Tuesday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
I’m feeling a little frustrated this morning about the unwillingness of people in our sport to try something new. No, this isn’t a late complaint about resistance to the Shergar Cup, which, after all, isn’t that new any more. It’s about one of the jockeys who shone at that event on Saturday.
Gavin Lerena, who was champion jockey in South Africa last year, proved himself to be an excellent judge of pace and all-round tactician at Ascot and stood out on a day when a couple of other jockeys had cause to be embarrassed with themselves. His ride on the 25-1 shot Arch Villain was nothing short of glorious, going to the front when it was clear there was no pace, setting a sustainable pace, avoiding panic when others kicked past him prematurely and rallying his mount to beat the favourite by a neck.
Lerena announced on Saturday that he would hang around in Britain for another week in the hope of picking up a few spares at other tracks and I was daft enough to assume there would be demand for someone who can so obviously do the job well. But no. Here we are, three days later, and not only has he had no rides, he has nothing booked.
There’s still time, of course, and I hope we can see him in action again when there’s a bit more racing at the end of the week. I understand that everyone has their own riding arrangements in place but when there’s a top-class jockey from the other side of the world in town for just a few days, surely one can make an exception. Your stable apprentice can get back on the horse when it’s carrying a penalty next week.
As you’ll know if you watched the Shergar Cup, Kenichi Ikezoe did not fare so well. He should have won Arch Villain’s race aboard Sea Of Heaven but looked inept as that horse barged his way out with half a mile to go, causing consternation among other riders. Ikezoe was then much less animated than Lerena in the straight. With Luke Morris aboard, Sea Of Heaven ought to have won with a degree of comfort.
Nor did Frankie Dettori leave the Queen’s track with anything to be proud about after blazing off far too fast on Soapy Aitken, which, incidentally, had the effect of setting the race up for horses ridden by his team-mates. Dettori has now finished last on 11 of his 49 mounts at the Shergar Cup, winning only twice, and we have seen nothing like the best of him at that event. It’s a great pity because he has probably been the only familiar name to a good portion of that crowd, at least before they arrived.
Onwards. I don’t generally give a mention to odds-on shots but Walpole (4.00), running at Thirsk, is one of those 8-11 shots where you could realistically tell yourself he should be shorter. Hugo Palmer’s gelding met with his first defeat in four starts at York in May, which was a source of dismay to the high-flying Newmarket trainer, who had planned to take him for a valuable contest in New York if he’d won.
As it turns out, the form is strong and Walpole really ought to be a good thing off the same mark in this weaker contest, having been given a short break. “He is a horse with a fair bit of potential,” Palmer said in his Betfair blog last week.
Earlier, I like Dark Wonder (3.00) at 7-2 in the mile handicap. This is only his second start since joining Ivan Furtado from James Given and he should appreciate the extra furlong, having stayed on nicely into second here in June. He’s 5lb higher than when scoring over course and distance in May last year, also on a fast surface, and he has a handy draw for a prominent racer.
Furtado could have a big day, thanks to Classic Pursuit (8.00) at Nottingham tonight. This 11-4 shot carries a penalty for his fast-ground success at Haydock last week, which still leaves him fairly treated on the pick of his form. He is also new in Furtado’s yard this year.
Tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
Shawaahid 3-1
Robinnielly 4-1
Permian 11-10
And our leaders are:
Ellandback +4.10
kmill68 +4.10
… who had Robinnielly and Permian. They are closely pursued by the six of you who had Shawaahid and Permian.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.30 Thirsk, 3.45 Chepstow, 7.30 Nottingham.
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 -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.
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