Aintree was definitely a success for us, ending up for each of the 3 days before picking 1st and 2nd in the lottery that is the National. Hopefully that form can be transferred to the flat. 3 bets for me today, 2 at Nottingham and 1 this evening at Kempton.
Nottingham:
1.50 – Al Galayel 13/2
Not cheap at 200,000gns, he is by Zoffany who you may remember as the horse who gave Frankel a fright in the St James’ Palace, albeit only due to Queally’s shocking ride. But he was a Group 1 winning juvenile in his own right, as he won the Pheonix Stakes. Al Galayel’s dam, Glympse was nothing special, unplaced in 8 starts and whilst he is related to 4 winners, they’re nothing to shout about. However, if you go back slightly further in the pedigree, the second dam was a 4-time Listed winner in Ireland and a half sister to Grey Swallow, who won the Irish Derby for Dermot Weld. Al Galayel is with Luca Cumani who is renowned for giving his horses plenty of time so it is not a surprise that we didn’t see him as a 2yo. There are whispers he has pleased with his homework, and hopefully he can keep up Cumani’s 100% record with 3yos sired by Zoffany in maidens.
5.20 – Bedouin 11/2
Bedouin will start the campaign from a mark of 73 which seems reasonable following three unsuccessful efforts as a juvenile. There was steady if somewhat unspectacular improvement in those three runs culminating in a fifth of thirteen at Chelmsford in November over seven furlongs beaten a total of four and a quarter lengths behind Richard Hannon’s Mamdood. Bedouin’s pedigree is one of a mixture of speed and stamina, his sire is High Chaparral winner of the English & Irish Derby and Breeders Cup Turf of 2002, while his dam Jewel In The Sand won the 2004 Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes over six furlongs. I had in my notes that a step up in trip should suit, and that’s what he gets today stepping up to 1m 2f 50y. It’s no surprise to see him straight into handicap company with a mark like that, and I expect him to be capable of winning off 73 at some point.
Kempton:
7.15 – Perla Blanca 4/1
Perla Blanca is only rated 55 from her 3 runs last season, which is a fair mark for what she achieved. However, on all 3 occasions she was racing over a trip too short for her. Every time the pace increased, she was outpaced and couldn’t cope. The step up to 1m 3f here is exactly what she needs and I expect her to be winning off 55 sooner rather than later.
1 point singles
0.25 point trixie
£10/point for P/L purposes, but please only bet what you can afford to lose.
Sporting Profit 