Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way Ata Rangi (100) – Despite being well backed from 5/1 into 7/2 the selection could not find a positive early position from his decent draw in stall two. He never travelled with any purpose in rear, and made no impression on the leaders coming home a well beaten ninth. A disappointing effort from connections, and punters deserved questions being asked by the stewards which were not put forward…
Today’s Advice
BINT AL DAAR (10f 56y Hcap) – This five-year-old mare will appreciate the step up in trip for today’s (2.42) York having finished well recently over the mile at Nottingham. Her course and distance second place finish behind Canoodled on Good to Firm going last August reads well in the context of today’s race. On that occasion she made headway from the rear, and had to be switched outside for her effort. She saw off all challengers bar the winner who got first run on her. The time of the race was strong, and recent wins for Sound Angela, Ambiente Amigo and Chorus give the form a solid look to it.
The stronger they go up front the better for her, and front runners Thunder Run and Salamanca should help her cause with prominent racers Zain Blue and Austrian Theory hopefully involved in the pace angle as well. Jockey Kieran Shoemark takes the ride, and it would be a nice tonic for him to go one place better than yesterday’s runner up finish on Damysus in the Dante Stakes.
GOLD DIGGER (6f Albany Stakes) – An antepost selection for the Albany Stakes on the Friday of Royal Ascot for this recently impressive two-year-old filly. An expensive 260,000gns purchase at the Breeze-Ups, her debut at Yarmouth on Wednesday was eagerly anticipated. Jamie Spencer was on board and he gave the daughter of Starman a lovely introduction in the six furlong maiden for two-year-old fillies. Held up out the back, she made nice headway over a furlong out, and only had to be nudged out to the line under hands and heels riding to record a cosy half length victory over Awaken.
The sectional times read very well, and her performance can be ranked alongside other previous impressive two-yearold course and distance winners such as Zoology, Maglev and Ventura Tormenta. The Albany Stakes has been put forward as her target for Royal Ascot, and she looks a shade overpriced at the moment. Her main danger so far would appear to be the Ger Lyons trained Lady Iman, and it will be interesting to see if her trainer will be willing to take her to Royal Ascot given his reluctance to travel over in the past.
0.75pt e/way Bint Al Daar (10/1 General 4 places) 2.42 York
0.75pt e/way Gold Digger (16/1 Paddy Power, 14/1 Unibet, 12/1 Ladbrokes/Coral) Royal Ascot Friday 20th June