WATER CHANCE HOLE HAS

And what is quite an average Saturday's racing, the highlight is perhaps the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown (3:15). Fintry is probably the class horse in the field but it could pay to side with an equally unexposed horse in WATER HOLE. She has done nothing but improve in everyone of her four runs and further improvement will see her go very close. This is not the grandest renewal of this race so the Gosden runner should go well. The softer ground may mean that German raider DIAMOND DOVE will put in a bold showing too.

Buick and Gosden team up with Water Hole.

Another big race at Sandown is the Solario Stakes and it's another race that does not look like a vintage renewal. The leading pair in the market, Aktabantay and Future Empire, are far too short in my opinion so instead I think it would be wiser to side with a couple of bigger priced horses, PALLISTER, who was not disgraced in a tougher race last time out and COCK OF THE NORTH, who is another solid performer who was not too far behind Aktabantay last time out. The price difference between the two makes little sense.

In the 3:50, SPA'S DANCER should have a chance given his previous record at the course, the cut in the ground and the positive jockey booking in Ryan Moore whilst WHAT ABOUT CARLO has looked quite a classy performer when there has been juice in the surface and he gets that today. Ajmany is a threat but is high enough in the weights. Forgotten Hero, Mount Shamsan and Viewpoint should also be feared in a competitive race.

Chester 2:20- BALLESTEROS finally gets his ground and a tumble in the weights should see him go mightily close. B Fifty Two is the clear danger although I think he is quite short in the market now.

Chester 3:30- With cut in the ground and, if getting an easy lead, SPECIAL MEANING may be hard to beat. DE RIGEUR also has a chance as his trainer says that he is none the worse for his disappointing Ebor run a week ago, citing the firm ground as the reason. His performances before that suggest he is a big player here.

And finally, the Beverley Bullet (2:25)- old campaigner KINGSGATE NATIVE has a lot in his favour today, namely easier opposition and a firmer surface whilst consistent handicapper LINE OF REASON could also go well.

Premier League- NEWCASTLE, SUNDERLAND, SWANSEA-WEST BROM DRAW, WEST HAM-SOUTHAMPTON DRAW.

Championship- BRIGHTON, NORWICH, ROTHERHAM, WIGAN-BIRMINGHAM DRAW

Enjoy your Saturday

Happy Punting!

ZALTY LOOKS A DUN DEAL

Before today's racing at Dundalk is previewed, I just wanted to congratulate EURO CHARLINE for her win at Arlington in the Beverly D Stakes yesterday. She was a filly that I have followed since her demolition job in a Class 4 Handicap at Wolverhampton at March and after putting in solid performances in the best three year old fillies' races, it was nice to see her achieve her just rewards. I knew she was smart when I saw her at Dunstall Park that day but I never really thought she would in a race of this class. I am immensely proud of her, well done to all of her connections!

As for today's racing, Dundalk host some decent races on their all weather surface where ZALTY (3:40) would appear to have a big chance. He's ran solid races this year including a respectable fourth behind Muthmir in a competitive York handicap. He could still be nicely treated so he should run a good race.

Zalty

In the maiden races, the expensive GENERALL MARSHALL (3:10) will like the surface being by American sire War Front and providing he improves on his first run, could give the incredibly short Toscanini a good race whilst FOOLISH WAYS (4:15) could give Ballydoyle's Qualify a worry if she improves on her first run.

And finally, THE BIG CAT (5:45) is an unexposed type who hopefully has a lot of improvement to come. Panama Hat is obviously the biggest danger but the handicapper has done him no favours whatsoever, he has to give The Big Cat 17 pounds. Running on a synthetic surface after his last few runs being on turf may not help him either.


Enjoy Your Sunday

Happy Punting!

YOU SANSE CAPPELLA HAS A VERO GOOD CHANCE

Today's feature race is the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. The market suggests that the race will be dominated by Queen Mary winner Anthem Alexander and the dual Group 2 winner Kool Kompany. The former is not guaranteed to go on the ground whilst the latter may prove a tough not to crack. The ground will pose no problem and, if gifted an easy lead, may be tough to beat. However, if there is competition for the lead it may not be all plain sailing for the Hannon representative and at the prices, he is worth opposing.

You could argue that CAPPELLA SANSEVERO would have been a far shorter price for this had he not have ran in the Railway Stakes (won by Kool Kompany) last time out. It was his worst run to date and his form before that is probably the best on offer, his second in the Coventry Stakes behind The Wow Signal is proof of that. He may be more at home on softer ground and providing that bad run was a one off, he could outrun is odds. DICK WHITTINGTON has shown himself to be a solid performer and looks the best of the Aidan O'Brien quartet in my opinion. The ground is a slight worry but is another who could belie his price.

