GG tipster Andrew Mount reveals his list of eyecatchers from the past week’s racing, plus a handy sign-up offer from our friends at 888sport too.
AMALFI SALSA (fourth, 9.4f handicap, Wolverhampton, Wednesday, July 14)
Early pace was the key ingredient in the 9.4f handicap won by Ghostly, with the first three described as ‘close up. Chased leader over 8f out’, ‘soon lead’ and ‘chased leaders’. Marco Botti’s AMALFI SALSA fared best of the hold-up horses in fourth and is the one to take from the race.
BALLINTOY HARBOUR (won, 5f handicap, Newmarket, Friday, July 16)
BALLINTOY HARBOUR confirmed his liking for tracks with stiff uphill finishes with a game success in the 5f Class 4 handicap. His record on stiff tracks now reads 111 (3-3), compared to 436 (0-3) on easy courses.
BIRD FOR LIFE (third, 2m0.5f handicap, Wolverhampton, Wednesday, July 14)
It paid to race on the front end at Wolverhampton last Wednesday and that was certainly the case in the concluding 2m handicap. Fancied pair Aleatoric (7-2) and Coqueta (6-1) swapped the lead throughout whereas 11-4 favourite BIRD FOR LIFE was anchored out the back by Charlie Bennett. The jolly stayed on well but was never going to get there and had to settle for a four-length third behind the pacesetters. She can be forgiven this.
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CASE KEY, won, 6f handicap, Nottingham, Friday, July 16
CASE KEY often comes good at this time of year, recording form figures of 13210521201 (4-11) when racing over 6f in July or August. He bounced back to form with a very easy win at Nottingham last Friday (backed from 20-1 into 11-1) and will surely be aimed at the Grey Horse Handicap at Newmarket next month, a race he won in 2017 and 2019.
HAPPY JACKY (fourth, 2m4f handicap hurdle, Killarney, Friday, July 16)
HAPPY JACKY could only finish an eight-length fourth of seven on his return to hurdles but this was still encouraging given that he doesn’t usually peak until August time. His record in August or September reads 3111 (3-4) and he’s worth keeping a close eye on in the coming weeks.
LOVELY BREEZE (second, 6f fillies’ handicap, Newmarket, Friday, July 16)
The July Course was strongly favouring early pace last Friday and LOVELY BREEZE wasn’t helped by being held up in last place in this 6f fillies’ handicap. She kept on well to grab second in the last few strides but the progressive winner had flown. Her record at this trip reads 2212 (1-4) and she remains open to improvement as a sprinter.
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POUR JOIE (fourth, 2m0.5f handicap, Wolverhampton, Wednesday, July 14)
POUR JOIE could never get involved in the same race as Bird For Life (see above) and did well to finish a 28-1 fourth of 12. A stiffer test of stamina will suit and he’ll be of particular interest when going back over hurdles in a handicap. His three runs over obstacles yielded form figures of P0P (0-3) but he was priced at 50-1, 200-1 and 150-1 respectively and all came in maiden or novice company.
REAL WORLD (won, 1m2f Listed race, Newbury, Saturday, July 17)
REAL WORLD was hugely impressive at Royal Ascot, bolting up in the Hunt Cup despite being drawn on the far side of the track and he made it two from two in cheekpieces with victory in this 1m2f Listed contest. Sent off as the 15-8 favourite, he failed to settle in the early stages but still won going away. He’s 6-1 for the Golden Mile Handicap at Glorious Goodwood and wouldn’t be out of place in the Group 2 Celebration Mile over the same course and distance at the end of next month.
VELVET VISTA (fourth, 7f handicap, Newmarket, Friday, July 16)
Late market mover VELVET VISTA was always playing catch-up after a slow start and did well to keep on into fourth in the concluding 7f handicap. She’s on a career-high mark of 75 after winning six times this year but there could still be more to come.
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YCCS PORTOCERVO, second, 2m4f handicap chase, Uttoxeter, Wednesday, July 14
YCCS PORTOCERVO looked set to land the 2m4f Class 3 handicap chase at Uttoxeter last Wednesday but found less than expected in the finish and the 13-8 favourite had to settle for second place, just over two lengths behind Neville’s Cross. This run took his record in Class 3 or higher company to 4334204 (0-7), compared to figures of P12111 (4-6) at a lower level.
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