Flat Racing - 18th May

[robertob]

14.10 Newbury: Starscope @ 7/4 Boylessports One of the horses I was really keen to see this year and I think she didn't disappoint so far. Thought she ran with promise in both her starts this year. Seven furlongs were too short at her seasonal reappearance but she was flying in the closing stages to finish 3rd. She ran a mighty race in the 1.000 Guineas. No one could cope with the winner that day but the way Starscope stayed on to finish 2nd was really impressive and suggest that she'll do well with a step up in trip. The 10 furlongs should be in her favour tomorrow and as long as the Gunieas didn't take out too much of her she really should win this Listed race. 14.40 Newbury: Broughton Sands @ 10/1 Bet365 Tricky Handicap but I'm pretty keen on Broughton Sands's chance here. She made it into my notebook with a very good performance at Windsor at her penultimate start when I had the feeling though that 12 furlongs are just a bit too far for her and a step down in trip would be rather beneficial. So I was a bit disappointed so see her supplemented for a 12f race again the last time. She wasn't disgraced in soft conditions, though she weakened notably in the closing stage again, probably down to the fact that the ground conditions were very testing but also the fact that she just doesn't stay the trip. She'll be much more home over tomorrows trip and down in class 5 I think she could be easily very well handicapped of a mark off 69. She's still lightly raced, had only three starts on turf yet, so there is a realistic chance for further improvement. It's noteworthy and definitely an additional positive sign that Mickael Barzalona is booked for the ride and connections must expect a bold show.

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Re: Flat Racing - 18h May Need to get to bed fairly soon as an earlyish start in the morning as I head to York so can't go too mad on the posts... 2.00 York - 2pts win War Poet @ 9/1 (PP) Tricky race this one and I ended up making a shortlist of 4, and I will be disappointed should one of the others win - unless I have a tickle on course! I backed Caucus last time when running a very big race at Newmarket after an absence and there isn't much putting me off him today so it's been a difficult call to initially oppose him. Sadeek's Song is surely better than what he showed last time in a better race and is a player, and course specialist Tepmokea completed the shortlist for me. I've ended up opting for the David O'Meara trained individual, who does have a wide draw to contend with, but he's a hold-up performer and the way the horses are coming down the centre of the course this week could make this slightly less of an issue should he not get in. However, he'll be restrained for sure by Daniel Tudhope and delivered late. He's a horse who travels very well and still has the potential to improve having only had 12 runs in his career to date. Flat tracks suit him so there will be no issue with the course today and the trip/ground are also in his favour. He proved he can handle any ground when successful at Doncaster recently on soft, and looked as good as ever when winning that day over 1m2f. He's entitled to come on for that as well having run respectably over hurdles on three occasions over the winter. He's only had six runs in handicaps on the level, winning three and placing once, with just two bad runs coming in the summer of last year. He'll love coming off a true gallop going well and he's likely to be one of the last off the bridle. This is a step up in grade once more but the race he won last time wasn't a bad one and he doesn't do much when he hits the front which means the handicapper might struggle to get his measure. He often hangs when he gets there and he wins his races usually under a hands ride with the jockey rarely going for the whip. He probably has plenty in hand at the finish so if Tudhope times it right today, he can hopefully add another win to his tally.