Yesterday’s Review

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Today’s Advice

Westover & Free Wind (12F Group 1) – The big race of the day at Longchamp has attracted 15 runners, and as we know from past columns the star of the clock is the Jean Claude Rouget trained Ace Impact. The son of Cracksman’s (127) speed figure, and visual impression when winning the Qatar Prix Du Jockey Club over the extended ten furlongs was other worldly. Unfortunately, the 5/2 favourite is not the type of price that I would ever get excited about, and while he seems the most likely winner, I prefer to look elsewhere for some value. Westover’s form has taken on a new dimension lately, especially when lowering the track record in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud over 12f when recording a career best (119) speed figure. The times were on the quicker side of standard that day, and a similar scenario looks on the cards today judging by yesterday’s times. Last time out he looked a little bit unlucky not to have taken the Group 1 King George at Ascot. The track appeared to be overwatered that day with the times on the Round Course coming in some 23 lengths slower than standard. On the day, he went down by a head to Hukum and it could be argued that the slower conditions, better trip and more patient ride may have favoured Jim Crowley’s mount. With the draw and going appearing a bit kinder to Westover today, we may just see a reversal in form providing jockey Rob Hornby can navigate a clear run from stall (1). The other horse which appears a bit overpriced in the field is the John & Thady Gosden trained Free Wind. The talented mare hadn’t been putting up any big ratings on the clock despite having won six career races prior to recording a (112) speed figure, and looking a well held fifth in this year’s Hardwicke Stakes. Her most recent effort in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks was a career best (114) on the clock while carrying 9st 9lbs. The daughter of Galileo looked a little unlucky in her run when going down by just a head to the Aidan O’Brien trained Warm Heart and failing to conced 9lbs to her. The winner has since gone on to win the Group 1 Prix Vermeille giving a solid look to the form. Considering this is her jockey Frankie Dettori’s final Arc ride, and with a decent draw in stall (3), I am surprised she is such a big price despite this stiffer task.

1pt win Westover (7/1 Generally) & 1pt e/way Free Wind (20/1 Generally 4 places) 3.05 Longchamp