Thursday 31st May 2018



16:20 Wolverhampton

 Servo finished off his race well at Newcastle last time out despite having to weave his way through the field and has only been raised 4lb which looks fair.. That effort was a personal best and was only his eighth start so its possible we haven't seen the best of him yet, but I don't think he offers much in the way of value at the head of the market. Instead I fancy a much more exposed runner each-way in the shape of Stamp Duty. The ten year old did well to make up late ground from the rear last time over course and distance in a race where the first three home all raced up with the pace. I'd be confident that Suzzanne France's gelding can reverse the form with the re-opposing Mount Cheiron in this contest, he has been dropped a pound, Phil Dennis claims three and I'd be disappointed if he can't hit the frame here.

Stamp Duty 9/1 - 1 Point Each-Way


16:50 Wolverhampton

 Although he has been raised 6lb for his latest success, Caledonian Laird still looks up to winning off this mark. He was posted up on this blog on his penultimate start at 9/1, he was backed off the boards andwent off 11/4 but was bitterly disappointing finishing last of the seven runners. He was well supported once again most recently and this time landed the odds in good style. The handicapper has had his say but that still puts him just 2lb above one of his three course and distance victories, when he won with a bit of hand last April. Final Attack is another last time out winner in the field but I wouldn't be as confident that he is up to defying his 5lb rise. A bigger danger may be Coviglia, he made an encouraging debut for Jacqueline Coward and is having just his seventh career start.


Caledonia Laird 7/2 - 1 Point Win


ANTE-POST

 Prix Du Jockey Club

 I was in attendance at the Guineas meeting and the performance of Key Victory has stuck in my mind since. A lot went wrong in the race for him; he was keen early, denied a clear run and still showed clear signs of inexperience but the way he put the race to bed in the closing stages suggested he is a high class animal. The second from that race, also trained by Charlie Applebly, has come out and franked the form since at listed level. The first thing I did after the Guineas weekend was check Key Victory's future entries, I saw he had an entry for St James's Palace at Royal Ascot but didn't think the drop in trip would be ideal. I also noticed he was in the Irish Derby entries which he would also have a good chance in, if staying the trip. However when the news broke today that he was being supplemented for the Prix Du Jockey Club I was delighted, the trainer says the ground shouldn't be a worry at all and his work has been pleasing at home and I think this could be great stepping stone to the Irish derby. William Hill's opening show of 8/1 looks worth taking.

Key Victory 8/1 - 1 Point Win

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