Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Some fascinating races make up the first half of Newmarket’s card today as their Future Champions festival begins. Just so you’re aware (because this is rare on a Friday), Channel 4 are showing seven races live from there and from York.
The most fascinating aspect of the Fillies’ Mile for me is the clash between two runners from the Aidan O’Brien yard that has won this race three times, including last year. He fields Minding, a perfectly reasonable choice of favourite, given that she’s already a Group One winner from the Moyglare Stakes last month. The runner-up that day, also from Ballydoyle and actually named after the stable, has since won her own Group One.
But I wonder if there might be value at 13-2 in O’Brien’s other runner today, Coolmore (3.10), named after the bloodstock giant that employs the trainer. She hasn’t been so highly tried as her stablemate but looks pleasingly progressive and finished strongly to win a Group Three last time, wearing cheekpieces for the first time.
Both horses have clear potential to keep improving but it might be that Coolmore’s potential is greater, she being the third foal out of You’resothrilling, a Cherry Hinton winner and sister to Giant’s Causeway. The first two foals out of this remarkable mare have been Gleneagles and Marvellous, both Classic winners.
Jockey bookings suggest Minding is the one, Ryan Moore being aboard, but I wonder if it’s a good idea to assume that that concludes matters. O’Brien has won top-class races in the past with apparent second-strings and may not yet have a definite view about which of these is superior. Given the discussion this year about Joseph O’Brien’s place in the Ballydoyle team, it will at least be fascinating to see how he and Coolmore fare here; no other jockey has ridden her so far.
The ground will probably be on the soft side and that may be a point in Minding’s favour but Coolmore will relish the extra distance and I think this straight mile may play to her strengths.
The staying handicap that follows is ferociously competitive and I am possibly going to regret deserting Duretto, who dead-heated for first at Ascot last time after being given rather a lot of ground to make up in the straight. But Argus (3.45) appeals slightly more, being from the Ralph Beckett yard that has held its form so well in recent weeks.
This colt won on his handicap debut when last seen in June, beating Keble, who was then a close second from a higher mark at Glorious Goodwood. A 5lb rise for that seems very reasonable and Argus should love the additional quarter-mile. He’s 8-1.
At Wolverhampton tonight, 6-1 might be a bit big about Kissy Suzuki (7.40), who showed some promise on her second start, nine months after her first, when fourth at Kempton in August. This step back up in trip looks good news in a winnable heat.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Medicine Hat 14-1
Ready Token 9-4
Sweet P 5-2
Tuesday
Agent Gibbs 7-2
Sir Jack Layden 25-1
Spring Loaded 7-2
Wednesday
Viren’s Army 5-2
Boherna Lady 2-1
Lancelot Du Lac 7-4
Thursday
What’s Left 4-1
Majestic Myles 9-1
Fire Fighting 11-4
And our leader is. . .
TL127 +15.25
... though he may be feeling vulnerable after two winnerless days. Other good scores: Knottlamag +7, Steve Ellis +6.75, Sportingbest +6.50, Bigboozer +4.25, Harrytheactor +4.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.40 Newmarket, 3.10 Newmarket, 3.45 Newmarket. (All these are on Channel 4.)
This week, we’re giving you a second chance to win a copy of the Racing & Football Outlook Jumps Guide 2015-16, currently at the printers and expected in plenty of time for the Charlie Hall. It’s packed with its usual features, stats and expert views and can be purchased here if you don’t happen to win a copy.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day (TODAY).
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