Cappella Sansevero

With all the rain that fell overnight and into the morning, it looks like you it would be wise to side with soft ground horses in England too. In Leicester's 3:30, PIAZON has looked a smart individual when there has been ease underfoot whilst FOXY CLARETS will also appreciate the rain if he can get an easy lead. Windsor's 4:45 should see STARWATCH, who has winning course experience and WHIPPER SNAPPER, who is aided by the top class George Baker, go close. They will also like the ground.

Arsenal for me in the Community Shield, feel like they probably want it more.


Enjoy your Sunday


Happy Punting!

ROGER'S RING LOOKS A KEEPER

Roger Varian is not adverse to readying a horse to win first time out and KEEPER'S RING (6:30 Kempton) could be good enough to win on her debut. A Street Cry filly out of a mare by Sadlers Wells, she certainly seems bred for the purpose and although there are some attractive connections amongst the opposition, there is a slight feeling that this is a maiden that might not take much winning. Remember that the same owner has Royal Ascot winner Cursory Glance and she too made her debut at Kempton and recorded a win. Moonvoy was very disappointing at odds on last time out. Momayyaz was second on her opening run albeit a distant second (by 11 lengths). Emirates Joy could go well but her trainer's horses tend to come on for the run and Lady Bingo may be more of a long term prospect. Inflection may be the biggest threat.

Can Keeper's Ring do the same as Cursory Glance?

The 4:00 at Ffos Las looks a competitive little race which could contain some decent fillies. For me, Reesha may not be able to see out the trip as she just lost the lead late on in her last race. I also think she is vulnerable giving eighteen pounds to my selection, BY JUPITER. She ran her best race to date last time when seemingly appreciating the step up to today's distance (12 furlongs) when finishing second. Cam Hardie's claim means that she carries three pounds less than that day and her breeding suggests that she should be up to winning a race of this class. Swan Lakes could be the danger.

Ffos Las' 5:00 looks a different affair, with plenty of exposed types who look as though this is well and truly their level. This is why it may pay to look at the three year olds in this race in the hope that they are open to some improvement. STONEHAM could be of interest wearing a first time visor whilst RAPUNZAL could also figure on her handicap debut. Admittedly she has shown very little thus far but of a lowly mark of 54, she may be able to make her presence felt.

And finally, Ripon's 8:45 sees the smartly bred CLASSICAL DUET attempt to improve on his poor first run. He did everything differently to what his trainer's horses are famed for; breaking late, staying at the back and running green. If he does the complete opposite to what he did then, this half brother to the top class Papal Bull and useful Statutory could be a live contender. Of course Mount Shamsan is the main danger, but if my selection improves on his first run and is able to dictate proceedings, the nine pounds that William Haggas' contender has to give away may prove too much.

Happy Punting!

DERMOT LOOKS TO WIN WITH ARAB NAMESAKE

As one festival concludes yesterday, another one comes to an end today. The final day of the Galway festival sees an array of competitive handicaps, both over the jumps on the flat. The rain that has fallen has blighted these races a little due to the plethora of non-runners. However, there are some nice types running today so without further ado...

A horse who interested me as soon as I looked at the race was WELD ARAB (5:30). An unexposed type running against more highly tried horses, he is a fascinating contender on handicap debut. There are a lot of question marks against his name, the distance and the ground being the main two. But his opening mark of 66 could be fair (63 today with Leigh Roche's 3 pound claim) and the first time blinkers could bring about some improvement. What could also be in his favour is that his trainer Dermot Weld won with a similar type at Galway on Monday in Timiyan. He wore a first time visor on his handicap debut and sauntered home by 5 lengths. That success was off a mark of 77 so on that evidence, Weld Arab's mark of 63 for today could be very lenient given that he didn't achieve much more or less to what Timiyan had achieved in his three starts. Finally, Weld Arab is a horse who is closely related to the likes of the top class Ghanaati and Mawatheeq, so really he should be flying higher than this, but if he can show even a fraction of what they showed on the track, he has to have a mighty chance.

Ghanaati, who's is a half sister to Weld Arab's dam Itqaan.

The handicap chase at 3:55 looks a race where it would pay to look at the horses who carry the lower weights. The last five runnings of this have been won by horses who have had an official rating of 127 or less. Also, no horse younger than seven has won this race so putting that into consideration the selections are FORMIDABLEOPPONENT, who although was a fortunate winner last time out due to the leader falling at the final fence, did beat the rest rather easily and CNOC NA SIOGA who is handicapped to run a good race based on his best form. The last four winners of this have all carried less then 10 stone so that bodes well for Danny Mullins' mount today.

The 4:30 had the makings of quite a competitive handicap before the defections of Dermot Weld's filly Sparkle Factor and the consistent Zalty but it is still a decent race. BARAWEEZ has been running very solid races lately including a third place at Galway on Tuesday. Although the drop back to seven furlongs does not look the most obvious route to take (he finished strongly on Tuesday) the rain that has come may cancel that out as it will become more of a stamina test. Also, when he was disqualified when first past the post at Newcastle over a mile, he was in the lead towards the finish a fair way out but just had a tendency to wonder under pressure so maybe 7 furlongs may not be all that bad for him. HIDDEN OASIS should also go well, especially now the rain has come as the best of his form has come with cut in the ground.

Hope you enjoy the last day of Galway

Happy Punting!

THE NASSAU CHRONICLES OF NARNIYN

The concluding day of Glorious Goodwood sees three fiercely competitve handicaps on Channel 4 which look very challenging nuts to crack. However, the Nassau Stakes looks an easier proposition. For a Group 1, which has seen some brilliant horses both win and just run in it in the past, this year's field look very average in comparison. Even though this may be the case, one of them must join a roll of honour which include Ouija Board, Peeping Fawn and more recently Midday and The Fugue...

NARNIYN looks like she may take quite a bit of beating. She was encountering a decent unbeaten run until it was brought to an end at the hands of Spiritjim and Noble Mission in the Group 1 Grand Prix Saint Cloud last time out. She wasn't beaten a million miles that day and a repeat performance will see her go mightily close. The return to racing against horses of her own sex may see her back in first place. Her trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre would hardly be sending her over to taking in the scenic Sussex Downs.

Venus De Milo will want the ground to be rattling fast and will have to step up massively on what she has shown on the racecourse, having only got Group 3's to her name. Mango Diva may not be good enough and will also want the rain to stay away whereas Sultanina will want the rain but could fall short in this company after only three runs. Like I said, this Group 1 would not take much winning and if any of the horses I mentioned won, it would not be the biggest shock ever. But to me, Narniyn could just have that touch of class required to win this and her fourth last time out behind Arc bound Spiritjim and Group 1 winner Noble Mission is easily the best form on offer. She is also ground versatile too which her adversaries are not.

Narniyn

The other big race on the Goodwood card, the 32Red Cup or the Stewards Cup, is a far more competitive affair. Previous winners of this race suggests that a middle to high draw would be favoured and a run in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot is almost essential. Regarding the draw, the King George Stakes on Friday suggested that low numbers may be favoured, as the 1-2 finished on the far side of the track. This would indicate that analysing the draw may be a waste of time. However, I think it is wise to look at those who ran in the Wokingham this year. Therefore NINJAGO, ALBEN STAR and SEEKING MAGIC are the selections. They all ran decent races that day, Alben Star finishing an admirable fourth whilst Ninjago did all he could despite being stranded in the centre of the course. Seeking Magic was not beaten far either. Both Ninjago and Alben Star have placed in previous renewals of the race and Seeking Magic has won here so the course should pose no worries.

Ninjago

The consolation race for those that didn't make the cut for the 32Red Cup is an equally competitive affair. A horse who could be well treated by the handicapper is EL VIENTO. He runs off a pound lower than when he came a 3 length seventh in this very race last year and another bold showing can be expected. SCHOOL FEES could be a contenders as well, with Richard Hughes looking an eye catching jockey booking.

El Viento

The 2:40 is a handicap that has thrown up some decent sorts in years previous and this running looks no different. Perhaps the most interesting runner is Kings Fete, but in a competitive handicap such as this is, he is just too short a price for me. Especially when you factor in that all previous renewals of this race have been won by horses that have had 4 or more races. With Kings Fete only having three, this may not be his race. Instead, I am a fan of ADVENTURE SEEKER, who seemed to relish the step up in trip in his last race and DOUBLE BLUFF, who has bumped into a couple of smart looking types in his last two runs, Luca Cumani's Postponed and Ebor bound Pallasator. Pricewise fancy Oasis Fantasy is interesting although he carries fourteen pounds more than when he last one whilst Second Step may just come up short given that he too has only had three runs in his career thus far. Of course, if the aforementioned Kings Fete were to win this, and win it well, he would probably head to the St Leger as a major player.

Double Bluff behind Ebor hopeful Pallasator last time out

Goodwood always host good nurseries and the one held on Saturday (5:00) looks no exception. SHAAKIS should love the ground and won what could prove to be an above average Brighton maiden. His opening mark of 74 looks very lenient based on what the other horses have done so far in that race. STEC won well under an enterprising ride by Jenny Powell last time and will have her aboard again. Her seven pound claim could be extremely valuable in this competitive event.

As for the final race of the festival, it is hard to see PETERKIN not running a good race. Every race he has run this year has been solid including his third in a hot Ascot handicap 6 days ago. Another repeat performance should see him go very close. FLYING BEAR is interesting in first time blinkers and he actually carries one pound less than when he won last time out as Cam Hardie takes the ride with his five pound claim.

There is also a decent looking card at Newmarket today where Enlace has been backed in a similar way to how J Wonder was backed in the same race (2:55) last year. She is well worth opposing in my opinion so PANDA SPIRIT, who ran in a warm race last time and could be well handicapped.

In the fillies' maiden (3:30), Rastanora probably deserves to be favourite but MAHSOOBA also ran a good opening race and importantly, her trainer has just started to hit a little bit of form again. STAY SILENT could also go well on debut, being a half sister to Silent Bullet who won his first two races.

And in the Summer Cup at Thirsk (3:40), MUHARRER is fancied to build on his recent Ayr win.

Enjoy your Saturday

Happy Punting!

PAVERS TO STAR AT MUSSELBURGH

The intention was to add these fancies at Musselburgh this evening on the end of the post previewing today's races at Goodwood and Galway. However, due to all the seconds and thirds I've had to endure not just today but over the course of the past few days, I felt it would be best to do a fresh post for these Musselburgh races and try and put that (hopefully short) case of seconditis well and truly behind me.

Anyway, PAVERS STAR looks to have a good chance in the 8:20. After a cataclysmic drop in the weights, he ran his best race in a long time with a second place over course and distance last time out, behind a well backed favourite who may have been well handicapped too. His official rating remained unchanged for that run which is what makes him appeal to me here.

I could not find a picture of Pavers Star so here is me with his jockey Joey Haynes
at Wolverhampton.

In the 8:50, SNOW BAY ran a massively improved race last time out, which may of been due to the firmer ground and he will probably have similar conditions today. FUNDING DEFICIT could also be interesting with seven pound claimer Jordan Nason aboard making his chances a lot easier. He will run of his lowest mark to date and could go well at a big price.

Happy Punting!

OX AND METAL WILL DO VEL

Plenty of good races today so it is going to be brief today.

Betfred Mile (3:05 Goodwood)- Low draws and weights below 9 stone have dominated this race so the selections are VELOX, who won nicely last time out and his trainer Luca Cumani says he has him primed for this and HEAVY METAL, who won the International Handicap on King George Day for a trainer who has a very good record in this race.

Velox

Heavy Metal

Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (2:30 Goodwood)- Shifting Power is clearly the class horse but he is no price for me so he is going to be opposed with BOW CREEK has been running very consistently of late and WINDFAST who will love the ground and deserves a big race win.

King George Stakes (3:40 Goodwood)- EXTORTIONIST has been flying of late thanks mainly to the rattling ground he has encountered. He has that again and will be tough to beat. Demora looks the biggest threat.

4:15 Goodwood- Like all Hannon juveniles around Goodwood, SUNSET SAIL has to be respected especially after his comfortable win last time out. MARKAZ was another who won nicely last time out when he broke his maiden tag at Ascot. George Baker takes the ride so that can only be seen as a positive.

5:25 Goodwood- Decent horses have won this handicap in previous years so it could pay to side with a horse who has a high rating. If we look at ratings of 80 or higher, the one that stands out to me is FIRE FIGHTING. He runs off a mark of 80 following a drop of 2 pounds after his last run. He looks well handicapped so a good run should be in the pipeline, and the drop in trip will aid his cause as well. One a little lower in the weights of interest is ARTFUL ROGUE, who has been running well without winning and the first time cheekpieces could bring out a little improvement. Amanda Perrett does very well at Goodwood too.

And one for Galway...

5:10- ORGILGO BAY. Will love the ground and appears to be in form following his win last time out. His second to Aidan O'Brien's El Salvador on the flat two runs ago looks solid form as well.

Enjoy your Friday

Happy Punting!