Flat Racing Friday 27th September

[joeblitz]

3.15 Newmarket Rizeena 7/4 Boylesports BOG A fascinating 2 horse race between Rizeena and the improving Godolphin filly Ihtimal. Ihtimal won a group 3 here and then a group 2 at Doncaster lto. In her earlier races she came up against the likes of Kiyoshi, Wedding Ring and Berkshire. Rizeena on the otherhand won a Group 1 lto and prior to that was 2nd to No Nay Never in a Group 1 in France. Although she has been beaten both visits here including when 2nd to Lucky Kristale, she has also improved and this mile will suit as she won over 7f at the Curragh going away. Connections here are on a hiding to nothing but with no Group 1 penalty and as the only Group 1 winner in the race coupled with fast ground, I think she will win. 10 Points win Rizeena 7/4 Boylesports BOG

[robertob]

Re: Flat Racing Friday 27th September 13.30 Haydock: Jamaica Grande @ 12/1 + Royal Sea @ 12/1 - 1pt win each Bet365 Wide open race and I've two horses to run from my list here and both look overpriced. Royal Sea won over course and distance here at Haydock last month when finding the way the race was run against himself actually, but he showed a lovely attitude to pull out more when put under serious pressure in the closing stages. His subsequent run at Catterick is to forgive, as he dwelt and was behind, and facing an impossible task. He confirmed his fine form at Wolverhampton lto though. He was slowly into stride again and was trailing the field for a long time, made then a big move from 5f out though, improving position on the outside of the field travelling 5-6 wide. He had to turn very wide as a result but made further headway to suddenly emerge in 2nd position approaching the home straight. He was unable to match the pace of the eventual winner then and faded badly in the closing stages as he had to pay tribute to all the energy he used up before, to finish a long way beaten in 3rd place in the end. Still a fine performance, considering the circumstances. With conditions to suit he can run well tomorrow again. Jamaica Grande looks a different horse since stepping up in trip. He won well a handicap at Kempton over 10f, his first try over this trip. The race was poor, but the way he drew away in the closing stages looked good. His most recent start over the same course and distance was quite eye-catching to me then, suggesting a further step up in distance could bring out further improvement. Jamaica Grande travelled extremely well in rear that day, which isn't the best position over the 10f trip at Kempton due to the ultra short run-in, though. He looked suddenly outpaced once approaching the home straight but stayed on pretty well in the closing stages. He steps up to 12f for the first time now, and performances as well as pedigree (out of King George winner) suggesting that he should have no problems getting the trip. 17.40 Wolverhampton: Katmai River @ 10/1 Bet365 - 2pts win Thought it was a very nice performance by Katmai River over course and distance last time out when he finished a fine 2nd behind impressive winner Tatting. He travelled really well for a long time and tried to kick away approaching the home straight, he soon brought some space between him and the rest of the field - bar the eventual winner. Tatting was just too good that day but Katmai River beat the rest of the field convincingly. He's on a quite long losing run of course but also down to a very low mark and tomorrows field isn't stronger compared to the rivals he encountered the last time. Also the 7lb apprentice looks capable, despite still looking for her first win, though. 18.10 Wolverhampton: Tatting @ 9/2 Bet365 - 4pts win I really can't understand this price, expected much shorter for Tatting. Yes, his most recent run at Kempton was disappointing, but if you can forgive him that performance and judge him on his penultimate run at Wolverhampton then he should be really hard to beat, particularly as being able to race of the same mark. In the mentioned race he travelled super strongly, and despite having to go wide all the way around the home turn as the widest travelling runner, he had loads in hand to win almost on the bridle. He couldn't quite follow up on this at Kempton for whatever reason, which was an unusual run for Tatting, but now back at the venue of recent success over the same trip he should be very competitive, even more so with decent 3lb claimer Da Silva in the saddle.