Saturday 10th August
By SP2A Analysis
JOURNO -:
Ascot 1.35 - Shergar Cup Dash - 5 furlongs - Class 2 - 10 run - Good to Firm
I was really focussed on a pair here and they are DESERT COP and Badri.
Badri however was put up yesterday by a few shrewd judges and overnight by some shrewd journalists and I feel that part of the appeal of this horse was the then market value that they have now quashed. That's not an unusual occurrence for someone used to sending in copy on a Friday morning at biggish prices only to see it vanish when certain other Tipsters have the same thought process.
What that has done though is to open up the value somewhat for DESERT COP who may have a nice stall berth in No 8, for whom Joanna Mason will be an excellent partner who will have some Course expertise that not all of the jockeys have and whose own Racing pedigree is second to none. I think this is the e/w NAP on the whole Card.
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Haydock 2.25 - Handicap - Class 3 - 1 mile - 12 run - Good to Firm
Kilt is a short priced handicap debutant from the Haggas yard and together with second favourite Old Cock is feared but I feel both are opposable.
Theme Park has a 4lb rise for quite a cosy neck win last time but is upped in Class here, and at big odds I made Bear Force One my clear third top rated and he will be a handy reserve and backable in that scenario if either of my top two rated are non runners.
DIAMONDSONTHEHILL was placed in this race last year, looks to be running back into that sort of form again and who looks seriously well handicapped off a mark of 90. CRUYFF TURN may be considered a veteran at 7 years of age and more of a York specialist but some early season placed runs and past performances here suggest he can still pick up a nice prize when a genuine opportunity arises and I really do fancy the chances today off a very juicy handicap mark. (TA)
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Redcar 4.55 - Handicap - Class 6 - 1 mile 6 furlongs - 12 run - Good to Firm
A pretty inexperienced Prescott horse (Apostle) on handicap debut and up 6 furlongs in trip is the hot favourite here, it has spread the market though and I'm happy to take it on, as the e/w value elsewhere is significant.
Red Force One ended as my third top rated, eased back into this Class. It had impressive wins off in June as part of a trio of wins including Course and Distance. It was not easy to leave out but I have a pair slightly higher rated.
CARLTON has a Course and Distance 3rd place run three runs back that catches my eye and the addition of a Visor could make a pretty significant difference. GIFT OF RAAJ had a sighter upped to this trip last time over Course and Distance and ran prominently only fading very late on and I think that connections will have learnt a lot from that and the fact they try this trip again suggests some confidence of going slightly better this time at a nice e/w price (North)
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KILBEGGAN 7.00 Handicap Chase - 3 miles 1 furlongs - 11 run - Good
Lady Kate is always a danger fresh and we got her right earlier in the season but the underfoot conditions just put me off tonight, Ceanndana is on a hat-trick having won over Hurdles and Fences off 102 and is upped 6 lbs and clearly the one they all have to beat. Cloughroe and Hand Over fist have been considerably better over Hurdles than Fences so far, that may change but not enough evidence yet to suggest that improvement is imminent. Cosmic Blizzard is in the TRACKER but has really disappointed me the last twice!
The other TRACKER horse in here is ARDAGH'S CHOICE and he will be my sole tip in the race a Course winner over Hurdles, a Distance winner, gets his ground off a nice solid mark and I'll be very disappointed if he's not in the 1-2-3 here at least. (Sean)
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