It’s another Classic weekend as the French Oaks, or Prix de Diane, takes place at Chantilly. At home, the action is plentiful but shorter on quality than normal as we head ever closer to Royal Ascot 2023 which begins on Tuesday.
We begin three days of betting action with bets at Sandown, York and Goodwood on Friday.
Friday 16th June 2023
2.40 Sandown (Maiden Stakes) – INNER CITY
A very interesting seven-furlong maiden for the juveniles and potentially a classy one too.
Rednblue Sovereign could put his experience to good use, while many will fancy then well-bred royal runner Crown Estate to improve plenty having had a bad start in his maiden, little luck in running and having to chase home Ancient Wisdom who could be a real star for Godolphin.
Ancient Wisdom of course is one of Charlie Appleby’s, as is Inner City. He made frankly a better debut than Crown Estate and will improve just as much as him for the run. The level they are capable of getting to might just be a bit much for newcomer Caviar Heights, though he’s worth watching in the market too.
3.00 York (Fillies’ Handicap) – DISTINGUISHED LADY
While International Girl, Crazy Luck and Pink Crystal have the ability to win this, the strongest form line here revolves around three-year-olds Distinguished Lady and Radio Goo Goo, the latter looking for a four-timer.
David Evans’ Radio Goo Goo broke well and had the run of the race at Chester it has to be said, while Distinguished Lady had to come from the back of the pack. She stayed on very well to get within half a length from four stalls wider and is now 1lb better off.
On a very different, straight track she can organise herself earlier and she’s improving hand over fist anyway. She looks well handicapped.
5.21 York (Handicap) – WOR WILLIE
The fact that five-year-old Wor Willie needed his seasonal reappearance and was short of room on his final 2022 start has meant his handicap mark has stayed reasonable.
Had he won at Ayr in September, which was eminently possible, he’d be lining up here off a mark of around 89. As it is, he’s been dropped to 85 and is an improver overall. He may yet improve even more and end up back here for the Ebor for the top-class Michael Dods but, first thing’s first, he can win this off a fair mark.
6.40 Goodwood (Handicap) – GET BACK GET BACK
It’ll be very interesting to see if there is money around for Harry Fry’s Get Back Get Back. Though not seen on turf on the Flat for some time now, it would be fair to say he’s simply a more mature and better horse than when seen running for Clive Cox and he could be very well handicapped too.
Saturday 17th June 2023
2.50 Sandown (Scurry Stakes – Listed Race) – TAJALLA
After two wins from two runs spread out over a year, we don’t yet know what level Tajalla can reach but he does look very promising and speedy.
It seems Lady Hamana may be able to break well and get near the rail, while Tajalla too won’t be too far away which on this track may count for plenty even if his stall isn’t perfect. I’d think Tajalla will be aimed at Group sprints as the season progresses, but will most likely have to win this first.
Great State is the form horse and may do best in behind.
3.05 York (Grand Cup Stakes – Listed Race) – ISRAR
We go over the Ebor course and distance for this Listed event, one in which Roberto Escobarr’s penalty makes things very hard though he is still a solid place prospect.
Quickthorn remains more than capable after his heroics here last year and at this level generally, but these days he may find Israr too hot to handle and he is selected for the Gosden team, Shadwell and Jim Crowley.
3.20 Chester (Handicap) – TAFREEJ
This could be an ideal chance for the likely improver Tafreej to score for William Haggas. In a race in which any number of horses may want to lead, some of them having to cross over from wide draws, his own gate position in 8 won’t matter and he can settle in behind what is likely to be a strong pace.
With that pace likely to collapse, Tafreej looks the most likely horse to benefit up the straight ahead of Royal Dubai who is next best.
3.55 Chester (Handicap) – CAPONE
Both Malakhana and Grand Canal may want to be up there early, though the former especially may not like particularly fast ground if it turns out that’s what we get.
Franny Norton has been booked to try and nurse Oman round successfully but the recent form simply isn’t there, while Capone looks much better placed for Dominic Ffrench Davis and Ben Curtis to swoop late on and score so he is the selection.
4.00 Sandown (Maiden Stakes) – KATHAB
This could prove to be quite a hot maiden race. A Dublin Lad definitely has promise while Westerton, The Goat and Cracksking are all capable horses too.
Kathab made the best debut of this bunch in the Wood Ditton in April and was third at York last time. The winner Mostabshir is now 6/1 for the St James’s Palace Stakes, runner-up Ziryab and fourth-placed New Business have won since and it seems it is Kathab’s turn now.
Sunday 18th June 2023
3.05 Chantilly (Prix de Diane – Group 1) – NOVAKAI
We’re used to British and Irish trainers sending horses to France for softer ground, but we’re taking a chance here that they’ve got it wrong this time.
The going heading into Friday for the French Oaks is good-to-soft with the weather set fair for the weekend, the highs being 30 degrees. Unlike Saint-Cloud and Longchamp, the Hippodrome de Chantilly doesn’t sit right on the river either so it’s a fair assumption that it may dry to at least what we’d call ‘good’.
With that in mind, Karl Burke’s Novakai is hugely overpriced. Taking into account what these horses had achieved at the same time in their respective careers on ground that isn’t deep, she stands out.
We can also add in that in her last two runs she has finished runner-up to Commissioning in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, the clear winter 1000 Guineas favourite, and to Soul Sister in the Musidora who went on to win the Oaks.
Her form entitles her to much more respect, with conditions perhaps catching out Blue Rose Cen, Caroline Street, Never Ending Story, Jannah Rose and Running Lion who are the dangers.
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