DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JULY 5
2.05 HAYDOCK
AMMES (best price 8-1) ran exceptionally well considering he was at the coal face throughout the ultra-competitive King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot and with today’s competition representing a slight downturn in terms of class, James Owen’s colt can prove he is a stayer of some note.
Only Trawlerman and Trinity College made all on the round track at Royal Ascot, and they both received terrifically astute rides from the front but in all the other races, particularly in big-field handicaps where there is more pace pressure on the lead, it was almost impossible to shake of the pursuers.
In the circumstances, therefore, the son of No Nay Never did extremely well to hang tough for as long as he did and it wasn’t as if he completely capitulated once headed after the two-furlong pole.
Since that sterling effort last month, the form received an almighty boost with runner-up, Serious Contender, pushing Lambourn all the way in the Irish Derby and the winner, Merchant, is now being mentioned as a potential St Leger candidate.
Obviously, Ammes is unlikely to be scaling those sort of heights – he actually might end up being one of his stable’s Triumph Hurdle hopes during the winter – but he should remain competitive in races of today’s nature off a mark of 86 and given how he kept on well on his two previous starts, a step up to 1m6f should hold too many fears.
AMMES- ½ point each-way@8-1
2.25 SANDOWN
The George Boughey team have struck a rich vein of form in recent weeks and CLASSIC ENCOUNTER (best price 15-2), one of his eight winners in that period, looks poised to keep things ticking over nicely for the Newmarket handler.
A shade disappointing when a beaten even money favourite at Newmarket previously, his supporters were not deterred heading into his latest encounter on the Knavesmire and that confidence was well and truly justified.
Despite getting into heap of trouble in running, he proved good enough to overhaul better positioned rivals’ close home and the overriding impression from that victory was he had plenty in hand going forward.
Given how hard he hit the line 21 days ago, today’s stiff mile should prove right up his alley and this progressive four-year-old can continue his rise through the ranks.
CLASSIC ENCOUNTER – ½ point each-way@15-2 (four places)
3.00 SANDOWN
SUPERMODEL (best price 6-1) looked a filly to keep on side following her spectacular return to action at Nottingham last month and with connections choosing to come here rather than be tempted to roll the dice off her current handicap mark at Royal Ascot, William Haggas’ filly is fancied to make the transition into pattern company a seamless one.
Due to contest the Sandringham off a mark of 90 a month ago, the daughter of Night Of Thunder was taken out on the morning of the race and whether that was due to the quick ground or connections viewed stall one as a coffin box, who knows, but either way, it must have been a decision borne of frustration.
Normally, a horse rated well below the usual standard of a listed winner would be easily overlooked but such was her speed figure at the Midland venue that view may turn out to be way off the mark and she is likely to prove the surprise package of the race.
SUPERMODEL – 1-point each-way@6-1
3.15 HAYDOCK
Sir Lowry’s Pass did have a potential engagement to fill at Royal Ascot but abstained on account of the quick surface, so whether he deserves to be trading as short in the market under similar conditions here today is open to debate.
One who won’t mind the ground is PADDY THE SQUIRE (best price 13-2) and arriving here following a career high performance at York, Iain Jardine’s rates a viable each-way alternative.
An instant hit since undergoing a gelding operation at Chester, the lightly-raced five-year-old was pitched into a much hotter race on The Knavesmire 22 days ago and time may tell, finishing a close-up fourth to potential pattern performer Burrito, was a fair effort, especially when he was asked to challenge on the slowest part of the track for good measure.
Although it’s early days yet, there are signs the form of the race in question is beginning to flourish with fifth-placed Faylaq running a blinder in last weekend’s Pitman’s Derby and with the strong possibility, based on run style and pedigree, he will be suited by today’s 1m4f journey, Paddy The Squire can begin the journey of making a big impact in races of this nature.
PADDY THE SQUIRE – 1-point each-way@13-2 (five places)
6.30 BELLEWSTOWN
A decent field assembled for this valuable summer hurdle and STUNTMAN STEVE (best price 8-1) and MISS FOURIE (best price 28-1) are worth more than a second glance at their respective odds.
The former arrives here following a career high win at Listowel and that was the first time he was given a patient ride in a strongly run handicap hurdle.
Additionally, the time figure he posted in victory was very good and with good ground seemingly crucial to his prospects, Gavin Cromwell’s inmate still has plenty of upside off his revised mark.
The latter hasn’t been seen since finishing a distant fourth in a Grade 3 behind Brighterdaysahead at Down Royal back in November but she has gone well fresh in the past and at the prices, a chance is taken on connections having her ready to rock and roll after a break.
Previously, Peter Fahey’s mare had dished out a sound beating to handicappers similar to those she faces here this evening and her overall data suggests she should not be trading as one of the outsiders in the field.
STUNTMAN STEVE – ½ point each-way@8-1
MISS FOURIE – ½ point each-way@28-1