YESTERDAY’S WINNER: Daqman landed his nap, A Star Above (WON 5-6) at Thirsk yesterday. Three bets today including a Beverley NAP.
TODAY’S ANALYSIS: Who can train winners without a prep race? It could be vital in this truncated season. Daqman looks at the lessons of Royal Ascot.
TOMORROW AND THURSDAY: Daqman’s guide to two Derbys: the Irish Derby and the Pitman’s Derby (Northumberland Plate) at the weekend.
WHY BIG-RACE TRAINER MATTERS
Has your horse had a run? It could be vital if you hope to land some of the big races – including two Derbys – at the Curragh (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and at Epsom next weekend.
Some commentators asked whether the BHA was right to cram in maidens and trials as soon as the resumption started.
The answer from the Royal Ascot meeting was a resounding ‘yes’ from connections of 58% of winners (21 of them) which had already been seen on a racetrack this year.
The courses that prepped the winners were Newcastle (6 successful at Ascot), Kempton (4), Newmarket (4), Haydock (2), Leopardstown (1), Meydan (1), Naas (1), Wolverhampton (1), Yarmouth (1).
Equally important for your immediate big-race calculations is to check out which trainers won at Ascot without giving their horses a run since last season.
Roger Varian (4) Fujaira Prince, Khaloosy, Molatham, Mountain Angel
Aidan O’Brien (2) Circus Maximus, Santiago
Kevin Ryan (2) Hello Youmzain, Hey Jonesy
Owen Burrows Hukum
Paul and Oliver Cole Highland Chief
Clive Cox Golden Horde
Charlie Fellowes Onassis
Richard Hannon Motakhayyel
Jessica Harrington Alpine Star
Charles Hills Battaash
That was a fabulous performance by Roger Varian, but I also hear from my States contacts how astonished they are, in the context of the times, with Wesley Ward’s winning yet another Ascot two-year-olds race.
A whole operation to gradually eliminate drugs will see next year’s big international races and the American Triple Crown lasix free on the day of the race.
As dope dependency reduces, the results nationwide are chaotic. Big names that used to win, win no more, particularly with juveniles, one of the main targets for protection.
Yet Wesley Ward continues to cherry pick the prizes and, though some of his couldn’t last out on softened ground at Ascot, the Kodiac filly Campanelle strode down the seemingly unfavoured far side on the sound surface of the final day to score impressively under Frankie Dettori. Go top of the list, Wesley!
GO WITH THE FLOW
⭕ 1.45 Beverley Lucy Rules made an encouraging debut at Pontefract to finish fourth behind Bonne Vitesse and should improve for that effort but trainer Ollie Pears is 0/13 since the restart. She is also by no means certain to confirm the form with the fifth Deep Impression who was green as grass – unseated her rider and had to be walked to post and should know plenty more about what being a racehorse is today.
However, preference goes to Airflow who brings the most experience into the race with two starts and although she was a beaten favourite at Pontefract last time out she gave the distinct impression that she would appreciate the extra distance here. Trainer John Quinn has sent out four winners in the last two weeks and Airflow can add to that record.
Of the newcomers, the one of most interest is Influence Is Power who has come in for some early support. The Karl Burke trained runner is bred to need further in time but could get involved in what is a modest heat.
LIGHTNESS ANOTHER ROYAL WINNER
⭕ 3.15 Beverley Lightness can give Her Majesty The Queen another winner after Tactical’s success at Royal Ascot last week.
Lightness makes her debut on the turf this afternoon after two good efforts on the all-weather – notably last time out when she was pipped a short head by 66/1 shot Shatha (a 150/1 shot was third). The pair pulled nicely clear of the remainder and the form might be stronger than it looked at the time. Asiaaf, who was back in fourth, came out to win at Goodwood two weeks ago.
Chief BETDAQ market rival is Golden Pass who showed promise in third at Newmarket last season when third on debut behind Queen Daenerys. She should improve on that and comes from an in-form stable.
LACHIE BIG SHOUT OVER SIX FURLONGS
⭕ 5.55 Kempton Sepahi is on for the hat-trick after wins here (over tonight’s distance) and Wolverhampton last time out. But she is up another 6lb in the weights and 11lb since her last success here which might make her vulnernable.
Big Lachie under Oisin Murphy for the first timelooks a reasonable alternative.
He’s going the other way in the weights and should definitely prefer the six to the five furlongs. He was staying on too late in the day here last time out when fourth over the minimum trip.
DAQMAN’S BETS:
BET 2.3pts win AIRFLOW (1.45 Beverley)
BET 7.1pts win (nap) LIGHTNESS (3.15 Beverley)
BET 3.3pts win BIG LACHIE (5.55 Kempton)
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