In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up the weekends racing action and examines just how well his analysis and suggested bets from his Friday column unfolded.
Excelebration routed the opposition to land the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday to reward backers who followed him from Friday’s column when priced 11-4. Excelebration was given the pace he required by stable mate Ceremonial Jad and two furlongs from home the race was settled with all his rivals off the bridle and struggling to keep pace. The final winning distance was a healthy six lengths to second placed Beacon Lodge. My other recommendation in the race – Musir drifted out to 10-1 on the day yet performed creditably to compensate each-way backers. Musir didn’t appear to be 100% race fit after a lengthy absence from the track and should go better next time, with a step up in trip likely to suit.
Excelbration’s win further franks the form of the insuperable Frankel, having already tasted defeat to Henry Cecil’s superstar on two occasions. Excelebration will face Frankel again in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in the Autumn with Frankel looking impossible to oppose. The Hungerford Stakes winner will find life easier in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp next month. Marco Botti the horses underrated trainer rates Excelebration the best he has ever trained and bear in mind Botti’s ex-inmate Gitano Hernando has two Group 1 win’s to his name.
Confirming the form of three year olds against older horses was Richard Hannon’s Census who won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes showing both stamina and a fine turn of foot to win in dapper style. This juvenile looked to have finally come of age reversing Royal Ascot form with Brown Panther in second and jockey Richard Hughes stated after the race “He’s a big, raw horse who can only get better and better”. Census now holds a decent chance in the St Leger next month at a best priced 13-2 with Paddy Power though Seville remains a worthy favourite.
The big handicap race of the weekend was the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon where the progressive Pepper Lane ran out a comfortable one and a half lengths winner. Pepper Lane loves the Ripon track notching up her third win this season at the course over six furlongs. The fillies next likely target will be the Ayr Gold Cup next month however she will find things a lot tougher off a higher mark.
John Gosden’s two-year old colt Fencing was subject of a massive gamble at Newbury and he reimbursed his backers when taking the honours at 5-4. The son of Street Cry showed signs of being green on only his second outing when asked to make his challenge but once taking the lead he fought gamely to the winning post. This horse can be a major player over the next year and considering his dam won the Prix Diane over ten furlongs that trip should be his optimum. This was a Listed race Fencing won and he will be worth watching on his next couple of runs with the Derby being mentioned in some quarters.
Two Horses To Follow From This Weekend
A horse to catch the eye when winning a Class 2 Conditions Stakes at Newbury was French Navy ridden by Kieran Fallon. The three-year old colt had been off the track for over nine months and could make the step up to Group 1 company before the end of the season.
A debutant who shaped well was Rawaafed in a Class 4 maiden at Newmarket. An expensive $300,000 yearling he was well supported in the market and was not given the toughest of rides by Martin Dwyer when finishing 4th of the seven runners. Brian Meehan’s horses invariably progress on their second run and he should be followed next time out.
York’s wonderful Ebor meeting to look forward to this week and Mick Easterby’s Hoof It has been supplemented for a fee of £20,000 for the Nunthorpe Stake on Friday to the comfort of those who have backed him into favouritism.
Scott runs the very well respected ‘The Sportsman’ tipster service and also regularly contributes to our members only magazines at the Smart Betting Club.