Flat Racing - Sunday 3rd June

[StuSimmy]

16:20 Nottingham

I think this is a great chance for Richard Hannon's

Operettist

to land his first handicap in what is only his second start in handicap company. Only had two runs last year as a 2 year old where he finished a disappointing 9th of 13 in a maiden race at Kempton, judging by the prices he wasn't fancied at all that day though, going off at a price of 28/1. He then was switched to turf where he won a 13 runner maiden race at Salisbury in good ground. Only won by a head that day in front of stable companion

Traveller's Tales

who has since gone on to finish second twice and won once from four races including a 2nd placed finish off a mark of 73 and won off a mark of 76, now rated 82 which suggests

Operettist's

opening handicap mark of 75 a winnable one.

Operettist

made his seasonal reappearance and handicap debut at Newmarket last month in what was his first try at the mile trip as well. He did travel well throughout the race and although he was under pressure from around 3 furlongs out, he finished only 2 and a half lengths off eventual winner (who was a red hot favourite) back in 5th place (3/5 in his group). He did respond to pressure at first before becoming a bit one paced towards the end but he should definetly strip fitter today in what is without a doubt an easier contest. Richard Hughes has only been on board once from three races and that was for his maiden win so the fact he is back on board today is only a positive.

Feisty Champion and Lovage

both had reasonable seasonal reappearance's as well and I rate them as the main dangers as they will both certainly come on for the run like my selection.

WIN Operettist @ 6/1 (Bet365 - BOG)

[robertob]

Re: Flat Racing - Sunday 3rd June 15.15 Chantilly: Imperial Monarch @ 7/1 StanJames The French Derby looks exciting. A big field and many good horses. But one horse is particularly exciting in my mind: Imperial Monarch. I've been to the Curragh when he made an impressive debut last September. He looked fantastic in the parade ring before the race, so it was no surprise to see him doing so well. He made it instantly in to my notebook. His seasonal debut was even more impressive when winning the Derby Trial at Sandown. He raced isolated from the rest of the field and took the widest possible route. He lost a couple of lengths on the home turn but won it with an emphatic finish by 1¾ lengths to Thought Worthy eventually. It's hard to say how good this form really is as IM may have been advantaged by better ground on the stands side, nonetheless it was an impressive performance which confirmed the huge talent of the this 3yo colt. There is surely more to come as he had only two starts to date and he showed loads of promise in both races, as mentioned. AOB decided to go for the French Derby with him instead of the Epsom Derby. Interesting decision and I'm just wondering if AOB considered Imperial Monarch maybe as a too big danger for stable mate Camelot or is it just because of the ground, which was fast at Epsom but has a bit juice at Chantilly? Anyway, O'Brien didn't have much luck in the French Derby yet, but he has a real chance with Imperial Monarch to win it finally.