Best bet at Bath on Sunday is Croquembouche in the 16:50. A thoroughly uncomplicated character, Ed de Giles' four-year-old landed a gamble over a mile here in June, and proved his stamina for today's trip with a battling victory at Windsor last time. On the face of it Croquembouche needs to improve again to defy a rise in the weights, but his genuine attitude will stand him in good stead, and several of his rivals have something to prove at present.
Ed de Gas has been the morning gamble, and is certainly well treated on the pick of his form, but has struggled on the whole this year. His latest effort was more encouraging, but he still didn't achieve a great deal in the end, and needs to step up, for all the handicapper has given him a chance. Tuscan Fun is another who has been backed to bounce back from a couple of poor efforts, but while blinkers could conceivably see her revived for a yard now back in form, the market is taking no chances with her.
Of the others, Derwent needs to improve for a first crack at ten furlongs, and while he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree, he's not been shaping as if screaming out for this trip, while Dandy is best when dominating, and won't get an easy lead here. A morning price of around 9/2 is more than fair for Croquembouche, but support for a couple of others may see him drift a little.
Robert Cowell's Reqaaba missed an intended engagement at the track yesterday, but it's intriguing that her yard landed that race with Maglietta Fina, and it appears that discretion was the better part of valour on that occasion. The daughter of Exceed And Excel made a winning debut for her new trainer at Windsor last time with a hood fitted, and she has been found an easier contest than yesterday's in which to follow up.
Space Artist is favourite, but had plenty in his favour when holding off Trinityelitedotcom at Chester last time, and may be vulnerable despite just a small rise for that success. He also went off the boil quickly after his last run, which is a worry, although probably best put down to his yard's mid-summer lull. I though Tom Dascombe's would shade the rematch, but both will need to improve to beat an on-son Reqaaba in my opinion.
Recommendations:
Both at Bath
Back Croquembouche @ [5.4] in the 16:50 (NAP)
Back Reqaaba @ [4.9] in the 17:20 (NB)
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Deeds Better Than Words
Best bet on the day of Britain's final classic doesn't come at Doncaster, where the big race is something of a farrago in punting terms, but in the opener at Bath, where Mick Channon's Deeds Not Words can supplement a recent nursery win at Goodwood.
The son of Royal Applause proved most determined when holding off Expert last time, and the pair came clear of Memory Styx and Tableforten. With the runner-up and fourth going down only narrowly since (Expert in a 3-way go at Doncaster on Wednesday, and Tableforten beaten a nose in an Ascot nursery last Saturday), that form looks a bit better than it did at the time. The most taking aspect of his performance, though, was the resolution he showed when tackled by the runner-up, trading at a big price as it looked like the Hannon runner would ease past him, but digging in gamely to repel the favourite, and fully in command at the finish. I noted him at the time as one to keep on side, and don't intend to go back on my word.
Deeds Not Words is drawn to attack in stall 1 today, and I'm hoping that the official going description is accurate (currently good with a dry day forecast), as all his form has come on a sound surface. He'll get no easy lead here, but showed at Goodwood that he relishes a battle, and seems to be going the right way at present, and a 4 lb rise for his latest win is far from harsh.
In the mile-and-five handicap at 14:50, Michael Bell can strike with the progressive Bridgehampton. The Lando gelding showed a good attitude to nose out Sir Mark Prescott's Khotan at Yarmouth prior to finishing an excellent third to handicap blot Shwaiman at Doncaster last month, beaten just a short head for second by the thriving Brigadoon. The winner showed the worth of that form when a clear second in the prestigious Mallard Handicap at Doncaster yesterday, and Bridgehampton has nothing of that class to deal with here. His recent form has come on top of the ground, but as his breeding suggests, he's equally effective on an easy surface, and today's underfoot conditions are no issue in that regard.
Recommendations:
Both at Bath
Back Deeds Not Words @ [4.0] in the 14:15 (NAP)
Back Bridgehampton @ [6.8] in the 14:50 (NB)
The son of Royal Applause proved most determined when holding off Expert last time, and the pair came clear of Memory Styx and Tableforten. With the runner-up and fourth going down only narrowly since (Expert in a 3-way go at Doncaster on Wednesday, and Tableforten beaten a nose in an Ascot nursery last Saturday), that form looks a bit better than it did at the time. The most taking aspect of his performance, though, was the resolution he showed when tackled by the runner-up, trading at a big price as it looked like the Hannon runner would ease past him, but digging in gamely to repel the favourite, and fully in command at the finish. I noted him at the time as one to keep on side, and don't intend to go back on my word.
