9.45am Reel bidding to provide International rescue for O’Brien
Tony Paley: Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that Highland Reel will be his prime candidate for the Juddmonte International at York next Wednesday after the Ballydoyle trainer announced that US Army Ranger is “unlikely” to line up.
US Army Ranger has not raced since finishing second to Harzand in the Derby in early June and while he was left in the International at the five-day stage on Thursday, he is set to make his comeback closer to home four days later.
Highland Reel, who got off the mark for the campaign with victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month, could be joined by stable companion Sir Isaac Newton, who finished fourth in the same Ascot showpiece.
O’Brien said: “It is unlikely that US Army Ranger will run in the International at York. He could go for the Royal Whip at the Curragh [on August 21]. It looks at this stage as if Highland Reel and Sir Isaac Newton will be our two.”
Idaho finished third in the Derby at Epsom before being narrowly denied by Harzand once more in the Irish equivalent. He is also set to return on the opening day of York’s Ebor Festival.
“Idaho and maybe one or two others will run in the Great Voltigeur,” O’Brien said. “Idaho had a little break after the Irish Derby and will come forward for the run.”
Friday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
The word at Ascot last weekend was that Frankie Dettori had six good mounts lined up for Newmarket on Friday night in a determined effort to get the two winners he needs to reach 3000. But the Italian, back in action for the first time since Sunday, has, in the end, got just three rides and I don’t think it’s going to be quite enough to get him across the line in front of his home audience.
Blue Geranium (7.10) is the one I think’ll win. A John Gosden three-year-old, she is bred to need time and distance, so it ought not to have been a surprise when she got off the mark at Yarmouth last time, stepped up to a mile for the first time since her debut.
She may have been helped by a first-time hood, though she still pulled hard under Nicky Mackay. Now Dettori rides for the first time since her maiden days. She’s only up 4lb, which looks more than fair, especially since the runner-up from her last race has since won … under Dettori at Newmarket last Friday night. All in all, 15-8 is fine.
The mile maiden on this card is the one in which Frankel made his debut six years ago. Given how well Frankel’s progeny are going in his first season as a sire, it’s rather a shame that there isn’t one here, but guess what? There’s a Nathaniel!
Nathaniel, lest we forget, was half a length behind Frankel on that summer evening in 2010 and the form turned out to be useful. Trained by John Gosden, Nathaniel went on to win an Eclipse and a King George.
Gosden also trains tonight’s son of Nathaniel, Glencadam Glory (6.35), who holds entries in the Royal Lodge and the Derby. There’s plenty of talent on the dam side and, although it hasn’t been precocious talent, Nathaniel’s done well enough with his youngsters to make me think this one can go well at 7-2.
The favourite is Spring Jig, who would set a fair standard if improving on his debut third, but he’s a Hugo Palmer and there have been a few signs this week that Palmer’s horses might not all be in peak condition. It’s a tricky time to be choosing among horses trained in Newmarket, with a virus doing the rounds.
Newbury’s Listed race for juvenile fillies is blazing hot but I don’t quite get why Rajar (3.55) is as big as 5-1. From the Richard Hannon yard that won this last year, she hacked up in a valuable Newmarket nursery last time, beating seven last-time winners. That looks like stronger form than the Super Sprint that Mrs Danvers won.
At Catterick, I shall stick with Compton River (7.50), a course and distance winner who seems on a strong upward curve after losing his first 24 races. He should get a good tow into the race from Bold Spirit, drawn two stalls to his right.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Shawaahid 3-1
Robinnielly 4-1
Permian 11-10
Tuesday
Seamster 9-2
Gold Hunter 3-1
Kingsgate Native 20-1
Wednesday
Age Of Elegance 5-1
Chain Of Daisies 11-2
Louis Phillipe 11-2
Thursday
Mininggold 16-1
Zonderland 4-1
Intimately 6-1
And our leader is:
chris1623 +13.60
… who has had Mininggold, Chain Of Daisies and Permian. Bonzodrongo, now second on +12, is another fan of Mininggold. He also had Intimately. Other good scores: moidadem +11.60, Geoff Staddon +10, sandiuk +9, waltersobchak +4.50, cerises +3.50, Ormrod76 +3.10, orso +3.10.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.55 Newbury, 4.20 Nottingham, 8.25 Catterick.
This week’s prize, generously offered by Doncaster racecourse, is a pair of County Enclosure tickets to St Leger day on Saturday 10 September. This is your chance to see the final Classic of the season, which this year may feature a clash between those classy youngsters Idaho, Red Verdon and Wings Of Desire. Or you can opt for Doncaster Cup day on the Friday if you’d prefer. If you don’t win, you can read more about Doncaster’s four-day Leger meeting and buy tickets here.
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.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
