I’ve rung around my various trainers to see if I could turn up anything.
Nick Gifford has five going at Newbury today. I asked him about Latimer’s Place in the 2.25. The horse is getting on a bit. The ground is key (he needs it good) and he has that. He’s getting a bit old though and can sulk when pushed along – Nick thinks he may be better value in a smaller field now. I also spoke to David Pipe who runs two in this race (and six over the day). I asked him if I should be backing any of his today and he said no (he fancied one tomorrow).
The only horse Nick felt was a betting proposition was Witness Run in the 4.35 – “will love the better ground, should win”. Gary Moore runs Pardishar in the same race – I’ve been on the phone to him and he isn’t tipping anything today.
I’ve had a good look at Master of the Race’s race, and it really does look like a strong heat. Special Envoy, seventh in the Supreme Novice, is the favourite, but I’d be surprised if there isn’t one better than him in this and I rate him a lay. Another Bottle and Sentry Duty had big ratings on the flat – Lead On has been extremely impressive. I am hearing very strong vibes for Sentry Duty in particular, and I think this Henderson trained horse is the one to be on. MOTR is worth a small bet for a place IMO.
I asked Tom about Bold Diktator in the 5.20 at Lingfield. BD appeared to be disappointing last time, but he was struck into about 3 furlongs from home and finished lame and missing a shoe. If you ignore that race he should probably be favourite today – Tom rates him as a bet and thinks he is a virtual certainty to place.
I also spoke to Peter C-H about Morning Farewell in the 4.50 at Lingfield. Pete reckons he has improved enormously since he came second last time – he is up against a Johnstone horse who we are told is very strongly fancied and has been backed heavily this morning, into odds on. Pete’s view is “bring it on” – I’m happy to be taking on a debutante with an experienced improver.
There’s a yankee in there somewhere – Witness Run, Sentry Duty, Bold Diktator, Morning Farewell. E/W double – Bold Diktator & MOTR. Win double Witness Run & Morning Farewell.