Deeds Not Words is drawn to attack in stall 1 today, and I'm hoping that the official going description is accurate (currently good with a dry day forecast), as all his form has come on a sound surface. He'll get no easy lead here, but showed at Goodwood that he relishes a battle, and seems to be going the right way at present, and a 4 lb rise for his latest win is far from harsh.
In the mile-and-five handicap at 14:50, Michael Bell can strike with the progressive Bridgehampton. The Lando gelding showed a good attitude to nose out Sir Mark Prescott's Khotan at Yarmouth prior to finishing an excellent third to handicap blot Shwaiman at Doncaster last month, beaten just a short head for second by the thriving Brigadoon. The winner showed the worth of that form when a clear second in the prestigious Mallard Handicap at Doncaster yesterday, and Bridgehampton has nothing of that class to deal with here. His recent form has come on top of the ground, but as his breeding suggests, he's equally effective on an easy surface, and today's underfoot conditions are no issue in that regard.
Recommendations:
Both at Bath
Back Deeds Not Words @ [4.0] in the 14:15 (NAP)
Back Bridgehampton @ [6.8] in the 14:50 (NB)
Friday, 13 September 2013
Hey Man, It's Shwaiman!
A rather frustrating day yesterday, with Steventon Star beaten little more than half a length, but still not landing the place-only money, and Thunderball similarly afflicted despite running a cracker later on. Ho-hum.
Today's card looks marginally less trappy, and best bet on the day is James Fanshawe's Shwaiman in the Mallard Handicap at 14:10. The selection is a fast-improving sort who proved the handicapper's initial assessment to be woefully wide of the mark when absolutely running away with a C&D event on his handicap bow last month. As a son of Authorized, he's bred to relish plenty of give underfoot, and that looks to be the key factor at play.
This is a race full of talented performers, but the vast majority simply do not handle soft ground, with Semeen and Time Foe Action already taken out, and Tropical Beat having missed the Ebor on account of the ground. Pether's Moon is another to have race almost exclusively on a sound surface, and it's hard to be confident that either of that pair will be able to show their best form. With Camborne, Songcraft and Tenenbaum handicapped to the hilt, this really does look gift-wrapped for Shwaiman, even before the form of the Fanshawe yard (18 winners from 45 runners since early August) is taken into account. An even-money poke on my tissue, it's a case of filling your boots at quotes of 9/4 and 5/2 this morning.
The Doncaster Cup also gives Fanshawe claims via High Jinx, who was runner-up to Times Up last year, but hasn't looked the heartiest since. The fitting of a tongue tie suggests that his high head carriage may be down to a slight wind infirmity rather than anything more sinister, and he may well bounce back. Preference, however, is for Biographer, for whom easy ground and a test of stamina are prerequisites, and he's rarely had conditions in his favour.
The going was probably plenty fast enough for Biographer when he ran well over two miles at Sandown on Eclipse day, and while the rain came just in time in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury, the drop to 13 furlongs was all against him. Back up to the sort of trip he's been crying out for (he was, you may recall, a late non runner in the Ascot Gold Cup), he can justify his trainer's high opinion of him.
The May Hill has been a Godolphin benefit in recent years, with Certify and White Moonstone both impressive winners having also taken Newmarket's Sweet Solera along the way. Attempting an identical feat this time is Ihtimal, who is closely matched with Qawaasem on a line through Midnite Angel, who was second at Newmarket, and then fourth in the Prestige at Goodwood. Ihtimal looks the one who will be most suited by the extra yardage today, though, and should handle softer going, being a daughter of Shamardal, who gets more than his share of easy-ground winners.
Godolphin's apparent second-string Majeyda can't be ruled out, but looks likely to be isolated on the outside, her low draw exacerbated by the fact that "tuck in" is a phrase which Mickael Barzalona has yet to master in his second language. The jockey also gave her a poor ride when beaten in the Empress Stakes at Newmarket in June, which doesn't do her justice, but his continued presence in the saddle is a sticking point, for me at least.
