Good morning/evening to you all, I hope you are all ready for a huge day of racing today including a fiercely competitive Coral Eclipse for which The Fugue is the favourite. Sandown takes the lead out of all the Saturday meetings however Haydock stage the yearly Old Newton Cup with a strong supporting card. Last weekend saw a successful one with our nap, Gregorian winning at a nice price to put us up on the day, but we hope to better that today. Next week also marks the start of the July meeting at Newmarket, but first things first, let's get stuck into today's racing.
As always we have a video preview online for you guys, however we also have a special video in which we discuss the name change of the Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood. Joining me for that video are @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell, the same two join me on the panel for the weekly preview with the addition of @Mytentoryours. We hope you enjoy the videos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU2fkaA0NYk - OnTheOtherHoof special, sponsorship in racing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLH0I9FzAO4 - Weekly Preview
Now onto today's selections!
2:05 Sandown - Steps
Roger Varian's Gelding is one that will appreciate the forecast overnight rain, which should ease the going of the Sprint course that is regularly softer than the round course. He was last seen when a tad unlucky in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot when flying home late on after getting himself badly outpaced early in the race. It was very much the same story in the Epsom Dash under top weight when all chance looked to have disappeared when he fell out of the stalls. However he did very well to get himself back in the mix and it was a near miracle that he almost won over a fast five furlongs that wouldn't have suited. The stiff five furlong course at Sandown looks much more to his liking and will take a lot of beating if reproducing his last two efforts here today. (6/1)
3:15 Sandown - Queen Catrine
Unlike Steps, Queen Catrine isn't one that will appreciate the overnight rain, however it was very fast ground today and there doesn't look sufficient rain to do too much damage on the round course. Saying that however, she was third in the Prix Marcel Boussac on softer ground with the ill fated Lesstalk In Paris ahead of her, a repeat of that form should see her go close. We last saw her at Royal Ascot in the Sandringham when not receiving the best of rides from Jamie Spencer, however when asked she made up good late ground and just failed to catch Muteela. With Ryan Moore booked seeming a huge positive with Jamie Spencer riding Toast Of New York at Belmont Park, Queen Catrine is taken to get her head back in front. (9/4)
3:30 Haydock - Havana Cooler
Luca Cumani has won this race three times since 2004 and always seems to aim one here with Franciscan finishing fifth in the race last season. Havana Cooler is trusted with representing the stable this season after a very good reappearance at Royal Ascot behind Arab Spring which was a much stronger contest than today. That was his only run as a four year old so far but his three year old form is looking top class after beating Pether's Moon and Cat O'Mountain and a third in the Melrose. He was ridden with restraint last time and without the clearest of passages found it hard to stamp any kind of mark on the race, but today's stiffer stamina test should benefit him. Havana Cooler to take his final step this afternoon before tackling Group races. (9/2)
5:15 Haydock - Roseburg
We round off the day with Roseburg who has been slowly improving for Luca Cumani and faces a six pound rise for his victory by a short head last time out, which on paper seems harsh. However the first two pulled clear of a good field and he had the race in safe keeping when going clear two furlongs out and wandering around in front close to home. He is value for further than that success and it would be no surprise if he could defy the rise in the handicap. It is also worth noting that Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum who is the owner of Roseburg and the retainer of Andrea Atzeni wanted him here instead of allowing him the ride on Kingston Hill. (13/8)
NAP - Havana Cooler
Nb - Steps
Good luck everyone and as always, happy punting!
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