Bank Holiday racegoers in Britain have five meetings to choose from today and, with cards in the north, south, west and midlands, no excuse not to enjoy an afternoon at the track in – if the forecast is right – warm sunshine. In terms of quality, though, The Curragh is the place to be, with Found due to run in the Athasi Stakes, a Group Three for fillies and mares, having been scratched from Sunday’s 1,000 Guineas at the 48-hour stage on Friday morning.
Found would have started as a warm favourite for the Guineas, but can be backed at 8-11 for today’s return to action under a 5lb penalty for her win in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on Arc day.
The fact that she had a minor setback in the run-up to the Guineas and did not satisfy O’Brien that she was ready to do herself justice at Newmarket must be feeding into her price for a race which takes place just 24 hours later. The decision to run her over seven furlongs when there are recognised Oaks trials coming up and Found is joint-favourite for the Epsom Classic is also a bit of a puzzle.
Shahzeena, an easy winner of her only start to date, could also prove to be anything and is arguably bred to be more suited by today’s trip than Found. So, while a price not far off even money for a Group One-winning filly in quite a weak Group Three might appear to be a bit of a gift, the best option may be to watch closely rather than wade in with a serious bet.
On the domestic cards, Dark Ocean (2.45) is worth backing to follow up his win at Pontefract last month in the one-mile handicap at Beverley. That success was a career-best recorded in a very respectable time and, while most of his best form is on ground with some cut, he has enough in his record on good going to suggest he will be competitive at around 6-1.
At Windsor, Stocking (5.05) has yet to register a success but ran well in a nursery at Kempton on his final start in 2014 and has been found a weak race. Mia San Triple (1.40) is another with a solid chance on the same card, while Shuil Royale (3.10) has decent claims at a good price on a card at Kempton which has an odds-on favourite in each of the first three races.
Deauville Dancer (3.40) ended last season with a hat-trick in handicaps, starting from a mark of 63 and concluding off 80, in classic Sir Mark Prescott style, and can go in again at Bath on her seasonal debut off a fair new mark of 84.
Tipping competition – a new week starts tomorrow
Congratulations to slackdad38, who held on to win last week’s competition on a final score of +15.50 after a winnerless Friday. Fixxxer (+11.50) came closest to catching him, as one of three people to pick Blood Cotil (11-1). None of you were attracted to Lolita (16-1), the Chepstow sprint winner.
This week’s competition will start tomorrow (Tuesday), as today is a Bank Holiday, so we hope to see you then.
Good luck!
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