DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JUNE 6
2.05 EPSOM
SPARKS FLY has been a grand servant to connections, winning no fewer than 12 times in 27 starts, and she could gain her most notable victory to date if she receives a better passage than she did in this race last season.
Caught in a pocket when Spiritual kicked clear at a crucial moment twelve months ago, David Loughnane’s mare ran on belatedly for third once out in the clear and no doubt connections have had this race in mind ever since.
The daughter of Muhaarar arrives here having had the perfect prep when fourth behind the top-class pair, Lambourn and Bay City Roller in the Huxley Stakes at Chester last month and with most of her best form in the past coming on soft ground, conditions have fallen right in her bid to make amends for last year.
SPARKS FLY – 1-point win@3-1
2.30 DONCASTER
ELEGANT ERIN has rather uninspiring form figures of late but there was more encouragement from her latest effort at York than the bare result suggests and a chance is taken on Paul Midgley’s mare changing the dial.
Positioned over towards the far side on the Knavesmire, she ended up being led down a blind alley during the middle section of the race and by the time she finally worked her way into some daylight, there was no time in which to make any sort of impact.
However, she came home with plenty of pep left in her step and she is now back down to Class 3 company.
Unbelievably for a horse trained in Yorkshire, this is her first start on Town Moor in 60 runs, but it is a track that often suits horses coming from off the pace and as she has proven many times over in these events in the past, she is more than capable of being competitive if the cards fall in her favour.
ELEGANT ERIN – ½ point each-way@14-1
4.00 EPSOM
Whichever way you strip down this year’s Epsom Derby, it is hard not to keep coming back to Benvenuto Cellini being the likeliest winner.
In following in the footsteps of last year’s classic hero, Lambourn, by landing the Chester Vase, Aidan O’Brien’s flashy chestnut not only clocked a very smart time figure, but he also ticked many of the boxes normally associated with a Derby winner,
The son of Frankel proved conclusively he stayed the trip on the Roodee and his stride length and cadence points towards a horse who will thrive on a more galloping track.
The only sticking point is his price and if the Surrey venue does soak up the rain that is forecast throughout the morning and during the day, there looks to be some more viable options from a value perspective.
One who will benefit more than most from a heavy shower or two is JAMES J BRADDOCK and with many firms offering four places and some pricing up the ‘without the favourite’ markets, Joseph O’Brien’s colt is the one who makes the most appeal of the rest.
The son of Zarak first sprung to prominence when running away with a Curragh maiden towards the backend of last season, showing a real appetite for testing conditions, and his winning speed figure wasn’t too shabby either.
Shaping as though he would be better for the run when a not-knocked-about fifth in the Ballysax Stakes at Leoopardstown on his seasonal bow, he went back to the Dublin venue to contest the Derby Trial a month later and, in finding the necessary improvement needed, he took the notable scalp of the highly touted, Pierre Bonnard.
Very strong at the line 27 days ago, he seemed to win on merit to my eyes but whether it is down to pure trainer snobbery or just the reputation of Pierre Bonnard, he is still perceived as the runt of the litter according the how the betting has shaped in recent days.
Either way, he looks as though he will get the extra two furlongs standing on his head and judged on the times from yesterday, the stiffer test than previously anticipated, allied to the possibility of further easing of the ground (not to mention the wind), add to his chances of duplicating stable mate Thundering On.
Of the rest, Item posted a big number when he won the Dante and will be a danger if handling the ground, while Bay of Brilliance might turn out to be the best of the pair (Maltese Cross the other) who fought out the finish of the Lingfield Derby trial if the rain arrives.
JAMES J BRADDACK – 1-point each-way@8-1 (four places)
5.00 DONCASTER
SINGOURA could never get involved after a slow beginning at Carlisle last time out but there was enough in her overall performance to warrant staying loyal to gemma Tutty’s filly, especially now back at a track where she has gone well several times in the past.
Despite being a stiff track, it is sometimes quite difficult making ground from the back of the field at the Yorkshire venue and once restrained towards the back of the field from her low draw. Life was always going to be tough for the daughter of Rajasinghe to get involved.
True to form, she couldn’t quite make up the lost ground, but she was noted doing plenty of sterling work late on and there was enough in her effort to warrant encouragement for future assignments.
Placed three times in four starts on Town Moor, her latest performance here was commendable enough considering she raced too keenly in the early stages and providing she gets plenty of cover on her return visit, the four-year-old has a reasonable chance of adding to her sole victory.
SINGOURA – ½ point each-way@7-1 (four places)