Selections for Saturday 20th of July 2024
2.35 Curragh
1 point each way Big Gossey (16/1 Bet365/ Betfair, 5 places or else 14/1 Paddy power, 6 places)
I made a case for Big Gossey last time when he finished sixth of sixteen here at the Curragh over 5 furlongs. The handicapper has dropped him a further 2 lbs for that run and Robert Whearty claims a further 5 lbs replacing Gary Carroll in the saddle. That puts him on a mark of 91 which makes him very well handicapped at a track he loves. He won here over course and distance last September off a mark of 98 with the same claimer riding, he wonât mind any overnight rain as he has form on heavy ground and stays further having won over 7 furlongs.
3.05 Curragh
1 point each way Makarova (4/1 Generally, 3 places)
The British have a strong hand in this Group 2 and on paper it looks like a poor one. Believing is a worthy favourite but Makarova looks a fair price at 4/1. She ran up to her best when winning a Group 3 at Sandown two weeks ago. She finished behind Believing the run before that when seventh of seventeen in the King Charles 111 Stakes at Royal Ascot. She wore blinkers for the first time in that race and it looked like they worked too well and she didnât get home. The cheek pieces are now reapplied after working well at Sandown last time and if reproducing that form she should be bang there.
3.40 Curragh
1 point each way Port Fairy (5/1 Skybet, 5 places or else 11/2 Bet365/ William Hill, 4 places)
Port Fairy improved for the application of a first time visor when winning the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot over 1m 4f on good to firm ground. She saw out that race strongly and was always getting the better of the reopposing Lava Stream. Ryan Moore has opted for the now favourite Content but I still feel Port Fairy is proven over the trip and will be more than likely ridden aggressively by jockey Wayne Lordan near the front out of trouble. He should put these to the sword a couple of furlongs out and it will take a brave mare to get past Port Fairy. Itâs hard to see her out of the places.
1 point each way Purple Lily (14/1 Betvictor, 4 places or else 10/1 Skybet, 5 places)
The one I am siding with that isnât proven over the trip is the Paddy Twomey trained Purple Lily. She was just beaten into second by Ezeliya in a Group 3 at Navan over 1m2f on good to yielding ground. Ezeliya has franked the form by impressively winning the British Oaks by 3 lengths. Purple Lily finished fifth on her latest run in the Irish 1000 Guineas. She will be better suited by this step up in trip whether it is a step too far for her we will find out but at 14/1 she is worth a punt.
2.25 Newbury
1 point each way Kyle Of Lochalsh (7/2 Generally, 3 places)
Kyle Of Lochalsh should go close here. Hughie Morrisons four year old was a big eyecatcher last time out at Royal Ascot when staying on to finish third of twenty in the Ascot Stakes. The handicapper has nudged him up a further 2 lbs but he is an improving stayer and a mark of 97 might not be his limit. He has course form after winning here last July over 1m 5f and jockey Hollie Doyle is very familiar with him.
3.00 Newbury
1 point each way Diligent Harry (10/1 Bet365, 3 places or else 8/1 Skybet, 4 places)
Diligent Harry was a close second in this race last year and he could go well again in this yearâs renewal at around 10/1. He hasnât managed to win on turf so far in his career but he was only a head behind the re-opposing Commanche Falls in last yearâs race and he finished 1 â 4 lengths third at York on his penultimate start. Mill Stream won that race and has franked the form since by winning the Group 1 July Cup. The second Shouldvebeenaring has also won a Group 3 in Deauville. He has never enjoyed Royal Ascot and the market has overreacted for that last run.
2.40 Market Rasen
1 point each way Manuelito (11/2 Skybet, 6 places or else 6/1 Generally, 5 places)
Manuelito runs here off a lovely low weight of just 10-13 and this progressive 4 year old looks to have been laid out for this prize by trainer David Pipe. He won going away on his handicap debut at Ffos Las over 2m on good ground. The handicapper gave him 8 lbs for that facile victory and there may be more to come from him. Pipe protected his mark by running him on the flat last time out when he finished second at Carlisle to the Anthony McCann trained Whimsy. Now back over hurdles he can exploit that mark of 121 with conditions very much in his favour.
3.15 Market Rasen
1 point each way Parisencore (10/1 Skybet, 6 places or else 11/1 Generally, 5 places)
The two horses that interested me here were Stauario and Parisencore and I decided on the latter. The main reason is how unexposed Parisencore is both over fences and over this trip. He won on his last run at Perth when stepping up to 2m 4f for the first time. He won going away that day and there is every confidence he will benefit from this extra furlong. The handicapper raised him 3 lbs for that win which I felt was lenient and he has a lovely profile coming into this competitive handicap.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 26th of July at 9pm..