Yesterday’s Review

0.5pt e/way Indigo Dream (104) – The selection’s last five comments in-running read: prominent, disputed lead, prominent, in touch and prominent. Today, she was held up stone last and finished the final six furlong 0.12 secs faster than the winner. She passed nine horses but was given too much to do from her position coming home 2 lengths second at the finish. Result 2nd 17/2…8/1 SP.

0.5pt e/way Dark Moon Rising (94) – The slowest run race on the card. The selection did very well to finish in the places considering the first three home raced more prominently. Also, young Jack Callan couldn’t find a decent position early on and was forced to race three wide throughout before staying on at the end. The selection also finished lame so it was a mighty effort. Result 4th 11/1 adv…11/2 SP.

0.75pt e/way U S S Charleston (96) – The selection broke too well for his rider and raced too keen early on. He was also hampered on the home turn by the winner before coming home in ninth place four lengths behind. A performance to put a line through. He is the type that will be seen to best effect held up in rear off a strong pace.

Today’s Advice

UNIQUE JOURNEY/KING CUAN (6f Lstd) – Eleven contestants go to post at the time of writing for the (4.02) Cork and with the ground described as Soft (Soft to Heavy in places on the round course) and with 7.5mm due from midday it could easily see conditions become even more testing. Bucanero Fuerte the short priced favourite won his maiden on career debut with the ground described as Soft to Heavy but he has disappointed since on a soft surface at Ascot on Champions Day. At the prices on offer and carrying a 3lb penalty I can let him win under these conditions. The selection is one who should really enjoy the softer conditions. His record on a Soft to Heavy or worse going description read 2312 and he has risen 32lbs in the handicap since October 2024 with most of his best efforts coming in those conditions.

First time out this season he ran a mighty race attempting to concede 18lbs to emphatic winner Dmaniac over 6f at The Curragh under the welter burden of 10st. The (113) recorded timefigure was a career best and providing he can reproduce a similar effort today he looks a shade overpriced in the market. The winner couldn’t back up his own effort just 13 days later but that merely highlighted the fact that the majority of these animals need more time between their races especially after huge efforts on the clock. Shane Foley is once again booked for the ride and he was on board for his latest race and also won on the selection last October at The Curragh over 6f. The son of Caravaggio is usually ridden prominently which should suit in these conditions and if he is in the same form as last time out he should make his presence felt.

King Cuan looks to be his main danger based on his excellent effort behind Art Power on a soft surface in a Group 3 at The Curragh over 6f last September when recording a (116) timefigure. He was held up in the rear on that occasion and found all sorts of trouble in the run before flying home to go down by a neck. He was disappointing next time out on a faster surface at Ascot but if he is ready to rock and roll today he would be my idea of the favourite.

1pt e/way Unique Journey (17/2 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral) 4.02 Cork

1pt win King Cuan (11/4 general) 4.02 Cork