Saturday May 6 Selections
The NAP got us slightly back on track yesterday but this is a cracking day's racing with eight meetings across Britain and Ireland. Selections for those meetings are below, along with a couple of selections for Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby card tonight.
1:30: Cork - Hunaina.
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Mick Halford's charge has been well-backed this morning and she was arguably quite disappointing when only seventh on her seasonal reappearance. She should have learnt a lot from that as it was her handicap debut and with this daughter of Tamayuz emanating from a yard in form.
3:45: Cork - Sandstorming.
Finished second to a who has since run in a Group One when second at the Curragh in June. Kept in training as a four-year-old, he should go well if fit.
4:55: Cork- Heartful.
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She should benefit from finally getting her head in front last time and looks capable of following up.
5:15: Doncaster - Foolaad.
Won his last three and is 7lb higher for his latest victory at Thirsk. However, he looks in stellar form and he looks worth chancing again in an ultra-competitive event.
7:20: Doncaster - Bless Him.
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I was very impressed with the son of Sea The Stars' victory at Chelmsford last time as he travelled powerfully into the race and kept on decisively in the home straight. A mile seems to suit him and despite this being his handicap debut, he looks open to any amount of improvement.
7:50: Doncaster - New World Power.
Ran well in maidens for Roger Varian last term and capable of further improvement on his handicap debut.
8:20: Doncaster - Vuela.
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Won decisively at Newcastle last time and having just had two runs, this lightly-raced four-year-old who is very well related could be a smart older horse.
2:05: Goodwood - Alf Guineas.
Well-punted and why she has to improve on her latest victory, she is very well to a host of Group winners and could potentially be the unexposed improver here.
2:40: Goodwood - Zwayyan.
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Remains with potential despite being slightly disappointing when only fifth in a handicap at Newmarket in October.
8:05: Hexham - Crackdeloust.
Massively improved for the two mile trip at Sedgefield last time and with this track offering the same sort of challenge, I fancy him to follow up.
2:30: Thirsk - Wilde Extravagance, Each Way.
Julie Camacho's charge finished sixth over course and distance in April but should massively improve for that comeback run and off a decent mark of 68, just 1lb higher for his Pontefract win, he should go close here.
2:10: Uttoxeter - Majestic Touch.
Philip Hobbs' charge finished second behind a very smart rival and that is the best form on offer.
3:20: Uttoxeter - Hargam.
Nicky Henderson's charge is a massive price for me here. Third in the 2015 Triumph Hurdle, he struggled in handicap company this term but if taking to fences he really could prove a class apart from his two rivals.
3:30: Wexford - Stars Over The Sea.
Henry De Bromhead's charge finished well at Fairyhouse last time behind a horse who got an easy lead. This is much weaker and he looks the top class horse in the field.
4:05: Wexford - Mustadaam, Each Way.
Holden and Blackmore are in scintillating form and whilst this Dansili gelding didn't pull up any trees, he could be capable of further improvement this term.
Churchill Downs Selections
The first leg of the triple crown, the Kentucky Derby takes place at a muddy Churchill Downs tonight. Here are a couple of selections for the meeting.
6:55: Churchill Downs - Roca Rojo.
Finished a nose second to Miss Temple City last time and is 5lb better off in this event which should see her reverse the form particularly as she will handle the softer conditions underfoot.
11:46: Churchill Downs - McCraken, Irish War Cry and Thunder Snow, Each Way.
McCraken has won three times here and didn't get the best of runs through when third at Keeneland in April. He does have to overcome a tough draw here but he's a big scopey sort and I fancy him strongly.
Irish War Cry was disappointing when only seventh at Gulfstream in March when a warm favourite but he bounced back to form when a three and a half-length winner at Aqueduct last time.
Sky Bet are paying six places on the Kentucky Derby so with that in mind, I have to have a small bet on Thunder Snow.
He handled soft conditions on the dirt at Meydan last time and he has a real touch of class having chased home smart horses including Churchill on the turf. He looks decent each-way value.
Words by:Danny Archer
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