Today's Racing - 16th June 2011

After what’s been a helter skelter period of racing things calm down a bit now with some quality but less highly rated fare. The main story of the week was Meandre’s win in the Grand Prix De Paris and impressive as it was, the bigger pointer might have been to the second, Seville, as a sure – fire Ledger winner should his connections go. He went a cracking gallop, burned off his stablemate, and while he was still well held by the winner had the rest easily beaten. It was a serious run and he’s one that should be kept in mind for more than just staying races.

Onto tomorrow’s action, and a possibly subdued Curragh card. The Minstrel Stakes (3.40) has to be one of the worst Group 3’s I’ve seen for a good while and it would be disappointing not to see a big run from The Cheka. A very smart 2yo, the apple of Eve Johnston Houghton’s eye lost his form after a promising start to his 4yo career but has come back to something like his best this year, being short headed behind Lolly For Dolly before going down to a progressive performer in Side Glance next time out. His last two runs, a convincing Group 3 win before a creditable fourth under a penalty to some good types at Newmarket. This doesn’t look anywhere near as taxing and the fact Tom Queally misses the ride on Henry Cecil’s 8 length maiden winner  (Wild Coco, runs in the 2.35 Newmarket) to take this mount must be a pointer in itself.

The Cheka - Should be going close in the Minstrel Stakes

Summer Jumping’s big day at Market Rasen gives us one big pointer in the shape of Street Entertainer in the Totescoop6 Summer Hurdle (2.05). Unplaced behind Spirit Son on his second start, the penny suddenly dropped when he smashed his field by nine lengths  at Chepstow and he then followed that up with an even more meritorious win at Punchestown, beating a whole host of classy types. That form appeals to me as better than anything else in the race and barring topweight there’s not a lot to put you off him.

In the big race of the day, the Summer Plate, noting at all makes much appeal, with the only advice I’d give to follow Peter Bowen’s (bidding for a fifth win in nine years here) with Saphir Des Bois and North Island. The latter won over C&D earlier this month and will be more at home on this ground than the former, who was out of form when last seen. Tony McCoy’s mount Schindler’s Gold is at least an assured jumper, while the likes of Qulition, Sonny Mullen and Classic Wain do have a lot fo weight to carry.

Advice

2 pt win, The Cheka, 3.40 Curragh

1 pt win, Street Entertainer, 2.05 Market Rasen (5/1 Bet365)