Together Forever looks over-priced in the Irish Oaks
Bill Esdaile previews the best of the weekend’s UK and Irish racing
FOLLOWING the English and French Oaks, the three-year-old fillies will now do battle in tomorrow’s Irish version at the Curragh (5.50pm).
Taking into account the form from both Epsom and France, TOGETHER FOREVER looks a great each-way bet at 12/1 with Betway.
Having very clearly struggled to handle Epsom’s camber in the home straight, causing a filly sandwich with Diamondsandrubies and Star Of Seville, I’m happy to forgive her that run, as I do with many that don’t show their best at that unique track.
Both of those that she tangled with in the Investec Oaks have come out to win Group One prizes since and, if either were running tomorrow, they would be favourite.
The 2/1 about Curvy is too short for my liking given that six of her field are rated within three pounds of her, some of who are open to improvement like James Fanshawe’s Speeedy Boarding and Hugo Palmer’s Covert Love.
Fanshawe rarely sends horses to Ireland, but he has a strong record when he does and Speedy Boarding is chasing a hat-trick.
Covert Love is going for a four-timer and she could be anything.
However, the main worry with both of these fillies is that they are unproven at the trip and the Curragh takes some getting.
Back in England, Newbury hosts the Weatherbys Super Sprint (3.45pm) where a field of 25 two-year-olds compete for a pot of £250,000.
Richard Hannon Jnr tasted success in this race last year with the electric Tiggy Wiggy and, with no less than six representatives today, he clearly wants some more.
Another trainer with pedigree in this race is Yorkshireman Tim Easterby and I fancy him to scupper Hannon’s chances and seal a fourth Super Sprint title with EXCESSABLE.
Although my selection didn’t win last time out, positives can be taken from his defeat at Beverley.
He was conceding almost a stone in weight to a rival, Lydia’s Place, who has gone on to frank the form by winning a strong-looking nursery at York earlier this month.
Before that race my attention will be at Newmarket where I’m expecting a big run from ARABIAN COMET in the fillies’ Listed contest (2.15pm).
After a pipe-opener in the Warwick Stakes at Goodwood my money was down for her to score next time out in the Lancashire Oaks.
However, heavy rain in the north-west meant she was a non-runner and I’ve been waiting for her to reappear. William Haggas has been firing in the winners in July and I’m going to be backing him to add to his haul with Arabian Comet.
▀ Pointers…
ARABIAN COMET 2.15pm Newmarket (tomorrow)
EXCESSABLE 3.45pm Newmarket (tomorrow)
TOGETHER FOREVER e/w 5.50pm Curragh (tomorrow)