Hayley Turner, one of only two female jockeys to ride a Group 1 winner in Britain, will make what is probably a fleeting return to British racing at Windsor this evening, in preparation for a new event for women riders at Bro Park in Stockholm this week.
Turner will ride the newcomer Flying Sparkle for Michael Bell in the first race, before departing for Sweden and the inaugural Lady Jockeys’ Thoroughbred World Championship on Tuesday. Ana O’Brien, who has ridden in Classics for her father Aidan, and Sammy Jo Bell are among the riders taking part who will be familiar to British punters, while Danielle Johnson, a leading rider in New Zealand, is also among the competitors.
Flying Sparkle is a sister to Pres Rapide, who had three runs as a juvenile in 2014 including a five-furlong maiden win at York, while her half-sisters Imperial Legend and Hay Chewed were multiple winners at the minimum trip with the latter taking a Listed event at Ayr in 2014. With Turner’s presence in the saddle also attracting attention, she is the second-favourite at around 5-1, but will need to be above average to cope with Fab (6.00) if Jamie Osborne’s filly can return to the form of her debut win at Bath in May.
Four runners is a disappointing turnout for the Spindrifter Stakes at Pontefract this afternoon, though all four are trading at between 2-1 and 11-2 at present and it could be a tight contest. Unfortunately (2.30), a close second in a Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte last time out, has the strongest recent form and should make it count, with Zap, third home in the Woodcote at Epsom, possibly giving him most to do.
Cornerstone Lad (3.30) looks like the best bet on the Pontefract card. He finished second behind Barwell at Ripon last time out and both the winner and the fourth horse home have recorded victories since, and was showing improved form there for a step up to a mile-and-a-quarter. He should find a little more for another two furlongs today and is a very fair price in the circumstances at around 3-1, not least with London Master, an obvious danger overnight, now a non-runner.
The Feathered Nest (3.00) should also go well on the same card, while Debonaire David (2.15) and Winston C (3.45) have plenty going for them at Wolverhampton. The former is up just 3lb in the weights after a recent win, while Winston C’s stamina needs to be taken on trust as he moves up to 12 furlongs but he looked to have something left when a close third over a mile-and-a-quarter at Newmarket last time out. Company Asset (8.45) was a ready winner in a useful time at Hamilton last week and probably has just Euro Nightmare to beat at the same track tonight.
Tips for Monday’s races
Pontefract: 2.00 Boundsy, 2.30 Unfortunately, 3.00 The Feathered Nest, 3.30 Cornerstone Lad (nap), 4.00 Don Valentino, 4.30 Yorkee Mo Sabee, 5.00 Bit Of A Quirke
Wolverhampton: 2.15 Debonaire David (nb), 2.45 Pearl Acclaim, 3.15 Silver Link, 3.45 Winston C, 4.15 Parkour, 4.45 Indomeneo, 5.15 Varun’s Bride
Hamilton Park: 6.15 Kinglami, 6.45 Palmer, 7.15 Hamidans Girl, 7.45 Al Destoor, 8.15 Archi’s Affaire, 8.45 Company Asset, 9.15 Cliff Bay
Windsor: 6.00 Fab, 6.30 Morache Music, 7.00 Saumur, 7.30 Intrepidly, 8.00 Unified, 8.30 Razzmatazz, 9.00 It’s How We Roll
