No Show from Fashion’s Star But Al Hilalee Can Make Amends

In my earlier post this week I was really hoping Fashion’s Star would triumph in the Fillies Conditions Stakes at Ascot on Wednesday but as the result showed she finished down the field in eighth place, after the race I heard she hadn’t been working well and had a few problems, so I won't be giving up on her just yet and will be checking the market out on her next run.

As for the winner it was a much-improved performance from her first run of the season and you could see she looked fitter, I mentioned in my post that I was interested to see how Muchly would handle the good to firm ground as she had only ever ran on soft, safe to say she seemed to relish it, also the market move was a clue to her chances after being available at 14s earlier on. 

Previews: 

4.20 Goodwood: Sussex Roof Garden Novice Stakes (Class 4) (3YO plus) 

A small field of 5 here with just a couple of noted horses.City Wanderer for the Mick Channon yard was entered for a class 2 race as a 2-year-old but didn’t run until this season, this son of Kodiac was a huge price at 66/1 and was in touch till a few furlongs out, one positive at least is the drop back in distance, I will keep an eye on the market here as it would have to be a big move for me to be interested as Channon doesn’t have the best record with 3-year-olds here either. 

Qutob looks like being the market leader here for the Charlie Hills yard and was very well-thought-of as a 2-year-old with early entries in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes, Group 2 Champagne Stakes, Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes and the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. Am sure he must have disappointed because he never ran in any of these races and on his reappearance, this season wasn’t fancied at all before finishing third to Far Above who looks a nice horse. An Interesting race to watch and looking forward to seeing if Qutob can finally get his head in front. 

3.35 Newmarket:2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3YO only) 

Advertise had an incredible season last year, only beaten twice as a 2-year-old and that was by two great horses in Calyx and Too Darn Hot, that form is rock solid, a leading player here, one worry I have is the step up to a mile. Al Hilalee (pictured) is one of the dark horses in the field, two runs last season and two wins, the latest one in a four runner listed race in France. So, how good is he? Maybe, I can shed a bit of light. Last season he was entered to run in numerous group races including the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes, Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, Group 3 Acomb Stakes and the Listed Dragon Stakes, so as you can see he was definitely well-thought of and beat a few experienced Group performers in France, I may have an each way bet on him. Ten Sovereigns looked a class act when winning the Middle Park Stakes last season and are Ryan Moore's mount, being by No Say Never I don’t see the step up in trip is a problem. Skardu does battle again with Set Piece, Momkin and Royal Marine who he had behind in the Craven Stakes and is entitled to beat them again. Magna Grecia another from the A P O’Brien who won this race with the impressive Saxon warrior and warrants respect. 

The Saturday Trixie: Week 2 

Aaron started with a winner last week (well if you can call 15/8 a winner) so it’s up to me and Sam to come back strong this week. 

Aaron: Fusil Raffles - 4:25 Punchestown: Very impressive winner on his British debut for Nicky Henderson, Winning the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton with ease, unfortunately, picked up an injury in doing so forcing him out of Aintree and Cheltenham where he was 2nd Favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, should be a good race between him, Fakir D’Oudairies and French Made, hopefully he can bounce back well from injury here. (Currently 2/1) 

Sam: Sergei Prokofiev -2.20 Newmarket: Well weighted and has the form in the book, should be a cut above this field and should be very hard to beat. 

Craig: Al Hilalee - 3.35 Newmarket: Supplemented for the 2000 Guineas and looks to have a great each way chance against the market leaders. 

Thanks for reading and good luck with your bets this week.