Well what a weekend that was and our hopes and dreams are
still alive in the shape of Frankel after his Greenham win. Everyone’s nerves
are surely more relaxed now, given the horse has confirmed he’s fit and well
with a rather taking win in the end, although if we’re talking about win lost
or draw then it was surely a draw. All the hopes and dreams of the fans and
more notably the man who felt that £550,000 was best placed on him are still
intact, but those who felt that he was beatable have still had their concerns ratified.
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| Frankel - Potentially brilliant but tendency to pull |
Although he won easily in the end, his tendency to pull
(understandable given the freshness and lack of pace in the race) was still
there and it took him a full 4 furlongs to relax. There’ll be more pace on in
the Guineas, although he’ll need to settle much better than that to win against
better horses, and while everyone wants to see him win, I can’t be taking 1-2
about him now.
Speaking of the same trio, on the same day, World Domination
bolted up in his maiden just a few hours later. As impressive as it was, the
Derby is less than seven weeks away and he’s won a maiden in taking style on
debut (albeit a maiden that should work out well) and he’s now shorter than the
Racing Post Trophy 1-2. He seems to be this short on homework reputation and
the fact that Frankel’s not a confirmed Derby starter, and while he could be
anything I’d rather take reduced odds after a trial (he may go for the
Newmarket Stakes on Guineas day) – There’s only 7 or so weeks until the Derby.
At Sunday, the most important pointer may have been towards
the Gold Cup with the appearance of Fame and Glory at Navan in the Saval Beg
stakes. Many were distinctly unimpressed but he (like all of the O’Brien
runners, even this season) needed the race badly and cannot have been suited by
a slow gallop early on (dropping to farcical scenes down the back straight). At
one point at the top of straight he did travel like he’d make short work of it
but he got there in the end and he did have a 7lbs Group 1 penalty – He got
beaten in a similar contest last season before winning his next 4 on the trot, including
two Group 1’s and it should be a case of onwards and upwards – 5’s for the
Ascot Gold Cup is more than fair.
Siren’s Song got Oaks quotes - was cut to 20-1 (from 50) by
Stan James for the Investec Oaks and by William Hill to 25-1 (from 40) - after
winning the Salsabil Stakes yesterday and can improve for that, but it might be
best waiting for another run from her. I’m convinced that Fran Berry had a lot
to do with the win. Speaking of the Oaks, it’s surprising to see Misty For Me still
at 10/1. She had to show a lot of class to beat Helleborine in France on Arc
day and she already goes on all types of ground.
Moving onto today’s racing, at Windsor I’ll take a chance on
Wooden King in the Reading Post Handicap (6.50). He’s a front runner who won 4
of last 7 starts in handicaps last season, rising 15lbs in the process. He may
well need the run but this really looks closer than the market suggest and
although he might need it, so will many others and he’s worth an each/way poke
at his price.
In the last (Download Trainer Magazine From App Store
Handicap, 7.50) it may pay to take a chance on The Holyman, who’s a son of
Footstepsinthesand who won his only at Lingfield in October and he’s the most unexposed
horse in a tight race.
Advice
1 pt each/way Wooden King, 6.50 Windsor (18/1 Boylesports)
1 pt each/way The Holyman, 7.50 Windsor (9/1 Paddy Power)
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