Friday’s System Selections, Reviews & Updates (05 August)

It was announced yesterday that Canford Cliffs was to be retired to stud, having suffered a leg (near-fore pastern) injury during the running of the Sussex 8 days ago when he was comprehensively beaten by Frankel.  

Immediately after that race Richard Hannon said that he ran as if something was amiss then Richard Hughes diplomatically refused to be drawn, quite rightly not wanting to detract from Frankel’s success and glory – one thing is sure, they both knew something was seriously wrong.  Such a shame that we’ll never see the rematch but more unfortunate is if CC has been born a year or two earlier, then he would have been a legend in his own right.

On a non-racing note, I have visited the Canford Cliffs many times – with a friend whose father had a beautiful top floor apartment at nearby Sandbanks overlooking Poole Harbour.  Very nice place to be and almost as nice to look at as the four legged version...........

Tomorrow’s system selections (some big priced picks so goes without saying that e/w may be wise):

Brighton

15:30     Ajjaadd (7.4) UP

17:00     Out Of The Storm (7) 1st 

Lingfield

17:10     Private Olley (18.5) UP

Haydock

20:10     Dubawi Dancer (2.36) 1st

20:40     Lordofthehouse (3.05) 1st


Excellent day for the system with 3 winners from 5 selections and a profit of +7.41

Brighton 16:30 – 8f 3yo Handicap, Class 5 0-70

With the field down to 6 runners and only 3 who have run here before – this race needs a leap of faith to part with very much dollar!.  There’s no confirmed front runner and 4 of the 6 need to be held up which leaves just Prophet In A Dream who has a course win but a question mark over the trip (raced only once over 8f and didn’t cope) and Elvira Delight.   

I’ve opted for Elvira Delight who doesn’t have the most auspicious record on turf but I can see excuses for the bad show on both attempts.  Last time out she was hampered and the previous spin was over 10f which she didn’t see out.

Noseda is a trainer who knows what it takes for a 3yo to win round here (65% strike rate with 3yo) and although Jimmy Fortune has only ridden here 7 times in the past 5 years, he won 3 of those. 

I can see a threat in Whitby Jet with Fallon aboard and who (If he turns up on time) could try a different tactic today.  Even so, I’ll stick with Elvira and perhaps WJ for the forecast.

Elvira Delight  11/4

The danger was indeed Whitby Jet who Fallon took to the lead after 2f ! 

Newmarket 19:30 – 10f, G Class 5 Handicap 3yo+ (0-75)

Proud Chieftain is all the rage, a C&D winner with the same jockey up and only 3lbs more to carry BUT that was from a nice low draw and the race was run to suit.  This isn’t the case today and the poorer draw together with a lack of obvious front runners to set things up for him, I’m looking for an alternative. 

John Gosden has two runners here and it’s interesting that Robert Havlin stays on Ryton Runner while Nicky Mackay (up his first two starts) is on Trumpington Street.  Of the two jockeys, Havlin has the far better success rate with 3yos here.  Ryton Runner was held up LTO but raced prominently here last October when he was hopelessly outclassed in the Tatts Millions 2yo.  The only certain front runner is Trumpington Street though  so they both have claims from a decent draw.  I am going to second guess (given jockey bookings) that Ryton Runner, with stamina proven for the trip,  is the stable’s main hope and that TS will give him a tow.

Ryton Runner 4/1 (win)

Trumpington Street  (ew)
Proud Chieftain is obviously a better horse than I have him credit for!