Micheál picked Space Blues to win on Day One and is back looking for more winners on Day Two.
A mixed day yesterday with Indianapolis outrunning his odds but just missing out on a place in the opener. Sparkle Roll’s run was completely checked when she was just getting rolling but it’s hard to say she would have won. Frankellina backers will be even more disappointed after she missed the break but still got up for second place. Space Blues victory in the 16.05 means I ended up the day +1.8 points at advised prices so the day ended on a good note. Day Two doesn’t look too easy with some very competitive handicaps either side of races revolving around two John Gosden superstars!
13.50 – Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap
Abel Handy made the most of the good draw at Musselburgh last time out and can follow up with another victory in this hot handicap. He made all at the Scottish track off top weight and had enough in the final furlong to win cosily.
This is a step up in grade from that race but he was thought enough of last season by his trainer to throw him into Group 1’s like the Commonwealth Cup and Nunthorpe.
His mark of 92 is fair and if he gets a good break it should be between him and Saaheq for the lead down their side. He suffered a narrow defeat over CD to Sound and Silence as a 2yo and a repeat of that should put him bang in the mix.
3.00 – Dante Stakes
The superstar that is Too Darn Hot makes his seasonal reappearance here and the eyes of the horse racing world will be on him in a fascinating race. He is already a well backed favourite in a race that has historically been very poor for favourite backers, with only one obliging in the last 10 years (Roaring Lion last year).
Too Darn Hot missed the Guineas but I don’t see this as a huge negative. John Gosden doesn’t seem to have horses for the Guineas for whatever reason and he will have used the extra time to get TDH ready to rumble.
Too Darn Hot and Frankie Dettori join forces again tomorrow.
Two of his main market rivals (Japan and Line Of Duty) lack a recent run as well and will have to improve a stone to get near him based on their 2 year old seasons. There are better betting races today so a small bet is advised if you have to back him today. The 5.0 available for the Epsom Derby may be a smarter bet because a win today will probably see that cut drastically. Matchbook will also be offering a Too Darn Hot/Lah Ti Dar double if you fancy a bit of that.
15.35 – Matchbook Betting Podcast Hambleton Handicap
Love Dreams was very unlucky not to win this race last year having been in the clear at the front before getting shouldered out of it by the eventual winner Afaak. That bump seemed to knock the momentum out of him but he kept on for a good second on the day. He is back again for another go and is carrying 5lbs less this year and that could be the difference as he bids to go one better for Mark Johnston.
Plutonian had a good 2018 with the highlights being two good runs finishing second in decent races at Goodwood. He has been gelded over the summer and ran very well in the Spring Cup at Newbury in April where he made the running but was picked up in the final furlong before holding on for 5th. That run will have brought him on he can go well from the front off top weight for the in-form Charlie Hills team.
4.05 – Westow Stakes
Garrus broke the track record at Nottingham on his seasonal reappearance. That was his first run over 5f and the drop back in trip looks to have suited him very well. He is drawn out on the rail in stall 8 which Invincible Army used to great effect yesterday and Ryan Moore takes the ride again today. Jeremy Noseda landed the 5f Novice race yesterday and can pick this up as well with the progressive looking Garrus.
Recommended Bets
- 13.50 – Abel Handy (11.00) – 0.5pt Win, 0.5pt Place
- 15.00 – Too Darn Hot (2.2) – 1pt Win
- Epsom Derby Antepost – Too Darn Hot (5.0) – 1pt Win
- 15.35 – Love Dreams (11.5) – 0.5pt Win, 0.5pt Place
- 15.35 – Plutonian (12.5) – 0.5pt Win, 0.5pt Place
- 16.05 – Garrus (5.0) – 1pt Win
