DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY JULY 11
2.45 YORK
FIRST INSTINCT (best price 5-1) just came up a little short at Ayr last time out but at the same time, a sharp five furlongs was always likely to count against Willaim Haggas’ filly, and she rates a strong choice to prove more effective over today’s sterner test.
In reality, she didn’t do a whole pile wrong at the Scottish track, she couldn’t react quick enough when Saratoga Special divebombed her inside the final furlong and she is better judged on her effort at Haydock previously when staying on strongly to finish a never-nearer third behind Symbol Of Honour in a hot Group 2.
Other than Commonwealth Cup fourth, Sayidah Dariyan, nothing in today’s race can lay claim to those form credentials and with a nice middle to low draw likely to prove advantageous given how The Knavesmire straight track has been playing out over the last few seasons, the daughter of Bated Breath looks manner from heaven for the each-way thieves.
FIRST INSTINCT – 1-point each-way@5-1 (four places)
3.00 NEWMARKET
DANCING IN PARIS’s (best price 5-1) racing shoes must still be glowing, such was the tempo in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time out, and providing he has come out of that epic encounter with flying colours, a repeat of something similar on his return to the grass should see Ian Williams’ inmate close to going one place better.
In what turned out to be a bruising test at the trip, the six-year-old fought bravely to get the better of Spirit Mixer in the closing stages but despite coming out second best, he still improved his previous speed figure high by some margin.
Clearly in the rudest of health based on that excellent effort, he also ran extremely well in hot handicap won by subsequent Royal Ascot winner French Master and with a profile that points towards him being consistent and honest as the day is long, the son of Olympic Glory looks booked for another positive result.
DANCING IN PARIS – 1-point each-way@5-1
4.55 ASCOT
The temptation is to just keep things simple in this concluding sprint handicap and go with recent York runner-up, Fast Track Harry, but at time of writing, his price dictates all existing juice has been squeezed out of selecting him.
Of the other unexposed three-year-olds in the field, SUDDEN FLIGHT (best price 18-1) appeals as being one who has been hugely overlooked and at almost eight times the price of the favourite, Richard Hughes’ inmate deserves to be played accordingly.
The son of Aclaim first caught the eye with the way he finished off his race in a hot contest over five furlongs at York and it was noticeable that he was doing all his best work in the closing stages at Newmarket last time out.
Given the way he has hit the line on both occasions, today’s stiff six furlongs in a big-field environment should play into his strengths and he looks to have completely slipped under the radar despite his profile suggesting otherwise.
SUDDEN FLIGHT – ½ point each-way@18-1 (four places)
7.30 KILBEGGAN
The recent Mayo National could well prove an invaluable guide to the outcome of tonight’s contest and DRUMGILL (best price 11-1) and CADATHARLA (best price 10-1), second and fourth respectively, are taken to fly the flag for the Ballinrobe contest in this similar race.
The former was the only one to offer resistance to winner, Western fold, in the final half a mile of that keenly-contested three-mile handicap chase and it came as no surprise to find John Ryan’s gelding surpassed his previous best speed figure by some way.
Considering he wasn’t stopping at the death 46 days ago, tonight’s extra yardage shouldn’t pose too many issues and hailing from a yard whose runners always have to be feared at this track, the six-year-old is a must for the shortlist.
The latter could never get into a decent rhythm at the Mayo venue having been a bit sluggish in the early stages, but he did keep on well from the back of the field to offer plenty of hope for the future.
Prior to that respectable effort, Colm Murphy’s inmate came of age with a strong staying performance in the Killarney National and if finding his feet a little earlier than he did last time out, he has the ability to be a potent force at the business end.
DRUMGILL – ½ point each-way@11-1 (four places)
CADATHARLA – ½ point each-way@10-1 (four places)