AS is usually the case on a Sunday, the best quality racing is outside the UK. The Curragh stages the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes where Legatissimo and Pleascach lock horns while Treve runs in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France. It is at The Curragh for today’s first selection…
…and it’s the exciting MISS KATIE MAE (3.55 Curragh) (pictured above). Ger Lyons thinks the world of this girl and although the aim of running her in the Group Three Grangecon Stud Stakes is to gain some valuable black type, she could well be talented enough to score. Richard Hannon’s Great Page is a big threat but Miss Katie Mae looks much better value at the prices.
The UK meetings are at Windsor and over the Jumps at Cartmel and Uttoxeter. And it’s at Cartmel for the other selection in the shape of the consistent PRESENTING JUNIOR (4.20 Cartmel). Strictly on the ratings he should finish upsides Alderbrook Lad on recent course and distance form but I fancy Martin Todhunter’s progressive eight-year-old to improve from that race and turn the tables. Definite Ruby looks a huge threat.
PS It is always worth reading Richard Hughes’ Racing Post column on a Saturday for lots of reasons, notably because he always nominates a horse to follow for the coming days. Yesterday he singled out the frustratingly named Whatdoiwantthatfor (3.25 Windsor) and although you won’t get rich backing her, she should oblige.
Be lucky!
Hi Jason,
Good runs from both Diamondsandrubies and Flintshire.
Flintshire was well held by the brilliant Treve, but Diamondsandrubies showed that she may have been unlucky in the Oaks.
In the opener Shogun was always struggling. However it may be a mistake to discount him, and I would say he may be a different proposition next time out.
On the other hand it did seem that another O’Brien colt, Lieutenant General, was expected, being backed in from 10-1 down to 5-1 at the off. In the event he ran a bit green in the closing stages when just touched off by the Bolger colt. There was a little bumping and barging between the first three home. He looks one to regain losses next time out, although it is doubtful if the odds will be as generous as today.
Cheers!
Hi Jason,
I do enjoy watching Sunday racing on ATR. Racing from the Curragh or Leopardstown plus the best of the French and German racing. To those who want more prestige Sunday racing in the UK (John McCririck)I say, leave it as it is.
However ATR can be annoying sometimes. A few years ago, I was eagerly awaiting the Prix Ganay, to watch either Duke Of Marmalade or Dylan Thomas, I cannot remember which. Just as the runners left the stalls the screen split in two for a race from, I think either Worcester or Towcester. The live commentary came from the English racecourse.
To the best of my knowledge, and I stand to be corrected, the steeplechase was for 13 yo’s and upwards maidens that hadn’t completed the course more than twice in the last three seasons, but that had started at least thirty times under NH rules during their career. Any horse that had ever finished within a distance of the winner was penalised seven pounds. As you can imagine, I was in raptures watching this race.
Ok, joking aside, today’s action from the Curragh looks amazing, with the added bonus of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. All graet stuff.
In Ireland the first race looks interesting with some well bred 2 y o’s running. I will be watching Shogun.
The Pretty Polly is always a good race, and i think that Diamondsandrubies should be in the shake-up, but possibly behind the favourite Legatissimo. Whoever wins, definitely one to savour.
In France I will delight if Treve triumphs, but I wonder if Flintshire doesn’t represent better value each way at current odds of 13-2 rather than backing Treve at fairly long odds on. Last year, don’t forget, she didn’t show her best form until the autumn.
Cheers!