Thursday sees some good action on both sides of the Irish Sea with Group 3 action at Leopardstown and a nice juvenile Listed race at Sandown. Here are the days better races featuring the main contenders:
2.30 Sandown (1m6f 3yo Handicap)
Janszoon
Lightly raced sort with conditions back in favour, absolutely sure to go well.
Great Sound
Won a decent maiden in good style and difficult to know why he didn’t do better next time. Should do much better this time.
Joshua Reynolds
Won last time at HQ and definitely stays, can progress again.
Duke Of Bronte
More experienced than the others and conditions should be OK.
Nadaitak
Won as 5/4fav at specialist course last time, better as a 4yo.
Summary
A typical three-year-old affair with improvers galore. John Gosden is great with these types and his GREAT SOUND looks best in to me ahead of Joshua Reynolds and Janszoon.
3.05 Sandown (Star Stakes, 7f 2yo Listed Race)
Billesdon Brook
Deserved to win easily last time but seems to come unstuck against the better types.
Cape Bunting
Two easy wins and deserves to step up. Plenty of improvement to come from a horse which has not been extended at all yet.
Capomento
Probably a big price but made a very nice debut. Fair bit more to come yet.
Elizabeth Bennet
Could well be more suited to a synthetic surface and was well beaten in Listed company last time.
Ellthea
Won at Carlisle over the minimum trip but this is very different.
So Hi Society
Didn’t progress last time but that was in a Group 2 on fast ground. Excellent before that and another bold bid on the way.
Tajaanus
Will be all the better for going up a furlong, a clear run and some improvement are needed.
Summary
We have seen nothing like the best of Mark Johnston’s CAPE BUNTING yet and today could be the day. So Hi Society‘s experience could be crucial in running a place.
3.40 Sandown (1m2f Handicap)
Silver Ghost
Gone from strength to strength since joining Eve Johnson Houghton. Won last two but may find this tougher.
Caponova
Haydock specialist who may be a little high in the weights.
Eynhallow
Won two of three races since gelded this year and getting better but does need the race run to suit. May not be as far ahead of the assessor as thought.
High Draw
Won a claimer last time in France and likes it here. No surprise to see him go well but watch out for the price collapsing if the stable are confident.
Summary
Not too many contenders and it’s hard to believe HIGH DRAW‘s overnight price given where he is in the handicap. Hot favourite Eynhollow could be next best.
6.55 Leopardstown (Silver Flash Stakes, 7f 2yo Fillies’ Group 3)
Dawn Delivers
Improving gradually rather than rapidly but worth her place.
Easter Lily
Very nice maiden win last time and will progress again. Already shown a fondness for these conditions.
Golden Spell
Probably needs this trip and is bound to improve. Should put in a decent performance.
Happily
Won last time with some authority but the bare form isn’t that special. More to come though and Moore is on board.
Summary
With even more improvement to come, the Ballydoyle first string HAPPILY should take some beating here.
7.05 Newbury (1m2f 3yo Handicap)
Pilgrims Treasure
Hadn’t stopped improving since his debut in April. Ground doesn’t seem to be a problem and he should step forward again.
Baashiq
Unsuited by the small field on fast ground on handicap debut and will be seen to much better effect here. Strips much fitter here no doubt and a huge run is on the cards.
Big Tour
If he’s the genuine Godolphin number one ahead of Pilgrims Treasure he must be in with a big chance. Better than the bare form of an all the way win last time.
Pivoine
Now gelded and better judged on his backend 2yo form.
Bedouin
Will stay on better than most, experienced but still improving and can go ok.
Summary
There are some improving types here as you’d expect and the Godolphin horse BIG TOUR gets the nod ahead of Baashiq.
7.30 Leopardstown (Tyros Stakes, 7f 2yo Group 3)
The Pentagon
Put in the sort of performance that marks him out as this yard’s latest Group 1 type. Hard to beat.
Theobald
Not far behind the Pentagon based on his second in a Group 3 and may appreciate the slight step up in trip.
Would Be King
Beaten in three maidens but always by high class types, outside chance.
Summary
Theobald could improve a bit over this trip, however there’s probably more potential in THE PENTAGON and he is taken to score.
7.35 Newbury (1m Fillies’ Handicap)
Cheerfilly
Underfoot conditions will be spot-on and she should be properly ready for the mile now.
Finishing Touch
Best judged on her maiden success at York rather than her handicap debut last time. Conditions are ideal today and she should be miles ahead of the handicapper.
Salamah
Very hard to quantify, at least on turf.
Medicean Ballet
Fourth last time but her win at Newmarket last backend is a better pointer.
Hidden Charms
Won AW debut at Wolves but was disappointing last time.
Summary
FINISHING TOUCH is potentially miles ahead of the handicapper despite defeat last time and will enjoy it here. Cheerfilly and Medicean Ballet may fill the places.
7.50 Doncaster (7f Fillies’ Handicap)
Bint Arcano
In great form but probably won’t enjoy these conditions so much.
Savannah Slew
Conditions may dry out just a tad too much to see her at her best.
Little Lady Katie
Creeping close to her best again and conditions are bang in her favour. Big chance.
Miss Sheridan
Getting better but would like it a tad faster I’d say.
Summary
One or two here may not like the conditions but that cannot be said of LITTLE LADY KATIE who will be mightily hard to beat.