It was a week that began with near miss after near miss, with the selections finishing in positions of 3rd, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd. 2nd and 2nd up until Friday evening. To be honest all bar one finished where he did deservedly, with the one unlucky loser being Al Rufaa who we mentioned to you all a few weeks ago was a lively outsider for The Cambridgeshire at 50/1. Those prices are long gone now and the best price about him is 33/1, still a decent price should he take his place. He’s certainly very well handicapped
Saturday however the run of near misses snapped with the ‘group horse in a handicap’ winning the Portland from a graveyard draw. Hurricane Ivor had to overcome a huge draw bias to win a very competitive race from a single figure stall, something that hasn’t been done for 10 years.
However, we mentioned in our blogs a few weeks ago that this horse was a prime candidate for this race and he duly obliged, well done if you took note. We backed two in the race, Whenthedealinsdone a very good place at 9/1, having himself looked the winner at the furlong pole. He just didn’t get over the line at that trip and will be of big interest again back at 5f on softened ground. A very unlucky 2nd for Fev Rover at 11/1 ensured Saturday was a profitable one.
Sunday largely revolved around one horse, the strongest bet of the week, in Native Trail who took on a 4/6 fav in Point Lonsdale over in Ireland. I had a lot of confidence that he was a much better horse and with his huge stride would be perfectly suited to the course. What I hadn’t expected though was the ease in which he won with! Securing another profitable day.
Despite still being very green, inexperienced, throughout the first 80% of the race he still managed to come miles clear of a very strong field, packed with Group 1 & 2 winners. Its early days yet, and anything can happen in the next 9 months. However, as it stands, I cannot see anything getting near him at next years Guineas.
Our two other bets on the day didn’t deliver, but they are horses for another day. Manigordo will win before the seasons out, Jon Riggens will be a top drawer horse once he’s got a bit more experience under his belt.
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Below, three more for the trackers. Click on the horse to be taken to ATR, where you can add them straight in. Unable to add the unraced horses to ATRs tracker.
JUAN DE MONTALBAN … New to the O’Meara yard, he was given a gentle introduction on debut. Its believed wherever he turns up next he will take some beating.
AL NAIFR … An unraced colt from the Appleby yard. Expected to be tough to beat wherever he starts out on debut
DAQUIRI DREAM … Again unraced, this filly is believed to be top notch and one to follow for the Ralph Beckett yard.
