short price favourite Marengo Storm with recording a lowly (94) timefigure on debut over course and distance. The second and third have both won since but the favourite looks a little bit short in the betting for me. The selection improved on his second career start last time out when posting a solid (99) timefigure behind Afton Down over 6f at Wolverhampton beaten just over 2 lengths. He pressed the leader that day and although the winner won nicely Rose Dawes mount kept on well all the way to the line. The Jack Channon stable have been in oustanding form lately with Rathgar winning twice and plenty of big race wins at Doncaster. At the prices on offer it may prove worthwhile having a sporting interest on the selection in keeping the favourite honest.
KILLASHEE WARRIOR (8f Gp3) – The (3.35) Curragh looks a three horse race judging by the betting but I am hoping that the second favourite Black Caviar Gold may be a bit short in the betting based on what she has done on the clock so far. She does have decent form over this course when winning the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes as a two-year-old but she was a bit disappointing first time out behind 1000 Guineas winner True Love at Leopardstown last time out. The selection performed best of those that reoppose from that race today and I would have had her a bit closer to the Paddy Twomey trained filly in the betting. Held up in midfield on the day she made decent headway on the wrong part of the track in the home straight and finished a solid fourth place beaten 6.75 lengths by the winner. A juvenile mile winner at Thurles she should appreciate the step up in trip and she looks worth a sporting interest at the prices on offer providing she handles this tougher course.
GOLDEN LONG/EXPERT AGENT (6f Hcap) – This five-year-old may appear to have been disappointing his last two races since coming over from Hong Kong as he was a twice beaten favourite. However, we know the strength of his latest performance on the clock as the winner Almaty Star recorded a massive (114) timefigure. He raced just behind the winner on the day and there was no shame in finishing just under 4 lengths behind while recording a (108) timefigure which is a few lengths above the par for his current handicap mark. It was a nice step forward from his Southwell return and the handicapper has kindly dropped him 2lb since for today’s (4.08) Windsor. The favourite for today’s race, Expert Agent, also recorded a solid (110) figure on the clock from the rear last time out over 6f at Kempton and he looks the main danger having dropped to 2lb below his last winning mark. The more pace up front for this previous course and distance winner the better and with Tiger Tulip and Seraphim Angel in opposition we should get a truly run race.
0.75pt e/way Sargent Dennis (7/2 general) 3.10 Kempton
0.5pt e/way Killashee Warrior (18/1 William Hill, 16/1 Ladbrokes, Coral) 3.35 Curragh
0.5pt e/way Expert Agent (9/2 general) 4.08 Windsor
0.5pt e/way Golden Long (13/2 general) 4.08 Windsor