BBOTD 21st July

[hereforthep]

19.30 Leopardstown Famous Name - 1pt win @ 4/7 Bet365 Famous Name has a great record at this track and looks good to win here again after the win at the Curragh he looked better than ever and should prove to be to strong for the rivals here

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Re: BBOTD 21st July 6.25 Leopardstown - 1pt win Remember Alexander @ 14/1 (Bet365) - BOG Jessie Harrington's 2yo filly runs in this Group 3 stakes despite failing to have won a maiden in two attempts, but something tells me she still is a very nice filly. Her debut effort was extremely eye-catching, which made her disappointing run 2nd time out a major blow for me. I thought she was clearly the horse to take out of the race at the Curragh on the 2nd May when she first saw the racetrack. She was punted off the boards into 5/2 favourite and we soon saw why as she was slowly away, before racing keenly and inexperienced. Fran Berry had to switch right before she rattled home to finish 2nd by 2l. The winner on that occasion was none other than Power, who has rock solid form having won the Coventry at Royal Ascot. He also has form with Fire Lily prior to Ascot, who has confirmed the form. The Curragh form has worked out well, also, with several horses coming out and running well since. It was such a good effort under the conditions that I couldn't see her beaten when sent off at 5/6 on her next start, but despite being close up throughout, and holding every chance not far from the line, she could only finish 4th of 16. She goes up to 7f today which possibly will suit in some regards, but at the same time, she's raced quite freely on her two starts to date which raises question marks in my mind. If she settles then perhaps she's a bit overpriced. I truly hope that her latest run was not her true self, and she will indeed be a very smart individual, which I thought after her debut run. I have been trying to find excuses for it, and perhaps I came across something when looking at trainer form in recent months. Jessie Harrington was operating at an 8% strike rate with her flat runners in May - when both Remember Alexander's runs were. However, she boasted a 21% strike rate in April, followed by 19% in June and so far 18% in July. Say her horses weren't running up to scratch when Remember Alexander ran last time, it may just give some scope for a much improved performance today. The market suggests it is a 2 horse race, but even the 3rd favourite was well held by Remember Alexander when the pair were beaten by Power, so perhaps 14/1 is overpriced. Tenth Star may be tough to beat, but if one of the front two in the market fail to sparkle, or Remember Alexander bounces back, 14/1 might give a tasty reward for a top-two finish. Despite the O'Brien favourite looking a progressive sort, it might be a bit skinny with Zip Top well beaten by Fire Lily since, and a 3 runner field last time could have flattered him. Sticking with my guns, though, with a filly who I believed would be very useful after her debut, and hopefully she'll repay my faith today. Tough ask, but she boasts a very creditable 2l 2nd to a Coventry winner, so should be ruled out at your peril.