JOHN Gosden, acting for Godolphin, outbid Coolmore’s John Magnier to pay 4,000,000 guineas for a yearling at Tattersalls yesterday. The mighty tussle between the two breeding and bloodstock empires was described as a wonderful piece of theatre. The filly, by Galileo out of Breeders’ Cup winner Dank, has been named Gloam. No trainer has been identified although I don’t think Gosden will say no if he’s offered the chance to train what he describes as an “outstanding physical example”.
Elsewhere, in more depressing news, the very capable northern-based rider Graham Gibbons has been suspended from riding for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to swapping urine tests and providing a sample with a metabolite of cocaine at Kempton on December 7. And the 2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur has been ruled out for a year with a tendon injury. A huge blow to Lucinda Russell and Scottish racing.
On the punting front, McCabe Creek, one of my “cliff horses” finally did the business at Huntingdon yesterday at an SP of 5/1. Cheekpieces seemed to help and he made all despite a few heart-stopping leaps. That’s two wins from 26 and a nice winner for yesterday’s column. Onwards and upwards, boy.
Sceau Royal, as expected, made a winning chasing debut at Warwick. He looks set to run up a sequence in the autumn as he thrives at this time of year. He was brave and clever with his jumping and is one to follow.
Come on, Amigo
Today I will be disappointed if the speedy Emilia James (6.15) fails to collect at Chelmsford. She has run well on the sand twice and can defy top weight. Elsewhere, My Amigo (2.00) looks overpriced at 25/1 (Stan James) for Karl Burke and PJ McDonald. He has run okay on his last two runs but the better ground today should bring about improvement and he is an each-way poke.
At Fontwell Antony (3.55) (8/1 Betfair) goes well fresh and today might be time to catch him in what is a competitive contest while at Hexham Bigirononhiship (3.25) (generally 5/2) is fancied to make a winning return.
Finally at Dundalk the Ger Lyons-Colin Keane axis can win with Poetic Strike (6.30) (10/3 Betfair), who can follow up his easy maiden success.
Be lucky!
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