It was frustrating not to walk away with two winners on Thursday, but getting one win is definitely better than none.
Hyperchromatic did not look like winning from an early stage, but then he started to stay on strongly, and there was a glimpse of hope in the final furlong that he might be able to squeeze up the rail and stay on strong enough to win. It was a strange run from a horse who had previously won at this trip, as he looked like he was in desperate need of further, so it would be interesting if they put him up to a mile or slightly further.
Two B Tanned managed to get the win on the day after another front-running success at Beverley. I mentioned in the preview how the race lacked depth and improvers, and it proved to be that way as she managed to dictate from the front and win in convincing style.
See The Fire 4/1 – Sandown 2.25
The market for this race is very interesting as I would definitely have See The Fire as the favourite, and she isn't. Also, you have the Godolphin second string shorter than the William Buick mount, so I do think there will be some movement before the race starts on Friday.
Based on what we know, See The Fire is the best horse on this ground and over this far, so 4/1 is insulting to her chances of winning, but it makes her more of an appealing bet. She proved to us last year that she can stay this far, after many punters believed she wouldn't, and she proved to us that she is top class. She was placed in two Group 1s last year, with the neck runner-up finish to Opera Singer being the standout run at Glorious Goodwood in the Nassau Stakes, where Oisin potentially got the ride wrong.
Since the Nassau run, she has finished 3rd in the Sun Chariot behind Tamfana and Inspiral, where she was hampered and stayed on at the finish, and then for her final start of the season, she didn't get a clear run in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, but still finished in fifth.
The way Andrew Balding has started this flat season, it's hard to see See The Fire not being tuned up for this race.
Windlord 11/8 – Sandown 3.35
This race is all about whether you want to go with the proven form or you want to give a chance to an improver. Personally, I think you've got to be crazy to back some of these horses at the odds they are at when you have Windlord above EVS and has proven Group form.
I honestly cannot believe how short in the market I Am I Said is. He was very good on debut, but this is a totally different type of race, and when you have Windlord, who was a close second to Hotazhell, who went on to win a Group 1 towards the latter stages of the season, it seems like a no-brainer. Not only that, but the runner-up in the Curragh race that Windlord was third in (joint favourite for the race as well) went on to win a Group 1 in France, so the form looks bulletproof.
Aidan O'Brien's horse is the only other horse who has decent substance, but the way Aidan's horses have been running this season, it looks like his horse will need the run, as he is 0/12 in the last fortnight, and his horses in recent years have come on plenty for their first starts. If he is race fit, he has the same chance as Windlord, as he was also behind Hotazhell last time out.
Remmooz 9/1 EW – Doncaster 2.33
A trainer who definitely goes under the radar is Owen Burrows. This guy is a tremendous trainer and doesn't get the recognition he deserves, but his strike rate speaks for itself, and I do like the betting angle of backing his newcomers, especially up at Doncaster as he has unleashed some winning debutantes in recent years, and given it's a fair old trek from his Lambourn stable, it's one of his favourite track to have runners at.
There are a couple of horses who look decent, and could definitely be above average, but I do think this is a race that a newcomer can come and blow them away, and I thought Remmooz was worth a shot on the basis that Owen Burrow is very good at this track and he has won similar races with newcomers in the past.
Owen has a 22% SR at this track, and his three-year-olds is 23%, with 7/31 winning and a further 10 inside the top three, so more than a 50% chance of being placed.
This horse has a nice pedigree, being by Blue Point and out of a Group 3 placed, Listed-winning mare who stayed a mile.
GambleAware