Friday 18th May 2018

I can’t take too much credit for Give And Take in the Musidora as I didn’t advise a bet, however, it is pleasing to have identified a back end two-year-old with plenty of potential at three. I am pretty sure that she will improve again when upped to a mile and a half, given her dam was a full sister to the excellent Fame And Glory.

Three horses for Friday, two from the handicappers to follow and one from the dark horses.

2.55 York

I had Sheikha Reika down as a handicapper to follow for this season but after bolting up in a maiden on seasonal reappearance it became apparent that she would be aiming for a much higher level.  She may have a lot to do at the ratings but I think she has the most potential in the field. She gets her optimum conditions today and I fancy her to carry on improving.  There is no value in her price so I will just be watching with interest.

A 550,000 GNS full sister to Lumiere. Her first start was in an Ascot novice race, where she took a while to pick up but finished her race off really nicely. She looked to have her second race in the bag a furlong out at Newmarket but got turned over at odds-on in the last few strides (First two pulled four lengths clear). The third horse, Hadith, has won twice since and is now rated 97. Hadith did beat Sheikha Reika and reverse the form at Nottingham next time but this was on soft ground getting first run on Sheikha Reika. Given Sheikha Reika’s high level of two-year-old form and her pedigree, she has the ability to make a three-figure three-year-old. It is slightly concerning that she has finished second three times, but I would be tempted to persist with her for the next couple of starts.

4.25 Newmarket

A horse I am really looking forward to seeing this season is Wadilsafa. He is from an excellent Shadwell family and looks just the type to make an exciting three-year-old.  It will be an interesting rematch between Herculean and Wadilsafa; although there is a 7lb swing in the weights between the two, Herculean was well on top at the end last time. That novice race has worked out really well, so I am pretty sure that whoever comes out on top tomorrow, both horses should be competitive in group company later on in the season.

Wadilsafa (Owen Burrows)

Sire – Frankel. Dam – Rumoush

A half-brother to Talaayeb and Muntazah, Wadilsafa has raced once and is still a maiden. He ran in an excellent maiden at Ascot behind Herculean, just lacking the pace of the winner. The race was over seven furlongs so he will appreciate a step up in trip. The form of that maiden is working out quite well, as Archie McKellar (had race experience), was back in third and is now rated 103.  Merlin Magic was five lengths behind Wadilsafa and deemed good enough to run in the Racing Post Trophy. This horse should contend group races this season.

5.40 York

This looks weaker than last year’s race won by Alqamar. Mark Johnston has won the race a couple of years back with Yorkidding and his two runners at the top of  the weights look strong contenders on form. Victory Chime is one of my handicappers to follow this year and I was really impressed with the manner of his victory at Goodwood last time. He was drawn wide and must have used a fair amount of energy getting to the front under Louis Steward. He then dictated the race from the front and always looked like holding off any challengers. I think he has a fair bit more to give and the handicapper has been very fair putting him up 6lbs. 

Dam a half-sister to the useful Pealer (by same sire) for John Gosden last season, Victory Chime ran her best race on debut at Nottingham, where she travelled strongly throughout before being outpaced in the straight but stayed on nicely. The first three horses haven’t run since but the fourth has won a handicap off 74 and the sixth bolted up next time in a similar event at Nottingham. Victory Chime ran in the latter race but finished nine lengths behind the winner, she never got into the race and again stayed on late in the day. I would be slightly concerned after her worst performance was in her final race to date at Kempton, racing wide throughout. The promise she showed on her first two starts, travelling well before being outpaced indicates that she will be much better once upped in trip, on a galloping track.

1 pt win VICTORY CHIME (6/1 Bet365)