Boondoggle was strongly-fancied to defy a 6lbs penalty in the eight-runner Novice Stakes over six furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack tonight and Mark Johnston’s charge rated a serious bet under Ben Curtis, also aboard last time out, twenty-six days ago but, at the ‘eleventh hour’ has been scratched!.
After computing race-times I was satisfied that twice-raced Boondoggle came out clear ‘best-in’ on my time-handicap but there would definitely have been be a ‘fly in the ointment!’
On debut nine weeks ago Roger Varian-trained Mystery Fox was backed into favoritism but though seventh the Dark Angel colt finished only two and a half lengths behind John Gosden’s Tolstoy and I’m A Gambler, stable-companion of Boondoggle!
Silvestre de Souza didn’t persevere with Mystery Fox but you can bet he’ll be a deal more animated this time because in this game ‘money talks’ and represents strong language.
Incidentally the draw and inexperience could be factor, Mystery Fox will race from eight, close to the car park but, with so few runners it’s not likely to an issue.
My play will be part of an each-way patent with another previous winner, Gift Horse, certain to collar support and make a price for my substitute selection.
This ‘online’ situation is ideal, we are right up-to-date’ and able to steal a march on ‘the bookies’ who have a stranglehold on the English racing scene; most perturbing.
While I’m around you will be guided into profit.
Looking forward to a keenly-contested dash, especially if as expected Andrew Balding-trained Bashful hits the frame (two places!) in a seven-runner class 6 Novice Median Auction Stakes over twelve furlongs of Wolverhampton tapeta; to all intents and purposes it looks a match otherwise I wouldn’t be risking your ‘ard earned money!
Bashful has been second in all three races this year; disappointing if the consistent, extremely luckless 74-rated Manduro colt doesn’t finally go one better on his all-weather debut under excellent stable jockey, David Probert, a real ‘favourite’ for this columnist.
Andrew also fields thrice-raced Valley Forge in a five-runner Maiden Stakes over twelve furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Ffos Las but I’m swayed by the fillies’ allowance of 5lbs to progressive Hollie Doyle-ridden Nadein, a Golden Horn three-year-old from Roger Charlton’s in-form yard.
A fine, patient trainer is ‘Jolly Roger!
Duke Of Prussia runs today (in the 1.35 Wolverhampton) having been raised EIGHTEEN POUNDS in BHA RATINGS; there will be millions bet on Sir Mark Prescott’s easy recent winner. Some syndicate, closely kinvolved, is making fortunes out of his plundering and no one bats an eyelid, amazing!
Selections, Ffos Las, 3.05 Nadein; Wolverhampton, 4.30 Bashful; Chelmsford, 6.35 Mystery Fox (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