The horse racing broadcaster offers up his best bets from the first day of the Guineas meeting at Newmarket, plus action at Goodwood and Ascot.
Some high-quality action for the season ahead on Friday, with the first day of the Guineas meeting complemented by Ascot’s relocated Trials Day and a race from Goodwood as part of the seven-race ITV coverage.
It is a big afternoon for Normandie Stud, who have three major chances, starting with the smooth operator MY LOVE IS KING 5/2 (14:20 Newmarket). From a family that has served the owner and trainer well, he broke his maiden at Newcastle in November, which always catches the eye given that several smart horses from the yard have done the same—most notably Enable and Stradivarius. He took a good step forward on his return at Newbury when caught close home by Maltese Cross, who has genuine Derby credentials, and looks a plausible alternative to favourite Poseidon’s Warrior, who was probably a shade unlucky in the Feilden. However, he was very keen pre-race, and the strong pace that day helped him settle. With William Buick forsaking his home track at Newmarket to ride at Ascot, he has a very able deputy in Billy Loughnane, but he could still compromise his chances if he races so keenly again in what is likely to be a more steadily run contest.
The second Normandie Stud hope is flagbearer Sweet William, who lines up in the Sagaro but has been beaten in the race before. There does not look to be much in the way of pace, which would not suit his hold-up style. TABLETALK 6/1 (14:35 Ascot) therefore looks a plausible alternative on ground he enjoys, having not had much luck in several races last campaign. He was just ahead of Tarriance in the Red Sea Handicap at Riyadh on Saudi Cup night and is significantly better off at the weights here. This trip may be far enough, but his tactical speed could prove an asset if, as anticipated, the pace is steady.
The last of the Normandie Stud trio is CREPE SUZETTE 11/10 (15:50 Goodwood), who can “give the answer to” the Daisy Warwick Stakes at Goodwood. She is one to follow this season, having seemingly thrown away a decent handicap mark when placing in the Galtres Stakes, but proving she is a Pattern-class filly when finishing third in the May Hill. Stamina is likely to be her strong suit, so she would appreciate a decent pace to run at here, but Goodwood’s long straight should help. She also looks to have the physical scope to develop into a really useful staying filly this campaign. The owner commendably shows great loyalty to jockeys, so Tyler Heard, who rode her to a placing at Royal Ascot, again takes the ride.
William Buick’s journey to Ascot looks to be for WISE APPROACH 13/8 (15:10 Ascot) in the Commonwealth Cup Trial. He renews rivalry with both Brussels and Coppull from the Middle Park, but came to hand early last season and should be able to confirm that form. Aidan O’Brien’s runners are highly likely to take a step forward over Guineas weekend and into Chester, but it is worth remembering that they once again had a very quiet April, with their UK runners going 0/6 (with 1.96 expected winners on Exchange SPs), and Brussels may still fall more into this camp than the Classic hopefuls who will soon be in action for the yard.
Away from the ITV action, there looks to be a good bet in ROSARIO 8/1 (15:15 Goodwood). Rosario went into the notebook after his reappearance at Newmarket, where he was not given a hard time after missing the break and not looking comfortable going into the Dip. That run came off his longest absence for a while, and the objective appeared to be to blow away the cobwebs for this race, which he won off a higher mark last season. With Democracy Dilemma, Clearpoint and Lexington Blitz all likely to blaze away up front, it could set things up nicely for him, as he loves a strong pace to aim at and sees the trip out well, as shown when placed in the Portland over 5½f at Doncaster.
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