Matthew Sutcliffe is the newest recruit to the GG team and he will be looking back on the previous weekend for smart performances, as well as picking the best value plays ahead of Saturday’s action.
Published: 3pm June 7th (Odds correct at time of publication)
Pointers
Epsom Eyecatchers – Friday
Haatem – Phoenix Of Spain x Hard Walnut (Cape Cross) – Trainer: Richard Hannon.
Haatem was somewhat of an unlucky loser in the Woodcote last Friday. He reared at the
start, losing 4-5 lengths to the field and it was probably game over from there. However,
despite being 3rd last turning for home, he was nursed into contention and quickened up
sharply to be on the heels of the leaders in the last furlong, before having his momentum
checked by Land Lover who hung left into his path. The winner was only two lengths ahead
of Haatem on the turn but had a clear run down the outside which aided his course. Plenty
went wrong for the eventual 3rd but he ran another excellent race, and Richard Hannon has
already noted the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot is likely to be on the agenda. He’s a
general 33/1 shot for the race which may slightly underestimate his talents.
Orbaan – Invincible Spirit x Contradict (Raven’s Pass) – Trainer: David O’Meara.
Orbaan was 3rd in the 7F handicap at the end of the day on this card last year off a mark of
87, kickstarting a successful campaign that culminated in two valuable back-to-back
handicap wins off 87 and 95, sandwiched in between five places in other big handicaps. It
was pleasing to see him keeping on when 4th behind Austrian Theory, who was simply not
for passing. Orbaan stepped up on his two lacklustre runs this season and shaped as if he’s
returning to a workable mark to land another big pot. The David O’Meara yard are a dab-
hand in these contests and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him pop up soon enough. I’m not
sure whether it’ll come off a mark of 97 however, but once he’s back below his last winning
mark he’ll be a prime contender for any handicap he lines up in.
Caernarfon – Cityscape x Royal Ffanci (Royal Applause) – Trainer: Jack Channon.
I didn’t have much of an opinion on last Fridays Oaks, especially when Dance In The Grass
wasn’t declared, and I deserted Caernarfon (on account of not staying the trip) despite
putting her up for the column in the 1000 Guineas. While I don’t think she stayed, she
impressed me even more so then her staying on 4th in that torrid Newmarket ground. She
briefly led over two furlongs out having travelled like a dream, but probably didn’t have the
stamina to keep up with Savethelastdance and Soul Sister. Prior to the race, she was rated
15lbs and 14lbs below the pair, so it really was a testament to her ability and Jack Channon’s
belief in her that she was able to run that well. She showed her versatility ground wise but
I’d be inclined to suggest faster ground will aid her cause. I think she’ll continue to be
overpriced throughout the season and is certainly a filly to keep onside.
Streets Of Gold – Havana Gold x Truly Honoured (Frankel) – Trainer: Eve Johnson
Houghton.
Streets of Gold was an expertly placed revelation for Eve Houghton as a 2Yo last season. A
terrific five wins from as many starts, ending with a valuable win in the British EBF £100,000
2Yo Series at York over seven furlongs. He was a disappointing 15L 6th over that trip in the
Greenham on seasonal debut, but returned to form with a staying on 3rd in the Surrey
Stakes, while looking like he didn’t quite enjoy the experience of Epsom all that much. Being
by Havana Grey, it’s no surprise he wasn’t short of speed as a two year old, but as he
develops I think he could blossom into a horse that stays further. He’s out of an unraced
Frankel mare who related to several winners over longer trips, including the 2011 Derby
2nd/Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach and 2018 Queen Alexandra. He’s bred to improve
with age, and it’ll be interesting to see what route the yard go down with him. Currently, he
has entries in the Commonwealth Cup and the Bunbury Cup. The former is surely out of the
equation, while he would be of interest in the latter. However, there’s only been six three
year old’s take the race since it began in 1962, with the last one coming in 1998. He’s
currently rated 105 and I do think he’s got the potential to pick up black type success, but it
would be interesting to see him tackle a premier handicap at the head of the weights.
Epsom Eyecatchers – Saturday
White Birch – Ulysees x Diagnostic (Dutch Art) – Trainer: John Joseph Murphy.
