The middle of the flat season is upon us and we may indeed be a little undecided on the quality of the crop this season, particularly the three year old middle distance division. Conversely, we have seen some impressive types over the 6 furlong sprint division and the milers seem to have a bit of class with the likes of Lethal Force and Dawn Approach proving they are talented individuals.
The season is moving fast and we still have the King George from Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, the Ebor meeting, Champions Day and the Prix de la Arc de Triomphe all to look forward to.
On with tomorrows card-
Newbury
3.15pm GT Exhibitions Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) 6f 8y
(3yo+, 6f 8y, Class 1, 6 runners)
A very competitive stakes race particularly when we have the globetrotting Krypton Factor who undoubtedly is a high level performer finishing a very credible 3rd in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out. But HEERAAT appeals more and has already had a previous success at the track, leading from the front and staying on well in the finish to take a reasonable handicap back in April. When looking at current trainer form and jockey form it seems a more than important variable to follow is the William Haggas/Paul Hanagan combination the strike rate is excellent at present. He will be blinkered for the first time in order to help his concentration and mental resilience, add in the fact that he currently holds a workable mark of 107 and on good to firm holds strong claims. Finally, we do have a few doubters as to whether he can get the extra furlong, I'm a believer he can step up in trip and can deliver. It's one all on victories between him and Hamza and I see him as a main danger, however I'm certain he has the scope to progress and take this under Paul Hanagan.
3.50pm Weatherbys Super Sprint 5f 34y
(2yo, 5f 34y, Class 2, 25 runners)
With the pace looking likely to come from the high drawn horses and many who are high in the betting I believe that is a tip in itself. I'm looking at the higher drawn horses here and believe the winner will come from stalls 14 plus. Indeed last years winner Body and Soul when carrying a low weight managed to win from stall 21. I'm also looking for a progressive type who may of been a slow starter indeed four starts before he managed to get his head in front but in my opinion is overpriced and is certainly well thought of by his trainer. My selection has already ran on the continent in a nicely contested Du Mont De Po Stakes for two year olds at the beautiful Chantilly track finishing 2nd on that occasion the winner has finished 2nd in a higher grade in France. My selection progressed last time out and won a Class 4 race at Chepstow in terrifc style even if only three raced. MERITOCRACY is the each way selection here and according to the Paul Cole website they are also expecting a big run from this son of Kheleyf. MERITOCRACY will I'm sure get further in time being closely related to Mixed Intentions and Bustan who both ran over 7f-1m plus, the ground here won't inconvenience him, he has a plum draw and likes to be up with the pace which will be all around him. Each way chance.
2.25pm Newsells Park Stud Stakes (Registered as Aphrodite Stakes) (Fillies' Listed) 1m 4f
(3yo+, 1m 4f, Class 1, 7 runners)
Ryan Moore is certainly putting himself through the ringer for this ride and that may indeed be a clue as to how good they feel WAILA is. This beautifully bred Notnowcato filly (sire is one of my favourite horses of all time by the way, what a trier he was) certainly seems to fit the bill in terms of expected progress. WAILA ran an ambiguous kind of race last time out in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, it seems she was quite keen early on and I'm not sure the style of rider Kieran Fallon would of helped here with her progress. Ryan Moore is now in the saddle and the hood is being applied to try and calm here nerves. She will stay the trip on quick ground and I'm just hoping she can put up a strong performance.
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