Welcome to our latest column from Scott Armstrong of The Sportsman, who recaps on last week’s action including his 7/1 winner Hoof It and why this monster of a horse should be followed…
Scott is a proven racing expert, thanks to his work at http://www.thesportsman.org.uk/ and has a keen eye for racing value, especially in the big feature races.
The highlight of the weekend racing was Midday capping off a Glorious Goodwood meeting for Sir Henry Cecil when landing the Nassau Stakes for the third time at 6-4.The best horse won the race quickening well to brush aside challenges from Snow Fair and Crytstal Capella to triumph by two lengths.
Hoof It ran a massive race under 10 stone in the Stewards Cup to win under the guidance of Kieran Fallon by 2 ½ lengths. I had suggested playing him each-way but there was no need for such caution as he simply demolished the field. No horse had carried over 9st 10lb to success in the Stewards Cup before and that fact emphasises the worthiness of his win. A physically imposing four year old he can take the elevation to Group 1 level in his stride. Kieran Fallon emphasised this when saying “This horse is a monster. He is still a big baby and has a big future. A Group 1 horse one day”. He should be followed and part-owner “Chubby” Chandler is keen to enter him in the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes on August the 19th.
Nawwaar is well regarded by John Dunlop and won a very competitive Class 2 maiden stakes over seven furlongs with Ladbrokes subsequently pricing him at 33-1 for the 2000 Guineas. The juvenile overcame several problems on the track with Richard Hills having to switch him twice in the run in, so we can be sure there is more to come from him. Dunlop remarked “He’s a very nice horse – always has been – and he ran a good race first time out at Ascot. Richard said the track threw everything at him, so he did well to win. He has a lovely attitude and we’ll have to up him in class now”. Nawwaar holds entries in various Group races and whatever option he takes up he should be monitored closely.
Another horse who will be going up in class is John Best’s Bayleyf. He defied top weight in the Good wood Class 2 nursery displaying an eye-catching turn of foot when push came to shove to win by two lengths. He is a potential Group horse in the making.
Harlestone Times could finish only sixth in the 2.35 at Goodwood, a Class 2 handicap but is one to keep on the right side of. Held up at the rear he was making headway when jockey Ted Durcan got caught short of room at the four furlong pole of the fourteen furlong contest. Harlestone Times was staying on well at the business end and could have been put into the race earlier. He is worth another go over the same distance.
At Doncaster, Look Left made an impressive debut in a ten furlong class five maiden stakes. The subject of solid market support John Gosden’s three year old Observatory colt showed shades of being green when asked to go on and win the race two furlongs from home but responded well. Second placed Muqtarrib is rated 82 and provided the handicapper is not overly strict on Look Left he could be one to follow when making the step up to handicap company.
Across at Newmarket one of the most comfortable winners on the day was Andrew Balding’s Balducci in the Class 2 EBF Hernando Conditions Stakes. Sent off second favourite to Godolphin’s Invisible Man he always looked the more likely winner having travelled well throughout the mile trip taking up the lead one furlong from home. Balducci was entered in a Listed race at Windsor last month and beaten less than two lengths into fourth place. He deserves another chance in Listed company.
In the last at Newmarket, Zero Money took the Class 3 handicap making all. He is entered in a similar Class 3 tomorrow evening at Ffos Las and under a penalty he can go into the winner’s enclosure again.