Recommendations:
All at Doncaster
Thursday, 12 September 2013
Thunder Set To Strike
I'm delighted to see fellow betting.betfair columnist Tony Calvin tip up Nargys for the Sceptre Stakes today, as I had a horrible feeling I'd be tempted to put this cliff horse up again, and it's a relief to have an excuse to sidestep Luca Cumani's talented but frustrating filly, even if that means handing the plaudits to the former Betfair PR Chief. Best of luck, Tony!
One who did catch the eye in that event is Karle Burke's mare Boastful, who isn't the best in this field by any means, but is best able to deal with tacky ground, having shown all her best form with plenty of give underfoot. The worry is that the going may not be soft enough for her, and with no rain overnight on Town Moor, and a dry day forecast, she''s reluctantly passed over. If the forecast proves wide of the mark, though, she needs considering at big odds despite a layoff.
One who looks massively overpriced in the Weatherby's Sales race at 14:40 is the Richard Hannon-trained Steventon Star, who will find the dead ground more to his liking than many of his rivals, and has some solid early-season form to his name. With his latest outing possibly needed after being gelded, he's better judged on earlier form, and looks to hold stronger claims than odds of 50/1+ indicate. He's likely to find a couple too good, but should be pitching for place money, and should be backed place only at juicy odds.
Best bet on the card, though, comes in the 6f handicap at 16:25. Best in big-field contests on a straight track, Thunderball caught the eye when second home on the unfavoured side in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month, and his latest poor effort around the tight turns of Chester will merely serve to make him a backable price today. A regular at this venue, his track record on going softer than good is 2 wins and a second from 8 runs, and several of his defeats have been highly creditable ones.
With the Scott Dixon team ticking over well enough, and a high draw certainly no disadvantage based on yesterday's evidence, Thunderball has plenty in his favour, and should reward each-way support.
Over at Chepstow, Dovils Duel looks poised to complete a hat-trick in the 5f nursery. Always well regarded, it's taken him a while to shake off temperament concerns, but has shown himself to be a reformed character since headgear was removed, and simply looks a class above his rivals today. He looks more like a 6/4 shot to me, and anything bigger than 2/1 is a gift.
Recommendations:
Back Thunderball @ [7.4] in the 16:25 Doncaster (NAP)
Back Dovils Duel @ [3.05] in the 15:00 Chepstow (NB)
Back Steventon Star to place @ [12.0] in the 14:40 Doncaster
One who did catch the eye in that event is Karle Burke's mare Boastful, who isn't the best in this field by any means, but is best able to deal with tacky ground, having shown all her best form with plenty of give underfoot. The worry is that the going may not be soft enough for her, and with no rain overnight on Town Moor, and a dry day forecast, she''s reluctantly passed over. If the forecast proves wide of the mark, though, she needs considering at big odds despite a layoff.
One who looks massively overpriced in the Weatherby's Sales race at 14:40 is the Richard Hannon-trained Steventon Star, who will find the dead ground more to his liking than many of his rivals, and has some solid early-season form to his name. With his latest outing possibly needed after being gelded, he's better judged on earlier form, and looks to hold stronger claims than odds of 50/1+ indicate. He's likely to find a couple too good, but should be pitching for place money, and should be backed place only at juicy odds.
Best bet on the card, though, comes in the 6f handicap at 16:25. Best in big-field contests on a straight track, Thunderball caught the eye when second home on the unfavoured side in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month, and his latest poor effort around the tight turns of Chester will merely serve to make him a backable price today. A regular at this venue, his track record on going softer than good is 2 wins and a second from 8 runs, and several of his defeats have been highly creditable ones.
With the Scott Dixon team ticking over well enough, and a high draw certainly no disadvantage based on yesterday's evidence, Thunderball has plenty in his favour, and should reward each-way support.
Over at Chepstow, Dovils Duel looks poised to complete a hat-trick in the 5f nursery. Always well regarded, it's taken him a while to shake off temperament concerns, but has shown himself to be a reformed character since headgear was removed, and simply looks a class above his rivals today. He looks more like a 6/4 shot to me, and anything bigger than 2/1 is a gift.
Recommendations:
Back Thunderball @ [7.4] in the 16:25 Doncaster (NAP)
Back Dovils Duel @ [3.05] in the 15:00 Chepstow (NB)
Back Steventon Star to place @ [12.0] in the 14:40 Doncaster
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Brook Can End Barren Run
Today's meeting at York is a hugely competitive one, and not one where bankers are easy to find, but it may be the day that the perennially-unlucky Barren Brook finally gets the reward for recent efforts. Runner-up behind handicap blot Chancery over C&D in July, he looked sure to win before long (a notion bolstered by the winner absolutely bolting up at this track last time from a 9 lb higher mark), but things simply haven't gone his way since.
