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13:40 - British Stallion Studs EBF “Carrie Red” Fillies’ Nursery Handicap
An open looking two year old contest to start today’s ITV action and course victor Nazuna looks the one to be on. A winner on her second start she did it comfortably enough and two of the three rivals from the race that have subsequently run have grabbed a place. The form has been franked and although this looks a much tougher contest she seems likely to improve and should be hard to topple.
Spright looks to be best of the rest.
NAZUNA (WIN)
14:10 - bet365 May Hill Stakes
I just can’t see past the top two in the betting with Zabeel Queen and Indigo Girl the most obvious selections and it’s very difficult to find an alternative to the well fancied duo. Both remain unbeaten after their opening starts but it’s Roger Varian’s charge who I expect to maintain their 100% record. The form of Zabeel Queen’s Ascot victory has worked out well with the fourth and sixth placed horses claiming success later in the season. All things point towards Andrea Atzeni’s mount.
ZABEEL QUEEN
14:40 - Weatherbys Racing Bank £200,000 2-Y-O Stakes
Yet another two year old race to decipher here where a case can be made for the majority of these. I’d argue that this is perhaps one of the most open races of the whole four day meeting. The current favourite Yazaman may have done more at a higher level but still hasn’t won since his maiden and seems easy to take on.
Line Of Depature aims to make it three wins on the trot but has had a tough season and Digital finally won at the fourth time of asking. Both could place but neither fill me with an abundance of confidence.
Of the more fancied runners course winner Uncle Jumbo would be the one I’d be most likely to favour however in such an open looking contest I’ve gone for an outsider. Sky Blue Thinking finished a credible third on debut in a race in which the winner has subsequently gone on to push a group winner (who’s entered for next years Epsom Derby) very close. Undoubtedly Clive Cox’s runner will have to show improvement but with a weight for age allowance also bound to help she looks a huge price at around 33/1.
SKY BLUE THINKING (E/W)
15:15 - bet365 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes
Unfortunately due to the withdrawal of Alpinista there’s now only seven set to run, so any notion of looking for each way value is a much tougher task. It looks likely that trainer Roger Varian is going to have a solid day with many fancied horses lining up at Doncaster and there’s no difference in this race. Varian sends out Believe In Love who’s had a solid season and aims to make it five victories in a row. A worthy favourite but it may be a better option to find one at a bigger price that could upset the apple cart. Pista from Ireland and the William Haggas trained Monica Sheriff look the most likely to trouble the favourite and my selection is one of these duo. Pista looks a horse on the up but must make a marked improvement now competing at this level and tackling British opposition however Monica Sheriff has already answered plenty of questions that others haven’t. A fourth in the Ebor when returning after a 301 day absence is a very impressive performance and this former group winner should improve for her recent outing with fitness likely to be on her side. The Haggas team are doing well and their charge deserves the nod.
MONICA SHERIFF (WIN)
15:45 - Price Promise At bet365 Handicap
I’d be a liar if I were to say I had a very strong fancy in this seven furlong race and in all honesty I wouldn’t normally opt for a horse in a race of this nature without having to cover it here at PFTP. Never the less I feel Persuasion is a very interesting runner having not been seen since disappointing in the 2,000 Guineas. A second behind Wichita in a Group 3 race last season looks decent form and with Frankie booked for the ride he can go well.
Another horse who disappointed last time is Haqeeqy and I feel that recent stone last at Newmarket was too bad to be true. A return to his best should see him in the mix and couldn’t be readily discounted.
Of the runners nearer the head of the market such as Eastern World and Jamaira Bay they shouldn’t be far away either but I’m going to go with ones that are more generously priced.
PERSUASION (E/W)
HAQEEQY (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock