Friday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Alex Frost, whose Alizeti Consortium is taking over the Tote, has spoken for the first time of his disappointment at Steve Harman giving up his position as chairman of racing’s ruling body, the eventual result of their meeting at the Cheltenham Festival. Frost praised Harman’s qualities and noted his good relationship with members of the government, giving racing access to power it has not always enjoyed.
“I don’t think it’s been a great result for anybody, really, I don’t think there are any winners out of that situation,” Frost said. “The interaction we did have, I thought he was tremendously professional and I’ve only got good things to say about him.”
Harman agreed this week that he will step down from his role as chairman of the British Horseracing Authority in November and become instead a BHA consultant, liaising with parliamentarians over the future funding of horse racing. Board members responded by agreeing to set aside concerns about his explanations of his meetings with Frost. An investigation had already concluded that Harman did not allow a conflict of interest to arise in his meeting with Frost, which makes the end of his chairmanship seem a very expensive outcome.
Frost, a former banker at Merrill Lynch, evidently has reservations about the BHA in light of its treatment of Harman, for all that he expresses it guardedly. “I’m very used to an industry that’s well regulated; the FCA is tremendously effective and the SEC in the US is very, very effective. Good industries need good regulating. This has not been a great scenario for anyone, frankly.”
Referring to Harman’s new role, Frost said: “I think that tells you that the government were very, very approving of what he was doing and I think that’s the ultimate accolade. You saw what [culture secretary] Matt Hancock said about him last week, he was extraordinarily positive. That’s a great indication of somebody who’s doing something very meaningful for the sport.”
Today’s racing for me is all about Juneau (3.20) at Bath. I make no attempt to disguise from you that this is a recovery mission because I really fancied Mark Johnston’s filly at Beverley last time. She looked the winner, too, when she made a big move around the field off the home turn, but was then swamped by the well backed Neverbeen To Paris.
The winner looked really useful and I still think so after a third place at Catterick yesterday, where he failed to handle the undulations. Juneau gets to race from the same mark, having looked like a winner waiting to happen on her last two starts. Please let today be the day. She’s 11-8.
At Haydock, Shepherd Market (3.30) is backable at 2-1 and that’ll do for me about a filly who looks the form standout for this novice contest, having gone close at Listed level when last seen in October. She’s from the Clive Cox stables, which has been among the winners. Her main rival, Feline Groovy, ran well on her debut but those who finished right behind her have done nothing for the form.
I like 3-1 about Swiss Chime (2.00) for Goodwood’s opener. Richard Hannon’s zippy filly can show the benefit of two previous starts. Pat Dobbs rides for the first time and may help her settle a bit better than she has been doing.
Haydock 1.50 Mac O'Polo 2.20 Good Fortune 2.55 Beyond Equal 3.30 Shepherd Market (nb) 4.05 Improve 4.40 Mosalim 5.15 Dashing Poet 5.45 Seaborough
Goodwood 2.00 Swiss Chime 2.35 Portledge 3.10 Talaaqy 3.45 Aspetar 4.20 George Bowen 4.55 Uber Cool 5.25 Crystal Deauville
Bath 2.10 Secretfact 2.45 New Queen 3.20 Juneau (nap) 3.55 Yellow Fire 4.30 Napping 5.05 Leo Minor 5.35 Barrsbrook
Worcester 5.40 Monetaire 6.15 Jaleo 6.45 Voix D'Eau 7.15 Hidden Impact 7.45 The Bottom Bar 8.15 Sauvignon 8.45 Libby T Valance
Pontefract 6.30 Zeshov 7.00 New Society 7.30 Thegreatestshowman 8.00 Alsvinder 8.30 Savannah Moon 9.00 Angels