Barren Brook has raced three times since that creditable defeat, and every time he has met trouble in running, with his latest run at Ripon particularly frustrating, as he was the last horse off the bridle, but found himself pocketed for the entire length of the straight. Despite looking an unlucky loser, the assessor has actually dropped Barren Brook in the weights, and he looks on a very favourable mark. The likely strong pace will suit this patiently-ridden type, and while there are several obvious dangers, few look as well handicapped.
If the pace in that contest looks strong, it's nothing compared to the 2m handicap at 16:05, which is chock-a-block with front runners. Such a scenario looks sure to play into the hands of a strong-travelling hold-up sort, and the one who jumps off the page is Recession Proof. The selection has been on the sidelines since finishing an excellent fifth in the 2011 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race widely regarded as the strongest novice hurdle form in many a long year, with the quartet in front all superstars in their own right. Recession Proof had previously won the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, yet can race off a lowly Flat mark of 82 on his return.
Given his history of injury, there's always an element of risk, but at the same time, trainers of such horses can't afford to bring them back half-fit, and he's likely to be well enough forward to give a good account. The bottom line, once again, is that he's far to well treated to ignore in a race which is sure to be run to suit his style.
Final bet of the day is old favourite Lancelot du Lac, who did us a favour when winning at a big price here in May. That came with ease in the ground over 7f, but this keen goer showed himself better suited by a drop to 6f when scoring impressively at Newmarket last time. That win opens up new avenues for Dean Ivory's Shamardal colt, and he looks one to follow at sprint trips.
Recommendations:
All at York
Back Barren Brook @ [11.0] in the 15:35 (NAP)
Back Recession Proof @ [16.5] in the 16:05 (NB)
Back Lancelot du Lac @ [5.5] in the 16:40
Barren Brook has raced three times since that creditable defeat, and every time he has met trouble in running, with his latest run at Ripon particularly frustrating, as he was the last horse off the bridle, but found himself pocketed for the entire length of the straight. Despite looking an unlucky loser, the assessor has actually dropped Barren Brook in the weights, and he looks on a very favourable mark. The likely strong pace will suit this patiently-ridden type, and while there are several obvious dangers, few look as well handicapped.
If the pace in that contest looks strong, it's nothing compared to the 2m handicap at 16:05, which is chock-a-block with front runners. Such a scenario looks sure to play into the hands of a strong-travelling hold-up sort, and the one who jumps off the page is Recession Proof. The selection has been on the sidelines since finishing an excellent fifth in the 2011 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race widely regarded as the strongest novice hurdle form in many a long year, with the quartet in front all superstars in their own right. Recession Proof had previously won the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, yet can race off a lowly Flat mark of 82 on his return.
Given his history of injury, there's always an element of risk, but at the same time, trainers of such horses can't afford to bring them back half-fit, and he's likely to be well enough forward to give a good account. The bottom line, once again, is that he's far to well treated to ignore in a race which is sure to be run to suit his style.
Final bet of the day is old favourite Lancelot du Lac, who did us a favour when winning at a big price here in May. That came with ease in the ground over 7f, but this keen goer showed himself better suited by a drop to 6f when scoring impressively at Newmarket last time. That win opens up new avenues for Dean Ivory's Shamardal colt, and he looks one to follow at sprint trips.
Recommendations:
All at York
Back Barren Brook @ [11.0] in the 15:35 (NAP)
Back Recession Proof @ [16.5] in the 16:05 (NB)
Back Lancelot du Lac @ [5.5] in the 16:40
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Redvers Can Deliver At Ascot
Best bet at Ascot on Saturday is Redvers in the opening 7f handicap. The Ed Vaughan-trained gelding has been a serial eye-catcher this year, most notably in the Buckingham Palace Handicap over C&D at the Royal Meeting. Since then he's not had things drop right in the Bunbury Cup and back at Ascot when given far too much to do by Richard Hughes. He's now partnered by Richard Kingscote, and that rider's straightforward style will suit him, as will the prospect of a contested pace.
