Eye-Catcher 31st July - 1st August 2020

If I was a trainer I would definitely be on the cold list after my selections in my last post. Solent Gateway was very disappointing and looks to be a bit quirky. Olympic Theatre was put in his place by the Marco Botti trained Atalis Bay and Jacinta De Vega was never involved. I had a lucky 15 with nonrunner Jacinth so overall one of them days. 

Eye-catchers:

13:05 Leopardstown (IRE) 31 Jul 2020 

It's not very often I venture into Irish racing but I did have a small dabble on a 2-year-old at Leopardstown last Friday. MOON DAISY looks a nice prospect for the new kid on the block Donnacha O'Brien. The well-thought-of Australia filly finished Sixth of Eight on her first start but watching the race a few times I think she could break her duck next timeout. Moon Daisy was around the 10/1 mark for most of the day until some strong support saw her odds tumble to 9/2 at the off. Moon Daisy was bustled along at the start before being steadied at the back by jockey Gavin Ryan before making steady progress on the inside which in turn gave her a few traffic problems and ended finishing a good few lengths back in sixth, hopefully, Moon Daisy will know more next time and give trainer Donnacha O'Brien another winner. 

12:55 Pontefract 31 Jul 2020

ARTORIOUS is a nice looking New Bay colt trained by Tom Dascombe and purchased for owner Mr. D R Passant for 55,000 euros at the Goffs 2019 Premier Yearling Sales. Having your first race at Pontefract and being drawn in stall 13 is not the best way to start your career, so I was surprised how well Artorious ran. Tom Dascombes colt came out of the stalls and swerved right before making progress and stayed on without being given a hard ride by jockey Danny Tudhope. Supported into 16/5 at Pontefract I’m sure Artorious is better than he showed here. Really looking forward to Artorious when he next runs. 

16:40 Goodwood 01 Aug 2020 

Another who finished down the field was the Charlie Hills trained IL BANDITO who made his debut at Goodwood last week. A 180,000 euro purchase at the 2019 Orby Sale and owned by Mrs. Susan Roy. IL Bandito fell out of the stalls and was pulling for the first furlong or so and running green before being settled at the back by jockey Richard Kingscote. The Acclamation bay colt was never involved but looked to have plenty left and should be more streetwise next timeout. Owner Mrs. Susan Roy also has Persuasion with Charlie Hills who won that same race last year and went onto finish second in the Tattersalls Group 3 Stakes at Newmarket. One to definitely keep an eye out for in the future. 

18:30 Chepstow 01 Aug 2020 

A couple to take out of this is TILAAWAH who is a 155,000 gns purchase and owned by Mr. Hamdan Al Maktoum who looked professional on debut but could never quite get to the more experienced front two El Parton and the winner Bhubezi. The Next is the Mark Johnston trained MIHRAB who wasn't fancied at Chepstow but should no more next timeout if supported in the betting. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.