The joys of being a horseracing fan are no greater than in
the spring, with both the best of jumps and flat coming side by side. We’ve
already had some fantastic race at Punchestown this week, but Sandown’s two-day
end of season meeting brings the British jumps to a final close, although today’s
about the flat at Esher. As with every season, the advantage of a run is a
compelling argument and in Bet 365 Esher Cup (2.10) Fehaydi has strong claims
after his fifth in the 1m2f sales race at the Craven meeting which technically
leaves him 9lbs well in ahead of the weights going up next week, but this drop
back to a mile may not suit him and there’s lots of potential on show in the
race and Haffaguinea, who defied big odds when winning an AW maiden and coming
third in a big sales race last year at Doncaster. The least exposed of this
field with just two starts, he is well worth backing at 11/2.
The feature race of the day is the Bet365 Mile, but few in
the race actually make any real kind of appeal. Trumpet Major – running for the
yard to beat in this race with Richard Hannon – should make a bold bid, but he
was well exposed after dead heating in a Goodwood Group 3 and with last year’s
3yos looking a dire crop, he looks vulnerable as favourite. This is a race only
for older horses, but he’s finished last on his last two starts and doesn’t
make appeal at 11/4. Faraajj’s Winter Derby win confirmed him as a horse on the
up, and while he should have more to offer, I’m not sure that was a great race
and it’ll be interesting to see how he copes at a mile; The rest don’t appeal
even on their best form.
This year’s classic crop have far more promise and the
bet365 Classic trial is a strong early season race for the Grade, with Al Waab
having the best chance on figures and also coming from a stable that’s had a
fine early season start. His Royal Lodge third sets the standard on the
figures, but Fantastic Moon (left) may well have beaten him had he not been bumped
coinstently coming into the dip, and of the two, would be the more appeal
despite being 2lbs worse off. The Breeders’ Cup was far too fast for him – he
missed the break and then had no chance – and he’s the value of the field at
5/1. By far the biggest danger is Eye of the Storm, who made steady but
eyecatching late headway having come widest of all and still failing to find a
clear run until late. With Ballydoyle’s early season horses looking well upto
scratch, he should go well upped to this trip for the first time while the
Tipperary team will also watch the run of Sugar Boy – who Battle Of Marengo
gave weight and a beating to comfortably at Leopardstown latest – with
interest.
Back at Punchestown, in the Champion Hunter Chase there’s
yet another duel and the term saving the best until last is apt when it comes
towards Oscar Delta and Salifsfy’s rematch from Cheltenham. Bookmakers –
Salisfy was a well punted favourite following Bobs Worth in the Gold Cup and At
Fishers Cross in the Albert Bartlett - weren’t the only ones to have their
hearts broken when Oscar Delta collided with the tape on the run in at the
Festival to deny Jane Managan – who made amends in brilliant style when bagging
the bumper in midweek on The Liquidator – a near certain Festival winner, but
they have a chance to make amends here and can do so, with Salisfy’s claims
weakened significantly by the ground.
Advice
1 pt win Fantastic Moon, 3.15 Sandown (5/1 Coral, 9/2
elsewhere)
1 pt win Haffaguinea, 2.10 Sandown (5/1 general)
2 pts win Oscar Delta, 7.45 Punchestown (6/4 general)
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