Today's racing is very competitive without a lot of quality. The weekend's racing was fantastic, with the return to form of Bauer at Haydock, who will now try the Melbourne Cup route once again. Freddie Tylicki rode 3 winners over the weekend at Thirsk and yesterday at York on Internationaldebut, which was very well executed on a quirky horse.
I felt like I had to raise a point about the Irish Champion Stakes. It looked to me as if Snow Fairy would win turning for home, but after using her main attribute, which is her initial turn of speed, she didn't have a lot else to throw at the battle-hardened So You Think. The O'Brien "big race team" is so finely tuned in their home country that it makes it very difficult for the British raiders to be successful over there. This was proved earlier on in the season with Misty For Me's rout of Midday. The exception is Blue Bunting in the Irish Oaks who was under a magical Dettori ride in the only division the O'Brien horses aren't as strong as the British fillies.
If you have any views on the race or the O'Brien dominance, feel free to comment.
Todays selections are - Rode Two Destiny (2.10 Bath), who is a half sister to the same yard's decent sprinter Golden Destiny. Maastricht (4.10 Bath), won under a very good enterprising ride last time and another step up in trip will only help. Mucky Molly (2.50 Newcastle). Who was unlucky last time and Neil Callan is on board today. Spice Bar (4.20 Newcastle) . He is a dual pupose hors who won very easily last time and is expected to follow up. Cappagh (3.30 Newton Abbot) . Didn't stay last time and has run well after a break before. King Edmund (4.00 Newton Abbot). Tongue tie refitted for a yard who are flying with their only runner today. Balrath Hope (4.05 Roscommon). Ran very well on debut and the extra furlong will help. Marching Orders (6.35 Roscommon). Nina Carberry on board a very unexposed runner in a poor handicap hurdle.
Good Luck (Red means strongest selection per meeting)
