Third Time Lucky

Perhaps the most competitive and most difficult race of the season, The Ayr Gold Cup. Sticking with Colonel Mak for the third time in a major Handicap. Banged his head at Goodwood, wrong side at Ripon, might he be a bit more fortunate this afternoon? He will need to be from a middle draw, but his course form (winner Silver Cup last year) suggests he has the ability to be thereabouts. Curiously in a such an open race, there does not appear to be any hidden value lurking, but in the soft conditions Dandy Nicholls' Tajneed might be worth a look (well drawn).

good luck...

Makarma

The Great St. Wilfrid at Ripon today is a race that has been good to us in recent seasons. The key factor is the draw and sitting in a prime berth is Colonel Mak. Supported here last time in the Stewards Cup, his owner subsequently reported to the RUK team that he banged his head in the stalls and lost a few teeth prior to turning in a somewhat understandable mediocre performance. Conesquently, he is still on a winning mark and is definitely worth another go this afternoon.

good luck and looking forward to York.......

Great St. Wilfrid 2010

Sprint Handicaps, despite my best intentions seem to be occupying more of my time than usual this year. It's probably a reflection on a rather lack lustre flat season (hopefully things will change at York this week), although the competitiveness of this sector always attracts a curious eye. Today's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon is the latest in the summer series. Everything points in the direction of Tajneed who was successful in 2008 (with this corner's support). Track form, solid recent run, going suitability, similar rating to 2008, being sprint meister Dandy Nicholls only runner and last but not least a high draw, combine to make him favourite and while currently available at 4/1, one would expect him to shorten. All this makes him difficult to oppose but these races are hard to win as market leader and for that reason I am going to look elsewhere. As mentioned the draw is crucial and with the impending rain, I am going to plump for Damika (drawn 15 + form with cut in the ground) who ran a nice race last week at Haydock.

Perhaps the most interesting runner of the day is Bated Breadth at Newmarket (3.20). Running off 105 in a handicap, he should confirm his potential before moving on to a higher grade (Sprint Cup???)

And for the purists don't forget Goldi versus Paco at Deauville (Sunday)!!

good luck....