Tommaso failed by only half a length to bring off a 33/1 debut shock nine days ago and so will the Maiden Stakes over a mile of ‘soft’ Beverley come to soon for Stef Keniry’s charge this afternoon; it’s a real ‘64000’ question but I’m prepared to answer it by selecting this Bobby’s Kitten gelding each-way against consistent, hitherto luckless ‘hot-pot’ Dancing To Win, second in all three outings!
Taking on short-priced ‘failures’ has long been my game, especially when they are over-rated by the British Horseracing handicapping system; Dancing To Win seems a classic example and Tommaso fit right in the category for a ‘thieving each-way ‘steal’ bet.
For years this columnist traded in such a manner and any debts were ‘yesterday’ decades ago due to constant successes which also led to eight triumphs in the National Naps Tables of the Sporting Chronicle, Sporting Life and since 1995 the Racing Post, still the trade paper but far too expensive at nearly £4 a day given the online site is much easier to negotiate, for free. It runs in tandem with the Sporting Life online which is even better.
My analysis suggests both Tommaso and twice-raced Kevin Ryan-trained Tromos will be ‘on the premises’ and nigh on certain to make the frame; I’ll definitely be a layer of Dancing To Win on Betfair betting exchange with place bets on both serious rivals in a most intriguing scenario.
With an each-way double firmly in mind I’ll probably focus on likely second favourite favourite Lucky Shake in an eleven-runner Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of Wolverhampton tapeta tonight when the Simon Crisford-trained Zelzal juvenile will exit from stall ten!
It’s a daunting draw but the obvious danger Gift Horse is berthed eleven!
‘You can’t beat the draw’ is fact but with seven newcomers in opposition I’m prepared to make an exception and bet Lucky Shake to reverse recent Lingfield placings with James tate’s charge; coincidentally both were drawn widest at the Surrey venue where Gift Horse was a neck second to Ellade with my speculative selection two lengths away in fourth.
They finished strongly, Lucky Shake should be a better price.
Earlier Holly Doyle and Ed Dunlop team up with Verreaux Eagle in an ‘aged’ Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over six furlongs and from a favourable draw I’m hoping the ‘pocket rocket’ will hit the gate and steer this Free Eagle three-year-old into the winners’ enclosure at the fourth attempt.
Obviously I’m disappointed Ed and owners have decided to overlook Hollie for the Epsom Derby next week with John Leeper but can understand a decision to book Adam Kirby, one of the best jockeys on the circuit; he’d be champion without doubt if 7lbs lighter!
Selections, Warwick, 6.00 Mon Frere; Wolverhampton, 6.20 Verreaux Eagle (e.w); 6.50 Lucky Shake (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