The crown jewel of flat racing was captured by Auguste Rodin, who bounced back from his
heavy defeat in the 2000 Guineas gritty fashion when out-staying the gallant effort of King
Of Steel in the 2023 Epsom Derby. Despite his self-criticism of getting there too early, I
thought Kevin Stott gave the 2 nd an excellent ride, but Ryan Moore timed his challenge to
perfection. White Birch was a bet for the column and the writing on the wall was evident
early on. Last on the turn for home, Colin Keane would have needed a Ferrari-like turn of
foot from the grey to have won from there. That said, the display of speed he possessed to
come past the whole field bar the two that got away was still impressive enough. He came
from the rear in the Ballysax and the Dante, but it’s near impossible to do such a thing at
Epsom and win, though I don’t think Colin Keane was at fault for that. I think White Birch
has plenty to learn in terms of racing, his tendency to be slowly away and race a tad lazily in
the early part of his races this year has forced him to bank on a pace collapse. When, or if,
he learns to race more forward in the early stages of his races, I think we’ll see a very
serious horse. Stamina certainly looks his forte, though he isn’t short of speed for a middle
distance colt, hence connections’ supposed tilt toward the Irish Derby. However, I would
love to see connections send him to the St Leger, a contest he looks tailor-made for
especially as the ground will likely come up softer for him by then.
Mr Wagyu – Choisir x Lake Louise (Haatef) – Trainer: John Quinn.
The admirable eight-year old Mr Wagyu fared the best of those who were prominent in the
curtain closer of the Derby meeting, shaping as if he’s ready to strike. He won that race last
year off a 2lbs higher mark, before going on to finish 4 th in the Wokingham off a 7lbs higher
mark. He’s 5lbs below that now, and no doubt he’ll be back for another attempt. Ten of his
fifteen career wins have come in June, the other five coming in July, so there’s no question
that he shines around this time of year. He’s currently priced up at 16/1 for the race and
must stand an excellent chance of going three places better than last years effort.
Elsewhere last weekend
Carla’s Way – Starspangledbanner x Sulaalaat (New Approach) – Trainer: Simon & Ed
Crisford.
Away from Epsom, you may have missed a very promising type. Very rarely do you see a
two-year old filly race so keenly throughout a race before quickening up in the latter stages
to win cosily. The £350,000 purchase of Carla’s Way did just that at Doncaster on Saturday.
Her dam has thus far produced two foals other that have yet to win a race in a combined 17
attempts, but this well put together daughter of Starspangledbanner showed herself to be a
class apart from her siblings. Eight lengths behind her was Miss Roberts, who was previously
3/4L behind Jabaara on her debut. The latter mentioned currently tops the Albany market,
whereas Carla’s Way is around a 12/1 shot. Unless I’m missing something blindingly obvious,
the price differential is nonsensical, and the Crisfords’ filly represents much better value.
Ace Impact – Cracksman x Absolutly Me (Anabaa Blue) – Trainer: Jean Claude Rouget.
My performance of the week has to be from Cracksman colt Ace Impact, who took his
unbeaten career record to four in the Group 1 Prix Du Jockey Club. He won the coveted race
in a record time, quicker than the likes of Vadeni, St Marks Basillica and Arc winner Sottsass.
He was awarded a timefrom rating of 126p, joint with Auguste Rodin. There’s been a lot of
talk about comparing the two, but they are incomparable. By that, I mean Ace Impact’s
performance topped anything I’ve seen for a long while. Big Rock had set a quick gallop up
front and was still 3 lengths clear 1 ½ out. It looked as if the favourite was too classy for the
field, before Ace Impact was delivered late in the day to collar him and win going away
impressively. The Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains was 2L behind Big Rock, so it’s not as if
the winner was flattered by a pace collapse. Ace Impact was Cracksman’s first classic winner
in his first crop, and it will be an important success for his status at stud. He’s been well
backed into vying for favouritism at the top of the Arc market, and at 8/1 he rates a
confident bet for me. I loved everything about his performance and on that evident he’ll
have no issue getting the trip.
Latin Five – Camacho x Penolva (Galileo) – Trainer: Paul Midgley.
Latin Five hasn’t a great strike rate (4-47) and last won in July 2022, but having been
dropped 11lbs since then he ran his best race yet, finishing 1/2L 2 nd to Grandfather Tom who
quickly backed that run up two days later up 4lbs. Latin Five travelled strongly and critics
may suggest Graham Lee would like the ride again, but there was still plenty of positives to
take from his performance and he’s one to keep onside of next time out.
Alseeyerthere – Al Kazeem x Magic Destiny (Dubai Destination) – Trainer: Steph
Hollinshead
Not many racehorses make their debut at four years old, and not many would stay in
training thereafter when being beaten a combined forty-four lengths in three races.
