Thursday 9th August
Haydock
3.40 – Barkston Ash 2pt win 7/2
The top three in the market, Namwahjobo, Coolminx, and Jack
Luey all find it hard to win, so I’m happy to take them on. Barkston Ash, bounced back to form when
winning at Hamilton earlier in the year, and was better than his finishing
position when staying on well from a poor position at York last time. He’s reunited with 7lb claimer Jason Hart
today, and I expect him to keep him close to the early pace, before finding too
much against some poor/reluctant opposition.
Sandown
7.50 – Cactus Valley 2pt win 4/1
Cactus Valley showed plenty of promise in his 3 maiden runs,
and was well fancied on his handicap debut last time. The slow early pace didn’t suit him at all,
and he used up too much energy by fighting his jockey in the first part of the
race. The drop back in trip should suit
this evening, and Cactus Valley should take this before going onto better
things.
The opposition are largely an exposed bunch, with the
exception of the other 2 three year olds.
It’s disconcerting though, that Top Billings connections are reaching
for the headgear already for him, after just 3 career starts. This leaves Keepax as the danger, but he was
well positioned in a messy race last time, and I expect Cactus Valley to prove
too strong for him today.
8.20 – Uncle Fred 2pt win 11/2
I strongly fancied him at Windsor last time, but his chance
was ruined when Kens Girl broke down and took him out the race. Although his best form has been at Windsor,
he does have form at Sandown, and my opinion of him hasn’t changed – he’s a
well handicapped horse that has been shaping better than his early season
efforts would imply. This evening’s race
doesn’t look great, and if back to his best, then he should go very close.
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