Power Generation has a gilt-edged opportunity to make it third time lucky in the six-runner Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good’ Hamilton this afternoon when the stiff course will be seen as a reason to oppose John Quinn’s charge; I’m aware this Profitable filly will be tackling a longer trip but the time-handicap mark achieved eighteen days ago is a a good reason to keep faith.
If he stays, and there’s no reason to doubt ‘Quinny’s’ judgement, Power Generation will be a tough nut to crack given two useful marks were achieved on a ‘soft’ Carlisle surface, and York, which is unrelenting and represents a stamina test within itself; quality racetracks where winning juvenile races is difficult and form reliable.
To all intents and purposes Power Generation is being dropped in grade and though arguments will doubtless be advanced for I’m A Gambler (Mark Johnston) and Smullen (Kevin Ryan) I’ve no concern whatsoever about napping the mount of progressive Northern-based Ben Robinson, who sensationally landed the Northumberland Land Plate Handicap last Saturday on a veteran nine-year-old. His confidence is sky high.
Betting forecasts suggest Power Generation will indeed be third favourite and Hi Meh Darling, napped when second in a class 5 dash at Thirsk a fortnight ago, could be any price; my play will be a serious each-way bet on the former and a ‘saver’ because two places will be on offer. I might even risk a dual forecast!
Way back advice from professionals was to have more on bigger-priced selections than ‘shorties’ because of an obvious fact, the same modus operandi is being used for all selections; for example Catch Cunningham was a 9/1 nap Saturday but my initial pricing was about 4/1 at best. Hope you cashed in.
Power Generation is markedly superior to Catch Cunningham on the TH, my ‘rock’ which has stood the test of time!
I’m now ‘full on’ the two-year-olds as July approaches but continue to scrutinise experienced consistent older horses, like Touchwood, one of twelve ‘decs’ in a weak-looking Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Brighton, where Cieren Fallon becomes the seventh different jockey in a many outings to partner this Charles Hills-trained Invincible Spirit gelding.
What beats experienced Touchwood will win and a similar comment applies to recent Uttoxeter runner-up, Butte Montana, in the Maiden Hurdle over two miles of ‘good’ Stratford where emphasis must always be placed on jockeyship; veteran Paddy Brennan rides Fergal O’Brien’s charge, rated on a gift mark of 109.
Summer-jumping, as ever, is producing plenty of winners with ‘process of elimination’ my tried and trusted methodology in moderate races.
Selections, Brighton, 1.30 Touchwood (e.w); Hamilton, 2.15 Power Generation (e.w); Stratford, 7.30 Butte Montana (e.w).
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