UK- Newmarket 4/14

[tenfurlongs]

Race 2- 6f (Row) Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100)

#3- Going Places (4-1) 5yo Frankel gelding has only had five starts but has progressed nicely when able to see a race course. Tuned up on the AW this winter, turns back to 6F but has always raced freely and will take some beating under Hollie Doyle. #4- Chil Chil (7-1) 5yo mare is 8/3-2-1 on turf, likes the distance and won here against better last autumn. Balding and Murphy are on fire.

EX- 3,4/2,3,4,5,10


Race 3- 7f (Row) European Free Handicap (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo)

All seven can make claims but #1- Ontario (9-2) ships over from Ballydoyle after facing Murderers' Row last season. Only one win in seven tries but was second here to New Mandate in the Royal Lodge S. (GII) last fall. #2- Naval Crown (3-2) surprised in most recent, winning the Meydan Classic in February going a mile. Turns back to 7F today, will get good ground and has recency in his favor. Hard to separate the rest.

EX- 1,2/All


Race 4- 1m1f (Row) Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)

Will try to beat even-money #2- Global Giant and Gosdens/Dettori over a trip that may be shorter than his best and not conducive to his style. #3- Marie's Diamond (8-1) can fire fresh, will be forwardly placed and could lead them on a chase. #5- San Donato (7-1) was my upset special but faltered in the Sussex S. (GI) last summer, still needs to prove that a mile and more is in his skill set. Good ground should only help, runs well when fresh.

EX- 3,5/All  Two scratches, so will just bet Marie's Diamond to steal it for the WIN- 3


Race 5- 7f (Row) Nell Gwyn Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo)

Treading lightly with many unexposed 3yo fillies in the mix. #3- Love Is You (7-2) won impressively over heavy ground at Newbury last October to remain undefeated, daughter of Kingman could be any kind. #6- Saffron Beach (2-1) is the buzz horse, 2 for 2 over C&D, won GIII when last seen. #8- Star of Emaraaty (15-1) was purchased by Mr. Yoshida and turned over to the Gosden yard, is a GIII C&D winner, Frankie climbs aboard but the price may hold.

EXBOX- 3,6,8


Bonus: Leopardstown Race 4- 1m Heritage Stakes (Listed Race) (4yo+)

#1- Ancient Spirit (4-1) can fire right off the mark, gets good ground and will take a lot of beating for Harrington/Foley. #8- Lope Y Fernandez (Even) is the class of the field by yards and yards, still needs to prove his merits going a mile. 

EX- 1,8/1,2,6,8


Bonus: Beverly Race 5- 5f 1st Running Of The Beverley Beaker Handicap (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95)

#1- Jawwaal (10-1) carries the high weight but outclasses the field, fast is fast. #8- Saluti (7-1) has recency in his favor, owns a C&D win, should relish the return to grass, gets in light. 

EX- 1,8/1,2,4,6,8  WIN- 8


Race 7- 1m2f (Row) Handicap (Class 3) (3yo 0-95)

#1- Act of Wisdom (5-2) is 3 for 3 on turf including C&D victory last October. Hard to go past this son of Galileo for Godolphin/Appleby/Buick. #3- Roseabad (12-1) is interesting. Progressive in three starts, needs to prove out at this trip but could be flying under the radar at a nice price in here.

EX- 1,3/1,2,3,5,7,8  WIN- 3





TW

[Badactor]

Good Luck, Mr. Williams!

[Badactor]

[1hooper]

The Queen gets a winner. Always have liked those silks.

[1hooper]

Even money currently seems a little short for Love Is You.

[tenfurlongs]

Apr 14, 2021 9:24:08 GMT -5 1hooper said:

The Queen gets a winner. Always have liked those silks.

Nice to see a win there. Oisin Murphy got shut off at the 2F marker with Tactical ($10.80) when he tried to split, yanked him over to the rail and still had lots of horse left to get the neck victory. Looked as if a mile would be within his scope, not sure how much farther. Trainer Balding & Murphy are white-hot right now. Ontario (dismissed at 7-1) ran okay, just looked a little short, clearly this wasn't his early season goal. Son of Galileo has entries for the Dante S. (10.5F), the Irish Guineas, and both Derbies, so he's got options. Naval Crown is being pointed right at the Guineas back here in 17 days, should be sharp as a tack after that. Good race.

From the Racing Post:

Balding told ITV Racing: "Royal Ascot is very much the objective and the purpose here was to find out which race. He might stay a mile and he'll have a St James's Palace entry, and then there's obviously the Jersey Stakes.

"I'll discuss it with Her Majesty and John [Warren] but I think I'd rule out the Commonwealth Cup. It looked very much like seven furlongs, and possibly a mile, would suit him well.

"It was a great thrill for everyone at the yard when he won at Royal Ascot last year and it might be expecting too much to do it again, but he's the right type. He has a great mind."

Asked whether there was further improvement in Tactical, Balding added: "I hope so. He's done very well physically. If he stayed a mile, there'd certainly be more to come as the programme book opens up a bit more, whereas seven furlongs is quite restrictive. But we're thrilled to win today and all roads lead to Ascot."




TW