GOSDEN WINTER DERBY GRIP: Daqman previews Saturday’s Winter Derby at Lingfield, seemingly in the grip of three-time winner, John Gosden, who has three runners of the eight declared this morning.
TODAY: Bets from three venues but Daqman saves the best until last with his nap running in the 8.00 at Newcastle.
FOXES TALES WINS FRESH
⭕ 2.05 Lingfield, Saturday, Winter Derby (Group 3) Team Gosden won this three years running (2019-21), with young improvers rated 117, 111 and 106.
But the Gosden bid for the £56,000 prize this time around is with three seven-year-olds, Lord North (118), Forest Of Dean (105) and Harrovian (104), third in a Listed at Royal Ascot last June.
Lord North was unlucky to have to face rising-star Alenquer when second last year. Forest Of Dean, who had completed the Winter Derby hat-trick for the Gosdens in 2021, was only fourth.
Alenquer, trained by William Haggas, would go on to win the Group-1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh in May.
Andrew Balding, running into Winter Derby weekend with a 50% strike rate (7-14), saddles Foxes Tales, one of two youngsters in the party at age five.
Foxes Tales won first time up in 2021 and ran second in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown last Spring but has no AW form since runner-up on his debut in December 2020,
But he has won after the break before now and has his first run back this year after being gelded.
The only other five-year-old in the field of 10 is Tyrrhenian Sea, who landed an AW hat-trick at this time last year.
If the race were a handicap, Lord North would be clear top off 118 but then it’s a close call, with Lucander on 106 – a Grade 2 winner in Bahrain – and Forest of Dean with Foxes Tales on 105.
* Look out for low numbers in the draw even with just eight runners: stalls 1, 2, 3 (twice), 4 and 5 have won six out of the last 10.
DAY FOR LEGENDS
⭕ 4.25 Sedgefield The handicapper seems to have been quite lenient by starting Legendary Day with a mark of 112 and the booking of Brian Hughes is an obvious positive too from the Adrian Keatley yard who have had two winners from their last six runners.
The five-year-old Legendary Day has been busy on the Flat and running well too including at Newcastle last time out when winning over 1m 4f. He was also a soft ground bumper winner here last November but has good ground form too – from the Flat when trained by Hughie Morrison.
His hurdles debut at Catterick was perfectly satisfactory behind Matchless who went on to run well in better company and he can see off his more exposed looking rivals.
THE LIKELY LAD
⭕ 5.15 Southwell Dubai Jeanius is on a real roll bidding for his fourth course win here since 20 January but is also up another 5lb and this looks very competitive despite the grade.
He’s only been winning narrowly, the kind of horse that can often stay in front of the handicapper but with 10 stone 1lb here might struggle to shake off some rivals who are also running well but just without the sexy form figures.
Liberated Lad scored easily in both his wins here last month (6 1/2 lengths and 2 lengths) and has since followed up with a good second at Lingfield over a longer trip. He looks a much better priced alternative to the favourite.
POWER ON IN THE LAST
⭕ 8.00 Newcastle Kraken Power failed by only a nose to win here on Monday and in a lower grade tonight should surely go one better and add to his excellent course and distance record.
Paul Mulrennan takes over from Joanna Mason in the saddle – but a health warning: Kraken Power never does it easily – his two previous course and distance wins here have been by a short head and a neck so it’s a case of bracing ourselves!
He’ll probably head up the weights based on Monday’s effort alone so it makes sense to catch him whilst racing off the same handicap mark tonight.
Gowanbuster is on a losing run of 18 and whilst his effort here last time was encouraging it came over six furlongs and I suspect that’s his better trip these days.
A bigger threat may come from Nellie French who always seems to run her race and will be hard to keep out of the places if you are looking for that option on Betdaq Betting Exchange.
DAQMAN’S BETS
4.25 Sedgefield (win 10)
BET 4.2pts win LEGENDARY DAY
5.15 Southwell (win 10)
BET 1.4pts win LIBERATED LAD
8.00 Newcastle (win 10, nap)
BET 5.8pts win KRAKEN POWER
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