GO FROM RAGS TO RICHES WITH DAQMAN: Daqman goes for a soft (ground) touch in the handicaps at up to 13.5 on BETDAQ this afternoon, and smashes into a Daq Multiples treble tonight, including Union Rags in the Belmont in America.
It’s the same all over the world. The change of ground scuppered me in England yesterday, and thunderstorms are likely to decide the big race in America tonight.
If the rain clouds merely hover and it stays firm, Dullahan should have the legs of them in the Belmont Stakes (11.40). If the clouds burst and turn the dirt sloppy, Union Rags will at last live up to his two-year-old form, having been hampered in the Kentucky Derby.
I’ll pay my Union dues now and take the 3.4 on BETDAQ this morning; Otherwise, I’ll be caught without cover in a storm. If it’s firm, I can always save on Dullahan tonight.
2.35 Chester Pintura (5.8 on BETDAQ as I write) has got his ground and the draw (stall 1) to confirm the Chester Cup meeting form with Kyllachy Star and Imperial Djay, though he’s been beaten there on firm ground since.
But can he account for the dark horse of the race, Van Ellis (7.0)? Dropped from Listed company at Newmarket but badly drawn at Epsom, he had hurtled round Dundalk in a very fast time so could be suited to Chester.
2.55 Newmarket Low numbers dominated here yesterday, and three of the four 6f and 7f races were won from the front; once these horses broke clear, they were not for passing in the conditions.
Those front-runners or pace-chasers known to act in the conditions are Shropshire (stall 10), Irish Heartbeat (11) and Mirza (13).
The only recognized van runner in low numbers is Es Que Love (stall 4); on his side is that Mark Johnston’s horses often power away in front; against him is no known form on the soft. Pearl Ice might well go with him from the low side but is a vulnerable favourite on the soft.
This is the first time Michael Hills has been up on the grey Shropshire this season but I’m just a bit worried the gelding has gone up in the ratings without winning.
It might be Irish Heartbeat’s turn. He likes soft ground, is down to a winning mark, his stable is rampant and he’s won over further, which is useful if this becomes a final-furlong test of stamina.
4.00 Newmarket High Jinx returns to his best trip in his favoured conditions, with stable confidence behind him: what more do you want? Answer: a bit better than 9-2, layers please.
Ermyn Lodge goes well first time out (form figures 112) but the Cesarewitch runner-up may need further; he hasn’t won over less than two miles for nearly four years, and is any price you like this morning.
Anatolian (13.5 on BETDAQ this morning) has so far raced only on a sound surface but his sire, Pivotal, has got many a soft-ground performer. The stable is in better form now.
Robert Eddery’s Vasily (11.0) is a similar case – lightly raced and bred to enjoy the surface – though he hasn’t yet learned to settle and has something to find with Mulaqen.
Mulaqen is high in the ratings (raised a stone) but was a blot on the handicap first time out and is headed for Royal Ascot. Spifer (behind High Office at York) has thrown two races away that I know of.
DAQMAN’S BETS
BET 4.1pts win PINTURA and 3.2pts win VAN ELLIS (2.35 Chester)
LAY to win 10pts PEARL ICE, plus WIN-30 JACKPOT: 3.4pts win SHROPSHIRE and 3.3pts win IRISH HEARTBEAT (2.55 Newmarket)
WIN-30 JACKPOT: 5.5pts win MULAQEN and 2.4pts win ANATOLIAN, plus 1.6pts win (stakes saver) HIGH JINX (4.00 Newmarket).
DAQ MULTIPLES TONIGHT: 5pts win on each plus 3 x 3pts win doubles and 1pt win treble TWELVE STRINGS (8.30 Windsor), NEW DRAMA (8.45 Newcastle) and UNION RAGS (11.40 Belmont Park)
* Daqman’s selections are backed to win 20 points (unless otherwise stated) so, if you divide 20 by his stake, you know the Betdaq offer taken at the time.
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