‘MONSTER’ SHAQUILLE SLAMS CUP FIELD: Daqman joined the chorus of ‘a racehorse is not supposed to do that’ after Shaquille shocked Newmarket by rearing at the start, racing up to lead at halfway yet was then able to storm clear up the big-dipper finish to win the July Cup yesterday, a veritable ‘monster’ sprinter in the manner of a Baaeed.
21.0 BETDAQ OUTSIDER PAYS THE DAY: Daqman justified his Saturday tips with a win-and-place bet he described as a ‘welcome guest’ at 21.0 on BETDAQ, putting him 37-17 up on Pricewise.
WON (2nd 11-1) ROPEY GUEST 21.0 taken w/p on BETDAQ
WON 4-6 CITY OF TROY
RAMATUELLE ANOTHER TOP FILLY
⭕ 1.33 Chantilly (Prix Robert Papin) Last year’s winning colt, Blackbeard, went on to complete a 6f hat-trick in the Prix Morny (August) and Middle Park Stakes (September) but had to retire early.
And it’s the fillies that have made the Robert Papin famous in recent years, producing Natagora (2007) and Special Duty (2009), a subsequent winner of the 1,000 Guineas and a Guineas double heroine (English and French).
Trying to follow in their hoofprints today, challenging the colts, are Ramatuelle, Classic Flower and Balsam.
Ramatuelle, a clear winner of a Group 3, is trained by Christopher Head, who has the filly star of this year’s second-season crop in France, Blue Rose Cen.
There’s a cross-Channel measure of the French form, perhaps an unfair one at this stage, in that Balsam came over for the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot but sweated up and was beaten five lengths, out of the frame.
Though Myconian has traveled to France and won a Listed at Deauville, the best colt on offer today is Aidan O’Brien’s son of No Nay Never, His Majesty.
Talk about giving Ballydoyle a line for the future! He’s finished third or fourth in, successively, the Marble Hill Stakes, the Norfolk Stakes and the Railway Stakes.
Now he tests the future hopes of the French by tackling Ramatuelle, whose name derives from the Arabic for ‘the mercy of God.’ But my information is that she shows no mercy.
IT’S A PEACEFUL SUNDAY
⭕ 2.30 Perth After ‘Super Saturday’ comes ‘Slimline Sunday’ with just two domestic cards – both over the jumps at Perth and Stratford and only two of the 12 race stretching into a double digit field size. Hmmm.
To say this opening three runner chase looks like it won’t take much winning would be a huge understatement but I thought the outsider of the Betdaq Betting Exchange three (in morning trading) Peaceful Sunday could be the one – not to mention also a very apt name today!
Starting with his opposition and Paros appeared to show better form on his first start for Dr Richard Newland when third at Worcester. That came in a four runner race though and I wouldn’t be rushing in to back him on that evidence on much softer ground today which is not certain to suit.
He was previously with Nicky Henderson and his form went sour with four pulled up efforts in a row. It now looks as though he was highly tried in some of those runs but there wouldn’t be many trainers that can improve an ex-Henderson inmate.
Rakhine State drops back in trip after a bitterly disappointing effort at Worcester last time out and again the ground could b a concern for him – his four career wins have all come on good.
That leaves Peaceful Sunday who back after a break could almost pick this up by default. He has some soft ground form including a win at Fairyhouse last year and if freshened up by the move to Jennie Candlish could ‘surprise’. His jumping needs to improve but that’s pretty much a comment that can be levelled at his two rivals too.
SHALLOW WATERS FOR RIVER
⭕ 3.40 Perth Shallow River has obvious claims in another weak event.
The Fergal O’Brien trained runner has a soft ground bumper win to his name and also brings the best recent form to the table via his close second at Market Rasen last time out in a better (on paper at least) class 3 event.
His three rivals are all course and distance winners including Malangen who won this very race by eight lengths last year. He’s a confirmed front runner and also a pretty prolific winner but none of his eight previous triumphs have come on soft ground.
Petite Rhapsody also needs to win on soft for the first time whilst Go Bob Go got no further than the sixth here 10 days ago before a bad blunder and unseat. William Shanahan is bravely back in the saddle.
ROSTELLO FOR REPEAT OFF 5lb LOWER
⭕ 5.10 Stratford Hunting Percival won over hurdles here last time out when fighting back gamely but had previously not shown much enthusiasm for the larger obstacles he tackles again today when pulled up.
A safer bet might be Rostello to follow up on his 14 length win in this race 12 months ago.
He’s a quirky character but is on a mark 5lb lower than for last year’s win and didn’t put in a bad shift last time out when chasing home the long odds-on Ajp Kingdom at Uttoxeter.
DAQMAN’S BETS
1.33 Chantilly (win 10)
BET 12.6pts win RAMATUELLE
2.30 Perth (win 10)
BET 3.5pts win PEACEFUL SUNDAY
3.40 Perth (win 10, nap)
BET 13pts win SHALLOW RIVER
5.10 Stratford (win 10)
BET 2.3pts win ROSTELLO
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