The Dahlia stakes as I thought it might be was run at a false pace & the well backed Heaven Sent rather pinched the race.
New Approach looked like living up to the hype but was just edged out by Henrythenavigator under a clever Murtagh ride.
Ibn Khaldun put in a shocker.
Kings Apostle did best in fifth in the handicap. That race is not part of this thread but the loss goes down in my thread in ATR.
Actual bets Wins/Runs 0/2 Stakes 90pts Returns 0pts Profit/Loss -90pts
Jockey Club Stakes
Getaway has 4 stars
Nothing else has more than 2 stars in this 4yo+ Group2.
Getaway has done most of his racing over a bit farther than this but his best run was LTO in the Arc when a strong finishing fourth beaten under 2l at this trip. Sure to be suited by this stiff track & goes on the ground. No secret of my high regard for his trainer who won this two years ago & doesn't send them over for a day out.
Of the rest Yellowstone was well behind Getaway in the Arc & has left Ballydoyle.
Galactic Star is another Stoute older horse. Progressive last Autumn in handicaps & listed but disappointing form in the St Simon last run & doesn't look easy to get right.
The other class horse is Sixties Icon the 06 St Leger winner who took this FTO last year but then flopped in the Coronation Cup & at Royal Ascot on his only two other starts. Had a breathing op since which doesn't always work & also seems to need fast ground. If he was back to top form he would be a danger but Getaway looks the bet even at a shade under 2/1.
Bet. Getaway 50pts @ 9/5 Sportingbet.
1000 Guineas
Natagora & Spacious have 3 stars
Infallible has 2 stars
Natagora has Group 1 form from the Prix morny & the Cheveley Park on this track, beating Fleeting Spirit in the latter with the rest well behind.
A few doubts over the mile trip but on breeding she should stay & did win smoothly FTO over 7f on heavy at Maisons-Laffitte. The ground today should be spot on & providing they don't go too fast early on she looks the one to beat.
Spacious is unbeaten in two starts the last one being the Group 2 May Hill at Doncaster but how good was that race? Likely to be a decent 3yo but a bit to find on form so far.
Infallible is also two from two, both here over 7f, the first a backend maiden & then an impresive return in the Nell Gwyn but again how good is the form?
Of the rest Muthabara is the third two from two filly & should be suited by the step up to a mile after taking an age to get going in the Fred Darling before looking good in the last furlong. Had an injury scare during the week though.
O'Brien runs two but both have plenty to find as does the other Irish raider Saoirse Abu. After yesterday I wouldn't touch the Godolphin horse with a barge pole & the rest look to be giving the owners a day out.
I'll take the filly with the form in the book.
Bet. Natagora 50pt @ 3/1 Stan James.
Palace House.
Sakhee's Secret & Captain Gerrard both have 3 stars.
Sakhee's Secret is the class act but drops back to 5f here & needs fast ground to show his very best & the trainer blamed the overwatered ground at Haydock for his disappointing run LTO. Also has an 8lb pen here for his Group1 win in the July Cup and unlikely to be spot on here with bigger fish to fry later.
Captain Gerrard is the only 3yo but they have a fair record in this with two wins & three places from 20 runners.
Front runner who has Listed & Group3 winning form, ground should be ok & any rain would be a bonus. Said to have done well over the Winter & is a fair price here.
Of the rest the filly Enticing looked most progressive FTO last season but then tailed off quickly.
Rowe park also did well last season but needs to step up again.
Reverence has had a few injuries & looks on the downgrade & would also need it soft/heavy.
Conquest, Hoh Hoh Hoh, Judd Street, Matsunoske & Zidane all look like handicappers trying to nab a Group3 to me, I'll have a go with the 3yo.
Bet. Captain Gerrard 25pts @ 10/1 Sportingbet.
Rio.