MOUNT ATHOS
Mount Athos, which is situated in an autonomous region within Greece, is inhabited by 1,800 monks and has no less than 20 monasteries scattered throughout. Interestingly, no women or children are allowed to visit the holy mountain and the number of daily male visitors is strictly limited. As much as we all love our women and kids, I reckon a male-only mountain like Mount Athos would prove extremely popular in Ireland although it would have to have a boozer and bookies if it were to catch on. While I don't have a mountain to go up, I do have my own little sanctuary in the shape of my local bar and on my way up this afternoon, I'll be sure to stop into the bookies and back the Luca Cumani trained horse named after the Greek mountain which seems a cracking bet at 5/2 for the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot (3.05). I stuck Mount Athos in my notebook following a trio of victories last year including a Group Three at Newbury but he went off my radar when they sent him off to finish the season in Australia and Japan. Unfortunately, I somehow missed his return to British racing last month when he won a six-runner Group Three at Chester at 11/8, beating Aidan O'Brien's 6/5 favourite Memphis Tennessee in the process. It wasn't the strongest race in the world but he was impressive nonetheless considering the ground was less than ideal being on the softer side of good. Around four furlongs out, he asserted his authority by quickening up and forging clear and his manner of victory suggests he's well capable of stepping up in class and taking a Group Two. The fact that connections have entered him in the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in late July should be taken as a hint as to how good he might be and I'll be extremely surprised if he's not a major player today. Of the rest, Sir John Hawkwood is worth a second look considering Sir Michael Stoute's excellent record in this race; while Roger Varian's Ektihaam is expected to give a good account of himself following a career best when winning the Listed Buckhounds Stakes here back in May. Later on the same card, the James Fanshawe trained Society Rock is very hard to oppose at 3/1 in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes (3.45). He was particularly impressive when wining a Group Two at York last time considering he was under a penalty for his Sprint Cup win. Given a patient ride by Kieren Fallon, he showed a fantastic turn of foot to take the lead in the final furlong and while at one stage it looked like Lethal Force was going to chin him at the line, the selection dug deep and showed some true class. Lethal Force re-opposes today but there's no real reason to believe he'll reverse the placings. Another one that's expected to go well is Gordon Lord Byron which is trained in Ireland by Tom Hogan. He was third behind Society Rock and Lethal Force in that race at York but he seems to be enjoying his racing this year and there could be room for improvement.
Mount Athos, which is situated in an autonomous region within Greece, is inhabited by 1,800 monks and has no less than 20 monasteries scattered throughout. Interestingly, no women or children are allowed to visit the holy mountain and the number of daily male visitors is strictly limited. As much as we all love our women and kids, I reckon a male-only mountain like Mount Athos would prove extremely popular in Ireland although it would have to have a boozer and bookies if it were to catch on. While I don't have a mountain to go up, I do have my own little sanctuary in the shape of my local bar and on my way up this afternoon, I'll be sure to stop into the bookies and back the Luca Cumani trained horse named after the Greek mountain which seems a cracking bet at 5/2 for the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot (3.05). I stuck Mount Athos in my notebook following a trio of victories last year including a Group Three at Newbury but he went off my radar when they sent him off to finish the season in Australia and Japan. Unfortunately, I somehow missed his return to British racing last month when he won a six-runner Group Three at Chester at 11/8, beating Aidan O'Brien's 6/5 favourite Memphis Tennessee in the process. It wasn't the strongest race in the world but he was impressive nonetheless considering the ground was less than ideal being on the softer side of good. Around four furlongs out, he asserted his authority by quickening up and forging clear and his manner of victory suggests he's well capable of stepping up in class and taking a Group Two. The fact that connections have entered him in the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in late July should be taken as a hint as to how good he might be and I'll be extremely surprised if he's not a major player today. Of the rest, Sir John Hawkwood is worth a second look considering Sir Michael Stoute's excellent record in this race; while Roger Varian's Ektihaam is expected to give a good account of himself following a career best when winning the Listed Buckhounds Stakes here back in May. Later on the same card, the James Fanshawe trained Society Rock is very hard to oppose at 3/1 in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes (3.45). He was particularly impressive when wining a Group Two at York last time considering he was under a penalty for his Sprint Cup win. Given a patient ride by Kieren Fallon, he showed a fantastic turn of foot to take the lead in the final furlong and while at one stage it looked like Lethal Force was going to chin him at the line, the selection dug deep and showed some true class. Lethal Force re-opposes today but there's no real reason to believe he'll reverse the placings. Another one that's expected to go well is Gordon Lord Byron which is trained in Ireland by Tom Hogan. He was third behind Society Rock and Lethal Force in that race at York but he seems to be enjoying his racing this year and there could be room for improvement.
Each-way
MASTER Carpenter's odds of 12/1 offer some nice each-way value in the opening Listed Chesham Stakes at Ascot (2.30). A son of multiple Group One winner Mastercraftsman, the colt enjoyed the step up in trip to 6f when landing his second win from three races at Pontefract recently and the extra furlong today should be within his range. Training assistant James Millman reckons he'll get a mile over time and the two-year-old is described as one of the best juveniles they've had for a while.
DO THE DOUBLE
HURLING
League relegation to Division 1B following defeat to Clare was a big blow for Cork, and the huge amount of work put in at underage level in the Banner County is paying off. The two sides face each other again at the Gaelic Grounds in the Munster SHC semi-final tomorrow afternoon in what should be a fiercely fought battle - but Clare look the up-and-coming team in the Championship and can be backed with a good degree of confidence at 10/11.
HORSERACING
MECCA'S Angel looked promising when fourth in a very tight finish on her debut at Thirsk last month. The Michael Dods trained filly is related to a number of winners and connections are expecting her to come on for that run as she tackles five rivals in the Rita Ora Here On 9th August Maiden Stakes at Haydock, priced around even-money.
Today's selections
2.30 Ascot: Master Carpenter (e/w)
3.00 Ayr: My Propeller
3.05 Ascot: Mount Athos
3.45 Ascot: Society Rock
4.25 Ascot: Rex Imperator
6.50 Haydock: Mecca's Angel
2.30 Ascot: Master Carpenter (e/w)
3.00 Ayr: My Propeller
3.05 Ascot: Mount Athos
3.45 Ascot: Society Rock
4.25 Ascot: Rex Imperator
6.50 Haydock: Mecca's Angel
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment