The Derby Aftermath

Todays Horse Racing Preview

It was certainly a Derby to remember, although opinions have been divided as to whether it will be remenbered for the right or wrong reasons. Obviously it was a surreal atmosphere to see the famous Epsom racecourse with no audience, but great to see that the Classic managed to go ahead, and it didn’t disappoint.

We ended the day in profit after the spectacular ‘Love’ tore his opponemts apart in the Oaks to land us a maximum points bet at 5/4. We were very surprised to see such a generous price for a horse that we all new had the stamina and class to win this race. Frankly My Darling was sure to be popular for connections, but it was a step oiut of her depth. O’Brien is a master at landing these Classic races and set the race up pefectly with the early pacesetter. This ensured us profit for the day, although we were scorned again by Johnny Drama in the 3 o’clock. It was backed heavily all day after we managed to get on the day before at 14/1 and our eyes lit up as it touched 4/1 favourite at one point. De Souza had the horse up with the pace, but it simply wasn’t good enough when asked the question.

Onto the Derby, and I have been reading lots of posts on social media about it being the worst derby they have ever seen and a farce and many other negative comments, but I completely disagree. Yes, not many of us would have backed the winner, or the placed horses for that matter, but I thought it was an exceptional ride by Emmet McNamara and an absolute masterstroke by Aiden O’Brien. Did every other jockey in the race get it wrong? did everyone expect him to come back to the field in the closing stages? Possibly, yes, but you can’t take away the performance of Serpentine, a worthy winner, a worthy jockey and an absolute genius of a trainer.

Onto Sundays racecards and surprisingly we have a cracking card at Sandown with the wonder filly Enable making her return to defend her Coral Eclipse crown against the potential new star, ‘Ghaiyyath’ who made light work of the opposition in the Coronation Cup. That opposition included Antony Van Dyck, Stradivarius and Defoe, so the form has to be taken seriously. We also have a number of our tracker horses running and a few others who let us down at Royal Ascot which we are prepareed to forgive.

SIGNIFICANTLY is a horse I have followed since it was narrowly beaten on debut and a shade unlucky. It straight away was added to my tracker and was a little disappointed when its was beaten on it’s 2nd run at odds on in a small field at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago. I think it’s better than that run suggests and it looked idle when it struck the fronnt that day and paid the price. It looks as though its one of them horses that needs to be produced late to win the race and there is no better pilot to do this than Ben Curtis. It drops back to 5f which will suit and I think it could cause an upset over the short priced favourite ‘Risk Of Thunder.’ Assuming the field stays with the 8 runners, there could be some value in backing Jojo Rabbit at 14/1. Hollie Doyle is in the form of her life and I think it’s last race at Royal Ascot can be ignored and could get involved here if it can overcome the bad draw.

1 point Win- SIGNIFICANTLY- 5/1- 115 Sandown

We were fotunate enough to land a real coup when Dashing Willoughby won for us at 14/1 at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago, having led for the whole race. It seemed most horses won from the front that weekend at HQ and although I would like to see it go in again, I think it may have its work cut out today. Serial group winner CROSS COUNTER will give it most to think about with an impressive reseme to its name including a Melbourne Cup and a Dubai Gold Cup. It was blown away by an ultra impressive Stradivarius in The Ascot Gold Cup but this is much easier and should have the class to land this race.

2.5 points win- CROSS COUNTER- 7/4 225 Sandown

Another we backed at Royal Ascot was ACQUITED who was hugely disappointing and tailed off to finish last in the Golden Gate handicap 2 weeks ago. That form doesn’t fill you with confidence but its previous run behind the useful Palace Pier was pretty eye catching and I’m prepared to forgive that last run, when something looked to have gone amiss. This is a pretty competitive race and it will have to be on the top of its game but the 15/2 seems too tempting to ignore and I’m a shade annoyed I missed the 12/1 on offer when it opened up.

2 points win- ACQUITED- 15/2 300 Sandown

The feature race of the day is the Coral Eclipse where we get to see the long awaited comeback of Super mare ‘Enable.’ Frankel aside this is probably my favourite flat horse I have seen in my time and it pains me to write that I’ll be backing against her tomorrow. My heart says I’d love to see it win again, but I feel there are a few questions to answer and at too short a price to be getting involved this time. She’s been of the track for 273 days and although goes well fresh I feel a new contender to the throne could be in waiting. GHAIYYATH made a mockery of the field in the Coronation Cup with it’s front running tactics and looked a superstar in the making for Godolphin. It has been temperamental at times, but I’m hoping that is in the past and withh a recent run under its belt, William Buick can steer it home for a famous win.

2 points win- GHAIYYATH-5/2-335 Sandown

FOX CHAIRMAN was another who we backed at Royal Ascot and failed to deliver. It never really settled that day and was pulling the arms off DeSouza most of the way around. This is another very competitive race but i feel if it settles better it could take all of the beating today. Andrew Balding’s horses are in fine fettle at the moment and De Souza can coast him clear for the win.

1 point win- FOX CHAIRMAN-3/1- 405 Sandown

Finally another of our Ascot hard luck stories DEAN STREET DOLL hopefully finishes our day with a win. It ran an absolute blinder at Royal Ascot at big odds in a big field handicap and was on the wrong side of the draw but ran much better than the 9th position suggests. Frustratingly we wont be getting anywhere near the same odds again but Ryan Moore looks like a positive jockey booking and althoigh it doesn’t win too often, I hope today might be the day.

1 point win- DEAN STREET DOLL- 4/1- 435 Sandown