In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.
This week Scott discusses Saturday’s main feature race – the Ayr Gold Cup, where he likes the look of Pastoral Player, who finished strongly and would be one to watch in similar soft conditions. Deacon Blues was another highlight of the weekend in Dubai and looks set to justify favouritism in the Qipco British Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot next month.
Scott’s main tip of the weekend – Colonel Mak finished a credible 4th for each way backers at 16/1, whilst his other strong mention, Caspar Netscher obliged at 15/8.
Our Jonathan was a very impressive winner of the Ayr Gold Cup at 11-1 for trainer Kevin Ryan. The four-year old gelding proved himself an exciting juvenile when winning two Group race’s as a two-year old before suffering an injury setback which saw him triumph only once in the last two seasons. Signs that a big run was imminent came with his second place in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month and Saturday’s big cup win was a deserved one. My suggested play, Colonel Mak managed to fill 4th place rewarding each-way backers at odds of 16-1. Pastoral Player finished fifth and though Hughie Morrison’s four-year old has his own ideas about the racing game, even being labelled a “lunatic” by his trainer, he was running on strongly in the final furlong and can win a race on similar soft conditions.
Caspar Netscher was the other horse I mentioned in Friday’s column and he duly got the job done in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury rewarding supporters at 15-8. Trainer Alan McCabe has a talented and progressive two-year old on his hands, defying a penalty for his Gimcrack success with ease and the Breeders Cup is now the target.
Deacon Blues is set for a showdown with his stable mate Society Rock after winning the Dubai International World Trophy . This was a very comfortable win for Deacon Blues who was different class to his opposition. James Fanshawe’s four-year old gelding will now attempt to win the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot next month and has been installed as 4-1 favourite with Paddy Power. That looks a very fair price for a horse who will be suited by the extra furlong at Ascot and is a Group 1 winner waiting to happen.
Godolphin’s Mighty Ambition made a striking start to his career when landing an above average Class 4 maiden on début. This imposing two-year old had put this race to bed a long way from home and looks a potential stayer with good prospects.
At Newmarket the Cesarewitch Trial was won on decent ground by Cosimo De Medici proving he is a versatile horse having won a Class 3 handicap on soft ground last month. A resolute type he found plenty when asked, to kick away from Dark Ranger. It’s likely Cosimo De Medici will make the cut for the Cesarewitch and he must be taken seriously off a low weight of 8st 2lb at 16-1.
Richard Fahey’s Lexington Bay was backed in the lucky last at Ayr on Saturday and sent his backers home happy with a facile success. Richard Fahey’s three-year old acts on both soft ground and fibresand and looks on a decent enough mark to be winning again soon.
Scott’s service is one of the many racing and sporting tipsters that we monitor and recommend at the Smart Betting Club. You can read more from Scott via his racing blog at the Smart Betting Club every Monday and Friday. (https://smartbettingclub.com/blog)