DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY AUGUST 23
2.50 DEAUVILLE
On a day where the UK and Irish racing looks decidedly modest, I’ve unsurprisingly chosen to break rank and look towards the top quality action in France on my final day’s tipping piece for a week and in the shape of the Prix Morny, we have a gathering of some of the best two-year-olds we have seen so far this season locking horns.
This Group 1 really is a fascinating affair with so many different permutations but at the same time, it is quite hard to come to the conclusion Orthodox is a great value bet around the 2-1 mark.
Yes, he is unbeaten in two starts and showed likeable battling qualities to land the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, but this year’s Group 2 came across as arguably one of the weaker juvenile races run during the five days in mid-June and the form of the race hasn’t worked out that well since.
On the other hand, Senorita Bonita probably has the best credentials heading into today’s contest with the two she beat at Newmarket recently in the shape of Libertango and Alwaysanangel both winning subsequently and her runner-up spot to Victorious, in one of the best two-year-old races at Royal Ascot on the speed figures, isn’t too shabby either. In short, she should be favourite.
As always, Aidan O’Brien sends over a strong team in a bid to add to Whistlejacket and Blackbeard’s victories of late and it may be significant that Ryan Moore has chosen/or been told to ride, Man’s Best Friend.
He clearly gave Ballydoyle’s retained jockey a good feel when he quickened up well to land the Molecome at Goodwood and there looks to be much more to come from the son of No Nay Never.
However, despite being deserted by his stable jockey for the second time this season, GREAT BARRIER REEF looks to be massively overpriced based on what he achieved when winning the Coventry at Royal Ascot and the forgotten horse of the race can remind everyone of the qualities he possesses.
If you recall, Moore chose to ride Confucius in the Group 2 at the Berkshire venue and that decision ended up backfiring in spectacular fashion with the son of No Nay Never proving to be way too good for his 20 rivals on the day.
Not only did the chestnut colt win with plenty in hand, he did so having to overcome a massive draw bias to those who raced towards the nearside rail and when you consider the gap back to the best of the low-drawn horses was nine lengths, it puts in perspective the magnitude of his achievement 68 days ago.
Having not run in the interim, obviously his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but it is worth pointing out he was good enough to score first time out by six lengths and considering that performance was on soft ground too, he should be able to cope with what ever the conditions throw at him here this afternoon.
Add into the mix the unbeaten top home-based runner, Kosuma, who has looked impressive in all her three victories, and this race threatens to be one of the best of its kind we have seen so far this season.
GREAT BARRIER REEF – 1-point each-way@15-2