Good morning/evening everyone, I trust we have enjoyed yet another long week of work and are ready to welcome a good weekend of racing. We managed to continue to good run on the blog last week with two winners and a non runner with Bronze Maquette only just missing out on the placings. Integral and Justice Day were the two winners for us at 8/1 (With a Rule 4) and Integral at 7/2 who it was revealed after the race that she will stay in training next season.
As always we have a video preview prepared for you guys as we discuss the action on Channel 4 tomorrow. You can follow us on Twitter through @OnTheOtherHoof so you never miss any updates about our online shows. Joining me on the panel tonight are a couple of the regular bunch with @Calummadell and @Adamwebb121. We hope you can join us and if you are able to tune in live then you can send any questions or fancies to our Twitter account of @OnTheOtherHoof... Just in case you forgot it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJrLKhqDleo&feature=youtu.be
Now onto the all important selections.
2:20 York - First Flight
Now you will have to be patient with me for our first selection of the day as First Flight has appeared on the blog a lot this season. He has however been nothing but consistent with one small blip a couple of outings ago, however he came back to form last time and has been found a nice race to go forward with.
His season started off with a couple of good efforts over a mile on bottomless ground when beaten by What About Carlo and Chatez, who have both franked the form since. First Flight has subsequently found his niche over a mile and two furlongs after a bold run in the Britannia at Royal Ascot from a poor draw. He won cosily when well supported in the market on his first attempt over 10 furlongs, when beating Ajmany and Awake My Soul who have both boosted the form with victories. Last time out was a bit of a disaster for First Flight and despite finishing 2nd to a well handicapped rival, may have been a race to forget. He was held up a long way off the pace and held onto for too long at Newbury, so when Richard Hughes finally asked for his effort he had a further eight lengths to find on Air Pilot. I may be being a bit harsh on Mr Hughes there as Air Pilot did run out a ready winner and he would have been hard pressed to beat him under any situation on that day.
He runs today off a mark of 98, which is two pounds higher than his effort at Newbury and this looks an easier race against more exposed rivals. First Flight to refind the winning thread and take a step towards contesting Group contests next season or possibly book himself a place on the plane to Meydan. (4/1)
2:40 Newmarket - Marsh Daisy
Hughie Morrison sends two of his yard to Newmarket today with good chances and Marsh Daisy has been one of his stars of the season. She hasn't exactly built on her early season exploits but in fairness has been contesting much better races than what she encounters today.
Marsh Daisy announced herself onto the Listed races scene with a decisive success in the Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood, but she still hasn't really improved on that effort. her next port of call was in the Oaks at Epsom which was too hot for her and she disappointed at Deauville after that in a Group Three. Both of them disappointments came over a mile and a half which in hindsight may just stretch her stamina, so the drop in trip at Goodwood was understandable. That came in quite a hot Listed race against Grandeur and Danadana who both returned to somewhere near their better form, so in truth a third to them isn't a bad effort on ground that was likely too fast. That won't be a problem today with rain forecast and a repeat effort from Goodwood should see her go close back against her own sex. (12/1)
3:00 Musselburgh - Miss Mullberry
Up to Musselburgh now for Dave O'Meara who will do well to have another weekend as good as the last after Move In Time was victorious in the Abbaye, however Miss Mullberry can continue the good form for the yard.
Kodiac has had a fantastic first season as a Sire including the exciting Tiggy Wiggy, but Miss Mullberry is a completely different character. She was beaten off a mark of 71 in her first attempt at a Nursery but has taken massive strides in three races off higher marks since. The first of those came at Thirsk off a mark of 74 when she by no means got an easy run after having to switch wide late on, she just held on that day but improved again next time out at Ripon. She claimed the notable scalps of the highly regarded Snap Shots and Zeb Un Isa in good style on that occasion which hinted at a bit more ability than previously shown. Connections decided to pitch her in at the deep end last time out and take on better horses in a Listed race at Ayr. Out of nowhere she improved to finish sixth, however she couldn't have had a more luckless run after being stopped for a run on more than one occasion. That was still a huge step forward and this race looks decidedly easier and is a fantastic opportunity to boost her profile as a Broodmare. (9/2)
3:10 Newmarket - Battersea
Our final call today comes from Newmarket who stage a fantastic three year old handicap which has attracted a strong field of 24. There are many improving types in the race and it could just be that you need a Group horse to win a race of this value.
Roger Varian saddles Battersea who has actually already won a race of this standard last time out when victorious at Ascot in another competitive race. That earned him his second win in as many races, but he did take his time to really find his stride after being beaten on his first four attempts. Since stepping up to a mile and a half he is two from two and has won going away both times in strong races but is yet to suggest that the handicapper is anywhere close to being in control.
He has been raised ten pounds for his latest victory which may not be enough based on the style in which he went about that race. This means he must defy a mark of 100 and as mentioned earlier on, if he wins this then he is a Group horse which is exactly what I think he is. Battersea to defy the handicapper once more an end the day on a high note for us. (15/2)
NAP - First Flight
NB - Miss Mulberry
Good luck today guys and as always, happy punting!
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