Yesterday’s Advice
0.5pt e/way Mumayaz (101) – A race not run to suit the selection with Northcliff (102) missing the break and held up in rear, and Royal Musketeer (96) not able to get across from his wide draw to lead. The winner Ziggy’s Condor (105) had his own way out in front, and the drop back in distance and first time visor worked a treat for connections. The first three at the three furlong pole occupied three of the first four places home.
Today’s Advice
GUNS AND GLORY (2000M Gp2) – I was disappointed with Imperial Emperor’s performance last time out on the clock. Early offers of 14/1 for the wildly impressive handicap winner looked insane, and he eventually went off at 4/1. The step up in trip looked to be a big positive on breeding, but he wasn’t the same horse on the clock coming home five lengths per mile slower than his previous race while carrying ten pounds less. It may well be that the race was needed following a 42 day break, and we will get to see the real Imperial Emperor today. Stall fifteen makes things a little more complicated for today’s (4.35) Meydan, but if he is at his best he should win easily. I am happy to let him win at the prices on offer. The selection recorded a career best (110) speed figure last time out when given a soft lead in front coming home ten lengths clear of Inner Wisdom. There is a chance that the same thing could happen today given that other prominent racer Crown Estate is stepping up in trip, and Olzakhan has a wide draw in stall eleven. He has been hit and miss since his twelve length demolition of Elyabri last season, but at the prices I will be have a small sporting interest.
HORUS (6f 16y Hcap) – This three-year-old has been improving on the clock recently since winning over six furlongs at Lingfield. While he looked a little outpaced in the straight last time out at Kempton there should be enough pace on for tonight’s (8.00) Southwell to allow him to show his best. A second place finish behind Blue Lakota over course and distance last month should hold him in good stead for tonight’s contest. Front-runners Massimo Blue, Lucius Aurelius and Alashos look to be the pace angle, and a kind draw in stall one should allow jockey Kieran Shoemark to find a dececnt position. He looks worth an interest against short priced favourite Backspin.
BACK TOMORROW (6f 16y Hcap) – A similar pace scenario should enable the selection to go very close in tonight’s (8.30) Southwell with Ustath, Kohana Girl and Chester Le Streak in opposition. She looked a little unlucky last time out behind Under Curfew from her wide draw, and she already has a course and distance win from last season when finishing a length and a quarter ahead of Zargun. Jockey Archie Young is one of the more experienced riders in tonight’s contest having ridden twenty three winners since last year mainly for Charlie Johnston and Iain Jardine.
0.5pt e/way Guns And Glory (20/1 William Hill, 18/1 Ladbrokes/Corals 4 places) 4.35 Meydan
0.75pt e/way Horus (4/1 General) 8.00 Southwell
1pt win Back Tomorrow (9/4 William Hill, 2/1 General) 8.30 Southwell