Newbury’s Rose Bowl and Hamilton’s Glasgow Stakes are the star attractions on Friday, two Listed contests which provide big clues to races later in the season. Here are the highlights along with the main contenders.
3.50 Newbury (Rose Bowl Stakes, 6f 2yo Listed Race)
Another Batt
George Scott’s contender has had a good season already and will appreciate these conditions. Kieran Shoemark is a good booking too.
Jellmood
Still a maiden despite three strong runs, the Acclamation colt may not necessarily appreciate this softer going.
Simmy’s Copshop
Already beaten twice in this grade, there’s more improvement there over this trip and the ground should not be a problem.
Way Of Wisdom
Charlie Appleby’s 2yo’s are in rare form and Way Of Wisdom’s debut win was excellent. The fact that he’s Australian bred and won over five furlongs on fast ground, you’d think he wouldn’t want these conditions. However, his sire Lonhro preferred it softer and was a brother to jumps superstar Denman.
Madeline
Cracking form including a 5th last time in the Albany at Royal Ascot, however her profile and breeding suggest fast ground is a must.
Natural
Good win back in June on soft ground, plenty of improvement needed here.
Summary
Another Batt is experienced and looks set for a big run, though there looks a fair bit of value in the Godolphin horse WAY OF WISDOM who on breeding may improve for these conditions after an excellent debut on fast ground.
4.25 Newbury (2m2f Handicap)
Champagne Champ
Now that the ground has gone softer, this race will take some getting and Champagne Champ’s form figures over 2m+ are 421230 with the last in the Northumberland Plate. The ground is right in his favour too and big run is on the cards.
Pumblechook
The 4yo has only had 9 runs and has been generally progressive since joining Mark Johnston in May. Although there’s not a lot of track evidence, his breeding and handler suggest conditions will be fine and he can improve once again.
Percy Veer
Consistent, but will probably need the run and isn’t exactly well in.
Aurora Gray
Placed the last twice over these sorts of distances at Pontefract, though not certain to like the softer ground.
Jukebox Jive
Won at Sandown on only his 6th start over 1m6f and there is no doubt Anthony Honeyball knows how to prepare them to run a distance.
Summary
Champagne Champ won’t be beaten off too easily and Jukebox Jive will be strongly fancied come race time, however there may be more to come from PUMBLECHOOK and the Johnston horse gets the vote.
7.20 Hamilton (Scottish Stewards Cup, 6f Handicap)
Muntadab
Admirable sort, but the handicapper seems to have a grip of him just now.
Naggers
Won here this time last year more or less and will be OK on the fair ground, despite doing his winning lately on soft. The 6yo may still have a couple of pounds in hand here as he improves.
Get Knotted
Rarely lets anyone down but hasn’t won for a while and is not terribly well handicapped.
Flying Pursuit
The 4yo is at his very best just now and will get better yet. A winner last time out under today’s rider Rachel Richardson and every chance.
Sharp Defence
Only a 3yo and over from Ireland, he won really well here last time but that was on rain softened ground. He’s gone up a long way in the weights for that and may struggle here against these.
Jack Dexter
The 8yo is popular but really isn’t getter any better right now.
Six Strings
Other than in the ultra-competitive Weaterbys Super Sprint last year on fast ground (beaten just 5 lenghts), Six Strings has always been in the two and will be improving fast. He’ll come on plenty from his seasonal debut and could represent good value.
Summary
The 3yo SIX STRINGS s going the right way and will be much sharper for his run at Newmarket last time. He may just about get home in front ahead of Flying Pursuit and Naggers.
7.55 Hamilton (Glasgow Stakes, 1m3f Listed Race)
Call To Mind
The Queen’s lightly raced Galileo colt has been relatively highly tried so far and may find this an easier task, though he was far enough forward when beaten in the King Edward VII last time out and won’t necessarily improve too much from that.
Defoe
The bare form of his two handicap wins this would leave him a bit to find here, but he’s improving rapidly and has serious engagements in both the St Leger and its trial, the Great Voltigeur. Connections expect plenty and more improvement is to come.
Fierce Impact
Ever since his debut win he has been tried in Listed and Group company with no success.
Frankuus
Admirably consistent, Mark Johnston’s Frankel colt may give him the best chance of landing the race he loves to win, however he may fall just short.
Summary
The improving DEFOE has a big future and if he is to be successful in any of his future engagements he simply must win this. Call To Mind and Frankuus can challenge for the places.