|
Preview -
05 Sep 2007
3.35 Turf TV Strensall Stakes
class 1 (3yo+ Group 3) 9F G T F
1 – Echo of Light – First of two runners for the Boys in Blue and
one that has got form over 9F having won this race 12 months ago
from the decent Stage Gift. A impressive winner making all at a fair
gallop a reproduction of those dictating tactics would see him very
hard to beat. Another year under his belt and slightly more exposed,
the jockey booking suggest that he is the stables main chance in
this race who has a solid record in all age group races at this
track. A better race then 12 months ago potentially and he will need
to see them all off to lead (flying Clarets & Kandidate main pace
rivals) and showed a few quirky traits when not given the run of the
race at Ascot last time.
Tissue Price – 5/2
2 – Formal Decree – the 2nd for the boys in blue and the
impressive Cambridgeshire winner from last season over this trip is
yet to really sparkle for new connections despite a profitable time
in Dubai at the start of the year. Slipped up when going against
Stage Gift, which would have given us some indication as to his
ability and was outstayed when giving a stone away to some half
decent 3yo. Not ideally sure quick ground is his best but he is
effective on it and has a very solid form over this trip, so could
turn out to be the best of the Godolphin pair as they aim to land
this group 3 yet again.
Tissue Price – 4/1
3 – Kandidate – Struggled behind Formal Decree at Haydock against
the 3yo and raced to keenly for his own good. Has to go down as
disappointing as there was no real excuse for the run with 12F
suiting him prior to that run. Placed in the 2000 guineas a few
years back he has the pace for this shorter trip of 9F and has a
good 2-3 run strike rate over the trip. Ryan Moore seems to be
getting the rides for Clive Brtiten and makes his debut on the horse
that is quite exposed. He has a strong say in the outcome of this
group race today as he could easily unsettle Echo Of Light on the
front end. Thrashed Mullins Bay in Dubai over this trip in which he
has a penalty for and that day was allowed to dictate the race to
his liking on a surface he is renowned for going well on.
Tissue price – 9/1
4 – Charlie Tokyo – Last seen behind Stage Gift at this track
over 10F and was no match for Group 2 rivals, dropped back to 9F in
which he cruised past stable mate Flying Clarets to land the race in
good style but has been withdrawn for today’s race which is
disappointing.
5- Mullins Bay – won this race 2 years ago when with Aiden
O’Brien and has since lost his form, which has seen him change
handlers to South African trainer De Kock. Been of track for quite
some time but there shouldn’t be any fears as he was always a horse
that was best seen fresh. Got quite a bit of ground to make up on
Kandidate who had the run of the race and is likely to fair better
today with a good record round York (211). Has form in Italy with
Ramonti who has been a saving grace for Godolphin this season and
may be able to use his weight pull to go close in this class of race
today.
Tissue Price – 6/1
6 – Royal Oath – looks a miler and flopped on only start over 9F
when the race came to soon after a good effort in the Spring Cup.
Best given over a 2 week break he has had a month of the track with
this in mind and is well worth another go over this type of trip
with Kingmambo colts having a good strike rate over these kind of
trips. The flat track should suit based on the Newbury galloping
form and with a strong pace may well confirm Ascot form with Echo Of
Light with conditions underfoot suiting. John Gosdon does well on
the long trip north to York.
Tissue Price – 5/2
7 – Halicarnassus – has been running well and holds a good chance
on the Haydock form in front of Kandidate and Formel Decree. Mick
Channon runners at present can do no wrong and this progressive 3yo
whose chances are made harder by a easing in the weight allowance
allocation at this time of year could have come on again for that
win over 11F. The drop back in trip doesn’t look likely to suit as
much as it is likely for Formel Decree, but both runners can be
considered well for the run of an average gallop last time
suggesting they both have some tactical speed. Quick ground is a
major advantage however.
Tissue Price – 14/1
8 – Flying Clarets – getting the allowances this fillie is very
much up against it today with her best form in handicaps suggesting
she is just below this level on what she has achieved, entitled to
win a race for her gallant efforts this season she is likely to drop
out of contention when not getting her own way up front and with
stable mate dropping out she may adopt different tactics to the ones
they used with her to good effect in the John Smith Cup over this
9F. Better chances lie in wake.
Tissue Price – 40/1
Tissue – Royal Oath, Echo Of Light 5/2, Formal Decree 4/1,
Mullins Bay 6/1, Kandidate 9/1, Halicarnassus 14/1, Flying Clarets
40/1
Verdict – Not a
bad little group race with last year’s winner meeting the previous
year winner. I wouldn’t be rushing to take such a short price on the
favourite with Royal Oath who was value for beating him home last
time at Ascot at a decent price of 7/2, the stable second string is
another that could prove to have a say if getting the pace to aim
at, Kandidate who was to keen at Haydock of a slow pace is better
then that runs suggested and looks the e/w alternative with 14-1 on
offer.
Selection –
Royal Oath 3pts win @ 7-2 (4.5
BF)
Well Chief
|