Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way Valedictory (108) – A rock solid contest on the clock thanks to the pace set by Sing Us A Song (107) and Nighttime Dancer (103). The selection raced lazily in rear and looked to be making decent headway two furlongs out as he came from 8th position into 4th place. However, for some reason jockey William Buick never used his stick in the final furlong and coasted home hands and heels. This was a totally different ride from the one administered the previous race where he was ridden very aggressively and hit five times to win in the finish at Newmarket. He eventually came home in fifth place beaten 6 lengths.
0.5pt e/way Burdett Road (104) – The selection was slowly away at the start and found the leaders at the 3 furlong pole not stopping as the race quickened up. He did post the 2nd fastest 9th furlong and fastest 10th and 11th furlong of the entire field and might be worth another chance when racing a bit closer to the pace and maybe back over 12f.
1pt win Opportunity (106) – A race dominated by the winner Enfjaar (107) who was allowed to dictate a steady pace throughout and kept on all the way to the line proving a length and a quarter too strong for the selection. It was hoped that there might be a bit more pace in the race with the other Wathnan runner King’s Gambit in the field and previous front-runner Midak in opposition but none developed. James Doyle’s mount was faster than the winner in each of the final four furlongs, but the damage was done early doors as the winner enjoyed a solo out on the lead.
0.75pt e/way In My Teens (104) – We managed to secure a cracking price on the selection as she was gambled on from 9/1 into 3/1 but raced too keenly early doors due to the lack of pace. She weakened into 6th place beaten 5 lengths at the finish, and will be worth keeping an eye on in a more truly run contest.
0.75pt e/way Marengo Storm (105) – The selection raced prominently behind the leader who hung left all the way up the straight interfering with Luke Morris’ mount and most of the other prominent finishers. He came home in fifth place 2 lengths behind the winner and beaten 1/4 length for the places. A slightly unlucky run but just not good enough on the day.
Today’s Advice
MONARCH’S GOLD (7f Hcap) – The (3.52) Chester looks to have plenty of pace on with the likes of Power Fizz, Miami Matrix and Khafiz in opposition. With the rail out 9 yards I usually prefer my selection to race away from the rail, and as such would want to avoid a front-runner on the rail. The selection should get a nice tow into the race and jockey Toby Moore (son of elite jockey Ryan Moore) takes a handy 7lb off the selection’s back. Toby has been doing very well in his first season with 9 winners on the board and has experience around this venue having finished runner-up aboard Maxi King in the Chester Cup. The Kevin Philippart De Foy trained three-year-old ran a cracking race over the extended 7f trip at today’s venue when tracking the leaders and only going down by a neck to the George Boughey trained McMurray back in May. He was given a break following an unlucky run at Epsom and kept on all the way to the line over the mile at Hamilton when finishing third behind the unbeaten I’ll Be Back and classy English Oak. The race should pan out nicely for him today, and with the favourite Dance In The Storm looking very short in the market, he may represent a bit of value at the odds.
0.75pt e/way Monarch’s Gold (10/1 Paddy Power, Unibet, Betfred) 3.52 Chester