Horseracing Selections - Yarmouth, 24 July 2006
Yarmouth, 24 July 2006
2:30 E.b.f. Median Auction Maiden Stakes
Piccolena Boy gets the vote over Loves Bidding and Astroangel in the opener at the seaside track. Piccolena Boy is going the right way judged on the latest of his three runs at Bath to date, as he was the only one to trouble the impressive winner Abunai. He looks just the sort to follow when tackling nursery company, but in the meantime can open his account here with conditions to suit. Loves Bidding has had more opportunities, and we should not get carried away by the fact that he ran in the Norfolk Stakes as he finished last of 11. Astroangel shaped as though she would be suited by a step up in trip when fourth over six furlongs on the Kempton Polytrack 12 days ago, so it is odd to see her dropped back to the minimum. Cookies Quiff was third in a Bath seller on his debut and is another destined to go the nursery route in time, and all in all it is Piccolena Boy that makes the most appeal on this occasion.
3:00 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Nursery Handicap
Hart Of Gold is the pick over the likes of Little Miss Wizzy, Dubai Magic and Suhayl Star. Having been a beaten favourite twice in succession earlier in the season, Hart Of Gold showed vast improvement to open his account at Wolverhampton in June, thanks to a gelding operation and step up in trip. He has continued to give a good account since, and was not beaten far by Ingleby Princess on Turf at Musselburgh the time before last. He looks just the sort to follow in this sphere, and with his apprentice rider able to claim 5lb, the Mark Wallace inmate is worth supporting. Little Miss Wizzy gets in on bottom weight and begins nursery life on a modest mark, but might prefer easier going, while Dubai Magic was totally outclassed in the TNT July Stakes at Newmarket and will be more at home in this grade. He made most when scoring at Salisbury the time before last and can give the selection most to do. Suhayl Star has yet to find his right trip, but is another that should eventually pay to follow at this level. For the winner we return to Hart Of Gold.
3:35 Letheby & Christopher Selling Stakes
Sunstroke is selected to get the better of Elizabeth Garrett and Diminuto in a weak looking event. Sunstroke will no doubt prove a popular choice with the holiday crowd here, and the filly has has the form to oblige based on her win in similar company at Brighton last week. She has drawn the one box and has Tom Queally in the plate again, so the scene is set for a follow-up despite the drop in trip. Elizabeth Garrett has already been beaten at this level and it is hard to see where the improvement is going to come from, while Diminuto has not repeated her fair effort in a Southwell maiden back in April and is not one to trust, even at this lowly level. The market should be noted as regards the others, but we are happy to stick with Sunstroke.
4:05 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Handicap
Rag Tag can progress again to score at the expense of Polish Emperor, Vindication and Silver Dane. Rag Tag caused a 25-1 shock when landing a Bath maiden last year, but has failed to trouble the judge since. However, Andrew Balding's gelding showed an imminent return to form when third at Haydock eight days ago, showing very good speed for quite a long way in the race won by Shes Minnie. He will relish the fast ground and has been found a most suitable opportunity to get back winning ways. Polish Emperor has topweight but is actually down to a decent mark now. Even so, his recent form is hardly inspiring, and he is passed over. Vindication did not find much when popped the question at Lingfield last time, and is another that is hard to fancy, while Silver Dane has been out of form of late. Mind you, he was successful here in March and has conditions in his favour. Manniko is a big, strapping sort that would have claims on his form earlier in the season, but Rag Tag can beat them all.
4:40 Weatherbys Bank Fillies' Handicap
Red Sail has in the main been consistent, and can pay to follow here ahead of String Serenade, Iamback and Lenwade. Red Sail was a respectable third in a fillies' handicap at Folkestone just over three weeks ago, and although she has only one win to her credit so far, on the Lingfield Polytrack in May, the five-year-old looks worth supporting here despite having her fair share of weight. The opposition does not appear daunting, with perhaps String Serenade the main danger. Vince Smith's charge was an easy winner at Brighton in June and has been there or thereabouts since. Iamback has been placed three times on the all-weather recently, but is only rated in the thirties, while Lenwade has not won since last September and needs to improve markedly to figure. A low grade affair should be well within the capabilities of Red Sail.
5:10 Mint Casino Great Yarmouth Handicap
Fluted Crystal has a bit of scope and is taken to land the finale at the expense of Picture Show, Tangarita and Dream Of Paradise to name but three. Fluted Crystal obviously appreciated the switch to grass when finishing third at a big price in a Leicester claimer last time, having previously shown little in two outings on the all-weather. Henry Candy's filly does not appear overburdened for her handicap bow, and is taken to open her account. Picture Show has only tried today's trip once before and failed to stay, so is perhaps best watched, while Tangarita has shown little in the way of pace, and might even need further, but is at least better off at the weights with Dream Of Paradise for the two-lengths that separated them at Beverley. This is not going to take much winning, and Fluted Crystal, whose dam is related to Broken Hearted, can enhance her paddock prospects at least by coming good at the fourth time of asking.
