Saturday 25th May
By SP2A Analysis
FEATURE RACE - The Curragh 4.15 Handicap - 1 mile 2 furlongs - 17 run - Good
The Draw can be a factor here and HIgh can be an advantage if they come over to the Stands side.
CRYSTAL BLACK is clearly the one to beat here, but there are numerous solid and some speculative options so I will leave that at your discretion. At the other end of the spectrum for those that love a big priced dabble to 5th place (enhanced) in a race of this type then I can see SOARING MONARCH @ 40/1 who has won fresh before off a mark of 86 and who gets in here off a mark of 85 off a 202 days break running an absolute belter!
I am happy to take on the penalised Saturn, Deakin is on a high mark and not ideal conditions based on best runs and Zoffman will need every yard of the trip and reluctantly left out only due to that concern. Sieve Binnian may just need the run and a couple at bigger prices really caught my eye.
I am VERY sweet though on the chances of TAKE HEART who is fit and in form and who has decent Course form and a berth in Stall 14 looks absolutely the best tactical place to be.
At bigger prices, I am equally keen on STAR HARBOUR who is a race fit Distance winner and a vert solid each way punt as is TIMOURID who won last year off a mark of 82, runs off 81 here and who has placed on seasonal debut in the past 2 seasons so no concerns on that score. My only niggle is Stall 1 but overall I am confident of a bold run.
(Sean)
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CHESTER 2.55 - Handicap Class 5 - 2 miles - 12 run - Soft
The one they will all have to beat here is DREAMS ADOZEN and at anything around 3/1 is a solid win bet. A bit fizzy over further over Course and Distance last time, Franny Norton should be able to dictate or sit very close to the pace from Stall 1 here and then wind it up and I will be very disappointed if the horse doesn't win. Capone is one to TRACK off a long break for future opportunities and I think Sharp Distinction is the other main (untipped) danger but may need it a bit drier and Stall 12 isn't ideal.
I found it very difficult to split Animato and TIGERTEN but TIGERTEN ran well for us earlier in the week and if reappearing would hold very solid claims here and if he is a non-runner then ANIMATO is the obvious substitute. (TA)
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HAYDOCK 3.30 Handicap - Class 2 - 2 miles 14 run- Soft / Hvy
At the top of the market I am happy to take on the current top 3 in Divine Comedy (trip concerns in this tacky ground); Law Of The Sea (genuine Going concerns) and Nothing to Sea (off a 303 day break with fitter horses testing it to the full). Emiyn may just be a Chester specialist now but I can see the claims here and wasn't lightly left out of the final 3 and is 4th rated in my analysis. I will TRACK Cinnodin forward; a Distance winner and some decent course form stands out but I think it's just a bit deep in this race and may be waiting for an easier Class 3 or Class 4 opportunity. Legendary Day at a big price could very well outrun the odds and nick an enhanced place.
I am most keen though on ZIMMERMAN; a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 77, upped in Class but gets ideal conditions and may just have the fitness advantage to strike. GOODINATOR is a similar type and McCain doesn't waste entries here and he is another who will be 100% fit and ready to try to win also upped in Class. If the Going was a bit better I'd fully understand why YORKINDNESS was scratched at Goodwood yesterday when tipped, they must feel this is a better option and a small bet would be the pragmatic suggestion as the best rated outside of the top two (North)
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WINDSOR 7.45 - Handicap - Class 3 - 1 mile 2 furlongs - 11 run - Good to Soft
Tarjeeh who is upped in trip and Al Anoud who makes handicap and seasonal debut look vulnerable enough to take on at the top of the market as does Tony Montana who is penalised for a recent Chester win. Wisper is a Course and Distance winner who was runner up on seasonal debut but just looks a tad exposed off a mark of 85, his turn will surely come again once a few pounds come off. Chasing Aphrodite is going into the TRACKER, off top weight here this impressive 1 mile Ascot winner looks tailor made for this trip this season and not lightly left out tonight but definitely one to follow onwards.
At the top of my Ratings is the unexposed ISLAND STAR whose fitness has to be taken on trust but it does have decent form when fresh and I think the step up to 10 furlongs will be the making of this horse and once set and fully fit I think it's the type to build up a sequence of very good runs. MORCAN and Fast Steps were very closely matched and Fast Steps would be an able deputy if we tip a non runner but MORCAN is a course winner who has been gelded and has had a run for Richard Hannon who like his dad, rarely leaves here without a winner. (SPEC)
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