3 minute read
Sam King is back with three selections on Thursday.
After watching Vape repeatedly denied a clear run for a handful of furlongs when travelling all over his rivals at Chepstow yesterday, I'm sincerely hoping the luck will turn sooner rather than later this week.
Anyway, on to today. There could well be some Royal Ascot clues on offer at Yarmouth and Haydock, with some striking types set to make their debuts across the two venues. It's interesting that William Buick heads to Haydock to rather than Yarmouth where he sports the white cap of Godolphin on Time To Turn, who has been much stronger in the market than his 720,000gns stablemate Maximized in the same contest.
Over at Yarmouth, the boys in blue unleash the 1.4 million guineas Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up purchase Silent Applause at 3.55, while Oliaku is an interesting contender for the in-form Michael Bell team earlier on the card.
I'll be keeping a close eye on all the aforementioned and more across the two cards, although it's hard to have a strong opinion on the contests from a betting perspective.
The best wager at Haydock looks to be Blue Day, who holds a progressive profile and can remain unbeaten over the minimum trip in the 3.47.
There's no doubt he got the dream run up the rail under Callum Shepherd when beating the reopposing Duran by a length and a half at Ascot earlier this month, but it was tough not to be impressed with the turn of foot he showed that day and I suspect he's just a progressive type.
A 6lb swing in the weights gives Duran an obvious chance, but Blue Day is now two from two over five furlongs and it wouldn't surprise me if he were to prove equal to the task.
The Harry Charlton team has enjoyed a good start to the season, while the quick conditions on the Merseyside will also play to his strengths.
1pt Win – Blue Day
Odds – 9/4
At Wolverhampton this evening, the Simon and Ed Crisford team look to have found an excellent opening for Kitty Furnival to get back to winning ways in the mile and a half Class 4 handicap at 6.30.
Having not been out of the first three on all four of her handicap outings, Kitty Furnival has proved a model of consistency in her short career to date.
The nicely-bred daughter of Zarak lost absolutely nothing in defeat when runner-up to the well-treated Educator on her return from 129 days off at Lingfield last time out. That
form took a timely boost when the winner followed up in snug style at Windsor earlier in the week, while it's fair to say you can expect to see a step forward from Kitty Furnival with that run under her belt.
All four of her rivals appear to have something to prove and with the in-form Jack Mitchell doing the steering, she can return to the winners' circle off just a 1lb higher mark.
2pt Win – Kitty Furnival
Odds – 5/6
Earlier on the card, Abstract Art (7.00) looks interesting now dropped back in trip for Ian Williams, who has been amongst the winners in recent weeks.
The gelded son of Far Above, who is out of a Dark Angel mare, didn't look to get home over a mile and a half when only eighth at Kempton last time.
A 127-day break should have freshened him up nicely for this and it's no real shock to see connections dropping back three and a half furlongs. He posted an excellent effort in defeat when third off the front in a Class 5 handicap over course and distance in January.
Now in Class 6 company back over this track and trip, he looks well-treated off a 2lb lower mark with the more-than-capable Ryan Kavanagh taking off an additional 5lb.
Stall ten isn't ideal, but I'm expected Kavanagh to be fairly positive on his mount, and he may just prove too well-handicapped for his rivals.
1pt Win - Abstract Art
Odds – 11/4
