Friday, July 20, 2007

The Summer Plate

With today's Newbury card abandoned due to waterlogging and Saturday's seen as 'at risk', I'm assuming the ground will be on the soft side at Market Rasen tomorrow if racing goes ahead.
In the past Peter Bowen has made a target of the Summer Plate (3.40) and this year looks no exception with five of the sixteen runners coming from his stable. The two I'm looking closely at are Lankawi and Iron Man - I think Tommy Spar may struggle to stay. There doesn't appear to be a lot between them; I'm guessing that Tom O'Brien has had the choice and he's gone for Lankawi as this five year old looks slightly less exposed. This is a competitive event for such a young chaser but at around 8/1 he's worth an interest. However I wouldn't put anyone off backing Iron Man each way at around 10/1, especially as Paddy Merrigan's 3lbs claim will be most useful in testing conditions.

Eighteen go to post in the ultra competitive Totescoop6 Summer Handicap Hurdle due off at 2.05. Nicky Henderson's mare Capitana won easily at Stratford last Sunday and must be in with a shout provided she handles the ground. At the bottom of the handicap, John Best's Mind How You Go won over course and distance recently and will definitely handle the ground but looks to have a bit to find.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cheers for the tips Gee Dee.
Now just want the bookies to open there doors !

Shahid

GeeDee said...

Opening at 7/1 on the course and backed in to 5/1 second favourite, Iron Man won the Summer Plate by a convincing eight lengths from the Paul Nicholls trained Hoo La Baloo. All credit to Paddy Merrigan who gave the horse a superb front running ride.
Lankawi, sent off the 9/2 favourite, jumped well for much of the race but was being scrubbed along as they came to the home turn and weakened to finish a slightly disappointing fifth.
A thrilling finish to the Summer Handicap Hurdle saw Kings Quay (12/1) beat Prince Ary and Ellerslie Tom by a short head and a short head. 11/1 shot Capitana made eye catching progress down the back straight to round the home turn with every chance but the mare appeared unable to quicken on the run for home. She finished eighth, beaten under six lengths - a decent effort in a hot race on ground that probably didn't suit.

Anonymous said...

Hi GeeDee backed Capitana , only to see it lose in the final 5 furlons out. Did not touch the 15.40 race. Roll on next saturday for your tips. Now that Authgorized is withdrawn from next weeks King George Queen Elizabeth Diaomand stakes. Who will win????

Shahid

GeeDee said...

Capitana ran an honest race, Shahid; I suspect she would have been a bit closer on better ground.
I'll be looking to try and get some value against Dylan Thomas in the King George; in his last couple of races he's not looked entirely keen to go past the leader. I'm sorry Authorized has been pulled out as I would have readily opposed him after the Eclipse; his withdrawal has taken a lot of value out of the market. Malcolm Heyhoe has made a decent case in The Weekender for Youmzain each way at 16/1 (before Authorized's withdrawal). Best price Youmzain is now 8/1 - I'd be tempted this horse each way if he drifted to 10/1 or bigger on the day but that looks unlikely now.