Things didn’t go to plan for us on Thursday with none of our
selections hitting the frame. The drying ground seemed to be very tacky and I
am not sure it suited the horses I fancied. Union Rose was backed into 14/1 but
he was ridden more forward than usual and he could only manage 5th. The Black
Princess was also backed off the boards and she ran a nice race but she could
only manage 2nd behind surprise winner Blond Me.
 |
| William Knight has a proper chance with Southdown Lad. |
I was bitterly disappointed with Contrapposto’s run as I
genuinely believed he would relish the step up in trip. He is a much better
horse than he showed today and I still believe he has the ability to win races
at pattern level. Instant Attraction ran a funny sort of race and until the final
furlong he looked as though he would challenge for the win. He folded tamely
though, as did Ardad who ran a stinker. Hopefully we have a bit more luck on
the final day, and you can read my thoughts below…
Race 1
I have already posted a selection for this race for
Mybettingbonus and you can find out what it is by clicking here.
Race 2
Only seven go to post for this Listed 3yo Fillies’ mile
contest and the one that appeals at a nice price is the Charlie Hills trained
daughter of Invincible Spirit Mulhimatty. This filly made a taking debut when
winning by a short head at Newbury (7f gd/fm) and she showed her mettle by
doing it the hard way.
She tried to make all after breaking well, but it looked as
though she was beaten when two challengers went by her in the closing stages.
However, she showed real guts to get back up for a narrow win, and judging by
how she finished a mile should be no problem. Her dam is by Pivotal so soft
ground should be fine, and at odds of 12/1 she should give her backers a good
run for their money.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: MULHIMATTY
E/W @ 12/1
Race 3
I have put up a selection for this race for Mybettingbonus
and you can find out what it is by clicking here.
Race 4
Southdown Lad comes here after a poor run on the all weather
on his seasonal reappearance, but he was never likely to be suited by the
surface and we think he will be a lot more at home on the forecast good to soft
ground tomorrow. This 4yo son of Lilbourne Lad has won three of his nine career
starts, and his very best form has come when there has been soft in the ground
description.
His form figures with an ease read 21311 so he clearly
enjoys getting his toe in, and he should strip a lot fitter with a run under
his belt. William Knight has booked Oisin Murphy for the ride and he has a good
record for the yard, riding 3 winners and finishing in the first four 7 times
from 20 rides for Knight. Southdown Lad races off a mark of 94, just 4lb above
his last winning rating, and at odds of 12/1 he represents each way value with
trip and ground to suit.
STEVOS’ SELECTION:
SOUTHDOWN LAD E/W @ 12/1 NAP
Race 5
Lil Spohella is the one I like in this 7f Fillies and Mares’
Handicap and she will be attempting to repeat last year’s win off just a 2lb
higher mark of 80. Pat Holmes’ 8yo daughter of Indian Haven won this on her
first run back last season, and Holmes is likely to have her primed and ready
to go tomorrow.
She has run well on all three previous visits to York, and
Danny Tudhope looks a good booking. He has ridden this mare three times, and
two of those rides resulted in victory. She handles a bit of ease in the ground
and she has been handed a nice draw in stall 3. She ran a cracker here off 87
last season when 3L behind Opal Tiara so her mark of 80 should be well within
her reach, and at odds of 10/1 she looks well worth supporting each way.
STEVOS’ SELECTION:
LIL SOPHELLA E/W @ 10/1 NB
Race 6
Steph Hollinshead is far from a household name, but she
knows how to ready one and I think Stoneyford Lane could outrun his huge odds on ground he loves. This 3yo son of Bushranger scored on debut at a
massive price (5f sft) and he subsequently ran a cracker to be runner up behind
Copper Knight in the Lily Agnes at Chester. Copper Knight won a handicap back at
Chester earlier this month off 87 and he is now rated 95.
Stoneyford Lane came up short in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot on
his next start but the trip of 7f stretched his stamina. He showed more on his
handicap debut off 81 back at Chester, again over 7f, but the trip and good
ground didn’t suit. He was likely over the top on his final 2yo run at
Pontefract in October, and he returns to action off a mark of 76. I think he
has the ability to go well off that rating, he won first time up last year and
at odds of 33/1 he could run a big race with a good draw in stall 2 and on
ground that suits.
STEVOS’ SELECTION:
STONEYFORD LANE E/W @ 33/1
Race 7
Sue’s Angel sneaks into this 12f handicap off a feather
weight and useful claimer Connor Murtagh takes off another 7lb. Richard Fahey’s
3yo daughter of Dark Angel has shown definite promise on two of her four maiden
runs, and she makes her handicap debut up in trip and off a mark of just 65.
The furthest she has raced over thus far is 8.5f, but her dam was best at
tomorrow’s trip of 12f and I think the extra distance could bring about a massive improvement.
Her sire, Dark Angel, was best known for his sprinting
exploits but he has a decent strike rate with progeny running at 12-13f,
producing 11 winners from 44 runners. Connor Murtagh’s claim means she only
carries 8 stone, and he has 4 winners and 5 top 4 finishes from just 21 rides
for Fahey. He also runs Lord Commander who is priced up at 12/1, but I think
this new trip could bring out the best in Sue’s Angel and at odds of 25/1 she
is worth chancing each way.
STEVOS’ SELECTION:
SUE’S ANGEL E/W @ 25/1
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