DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JUNE 27
1.55 YORK
FRANKIES DREAM saw daylight too late when an agonising runner-up over today’s course last time out, but compensation could await Jennie Candlish’s gelding over what appears to be his optimum trip.
Noted going well passing the two-furlong pole on the Knavesmire, unlike eventual winner, Point Of Contact, the four-year-old didn’t get the clearest of runs at the most critical part of the race but he did come home to good effect inside the final furlong to offer up plenty of hope for future dates.
Posting a useful speed figure in defeat, the form has worked out well since and having already proven himself over today’s track with a last-to-first success last season, a return to the scene of that victory can play into the hands of this strong-travelling, keen-going type.
FRANKIES DREAM – 1-point each-way@4-1 (five places)
2.45 CURRAGH
RION RUBETTE did extremely well to come from way off the pace to score at Gowran Park last time out and in the hope that the course executives have done a good job with the watering system, Michael Butler’s filly has every chance of completing her hat trick.
The daughter of New Bay had won on her previous outing over the same C&D, running down the positively ridden Greydreambeliever, and it was a case of déjà vu on her return visit 51 days later, this time coming from even further back to cut down her old rival.
Not only was the overall time very good, but her backend sectionals also stacked up well and even though her winning margin suggest we are dealing in fine margins as the two clash again, she left the impression she might have more to offer of the pair going forward.
Arguably at her absolute best when encountering soft ground, she does, however, have a fair record under quicker conditions and having gone well over today’s track before, everything all points towards her putting in another solid shift from a good draw.
RION RUBETTE – 1-point each-way@6-1 (four places)
3.15 NEWCASTLE
Circus Of Rome has been all the rage in the ante post markets in his bid to emulate previous stable mate Calling The Wind back in 2023, but he does take a huge chunk out of the market and the percentage call might be to look towards the likes of TEAM PLAYER and BAHADUR as value alternatives.
The former arrives here following a career high effort in the Chester Cup, proving he stays the trip well and he might have done even better had he not found himself in the cheap seats early on.
Tardily out of the gates, Ewan Williams’ gelding was plumb last with a circuit to race, so to finish a never-nearer fifth was some performance and he now heads back to a track which witnessed him run out an easy winner earlier in the season.
The latter can have a line drawn through his latest run at Royal Ascot when things didn’t go well right from the start.
Keeping on well from the rear to be never-nearer at the finish just over a week ago, Sean Woods’ inmate did as well as expected under the circumstances and he is better judged on his winning performance at Goodwood in a quick time the time before.
A previous winner over today’s track, a return to Gosforth Park, therefore, should inconvenience him less than some and because he has a blob on his card, he looks to have been overlooked in the market.
TEAM PLAYER – ½ -point each-way@13-2 (five places)
BAHADUR – ½ point each-way@12-1 (five places)
4.15 YORK
HALLO SPACEBOY left the distinct impression he was sprinter to keep on side despite his narrow defeat at Ascot last time out and he rates a very strong choice to back up that view over a track that should really play into his strengths.
The race at the Berkshire venue was noted for its very strong pace and Ed Walker’s inmate impressed with the way he tanked his way into the lead approaching the final furlong.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite fend off the late challenge of the more patiently ridden, Secret Santa, but with the pair well clear and the speed figure very good for the grade, there was plenty to enthuse about his overall performance.
Since that run 50 days ago, the son of Starman has missed several notable engagements due to being too low in the ratings, the Palace Of Holyrood being the most recent one, but not eligible to race in some big events might turn out to be a blessing in disguise as far as today’s contest is concerned and from a good draw (right down the middle in stall 7) with Oisin Murphy booked, everything looks set fair for him to prove he remains well treated.
HALLO SPACEBOY – 4-point win@13-8