STRONG DOUBLE FOR DAQMAN GIVES HIM A PROFIT ON THE DAY: Daqman made a profit on the day yesterday with two winners, one each at the Curragh and at Windsor. Today he starts the week with three bets and takes on two favourites. Yesterday’s winners were:
WON 5-2 STRONG JOHNSON (The Curragh)
WON 9-5 OVERWRITE (Windsor)
IT’S DERBY WEEK WITH A TOP TIP FOR RETURN OF SPECTATORS: With so many big meetings going by behind closed doors, plans are urgently in hand to reopen racing to the public, with trials at Musselburgh and Kempton this week. Daqman previews the July package jammed with top events, starting with Saturday’s Derby at Epsom and speculates on a King George invitation day to return racing to the people.
‘REAL RACING’ BACK FOR KING GEORGE
You ain’t seen nothing yet! It’s all happening this coming weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, we could see the highest-quality all-action European events with results that set up the Arc de Triomphe meeting and British Champions Day to bring back the crowds that are still not permitted on the racecourse.
But this week sees a trial for owners to return to the racecourse at Musselburgh and Kempton on Wednesday, and I can reveal that there is a bold plan for invitation racing, with racegoers and bookies, at an all-ticket King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes day at Ascot.
Here are big-race dates, with Daqman’s Fortune Cookies right through the July bonanza.
⭕ EPSOM DERBY (Saturday, July 4) VATICAN CITY, my selection for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, stepped up dramatically from his maiden for Aidan O’Brien and finished fast, second to Siskin.
⭕ EPSOM OAKS (Saturday, July 4) FRANKLY DARLING, the daughter of Frankel, won the Ribblesdale Stakes for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori on only her third appearance on a racecourse.
⭕ CORAL ECLIPSE (Sunday, July 5) ENABLE, a winner many times over for Fortune Cookies, is back in an Eclipse double bid on the way to try for a third Arc de Triomphe.
⭕ FRENCH DERBY (Sunday, July 5) OCEAN ATLANTIQUE. Owned by The Lads (Magnier, Tabor, Smith), so setting up a potential Derby double in two days if Vatican City has already won at Epsom.
⭕ FRENCH OAKS (Sunday, July 5) RAABIHAH Powerful finish at Longchamp in May to book her place in the Prix de Diane, though FANCY BLUE, runner-up to Peaceful in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, would also have to be backed.
⭕ GERMAN DERBY (Sunday, July 12) WONDERFUL MOON, already talked about for the Arc de Triomphe, is considered the next Danedream for Germany.
⭕ KING GEORGE (Saturday, July 25) ENABLE and FANNY LOGAN for Fortune Cookies, plus what we might get from the Derbys.
YELLOW WARNING AT YARMOUTH
⭕ 12.30 Yarmouth There are two three runner races on today’s Yarmouth card – surely the fast ground causing the impact rather than too much racing given the time lost due to the pandemic?
Imperial Yellow should give Roger Varian another winner in this novice event. The stable have hammered home 10 winners in the last 14 days and there was plenty to like about Imperial Yellow’s Newmarket debut earlier in the month where he stayed on to good effect in the closing stages to finish fourth to the Godolphin pair Modern news and Noble Dynasty with Astimegoesby in third.
Of that trio, two went on to run at Royal Ascot, Modern News doing best by finishing fifth in the Chesham. The form didn’t take a massive boost but we can’t get too picky as we are talking about a Yarmouth novice event on a Monday after all !
Today’s danger is likely to come from Elected from another hot stable, that of William Haggas. This one made a pleasing enough debut when second on the all-weather to Mutazawwed in a four runner event and whilst never looking like winning he ran green and can only improve. It’s hard to know what the form is worth though.
WILL HE WIN AGAIN?
⭕ 3.20 Windsor This class 2 sprint is by far the pick on a modest day of racing.
Spanish Angel is favourite and bids to try and defy his 6lb penalty for last week’s course and distance win. It was only by a head he scrambled home though from a 40/1 shot and whilst the weight situation is helped by William Carver taking 5lb off – he is also taking over from Oisin Murphy in the saddle! In short, one to take on here.
Garsman and Poets Dance were first and second respectively at Newmarket and renew rivalry with the runner-up getting a 2lb pull for the half length beating – so it looks a coin flip which one will come out on top here.
I prefer the chances of Will To Win who has lived up to his name on the all-weather and has been a punter pal in the process. Winning four in a row and starting favourite each time.
He’s got plenty of pace and could prove hard to peg back at a track where front runners do well.
CUT SEVERANCE OUT OF CALCULATIONS
⭕ 5.20 Windsor Severance looks a little too short for me here in the BETDAQ market for a horse whose only win has come with give in the ground and has generally been frustrating as his form figures 31769937-2 suggest.
In contrast Hyanna loves the ground – four of her five career wins have come on good to firm ground.
The biggest challenge will be making sure she runs – they are dropping like flies here with four non runners at the time of writing.
DAQMAN’S BETS (staked to win 10 points each)
BET 7.0pts win (nap) IMPERIAL YELLOW (12.30 Yarmouth)
BET 2.4pts win WILL TO WIN (3.20 Windsor)
BET 3.0pts win HYANNA (5.20 Windsor)
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