Horse Racing Preview Friday 9th May - Chester, Lingfield, Nottingham, Aintree, Hamilton and Ripon
May 8, 2008
RACING PREVIEW – MAY 9th - Click here for the best odds on all today’s races
CHESTER
2:15 Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes, Group 3, Colts & Geldings, Class 1, 1m2f75y
A classy renewal, with several top stables represented. Saeed Bin Suroor’s Alexandros tops the official ratings, but has a 254-day absence to overcome. Aidan O’ Brien is doubly represented by Achill Island, the mount of retained jockey John Murtagh, and Sligo. Achill Island boasts some impressive 2-y-o form, including a narrow in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. His recent 16L 6th of 7 at Longchamp was however, disappointing. Sligo’s breeding is top-class, being by Sadler’s Wells, out of a Zafonic mare. To date, his form doesn’t reflect his “blue blood”, though heavy going may have been his undoing at Longchamp recently. Henry Cecil runs Unnefer, a recent Newbury winner, stepping up on his 2-y-o form. Seemingly lacking the potential to develop into a serious Classic contender, but well worthy of his place in this field. Cecil won this race with Oath, en route to Epsom. Sir Michael Stoute is represented by Tajaaweed, an impressive winner of a Nottingham maiden on his 2-y-o debut, but well beaten in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. Ran very green on that occasion, and can only improve with experience.
Betting Forecast: 2/1 Alexandros, 11/4 Achill Island, 5/1 Tajaaweed, 11/2 Unnefer, 10/1 Latin Lad, North Parade, 14/1 Sligo, 50/1 Midnight Muse.
2:45 Blue Square Ormonde Stakes, Group 3, Class1, 1m5f89y
Another worthy renewal, with representatives from the top stables. Luca Cumani runs Bauer, a likeable colt and commanding winner of the Listed Chester Handicap over CD last September. Aidan O’Brien’s Macarthur is a full brother to Racing Post Trophy and Derby winner Motivator, and time may see him in better light than his form to date. Henry Cecil relies on Tempelstern, who, though very progressive in blinkers last year, may have been flattered by his recent close-up third at Newbury, having been allowed an easy lead. John Gosden runs Raincoat , a recent, game winner of a 5-runner conditions race at Ripon. Got to within 4L of subsequent Derby winner Authorized, in last year’s Dante Stakes at York, so merits plenty of respect. Sir Michael Stoute is represented by Red Gala, 4L behind Tempelstern at Newbury. Evidently not fully wound up on that occasion, and simply got tired. A progressive type last year, looks certain to make his mark in this company.
Betting Forecast: 11/4 Macarthur, 5/1 Raincoat, 11/2 Red Gala, 6/1 Tempelstern, 10/1 Bauer, The Last Drop, 12/1 Jadalee, Numide, 14/1 Carte Diamond, 16/1 Steppe Dancer, 20/1 Supersonic Dave.
LINGFIELD
3:10 SGMS Group Handicap, Class 4, 5f
A typically trappy sprint handicap, with most of the runners in form. Kevin Ryan’s Harry up boasts a 1 in 3 winning record on all all-weather surfaces, and seems sure to go well. Mondovi needs to overcome a 255-day absence, while Fromsong is 5lb higher than any previous winning mark, as is Misaro. Given Rod Millman’s record with sprinters, Ocean Blaze merits close consideration, especially with the booking of Darryll Holland, who won on her at Goodwood last season, his only association with the filly.
Betting Forecast: 11/4 Harry Up, 7/2 Fromsong, 9/2 Ocean Blaze, 11/2 Zowington, 7/1 Misaro, 10/1 Silver Prelude, 12/1 Mondovi, 14/1 Merlin’s Dancer.
NOTTINGHAM
3:00 totetrifecta Handicap, Class5, 1m2f50y
All-weather winner Aypeeyes is fit from hurdling, while Crystal Prince and Potentiale have to overcome lengthy absences. John Dunlop’s Bold Bobby Be seems reasonably weighted for his handicap debut and should leave his maiden form well behind.
Betting Forecast: 5/1 Potentiale, 11/2 Bold Bobby Be, 13/2 Idesia, 7/1 Mandalay Prince, 10/1 Aypeeyes, Bavarica, 11/1 King Of Rhythm, 12/1 Crystal Prince, 14/1 Trouble Mountain, Wester Ross, 16/1 Sol Rojo, 20/1 Mulaazem, Sforzando, Watchmaker, 25/1 Bright Sun, Moment Of Clarity.
AINTREE
7:20 Cleanevent Handicap Chase, Class 3, 2m
The booking of Timmy Murphy for the in-form Mango Catcher looks significant. Higher in the weights, Colin Tizzard’s multiple winner Sou’Wester seems sure to go well under Tom O’Brien.
Betting Forecast: 9/2 Benetwood, Sou´Wester, 6/1 Beesneez, 7/1 Greenhope, 8/1 Mango Catcher, 10/1 Bleu Superbe, 12/1 Farmer’s Lad, Lord Jay Jay, 14/1 Bestofthebrownies, Water Taxi, 16/1 Allumee, Or De Grugy.
HAMILTON
6:35 Site Services Plant Ltd Conditions Stakes, Class 3, 6f5y
Exhibition tops the official ratings, but has been off for over 9 months, a comment which equally applies to River Ardeche. David Nicholls’ dual winner Van Bossed and Karl Burke’s Irish Pearl seem set to dominate.
Betting Forecast: 13/8 Perfect Polly, 9/4 Van Bossed, 11/4 Exhibition, 14/1 Irish Pearl, 20/1 River Ardeche, 33/1 Burnwynd Boy.
RIPON
7:30 SIS OB Services Handicap (Class3)
Granston has finished in the frame on all 4 starts here, winning two. Well behind Eglevski last time, but no forlorn hope of reversing placings under different conditions. Eglevski was a very good second at Newbury last month in race that is already working out well. Clearly on a good mark if able to reproduce that form on this sharper track and drying ground. Ballinteni made a likeable AW reappearance, has shown his best form on right-handed tracks and is a leading contender.
Betting Forecast: 11/4 Eglevski, 9/2 Ballinteni, 8/1 Just Bond, 9/1 Granston, Profit’s Reality, Suits Me, 10/1 Veiled Applause, 12/1 Moheebb, 14/1 Jewelled Dagger, 16/1 Film Festival, 20/1 Instructor, 33/1 Danish Rebel.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
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