Here's Saturday's Irish Independent article:
***
PARLIAMENT SQUARE
THERE were mixed fortunes for this column last weekend and consequently, my equine bankroll went on a bit of a rollercoaster ride. With a trip to Ascot planned for next week, I was hoping Saturday's selections would cover the cost of the flights as I'm getting uneasy about the fact that all the girls behind the counter in the local Credit Union know me by first name. As it turned out, the day went rather well with the main bet, Mince, taking a group three at 9/4. She's a very smart filly and one to watch next year if they stick to their plan and keep her in training. With Mandy Layla landing a seller later on at odds of 11/10 at Dunstall Park, the Ascot coffers were begging to look pretty decent and I was patting myself on the back for a job well done. But as it says in the book of Job; the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away and unfortunately, I was only holding on to the winnings overnight. Looking back, my confidence in Camelot for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was severely misplaced although with the winner Solemia coming home at 33/1, I wasn't the only one who called it wrong. If hindsight were foresight, we'd all be millionaires. While it was frustrating to see Camelot run so poorly, spare a thought for those who backed runner-up Orfevre all the way down to 1/100 in-running on the machine. Camelot underwent surgery for colic (which can be very serious in horses) this week and thankfully, the colt is "doing great" according to a tweet from Coolmore yesterday. Where to next with Camelot remains to be seen but with last Saturday's winnings cancelled out the following day, I could do with squeezing a few bob out of today's action. Step up Aidan O'Brien's PARLIAMENT SQUARE, whose odds of 14/1 make him a very attractive each-way proposition for the group one Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket (2.20). O'Brien also runs Gale Force Ten and Cristoforo Colombo but I'm not convinced the latter should be as low as 11/2 following the Railway Stakes on soft ground the Curragh, in which he finished tamely in second. He clipped heels in the Phoenix Stakes last time which was unfortunate as he was going well at the time but he's yet to live up to his promising line of form when third behind Dawn Approach and Olympic Glory in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot. With the ground likely to be on the softer side of good, the selection looks set to thrive with both his wins to date taking place when underfoot conditions were somewhat testing. Considering the hefty weight he was carrying in a sales race at Doncaster last time, he ran a credible race in fifth and that followed on from a career best when finishing third to today's favourite Reckless Abandon in the Prix Morny on good ground at Deauville. Unbeaten in four starts, you can't argue Reckless Abandon's record but unless the ground dries out, we enter unknown territory which makes his odds of 15/8 seem a little short this afternoon. Moohaajim must be given a mention too and is likely to be thereabouts. He showed a wonderful turn of foot when taking the Mill Reef Stakes last time and a good run today should see his odds of 20/1 contract for next year's Guineas.
THERE were mixed fortunes for this column last weekend and consequently, my equine bankroll went on a bit of a rollercoaster ride. With a trip to Ascot planned for next week, I was hoping Saturday's selections would cover the cost of the flights as I'm getting uneasy about the fact that all the girls behind the counter in the local Credit Union know me by first name. As it turned out, the day went rather well with the main bet, Mince, taking a group three at 9/4. She's a very smart filly and one to watch next year if they stick to their plan and keep her in training. With Mandy Layla landing a seller later on at odds of 11/10 at Dunstall Park, the Ascot coffers were begging to look pretty decent and I was patting myself on the back for a job well done. But as it says in the book of Job; the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away and unfortunately, I was only holding on to the winnings overnight. Looking back, my confidence in Camelot for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was severely misplaced although with the winner Solemia coming home at 33/1, I wasn't the only one who called it wrong. If hindsight were foresight, we'd all be millionaires. While it was frustrating to see Camelot run so poorly, spare a thought for those who backed runner-up Orfevre all the way down to 1/100 in-running on the machine. Camelot underwent surgery for colic (which can be very serious in horses) this week and thankfully, the colt is "doing great" according to a tweet from Coolmore yesterday. Where to next with Camelot remains to be seen but with last Saturday's winnings cancelled out the following day, I could do with squeezing a few bob out of today's action. Step up Aidan O'Brien's PARLIAMENT SQUARE, whose odds of 14/1 make him a very attractive each-way proposition for the group one Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket (2.20). O'Brien also runs Gale Force Ten and Cristoforo Colombo but I'm not convinced the latter should be as low as 11/2 following the Railway Stakes on soft ground the Curragh, in which he finished tamely in second. He clipped heels in the Phoenix Stakes last time which was unfortunate as he was going well at the time but he's yet to live up to his promising line of form when third behind Dawn Approach and Olympic Glory in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot. With the ground likely to be on the softer side of good, the selection looks set to thrive with both his wins to date taking place when underfoot conditions were somewhat testing. Considering the hefty weight he was carrying in a sales race at Doncaster last time, he ran a credible race in fifth and that followed on from a career best when finishing third to today's favourite Reckless Abandon in the Prix Morny on good ground at Deauville. Unbeaten in four starts, you can't argue Reckless Abandon's record but unless the ground dries out, we enter unknown territory which makes his odds of 15/8 seem a little short this afternoon. Moohaajim must be given a mention too and is likely to be thereabouts. He showed a wonderful turn of foot when taking the Mill Reef Stakes last time and a good run today should see his odds of 20/1 contract for next year's Guineas.
EACH-WAY
A massive field of 35 go to post for the Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket (3.35) but the one to watch at 8/1 is MONTASER, which has slipped in nicely at the bottom of the weights. He's versatile, will love the trip, and has loads of scope for improvement.
* Last week's each-way selection was placed at 12/1
A massive field of 35 go to post for the Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket (3.35) but the one to watch at 8/1 is MONTASER, which has slipped in nicely at the bottom of the weights. He's versatile, will love the trip, and has loads of scope for improvement.
* Last week's each-way selection was placed at 12/1
DO THE DOUBLE
Horseracing: The best juvenile of 2012, DAWN APPROACH can justify odds of 2/5 and take the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket (2.55). Jim Bolger has a cracking record in this race with four wins since 2006 including the selections sire, New Approach. Bank on Bolger to land a fifth success this afternoon.
Soccer: The Premier League and Championship take a break this weekend but League 1 action continues including the clash of PRESTON v MK Dons. Pre-season, the Dons were considered likely candidates for promotion but they've let themselves down on the road and now sit in fifth place. With a lot of new players drafted in, Preston are still trying to find their shape but should give a good account of themselves tomorrow with home advantage. Back the Whites at 2/1 (BetVictor).
Horseracing: The best juvenile of 2012, DAWN APPROACH can justify odds of 2/5 and take the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket (2.55). Jim Bolger has a cracking record in this race with four wins since 2006 including the selections sire, New Approach. Bank on Bolger to land a fifth success this afternoon.
Soccer: The Premier League and Championship take a break this weekend but League 1 action continues including the clash of PRESTON v MK Dons. Pre-season, the Dons were considered likely candidates for promotion but they've let themselves down on the road and now sit in fifth place. With a lot of new players drafted in, Preston are still trying to find their shape but should give a good account of themselves tomorrow with home advantage. Back the Whites at 2/1 (BetVictor).
TODAY'S SELECTIONS
1.50 Newmarket: Scarf
2.20 Newmarket: Parliament Square (e/w)
2.55 Newmarket: New Approach
3.35 Newmarket: Montaser (e/w)
4.05 Newmarket: Melody
8.45 Wolverhampton: Lulla
1.50 Newmarket: Scarf
2.20 Newmarket: Parliament Square (e/w)
2.55 Newmarket: New Approach
3.35 Newmarket: Montaser (e/w)
4.05 Newmarket: Melody
8.45 Wolverhampton: Lulla
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment