Thursday results were poor sadly for us but well done to all connected with FANCY BLUE [11/4] winning the Nassau Stakes for Ireland's Donnacha O'Brien an outstanding result for the son of Aiden O'Brien. It's a shame that this meeting goes ahead at the same time as the Galway festival but we enjoy them both at this stage of the summer.
Going -- Good.
Weather -- Generally sunny, some clouds and average temps for the time of year with a max high 24C
1:45 Saint Clair Oak Tree Stakes 7f (Group 3)
Nice field of 13 Fillies and Mares declared for this first Group 3 of the afternoon where globe trotting ONE MASTER [Won 6/4f] looks to be well supported and a winner of several Group One's in France this would be a step down in class for the six year old. The three year old filly ALTHIQA has only raced four times, winning three of them, and further progress would not be a surprise for the Godolphin team who are in good form and also have FINAL SONG another three year old filly who was placed in last years' Queen Mary, then raced with credit in Dubai and came back with a fourth place in the Newmarket 1000 Guineas at 100/1.
Selections - ALTHIQA [3rd 11/2] / FINAL SONG [Non Runner]
2:15 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes 1m (Group 3)
The next event has a field of 5 three year olds for our second Group 3 of the afternoon, Khaloosy won the Britannia Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot in a canter, seeing off the 22 runner field by 4L+ and no surprise they move into Group company straight away. Could be a good thing, price is too short for us so in a small field and possible a tactical affair lets side with the pair of MY OBERON (W Haggas) and TILSIT (C Hills) for a bit of value against the favourite.
Selections -- MY OBERON [2nd 3/1] / TILSIT [Won 10/1]
No silly hats this week ...
2:45 Unibet Golden Mile 1m (Heritage Handicap)
Another mile event now but has 15 runners so will not be straightforward. So will pick a pair against the field and probably going to have one from each side of the draw as we don't know how they will cope although it's not as large a field as we have had in past. Field is led by Urban Icon for Richard Hannon but could be vulnerable with top weight so our first one is MONTATHAM [Non Runner] [drawn 15] who was runner up in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, then scored at Sandown so clearly in good form and going forwards. CLIFFS OF CAPRI [drawn 4] was runner up in a similar race at Ascot on Saturday and assuming that he's none the worse for that effort should be close again from the low side.
Selections -- MONTATHAM [N/R] / CLIFFS OF CAPRI [5th 10/1].3:15 King George Qatar Stakes 5f (Group 2)
Our next race for today is not as difficult as the big mile handicap above, only seven declared and over 5f plenty of luck is needed, though the one to beat is BATTAASH (pictured below) who has won this three times and will be a short price again today to make it four. AL RAYA along with LIBERTY BEACH could be the ones to chase him home but this appears to be a race to watch and enjoy.
Selections -- BATTAASH to win by over 2L [Won 2 1/4L+ broken the track record]
3:45 L'Ormarins Queens Plate Glorious Stakes 1m 3f 218y (Group 3)
A small select field of seven for this Group 3 worth £28k to the winner, the consistent COMMUNIQUE should go very close again, this experienced horse from Mark Johnston had progressed out of handicap company into winning group races plus he gets this trip well too. The globe trotting DESERT ENCOUNTER still running well as an 8yo will find this a little easier and not to be dismissed. At a big price is LE DON DE VIE who won here last year, and run well in defeat in large field contests so should be able to be closer to the pace and just a shame there's only seven for the place options.
Selections -- DESERT ENCOUNTER (win) / LE DON DE VIE (each way 20/1).
That's all for here on Friday the results to be updated during the afternoon with our final day on Saturday to follow which of course will feature the Stewards Cup. Saturday will therefore be updated soon and the conclusion of this years meeting will feature a great card including the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes and also the Stewards Cup heritage handicap.
A small select field of seven for this Group 3 worth £28k to the winner, the consistent COMMUNIQUE should go very close again, this experienced horse from Mark Johnston had progressed out of handicap company into winning group races plus he gets this trip well too. The globe trotting DESERT ENCOUNTER still running well as an 8yo will find this a little easier and not to be dismissed. At a big price is LE DON DE VIE who won here last year, and run well in defeat in large field contests so should be able to be closer to the pace and just a shame there's only seven for the place options.
Selections -- DESERT ENCOUNTER (win) / LE DON DE VIE (each way 20/1).
That's all for here on Friday the results to be updated during the afternoon with our final day on Saturday to follow which of course will feature the Stewards Cup. Saturday will therefore be updated soon and the conclusion of this years meeting will feature a great card including the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes and also the Stewards Cup heritage handicap.
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