Yesterday’s Review

On another day it could have been 3 winners from 4 selections…

1pt e/way In The Black (112) – The selection raced prominently and having passed long time leader Carry The Flag just failed by the narrowest of margins to hunt down the winner. Result 2nd 4/1 adv…9/2 SP.

 

2pts win Regency Royal (85) – The selection raced awkwardly within a few yards of the gates opening. He raced with his head to the side for most of the race and obviously something was amiss as he came home in 8th place beaten 8.5 lengths.

 

1pt win Sonic Sabiha (100) – A career best effort on the clock from the selection who raced in midfield and having taken up the running inside the final furlong was worried out of the win having received a bump by the eventual 50/1 winner. She looked a shade unlucky and should go one better very soon.

 

0.75pt e/way Send Harry (101) – It looked like the selection found a weak race judging by the winning time and having raced keenly early on took up the running over a furlong from home. He was three quarters of a length too strong for the runner-up at the line and things will get a lot tougher going forward. Result 1st 9/2 adv…10/3 SP.

 

Today’s Advice

AGAMEMNON (6f Lst) – This likeable Richard Hughes trained juvenile takes a step down in class for today’s (1.30) York having raced in Group 2 company the last twice. He found things happening too quickly over 5f last time out in the Group 2 Flying Childers behind Final Objective (when finding himself short of room over a furlong out) before keeping on into 7th place beaten 4.25 lengths. The return to 6f should suit and previously he kept on all the way to the line behind Arapaho Gold in the Gimcrack at today’s venue. His timefigures have been creeping up nicely and he is at the top of my charts for today’s contest.

 

SHADOW ROAD (10f 56y Hcap) – The (2.05) York looks a cracking class 2 contest with plenty of “figure” horses and a few unexposed ones to consider. The selection looks a very well handicapped type having kept tabs with the very smart Fortitudine over 11f at Kempton recently. He raced prominently and showed a great attitude to come through a gap to chase the eventual winner. It looked like jockey David Egan didn’t want to get too serious with the selection when the winner was going through the gears, and although 2.25 lengths down at the line there appeared to be a bit more in the tank. The sectional times for the performance read very well, and he comes out a half length behind 110 rated Cemhaan’s performance from the 6th April 2024 over the same course and distance. Needless to say he should have a few pounds in hand today, and on breeding he should appreciate the turf as his mother Dark Crusader won the 2013 Melrose handicap for trainer Tony Martin over course and distance.

The Richard Hughes trained Nobody Knows looks another nicely handicapped type along with the John & Thady Gosden trained Water To Wine, but I preferred having the selections more straightforward profile and race fitness on my side in the end.

 

SEA LANTERN (18f Hcap) – A field of 29 runners go to post for the (3.40) Newmarket Cesarewitch handicap and as usual it looks a very competitive renewal. The selection will be stepping up six furlongs in trip so whether he will stay the distance is a definite question. However, trainer Brian Ellison’s Tashkhan finished third in this contest three years ago and there is reasonable hope that the trip can be within his compass as he has been described as a “lazy” type. The main reason for his selection, however, is the fact that he looks a very well handicapped individual with just 8st 13lb on his back considering he was giving Listed winner Infraad 24lb when beaten just over 7 lengths in third place over 10f at Pontefract back in April. He has since won a handicap by 4.5 lengths stepping up to 12f at Pontefract by 4.5 lengths from the Roger Varian trained Morbeh. The handicapper has only raised him 4lb for that effort. In a race where there are plenty of exposed types it may pay to give one of the least exposed types a chance.

 

BE THE STANDARD (10f 56y Hcap) – This Hugo Palmer trained three-year-old caught the eye last month when finishing nicely behind the John & Thady Gosden trained Go Rimbaud over 9 furlongs at Newmarket. Having his first run in 141 days it was obvious that connections were keen to give him as easy a return to action as possible. Jockey Oisin Murphy allowed his mount plenty of time to come into the race himself having raced in front on the near side for the first five furlongs. He kept on well to the line beaten just 1.75 lengths having been switched to the centre to join in the action with the leading group and he should really appreciate the step up in trip for today’s (5.07) York. He looks a lightly raced well-handicapped horse at the minute and his trainer has had decent success this season at York with winners Sale Shark, Mia Fantasia and Stratusnine.

 

0.75pt e/way Agamemnon (7/1 William Hill, 13/2 Paddy Power, Betfred) 1.30 York

0.75pt e/way Shadow Road (13/2 William Hill, bet365, 6/1 Unibet 5 places) 2.05 York

0.5pt e/way Sea Lantern (6/1 Paddy Power, Betfred, Unibet 6 places) 3.40 Newmarket

1pt e/way Be The Standard (13/2 Betfred, Unibet, 6/1 William Hill 5 places) 5.07 York