‘I’m’ always prepared to be a ‘Gambler’ when necessary!… and what happened? I’m a Gambler, headline horse yesterday, landed a mighty gamble for readers at 9/4!
Temperamental Rawyaan is expected to follow up under Jim!
Line Of Descent and Fantasising will both be journeyed from Newmarket to Hamilton today for an intriguing eight-runner Maiden Stakes over a mile and a half of ‘good to soft’ ground; it represents at least thirteen hours journey time, more than 750 miles round trip, for a prize of £3510 for the winner, less deductions of jockey/trainer commission!
Both have raced three times, Line Of Descent is rated 84 and Fantasising 79; the latter, second in all starts, is advantaged by a 5lbs fillies’ allowance which, of course, means they are of equal merit, according to the British Horseracing handicapping system. I disagree!
On my time-handicap, which has been spewing good-priced winners these last few weeks, as anticipated, Line Of Descent is under-estimated by official figures; the Nathaniel gelding has 4lbs in hand, which equates to about two lengths, enough for a decent punt on ‘PJ McDonald’s mount, given both will almost certainly trade at odds-against. Betting will be fascinating and I’ll be monitoring closely on Betfair betting exchange, my platform.
Simon Crisford-trained Line Of Descent is bound to gain ‘winning brackets eventually and the same can be said for Fantasising; her mission is much more urgent because victory would enhance stud value of this Pivotal filly considerably; maiden fillies are ‘ten a penny’ throughout the planet and are shunned by prospective, shrewd purchasers.
Obviously I’ve been searching for an each-way angle but there isn’t one; these protagonists should be in a different league and so, realistically, the serious bet must be a dual forecast. Will any of the others be trying?
As mentioned, most intriguing for a race which should be compelling, especially now you’ve read this column!
A seven-race programme kicks-off with an impossible eight-runner 2-y-o Maiden Stakes over six furlongs, any of six wouldn’t be a surprise but there are better opportunities elsewhere and my scrutiny happened across Rawyaan, one of nine ‘decs’ for a Novice Stakes over seven furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Leicester where I’ve lived all my life!
Shadwell-owned Rawyaan bolted up over a similar distance at Brighton twelve days ago and veteran trainer Marcus Tregoning will ‘leg up’ Jim Crowley on the grey Markaz colt, a right handful in the preliminaries but superbly ‘managed’ by Dane O’Neill. Good thinking to strike while the iron is hot but Hollie Doyle’s mount, Baileysgutfeeling, is on a retrieving mission. Should be interesting.
Consistent Tinkerstar should finally get off the mark in division one of the six furlongs nursery on Wolverhampton tapeta.
Don’t forget York ‘Ebor’ meeeting starts tomorrow!
Selections, Wolverhampton, 1.30 Tinkerstar (e.w); Hamilton, 2.50 Line Of Descent; Leicester, 6.55 Rawyaan.
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