Not a bad run from Night Affair on Friday, eventually finishing 6th of the 7, but only around 2 lengths back from the winner, Collect Art. Unfortunately the favourite was too good on the day though.
Onto Saturday's racing, where there's some fantastic racing on both sides of the Irish Sea. I've got 3 selections picked out which will hopefully provide me with a few winners.
Goodwood 2.15 - Parisian Pyramid - 3pts win @ 7/1 (Paddy Power)
A 6 furlong handicap where 13 are scheduled to go to post, and I fancy last year's winner Parisian Pyramid to give it a very good shot at winning again. Parisian Pyramid ran a fairly average race on his seasonal comeback, where he probably needed the run. However, it's his most recent run that has caught my eye. He has done all of his winning over 6 furlongs, but last time out at Ascot he was running over an inadequate 7 furlongs. He raced prominantly for most of the race but weakened entering the final furlong. He now drops back to a more suitable 6 furlong trip, and he gets another pound off the handicapper for that run last time out. There were definite signs of a return to top form at Ascot, and fingers crossed he will hit top form again tomorrow. He won this race last year off a mark of 88, and he runs here tomorrow off 93. That mark is definitely within his reach, having placed in some top quality handicaps last season off 99, 98 and 96. Conditions are going to suit tomorrow, he enjoys his trips to Goodwood having won 2 out of 2 here, and he looks set to run another big race.
Goodwood 3.20 - Spanish Duke - 2pts win @ 7/1 (William Hill)
A previous selection on this blog, where Spanish Duke won his seasonal reappearance over this trip at Epsom. That day, he beat a decent field of handicappers easily. Having travelled supremely throughout, he cruised into the lead in the home straight and pulled away with a bit up his sleeve. He deservedly takes a step up in class here today, and I fully expect more natural improvement to come. Al Zir is a high class opponent, having ran in the Epsom Derby last year as well as some other high class races, but I think he may need this first run back in 7 months before we see the best of him this season. Spanish Duke is race fit after his comeback win, and with more natural improvement to come in my opinion, he looks to have a fantastic chance here tomorrow. The only negative is that Eddie Ahern doesn't take the ride, as he has been on board for all 5 of Spanish Duke's career victories. However, Ted Durcan has been a bit of a lucky charm for this blog so far with some nice priced winners so hopefully he can do me a favour again tomorrow. Conditions will suit, and it's just a matter of whether Spanish Duke can handle the step up in grade or not, and I'm confident that he can.
York 3.40 - Masamah - 2pts e/w @ 12/1 (Bet365)
A high class field consisting of 20 runners for this 5 furlong sprint handicap, where I'm very sweet on the chances of the Kevin Ryan trained Masamah. My selection ran an absolute cracker on his seasonal reappearance, finishing 3rd behind Doctor Parkes at Chester over 5 furlongs. Masamah had a very wide draw that day, which makes that result even more impressive considering how essential a low draw is at Chester. Doctor Parkes reopposes here today, where Masamah has a 4 pound pull at the weights for that previous run. Masamah runs here off the same mark he ran at Chester, whereas Doctor Parkes has been raised 4 pounds for his effort. Doctor Parkes is sure to run another good race, but I fancy Masamah to be able to reverse the result from the last time. Masamah will come on a lot for that run, with extra race fitness now assured. 4 of Masamah's 5 career wins have come over 5 furlongs, including one over course and distance. Masamah has won 5 of his 16 career starts, and placed on another 2 runs, so he's reliable when it comes to getting in the money. I'm having a decent e/w bet on him tomorrow in expectation of a big run from him.
I actually fancy quite a few horses at Chester tomorrow as well, but I've promised myself I wouldn't back anything at Chester ever again after the recent festival there. Brae Hill, Our Jonathan and Dazzling Light are all of interest to me, but I won't be going near them due to the track in question.
No comments:
Post a Comment