There’s a lot of good racing today and I won’t be around to watch it. There are a number of horse going that I’ve been watching.
Cockney Rebel goes for the double in the Irish 2,000. I won’t be having a bet in the race, but with so many dark horses in the race I’d be against him rather than with him. Earlier in the day at the Curragh Achilles of Troy seeks to firm up his reputation in a race I’d rather watch than bet on. He looks Ascot bound and is the main threat to Winker Watson.
At Newmarket Pete has Orientalist Art going in the first. This is a horse that goes extremely well on the home gallops, but may run green as he has quite a temperament. Again it may be a race to watch rather than bet on. In the last at Newmarket Peppertree runs for James Fanshawe. She’d be worth a small bet for me if the price is right.
For betting interest I’m looking to Haydock and Beverley. In the Haydock 2.35 I’m going small on Prime Defender. When I was up at Barry Hills’ stable this was the one they suggested I put in my ten to follow. I’d have a decent bet on him, but I have the utmost respect for Hoh Mike who looks like the real deal. In the 2.30 at Bev it looks as if both Baron’s Pit and Gift Horse have paid the £5k to run in the G2 Temple Stakes next week. This is quite a hint – I’ll back Baron’s Pit as I like the trainer and he’s currently the better price.
The clear bet of the day for me is Captain Gerrard in the 3.30 at Beverley – win and place. I backed him last time taking a certain amount on trust, but he didn’t get home – the trip and ground were probably wrong and I should have left alone. This is probably both the trip and the ground for the horse for now. He broke like a pro last time and led for nearly five furlongs before blowing up. He looked forward but probably needed it. This is a good race and on RP ratings he a long way behind the favourite, but he’s a nice horse at a nice price.