Roscioli is a ‘double-died’ certainty for division two of the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of Kempton polytrack tonight, if we can overlook an ignominious fourth (of four!) at Newmarket last time out which, actually, wasn’t quite as bad as it reads!
Remember the race in which Mutasaabeq so impressed, when winning unchallenged over seven furlongs at Newmarket fifty days ago, we subsequently napped Charles Hills’ charge to win the 2000 Guineas?
Approaching the two furlongs marker Roscioli was bang in contention but then, unaccountably, champion jockey Oisin Murphy applied the brakes and the Territories colt was eased down, beaten TWENTY-THREE LENGTHS!
There’s a reason for everything and since Roscioli has undergone wind surgery by Andrew Balding’s vet; you can bet he’ll be a vastly different proposition this time under even-reliable David ‘The Probe’ Probert, my absolute favourite.
Rated 93, on the back of three splendid efforts last year, Roscioli is obviously worth persevering with otherwise Balding would have ‘got rid’ and moved on; if there’s a slight danger twice-raced Juddmonte-owned, Sir Michael Stoute-trained Thaler could progress and be ‘on the premises’ but others seem way inferior with little chance.
As mentioned Roscioli is unopposable and must be included in our devastating daily patent/trixie, whichever you prefer; the latter suits each-way doubles and trebles moreso at tasty odds but both involve only three selections, a streamlining process designed to suit your finances. This is not a ‘gambling’ column!
Division two, on a marathon nine-race card, looks within capabilities of Beheld, beaten a short-head over a similar distance at Newbury last month when Richard Kingscote’s mount, trained by in-form Roger Charlton, finished four lengths and upwards clear of others; always a sign of solid form and my time-handicap computation concurs.
Apparently the racing family Hills has listened to my advice and intends declaring Mutasaabeq for the ‘Jersey’ over seven furlongs at Royal Ascot later this month; reports suggest he’s ‘flying’ on the Faringdon gallops, take note.
‘Flaming June’ offers everything for my punting world; apart from a clutch of high-class racing fixtures the European Football Championships will be a ‘must-engage’ and my ‘betting boots’ (for laying!) are already scrubbed and polished.
Two days ago I completed a full ‘calender year’ with articles on EVERY DAY from June 1st, 2020 and my intention is to carry on until I drop; with the promise of a more sophisticated pacemaker I’ll hopefully be around for a good while longer. Cardiology is incredible.
Selections, Cartmel, 1.55 Blueberry Wine (e.w); Kempton, 6.10 Beheld; 6.45 Roscioli.
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