Racing Chat - Friday 3rd June

[The Brigadier]

Epsom 2.00

A decent sized field for the start of the two day Derby meeting with a dozen two year olds going to post for the Woodcote Stakes run over 6F. It can be an advantage to be drawn on the rail and two of the more fancied runners have been drawn out wide in starting stalls 11 and 12. That’s Andrew Balding’s Estate and David Loughnane’s Commander Straker who actually met at Bath last time and on 5lb better terms the former may turn the tables on Commander Straker having been beaten only a length and a half although as previously stated the draw is not ideal. Mick Channon’s Legend Of Xanadu and Eve Johnson Houghton’s Blatant are speedy types who can run well but my fancy is the Ralph Beckett trained Keep Bidding who’s well berthed in stall 4 and ran a race full of plenty of promise on her debut at Nottingham when an unfancied 28/1 chance chasing home a well touted Michael Bell newcomer. She stayed on well under hand riding and will love the extra furlong today. Beckett has his horses in decent form and I expect a decent run from her here.

 

KEEP BIDDING 1 point each way @ 13/2 Bet365 1/5th 1234

 

Epsom 2.35

A highly competitive sixteen runner 1m 113 yds class 2 handicap is up next. Archie Watson’s Excel Power heads the weights having won both his starts this season and despite a 6lb rise for his latest win has claims with Hollie Doyle in the saddle. It’ll be hard to win this from a high draw and for that reason alone I’m against last years winner Corazon Espinado (although he would be very much on my short list if drawn in single figures), Variyann and Oh This Is Us. Andrew Balding’s Carolus Magnus looks a player with his latest second at Newmarket boosted by the subsequent wins of the third that day. George Boughey’s Totally Charming has the assistance of William Buick and will no doubt be popular although he has to prove he’s as good on turf as he is on the all weather where his record is 3 from 5 but 0 from 2 on the turf. I’m going to take a swing at a big price one here in bottom weight Larado. Trained by Mick Appleby he made all to win over course and distance last September by a comfortable 6L and although he’s shown little in two starts this season there may have been excuses. With the front runners all drawn high Larado may steel a march on his rivals from stall 2 and under Ciaran Fallon lead them all a merry dance. He’ll be a big price so shop around and look out for those extra places.

 

LARADO 1 point each way @ 25/1 bet365 1/5th 12345

 

Epsom 3.10

A small but select field of six assemble for this year’s renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby trip of 1m 4F. The best in today is last year’s winner Pyledriver who comes here on the back of a credible 4th in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March (Hukum 3/4L behind him that day). With Martin Dwyer missing Frankie Dettori takes over and he looks sure to go close as the only runner in the field to have any experience of this unique track. Aiden O’Brien has supplemented High Definition after his excellent effort when just going down to Alenquer in the 10F Tattersall Gold Cup at The Curragh 12 days ago and although rated just a pound behind Pyledriver he hasn’t won since his two year old days some seven runs ago. The horse who’s hard to put a handle on is the Charlie Appleby trained Manobo who’s been running over further although his trainer has always been of the opinion that he has plenty of speed. On official ratings he has 7lb to find and will surely attempt to force the pace. I’ll take Dettori and Pyledriver to arrive late and fast and take the spoils.

 

PYLEDRIVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365

 

Epsom 3.45

A decent sized field of fourteen go to post for this class 2 10F handicap with the likely favourite the improving Moktasaab who is owned by Harry Redknapp. He’s chasing a hat trick of wins this year following victories for William Knight at Newbury and Goodwood. He’s a player here but has risen 12lb for those two success’s and this looks a deep contest. David Menuisier trains course specialist Soto Sizzler who’s track figure here read 11221 and although racing off of a career high handicap mark today looks likely to play a part in the finish with Ryan Moore in the saddle. I’ll take him with one other against the field. My other fancy is the Charlie and Mark Johnstone trained Love Is Golden who got no sort of run when third to the aforementioned Soto Sizzler over course and distance at the Spring meeting here finishing off third beaten 5 1/4L but is now 6lb better off. He’s run well in two decent handicaps since and I’ll take him and Soto Sizzler each way against the field.

 

SOTO SIZZLER 1 point each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234

LOVE IS GOLDEN 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 1234

 

Epsom 4.30

The 12F Cazoo Oaks is the third classic of the season and we have 11 three year old fillies going to post this year. John and Thady Gosden appear to hold the key here with the front two in the betting in Emily Upjohn, an impressive winner of a Sandown maiden and the Musidora at York and Nashwa who’s looked equally as impressive in winning at Haydock and Newbury this season. She’s yet to race beyond 10F and there’s maybe a slight doubt about her getting this longer trip today. Ideally she wouldn’t want to see any more rain. Emily Upjohn looks smart and should relish the step up 1 1/2F from York today. She was a bit keen early last time and if there is a reason to be against her that may well be it although she certainly has the wow factor especially with Frankie on board. Aiden O’Brien has four in the contest - the hard to fancy The Algarve (9 1/4L behind Emily Upjohn at York), Cheshire Oaks winner Thoughts Of June (runner up won a Group 1 in France since) and the 2nd and 3rd from the Irish 1000 Guineas from 12 days ago in Tuesday and Concert Hall. Both are stepping up in trip and with Ryan Moore presumably choosing Tuesday she maybe the best of the Ballydoyle quartet. Charlie Appleby’s representative With The Moonlight shouldn’t be dismissed as she was very impressive when winning the Pretty Polly at Newmarket on her re-appearance. She looks a different horse to last year and if gallop rumours are correct has come forward again since her trial. It’s a tough race and on a matter of value I’ll play the Godolphin filly each way (if possible look at the firms paying 4 places instead of 3)with a win bet on the favourite who’s the most likely winner.

 

WITH THE MOONLIGHT 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 1234

EMILY UPJOHN 2 points win @ 5/4 William Hill

[richard-westwood]

Eps 235 

Revich   9.0 10/1

La Trinidad  8.7 25/1 

Varyiann   8.3 11/1 

Seasett  8.0 

Tricky and very competitive race but top 2 are very good value so worth a play 

2 x 5pt ew top 2 ...5 places  ..plus 12x .5 forecasts top 4