Redvers' credentials for a race of this nature aren't in doubt, as he showed when winning over C&D last summer in the Longines ladies' race, and he's shaped better than the bare result on all other starts at Ascot, shaping like just about the best horse at the weights despite finishing seventh in the Buckingham Palace, when racing on the "wrong" side and meeting trouble when full of running combined to derail his challenge. He's been dropped right out in 2 starts since, and the fact that those races have been dominated by those with early pace tells its own story. Horses like him (and main danger Pythagorean) will always be hostages to fortune in terms of tactics, but today's race has a pleasing shape to it, and Redvers certainly deserves to have the cards fall for him for a change.
The concluding race on the card is a big-field 5f handicap, and possibly not the race on which "Aussie Jim" McGrath wants to have has his final call, but if it all drops right, then it could be a dramatic and fitting epitaph to a once-revolutionary race-caller. The pattern of the race looks straightforward, with a lot of early speed among those drawn next to the stands rail, but the pacesetters, including Rylee Mooch, Stone of Folca and Lady Gibraltar, look vulnerable, and are likely to serve this up on a plate to the hold-up types in the field, of whom Dungannon and Diamond Charlie make most appeal.
Like the main selection, that pair caught the eye last time, Dungannon facing up well to a first-time visor only to meet traffic problems at Sandown last week, and Diamond Charlie getting the benefit of one of Mickael Barzalona's poorer tactical rides (and there are a lot to choose from) when fourth to a pair of reopposing rivals over C&D in July. Given an overconfident ride on that occasion, he failed to pick up immediately, but was running the leaders down close home, and will be better served by a faster pace here. With that pair occupying the highest stalls, and stacks of pace immediately to their right, it would be a surprise if one of them couldn't win, and it may well boil down to a battle of wits between Jimmy Quinn and Jimmy Fortune.
Recommendations:
All at Ascot
Back Redvers @ [11.0] in the 13:55 (NAP)
Back Dungannon & Diamond Charlie @ [5.0] & [15.0] in the 17:10
Redvers' credentials for a race of this nature aren't in doubt, as he showed when winning over C&D last summer in the Longines ladies' race, and he's shaped better than the bare result on all other starts at Ascot, shaping like just about the best horse at the weights despite finishing seventh in the Buckingham Palace, when racing on the "wrong" side and meeting trouble when full of running combined to derail his challenge. He's been dropped right out in 2 starts since, and the fact that those races have been dominated by those with early pace tells its own story. Horses like him (and main danger Pythagorean) will always be hostages to fortune in terms of tactics, but today's race has a pleasing shape to it, and Redvers certainly deserves to have the cards fall for him for a change.
The concluding race on the card is a big-field 5f handicap, and possibly not the race on which "Aussie Jim" McGrath wants to have has his final call, but if it all drops right, then it could be a dramatic and fitting epitaph to a once-revolutionary race-caller. The pattern of the race looks straightforward, with a lot of early speed among those drawn next to the stands rail, but the pacesetters, including Rylee Mooch, Stone of Folca and Lady Gibraltar, look vulnerable, and are likely to serve this up on a plate to the hold-up types in the field, of whom Dungannon and Diamond Charlie make most appeal.
Like the main selection, that pair caught the eye last time, Dungannon facing up well to a first-time visor only to meet traffic problems at Sandown last week, and Diamond Charlie getting the benefit of one of Mickael Barzalona's poorer tactical rides (and there are a lot to choose from) when fourth to a pair of reopposing rivals over C&D in July. Given an overconfident ride on that occasion, he failed to pick up immediately, but was running the leaders down close home, and will be better served by a faster pace here. With that pair occupying the highest stalls, and stacks of pace immediately to their right, it would be a surprise if one of them couldn't win, and it may well boil down to a battle of wits between Jimmy Quinn and Jimmy Fortune.
Recommendations:
All at Ascot
Back Redvers @ [11.0] in the 13:55 (NAP)
Back Dungannon & Diamond Charlie @ [5.0] & [15.0] in the 17:10
Sunday, 1 September 2013
Beacon Shines Out At Brighton
It's often said that you need to go against the crowd to make it pay as a horseracing punter, and that advice is undoubtedly sound, but we've all frequently kicked ourselves for ignoring the obvious in search of value when that obvious selection skates up, particularly when it ends up double the odds you expected it to be.
The 15:30 at Brighton is a case in point. My initial reaction was to try to find one to beat the likely favourite Beacon Lady, a much-improved performer who has won her last 4 starts, including 3 at this venue. The drop back in trip might make her a little vulnerable, I reasoned, before digging into the form of her rivals. It was only after watching her win the Amateur Derby again that I realised I was looking at things the wrong way around.
