Good evening folks
In the frame ‘fever’ at the moment but at least they are well unearthed and running well. Just the one further bet for tomorrow is as below, along with the one’s already selected and their write up’s. Nothing else for Saturday.
3:40 Musselburgh
LOOK BACK SMILING– 1/2 Pt Each way @ 16/1 4 places generally (drifting)
A horse that has caught my eye twice this season, there looks a good pace to chase in this race and this intermediate 1m 1f trip looks ideal for this keen going, strong traveller. Jockey rides this track exceptionally well and has a terrific 33% Win SR in C & D handicaps. Small time trainer Gemma Tutty has only EVER sent run 4 horses here gaining a winner and 2 placers so worth chancing in a tough looking contest granted.
3:55 Epsom
PERFECT PLAY– 3/4 Pt Each way @ 12/1 Skybet 5 places, 12/1 4 places generally
A comfortable winner over an extended 1m 2f at Chester last week, he did it in good style from the front and looks capable of defying a 5lb rise and a step up in class may not be enough to stop him mounting another bold bid under Franny Norton who is 4 winners from 10 rides for the stable past 2 weeks. Low weighted horses have a great record in this so hopefully, as we saw today, the Johnston horse can boss this from the front. If doing so goes very close IMO!
1:30 Epsom ‘Derby’
DUBAI MILE– 1/2 Pt Each way @ 22/1 William Hill boost 4 places, 20/1 4, 18/1 4 places generally
A chance is taken on already Group 1 winner DUBAI MILE. Pedigree would suggest a big run at this trip and he stayed on well for a creditable fifth, having looked outpaced in the 2000 Guineas. He saw off Arrest in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint Cloud over 1m 2f in October last year, so it is highly possible this test will bring out the best in this likeable, consistent horse. A value play in a tough race.
2:10 Epsom
ASTRAL BEAU– 3/4 Pt Each way @ 15/2 Coral 3 places, 15/2 generally
A big price given this smooth travelling horse is improving and already finished in front of most of these. Granted that was on softer going but she has form on good ground and the ground staff at Epsom will surely guarantee the ground rides easy and safe. Pam Sly is in form and has done tremendously well with this jockey in the past year (5 winners, 9 placers from 19 mounts on turf) so I fully expect a bold showing from this 4 year old!
2:45 Epsom
GRACE ANGEL– 3/4 Pt Each way @ 10/1 Skybet 5 places, 10/1 4 places generally
Bolted up against older horses LTO (something I like returning against own age group) May have been helped by the draw but reviewing her two previous runs, she cantered through excellent handicaps which have thrown up numerous winners. Absolutely thrashed friend Radio Goo Goo at Southwell and we know what that horse has gone on to do! Well drawn in stall 8, trainer Darryl Holland has hit a rich vein of form and has a perfect 100% record in 5 furlong handicaps when booking Jason Watson who has ridden Grace Angel 3 times for 2 wins and a close 3rd! In fact, they have a 44% Win SR in handicaps overall (4 from 9, 5 placers!) so a big run looks on the cards to me for this strong, smooth traveller.
3:20 Epsom
MOKAATIL– 1/2 Pt Each way @ 14/1 Skybet 7 places, 12/1 6 places generally
Course form figures of 3 wins and a place from 5 efforts suggest this has very much been the plan! He has won this already and finished a better than it looked 4th in last years renewal. The winner of this race two years ago off a mark of 82, he also scored over the course and distance on faster ground from the same mark last spring before finishing fourth in the Dash from a perch of 87.
A winner at Sandown last August off 85, he’s back to that mark here and has had a very different preparation after just one previous run this season, but he should be primed for this with the cheekpieces back on.
Irish apprentice Sean D Bowen takes the ride and Mokaatil has a great record under 7lb claimers, winning for Angus Villiers, Harry Davies and Connor Planas under the same concession.
That’s largely down to because he’s a straightforward ride granted a fast pace and he’ll certainly get that here, so he’s a huge player if he gets the breaks again.
I have looked at his unknown jockey and he looks excellent value for his 7lb claim and has booted home 40 & 25/1 winners in recent weeks. That valuable claim takes his racing weight down to a ridiculous 7st 11lb and the pipe-opener on unsuitable ground has hopefully put him spot on for this and stall 11 looks a good berth so with the headgear back on, should run a big race.
5:05 Epsom
HAYMAKER – 1.25 Pt Win @ 7/1 generally
MANY A STAR – 3/4 Pt Win @ 12/1 generally
Haymaker, a tracker horse from when tipped at Newbury (missed him at Windsor!) is a progressive 4 year old who won very comfortably LTO. He is well drawn to attack and should go close given what Spanish Star just did in the last. Many A Star went off a gambled favourite for this last year and ran a remarkable race after badly blowing the start. It is 1st time out for him this season but he has a great record fresh (FF 2,1,3,2) and this must have been the plan. Both worth chancing.