Friday 10th May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
1.30: CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap: Kicking things off on Friday for us will be the 1.30 which is handicap action over seven and a half furlongs. I like Dancing Magic here for the team of Roger Teal and William Buick. He’s a long-standing maiden, however, he’s contested some very hot graded races and hasn’t been completely disgraced in some of them. He posted a very encouraging effort when sixth of twenty-one last time in the Spring Cup at Newbury on his seasonal reappearance, travelling well before not finishing his race out. This is a drop down in trip by half of a furlong which should be ideal and this could well be his day. Dancing Magic – 5/1 (Each-Way)
2.05: Boodles Darley “Confined” Maiden Stakes: Next up it’s maiden company at 2.05 over a mile and four and a half furlongs. I’m with Mr Hampstead here who represents Roger Varian and David Egan. He finished fourth of ten on his seasonal reappearance last month at Newbury, staying on well in the closing stages which gave the impression that he’ll relish this step up to a mile and four and a half furlongs. He should almost certainly improve on that effort here and I think a bold showing is likely. Mr Hampstead – 9/4 (Win)
2.35: tote.co.uk Free Bet Friday Handicap: My third selection of the afternoon comes in the 2.35 which is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’ve come down on City Streak here who’s currently trading at a best price of 5/1 for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. He was a solid second on seasonal reappearance at Bath on heavy ground last month, and whilst the drying ground would be a slight concern here if he builds on that run he’s still a considerable player. He’s also a course and distance winner with that success coming at last year’s May Festival. City Streak – 5/1 (Each-Way)
3.05: IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes: It’s Group 2 action at 3.05 with the Huxley Stakes taking centre-stage over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’m staying loyal to Israr here for John & Thady Gosden and Jim Crowley. I put him up for his most recent effort in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown where he finished third, he travelled well that day before not finding a great deal at the business end of things. He should strip fitter for that run here, and whilst it’s likely that he’ll require a perfectly timed ride, he’s a very talented horse and should be making his presence felt in this. Israr – 7/2 (Win)
3.40: Duke Of Westminster Supporting The Chester Cup: The feature event of the day and the meeting comes up at 3.40 which is the Chester Cup, a Heritage Handicap that’s ridden over two miles and two and a half furlongs. I think that Grand Providence looks like a very solid option in this year’s renewal of the race for Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner. She returned to the track at Newbury last month when finishing third of eight behind Prince Alex and that looks to be a perfect preparation coming into this assignment. She’ll have no issue with the trip and if getting some luck in the run she looks to have a fine chance. Grand Providence – 7/1 (Each-Way)
4.15: Duke Of Westminster Supporting The Chester Plate Handicap: Signing me off for the day will be the 4.15 which is the Chester Plate, the consolidation race for the feature event so also ridden over two miles and two and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Havaila here at 6/1 for Gary & Josh Moore and Ben Coen. He’s been tried over hurdles over the winter and has had success over that code, he returned to the flat earlier in the month when a neck second at Goodwood and will contest this off the same mark. He’s another that will have no issue over the trip, and if the drying ground isn’t too much of a problem he can give his running. Havaila – 6/1 (Each-Way)
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