11am Dods plans to go straight to Nunthorpe with Mecca’s
Tony Paley: Michael Dods is leaning towards going straight to the Nunthorpe Stake at York next month with Mecca’s Angel, a flop when favourite in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.
The five-year-old has undergone a series of tests following her poor display in the five-furlong Group One for which she was sent off the 6-4 market leader.
“We left her until the end of last week until we did anything. I just wanted to give her time to settle down,” Dods told Racing UK.
“We covered everything - bloods, scopes, X-rays, scans. The one thing that has come to light is that she was in season last week at Royal Ascot. There was more than one thing. I’ve always said she wants good to soft ground so the proper soft ground was a bit too soft and then she didn’t get a lead. When you put all three things together it just wasn’t happening with her.
“When Paul [Mulrennan] realised she wasn’t going he didn’t knock her about. I’m sure she’ll bounce back but the main thing is she came back sound, ate up and everything else is fine with her.”
Dods’ objective now is to make sure his star mare is in the best possible shape to defend her crown in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August.
“I’ve spoken to David Metcalfe [owner] and he was keen to run her in the Sapphire Stakes in Ireland and then go for the Nunthorpe,” said the Darlington-based trainer. “I was probably keener just to leave her and go straight for the Nunthorpe.
“We’ll see how she is in the next few weeks. There is a possibility I might just give her a spin on a racecourse instead of going to Ireland before the Nunthorpe.
“We just want to get all the test results through first and then make a decision where we go, but that is the likely plan. If the ground came up right there’s a possibility she might go to Ireland but I would rather wait for the Nunthorpe.”
Wednesday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
In keeping with the mood of this particular ‘summer’, we have soft going at Salisbury on Wednesday and, although there is good to soft in places, the Wiltshire track should present a fair test. The last three furlongs are apparently soft throughout.
That will present a new challenge for Next Stage, hot favourite for the mile handicap. The Godolphin horse was bound to be a popular choice in view of his Doncaster second, when he was badly hampered and beaten only by Defrocked, who then won last week’s Britannia at Royal Ascot.
But odds of 6-5 look a bit mad in a 14-runner handicap on ground that may be unsuitable. On the other hand, 8-1 is available about Sinfonietta (4.50), whose ability to cope with soft ground has been proven.
Having joined David Menuisier last summer, he has started this season in fine form, winning at Nottingham and going down by just a neck at Goodwood. He was just a fair fourth at Newbury last time but some give in the ground can help him get his head back in front.
In the Carlisle Bell, a case can be made for Edgar Balthazar (3.35), who looks very fairly treated on a mark of 84, judged by the best of his form at the end of last year. His first three runs of this year suggested he was coming back to his peak and there are excuses for his last-time flop at Catterick.
Philip Makin, who was aboard for the horse’s two handicap wins, returns to the saddle for the first time since Edgar Balthazar had his reappearance run. The pair appeal to me at 25-1.
Perhaps Edgar Balthazar could be the first leg of a notable double for Keith Dalgleish, who has Sindarban (4.40) in the Cumberland Plate. This hurdler has not been with him long, having left Donald McCain’s yard in the winter, and there was promise in his maiden win at Hamilton last month.
Tipping competition, day three
Our winners so far:
Monday
Sir Roderic 3-1
Young John 3-1
Vastly 7-2
Tuesday
French Legend 5-2
Soaring Spirits 2-1
Fear Glic 2-1
And our leader is:
16heathermac01 +8.50
… who has had four of the six winners so far. A special mention goes to kentay58, who lies fourth on +3.50 after making his very first post on this site yesterday in order to enter our competition and immediately hit all three winners. He’s unbeaten so far!
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.35 Carlisle, 3.45 Salisbury, 4.40 Carlisle.
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 -6.
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.
