Hi all,
After last weeks top class horse racing, with the Derby & Oaks, this weekend’s fare was somewhat underwhelming. The period between the Investec Derby Festival and Royal Ascot can be rather low key and given we are the high point of the flat season racings authorities really need have to take a look at this weekend in the racing calendar and try to spice it up.
Mind you in all honesty the break in the action has come at the right time for me as my mother-in-law has been in hospital for the last two weeks, after a serious fall, which has meant the racing & betting has had to take a bit of a back seat over the last week or so.Many apologies to Eyecatcher Pro subscribers as I haven’t been in a position to update the software as I like to have done but hopefully normal service will soon be resumed. Whilst on the subject of updating selections if subscribers want to see my updated eyecatcher bets they will normally now be done by 10am each day so that’s when you will see them on the system.
This week I six horses for your trackers but before I like at this weeks horses I thought I would share with you a Royal Ascot trainer micro angle that will worth keeping onside at next weeks big racing extravaganza,
Sir Michael Stoute Four Year Olds At Royal Ascot
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute is second on the trainer’s leader board in terms of winners at Royal Ascot in the last 10 years, having had 19 winners in the period. For me though it’s his four year old runners that really need to be looked at closely. Now we know that Sir Michael does well with his older horses generally and it looks like this is a meeting he likes to target his best at: Here is a profitable micro angle that focuses in on that age group:
Odds: 12/1 & Under
Race Distance: 1m to 2m 4f
Days Since Last Run: 31 to 60 days
Last Time Out Placing: 1st, 2nd or 3rd
10 winners from 23 runners 43% +40.48 A/E 1.91 16 placed 70%
Not many bets but you would have made a profit 8 times in the past 10 years. I will share another Royal Ascot micro angle with you next week.
This Weeks Eyecatchers
Thursday 8th June
Leopardstown
Dara Tango – Tony Martin – The ten year old had been off the course for 893 days prior to his excellent 2nd in this 1m 5f handicap. Doing his best work at the finish he came through to stay on nicely to grab second just before the line. A winner over 2m on his last start on the flat at Catterick back in October 2014 and he was racing off 2lb lower here. This was only his 5th start on the flat and despite his age he looks well handicapped at present on the level off a mark of 56, will go up after this. Step up in distance should suit nicely with good ground or a bit of juice in it ideal. He is also nicely handicapped on best hurdles form. The dreaded bounce has to be of concern next time but I am sure he is capable of winning on the flat or over hurdles if his trainer can keep him sound.
Sandown
Frontispiece – Sir Michael Stoute – The colt made a winning two year old debut at Ascot last September and was making his seasonal reappearance and handicap debut in this Class 3 contest. Looked on a decent mark off 81 and so it proved as he stayed on to strongly for his six rivals winning with more in hand than the neck distance suggest. The step up to 1m 2f was fine and given he looked like he would come on for the run this was a really encouraging performance. He will know doubt go up for this win but he looks progressive and connections seem to have given him time to develop into big frame. There should be plenty more to come this season and any Sir Michael Stoute that wins first time up as a two year old usually makes up into a good horse.
Saturday 10th June
Beverley
King of The Celts – Tim Easterby – This run can be forgotten as rain softened ground wouldn’t have suited this Beverley specialist. All six of his career wins have come on good to firm ground and five of his six career wins have come here Beverley. Indeed his career record at over 1m 2f at Beverley, on good to firm ground is – 5 winners from 14 runners 36% +9.75 6 placed. Has dropped 3lb lower than his last winning mark and can win again at his beloved Beverley.
Newmarket
Take Me With You – Jeremy Noseda – The daughter of Scat Daddy has a real first pedigree and cost connections $800,000 in March. Held up off the pace the filly made nice headway inside the final furlong without ever looking like she would trouble the winner or runner up when finishing 3rd here on her racecourse debut. She should have learned from this experience and should be able to pick up a maiden.
Haydock
Abushamah – Ruth Carr – Bounced back to form on this soft ground when staying on really well to finish 3rd in this Class 3 handicap. The six year old has dropped down to nice handicap mark now being 6lb lower than for his last win at Redcar last year. Is capable of winning a handicap sooner rather than later.
Pennsylvania Dutch – William Haggas – The three year old won on his two year old debut last September over C&D and did so again on his seasonal reappearance and handicap debut. Made a poor start, then ran green and was very keen in the rear in the early stages of this 6f handicap before making good headway inside the final furlong to lead just before the post He is a clearly a horse with plenty of ability to have managed to overcome all the problems he faced here to win. He is clearly a nervy horse as he had showed when having to be withdrawn after a serious stalls incident at Leicester. The gelding had no problem with much softer ground he faced here and should be able to win more races as he gains experience.
Finally, before I go as an extra bonus here is a very quick look at the weekend’s big race at Musselburgh. My selections for the will be available by 9am on Saturday exclusively for Eycatcher Pro subscribers.
William Hill Scottish Sprint Cup – Musselburgh – Saturday 17th June
This Saturday’s big race is the William Hill Sponsored Scottish Sprint Cup, a Class 2 handicap over 5f, at Musselburgh. A maximum field of 20 looks likely for a race that is usually a difficult puzzle for punters to solve.
There have been 17 runnings of the race with 17 winners from 280 runners and 65 placed.
What do the trends for the race suggest are the most likely winners?
Age: 4 & 5 year olds – 12 winners from 143 runners +46.25 37 placed
Starting Stall: 10 to 17 – 11 winners from 131 +59.25 35 placed
Weight: 8-12 & under – 12 winners from 145 runners +24.25 37 placed
Last Time Out Placing: 1st, 2nd or 3rd – 11 winners 97 runners +11.25 30 placed (Last time out winners are 7 winners from 42 runners +19.75 13 placed)
Not a race I would be getting involved with until I know the draw but hopefully the above trends will help you shortlist some contenders.
All that’s left is to wish you a profitable weeks punting.
