This week has been full of trials at Newmarket for the two-year-old’s and the Middle Park looks one hell of a race in prospect. Seven of the best two-year olds this season look set to lock horns with Earthlight looking to continue his unbeaten run from France. Andre Fabre only brings his best to England and his Colt has been one of the only shining lights in French Racing this year. He beat the ultra-tough Raffle Prize last time in the Prix Morny which was a very good performance. He deserves to head the market but isn’t for me. Mums Tipple was nothing but impressive last time when blitzing the field in a sales race at York. The owners have turned down seven-digit figures for him and is obvious potential, but he is running against colts who have been running at the top level this season. I want to see him do it again, but you wouldn’t rule it out and he’s full of potential. Siskin is another one who puts his unbeaten belt on the line, and he grounded out the grade one Phoenix stakes on ground that wasn’t in his favour. Ger Lyons very rarely send his horses across the sea although the sponsors of this race own Siskin so that’s the main reason. He looks to be rock solid but I’m against him. Monarch of Egypt has been looking at Siskin’s backside for two of his runs this season and running well. I think he is the first string of Coolmoore as Ryan Moore is booked and I think he will reverse the placing of the Juddmonte colt. Threat is the second of Richard Hannon’s colts and won the Champagne Stakes a shade comfortably the other week. Hannon has been banging on about Threat all week rather than the more fancied stablemate. Hes rock solid and probably will be knocking on the door with a furlong to go. To summarise, I think Mums Tipple is a very nice animal and think he will take all the beating after that performance last time. I respect the competitors have solid graded form at the top level, but I can’t resist the idea of another performance as last time.
Newmarket-3:00 Mums Tipple 11/4
The Cambridgeshire is wide open as usual and I think the obvious choices are; Le Don De Vie, Lord North and Good Birthday but at the prices I like Korcho. Hughie Morrison’s colt gets in this off a low weight and the three-year-old looks to continue his progression. He was competitive in a hot handicap at Glorious Goodwood where the pace melted down and the horses from behind came to the front. He steps down a furlong in trip and has been dropped 2lbs for that run which was generous as I thought he ran well. His best form is on good ground although he’s has run on softer before. I’m a massive fan of Nicola Currie’s riding and think she will ride him fairly prominently and think he will be competitive from around the front. 40/1 is a massive price about him and I think he’s a fascinating runner after only ten starts.
Newmarket 3:40 Korcho 40/1 Each-Way
Over to the gloop at Haydock where there are some nice handicaps taking place. The 6f sprint has a horse I have been following closely in Captain Jameson. He ran a decent race in the Silver Cup at Ayr last week and I think the ground went against him. I think he wants soft ground although he has run on good ground and won. Hes ran at Haydock twice and ran well both times and seems to become himself at this time of the year. It’s a quick re-appearance but I think he will cope with that and think he has a massive chance.
Haydock 2:40 Captain Jameson
The 5f sprint looks very interesting especially with the addition of True Mason who loves the ground bottomless which it is here. He had a busy two-year-old career which has obviously took its toll this season at racing at the highest level. This is a step down in class here and has dropped to an attractive which I think he can punish. Being out of Mayson the ground should suit and 5f is definitely his trip. He can be very dangerous I think of this mark and will be the main rival to Came from The Dark.
Haydock 3:15 True Mason 11/2
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