Liam’s Weekly Eyecatchers

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Liam looks at the last week of racing and highlights 6 horses who feels can win soon and highlights where they should run next. All of these are for the feature race including the Stewards Cup & the Moet and Chandon International Stakes!

Deodar – Moet & Chandon International Stakes

Deodar ran well to finish 5th when arguably ending up being drawn on the wrong side. He’s won his group comfortably but the effort he had to make to win his group arguably cost him his finishing effort when he eventually merged with the near side group. The race should work out well and he’s still got more to come.

Maylandsea – Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes

Ran far too keen early on and that plus the step up in trip were probably the reasons for her poor run here. I would forgive her that run and hope next time they go a bit quicker early on so she settles better. I don’t think a drop in trip is paramount but returning to Ascot will definitely suit and hopefully a bigger field will ensure a stronger early pace.

Isla Kai – Clipper Logistics Handicap Stakes

Dropped 1lb for this effort when once again going too early. He’s kicked for home some 3 furlongs out after making the running to this point before being run down late on. A more patient/conservative ride (he can still lead but wait before making his effort) and I would be confident he can win again soon. The handicapper dropped him 1lb for this effort.

Venturous – Sky Bet Dash 

I’ve had this race for Venturous in mind for a while (surely connections have too having won it in 2021) and his latest effort at Ascot was hugely eyecatching. He was never involved in the race but ran on strongly under a quiet ride for 6th. His style of closing late really suits York.

Jumby – Qatar Stewards Cup

Jumby was again unlucky here, he travelled really well for a long way before getting squeezed out at a crucial time and losing valuable momentum (momentum is something that many analysts/pundits overlook). When he got clear running, he picked up again but drifted across the track, finishing a good but very unlucky 3rd. The right horses were all involved in the finish & I would be disappointed if he can’t win one of these when he gets one clear run. The drop back to 6f for the Stewards would be my suggestion.

Intellogent – Sky Bet Finale Handicap Stakes

Unexposed in Britain and arguably found himself too far back in this race (through no fault of Adam Kirby). He’s finished strongly down the outside but was making his effort to close down the ‘right’ horses again instead of this effort being to try and win the race. If he can be pitched in mid-div next time early on I would be hopeful of another big run.

Korker – Sky Bet & Symphony Group Handicap Stakes

Has obviously bumped into 1 in Royal Acclaim (Group 1 Nunthorpe Bound) whilst I think he got by Mondammej due to the draw. If he’s drawn in the centre alongside the winner, I think he finishes a good 2nd. Drop him back into a lucrative handicap where they can take advantage of his 3 year old allowance and he can surely go very close.

Liam looks back at the week’s racing and highlights horses he feels were unlucky and can definitely bounce back soon. They might need a stronger pace or a jockey who doesn’t focus on one rival!

Jumira Bridge – didn’t get the strong pace he needs after being slowly away. He’s better than his last run and whilst he isn’t getting any younger, he can definitely go close soon off his mark of just 50.

Persist – was possibly (I can’t be sure) given a poor ride as I think Stevie Donohoe was too busy watching Kevin Stott on Million Thanks. This 3 year old filly travelled exceptionally well but Stevie waited and waited before Whitefeathersfall skipped clear and wasn’t for catching. Run that again and Persist wins.

Granary Queen – was given a very odd ride when travelling really well at the back of the field at Epsom and still on the bridle with 2 to go but David Probert seemed reluctant to ask for an effort or even pull out from behind the rival he was tracking. When he finally did, Hector Loza (having first run for Jim Boyle) had skipped clear and wasn’t for catching.

Grey Fox – despite the near side being the golden highway, the jockey on Grey Fox was determined to stay out towards the centre of the track despite there being plenty of opportunity to get on the rail. His effort at Kempton before that was a better effort and that’s what we should judge him on. He can win soon when getting a good ride.

Second Collection – was arguably given a very good ride but things didn’t work out. Jason dropped out early and was as patient as he could be (no point rushing up around at Chester). When he started to make his effort when in the clear and on the straight, those in front were also quickening and his run flattened out. I think he just needs them to go slightly faster up front

Golden Apollo – was unsighted at York where he generally runs well but watch it back. He was drawn on the wrong side, didn’t get a clear run and wasn’t knocked about late on. He’ll be back in a similar race and just needs to be drawn in the right place and I would be confident he can still go close off his current mark.

Liam looks back at the week’s racing and highlights horses he feels should have won if they were given better rides, simply bumped into one (will it happen again next time?) and 4 maidens that should work out well.

Lady Babs – found every bit of trouble they could here and still nearly got up to win. Can definitely win a similar race.

Beryl Burton – was waited with at Yarmouth even when the others were kicking for home. Faye sat still for far too long before finishing strongly when asked. Would/Should have won. (Runs 14th July)

Out From Under – came into the race of the back of a good 2nd and has simply bumped into a very well handicapped horse at Ascot. Off a similar mark he can go in soon when he doesn’t ‘bump into one’

Bbob Alula – was beaten by Habanero Star when everything was right for the winner and was given a great ride. I think he’s simply bumped into one who had everything perfect. (finished 2nd beaten a head 13/07/22 after being backed from 7/2 into 2/1).

Far Shot – got stuck on the rail at Ascot. Didn’t get out until the winner had kicked for home and nearly ran him down still. Would have won comfortably with a clear run.

Fast Steps – Patrick Milman just needed to shake his hands a little bit more when hitting the front and he would have won here. I imagine they will look for a similar race to make amends.

Allemande – ran in a decent Novice stakes but was clueless early on and when asked for an effort. She ran a good race for 3rd and is sure to improve massively for that run.

Russet Gold– ran a great effort on debut in the wrong part of the track. Forced to switch down the centre he quickened nicely before not quite picking up as well as those down the near side. I expect to see improvement and can go close next time in a maiden event.

Maiden to work out – I think the front 4 or 5 here will be above average. Epictetus was very professional whilst Leadman travelled really well. Desert Honour was most at sea when asked for an effort whilst Flying Honours was on the slowest part of the track.

Defence of Fort – really impressed me despite looking massive. I think he picked up and went away in the style of a smart horse and can certainly improve for the run as well. I would be surprised if he’s not pattern class.

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