Sorry for the delay, x11. We are 'early to bed, early to rise' at Kaht Towers. Here goes! Soul Friendly (Ascot, Saturday, 2.25) won the Pretty Polly Stakes (Newmarket, Listed) at the Guineas Meeting, recording a very good form rating and a timefigure in excess of that, indicating that the form has substance. On the back of that she was made odds-on favorite for the Musidora Stakes (Group 3) at York’s May Meeting. She hung badly right that day, and basically pulled away her chance. It is way, way too early to be giving up on her, and her Newmarket run still rates as easily the best form on offer in this race. The ‘recency bias’ means that the books have her priced up at the moment at 5/1, which ignores her form prior to York. I always take the view that a horse can be forgiven one bad run if it’s previous form suggests there is better to come. There is the possibility that Soul Friendly is a ‘wrong ‘un’. But equally, there is the possibility that what she has achieved before, she can achieve again, given the right circumstances. Hopefully, the Gosdens have worked to help her settle in her races. If she should hang tomorrow as she did at York we at least have the consolation that Ascot is a right-handed track! This is an easier race than the Musidora, and I rate her a very worthwhile bet at the current price (5/1 at the time of writing). I'll be surprised if she is allowed to go off at that price tomorrow. Make Me King (Ascot, Saturday, 3.00) won a Class 2 handicap at Newcastle last month by 2.25 lengths in fairly easy style. He had previously raced mostly in better class than that race. He races off a three-pound-penalty here and is three pounds better off than in future handicap entries. However those entries include four at Group 2 level, indicating the view connections take of this horse’s abilities. He is probably literally a group horse in a handicap here, and his price of 14/1 looks very attractive. Retained jockey James Doyle is a big positive for his chances. Tom Segal selected him for his ‘Pricewise’ selection at Newcastle, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him being Tom’s selection again tomorrow. These are only my poor opinions, and we are wrong more often than we are right!
I'm afraid the advice I would give is tread cautiously, DD! The only horse that appealed to me as a bet on that card was Ejaabiyah in the 7.50. That's not very exciting, as she is currently Evens favourite. The remaining races look on the impossible side of difficult! I think that if I was going to York I'd be looking to play place only on the Tote. With big fields there should still be some reasonable returns if you can get one or two selections placed. The Coffee Pod (8.20) is a course winner and has the assistance of James Doyle. At 5/1 he might be worth a look. Enjoy the Kaiser Chiefs, DD!
I'm afraid the price has gone on this one, but Mutaawid should go well at Ascot today (3.35). Have a look at the video of his last run at Kempton if you can. It's impressive. He was available at 11/4 yesterday, but has been backed in to 15/8. Might still be worth a look if you can hang on while 'Best Odds Guaranteed' is available. He is 33/1 for the St Leger. Just saying.........!
Cheers buddy, I genuinely know nothing about racing so I will only be betting a few quid but will take your advice on the coffee pod.
Flamborough Head e/w in the 6:40 pulled David Allan's arms out at Redcar last time out but couldn't get a run. He had to sit and accept his fate.
Cheers i'm aving an e / way double. Sandown 7.05 t'neight Mr Freedom, i got 4's earlier gorra be a steal at that price. good luck, sir.
York 5:30 Leadenhall. 6:05 Churchella. 6:40 Flamborough Head and Far Ahead. 7:15 Rayat 7:50 Karmology and Fakhama. 8:20 Vince L'amour.