DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JULY 25
2.35 YORK
Item Is fancied to put a poor run in the Derby behind him on his return to the scene of his victory in the Dante earlier in the season, but he may well meet his match in the shape of last year’s winner, ROYAL CHAMPION, who brings solid Group 1 winning form to the table.
Admittedly, this year’s Neon Turf in Riyadh probably wasn’t the strongest version at the very highest level but that shouldn’t detract from the fact the eight-year-old still dished out a sound beating to the opposition and it was a performance to suggest he shows no sign of decay despite his age.
In much more deeper waters against the two Japanese powerhouses, Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin last time out, Karl Burke’s globetrotter was just found wanting on the day but even so, there is no shame being beaten just short of three lengths by some of the best horses on the planet and it is hard to imagine any of his rivals here today faring any better.
Really good in this race last season when he quickened up smartly off a strong pace to score with any amount in hand, accounting for none other than Almaqam and Bay City Roller, the signs are he arrives here in similar shape, and it will take a big effort by one of the other four to wrestle the prize from his clutches.
ROYAL CHAMPION – 1-point win@3-1
2.55 ASCOT
Extremely Zain laid claim to him being a group horse in a handicap with a convincing display on his first step into that discipline at York last time out and providing he takes to today’s stiffer track at the first time of asking; there is every chance he will continue that viewpoint.
However, connections of MEZCALA have every right to believe their improving four-year-old fits into the same category and with proven C&D form in the bank, Jack Channon’s inmate rates the better option of the pair at the prices.
The Expert Eye gelding kicked off the season in the best possible fashion when landing the Spring Mile at Doncaster and although he failed in his bid to follow up in a similar contest at Newbury, he did well under the circumstances to try and overcome stall one, finishing a close-up third.
Despite the evidence of those two runs suggesting he was perfectly comfortable over a mile, he was dropped back a furlong when contesting the Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting a month ago and the well-backed favourite made no mistake, quickening up well to claim the spoils late on.
Clearly not lacking gears based on the evidence presented at the Berkshire venue, his sharp turn of foot and suitability to the track are likely to count for plenty.
MEZCALA – 1-point each-way@11-2 (five places)
3.35 ASCOT
An absolute snorter of a King George with many permutations possible and KALPANA must enter the conversation on account of her being grossly overpriced.
Okay, she was beaten fair and square by Calandagan in this race last year, but it was only by a length and her form arriving at this season’s renewal is just as good, if not better.
Probably not fully tuned up when making heavy weather of beating West Wind Blows at Newbury, her speed figure, however, suggests her performance was much better than it appeared on the eye and although failing in her bid to follow up in the Hardwicke here last time out, it was hard to fault her application.
With that brave second spot over the C&D, her record at the Berkshire venue now reads 31212 and another bold bid to keep those terrific track stats looks on the cards.
KALPANA – ½ point each-way@8-1
4.23 CHESTER
AL HUSSAR hasn’t had the rub of the green on either of his last three starts and he can bounce back in the right direction from his good draw at a track where he has been successful in the past.
Undone by a wide draw and unsuitable soft ground on the Roodeye three starts ago, Alan Bailey’s gelding suffered a similar fate at York last time (12 of 12) and in between times, he found the white-hot heat of an extremely strongly run Class 3 affair over a stiff five-furlongs a bridge too far at Hamilton.
Prior to those slightly unlucky efforts, Grant Tuer’s inmate came up trumps in a wild finish at Thirsk and with stall 2 a solid platform from which to work from here this afternoon, another victory at this level could easily be whinging his way.
AL HUSSAR – 1-point each-way@4-1
4.52 YORK
Quite a few improving profiles brought to the party in this concluding three-year-old handicap, none more so than RETURN OF THE GODS, who left the impression he had plenty more to offer following his win at Doncaster last time out.
Ed Bethell’s colt had intimated of brighter days ahead with his run behind Fenlander in a fast time at Nottingham previously and stepping up to seven furlongs duly brought out further improvement from him on Town Moor.
Ridden just off the speed 16 days ago, the son of Tasleet was delivered with his challenge at the same time his main market rival, Alpha Capture, was produced with his effort a furlong out and duking it out all the same to the line, he just prevailed by the narrowest of margins.
Based on what Alpha Capture would have achieved here yesterday with anything like a clear run (denied room at several crucial points), the form should be viewed as being solid and it is just a case of him reacting in a positive way to his first visit on the Knavesmire – which can prove a culture shock to many.
RETURN OF THE GODS – 1-point win@7-2