George Peabody represents a ‘stand out’ for serious bettors in the five-runner Novice Stakes over a mile of ‘good to firm’ Thirsk where an eight-race card kicks off this morning!
‘Breakfast racing’ at the North Yorkshire course is all about respecting the funeral of His Royal Highness, the Duke Of Edinburgh who died last week at the age of 99, just a few weeks from the magical total following a wonderful life with Her Majesty, The Queen; they married in 1947!
Two profile meetings have been moved to Sunday, and all is set for a magnificent occasion, which will be enjoyed by millions throughout the Commonwealth.
Although penalised 7lbs for an impressive three-length success over seven furlongs last month George Peabody has any amount in hand of similarly-profiled first-up Kempton winner, Invincible Swagger, and rates a solid bet, ridden again by Callum Shepherd whose retainer with ‘aged’ owner Bill Gredley has been the making of this articulate young man.
Moving from Charles Hills’ yard has proved a masterstroke for confident Callum, and significantly, Bill’s son-in-law George Scott is also thriving due to the burgeoning relationship.
After colossal ‘celebrations of life’ with the Royal family punters, we will turn attention to Meng Tian for the opening class 5 Novice Stakes over five furlongs of Nottingham where the galloping left-handed course has been watered to produce ‘good to firm’ ground.
Sean Woods-trained Meng Tian was heavily-backed to short-priced favouritism on Kempton Polytrack twelve days back when James Doyle’s mount failed by a head to beat Richard Hannon-trained Dukebox after looking ‘home ‘n hosed’ close home.
Doyle is again aboard, but reports suggest newcomer Groom, a stable-companion of Dukebox, is useful; he’ll need to be!
When betting two-year-olds it’s necessary to know the median requirements and Meng Tian meets the criteria.
Jumping fraternity will have spotted Interconnected is a short-priced ‘Yankee anchor’ for the Maiden Hurdle over three miles of ‘good’ Bangor, but much better odds will be available for twice-raced, progressive Dragoon Springs in the following ‘bumper’ over two miles, mount of Sarah Bowen, sister of Sean and James, two of the best.
Selections, Bangior, 1.55 Interconnected; 2.25 Dragoon Springs (e.w); Thirsk, 2.40 George Peabody; Nottingham 4.00 Meng Tian.
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019