11am Godolphin’s Emotionless on road to recovery
Tony Paley: The Godolphin-owned Emotionless is reported to be on the road to recovery having undergone surgery on a knee injury following his very disappointing run in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket this month.
Emotionless won on his debut and impressed many form experts in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, but Godolphin’s big hope against Coolmore’s eventual winner Air Force Blue crossed the line in last place having been eased down by William Buick.
Subsequent X-rays revealed a chip in his left fore knee, but hopes are high for a full recovery for the Charlie Appleby-trained colt.
Godolphin’s John Ferguson said: “He’s had the operation and all is fine. He just needs some box-rest now and he will be a nice horse for next year.”
Emotionless, a son of Shamardal, is a best-priced 20-1 for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas.
Monday’s best bets, by John O’Hara
Nearly Caught (4.40) will prove a very tough nut to crack in the Phil Bull Trophy at Pontefract this afternoon. His most recent assignment was in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, earlier this month, and he ran a fine race coming home fifth in the 34-runner field. Staying is his forte and over this 2m2f he has by far the best form of the seven-runner field.
His trainer, Hughie Morrison, is enjoying a good season and his horses remain in form. The selection is rated 10lb above any of his rivals and gets weight from some.
Roger Charlton doesn’t send many up to Pontefract, there have only been 13 in the past five years, but he does well with them (23% strike rate) and he can enhance that record with Ataman (4.10) in the 1m4f maiden. The selection is no superstar but he has ability, and against what are largely poor animals he has a serious chance of breaking his duck.
The most valuable race of the day is the £40,000 Silver Tankard Stakes and this looks very trappy. However, Ralph Beckett’s Thanksfortellingme (3.40) goes into the race with a 100% record of two wins from as many starts. He scrambled home on his debut but was far more streetwise last time at Epsom when an easy five-length winner. Clearly on the upgrade and with the string in superb form, it will take a useful animal to deny him his hat-trick.
I almost made Hold On Magnolia (2.40) my nap in the maiden auction. Richard Fahey’s charge had everything go wrong that could on his debut after a very untidy start and being hampered. He really ran on well in the closing stages at Beverley to take third. That was an eye-catching run and with that experience behind him he looks good for this.
Fahey’s string remain in remarkable form as he has notched up 17 winners this month already (30 last month) and this can make it number 18.
Over at Windsor I think Petrucci (3.50) is the answer to the 1m2f handicap. This Azamour colt is typical of his sire’s stock in that he is a slow learner but he is really getting the hang of things now.
On his second start he knuckled down well at Chelmsford and although this is back on turf he should go very well. The handicapper has given him a mark of 81 for his first time in handicap company which doesn’t look too generous but it does look very workable. Sir Michael Stoute is a master with this type of horse and he should be competitive here.
Tipping competition - a new week
Congratulations to 16heathermac01, who won last week’s competition on a final score of +27.25, storming past 15244 (+17.50) by picking Regulation (9-4) and Cabal (9-1) on Friday.
This week’s prize is a copy of Strictly Classified, a new book by that recognised judge Marten Julian. It aims to offer “a unique insight into the workings of a horseman’s mind, notably in relation to their understanding of a racehorse’s psyche, emotions and character,” to which end Julian has interviewed many of the world’s top trainers. Those of you who buy the Racing Post may have read a fascinating extract last week. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
To kick things off, we’d like your selections, please, for these races: 2.10 Pontefract, 2.20 Windsor, 3.20 Windsor.
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.
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.
