Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way Quest For Fun (103) – It was looking promising for the selection when challenging two furlongs out, unfortunately the response was very limited as he quickly backed out of battling to the line. This has been a trait of his during his career, and remarkably he was sent out the very next day at Ripon over six furlongs as a 5/2 favourite finishing eighth of eleven.
1pt win First Officer (108) – A fine display from horse and rider as they fought all the way to the line for the victory having raced prominently. He has shown a real liking for this track, and the plan is to come back here for the race he won last year. Result 1st 9/2 adv…R4 10c…7/2 SP.
0.75pt e/way Thompson Gunner (96) – It looked a worthwhile opportunity for the selection just seven days following a solid course and distance effort, and he performed with credit just failing by the narrowest of margins. Unfortunately, he wandered about inside the final furlong as he is still learning his trade, and failed to get the better of Rampage (97) by a nose. There should be a similar race in him going forward with a bit more luck. Result 2nd 7/1, 13/2 adv…3/1F SP.
0.75pt e/way Catch Cunningham (110) – A fine performance from the selection who matched his previous excellent course and distance efforts just finding three too good on the night. The expected pace from Grace Angel and Cast No Shadow that appeared on paper never materialised from those two. On this occasion the first three at the two furlong pole were the first three home. The race was the fastest on the card, and unlucklily for the selection it marked a massive return to form on the clock for the first three home. His style of running makes things difficult as he relies on the front runners to drop away in front.
Today’s Advice
Norwalk Havoc (9f Hcap) – Today’s (3.40) Newmarket Cambridgeshire Handicap looks the usual difficult puzzle to solve on Soft drying ground with thirty one runners to sort through. The Emmet Mullins trained This Songisforyou was the late gamble of the race this week having been backed into favourite in the betting before drifting out slightly. His smooth win at The Curragh recently only resulted in a four pound penalty for this race, and he could still be a step ahead of the handicapper. The selection’s second place finish at Galway in July reads well where he finished ahead of This Songisforyou by one and three quarter lengths behind Mexicali Rose. On that occasion he looked in real trouble at the halfway stage before really responding to pressure entering the home straight, and just failing by a neck to give the winner four pounds. He has a liking for a bit of cut in the ground, and the application of first time cheekpieces and tongue tie that day brought about a big improvement in form and on the clock. Another point to notice was that he was the only horse to finish in the first six from a double figure draw in the race. Today is a much different test on a straight course, but at the prices he looks worth taking a chance with as he looks one of the less exposed types in the field.
Out On Friday/Nunc Est Bibendum (10f Hcap) – The former selection looks the lone out and out front-runner for today’s (4.55) Curragh Student Derby and it would be no surprise if he slipped the field on a track where it can be difficult to peg one back. He is currently racing off his last winning handicap mark of 71, and he has been performing well lately from ten to twelve furlongs on various types of going. A win at Roscommon over today’s trip back in July off a three pound lower mark reads very well on the clock, but his next effort at Galway reads even better over a trip that was a shade too far on ground that would have been too soft. He still managed to come home in third place behind Toll Stone, and the form of that race has been boosted by Mr Percy since. He has been freshened up since a slighly less outstanding performance at Tramore recently when only fourth, but he looks a shade overpriced if back to himself for today’s contest. The latter selection is very much unexposed having only ever raced as far as a mile. She was noted finishing well last time out at Naas, and the recent performances by the Joseph O’Brien trained Kelbelle, who finished in behind her, lead one to think that she could be well treated from a mark of just 68.
Three Dons (14f Hcap) – The recent performances of the selection on Heavy ground at Ffos Las have been very impressive lately considering the horse had been rated just 46 by the handicapper back in May. Trainer Tony Carroll has really found the key to him this season having won six handicaps. His performance on the clock when beating Marmalade Lady when carrying nine stone eight pounds, and winning easily by over three lengths indicated to me that there may still be a few more wins in the tank before the end of the season. The step up in trip for today’s (5.00) Haydock on Soft (Heavy) going should be within his compass and it will be interesting to see if he can continue the fairytale story in a much higher grade of handicap today. He looks the right price for a sporting interest.
0.75pt e/way Norwalk Havoc (14/1 Ladbrokes, 12/1 General 6 places) 3.40 Newmarket
0.5pt e/way Out on Friday (14/1 Bet365, 10/1 Boylesports, 9/1 Paddy Power 4 places) 4.55 Curragh
0.5pt e/way Nunc Est Bibendum (9/1 Unibet, 17/2 Unibet, Betvictor 4 places) 4.55 Curragh
0.5pt e/way Three Dons (13/2 Paddy Power, 6/1 William Hill/Betvictor 2 places) 5.00 Haydock