11am O’Brien plans bid to lift Cup with Air Force Blue
Tony Paley: Aidan O’Brien is hoping the ground at Newmarket for the July Cup will be quick enough to try and get Air Force Blue’s campaign back on track.
O’Brien had hoped the champion juvenile would make his mark in the mile division this year, but Air Force Blue failed miserably on his return in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in April. He tried a mile again in the Irish equivalent for his next run but again well beaten on soft ground.
“He won’t run again until the ground is good or faster, but we are happy with him,” said O’Brien. “Hopefully, the next target for him will be the July Cup.”
Meanwhile, Sword Fighter is set to be aimed at the St Leger after his Royal Ascot win in the Queen’s Vase last week.
The O’Brien-trained three-year-old was a surprise 33-1 winner over two miles but is in line to drop down in trip for a Classic trial, probably the Great Voltigeur at York.
O’Brien said: “He’s a staying horse. We will give him a little break and then look at something like the Voltigeur at York before the St Leger. He’s a tough horse and stays forever.”
Tuesday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
I can see Brighton racecourse from my desk as I type these words, but I still would not fancy my chances of predicting the going up on the hill when an eight-race card opens at 2.15 this afternoon. It was dry here overnight and it feels like it might brighten up as the day goes on. On the other hand, there are plenty of clouds around that could easily dump a heavy shower on the racecourse if the mood takes them. We seem to be stuck in that kind of weather pattern, and there is not a great deal that punters, or anyone else, can do about it.
If pushed, I would guess that the going will be much closer to good-to-soft than the official soft by early afternoon, and if so, the chances of Roy Rocket (5.45) in the concluding amateurs’ handicap will be much improved.
John Berry’s grey gelding has become a firm favourite at one of the ultimate specialists’ tracks, having recorded all three of his career wins at Brighton and lined up for eight of his last 10 starts at the track since losing his maiden tag there last April. Ross Birkett is a very capable pilot and Roy Rocket is just 2lb higher in the ratings than for his latest victory here last June and has a useful turn of foot for a horse running at this level.
Elsewhere on the card, Spirit Of Rosanna (2.45) has a solid chance in the first of the sprint handicaps and Its A Sheila Thing (4.15) is a fair price at around 9-2 later in the afternoon.
At Beverley, there is a small field for the 10-furlong handicap but it is competitive all the same and Peterhouse (4.00) is worth a bet at around 2-1. Jason Ward’s four-year-old ran well here last time when going down by a head to a lightly-raced three-year-old, and is 3lb below his last winning mark in a race at today’s track.
Tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
Sir Roderic 3-1
Young John 3-1
Vastly 7-2
And our leader is:
Fixxxer +9.50
… who has started the week in perfect form, having picked all three winners so far.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 4.30 Beverley, 5.15 Brighton, 6.30 Newton Abbot.
This week’s prize is a pair of tickets to Sandown for Eclipse day on Saturday 2 July, a week on Saturday. Time Test, The Gurkha and Taqdeer currently head the betting for a race that is always a highlight of each summer’s Flat racing, plus there will be a DJ set by Nick Grimshaw after the action on the track has finished. If you don’t win, you can 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 -3.
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.
