Former Talksport man Charlie McCann marks your card on Saturday at Newmarket, Ascot and Haydock. View selections below
The Gp 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes is Haydock’s feature event on a competitive card from the Lancashire track. Sajjhaa put behind her a desperately disappointing effort at Royal Ascot when landing the odds at York last time, but that was a fillies’ only event and this is a much tougher task taking on the boys.
Derby winning jockey Mikael Barzalona rode Simon De Montfort (2.45) to win four of five starts for Andre Fabre in France and it looks significant that Godolphin have called on his services today. The colt has been off the track since finishing tailed off in Meydan back in the spring, but that was not his form and he is taken to pounce fast and late.
I’m not convinced Elusive Pimpernel stays this 10f trip, Class Is Class refused to settle at York and Hot Prospect is the danger; indeed if is there was significant rain, rather than the forecast showers, he would be the one to beat after his encouraging Newbury reappearance.
Jacqueline Quest (3.20) makes her debut for Ian Williams having left Henry Cecil’s yard after disgracing herself when refusing to race at Royal Ascot last time. On her best form she would pick up and carry today’s opposition but, if “Memory” serves, once a filly has declined to race once she often continues that trait.
The hope, however, is that the selection has been sweetened up by the change in scenery to the Williams’ stable and the booking of Eddie Ahern is a positive. Her price will have factored in her Ascot antics and, after last year’s 1000 Guineas, connections deserve a change of luck.
The unbeaten White Moonstone has not been seen on the track this year but she was an impressive winner of last year’s Sweet Solera Stakes; Godolphin have a very strong hand again this year’s renewal with the unbeaten pair Discourse (Mahmood Al Zarooni) and Desert Gazelle (Saeed Bin Suroor 3.15) and the latter is the recommendation despite the fact that Frankie Dettori has deserted her in favour of the former.
Both are well above average and Dettori has probably been influenced by the fact that the filly who finished behind Discourse at Newmarket Gamilati went on to win the Cherry Hinton at the July Meeting. My take on that win was that Gamilati had to make her own running on the July course and was seen in a much better light when getting cover in the Cherry Hinton. Godolphin have a very strong hand of 2-y-o fillies and I think it will be Jamie Spencer rather than Dettori who is in the Newmarket winners’ enclosure.
The run of Pekan Star (2.05) was just too bad to be true at York last month and he is given another chance to show his true ability in Newmarket’s opener. Taqleed is another on something of a retrieval mission having disappointed on all starts this term. The handicapper is showing him some leniency but he might need genuine soft ground to be seen to best effect.
The Shergar Cup has attracted some of the best jockeys in the world including Olivier Peslier who rides Hawk Mountain (1.25) who is owned in partnership by Racing UK/C4 Racing presenter Nick Luck. He didn’t have the race run to suit at York last time but as long as there is plenty of pace on (not guaranteed) he can return to winning ways.
Parlour Games (2.30) was given a poor ride over today’s C&D last time and, as long as if he is ridden more aggressively can make his presence felt in the 12f handicap. Colm O’Donohue takes over on the colt who has been raised 1lb for his latest effort, which seems a bit odd, but he should have the race run to suit and remains open to more improvement. Pivotman ran well at Goodwood last time and represents the danger.
Note we at will be betting ¼ odds all races (10 runners) in the Shergar Cup.
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Charlie
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