DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY JULY 10
3.00 NEWMARKET
Easily the best and most competitive three-year-old sprint handicap run all season, containing many horses who have aspirations of migrating into pattern company further down the line.
Both Hucklesbrook and Double Rush have the potential to make the grade and the first and third home in a similar contest at York recently are a must for the shortlist, particularly the latter-named on account of a much more favourable draw compared to what he had to endure on The Knavesmire.
However, if Hucklesbrook ends up being the key form guide to this contest, then PRINCE OF INDIA (best price 7-1) has to come into the conversation based on his performance behind his old rival at Leicester last time out.
Not only did Marco Botti’s inmate get completely mullered as the gates opened at the Midland venue, losing significant ground, he ended up challenging on the slowest part of the track, away from the main action.
The fact he managed to overcome all those negatives says a lot for his natural ability and it’s easy to come to the conclusion he was the best horse in the race on the day. Since then, the form has been franked left, right and centre and the only thing that will count against him going close today is the draw, with most winners of this race in recent times exiting from a double-figure stall (9, 11, 14, 16, 12. 20, 8, 15, 19 and 3 in last ten years).
PRINCE OF INDIA – 1-point each-way@7-1 (five places)
4.45 NEWMRAKET
Opera Ballo is easily the most gifted horse in today’s field but at the same time he does have his quirks, whereas KING OF CITIES (best price 7-2) comes across as being a far more straightforward individual and he appeals as the safer conveyance.
An excellent second to Almeric in the Fielden Stakes over on The Rowley Mile on his first start of the season (pair well clear), Richard Hannon’s colt was thrown into the lion’s den of The French Derby at Chantilly last time out and although he failed to cut much ice, he ran better than his finishing position suggests.
Housed in one of the outside stalls at the Paris-based venue, the son of Dubawi got shuffled back through the pack in the early stages and, as a result, he was too far behind to make an impact in the final half a mile.
He did, however, keep on well to finish only four lengths off Camille Passaro and his performance deserves to be upgraded accordingly. Since then, the winner (fourth in the Eclipse) and fourth, Trinity College (won at Royal Ascot), have both boosted the form and with the likelihood a well-run mile on a stiff track will suit, he can track Arabian Story over on the far side before pouncing late.
KING OF CITIES – 1-point win@7-2
6.45 LEOPARDSTOWN
The finishing position of LOVELY (best price 16-1) at Gowran last time out appears disappointing at first glance but on closer inspection, there is more to it than meets the eye and she deserves another chance to back up her previous success at Fairyhouse.
A surprise winner at the Meath venue on her penultimate start, Diego Dias’s filly was a warm order to prove that victory two weeks earlier was no fluke but unfortunately, she completely blew the start and on a track that favours those towards the head of affairs, she had little chance of making any impact.
Clearly much better than what occurred at the Kenny venue, the daughter of Australia will hopefully break on terms this evening and with the strong possibility she will also improve for stepping up to a mile, she looks way overpriced in a wide-open race.
LOVELY – ½ point each-way@16-1 (five places)
7.10 NEWBURY
The race won by Amakhala Warrior at Haydock last month was noted for its very strong speed figure and with the form already beginning to work out accordingly (Snake Charmer won since) PENHALLAM (best price 9-1) has a reasonable chance of keeping that trend heading in the same direction.
A promising runner-up at Leicester on his debut, Brian Meehan’s inmate was a strong fancy for many to go one place better at the Merseyside venue but, having raced keenly on the sharp end of a very strong pace, he failed to justify his position in the market, fading in the closing stages once his petrol gauge flashed on empty.
Even allowing for the fact he finished mid-division 19 days ago, however, he still posted a useful speed figure and with the likelihood a drop back down to six-furlongs with play more into his strengths, the well-built colt can easily outrun his morning odds.
PENHALLAM – ½ point each-way@9-1