Jakajaro was under the pump from at least the halfway point, and it seems that whenever I back a Jamie Spencer horse, they run like trash.
I really expected the track to suit Jakajaro; he didn't really get pressed for the lead on his side, but Spencer was moving on him quite vigorously after two furlongs.
As I said, Wisper could get into contention and would be a good option for at least a place, but winning would be hard if the younger horses were too unexposed and well handicapped. She got checked in running at a vital time and lost a bit of momentum, and that did cost her chances of placing when you see how much she lost out by. The winner was impressive, and was streets ahead of the handicapper.
Phineas EVS (2pt) – Clairefontaine 4.00
I've not gone to France for selections on many occasions during the flat season this year, but I'm hoping that they are going to price up Phineas at a good price.
As things stand, his price isn't up, and I can't imagine it'll be up for a good time due to it not being one of the bigger tracks like Chantilly, Deauville or Longchamp. If you see this, then I've got a price that I want.
I am quite confident on this horse, as his form since coming back as a four-year-old has been very strong. His easy win at Chantilly over Global Health was boosted, as that horse went on to win a Group 3 in Germany in an easy fashion.
On his next start, Phineas won a Listed race, beating Horizon Dore. I fully understand that it's not the same Horizon Dore from a few years ago, but that horse is still a solid horse and a good yardstick at Class 1 level. He didn't have any trouble dispatching HD that day, winning by an easy 2.5 lengths.
Ghostwriter 7/1 (0.75pt EW, 3pl) – Goodwood 2.25
Considering I was tempted by Ghostwriter at Royal Ascot, with that run under his belt, I've got to consider him once more.
Al Aasy has won this race the last two times, and at the current prices I couldn't put people off from backing him again. However, at the age of nine, and the form of his races not looking the strongest, I wanted to take him on. In my opinion, Ghostwriter made the most sense if you did want to take him on. Opportunity looks progressive and won at Royal Ascot, but I'm not convinced by the form of either of his two wins.
On his day, Ghostwriter would win this. He was a consistent Group 1 level performer as a three-year-old, but he bumped into some very smart horses during that generation. Since he's not a gelding and he is owned by Amo (very keen to get their stud operation up and running), surely they would have sent him to stud if they thought he was done for. The fact that he has made his return and they are sticking to it suggests they strongly believe he can win more races before they retire him.
El Matador 8/1 (1pt EW, 5pl) – Goodwood 5.20
At Newcastle, where El Matador ran on his last start, I tipped up Dosman, and I didn't get El Matador a chance. Thankfully, the race wasn't run to suit El Matador, but I was very impressed by his efforts.
The pace at Newcastle that day was holding up, and it was extremely difficult to come from off the pace, especially in this race. If you watch the race back and see the ground that El Matador made from the rear of the field, it's hard to be impressed.
I could be gassing him up too much, but on the back of that effort, I have him ahead of his handicap mark. He has run at Goodwood once before, and it didn't go well, which is my only concern.
GambleAware