Heading over for this on Friday so thought I'd start a thread in case anyone has any opinions / info that might accumulate some Sterling. Will do a trip report if I can remember any of it! With £ 150 k purse for each race I thought a few Irish trainers might have targeted it but looks like only UK based runners. The fillies / mares first prize will see the £ 93 k first prize go to horse rated 88 or lower.
5 day decs were in yesterday and while there are a few horses with multiple entries I'll start the ball rolling with my thoughts so far. Obviously the draw at Lingfield will play a major factor but most firms have priced up 4 of the 6 races at this stage.
Fillies /mares 7f: Fashion line top rated but has only one over further at wolv . Interception has won last 3 but all over 6f and only 1 of the 42 horses he has beaten have won a race. C&D specialists Maggie pink / Glastonberry could cause an upset here.
3 Year old : Ertijal sets a clear standard having won well from a bad draw in the last qualifier. American hope and Alutiq were among those behind that day and of the two I thought nothing went right for Alutiq and he might do a bit better. Complicit won his qualifier well before picking up a decent aw race in Deauville, he may give most trouble to Ertijal.
Marathon 16f: Been hugely impressed by Litigant in his starts this season. Improving with each step up in trip he got into a terrible position in the straight last time. He had to sit and suffer and only got out in the last 1/2 f but showed great turn of foot for a stayer and won going away. Surprised to see Blue wave ahead of hunting ground with PP. Johnston has stated HG is his best chance on the card and that BW doesn't stay 2 mile.
Sprint 6f : Looks like the trickiest race on the card with all the line up likely to be rated 100 plus and seperated by only 5lb on the ratings. Tarooq and Valbchek broke track records in Qualifying while Rivellino and Hawkeyethenoo have been well touted by their trainers. Very impressed with Stepper point in the last qualifier, Raced wide and really saw it out well. His trainer has said that he had only had one breeze up before that race and was very surprised to win. Backed him at 11/2 fingers crossed for a good draw.
Mile : A lot of dual entries between this and the middle distance. Likely that Grey Mirage will line up and will be hard to beat. Sirius prospect also has a fast track qualification so should turn up . I like Captain cat at the moment. He has been a little unlucky on the AW all season and was heavily backed for the Lincoln before being pulled out due to soft ground.
Middle Distance : Re-match between Grandeur and Robin Hoods Bay . The cheek pieces didnt work on Grandeur last time he was too free from his wide draw and ran no race . You would still have to forgive him a lot to be taking 5/2 before the draw being made. RHB had everything drop right in the winter derby and that may not happen again. My two against the field at this stage are Solar Deity and Aussie reigns.
5 day decs were in yesterday and while there are a few horses with multiple entries I'll start the ball rolling with my thoughts so far. Obviously the draw at Lingfield will play a major factor but most firms have priced up 4 of the 6 races at this stage.
Fillies /mares 7f: Fashion line top rated but has only one over further at wolv . Interception has won last 3 but all over 6f and only 1 of the 42 horses he has beaten have won a race. C&D specialists Maggie pink / Glastonberry could cause an upset here.
3 Year old : Ertijal sets a clear standard having won well from a bad draw in the last qualifier. American hope and Alutiq were among those behind that day and of the two I thought nothing went right for Alutiq and he might do a bit better. Complicit won his qualifier well before picking up a decent aw race in Deauville, he may give most trouble to Ertijal.
Marathon 16f: Been hugely impressed by Litigant in his starts this season. Improving with each step up in trip he got into a terrible position in the straight last time. He had to sit and suffer and only got out in the last 1/2 f but showed great turn of foot for a stayer and won going away. Surprised to see Blue wave ahead of hunting ground with PP. Johnston has stated HG is his best chance on the card and that BW doesn't stay 2 mile.
Sprint 6f : Looks like the trickiest race on the card with all the line up likely to be rated 100 plus and seperated by only 5lb on the ratings. Tarooq and Valbchek broke track records in Qualifying while Rivellino and Hawkeyethenoo have been well touted by their trainers. Very impressed with Stepper point in the last qualifier, Raced wide and really saw it out well. His trainer has said that he had only had one breeze up before that race and was very surprised to win. Backed him at 11/2 fingers crossed for a good draw.
Mile : A lot of dual entries between this and the middle distance. Likely that Grey Mirage will line up and will be hard to beat. Sirius prospect also has a fast track qualification so should turn up . I like Captain cat at the moment. He has been a little unlucky on the AW all season and was heavily backed for the Lincoln before being pulled out due to soft ground.
Middle Distance : Re-match between Grandeur and Robin Hoods Bay . The cheek pieces didnt work on Grandeur last time he was too free from his wide draw and ran no race . You would still have to forgive him a lot to be taking 5/2 before the draw being made. RHB had everything drop right in the winter derby and that may not happen again. My two against the field at this stage are Solar Deity and Aussie reigns.
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