Considering the favourite was a non-runner, Pacific Avenue was a huge drifter in the Solario Stakes.
He never looked comfortable, and I'm not sure why. William Buick was riding him before they turned for home, but then he started to pick up and looked to be in with a real chance. After he hit the front for a brief moment, he looked a tad unbalanced and weakened inside the final fifty yards. Strange performance, and I'm not sure what to make of it.
I didn't manage to catch Balmoral Lady's race in Deauville, but she was backed in the betting but didn't land a blow. She finished last in the race, and Rosy Affair (winning selection a week or so ago) picked up another good win.
Copacabana Sands 9/4 (2pt) – Tipperary 4.00
I tipped up Copacabana Sands when she won the time before last. Unfortunately, I deserted her last time out when she stepped up to Group 3, and I paid the price as she won and did it in good fashion.
I am going back in with Copacaba Sands today, as I think this race is arguably weaker than last time out, and the weather might be coming in her favour at the right time. She seems best on soft ground, and Tipperary might get a few showers, which will send the good to yielding ground to yielding at the very minimum.
She has looked like an improving filly the last three runs. She was unlucky in a Group 3 three runs ago when she was massively overlooked in the market. She didn't get a clear run in that race, but stayed on well when in the clear to finish just under three lengths behind the winner. The time after she managed to win a Listed race on good ground, which is definitely not her best ground. Furthermore, she has been competing against the boys the last couple of runs, which is always a harder task for fillies, so going back against the females makes it an easier task.
Ataser 16/1 (0.5pt EW, 3pl) – Brighton 4.22
Towards the bottom of the weight is Ataser, who is now a veteran of the flat handicapping scene. Over the last couple of years, he has started to decline at quite a rapid rate, but has definitely had his problems. It's definitely a risk going for him based on his CV of the last two seasons, but he returned to the track at Doncaster over a month ago and ran creditably.
We've not seen him since his return in July, so that raised further questions, but if he is okay and has built from the Doncaster run, he looks overpriced. Terry Kent has had a cracking season with the small number of runners he has in his stable. He is operating at a 26% SR this year, which is 14 winners from 54 runners, so if he can work his wonders and bring Ataser back to form, he is an each-way player.
Ataser is undoubtedly on a good handicap mark, as he has won off 82 and 86 in the past.
GambleAware