However, Alseeyerthere made her fourth and most promising one when returned to action
at Doncaster last weekend. The now five year old travelled up nicely on the outside, before
keeping on all the way to the line to be beaten only 1 ¾ lengths, shaping as if she’ll come on
for the run after 269 days off. Presumably she’s showing up nicely at home to be kept in
training as a 5yo, and she’s a full sister to connections Al Simmo, who broke her maiden off
a mark of 57 as a 4yo before going on to be rated 90, as well as albeseeingyer who has shot
up 23lbs after five wins in handicaps. If she obtains the level of handicapping scope her
siblings have, then Alseeyerthere could be a similar progressive type for connections and
rack up a couple of wins from her low mark of 55.
Weekend Punts
Haydock 3:35 Sky Bet John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)
The Wizard Of Eye 8/1 0.5pt WIN
The Wizard Of Eye has kept lofty company throughout his career and was far from disgraced in
the Group 1 Lockinge last time out. He was travelling better than most 2F out but didn’t get much
of a clear run when gathering momentum, for all he was likely outclassed. That said, he was only
a length behind Berkshire Shadow in a conditions stakes at the All-weather championships, who
was and excellent 3 rd in the Lockinge. He drops back to Group 3 level here on quicker ground
which should suit. At the current time of entries, there’s not many who will likely for ce the pace
so there’s a chance he could get an easy lead. Aldaary is the current 7/4f but his record on GF
ground reads 755, as opposed to 3111111 on soft-heavy ground. Our selection has 7L to find
with Angel Bleu (if declared) on their C&D encounter last month, but I’d be hopeful that The
Wizard Of Eye can reverse that form on quicker ground, and the way he weakened quickly out of
contention their suggests he didn’t give his true running.
Sky Bet Reverence Handicap (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95)
Cooperation 12/1 1pt EW (Bet365 3 places)
I don’t think Murphy & Keady’s 5yo son of Mehmas has done improving just yet, and his
ambitious entry in the Wokingham may back up that claim. He was placed as 2yo for Richard
Hannon then Richard Fahey, for whom he won twice for before winning once for Kevin Philippart
De Foy. Robert Cowell failed to get a win out of him in nine attempts, dropping17lbs in the
handicap as a result. However he made the perfect start for his new yard, conjuring up a quick
ground double at Nottingham in a first time hood within the space of 5 days last August. It looks
as if Murphy & Keady have unlocked the key to him, and he delivered another win for the team
last May, beating a subsequent winner a shade cosily. He fared the best of those held up that
day as the next three home had all raced prominent, displaying a nice change of gear. He was
far from disgraced when 4 th last time out at Ascot when a 1 ¼ L behind one on a hattrick of wins,
and he was rated 84 when with Robert Cowell as a 3yo so his current mark shouldn’t be beyond
him. His record on GF ground reads 225112 which bodes well for the weekend.
Haydock 1:15 – Sky Bet Achilles Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Raasel 1.5pt 8/1 WIN
Raasel was reportedly never travelling in the G2 Temple Stakes over C&D last time out which
may be a factor in his early price here, but if you can draw a line through that then he’s
overpriced at this current time. He won this contest under James Doyle last season and he’s
rated 2lbs higher this time around. The likes of Clarendon House, Fine Wine, Makarova and
Equality all like to be ridden prominent (Fine Wine will guarantee a strong pace if declared) which
will suit Raasel who has been seen to best effect when ridden cold. He’s 1-1 in listed contests on
these shores, has won in G3, and placed in G2 company. James Doyle’s (jocked up currently)
record on him reads 11121124 and the Appleby yard have come in to some form after their slow
start to the season.
Royal Ascot Antepost pointers already advised
Wonder Legend – King George V Stakes
Royal Scotsman – 4/1 St James’ Palace
Midnight Affair – 10/1 Queen Mary
Natural Force – 12/1 Windsor Castle
Ferrari Queen – 40/1 EW Ribblesdale
Point Lonsdale – 10/1 Hardwicke
Highfield Princess – 5/1 Kings Stand
Love Wars – 25/1 Queen Mary EW
Yibir – 20/1 Gold Cup EW
Mostabshir – 12/1 St James’ Palace
Mitbaahy – King’s Stand 66/1 EW
Shining Blue – 16/1 Royal Hunt Cup
Run To Freedom – 33/1 QEII NAP
Haatem 33/1 EW Coventry
Mr Wagyu 16/1 Wokingham