Paul Mulrennan continued to be a nuisance when riding the horses I select.
He did his usual act of riding in a race with a future target in mind, most likely the Ayr Gold Cup. He did his best to find trouble in running and make it look like the horse was going a lot worse than it actually was. The horse was still on the bridle, with furlongs to go, but was sat behind a wall of horses. It's getting to the point where I might have to scratch horses that I like if he is on board. It's annoying because he is a very good jockey, but I've been on the receiving end of this too many times. With that being said, I'll still get drawn into backing him for the Ayr Gold Cup.
Terrorise was simply outclassed in his race. The low weight and impressive run in a lower-quality race drew me in, and it didn't pay off.
Pearl Fortune 33/1 (0.5pt EW, 3pl) – York 1.50
These types of Class 1 two-year-old races, especially the filly races, are races I try and avoid. I am keen on the favourite being the one to beat, but was hoping for bigger prices. As a result, I am going to take her on, as sudden improvements from lightly raced juvenile horses are something which can happen. Karl Burke has a solid record in this race, so seeing him send one runner for this is interesting.
Venetian Sun is arguably the best filly from the UK over sprint trips this year, so that he could have sent his star juvenile for this race. Instead, he has opted for Pearl Fortune, who is at a big price. On form, she has to improve a fair amount to win this, but this is a race that Karl has won with an outsider in the past, when saddling the favourite for the race. Swingalong won this at odds of 25/1, and his other winner was 12/1, so you can find value when backing his runners in this. Karl is one of the best two-year-old trainers in the country, so him sending this horse as his sole representative suggests we've not seen the best of her.
Aeolian 5/1 (1pt) – York 4.10
Another race which doesn't wetten my appetite with the horses towards the front of the market is the Listed race. I am more than happy to take a chance on a horse stepping up in trip, and that is totally unexposed.
Aeolian sports the second silks of The King, but I wouldn't reach much into that, as Rainbows Edge was always going to be their first pick. That doesn't mean William Haggas' runner is out of this by any means. On form, she has to improve, but we see from this yard that they can improve when stepped up in grade. The pedigree alone makes Aeolian a very interesting runner. She is out of Desert Breeze, who produced Desert Hero, who is also trained by Haggas. That horse improved plenty when stepping up in trip and coming out of handicap company. He was third in the St Leger back in 2023.
If you delve deeper into the pedigree, everything points towards Aeolian being a strong stayer. Dartmouth is the standout horse in the pedigree from the Grand Dame's side, as well as many other 100+ rated horses who excelled over this trip and further. My only concern is the ground. The pedigree suggests slower ground will be ideal, and that's not something we'll get, but Haggas won't risk her on ground he believes won't suit.
GambleAware