Yesterday’s Review

0.75pt e/way Hickory Lad (102) – A fine front-running ride from jockey Sam James who got the fractions spot-on from the front. The step up in trip proved just what the doctor ordered after connections decided to come here instead of Royal Ascot. He lengthened clear when asked inside the final furlong to win by 3.25 lengths. Result 1st 7/1, 13/2 adv…10/3 SP.

 

0.5pt e/way Spoken Truth (108) – A race taken apart by the wide margin winner Sallaal (114). The selection was given a lot to do from the rear by Luke Morris (who rode a pound overweight) having raced keen early on, but was a level below the winner coming home 7.5 lengths behind in third place. He made decent headway when switched to the far rail over two furlongs from home and kept on nicely at the finish. Even softer conditions should suit going forward. Result 3rd 16/1 adv, 12/1 adv…12/1 SP.

 

0.75pt e/way Thundering On (110) – The manner in which the selection won her trial for this race screamed class, and so it proved, as she absolutely tanked through this race from the rear before scything through the field when asked up the home straight. Jockey Dylan Brown McMonagle sauntered up to the leader, Legacy Link, over a furlong from home and only needed to be shaken up to clear away impressively by 3.75 lengths. She looked the most likely to benefit from conditions, on breeding and form. She is an exciting filly to look forward to and it looks like a choice between the Irish Oaks or a step back in trip for the Pretty Polly should be next. Result 1st 6/1 adv….5/1 SP.

 

Today’s Advice

 

CINDY LOU WHO (5f Hcap) – This four-year-old filly showed improved form when going down by a short head to Azure Angel over the minimum trip in the Listed Lansdown Stakes at Bath back in April. She raced in midfield on that occasion and having led inside the final furlong was just worried out of the win at the finish. Connections tried to take advantage of her lenient handicap mark 12 days later at Newbury but it looked like the race came too soon. The handicapper has put her up 11lb for today’s (3.15) Epsom but she does look a progressive filly this season. The recent rain should cause her no problems having won on Heavy ground at Bath and a soft surface at Windsor. She looks a couple of points above where I would have her in the market provided she can return to her best form.

 

JAMES J BRADDOCK/MALTESE CROSS (Epsom Derby 12f 6y) – The recent rain will have given connections of the former selection great hope for today’s (4.00) Epsom Derby. Although the winning times were indicating a Good to Soft surface yesterday, it looked hard work out there for a lot of the contestants. A 6 length Heavy ground maiden winner at The Curragh over the mile as a two-year-old, one could not have been anything other than delighted with how he knuckled down to the job in the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes at Lepardstown last month. As the race developed it looked like the Aidan O’Brien trained Pierre Bonnard was coming with a race-winning move near the finish but the selection showed incredible tenacity and a turn of foot to make up almost 3 lengths on the Ballydoyle star to win going away at the finish. The way the three-year-old colt finished his race would give every hope for staying the extra two furlong trip, and considering the grand dam Burning Heights has bred 14f winner The Reverend, there should be every chance that he can stay the longer distance.

With the favourite Benvenuto Cellini not certain to appreciate the underfoot conditions and a forecast of between 2mm-9mm of rain due today, the way could look clear for the son of Zarak to at least hit the frame providing he can step forward from his trial. A more interesting rival could well be the latter selection who showed great tenacity to battle back to the front when headed by Bay Of Brilliance in the Lingfield Derby Trial. His grand dam Neele had plenty of Soft ground form, and he does show a round action in his paces, which leads me to believe that he might just appreciate any rain that hits the track.

 

RUIVA (Queen Mary Stakes Royal Ascot) – The betting for this race has seen recent Nottingham winner Senorita Bonita leap to the front of the market following an impressive debut performance at Nottingham over the minimum trip. Very little went right for her from the rear that day, but she still showed a decent turn of foot to put her head in front on the line and record a healthy (105) timefigure. Connections have mentioned that the Albany over 6f could also be an option for her at Royal Ascot. Although she looks more likely to stay at the minimum trip the price does look a little bit short at the moment.

Wesley Ward is a man who knows the Queen Mary well having won it on four occasions already with Jealous Again (2009), Acapulco (2015), Lady Aurelia (2016) and Campanelle (2020). This two-year-old daughter of Munnings looked another type in the mould of previous stable winners. She made all the running on debut at Churchill Downs on dirt recently, and never saw another rival in the home straight, coming home 7 lengths clear. I awarded her a (109) timefigure for that contest which would see her as my top 2 year-old at Royal Ascot on the clock. Indeed her trainer felt the same way too in a recent Racing Post interview citing her as the best of his juvenile team. It should be noted that three of the stable’s previous four Queen Mary winners were having their turf debut as well at Royal Ascot, but what is also a nice positive for the selection is the fact that her grand dam Miss Besilu won twice on turf at Gulfstream Park for trainer Bill Mott.

With plenty of boxes ticked she looks to be a few points too big in the ante-post market at the moment, and if she can acclimatise well to her surroundings she should make them all go on the day.

 

0.5pt e/way Cindy Lou Who (40/1 William Hill, 33/1 5 places general (6 places Paddy Power, Skybet for those who can avail)) 3.15 Epsom

0.75pt e/way James J Braddock (17/2 Paddy Power, 8/1 Betfred, Betvictor 4 places) 4.00 Epsom

0.5pt e/way Maltese Cross (10/1 general 4 places) 4.00 Epsom

1.5pts e/way Ruiva (Royal Ascot Queen Mary Stakes Ante-Post)(14/1 Paddy Power, Unibet, Skybet) Wednesday 17th June