Today’s best bet, by Chris Cook
What a pleasure to see Jimmy Fortune booked for four rides at Newbury tomorrow, having been absent since May with back trouble. The years have evidently taken some kind of toll on the 45-year-old but he still has big days in him, as he proved by winning the Cambridgeshire last year.
On Saturday, he’s expected to ride Agent Murphy in the Geoffrey Freer, a race they won together in 2015. Since that day, the horse has only run three more times. “Two old crocks together,” is how Fortune has described their reunion in the Racing Post today.
Younger race-fans might not be aware of Fortune’s achievements because it’s eight years since he last won a Group One. But he racked up 16 of them from 1998 (Commander Collins in the Racing Post Trophy) to 2009 (Rainbow View in the Matron). He won a Leger, a QEII, a Lockinge, a Coronation and a Sussex Stakes among others. We’re lucky to still have him in the weighing room and I wish him well.
Beverley is my focus today, being the venue where Attention Seaker (4.40) will try to follow up her win at Catterick last week. That first run in a tongue tie left quite an impression on me because she resisted a strong, persistent challenge from a heavily backed favourite who had travelled into the argument like a certain winner.
Caveats: that was on soft, while it will be no worse than ‘Good’ today, despite 8mm of overnight rain. Also, she bagged the stands’ rail last week, which must have helped. But the front pair pulled 17 lengths clear of their six rivals and I really think she has more to offer, coming from the Tim Easterby yard that remains in fine form.
The favourite is a Godolphin beast who hasn’t been seen since running last on his handicap debut in May. There’s a lot to like about 13-2 Attention Seaker.
Earlier on the card, Mr Carbonator (3.10) runs from the same mark as when short-headed on heavy at Nottingham last week. He’s 6lb well in against his future mark and appeals to me at 11-2, for all that the Mark Johnston favourite has a solid look.
I’m surprised to be getting 7-1 about Sir Pass I Am (6.45) for his return to Chepstow, where he was a heavily eased winner in May. The attempt to win under a penalty didn’t work out but he has been given some time since then and can show the benefit here, with some cut underfoot once again. Project Bluebook is a likeable favourite, having become such a good hurdler, but I’m not convinced he has anything in hand on his Flat rating, following his Catterick defeat last month.
I gather from the Racegoers Club, owners of Glacier Point (7.45), that there is a good deal of hope behind Clive Cox’s filly tonight, as indeed there should be for a 9-4 shot. She was second last time in a race from which the third and fourth have since won three times between them. “Although she won on quickish ground, she actually prefers a softer surface, so the overnight rain should help,” I’m told.
Tips for all Thursday races
Fontwell
1.30 Raleagh Mountain 2.00 Firmount Gent 2.30 Little Windmill 3.00 Jack Snipe 3.30 Psychedelic Rock 4.00 Black Corton 4.30 Chic Theatre
Salisbury
1.50 Autumn Leaves 2.20 Spiritual Star 2.50 Fair Selene 3.20 Killay 3.50 Jive Talking 4.20 Hathal 4.50 Chicago Star 5.25 Pow Wow
Beverley
2.10 Elnadim Star 2.40 Gold Stone 3.10 Mr Carbonator 3.40 Chauvelin 4.10 Roaring Rory 4.40 Attention Seaker (nap) 5.10 Pantera Negra 5.40 Bigbadboy (nb)
Yarmouth
4.55 Tanseeq 5.30 Tyrsal 6.00 Lord Reason 6.30 Flying Fantasy 7.00 Slow To Hand 7.30 Cat Silver 8.00 Justice Rock
Chepstow
5.15 Shepherd Market 5.45 Native Prospect 6.15 Spin Point 6.45 Sir Pass I Am 7.15 Zavikon 7.45 Glacier Point 8.15 Pastfact
Comments (…)
Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion