We’ve got an exciting mix of Flat and National Hunt action this weekend, as the Charlie Hall Chase and the Bateaux London Gold Cup highlight the jumps action.
Newmarket hosts its popular ‘Final Meeting’ on the level providing one last chance for a few horses to grab some Listed glory too, and it’s in Suffolk where we start with Friday’s action and a fine juvenile fillies’ sprint race.
Friday 29th October 2021
2.30 Newmarket (Bosra Sham Fillies’ Stakes – Listed Race) – BENEFIT
As a sprinter trained by Clive Cox, owned by Cheveley Park, ridden by Ryan Moore and with a 2-from-2 record, you’d expect Acclamation daughter Benefit to be a strong favourite.
Instead, she’s behind the experienced Desert Dreamer in the market, but she has more than enough going for her to justify a bet.
A closer look at her form and that of the horses she’s beaten makes her profile look very strong, she’s been winning with plenty in hand, has tons more progression to come and is in the right hands.
3.15 Wetherby (Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle – Listed Race) – PORTICELLO
It goes without saying that three-year-old hurdlers can be hard to assess, but in Porticello Gary Moore has a horse that could run into the 130’s based on his form with others, making him the likely strongest horse in this line-up even giving away weight.
Too Friendly and Oceanline have solid form together, but neither looks likely to reach Porticello just at this stage. Sacre Pierre needs to improve quickly.
3.40 Newmarket (Handicap) – NEPTUNE SEAS
Fireworks is well drawn for William Haggas and is usually strongly backed, while Godolphin’s Moving Light is very solid if improving as expected from his all-weather run.
Their apparent second choice however looks the one to be on. Charlie Appleby’s Neptune Seas ran in similar conditions when beating Jasmine Joy in good style in August, that filly winning well since.
He was also favourite to beat Moshaawer and led the market again in an Epsom handicap over the extended mile, but as a son of Sea The Stars he probably needs this mile-and-a-quarter and he can resume his progression now under James Doyle.
7.30 Kempton (Handicap) – RUN TO FREEDOM
Henry Candy’s Run To Freedom won nicely over the course and distance last time, but pulled a little behind a slow enough pace.
Here, Enduring will surely want the lead but could be challenged by Corinthia Knight, meaning a much stronger pace is likely which Run To Freedom can sit behind and pounce on when it counts. Mishal Star may end up being the biggest danger.
Saturday 30th October 2021
1.48 Newmarket (Nursery Handicap) – SPINAROUND
There are a number of runners far from guaranteed to want the nine-furlong trip at this stage of their careers, and on breeding you’d have thought the Gosdens’ Spinaround would be one of them.
However, this big improver by Kodiac just got better and better the further he went at this track over seven furlongs in September and much more is expected now. Frankie Dettori is on hand to ride, his only planned mount of the day.
New Mission is a likely type, while Teddy’s Profit can improve to run a place also while Lawful Command probably wants it softer underneath.
2.23 Newmarket (Handicap) – NOBLE DYNASTY
Greatgadian threatens to win a nice race and State Occasion will have to be watched, but Godolphin’s Noble Dynasty has always been well regarded.
A look at his form with the likes of Modern News and Rifleman makes him look better than his mark of 95 and he can go some way to proving that here.
2.58 Newmarket (Montrose Fillies’ Stakes – Listed Race) – WITH THE MOONLIGHT
This isn’t the deepest Listed race overall, so while the likes of Oheka, Siamsa and Almohandesah have talent they should prove to be vulnerable.
Ed Walker’s Kawida has run three solid races in and around the early 80’s in terms of a handicap mark, but that doesn’t tell her full story. She was a very easy winner last time and on a line through some of the horses she’s beaten, she can prove to be more like a 95 filly which gives her a strong chance here.
Better than that arguably however is hat-trick seeker With The Moonlight. Charlie Appleby’s Frankel filly has shown steep improvement between races so far and she can climb another rung up the ladder today.
She was an easy winner at Wolverhampton last time and, on breeding, eight furlongs up the Rowley Mile should bring the best out of her.
3.05 Wetherby (Charlie Hall Chase – Grade 2) – FUSIL RAFFLES
As a top Grade 2 chase over three miles, many look to the Charlie Hall as a potential early Gold Cup trial.
There are some top names here too, but last year’s winner Cyrname is arguably regressing overall and has to give away weight this time.
Clondaw Castle’s best run was on a flat three miles on good ground which is encouraging, but he needs to improve, while Shan Blue isn’t always at his best first time out for the year.
Fusil Raffles is the interesting one at the prices for Nicky Henderson. A strong traveller, natural progression makes him very competitive here at the weights given his most recent form and potential, so as long as he stays the trip, he may grab a big win.
3.20 Ascot (Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase – Grade 3) – SOJOURN
Another big three-mile chase is this competitive handicap at Ascot. Vinndication is class but has a lot of weight to carry, Johnbb may or may not stay and One More Fleurie is pitched in deeper but is getting better all the time.
Sojourn however has some top form and hasn’t reached his peak yet. There is plenty in the eight-year-old’s favour and he may be even better after a recent breathing operation.
3.33 Newmarket (James Seymour Stakes – Listed Race) – BAY BRIDGE
Although there’s precious little between this whole quintet on official ratings, in reality Sir Michael Stoute’s Bay Bridge could be head and shoulders above them and may finish the season unbeaten after wins at Newcastle, Newbury and York.
4.08 Newmarket (Ben Marshall Stakes – Listed Race) – ZAKOUSKI
Zakouski, already a winner of this event on heavy ground last season, has had his troubles but he is very classy.
He’s better than a Listed horse, no doubt at all, and runs so well fresh that his not having been seen since winning a Group 2 in Dubai in February doesn’t bother me at all. Dante’s Pass is the main danger as long as he handles the drier ground, with Jadoomiu third choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment