DEL MAR COUNTDOWN: Daqman continues his countdown to Del Mar this weekend, setting the scene for the battle for the Breeders Cup Turf.
DOUBLE LISTED ACTION: Today DAQMAN has bets in the two Listed races on Lingfield’s all-weather card and a nap at Sedgefield.
ULYSSES SURELY THE BIG IMPROVER
He’s hit six already. And most recent of Aidan O’Brien’s half dozen Breeders Cup Turf successes give him form figures in the last six years of 131011.
He’s employed Seamie Heffernan (Highland Reel last year) and Ryan Moore for the last three wins but it is Moore who goes for the back to back bid by Highland Reel.
Success two years running for the same horse has eluded O’Brien. Nicholas Abbey won the race in 2012 but was only third the following year, while Found, the 2015 heroine, tried the double last year and was third to Highland Reel.
The only dual winner in successive years was Conduit (2008-9), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who now sends over Ulysses, never out of the frame since his debut and winner of the Eclipse and International Stakes.
But Ulysses is back up to 1m 4f, which he hasn’t tried since his fourth in the same Breeders Cup race last season.
He has only about a length and a half to make up on Highland Reel and the handicapper says he will do it easily. Having raced off 116 to Reel’s 123 that day, he is now reckoned a 127 horse. As confirmed today, Frankie rides.
PROMISING FOR BLACK TYPE
1.20 Lingfield (Listed) The first of two Listed races on the Lingfield card and this looks set to go to the Godolphin runner Promising Run who is making her first start on the all-weather at Lingfield but who has good form out at Meydan on the artificial surface.
She was a well beaten fourth at Goodwood in a Listed race on her only UK start so far this year but that came on soft ground and she should prefer this surface.
Last year’s winner Muffri’Ha is the favourite and will go close if reproducing her excellent second on All-Weather Championships Day but she has had a relatively hard season and looks a little short in the market. She also has recently shown signs of temperament and this is a tougher renewal than last year.
COURT TO PROVE THE LAYERS LIABILITY
1.30 Sedgefield A bright day in the north-east ahead of Sedgefield’s card and it would come as no surprise to see the low lying sun have a say later on in the afternoon.
This looks a decent novices’ hurdle for the track and preference is for Court Liability who was a bumper winner at Fontwell in October. It was a bunch finish and he only scrambled home but the trip was probably on the short side for him so the win is surely a bonus. He had previously finished second in a PTP over three miles and this 2m 5f trip should prove ideal.
Richard Fahey’s Judge Earl won a bumper here over two miles and ran a perfectly respectable second on his hurdling debut at Wetherby when second to Barton Knoll. The third from that race Atlantic Grey ran well again at Fakenham yesterday to give a solid look to the form and Judge Earl looks the danger.
The Rose Dobbin trained Jack Devine has the most experience in the race but this is his debut under rules. He clearly has ability with three point to points and has good placed efforts too.
VIVE VAL FOR FRANCE
2.25 Lingfield (Listed) The second Listed race on the Lingfield card looks a terrifically competitive contest over the 1m 5f trip.
It might well be another winner for Godolphin – this time with the Andre Fabre axis and the Val De Marne.
She was fourth in a Listed contest at Chantilly last time out and should relish this extra distance.
She is 2/2 on the all-weather in France and at around 8.0 on BETDAQ is a tempting win and place suggestion.
DAQMAN’S BETS (Staked to win 20 points, except nap)
BET 8.8pts win PROMISING RUN (1.20 Lingfield)
BET 10pts win (nap) COURT LIABILITY (1.30 Sedgefield)
BET 2.8pts win and place VAL DE MARNE (2.25 Lingfield)
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