Equinties - Moore of that

Gm Equinauts

The golf was boring, the F1 was boring and the cricket wasn't even on.

For what looked like a great weekend of sport lined up, we got a real damp squib.

But that didn't stop some of the worlds best jockeys strut their stuff though…

Let’s dive in.

BGP FANTASY LEAGUE COMP

We’ve been hyping up the TOTE’s new Fantasy game since we found it. Why? Simply because there is nothing else out there now which can help people cage the betting chimp while maintaining an emotional interest in the big races of the day.

People bet way too much and the Fantasy allows you to get limited risk on, fill your brain up with the dope it craves and still be in the mix for a big win.

If we hit 100 stables today, top of the BGP private league get’s a new ‘GM’ cap.

HEADLINE ROUND UP

From the clouds

This weekend, the best jockeys stationed in the UK and Ireland and arguably the best in the world, showed why they are held in such high regard, as both Ryan Moore and Harry Cobden found themselves in the winners’ circle after two jaw dropping rides.

The most important winning ride came in the Group 1 Irish Oaks as Coolmore’s retained jockey lifted odds-on favourite SAVETHELASTDANCE to success at the Curragh.

Absolutely no one thought she was winning…until she won.

The GALILEO three-year-old needed plenty of stoking from her jockey, but she eventually got going to nip past BLUESTOCKING late-on – soft ground looks as if it could benefit her in the long run as on a quicker surface, she could just be done for a bit of toe.

Anything Moore can do, Harry Cobden can do better as in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen, the Cheltenham Festival-winning rider produced an immaculate ride on BORN FAMOUS to win.

The six-year-old was situated cold and last throughout most of the 2m5f contest before flying home late under Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey. This was an incredible display of horsemanship.

Curragh King

ART POWER and winning at the Curragh has become a regular occurrence after the weekend as he made it a perfect four from four in the Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes.

The six-year-old didn’t just win, he danced in under David Allen to push his prize money total closer to £500,000 for the €110,000 yearling.

Although in previous years, the son of DARK ANGEL has found it tough in Group 1 contests, could this year be his year to break into that sphere?

The six-year-old has entries in the Nunthorpe Stakes, Sprint Cup Stakes, and Flying Five back at the Curragh in September, and if he can dodge the likes of LITTLE BIG BEAR and SHAQUILLE, he could be one to be with in a below-par year for the sprinting division.

Novakai is okay

And finally, amongst all the good racing on Saturday, one performance that went slightly unnoticed was the victory of NOVAKAI in the Listed Aphrodite Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.

The Fillies’ Mile runner-up bounded clear under Sam James to get her first win of the season having finished second to SOUL SISTER in the Musidora in May.

Looking at her future entries, one race stands out as a potentially winnable contest, and that is the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Although BLUE ROSE CEN is a warm favourite, you can never be scared of one horse and NASHWA needs to prove that her Falmouth win can be replicated. Behind them two, the race lacks proper strength in depth and currently priced at 20/1, if she turns out well from Saturday, she could hold some interest for the race in just over 10 days.

STATS OF THE DAY

Only one star today and thats for the Plot King. SMP lands oh so close to 1 every 2 when sending them as far as Ayr. GOLDEN SHOT makes the journey up for the 14.30.

YOUNG BLOOD

17.55 BEVERLEY

AIRMAN is by DANDY MAN, a good producer of 2yo winners. He’s the first o/o a SEA THE STARS mare so it’s a good little pedigree for a relatively cheap yearling. Looks strong in the market over night.

TAN RAPIDO is by BATED BREATH o/o an IFFRAAJ mare so it’s all speed. One which he beat lto (Ryan’s) runs in the 3:05, watch that to get a gage on the form of his debut.

HAUMEA is by INVINCINLE SPIRIT out of an unraced mare who is a full sister to GIFTED GIRL who was Gr1 placed. She’s a half sister to a good 2yo Listed placed filly. Dam is 2 winners from 2 runners. Looks a strong filly.

MECCAS DUCHESS, her dam has been a little bit disappointing considering she comes from a great family which includes BATTAASH and TASLEET; she’s a half sister to their dams. Hasn’t reached a particularly high standard on her first two runs so needs to step up again.

I’M SPARTACUS was very slowly away on debut, raced in the rear but did run on well and hit the line well. Improvement likely but couldn’t back with any confidence.

ISHE WORTH AGAMBLE - the answer is ‘No!’ at the moment, he’s one to get a mark after this.

BARNABY was weak in the betting on debut and duly finished last, one to watch again

SWEET SOUL MUSIC, by Churchill, crazy that he was bought for €70k, looks a heavy type and has already been gelded. One to watch on debut

Verdict: AIRMAN is liked by Faheys lot but he has a fast ground pedigree and might struggle on debut in heavy. Dods’ MECCA DUCHESS will be fittest having two runs but hasn't showed much yet. I’M SPARTACUS got going late and should improve, could win this. The selection and ew play is HAUMEA who could be a rare 2yo winner for SMP.

RISK ON

Will play the Young Blood selection and another single on:

18.50 BEVERAGINO

Saw this girl at the yearling sales, she was nice. Two runs under her belt, she should get the measure of the comp if Buick can break well and overcome the stall position. Full bet at 9/4.