Hi all,
After last weeks bumper article, this one is a bit lighter on the eye catchers front.
This Weeks Eyecatcher’s
There are three horses that should be added to your trackers this week. I will also be adding two more on winnable handicap marks exclusively for Eyecatcher Pro subscribers
Friday 21st June
Hamilton
Six Strings – Richard Fahey – The three-year-old was the least experienced horse in the Scottish Stewards Cup but repaid the faith put in him by his trainer with an excellent run in finishing 3rd. He was behind in the early part of the race but was finishing as well anything at the line. This was only his 5th career start and he came into this race after an encouraging seasonal reappearance when 2nd to Parfait over 7f, at Newmarket in June. The drop back to 6f wasn’t a problem and I am sure he can land a valuable pot in a strongly run race over 6f or back at 7f.
Defoe – Roger Varian – Last year’s winner of the Listed Glasgow Stakes Ventura Storm went onto finish 2nd in the St Leger and future top class middle distance horse Postponed won the 2014 renewal. This year’s winner looks another potential top class middle distance performer in the making. The 3-year-old made it 3 wins from 3 runs for the season with this win. Had started the season winning the London Gold Cup at Newbury before following up again in handicap company at York. This 1m 3f was the furthest he had run so far but it was his stamina that got him home in what seemed a strongly run race. On the evidence of this run he will be suited by a step up to 1m 4f and possibly a bit further, indeed his jockey Harry Bentley said after the race “I am confident 1m 6f would not be a problem”. He is 2 wins from 4 runs on good, yet to race on going quicker than good and 2 from 2 on soft. With connections thinking he will be an even better horse with more juice in the ground. If the ground was to be on the easy side he could even have a go at the Great Voltigeur Stakes at the Ebor Festival, the race that Postponed won after winning this. After this run, the St LĂ©ger also has to be on the radar too especially given the jockeys after race comments. A horse very much on an upward curve who is worth following to the end of the season. I have already had a nibble on him for the Doncaster St LĂ©ger and you can still get 20/1 with Paddy Power at the time of writing which looks worth a punt.
Saturday 22nd June
Haydock
Mac O’Polo – Tom Dascombe – The three-year-old hadn’t shown much in three maiden races over 7f this season but the step up to a 1m and going handicapping was expected to bring out improvement in this son of Henrythenavigator and so it proved. He was staying on really well at the finish to get within 1 ½ lengths of the winner at the line. On breeding, another two furlongs should bring out more improvement and he could even stay further as there is plenty of stamina on his dam side of the family. His dam was Group placed in France over 1m 4f and his half brother Top Trip won a Group 2 in France at 1m 3f and was 3rd in an Ascot Gold Cup. The gelding probably won’t reach that level but surely he can win a modest handicap or two at around 1m 2f or a bit further. A mark of 64 looks more than workable especially with a step up in trip, although he will be nudged up a few lbs for this performance.
All that’s left is to wish you a profitable week’s punting.
John
