Raydoun you are drawn one (of 11!) and I’m not interested in any excuse for a fourth defeat in the Novice Stakes over an extended five furlongs of ‘good to firm’ York this afternoon; this is it, your whole life (to date!) has been a preparation for this moment and I’ll be betting seriously, each-way, with three places on offer.
Racehorses offer no guarantee whatsoever but they are far more consistent than the majority believe and there are reasons why defeat occurs when unexpected; last time out this Moohajom colt provided a classic example.
Starting point was Newcastle on August 2nd when a half-length second on tapeta, an effort which led me to nap Raydoun at Thirsk nine days later; a 125/1 shot Maybe Even Never swooped to beat Roger Fell’s charge three-quarters of a length and last week, when napped, confirmed the form value when dead-heating at Ripon where a tardy start cost at least two lengths. You know the story.
Raydoun wasn’t selected next time at Catterick because of a ‘coffin box’ draw in twelve and booking of an inexperienced apprentice, Bradley Harris, but he rode particularly well to get his mount into fifth, seven lengths behind impressive winner, Lady Of Yapham, drawn one!
On the time-handicap Raydoun comes out similarly to Sophie’s Star, a previous dual winner; her penalties are offset somewhat by the 5lbs apprentice claim of Pierre Louis-Jasmin who, like Harris, is noted for future opportunities.
Sophie’s Star is bound to be ‘on the premises’ but with Jason Hart back on top Raydoun does indeed make strong appeal and, reportedly, is in tremendous fettle. This is a two-year-old I’d have bought privately in my pomp as an owner because his rating of 74 should be a license to print money in nurseries.
It’s my intention to play Raydoun into an with EW double Danny Muscott’s mount, Mistrix, one of five ‘decs’ for a Novice Stakes over seven furlongs; by virtue of being a non-winner from two starts this George Scott-trained Vadamos filly is considerably advantaged with maiden and fillies’ allowances.
Previous scorers, Boondoggle and Flash The Cash, will carry 11lbs more which equates to about five lengths by my reckoning. Don’t oppose Mistrix unless you know something no one else knows!
There are also two NH fixtures, Perth and Fontwell where 113-rated Prime Pretender looks ‘nailed on’ for the Novices’ Hurdle over two and a quarter miles; best chance to date.
Altraif maintained our ‘winner a day’ sequence at Kempton, Friday, and so did Bouquet yesterday but I’m looking for better, all the time!
Selections, York, 2.10 Raydoun (e.w); 3.45 Mistrix; Fontwell, 2.30 Prime Pretender.
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