Good evening/morning to you all, today marks the last day of what has been a long week at York for the Ebor festival culminating in the Betfred Ebor itself. There have been some highs and lows throughout the week including the lowest low of Taghrooda tasting defeat for the first time, but those shadows were shone away by the awesome performance courtesy of Sole Power on Friday. Supporting the York card today we have strong meetings at Goodwood and Newmarket which both have Listed action with the former staging a Group race.
As always we have a video preview prepared for you all as we discuss the Channel 4 action for the day. Joining me this week are @Adamwebb121, @Calummadell and @Mytentoryours and this shall also mark the last video of a busy week. We hope you enjoy the show!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgBLPLwbWhA (Live show at 8:45pm ish)
Now onto the all important selections.
2:55 Goodwood - Heavy Metal
Mark Johnston has been in fantastic form for the majority of the season including when landing the International Stakes at Ascot with Heavy Metal in July. That effort came off an eight pound lower mark than today but he has since posted a good effort at Goodwood over a furlong further, when caught in the final stride by Red Avenger.
He hit the front too early that day and mixed in with a stamina doubt over a mile doesn't make for a good outcome, however he knuckled down late in the day to just be denied. Suitably he has been dropped to seven furlongs for today's race but he must defy another six pound rise which puts him near Group class, that is exactly where we will see him next if victorious today. His last run also came after a break of only six days which may have been a bit too soon for him, but today he comes here after 22 days off. Heavy Metal and Joe Fanning to put the record straight and take one large step closer to Group company over his beloved seven furlongs. (15/2)
3:55 Newmarket - Intrinsic
Robert Cowell has been patient all season with Intrinsic and he finally got his reward last time out when his charge duly obliged in the 32Red Cup (Stewards Cup). Now it is time for him to become a man in a higher grade and confirm the hype that his connections have awarded him in the early part of his career.
His career started off in the care of Sir Michael Stoute where he was victorious once, however since switching to the care of Robert Cowell he is unbeaten in three attempts. These have also come over six furlongs, however he did have some entries in top five furlong races showing that he has no shortage of speed. This is probably more his level for the moment as even though he was mightily impressive at Goodwood, he still showed signs of being green.
Despite travelling into the race strongly he shied away from the whip under a right hand drive from Richard Hughes, however when switching hands he straightened up and went away from the field in good style. Tom Queally takes over in the saddle today which is a small negative as he hasn't ridden the horse before, but he is more than capable of course. Intrinsic to be the second that takes a big step towards Group company today. (9/2)
4:40 Goodwood - Kings Fete
If you are a frequent reader of this blog or if you have ever conversed with me for more than 10 seconds you will know that I am a huge fan of Kings Fete. His last visit to this course ended in defeat however he still put in a monster performance and James Doyle will have learned a lot about the horse.
Despite being beaten three lengths by Double Bluff he still shaped as the best horse in the race after settling around 15 lengths off the pace when turning for home, when the eventual winner was already on the front end. Despite this he managed to close down the margin to three lengths at the finish but was staying on all the time which explains the extra two furlongs today.
One thing that could be viewed as a negative is the removal of his hood which was used last time and seemed to calm him down compared to his York run. However he does seem to be a horse who is improving with every run and natural progression may take over from what the hood could provide. Kings Fete to land today's event to stamp his authority on the St Leger market (Why is everyone proving something today!?). (9/4)
5:00 York - Bancnuanaheireann
Today's final selection has already broken the record of 'amount of times I have checked the spelling of a name before posting a blog' and I still couldn't be sure if I am right. But despite having a really difficult name he also holds a good chance at a big price after turning in a good effort at Ascot last time after a break.
He found a mile too sharp last time out on Shergar Cup day although he did travel into the race like a dream before found wanting for a bit of speed. Despite that, he finished fifth but only a length behind the eventual winner and was never closer throughout the whole race so the extended 10 furlongs should be right up his street.
Last season he was victorious in the Silver Cambridgeshire, but his trainer Mick Appleby will no doubt have his sights set on the main event this time around. To make sure there is no doubt about him getting into the Cambridgeshire he must at least run well today which would boost his handicap mark by a few pounds as he is currently 41st on the list. We hope to round off the day with Bancnuanaheireann winning for us at big odds. (22/1)
NAP - Kings Fete
Nb - Heavy Metal
Good luck everyone and as always, happy punting!
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