Beacon Lady ran the race of her life at Epsom, and it wasn't due to a superior ride from Patrick Mullins, or because she saw the trip out better than her rivals, but because she was simply the best horse in the field, and she cruised into contention before mowing down the well-handicapped Azrag. This isn't a filly to be inventing a case against on the basis of minor concerns, but a flourishing racehorse who still hasn't reached her peak, and therefore one to side with, particularly as she's inexplicably not even favourite.
Given she and the runner-up came 14 lengths clear of the third that day, it's fair to say that she's well-in under a penalty, and the claim of Oisin Murphy, already a winner on her at this track, is another bonus. The way she travelled at Epsom negates concerns about the return to ten furlongs now, and her claims shine out like...well, like a beacon.
One trainer who has made an impression on me this season is Gary Harrison, and the Scot has done well with limited ammunition since moving to Newmarket. His record of 6 wins in 31 starts in handicaps this year is not to be sniffed at, and he has an interesting runner in the 16:05 in the shape of Coalburn. The gelding is a half-brother to Mornin Reserves, who won the prestigious Gosforth Park Cup in Harrison's colours before becoming one of the first horses to represent him on taking out a training licence.
Given plenty of time to mature after a trio of outings in maidens as a 3-y-o, he shaped much better than the bare result on his handicap debut at Yarmouth last month. Notably weak in the betting, and looking in need of the run, he showed the natural speed which runs through his family, and faded only in the last furlong without his jockey getting serious - a replay showing, in fact, that Darren Egan had dropped his whip mid-race. That fact seems to have been missed by most observers (not mentioned in the form book), but is certainly noteworthy. With improvement expected, and off a rock-bottom handicap mark, Coalburn is worth chancing against the consistent, if somewhat frustrating Chester'slittlegem.
Recommendations:
Both at Brighton
Back Beacon Lady @ [4.3] in the 15:30 (NAP)
Back Coalburn @ [25.0] in the 16:05 (NB)
The 15:30 at Brighton is a case in point. My initial reaction was to try to find one to beat the likely favourite Beacon Lady, a much-improved performer who has won her last 4 starts, including 3 at this venue. The drop back in trip might make her a little vulnerable, I reasoned, before digging into the form of her rivals. It was only after watching her win the Amateur Derby again that I realised I was looking at things the wrong way around.
Beacon Lady ran the race of her life at Epsom, and it wasn't due to a superior ride from Patrick Mullins, or because she saw the trip out better than her rivals, but because she was simply the best horse in the field, and she cruised into contention before mowing down the well-handicapped Azrag. This isn't a filly to be inventing a case against on the basis of minor concerns, but a flourishing racehorse who still hasn't reached her peak, and therefore one to side with, particularly as she's inexplicably not even favourite.
Given she and the runner-up came 14 lengths clear of the third that day, it's fair to say that she's well-in under a penalty, and the claim of Oisin Murphy, already a winner on her at this track, is another bonus. The way she travelled at Epsom negates concerns about the return to ten furlongs now, and her claims shine out like...well, like a beacon.
One trainer who has made an impression on me this season is Gary Harrison, and the Scot has done well with limited ammunition since moving to Newmarket. His record of 6 wins in 31 starts in handicaps this year is not to be sniffed at, and he has an interesting runner in the 16:05 in the shape of Coalburn. The gelding is a half-brother to Mornin Reserves, who won the prestigious Gosforth Park Cup in Harrison's colours before becoming one of the first horses to represent him on taking out a training licence.
Given plenty of time to mature after a trio of outings in maidens as a 3-y-o, he shaped much better than the bare result on his handicap debut at Yarmouth last month. Notably weak in the betting, and looking in need of the run, he showed the natural speed which runs through his family, and faded only in the last furlong without his jockey getting serious - a replay showing, in fact, that Darren Egan had dropped his whip mid-race. That fact seems to have been missed by most observers (not mentioned in the form book), but is certainly noteworthy. With improvement expected, and off a rock-bottom handicap mark, Coalburn is worth chancing against the consistent, if somewhat frustrating Chester'slittlegem.
Recommendations:
Both at Brighton
Back Beacon Lady @ [4.3] in the 15:30 (NAP)
Back Coalburn @ [25.0] in the 16:05 (NB)
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