Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Archivist (119) – The pre-race analysis was correct on avoiding a lot of those “flashy” types with higher grade form who had been disappointing lately. However, I did not expect the selection to absolutely destroy this field by 7.5 lengths. He travelled like a dream and when asked to close down the leaders shot clear over a furlong out. This was a Group 1 performance and then some. Connections should forget about their Group 2 entry at Leopardstown in September and start looking for some proper contests….Result 1st 9/1 adv…9/1 SP.
1pt win Infraad (104) – Not the type of figure I was hoping for as the selection raced prominently, took up the running over two furlongs from home and kept on well for a 2 length victory. He looks like he is still learning the game as he was sweating up beforehand and needed plenty of coaxing at the business end to keep his mind on the job…Result 1st 11/4 adv…10/3Jf SP.
0.5pt e/way Flora Of Bermuda (108) – The blindfold came off late and the selection was probably a length or two off where her pilot probably would have liked. However, with plenty in her favour, she threw in a stinker, as she weakened over a furlong from home. Her excellent timefigures from the past are well in the past now….
1pt e/way Emit (101) – The selection raced prominently and took a keen hold. When asked for his effort there was nothing forthcoming and this was a shocker for a horse that was backed into 4/1 second favourite.
1.5pts win Adonius (105) – The selection raced too keenly early on and was trucking at 40-42mph for too much of the first half of the race. He was a sitting duck for the winner Sale Shark (107) (who he had beaten easily last time out at Goodwood) inside the final furlong and connections will need to get him to relax better early on if he is to progress…
Today’s Advice
DRAZINDA/KOSUMA (6f Group 1) – Deauville has seen plenty of rain recently with 17mm falling in one day alone this week and the going has been changed to Collant (Sticky) (4.5) on the going stick. It is doubtful if this will suit impressive Royal Ascot performers Orthodox and Senorita Bonita for today’s (2.50) Prix Morny as they have both won on Good to Firm and their breeding doesn’t appear to want a very soft surface. The one that stands out at the prices for me is the former selection who has the standout timefigure of (116) when taking the 5f Listed Prix de la Vallee d’Auge over two weeks ago by three quarters of a length from Vollering. She was held up in rear, as she normally is, and after making headway over a furlong out led inside the final furlong for a comfortable success. The step up to 6f is very much needed on breeding as the dam Darbanza has won over that trip and placed over 8f on Heavy going while winning over 10f as well. The Agha Khan trained selection has also won on a very soft surface on debut.
The reason she has been priced up as an outsider is the fact that she flopped on Good to Firm going at Royal Ascot and the runner-up Vollering has recently flopped at York. However, we have a totally different racing surface today and Vollering was asked to race just 12 days after her big effort in Deauville. The former selection does have to reproduce just 15 days later and this is a slight question mark but she still looks overpriced this morning. The latter is an unbeaten filly who has won on a Good to Soft surface at Saint Cloud over today’s distance and her recent win from Agamemnon was franked by Arapaho Gold at York this week. There is a liking for a soft surface in her breeding and she warrants a small interest today.
The unbeaten colt Great Barrier Reef was impressive on a soft surface as well on career debut but I decided to let him go as he is coming back from a break of 68 days and Ryan Moore has chosen Man’s Best Friend.
SOUL LOVE (6f Gp3) – This 3-y-o filly posted the top recent timefigure (110) of the field for today’s (4.00) Naas Ballyogan Stakes when giving 3lb and a half length beating to the Joseph O’Brien trained Dancing Saxon over course and distance last month. She raced up with the pace on that occasion and showed great determination when challenged to keep on all the way to the line. She meets that rival on 3lb better terms today and looks worth an interest to repeat the dose with jockey Pierre-Louis Jamin on board once again.
0.5pt e/way Drazinda (25/1 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Coral) 2.50 Deauville
1pt win Kosuma (9/2 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral) 2.50 Deauville
1pt win Soul Love (11/4 William Hil, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes) 4.00 Naas