Ispolini looks the chief threat to Stradivarius in the Matchbook Yorkshire Cup based on his Dubai form, but with the Boys In Blue failing to achieve the success expected with their classic prospects this spring, it looks a good time to take the misfiring juggernaut on.
As discussed on the podcast yesterday, I’m not crazy to lay Stradivarius, for all he’s short enough on balance, and that’s partly because I’m not sure how Ispolini will cope with returning from Meydan, and it has to be said that Godolphin’s younger horse who have moved from Dubai to Newmarket this spring have not covered themselves in glory, with the organisation’s Classic dreams seeming in tatters after all three of their runners in the York trials ran poorly, to add to a disappointing showing at the Guineas meeting.
I suggested that I might play the likes of Mildenberger and Mootasadir against the favourite for small stakes, but there might actually be a better angle in taking on Ispolini instead in the place market. If he runs below the form he showed in the desert then he could struggle, and there is no hiding place at this level.
UAE Prince looks one to take on in this handicap as he always seems to be a short price, but while his ability can’t be questioned, the fact that he’s lost all seven of his races in the past two years means he’s hardly one to be taking a short price about.
He’s pretty certain to run his race, so I’ve no intention of taking him on in the place market, but he’s short enough to take him on for the win. This is perhaps not the most competitive handicap of the week, but every trainer loves to saddle a winner at this meeting, and there won’t be many coming here for the Yorkshire air.
