Thursday, 14 July 2011

Today's Racing - 24th July


More late night success in the Copa America was somewhat blunted by the mother of all late collapses by Paraguay, who were 3-1 up into stoppage time. Tired by trying to work out what to make of the game, I switched to watching some late telly before a good pal of mine seemingly broke the good news that I had landed yet another tricky punt, only for me to mistake the worlds “Surprised there's not a lot more been done at 1.01 on Paraguay, everyone must be in bed!”. After bragging about my wins (stupid mistake to make – NEVER think it’s over until it’s over) it was brought down to earth in catastrophic style by another fellow tweep who told me it was 3-3. Few pop up notifications have ever been so galling.
                      
Brazil saved face for us though, as the scoring opened in the 28th minute and then didn’t stop at all, giving us a 10/11 winner to save face, if not money. Moving onwards and upwards tonight onto a quality card at Longchamp for Bastille Day which includes the Grand Prix De Paris, where Reliable Man is the one to beat in my eyes for many reasons, if you haven’t read it below.

That should not distract from a quality undercard which includes the Thiberville Stakes (5.05) and the Prix Roland de Chambure. All of the market share for the former has been taken up by Aesop's Fables (Andre Fabre/Maxime Guyon) ran an eyecatching debut at Maisons-Laffitte before opening his account over 6f at Chantilly and while it wouldn’t surprise to see him going onto far better things after winning this 5/4 is a short price to be involved in such an event and it speaks volumes that Yan Durepaire supplemented Lady Orpen (Stephane Pasquier) following her success at La Teste, while American Devil (John Van Handenhove/Ronan Thomas) won his only start at Chantilly by six lengths.

A better punt might be found in the Thiberville Stakes (5.40) where Andromeda Galaxy steps back in class having tried to take it to the best in the Prix De Diane last time out. She made a faultless winning debut in a newcomers' event at Longchamp and was expected to make it 2-2 but was beaten by the reopposing Shaerta, whom she reversed form with off a 3lbs better playing field in the Diane (Was giving away 3lb to Shareta on second run). It was significant that Christophe Soumillion had missed the Prix Du Jockey Club to ride her having incurred earlier bans and she can go close here with the step up in trip likely to suit. She holds Shareta on earlier form while La Pomme Damour is a highly regarded filly who “ought to win” according to Andre Fabre.

There are no advised bets at Leopardstown, although the card should make for riveting watching from start to finish with the highlight being 1,000 Guineas favourite Maybe’s third appearance in the Silver Flash Stakes. While there’s no way that 7/1 for next year’s 1,000 Guineas is value at this stage’s she’s a tremendously exciting prospect.

Another point of interest is that Mastercraftsman, who was a real friend of this column for a long time, has his full-sister running for the first time in Maid To Master, and Dylan Thomas as a debutant in Miss Dylan for the Bolger yard, whose first string (Somasch) is sure to be suited by the step up in trip.

Advice

1 pt win Andromeda Galaxy, 5.45 Longchamp (2/1 General) 

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