Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Chalk Mountain (103) – The race went wrong very early on as front runner Master Richard blew the start and raced in rear. Dublin Bay (105) had a cosy lead in front tracked by the short priced favourite Mr Noble (107). With a race finish of almost 106% it paid to be on the lead. The selection raced in rear and after making headway over a furlong from home could only keep on into fourth place. A race to put a line through but his style of racing means that he needs a properly contested lead and the front runners to weaken towards the finish.
Today’s Advice
ALPHA CAPTURE (7f Hcap) – The (4.38) Thirsk looks a competitive contest with a few front runners in opposition in He’s A Monster, Sergeant Wilko and Mirsky. I landed on the selection at Pontefract over the mile back in April when he didn’t get the clearest of runs through but still managed to hit the frame. He has been running over shorter since has been performing extremely well on the clock with a win and three seconds from his last four races. The handicapper has taken note and raise him 9lb since. Last time out he came home well to finish runner-up to Glenfinnan over 7f at Beverley in a race where the front two got involved in a duel up front.
Ideally, I would prefer him over a mile but if the race develops into a bit of a test on rain softened ground he could come into it late on. Connections have switched to a visor for today with Tom Eaves on board who has ridden 7 winners in the past two months. Tom has had some success for the stable aboard Caspian Prince in the Middle East back in 2017.
NEWSREADER (6f Hcap) – This new addition to the Tony Carroll stable caught the eye last time out at Ffos Las when not getting a clear run through at the business end of his race behind Safari Dream. He raced in rear on that occasion having anticipated the start and ran on well at the finish beaten a length in fourth. He has dropped 12lb below his last winning mark and he will appreciate any rain that falls today.
Veil Of Clouds has been put in as favourite for tonight’s (6.55) Goodwood and she was impressive last time out on the polytrack at Lingfield when bolting up by 6 lengths but may find tonight’s conditions not to her liking.
GONE ROGUE (9f Hcap) – This five-year-old looks on the improve considering how he won so cosily last time out at Brighton. He travelled strongly over the mile on that occasion and jockey Tom Queally barely moved a muscle as he made smooth headway two furlong from home before being nudged out for a cheeky half length win. The handicapper has only put him up 5lb and while he may be a Brighton specialist he looks the right price to give a chance to prove how well he is at the moment. Any rain will not be an inconvenience as he already has Heavy ground form in the book and jockey George Gorman is a very capable amateur having ridden winners under rules and in the point to point field.
The favourite Kimeko Glory won comfortably by 12 lengths 7 days ago out at Salisbury and the handicapper has only put him up 4lb. He has won off a pound lower mark in the past for trainer Brian Toomey and could be a difficult one to get the better of for tonight’s (7.28) Goodwood. But at the prices I will be hoping that the Gary & Josh Moore trained five-year-old can stay a step ahead of the handicapper.
0.5pt e/way Alpha Capture (11/1 Ladbrokes, Coral Betvictor 4 places) 4.38 Thirsk
1pt win Newsreader (7/2 general) 6.55 Goodwood
0.75pt e/way Gone Rogue (5/1 general) 7.28 Goodwood