Lead Artist managed to cause an upset in the Lockinge at Newbury, gifting Oisin Murphy a Grade 1, which would've been painful for Kieran Shoemark, who recently lost the partnership with the Gosden's.
It was nice to get at least one of the horses on Saturday grabbing a win, as King's Gambit, my main play earlier in the day, was far too keen under Ryan Moore and went out like a light.
Copacabana Sands 7/1 (0.5pt EW) – Naas 2.32
My fingers have been burned in recent memory when tipping up younger horses against the older generation, but I am ignoring that and going back in with a three-year-old, in the shape of Copacabana Sands.
At the time, I wouldn't have thought too much of her latest race where she finished fifth in a Group 3 at Leopardstown as she was 85 rated at the time, the third-placed horse was 87 rated, so it looked like the main horses underperformed, but it turns out not to be that way. The runner-up was fourth in the French 1000 Guineas, and the third-placed horse finished a good 2nd in a Group 3, confirming that the run prior wasn't a fluke.
Copacabana Sands got a horrible run through the race in the Leopardstown race. She was towards the rear, decided to stay on the rail turning for home, which was fine until the final 1.5 furlongs, where she got no room at the right time when she was travelling better than most, and was ultimately on the bridle travelling behind a number of horses.
Given how well the form has worked out, I think she is the one to beat in this race, and carrying 8st 9lbs against a fairly average field, with a clear run, she could be too good. The only problem is the ground as she was withdrawn on quick ground, but at the odds, she is worth the chance.
Babouche 9/4 (1pt) – Naas 4.33
It could be foolish going against an odds-on favourite from Ballydoyle, but they do get beat and considering Babouche has already beaten Whistlejacket once before, why can't it happen again?
I think with the fast ground conditions, it should favour Babouche, who beat Whistlejacket on good to firm last year in the Phoenix Stakes, winning by 1.5L. Her sole loss as a juvenile came in a Group 1 at Newmarket on soft ground where she didn't settle at all, but was fancied to do very well.
This year, she has raced once in a Listed race, and even though she was the 11/8F, I think that shows that she wasn't ready for the run. Based on her two-year-old season, she should've been an odds-on shot for that Cork race, and she ran like she needed the run. If she has come on for that race, which was only 12 days ago, she will be a big threat to Aidan O'Brien's horse.
Whistlejacket has done most of his winning and best figures on soft ground, and despite him being a very good horse, I don't think he is bulletproof on fast ground.
GambleAware