Flat Racing - Sunday 19th June

[StuSimmy]

15:40 Pontefract Nice looking race here with 11 runners set to line up for this class 3 handicap. My bet lies with John Gosden's 4 year old Dhaamer who was very progressive last year as a 3 year old. He made his debut 366 days ago on the 19th of June where he finished 2nd to Space War (who Gosden also trains)over the mile trip at Newbury. The form of that race isn't anything to shout about at all but Dhaamer stayed on well to finish 2nd after hanging left throughout the final furlong. He followed that run up with a very impressive run in a maiden race on the all weather at Lingfield. He was stepped up to 10 furlongs that day and went on to win by 4 and a half lengths. He was then sent to Sandown to tackle the 10 furlong trip again where he made his handicap debut off a mark of 83 which seemed fair and he wasted no time in racking up his first handicap win, running out a 1 and a quarter length winner in good fashion. Excuses for his last run of 2010 could be made where he ran at Newmarket off a mark of 87. The step up to 12 furlongs for the first time was likely to suit but it seemed like he didn't quite get the trip that day, this was also his first run in soft ground as well which seemed to have worked against him. He was dropped back down to 10 furlongs for his return at Epsom at the start of the month. Epsom is known to be a specialist track and not many horses take well to it so valid excuses can be made once again despite the fact he ran a decent enough race finishing 3/11. He did weaken towards the end which suggested to me that he was in need of a run and he should certainly come on for that run today. Still lightly raced and not yet fully exposed so more progression can be expected from this gelding. This is Gosden's only runner today so he must send this horse here today so he must really fancy his horses chances of landing the race. I would rate Shallow Bay as the main danger, Fallon is an interesting jockey booking and the horse is still likely to be on the upgrade after some good performances so far this year (excuses can be made for last time out). 3pt Win Dhaamer @ 3/1 (VC Bet - BOG)

[chris34]

Re: Flat Racing - Sunday 19th June Well Royal Ascot over and what a brilliant 5 days it was, to be honest its a good job we got winners at other meetings and didnt rely on Ascot as failed to tip any winner at Ascot but we did have a very nice winner yesterday at 7/1 and fingers crossed we can find some more like that. 3.10 Pontefract A handicap lacking much depth with nearly all the field out of form and then a few unexposed runners who probably have something to prove. The current favourite Adelina Patti is a very short priced for a horse that has only shown glimmers of hope so far in maidens, well beaten last time out not looking as if getting home over 7f so not sure a step up to a mile isnt likely to suit. For me the most interesting runner is Stef Higgins Woop Woop, yard have been very quiet up until the past week or so when all of a sudden there are signs of life and a big priced winner at Newmarket friday night. Woop Woop is still a maiden but on 9 starts has finished in the places 6 times but hasnt looked ungenuine at all so that isnt a concern, 7 of those races have been on the AW, showed she is just as effective on turf last time out Windsor staying on steadily at the end suggesting that she was still improving and could still have more to offer on the AW is actually 1lb lower today in the handicap and Queally replaces apprentice and should appreciate racing against her own sex today. 1pt win Woop Woop 7/1 lads 3.40 Pontefract I tipped Shallow Bay up last time and wrote this; Shallow Bay finished 3rd behind Incendo last time out and is probably the most lightly raced horse in the lineup and still open to plenty of improvement yet and has given 2 good efforts this season and again suggests he too is capable of winning a race. He too has form on soft ground in maidens last year and breeding certainly suggest that stamina is her game and should take this test well. Now ground unlikely to come up soft but that isnt what she requires anyhow so fast ground not a problem. You can completely forget that run last time out in a very messy race at Sandown looked to be travelling well jsut about to make a move when snatched up and then no chance, so considering he was travelling so wells suggest he remains well handicapped. Fallon is also an eye catching booking. 4pt win Shallow Bay 9/2 lads