Pinzolo to end Godolphin’s topsy turvy season on a high
DONCASTER hosts the final British Group One race of the season tomorrow when 11 runners line up for the Racing Post Trophy (3.50pm) over a mile.
The first place to start has to be Aidan O’Brien who has won the race a record seven times. He saddles three runners and the once-raced Century is the most likely of that trio according to the bookmakers.
You should never be surprised if an inexperienced colt from Ballydoyle shows huge improvement, but I can’t imagine that Century is as well regarded as Australia or Geoffrey Chaucer, so at 7/2 with Coral I’m happy to look elsewhere.
Kingston Hill is interesting for Roger Varian as he looked top class when winning the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago. However, I just have my doubts about the strength of that form and the recommendation is PINZOLO at 4/1 with Coral.
Godolphin have had a mixed season and a first Group One success for Charlie Appleby would be the perfect way to end it following Farhh’s gutsy win in the QIPCO Champion Stakes last weekend.
Pinzolo showed an impressive burst of speed to win cosily at Newbury last time having been short of room a furlong out. The Monsun colt clearly relishes the ground and although he was a bigger price earlier in the week, 4/1 is still very fair.
The handicap at 2.40pm is a hugely competitive race and Richard Hughes is an interesting jockey booking for Andrew Balding’s Van Percy, who put in an eye-catching performance at York last time when given too much to do.
That pair can go close from the bottom of the weights, but I’m going to give another chance to VOODOO PRINCE despite being burdened with top weight.
Ed Dunlop’s horses are running really well and the Kingmambo gelding might have hit the front too soon at Newbury last time.
Graham Lee takes over in the saddle and he was on board when the selection finished third in last year’s November Handicap. Voodoo Prince is a pound lower tomorrow and looks a cracking each-way bet.
There is some excellent action at Newbury tomorrow for the racecourse’s Armed Forces Day. Andre Fabre doesn’t send over many to the Berkshire track, so it has to be significant that he is running GALIWAY in the Worthington’s Whizz Kids Stakes (2.20pm).
Olivier Peslier comes over for the ride and this son of Galileo looks destined for even better things next season.
The Worthington’s Champion Shield and Victoria Club Stakes (2.55pm) has been won by three-year-old fillies three times in the past seven years and the only representative from that bracket is COCKTAIL QUEEN who could represent a bit of value.
David Elsworth’s filly had the Oaks third, The Lark three places back when landing her maiden at Nottingham last season, before going on to finish second to Tasaday in a Group Three at Deauville. She hasn’t had her ground yet this term and even though she has plenty to find on ratings, I can see her running very well at what should be a decent price.
Finally, don’t miss BUSTER BROWN in the 8.30pm at Wolverhampton tonight. Graham Lee travels down for just the one ride and the pair were hugely unlucky not to win here on Saturday night. Expect them to put the record straight this evening.
Pointers…
BUSTER BROWN 8.30pm Wolverhampton (today)
GALIWAY 2.20pm Newbury (tomorrow)
VOODOO PRINCE e/w 2.40pm Doncaster (tomorrow)
COCKTAIL QUEEN e/w 2.55pm Newbury (tomorrow)
PINZOLO 3.50pm Doncaster (tomorrow)