Yesterday’s Review
2pts win Djafar (65) – Unfortunately, anyone who reads the write-ups will notice that I studied this race as a dirt contest. The picks would have been different if I was aware it was going to be run on the turf. The selection put up the number I had in mind for him and more, nevertheless. He had even won this race last year on turf. However, this was a strongly run Group 2 race with the front three putting up career best timefigures. Four of the leading five turning in finished sixth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth. Pat Dobbs’ mount had been a bit disappointing behind RB Kingmaker on turf last time out and he couldn’t raise his game once again here having raced from the rear of midfield.
0.5pt e/way RB Blynd Date (43) – A similar story to the selection above and he will be seen to better effect back on dirt.
1pt e/way Nyaar (106) – The selection was a couple of lengths off the timefigure I had in mind for him but he still ran an excellent race. Unfortunately, the winner Sirocco Winds (110) who had finished behind Pat Dobbs’ mount last time out made a huge leap forward on the clock and was a worthy winner. The son of Munnings raced prominently all the way round but couldn’t match the winner in the final furlong. Result 2nd 8/1, 7/1, 13/2 adv….13\2 SP.
1pt e/way Bombay Bazaar (107) – The selection reproduced his timefigure at the weights from when he was runner-up to Rasas over course and distance back in January 2025. He raced prominently as he normally does. Unfortunately, the three that finished ahead of him on this occasion have found a lot more in the locker than they have produced recently. The extra place helped on this occasion. Result 4th 8/1, 7/1 adv…12/1 SP.
0.75pt e/way Bold Optimist (97) – This was way below what was expected as the selection was well backed into 4/1 from 8/1. He blew the start and looked all at sea when asked to close down the leaders plodding home into a well beaten sixth place. It will be interesting to see if he can do better going forward.
Today’s Advice
SILKY WILKIE (6f 20y Hcap) – The (2.05) Wolverhampton sees the James Tate trained Kullazain put in as the short price favourite and he looked a decent improving type when he recorded a (108) timefigure over course and distance back in December of last year with a 1 length victory over Accrual. He actually meets that rival on 2lb better terms here and the race has also yielded two other winners in Many A Star and Papa Cocktail. The son of Hello Youmzain could only manage a third place finish behind El Bodon over the same distance at Kempton in a (0-100) handicap last month having raced keenly in midfield. As a lightly raced type there may be more to come but I was happy to take him on a the prices despite the drop in class.
The selection recorded a (111) timefigure over course and distance when coming home just under a length clear of Water Of Leith last month having raced prominently under today’s pilot Jack Nicholls. He performed with credit when finishing fourth next time out from a wide draw over 6f at Southwell and should appreciate the return to today’s course and distance where he has even recorded a (113) timefigure behind One Night Stand back in February 2024 over the minimum trip when rated 15lbs higher. He has come down the weights since he was rated 99 back in December 2024 but has shown much more this season with two wins from his last four races. He looks the right price for a sporting interest today at a track where he has performed well on in the past and with up and coming apprentice Jack Nicholls on board again and taking a handy 5lbs off his back.
0.75pt e/way Silky Wilkie (8/1 general) 2.05 Wolverhampton