Today's Racing - 30th June 2011

The first port of call on a very strong day of racing is Haydock where a declious 5 runner field, 4 of them winners, turn up for the Bohle British Stallion Studs E.B.F Novice Stakes (3.00), 2 of them providing strong tests for the Royal Ascot form. The fact that Windsor Castle second Stonefield Flyer turns up means a guaranteed decent price about Silverheels, who looked group class when bolting up from a subsequent winner at Windsor despite having veered left after start (still green throughout). He was sent off favourite for the Norfolk Stakes on this evidence but had nearly all his chances compromised when sent over to the stands side (where only 5 were) and he was eighth overall despite being a well beaten third of 5 in his group, on easing ground (which may not have suited). Paul Hanagan riding gives even more hope that he’ll be able to give 3lbs to the likely favourite, and a punt is taken on his potential allowing him to do so. The obvious danger, Stoneflield Flyer, gets 3lbs so will be the public choice most likely, having blitzed his rivals in an ordinary Newcastle auction maiden before coming a clear second at Royal Ascot. It should also be noted that after an odds on eclipse at Newcastle (backed life defeat was out of the questions; Didn’t get home) Electric Qatar runs again, while of the two unbeaten types, West Leake Diman is preffered given the yard’s record in this type of race (2-2 this season) over Ralphy Boy for the Nicholls Yard.

Moving onto Leopardstown, If anyone here is interested in watching come – from – behind horses (I’m speaking to the Zenyatta & Zarkava fans here) then a replay of Alzana’s (6.00) remarkable 2yo win is must watch material. Breaking poorly, she was upwards of 10 lengths behind on one of Ireland’s many idiosyncratic tracks at Listowel, and around the turn she had upwards of 5 lengths to make on the leader, but once balanced it’s one way traffic and she comes home with something to spare. That marks her down as Group class and a win is expected here, with the ever reliable Johnny Murtagh to help should things get hairy. The obvious threats are the inform Marvada and the capable, but now always placed Moonlight Garden, but this is a race I’d be disappointed to be beaten in.

The Golden Fleece Stakes (7.00) is fascinating for a number of reasons, not least the fact that the three main form contenders in the race are ridden by young up & coming jockeys. Jim Bolger is one of the best trainers ever for developing young talent and his Ronan Whelan might get the biggest win of his career by far with Whip Rule in this event. An early 2yo (he ran in the first race of the season) he was awarded race after being continuously hampered in a Curragh maiden on debutby none other than Tough As Nails, who has boosted the form no end since, before being unable to give 6lbs and a beating to two useful types at Naas. Sadly Choir has let the form down since then, but it’s fair to say he was a pretty useful sort to be given to Ryan Moore and the second has upheld the form since & he should go close.

Whip Rule - Can take the Golden Fleece Stakes

The main threat and most likely punter’s choice will be Tenth Star, who has shown abundant promise in his two starts to date. Something of a purists dream, being a Niarchos Owned Dansili colt who runs for the O’Brien team, he made an exciting debut when staying on late into fourth behind stablemate reply at the Curragh, before then having circumstances go against him when chasing home the Jim Bolger-trained Zip Top (who is now as short as 20’s for the Guineas) over C&D three weeks ago, getting trapped on the rails in a steadily-run maiden and allowing the winner first run. Joesph O’Brien was also 3lbs overweight on the day so a big show should be coming.

Snowflake Dancer, famous (in my eyes at least) for being the first winner from the crops of Dylan Thomas, seemed limited when fairly well held next time out (also under a penalty) before bumping into Railway Stakes winner Lillbourne Lad last time out and he too can go well, with Shukov looking outclassed and Roman General still having to reverse form with Tenth Star.

Over at Newbury, Ballylea (7.05) was in the process of shaping nicely when badly baulked on her debut and can put that behind her in what looks a fair event now that Richard Hannon’s juveniles have found their stride. A whole host of nice types mean’s she’ll be a price and is expected to go close.

And Hannon can double up in the 7.35 when his Retainer can keep his unbeaten record. An impressive winner on his Newmarket debut last April (a race which the yard are fond of for their better types) he returned with a workmanlike odds-on victory at Leicester in March (a poor field) but he was giving plenty of weight away on his first run back since injury and he shaped as if 7f here would be no problem, so gets the vote. Obviously the older horses in this race have more than enough in their locker to trouble Retainer but they’re horribly out of form so the pick is a confident once.

Advice

Haydock

3.00 – 1 pt win Silverheels

Leopardstown

6.00 - 2 pts win Alzana

7.00 – 1 pt win Whip Rule (11/4 Paddy Power)

Newbury

7.05 – 1 pt win Balleylea

7.35– 2 pts win Retainer