Ever Given, third leg of our fabulous 300/1 trixie a fortnight ago at York, is napped again in the 22-runner Weatherbys 200,000 2-y-o Stakes over six and a half furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Doncaster today; seldom does one follow up a ‘star bet’ but this Tom Dascombe-trained Kodi Bear colt, again mount of Danny Tudhope, is rated 97 and also comes out clear best on the time-handicap, my rock!
‘Tuddy’ is pure gold for punters and has been for many seasons; such experience and dedication has enabled the ‘kick-boxer’ to reach and stay at the top of his profession. None better, pound for pound, and he’s really looking forward to renewing association with the rapidly-aspiring Cheshire-based flying machine, winner four times from six outings and unlucky in Ireland.
Plenty of ‘dead wood’ in opposition but both disqualified Newbury ‘winner’ Home City and Harrow (95) are useful, sure to be ‘on the premises’ in a big field; Donny is a fair track however and Danny will doubtless ride a patient race ‘Given’ he’s got the best weapon for a knockout blow.
Seven go to post for the prestigious group two May Hill Stakes over a mile but only two make appeal; John Gosden-trained Inspiral, forecast 2/5 in one betting show, and Ralph Beckett-trained Prosperous Voyage, bound to carry my ‘wedge’ given the 97-rated Zoffany filly comes out similarly and was a tad unlucky at Goodwood last time.
It will be a shock to ‘big-hitters’ if 1000 Guineas favourite, Inspiral, doesn’t oblige but there have been plenty of upsets recently and, thankfully, I’ve had my ‘laying boots’ laced up!
Persian Royal and Hot Spell come out similarly for the ten-runner seven furlongs Maiden Stakes on Chelmsford polytrack tonight with the former preferred for a couple of sound reasons; his debut effort when second to Last Hoorah on ‘good’ Salisbury ground over a similar distance measures up to median requirement whereas the twice-raced Hugo Palmer-trained Hot Streak filly hasn’t raced above six furlongs and is drawn ELEVEN!
Realistically that completely rules out Hot Spell without question even though she failed by only a head to beat Unfinishedsympathy on this particular Essex circuit; course form doesn’t sway my opinion.
Persian Royal, completely unfancied, ‘surprised’ trainer Roger Charlton at Ffos Las last month when the Al Kazeem colt, superbly ridden by 3lbs apprentice Tom Greatrex, found only Last Hoorah and Hollie Doyle too strong; one and a quarter lengths separated them at the line. These placings would be different if they met again!
Tom’s allowance, which equates to a couple of lengths, is another plus and Persian Royal is a confident selection.
I’ll play another each-way ‘trixie’ today
Selections, Doncaster, 2.10 Ever Given (e.w); 2.40 Prosperous Voyage (e.w); Chelmsford, 4.55 Persian Royal.
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