Monday's sole selection looked in need of the run.
Jakajaro did run in the spring at Meydan, so I didn't think he would be too rusty. That wasn't the case, and after travelling nicely into the middle of the race, he weakened quickly. Even though he didn't win, it doesn't mean a great deal for us who backed him yesterday; it did give me optimism for the future.
Too Darn Good 7/2 (1pt) – Salisbury 2.00
There are always risked attached in two-year-old novice/maiden races, but I get the impression that Too Darn Good might be what his name is.
The son of Too Darn Hot wasn't fancied to run a big race on debut, but definitely ran better than his position and odds suggest. He went off as an 18/1 outsider and finished fourth of six. On the bare look of that run, you'd think that he didn't do too much, but that's not the case. The Bath race is a good piece of form for this time of year. I think the winner and the third-placed horse could be half-decent horses for the rest of the season, being competitive in some good handicaps.
I don't think the track was suited for Too Darn Good on debut. He was close to the pace, but didn't have the pace on a nippy track on good to firm ground. Today, he encounters a much stiffer track and an extra furlong, which should be what he wants. He did stay on inside the final furlong at Bath, which gives plenty of hope that the uphill finish and one furlong extra will play to his strengths.
Crepe Suzette 13/8 (1pt) – Salisbury 4.30
My second and final selection of the day comes in the Fillies Class 4 handicap over 10f.
I am a big fan of pedigrees and the one filly who had the outstanding pedigree in this race is Crepe Suzette. Unfortunately, she is trained by the Gosdens and has powerful owners, so we're not getting fantastic odds. Despite that, she is still good enough to get involved.
This lightly raced daughter of Saxon Warrior made a winning return to the track in April at Wolverhampton. It wasn't a performance that screamed like she is miles ahead of the handicapper off her newly given mark of 77, but it was a good start. There is a strong chance that she would have come on plenty for that run, and if so, she should be able to keep improving. She is out of a Mare called Sultanina, who was a Group 1 winner over the trip Crepe Suzette runs over today. So, based on that, she could be too strong for today's opposition.
The John & Thady Gosden yard is flying at present. They have managed to get ten winners in the last fortnight – operating at a 26% strike rate, and Rab Havlin has had his fair share of winners too.
There is a small chance of some rain falling, but it won't be enough to change the going.
GambleAware