Friday, 10th June 2022
It’s a quiet weekend ahead of the Royal meeting at Ascot….
But there is a big field handicap to target up at York – the Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap at 3.40….
A field of 19 heads to post for the C2 event for 3yo horses rated 0 to 105 over the straight 6f….
The going is described this morning as good (good to firm in places). The forecast for today is dry….
There are a couple of showers forecast for tomorrow afternoon – but not so much rain as to give soft ground horses what they’d be looking for….
Richard Fahey’s VINTAGE CLARETS is very much a horse to keep in mind in the weeks and months ahead….
Third in last season’s Coventry Stakes at Ascot he went into the Super Sprint at Newbury in July plenty fancied on a mark of 103 – and whilst he was beaten into 6th of the 22 he was only 2-lengths in arrears at the post….
Then the wheels came off. Three beatings in G2 and Listed races at York, Ayr and Redcar meant he finished the season without a win – and looking like something was amiss….
It was. Richard Fahey reports the horse had a high testicle. I’m not sure exactly what that means – but it sounds painful. He had it removed at the end of last term and was reported to have wintered well….
This term he’s 0 from 3 and – on the face of it – still struggling with down-the-field performances produced in handicap company at Newmarket, Chester, and York….
But – on the eye – the performances weren’t as unconvincing as they look on paper. He showed flashes in each of those races – catching the eye at various points without manging to sustain into the final furlong….
He wasn’t given a hard time once beaten and the upside is that he’s dropped very swiftly to a mark of just 87 – which he’s going to be dangerous from if or when he puts it together. And at some point he will….
Maybe, I’m a little early with this horse. Maybe his time will come a little later in the summer. But at the general 33s I can’t resist swinging the bat at him tomorrow – with the quickening ground in his favour….
The market is spot-on with its assessment of the principals in the betting. Vintage Clarets appeals as the horse that can significantly outrun a big price. He’s as well-handicapped as he’s ever been and he can go closer than the market believes….
Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 6. It’s one 1/5 the first 5 generally….
Nick’s Dark Horse….To recap on my idea of the dark horses capable of running big races at tasty prices in the big handicaps tomorrow afternoon…. In the Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap (3.40 @ York)….
Advised prices are correct at the time my column is submitted for publication. But prices are subject to fluctuation. There’s nothing I can do about that. Be sure to consult Oddschecker – you may find a quote better than advised…. |
That’s all for today….
I’ll be back tomorrow and on Sunday – with preparatory work for Royal Ascot….
Then on Monday I’ll be hitting you with my picks for Day 1 of the meeting….
Look out for me in your inbox around lunchtime. Meanwhile….
Anything to report? Anything to say? Anything to share? Contact me at: nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk
Stay tuned.
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