Only five will go to post for the Gp 2 Gt Voltigeur Stakes at Yok tomorrow and I would be very disappointed if Logician (6/4 favourite at BetVictor) did not maintain his unbeaten record.
Aidan O’Brien is doubly represented with Constantinople (9/4) and Norway (12s) although the former disappointed me at Goodwood last time when finishing second to Nayef Road who reopposes on 3lbs worse terms. Note the ground was given as good at midday on Monday.
Hamilton have been forced to abandon today’s card, but at Kempton this afternoon Overpriced Mixer (2.30) is taken to go one better than when runner up at Chepstow on his second start for Jamie Osborne. The selection has the worst of the draw in stall eight, but connections look to have found a decent opportunity and this step up to a mile should suit. Oisin Murphy takes over in the saddle for the first time.
Technician won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes for Rob Hornby and trainer Martyn Meade at Newbury on Saturday and the duo team up with the filly Loving Glance (3.00) in the 1st Division of the Novice event over a mile. The selection kept on all the way to the line when runner up on the July course last time and she may get slightly further, but connections will be keen to get a win next to her name. She is drawn in stall one and I hope Hornby ensures there is a decent gallop.
Loving Glance had Magical Rhythms (3.30) back in third at Newmarket last time and Frankie Dettori has just the one booked ride at Kempton before he travels north for Logician, King Of Comedy, Enable et al on the Knavesmire this week.
At Yarmouth, Amber Island (5.25) steps up to a mile after finishing a staying on third at Newmarket on debut when she may have been inconvenienced for racing close to the stands’ rail. The selection is not certain to get a mile – certainly not as a juvenile – on breeding but William Buick was in the plate on her debut and looks sure to have recommended to Charlie Appleby that his filly would appreciate an additional furlong.
Knowing was going away at the finish when scoring here over 10f last time from a 3lbs lower mark and he has every chance with the additional quarter-mile holding no terrors. The vote, however, goes to the filly Albanita (5.55) who finished third from this mark over slightly further at Lingfield – turf – last time.
At Brighton Archie Watson fits Laikaparty (2.10) with cheek-pieces for the first time and he is taken to make it third time lucky. The gelding has finished second in both starts and certainly deserves to win a race. He is unlikely to have many better opportunities.
Veteran Brighton specialist Roy Rocket (3.40) has won nine times on the south coast and ran a cracking race at Windsor last time off this mark. John Egan – who has been in the saddle for six of those course successes – returns to the saddle on John Berry’s popular and evergreen grey.
I’m going to give Lady Mascara (4.10) another chance in the 10f handicap having travelled well, but found disappointingly little, at Sandown last time. James Fanshawe’s filly has only had six career starts and remains open to further improvement. Tom Marquand takes over in the saddle.
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