Horseracing Selections - Beverley, 24 July 2006
Beverley, 24 July 2006
6:30 Medieval Night Claiming Stakes
Granny Peel is hard to oppose in this company and can beat Fractured Foxy and Birdie Birdie. Kevin Ryan's filly landed three similar races on the trot, before running with credit in a class four handicap last time. She obviously loves her racing and can regain the winning thread. Fractured Foxy drops into claiming company for the first time having shown plenty of form in three modest maidens. This could be about her level and a big run is expected. Birdie Birdie is the only newcomer here and is from a top yard. If the daughter of Superior Premium is backed, take note. Denton Hawk and Ishebee are two others with solid enough form claims, but Granny Peel should be followed while she is still in this sort of form.
7:00 E.b.f. Novice Stakes
Once again Mark Johnston sets a bit of a puzzle by running two horses in the same race, however Silent Waves was most impressive on his debut and should follow up ahead of stable companion Petrosian, Coconut Queen looks booked for third. Silent Waves looked above average when taking a course and distance maiden back in June. He finished clear of the runner up Musca, who in turn was miles clear of the remainder, so both could turn out to be decent types. Petrosian is an interesting debutante being a nicely bred son of Sakhee. He does receive a fair bit of weight from the selection and so watch for any market move. Coconut Queen showed plenty of promise on her debut, finishing a close up fourth behind Big Timer over the six furlong trip here. She should come on for the outing and may take the runners up spot if Petrosian isn't fully wound up. Lady Best makes up the field but should be better over much further and so we return to Silent Waves as our choice to land the spoils.
7:30 Mkm Building Supplies Handicap
The three-year-old Advancement can take care of his elders here, the best of which could be Tough Love and Poppys Footprint. Richard Fahey's gelding gained a deserved maiden success at Southwell last time, staying on strongly to beat Bijli. There should be more to come and this extra furlong should suit. Poppys Footprint hasn't won for some time and has disappointed on her last two efforts on the all-weather. However she is now back down to a decent mark and it would be no surprise to see her go close this evening. Tough Love has managed a victory this season and looked on the way back last time when a close up third behind Fremen at York. He is getting no help from the handicapper but should make his presence felt. The pick of the rest could be Bond Diamond, but Advancement has more scope for improvement than the rest of these and he gets the verdict.
8:00 Natwest Agricultural Team Handicap
Princess Cocoa is the pick over Dimelight, Bolckow and English City. This is a tight little handicap, but Princess Cocoa has done enough of late to earn the vote. Richard Fahey's filly was fancied at Ripon last time, but after being slowly away, she used up most of her energy trying to get quickly back into contention, and had nothing left to offer as Scotland Yard romped home ahead of her and Hunting Haze. She looked the part when scoring at Chester earlier with English City behind, and is worth chancing under Paul Hanagan. Dimelight is very well bred, but the topweight looks like he needs a step up to 12 furlongs on the evidence so far. Bolckow flopped badly at Pontefract and is still a maiden, and for the winner we stay loyal to Princess Cocoa.
8:30 Family Day Here Next Tuesday Maiden Handicap
Virginia Rose gets a tentative vote over Travolta, Myrtle Bay and Wise Choice to name but a few. The only good thing to say about this contest is that one of them will lose its maiden tag, and a chance is taken that Virginia Rose will be the one. James Given's filly kept on well enough behind Baltic Princess at Hamilton last time, and will be suited by the step up in trip at least. Travolta showed his best form when second on Lingfield's Turf course the time before last and will act on the fast ground. Myrtle Bay was fancied when third behind Awaken at Hamilton and is worth a try over this longer trip, as is Wise Choice who has stamina in his make-up. Any support for the likes of Leo McGarry or Tiltili who both hail from shrewd yards should be noted, but in a very moderate contest it is Virginia Rose that is lumbered with the vote.
9:00 Sir Lupin Of Pipwithers Rides Again Handicap
Dark Charm is confidently recommended ahead of Royal Flynn and Augustine. The jockey and trainer combination of Paul Hanagan and Richard Fahey are always to be feared at lowly levels, and having narrowly failed to score at Hamilton, compensation awaits the front-runner. Royal Flynn is in receipt of weight, and cheekpieces are applied for the first time. The gelding has only found the winner's enclosure once from 21 attempts and could be unfortunate enough to find one too good again. Augustine visits the well often but with little return. Unfortunately his runs have not come without penalty from the handicapper and he may need to come down again before his turn looks likely. Suivez Moi is difficult to fancy on his reappearance while Terminator looks to have completely lost his way of late. This is an obvious chance for Dark Charm to strike gold and we will nominate accordingly.
