After another disappointing Saturday on the betting front I went for a little walk to the Curragh around the Derby course.
A lovely evening once the rain subsided with some beautiful light to illuminate the Curragh.
……..
3.50 Doncaster: Class 2 Handicap, 5f
Burning Cash looks seriously well weighted to go close, but I can’t move past Alligator Alley who was such a huge eyecatcher at Epsom last time out in the infamous Dash.
He was first-time visored and seemed to respond a bit too keenly to the new headgear as he forced his gate open, which set a chain of events in motion.
As for his own race, he was keen early on jumped the grass path over 4 furlongs out, bumped a rival and became briefly unbalanced moments, was subsequently short of room with the rider taking a pull.
Nonetheless, he ran home in eye catching fashion, hard on the bridle and still managed to finish strongly in the final furlong.
The handicapper dropped him another 2lb, which makes him a proper danger off 94 here, especially if he could start a bit sharper with visor.
Two runs back at York off 4lb higher was also quite a strong run; I thought, confirming the excellent form the gelding is in at the moment. He should get a clear run on the outside of the field here, so hopefully no excuses this time.
10pts win – Alligator Alley @ 4/1
………
4.00 Salisbury: Class 5 Handicap, 6f
I’m prepared to forgive Michaels Choice his latest poor showing at Lingfield. Things didn’t look right there right from the start.
However, judged on his comeback run over his preferred course and distance – 6f at Salisbury – he should have a big chance here. He’ 3-2-1 over this CD, and looked as good as ever in May when the race developed against him.
That day he had the widest draw to overcome which was a significant enough disadvantage as he raced widest without cover as a consequence. Nonetheless, he made good progress from over 2f out on the outside of the field, to challenge, before he tired late.
A strong run on his seasonal reappearance which achieved a 66 speed rating as well. Clearly, based on that, he’s as good as ever.
Michaels Choice won off 70 multiple times in the past and ran to 70 speed rating twice last year, including when winning over this CD last July.
10pts win – Michaels Choice @ 7/2
……..
3.05 Chantilly: Prix de Diane, 1m 2.5f
A competitive renewal but I want to give Never Ending Story another chance after her disappointing showing the in the French Guineas, where she seemed never really in it after receiving an early bump by a rival.
Moving up in trip should suit this daughter of Athena, though, and ever since she won the 1000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown back in April I felt she is a high-class filly, a Group 1 winner in the making.
That day she was gutsy, stayed on strongly and proved that she has progressed after a somewhat underwhelming juvenile campaign.
She looked stronger than ever, and ran a solid 90 speed rating, as the form has ben given a significant boost in the meantime by the second and third.
I imagine she’s even better beyond a mile in any case, and everything she’s done so far is positive to sign for what’s still to come.
That she was able to win a good race over 7 furlongs, means she has the speed. Now let’s bring in some stamina and she’s seriously underestimated today, especially from a good draw.
10pts win – Never Ending Story @ 16/1
Horseracing - International . COM 