For many people, particularly jumps fans, this weekend is either the calm before the storm or it’s a chance to build the betting bank.
The Cheltenham Festival is right around the corner but the sport doesn’t stop. There is business to be conducted this weekend alright and, weather permitting, we’re all over it.
Friday 10 March 2023
12.20 Bahrain (Al Methaq Mile – Listed Race) – MODERN NEWS
Charlie Appleby continues to globetrot, this time going back to Bahrain with his Modern News.
The Godolphin-bred son of Sharmdal has won five of his 15 career races, being narrowly beaten along the way by Group performers Tempus, My Oberon and Megallan among others.
He is the class in this race and if he’s any sort of price, he can be backed for the main man and rider William Buick.
12.45 Bahrain (King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup – Listed Race) – FIRST RULER
Godolphin have two horses entered here, with Charlie Appleby facing very stiff competition from his colleague Saeed bin Suroor who runs Passion And Glory (Danny Tudhope).
The older horse is solid, there’s no doubt about that, but he carries a penalty here and will be very vulnerable to the four-year-old who is improving fast.
First Ruler won a handicap at Meydan last time over this distance and it seems the conditions in Bahrain will suit him down to the ground.
8.00 Kempton (Handicap) – MR INSPIRATION
We’re going over the mile and a half at Kempton in this handicap. It’s a competitive one too, at least on paper.
Dembe arguably wants this trip on Polytrack, while Andrew Balding’s Teumessias Fox can still improve but has been off for a while. He also has past form with the likes of Soulcombe.
Haku has now had a rest and could regain his upward momentum, while Charlie Johnston’s Dubai Leader is very definitely capable of winning this but he has been off for a while.
Having tried Polytrack and Tapeta, it’s been a mixed bag for the Godolphin horse Mr Inspiration but all things considered, I think he’ll be best here. The Gosdens’ Dubawi colt may have been slightly leniently treated by the assessors and so can be backed.
Saturday 11th March 2023
5.40 Rosehill (Coolmore Classic – Group 1 Handicap) – PURPLEPAY
Look out for the early start here. William Haggas has taken four horses to Sydney, the first to run being his filly Purplepay.
The 1500-metre start at Rosehill is fair; a little wide than some though the draw still plays a part. Barriers 1-7 have easily done best in this race.
This is a handicap race, with Annavisto, Hinged, Hope In Your Heart, Espiona, Yearning and Ruthless Dame all at about the right level, though at these weights Purplepay may well show them the way home if she’s 100% ready.
She is very classy indeed and probably wants this sort of trip, as long as the ground has enough juice for her.
2.05 Wolverhampton (Lincoln Trial Handicap) – UNFORGOTTEN
This extended one-mile handicap this time around may prove to be a very worthwhile trial indeed for the Lincoln, the big handicap coming up in three weeks’ time.
The start for this race is right in front of the stands and just before the first turn, in theory making the draw crucial. There should be a very good pace in here however given what’s at stake, allowing some of the better horses drawn wide a chance to tuck in and come late off the gallop.
This is a strong field, though a few do stand out after doing some digging. Dark Moon Rising clearly has the class for this, but he’s been off for a while, while Outbreak is solid, still improving and should be OK on this surface.
Last year’s winner Notre Belle Bete is a better horse now and was unlucky last time out at Lingfield, but the selection is Unforgotten who could yet be heading for Group company after the Lincoln.
The Gosden runner, owned by Godolphin, was favourite to beat Mohaafeth not so long ago and lost out narrlowly. He is classy, fit after two runs at Lingfield and he’s won easily on Tapeta before. He is way better than his current handicap mark.
2.25 Sandown (Imperial Cup – Premier Handicap Hurdle) – FINE CASTING
It remains possible that a number of runners here are being prepped to follow up at Cheltenham next week.
Monviel, Givega and Punctuation are all interesting, but I think Ben Pauling’s Fine Casting is the best of this bunch at the weights and conditions should also be in his favour. He’s a big price too.
2.40 Wolverhampton (Lady Wulfruna Stakes – Listed Race) – DHABAB
There’s another quick turn from the seven-furlong start and this time it may be crucial.
Based on past exploits this is a classy field. Vadream (Group 3 winner) gets 5lbs and has more time to get going on this surface which could prove to be crucial.
Berkshire Shadow is right up there (G2 Coventry winner) is right up there, though the surface is an unknown, while Angel Bleu (dual 2021 Group 1 winner) should like things underfoot but has been off a while and is drawn wide.
The one I’ve always liked is Dhabab. The now-4yo is very lightly raced and was my idea of the Coventry winner in 2021, where he was unlucky when sixth as favourite to beat Berkshire Shadow. He kept pace with Native Trail as a juvenile but had some problems.
He did very well to win a handicap in the autumn and should get back to Group company before long. It’s also worth noting that lots of the top No No Never progeny do well and show pace on softy and heavy turf, so this Tapeta may well suit well.
11.54 Oaklawn Park (Azeri Stakes – Grade 2) – SECRET OATH
We’re off to Arizona here and Race 9 on their card, the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes over an extended mile for the fillies and mares.
Clairiere has been a lovely type, classy and consistent, and can go well once again here. Interstatedaydream may also run well.
The suggestion however is last year’s Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath who has time on her side and can improve past them. She’s around 3/1 in the States, so is a backable price.
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