GET THE VIOLAS OUT: Heartache for the DAQMAN nap yesterday Viola who was beaten a head at 2/1 having been denied a clear run. Unlucky? I’m biased. The Racing Post comment says it all: “Dwelt start, soon switched left and in touch with leaders on inner, tracked leaders over 2f out, going okay when short of room over 1f out, pushed along and made strong challenge final 110yds, soon ridden, kept on, just failed (jockey said filly was denied a clear run)”
HALFWAY HOUSE DAY 4: THE TWO-YEAR-OLDS: We’ve had the two-year-olds scene at Royal Ascot but, as the results reveal below, the superstars tend to come from the top races for Irish juveniles.
⚠️ HAMILTON DOUBT: Hamilton have called a 2pm inspection today for Friday’s fixture as rain has left track unraceable.
WHO WILL FOLLOW SISKIN?
⭕ 3.55 The Curragh, Sunday (Phoenix Stakes) Caravaggio (2016), Advertise (2018) and Siskin (2019) all won this. So, too, Air Force Blue (2015) who also won the National Stakes but didn’t train on as a three-year-old.
You may think you need a pin to pick the winner but it could help to know that Aidan O’Brien has won it 16 times, and that the winner’s SP has not exceeded 9-4 in the last five seasons.
15 runners accepted at the latest entry stage with Aidan O’Brien having five representatives to try and keep up his exceptional record: Admiral Nelson, Giorgio Vasari, St Mark’s Basilica, Swiss Ace and Mother Ace.
There are two UK raiders Ventura Tormenta for Richard Hannon and Michael Bell’s The Lir Jet who was beaten a short head in the Group 2 Darley Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly last time out
Here are the top five of Ireland’s top two-year-old tests to come. They could decide the way the markets go for Guineas, Derby and Oaks in 2021.
Next week: England and France:
Phoenix Stakes Curragh, Sunday (see above)
Debutante Stakes Curragh, August 22. Recent ace winners: Rhododendron (2016), Magical (2017) and Alpine Star (2019).
Futurity Stakes Curragh, August 22. Recent ace winners: Gleneagles (2014), Churchill (2016), Anthony Van Dyck (2018).
Moyglare Stud Stakes Curragh, September 13. Recent ace winners: Minding (2015 ), Love (2019)
National Stakes Curragh September 13. Recent ace winners: Dawn Approach (2012), Gleneagles (2014), Churchill (2016), Pinatubo (2019).
PONDERING PONDUS IS BAD VALUE
⭕ 3.00 Leopardstown (Bahrain International Ballyroan Stakes) One of two Group races on today’s Leopardstown card and Pondus is a short price favourite for this.
He looks a little short for me for a horse that is not yet completely proven at this level. It was a Listed race he won well last time out but that came on heavy ground at Roscommon and he had previously been beaten in Listed company at Limerick on today’s expected good ground.
He was beaten that day by 18/1 chance Oriental Eagle who is fairly exposed and I’m not sure Pondus should be around evens for this Group 3.
His long term aim is also thought to be the Melbourne Cup.
The value today looks to lie with the Ger Lyons trained Nickajack Cave who won a Listed race here last time out over 1m 6f. In truth, he also needs to improve but he is progressive and that could easily happen.
PRINCELY FOR BATH ROYALTIES
⭕ 3.10 Bath Plenty of short price favourites at Bath today including in the later featured class 3 handicap.
There could be a bet here though with Princely who has finished second in both his starts this year and the handicapper hasn’t punished him for these efforts.
I think he bumped into one here last time out when second to Grey Galleon who went on to give the form a good advertisement when a good fourth in a much better race at Newmarket next time out on the July Course.
EDGE TO TAKE FURTHER STRIDES
⭕ 3.20 Ripon Fishable scored with so much in hand over course and distance last time out that he might be able to shrug off the resulting 7lb hike on only his fourth racecourse start.
He came readily clear inside the final furlong to beat Scottish Summit by three and a quarter lengths.
He should have more scope than the Richard Fahey trained Fraternity who was a neck winner over a mile here last time out and is now stepping up in trip.
But there is a big danger to both lurking in the shape of the Mark Johnston trained Striding Edge who romped home by 10 lengths at Pontefract last week and it’s no surprise to see him out again quickly under the statutory 6lb penalty.
His rating is officially set to go up 9lb which may even prove lenient – but even if the handicapper is right he is 3lb well in on today’s terms.
5.8 on BETDAQ at the time of writing is double the price I was expecting – so will nap him to win 20 points.
DAQMAN’S BETS (all staked to win 10 points, except nap 20 points)
BET 5.1pts win NICKAJACK CAVE (3.00 Leopardstown)
BET 3.1pts win PRINCELY (3.10 Bath)
BET 4.2pts win (nap to win 20) STRIDING EDGE (3.20 Ripon).
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
