Today there is some interesting racing and selections are below.
4.25 Ascot – SOIE D’LEAU. 12/1 is available but take the 10/1 where four places are paid.
0.5pts ew
We backed this one last time out where I must say I think he ran a cracker. He was beaten just over a length by Shamson and Top Boy, but those two both carry more weight today (3lb and 1lb) and that alone could mean the ever consistent SOIE D’LEAU could reverse those places. Remember he won a big handicap at Doncaster last year on good ground off 96 and runs here off 92. He is good enough to win this. Joe Fanning is a good booking and has a good record for the yard.
4.55 Ascot – MIDNIGHT MALIBU. 7/2 is available generally.
1pt win
MIDNIGHT MALIBU should be clear fav here and should win. This horse won this race last year off 79 and runs here off 80, in a very good vein of form. She last time out was just beaten by a good horse in the form of Foxy Forever off this mark. She really had the race stolen from her as she ran a great race which was worthy of winning but she comes here off the same mark. She beat Cosmopolitan Girl in this last year closely but is 4lb more (7lb including Rachel Richardson’s claim) and I really think she should have the beating of this field from Stall 8.
6.30 York – POMME DE TERRE (8/1) & KIBAAR (20/1). Take the prices with firms that are paying five places.
0.5pts ew (both)
A fantastic York sprint handicap and I would be disappointed if the winner isn’t one of these. POMME DE TERRE is a 3 time distance winner and one of those wins came over C&D when winning off 79 last summer. He runs off just a 1lb higher mark here after two fantastic runs behind Msehardal/Round The Island at Thirsk (both next time out winners) and then at Doncaster earlier this month when narrowly beaten. His time is close and York form is very important.
KIBAAR is another that loves York and is simply overpriced. His form here is 1st (off 85), 2nd (off 91) and 2nd (off 85). He runs here off 77 so is too well handicapped to ignore. Although his form this year hasn’t been hugely impressive, last year coming into a race at this track he was in dreadful form and very nearly got the better of Robot Boy in a 19 runner handicap. That was off an 8lb higher mark too. He simply loves it here and if in the right frame of mind is handicapped to win.
8.00 York – ONE WORD MORE. 10/1 is available generally. 3 places paid at 1/4 odds.
0.5pts ew
A very open handicap but surely ONE WORD MORE is worth a bet here on handicapping terms. Firstly he drops into a Class 3 handicap for the first time for the yard after competing at Class 2 and Listed level for 2 years now. Some of his form is top class, including some course form to point out when 2nd to Jallotta in a 17 runner handicap off 99, 5th in an 18 runner handicap off 103, 3rd in a Listed handicap off 98, and then one more important piece of form when beaten less than a length by Home Cummins (re-opposes here) off 99. He was giving Home Cummins 7lb that day but tomorrow gives 2lb. That plus a grade drop for a horse that is dangerously well handicapped off 92 equals a very good value bet. I would also say that all things considered from a form basis he is the best horse in the race.
Good Luck.
The Snout.
