1 pt win, 2 pt place Hajras, Goldsmiths Handicap (7/1 Ladbrokes, 13/8 Betfair) (2.25)
Mark Johnston has an excellent record in this handicap (in
the last decade he’s had three fourths a winner, a second and a third) and
while the yard doesn’t seem to be in the greatest of form, he deserves a chance
with Harjas, who holds the best form in the field by some way thanks to his
London Gold Cup form.
A clear enough second in the London Gold Cup, staying on
strongly late on after having been wound up early, he’s not been seen since but
his form claims are too strong to resist. The winner that day has since run an
excellent second in Listed company before a good third in a well contested conditions
event at Doncaster, the third has come a close third in the Edinburgh Cup, the
fourth has since run an excellent third in the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot,
and the fifth has since won the King Edward Stakes. Granted that many of those
runners have since improved a lot (notable Thomas Chippendale) but Hajras was unbeaten
beforehand and a mark of 90 makes him a very attractive prospect.
1 pt win Trader Jack (12/1 general)
Trader Jack, the winner of a 1m Ffos Las maiden in heavy,
has disappointed on two of his three starts this year but his second to
Grandeur in a 10 furlong Goodwood handicap indicated he’s likely to be competitive
at this level off 90 and the 12/1 is seriously tempting with knowledge that he
goes through dead-ish ground.
1 pt win Samba King (25/1 general)
At even better odds, consider Samba King, who patently didn’t
stay at Ascot in the King George V Handicap having travelled far too wide too
early, having led the field at a good pace in a keen going style from the
start. His record previous to that had been one of improvement, having won his
first two starts this year on soft and heavy ground. His well beaten third to
Thomas Chippendale now reads well on a line through Fennell Bay back in fifth
and he’s worthy of some support at the current prices.
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